After some shopping on a rainy Saturday night, all I had wanted was to stay in--cozy, dry, and lazy. My sweetheart had insisted I looked too good to stay home, so out we went. For dinner, he let me choose and I went with what I thought was a solid choice after finding out it was a favorite of his .... Kabob Express and a place I'd strangely never been to. After giggling a bit because we chose the same entree .. the beef kobideh, I ordered a simple hot tea, the server gently told us they didn't have any ... and that they were closing soon. Confused--because they usually stayed open late--we asked why. That's when she told us the owner had passed away, and the restaurant only had enough inventory for tonight and maybe two more days. Our hearts dropped. It was my first visit, and somehow also my last. I could see how much this place meant to my boyfriend, and it felt like we were saying goodbye to a piece of his history. There was this quiet heaviness in the air--you could feel the love and years poured into the place. Even the money tree in the corner had lost all its leaves. Goodbye, Kabob Express. But like the best things in life .... I wish I'd found you sooner. Sorry. No pics. But the food was solid. read more

Food is good, service was okay, speed was disappointingly slow. I get that these places make their food to order so I expected a wait, but they have the word "express" in their business name so I had a false expectation. Needless to say I sat there waiting for my two to-go orders for what felt like an eternity. A lot of people flowed in after me and they were all just waiting, it was weird since it was empty when I walked in and then seeing 6 tables of people with no food. I thought I ordered the cheaper lunch special of chicken koobideh and beef koobideh, but he punched in the full portion instead. I didn't really mind as it just became extra food for dinner. But I feel like if someone is going in at the beginning of lunch time, they would be looking to order lunch menu stuff? I guess I can't expect people to do what I my logic would do. The two koobidehs is pretty much the same thing I order at any of these places because I prefer ground meat that's tender and juicy and this place did not disappoint. They were cooked to perfections with just a little crisp on the meats. Not much else to say since I only had a basic meal....meals read more

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We had it to go, so I can't speak much about the dine-in experience, but I will say the service wasn't the friendliest. We ordered the combo beef and chicken plate, the beef gyro plate, and two falafel on the side. The falafel didn't look impressive, but they were surprisingly excellent--moist, flavorful, and honestly better than Sababa's. I'll definitely order six next time. The gyro plate was solid, not overly greasy or heavy, and the seasoning was just right. I wasn't a fan of the hummus, which had a bitter aftertaste, but my partner liked the tanginess, so that may come down to personal preference. On the combo plate, the chicken stood out: juicy and tender. The beef seemed to be a leaner cut and was a bit dry. I'd probably skip this particular beef kebab next time and try a different one. The saffron rice and grilled tomato were a nice complement. The plate also came with jumbo naan, served warm and smelling amazing, definitely a highlight. read more

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Our first visit was so enjoyable that my wife and I were really excited to return to this Mediterranean restaurant. We were greeted by a very friendly guy behind the counter, which reminded us of how friendly the staff was on our first visit. He was also patient and helpful, as I asked a lot of questions. My wife got the Gyros Plate, just like last time. I opted for the Chicken Koobideh. I'm not sure why, since I like the Gyro so much. Maybe it was that the Koobideh was promoted as their most popular item. After ordering, we sat down to wait for our meals. We waited, and waited, and waited some more. It took way too long to get our food, particularly considering ours was the only order they were working on. The food finally came, and there was plenty of it. I tried to remember to take a photo, but I was so hungry by this time that I forgot. Upon first bite, I realized I had made a mistake. My Chicken Koobideh was not bad, it just wasn't that good. It lacked flavor and was a little mushy. I have had Koobideh at other restaurants that had a better, firmer texture. I decided that the Tzatziki sauce on my wife's Gyro might be good on my Koobideh - maybe give it a little more flavor. So, I looked around to find the nice guy we ordered from. He was nowhere to be found. In fact, no employees were in the dining room, or evident in the kitchen, the entire time we were eating. No one checked up on us to see if we were enjoying our meals. This was very unfortunate, and I left disappointed. So, why the four stars? Because my wife's Gyro Plate was great. She enjoyed every bite, and I will definitely know what to order next time. read more

