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    Darband Restaurant

    4.1 (699 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Darband Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    DARBAND RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Darband Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    30. Chicken And Shish Kabob Platter
    Steve S.

    Super generous portions. Everything is well seasoned and authentically Persian. Beautifully appointed restaurant. Attentive staff. Broad and inspired menu. Extended hours of operation. Definitely worth checking out.

    Todd T.

    Stumbled upon this Persian restaurant in San Diego . Service and food were quite good. Chicken and beef were especially tender and great flavor . Highly recommend

    Lots of rice after eating half.

    I came in for a take-out lunch while walking to the train station. I was the only customer in the restaurant as it was 11:00. I ordered ground beef kabob that comes with rice and a salad. I was also given an option of a side of yogurt with garlic or cucumber, or hummus, and I requested hummus. The order was repeated back to me. It came prepped in a take-out container tied in a plastic bag. I assumed all was good, and I left. When I opened the box, it was chicken, no salad, no hummus but yogurt with cucumber, and LOTS of rice! I was offered hot tea while waiting about 10 minutes, which was a nice gesture. The taste of everything was average, I dislike cucumber, and the chicken portion was one kabob. For $19.40 I am not impressed. There was a clean bathroom and the restaurant was nicely decorated. The photo shows the container after I ate the chicken and half the rice, as I was hungry on the train. I gave a one star for the ambiance and quick service. Too bad I didn't receive what I ordered!

    Scouted out this spot from yelp, it's an absolute gem. Not only was the service beyond hospitable, but the food was amazing. The ghormeh sabzi pizza was a must-try as well as the chenjeh kabob plate, all the food was very fresh and flavorful. Overall very tasty dinner and new staple for when I visit San Diego!!

    Jay O.

    Visited Darband with a group of 5 friends. It wasn't crowded, so getting a table was pretty smooth. We ordered a few appetizers which were very yummy. I ordered the boneless chicken kebab and it was pretty good. Not dry and seasoned well. They do give you alot of rice with each dish. They do not sell alcohol but have options of canned/bottled soda and carbonated waters. The only complaint I have was it did take time to track down our server, even though it wasn't crowded. It took a while to have someone check on us and take away dirty dishes which was kinda annoying.

    Athena A.

    Food is 10/10 Tea is 7/10 The restaurant food is very god but surprisingly it's very empty. The ambience is not so lively and they can add some more music and make it warmer. Overall, because their food is good I recommend it. It's good for meetings with groups and friends.

    Darband Special
    Amanda J.

    I love going to this restaurant to get my Persian food fix. I always get the Darband Special. It includes chicken, steak, koobideh, saffron rice, and grilled veggies. This dish hits the spot everytime. I always get good service there. They recently moved from a smaller location in downtown San Diego to a much larger location.

    No taste
    serina c.

    This place has clearly changed ownership from the last location. The food has zero flavor now and the yogurt dip I ordered is not yogurt. I don't know what it is cuz it's oily and light brown. Pretty gross. I honestly have never had Persian food this tastelesss before. Sucks

    MA. T.

    We randomly found this restaurant after a long trip and decided to go there for dinner--and we really enjoyed it! We ordered a few types of kebabs, some gheymeh stew, Shirazi salad, mast-o-musir, and lentil soup. Everything was amazing and super delicious, and the staff were so friendly. It's a really clean and cozy place. Definitely give it a try--you won't regret it!

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    3 months ago

    Food was absolutely delicious! Service was great too. We were in San Diego and needed a halal place to eat. Highly recommend a visit.

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    Page 1 of 18

    Darband Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Darband Restaurant

    Do they allow dogs in the new location?

    Does anyone know why they are temporarily closed? So sad about it!

    They moved to a new modern and amazing looking location. 1450 Kettering Blvd… Read more

    Are there meat and chicken halal?