Kabab Express - 18. Beef & lamb Gyros Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Just moved here from Thousand Oaks and very familiar with this cuisine. Granted, I don't think I ever pick places that have the potential of being sub par, but my overall feeling so far is the customer service just seems higher than average in (many places) in Orange County, and this was no exception - friendly and welcoming. Food was excellent quality and taste. I found the value to be decent. Got a 2 person platter. Kebabs were very tasty, fresh, rice was so fluffy, taboon (I think that is what it's called, like grilled pita) bread was yummy, chewy and lightly charred as they make it fresh. Comes with salad, and you are more than full. My big mouth and foodie self inquiring about things always leads me to buying more stuff. I wound up buying their house made toum (garlic spread) which was soooo tasty. It should be so good that your breath wards off vampires til the next day, and so it does. Thank you for your nice, kind service. I hope to be back soon to try their ash reshteh and types of rice pilaf. I would say to give them some time to make your food. The wait is not long at all, but mind you they are making everything fresh, and it's worth it. read more

Kabab Express - Family Special #2 - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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We were surprised to learn of a place that was open so late in our area and decided to check it out. We arrived around 8:45 and ordered, took a number and found a table. So, people were generally nice. There was a manager (owner?) walking around to greet people and one of the two girls working the cash register was very friendly...the other was new-ish. Anyway, long story short, the food is GREAT. I got chicken + beef koobideh platter (chicken was slightly better) and hubby got the lamb tongue sandwich which he loved. We also shared a falafel platter. BIL ordered he thought was chicken but was given a steak kabab ??? Couldn't really tell as the meat was blackened but the texture was that of steak. Whatever it was, it was pretty tasty. We were given a ton of taftoon (flat bread) for our entrees. That being said, the food did take a LONG time. By the time we got out of there, it was 10:30pm. I mean, we're pretty patient people but were getting a little hungry when our food finally arrived. Except BIL's. His took another 15 minutes and when we inquired, we were told the chicken takes longer to cook??? So I want to say it was over an hour by the time we got all our food. Not sure if we'll be back - will likely stick to to-go orders but it was nice to know we have an option for late night eats that isn't a drive-thru. The place was inexplicably packed for 10pm on a Friday night, with a party of 20 people showing up for a birthday party. Check it out but make sure you have plenty of time. read more

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This was our go-to place for late night dinner. Our favorite were the chicken steak and the chicken curry. Food was delicious and service was consistently great. Sad to learn they closed. I miss this place already read more

Incredible food and service in an unassuming Lake Forest plaza. A must stop for me from now on every time I'm in town. Some of the best kashke badjeman I've ever had, and I eat this roasted eggplant dish at nearly every establishment I can find it. The fluffy bread and well-seasoned koobideh were absolutely delicious. Hospitality is a hallmark of the culture, and the staff here were just so welcoming and wonderful. The owner even came around to ask all the diners how everything was going, which I thought was a nice personal touch. See everyone again for some more delicious food when I'm back in SoCal. read more

Kabab Express - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Amazing food and service! We came in around 4pm on a Sunday afternoon. We were greeted and were given recommendations. I like that they helped us out and gave us details on some of the dishes! We ordered the beef and chicken koobideh combo and beef koobideh sandwich. Both were delicious and filling. I recommend coming here if you're craving Persian or Mediterranean food! read more

Kabab Express - Beef Koobideh Sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Food and service was great! The good came out very fast and the prices are very reasonable as well! Came here with my kids and the manager was very friendly and offered us hot tea on the house. read more

Kabab Express - Family menu #1 - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Whenever I'm in Southern California, I can't resist the urge to drive to Lake Forest for a bite at this amazing spot! I hope this shows just how fantastic they really are! read more

Kabab Express - 56. Kalleh Pacheh (Lamb Head and Lamb feet) - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Stopped by here on the way to San Diego and was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the beef kabab and overall flavor of the plate. Service was quick and easy, our food was ready in 15 minutes. Came during lunch and there was plenty of inside and outside seating. Must try when you're in the area. Will definitely be back! read more

$75 for this is unbelievable. I couldn't even enjoy my food bc I was in disbelief of the price. And the gentleman in the front was not welcoming or helpful. I didn't understand the menu too well and not once did he budge in to ask if I needed help. Yes, I could've looked at prices before but I thought it would be average just as other establishments. read more

Kabab Express - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

What a great place for Kabab, Koobideh and other delicious middle eastern cuisine. Fresh ingredients, good portions, friendly staff and good customer service. The ambiance seems to be positive and customer focused. Recommended read more

Best Persian restaurant in OC! We've tried countless Persian restaurants in the area and have finally found the best one. Definitely worth the drive from San Diego where unfortunately it has been difficult to find quality Persian food as of late. The kabob is fresh and juicy. It's cooked perfectly with all the right spices and flavor. They make their bread in house and it's delicious. The kabob sandwhich is my go to, but I've also had the olivieh salad and gormeh sabzi, which were both amazing. The inside is nice and clean with plenty of seating. They are located in a big shopping center with lots of parking available. The GM Mike is very kind and welcoming. He remembered us even though it had been a few months since our first visit. We've already taken several friends here and everyone has been impressed with the quality of the food. They get extra points for staying open so late too. read more

Kabab Express - Kabob sandwhich - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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We were so happy to find this gem! Same owner as the Hen House (now closed). I got to have my favorite chicken koobideh today and my stomach was very happy! The owner was there today and he's super nice. Will definitely be back!!!!!!!!!! read more

Kabab Express - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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The food at Kabab Express is genuinely delicious. The koobideh was juicy and full of flavor and everything we ordered tasted fresh and well-prepared. I placed my order at 9:36 pm and did not receive my food until 10:43 pm. I was frustrated at first, especially since the prices on the board did not match what I was charged and I did not realize it until later. But to their credit, the staff went above and beyond to make things right. They refunded me without me even asking and explained that their main cook had called off just minutes before the shift. Everyone was kind and truly doing their best under a tough situation. They also included extra hummus, tzatziki, and food to make up for the long wait, which I really appreciated. Mistakes happen, but how they handled it showed they care. I will absolutely give them another try. read more

The food here is absolutely amazing!! I started coming to this company when they were located in Irvine and named Hen House. I followed them once they moved to Lake Forest because I can't give it up. My friends and I love coming here for a late night bite. I highly recommend their tea as well! read more

Kabab Express - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Too sad to hear this place closed so suddenly! The owner boss was such a nice friendly gentleman, his great service and hospitality will definitely be missed and it is the best Kabab I ever had! read more

Wow! I found this place by accident, after a really long day. I came in around 9pm, place is packed! I patiently waited, as is looked like one person taking orders, serving, and bussing. Got the falafel plate, side salad, hummus, and fresh baked taftoon bread. Absolutely delicious, the bread... sigh. Falafel was crunchy outside, and tender inside. Perfect. I even have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Ambiance was lively, I think it was a big family party, happy noise. Next time I'm in OC, I'm coming back. Need to try some more dishes. read more

Kabab Express - Falafel plate, hummus and freshly baked taftoon bread. - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Such an awesome find in the Laguna Hills area! About the same price as Luna Grill for their beef koobideh but you get twice the portion and tastes better. The naan is a must try with their garlic dip. Mike, who I believe is the owner, let us know that the garlic dip is dairy free. It is so good that I even put some on my beef. Mike was a great host. Very friendly and accommodating from the moment we ordered. He also introduced us to cardamom tea which I recommend as well. It is a nice palate cleanser and perfect for the cool weather. I am definitely coming back to try the other dishes on their menu. read more