    I believe it is. They even have prayer room. I would assume so

    View All 5 Questions

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    I wanted something quick for lunch and saw that this had good reviews so decided to check it out…read more It's located in the back of the liquor store and once you place your order you can pay up front. I went with a godfather sandwich and the first thing I noticed is that the sandwich is absolutely stuffed. They are not shy about putting meat in here which I appreciate as sometimes sandwich spots give a less than desirable amount. I was also surprised at how good the Dutch crunch I chose tasted (it had a slight chew but was also fluffy at the same time). It definitely wasn't the cheapest sandwich (after tax it was around 19 bucks) but based on the ingredients and amount of meat I'd say it's fair value!

    The Best sandwiches!…read more The sandwiches I ordered for my event at my new business were absolutely amazing! Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and made with so much care. My guests couldn't stop complimenting how delicious they were--perfectly balanced flavors and high-quality ingredients in every bite. They not only looked great laid out for the event, but they also added such a professional and elevated touch to the experience. The service was smooth, timely, and stress-free, which made hosting so much easier. I'll definitely be ordering again and highly recommend them for any event or gathering!

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    Owner making our sandwiches and chatting with us

    The Girls Deli - Godfather Sandwich

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    Jan's Health Bar

    Jan's Health Bar

    4.5(126 reviews)
    16.4 miCarmel Valley
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    I am a CAVA fan & saw this restaurant next door. I decided to give it a shot and am so glad I did…read more I was greeted right away and didn't wait long. The employee was nice. I was so impressed the salad looked just like the pics. I feel like that rarely happens! I usually am picky or hesitant about trying Tina at restaurants but im glad I got it there. The salad was so fresh, filling, and light! I will be returning for sure! I'm looking forward to trying the other menu items too!

    Service: [5/5] Staff was really nice, no complaints there. A bright spot in an otherwise mixed…read moreexperience. Price: [2/5] $30 for a sandwich and smoothie is a tough pill to swallow. The sandwich at around $15 is pricey but feels more appropriate for what you're getting. A $12 smoothie isn't unusual in San Diego, but when the taste doesn't back it up, the price becomes a lot harder to justify. Food/Drinks: [3.5/5] Chicken Salad Sandwich -- A 3.8/5 for me. I'm from the South, so I have a pretty solid benchmark for what good chicken salad tastes like. For a healthier take on it, this one actually holds up--the dill was a nice touch and the soft whole wheat bread worked well. That said, I'm judging it on taste alone, not its nutritional value, and it's decent but not exceptional. It also came with vegan bacon bits, which I didn't mind. A solid sandwich, just nothing that wows you. Strawberry Delight Smoothie -- A 3/5. It's clearly a nod to Hailey Bieber's Erewhon smoothie and it looked the part, but the taste was just okay. I swapped the almond milk for 2% due to my nut allergy, which the staff accommodated easily, but even still it didn't wow me. At $12 I was hoping for more. Ambience: [4/5] The interior is on the smaller side but I came on a beautiful day and sat outside, which made for a lovely lunch break. One Paseo is a nice area to be in, so the outdoor experience saves it. Overall Experience: [3.7/5] Jan's is a cute concept and I get the appeal, especially in that setting. But the prices are genuinely hard to justify when you're right next door to Cava, where your money goes a lot further. I'd probably come back for the vibes on a nice day, but I'd be much more selective about what I ordered.

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    Jan's Health Bar - Tuna salad spring roll

    Tuna salad spring roll

    Jan's Health Bar - Berry blast

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    Went to Helix Brewery for a friends birthday and was pleasantly surprised that this food truck was…read morethere. You order at the truck and they bring it right to you at your table. I sat and sipped on my drink while observing orders coming to my friends and the people around me. One of the most prominent things I noticed was how fresh and vibrantly colored everything looked as well as the portion sizes. I knew I had to try it. So I walked up and was greeted by a really nice lady who was ready to answer any questions I had and take my order. The menu is easy to read and has some great choices from salads, to panini's, to wraps and soup. I opted for the chicken Caesar wrap, and let me tell you, it was so fresh, crisp, and flavorful! Packed with chicken, onions, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and croutons. The portion size was HUGE! The wrap had the most wonderful amount of crunch from the lettuce, onions, and croutons, and the dressing was generous but not too powerful. I definitely want to come back to helix brewing almost more for the food truck than the drinks! Bravo!

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    Simply Fresh
    Simply Fresh - Bon appetit!

    Bon appetit!

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    Big Front Door - Ham & Poppy

    Big Front Door

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    2.6 mi
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    This place is one of the top 5 best sandwich shops in San Diego hands down. They also serve salads,…read moresoups, and some awesome sides. I heard they're going to start serving beer and wine soon as well! *Best 1st-timer options*: The Keeper (if you like it spicy) or the L.G.B.T. My favorite hot sandwiches are the Cali Cubano, B3, and The Keeper, while my favorite cold sandwiches are the Avocado Highway, L.G.B.T. (lettuce, gouda, bacon, tomato), and Caprese. My favorite salads are the Grapevine and Duck Cranberry. For sides I recommend the potato salad and tomato basil bisque. The aioli they use is to die for -- can't hurt to get a side of it with any sandwich! The restaurant is situated on the corner of Park Blvd. and Polk Ave. (more generally, it's on the strip of Park Blvd. between University Ave. and El Cajon Blvd.). There is usually a good amount of parking on Park Blvd. and Polk Ave., which is nice. The space has a simple-yet-tasteful modern design and interior, is always clean, with friendly and helpful staff. Great for lunch hour or a weekend date. Update: Came back today with my friend and we ordered the B3 and the Turkey & Cheddar Mousse sandwiches, plus sides of potato salad and cucumber salad, and a double chocolate cookie with pistachio and sea salt. Everything was really good, but the Turkey & Cheddar Mousse sandwich was the star of the show. The cookie was great too. We both agreed the potato salad could use some salt, but besides that it was a solid meal all around.

    Big Front Door has quickly become a new favorite for sandwiches, and visiting two days in a row…read moremade that very clear. On the first visit, Zack provided exceptional care and attention while helping navigate food allergies. Zack took the time to carefully check ingredients, double-check preparations, and personally come back out to verify everything to ensure safety. That level of care made the experience feel genuinely welcoming and stress-free. The chicken sandwich was fresh, satisfying, and thoughtfully balanced. Juicy chicken, ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a bright splash of oil and vinegar came together beautifully on Big Front Door's roll, which had a great texture and held everything together well. The flavors were clean and vibrant. A little extra salt would have pushed it over the top for a salt-lover, but that came down to personal preference rather than any shortcoming. A dining companion ordered the avocado sandwich and could not stop raving about it, praising both the flavor and the freshness. The outdoor seating area deserves special mention. The shaded space was perfect as I do have sun allergies, especially for anyone who prefers relief from direct sun. The care taken in food preparation added an extra layer of comfort and trust. The second visit somehow raised the bar even higher. Micah went above and beyond to accommodate physical ability needs with patience, attentiveness, and genuine kindness. That effort did not go unnoticed and made the experience feel deeply respectful and inclusive. The roasted chicken sandwich ordered on the second visit was phenomenal. The roasted chicken was tender, savory, and full of depth, elevating the sandwich even further. Adding a bit of extra salt brought all the ingredients into perfect harmony, making every bite more satisfying than the last. This sandwich has officially earned a spot as a new favorite sandwich. Big Front Door was amazing not just for delicious, thoughtfully prepared food, but for the people who work there. Zack and Micah created an environment where care, kindness, and respect were clearly prioritized. No moment felt rushed, dismissive, or uncomfortable. At no point did anyone make the experience feel like a burden or inconvenience. A sincere thank-you also goes to the team members who prepared the food. Even without knowing names, the care taken to keep guests safer while serving delicious nourishment was evident and deeply appreciated. Big Front Door comes highly recommended for the flavorful sandwiches, the shaded outdoor space, the welcoming atmosphere, outstanding customer service, and the genuine kindness shown at every action.

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    Ordering area

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    Inside of the chicken salad sandwich special

    Big Front Door - Checkout area

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    Checkout area

    Darband Restaurant - persian - Updated May 2026

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