Kabab Express - Naan - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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My gf and I ordered two beef gyros. One without veggies and with. Two fries and a side salad. We were unsure of his weak ass menu since nothing said anything about sides. I had to ask just so we know what to order. The f'ing owner was such a dick. Rude AF. I looked at my gf and asked her if we should leave but we were both hungry. This MF'er owns the f'ing business and he wants to talk to new customers like a dick. F him. Weak ass customer service. Rude AF. F this place. I'm not coming back at all. Update: 30 mins later: Just got home. We just got done eating the gyros. On a positive note, the jojo fries were really good. But we know it was purchased frozen from a restaurant business like Restaurant Depot or a similar supplier. The beef gyro sandwich was DIFFERENT! Never had a gyro in a baguette before. It caused the sandwich to be extremely dry. The beef itself was extremely salty! I mean extremely salty. With the bad customer service, I was at least hoping the food was going to be good. It was straight garbage. *Photo is of the rude MF'er, who we assume is the owner and my receipt. For the owner, my gf had to stop me from saying anything to you while you were sh_ _ ting on us. We just stayed professional while waiting to post a review on Yelp later. You were unprofessional sir. Yes, you should know who we are. Look at the date and time of this post as well as the receipt. If that doesn't ring a bell, I am a male Asian in my 40's wearing a black shirt and black shorts. My gf is a female Asian. Did this receipt and description of us click for you? DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS!!!! read more

Kabab Express - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Just as the name says, Kabob Express. They have all the different Persian kabobs and even gyros over here. There is inside seating area and some tables outside. You have a lot of options to choose from between koobideh, boneless or bone in chicken, stews, and combination plates. I had ordered the koobideh and chicken barg combo and got half salad and rice. The chicken barg wasn't the kind of thin sliced chicken I was expecting but it was decent but maybe needed a little juiciness to it. The koobideh was good and they make really good bread here and it's one of my favorite things to have kabob with. Make sure to get the onions, and some butter added to the rice to add another layer of flavor here. Service was friendly and the ambiance is more of a casual feel as well. read more

Kabab Express - 36. Beef Koobideh with Taftoon Naan Special - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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First time at this place. There's another one in Irvine. The roasted chicken is the best. The parking is at the shopping center. There's plenty of parking and they open at 8am. Today, we had chicken kabob. It was very tasty. The rice, salad, and pita was complemented with yogurt. I also drank Black tea. They have music but it is not noisy so it's great for talking. Great for friends and family. I noticed they do catering, and you can reserve the place for meetings, parties, 15añeras etc. From 50 to 100 guests. Including the menu you like goes from 16 to 20 dlls per guest. There's tables inside and outside, and you decide where to sit. Mike was a gentleman serving and checking on us if anything we needed. Very affordable price. Definitely, I'll be back for more. I highly recommend this place. read more

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This is a halal restaurant in Lake Forest that serves good Persian food at a reasonable price. We arrived on a Thursday afternoon and were immediately greeted. Service is friendly, and our meal even came with free bread and tea. I particularly liked the bread and the beef koobideh. The beef was very flavorful and cooked nicely. The bread was also a highlight - it was soft, warm, and tasty. Portion sizes were generous. read more

Kabab Express - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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This place has become my go-to spot for Persian food and is worthy of the drive up from San Diego as extreme as that may sound. The quality of the food is really second to none and the service is always outstanding as well not to mention the variety of specials that they offer which you can't find at most places. The restaurant is tucked away inside a fairly busy shopping center in Lake Forest but there is usually parking available without much fuss. The interior of the space isn't too huge but it feels comfortable inside and the design is welcoming. The Koobideh is some of the best I've had anywhere in SoCal and it's up there with Raffis/Javan/Shamshiri/etc and if anything they are more consistent. The fresh bread is also outstanding especially paired with their Olivieh salad or other appetizers. They also have a good variety of specials which they rotate; the last time I came in they had Koofteh Tabrizi which is something you can't find anywhere in San Diego Persian spots for example. The service has been warm and personable each time I have visited and it elevates the experience that much more. Definitely worth a trip, and the drive, wherever you are based in SD or the OC. read more

The food here is amazingly authentic, flaviorful and delicious. We love the beef koobideh and gyro plates. It was big enough for four people. The bread is simple yet highly addictive when dipped with hummus. Staff were friendly and food took about twenty minutes to come out (they're super busy on Friday evening). Ambiance is cozy, comfortable in a family-run style restaurant. Highly recommend this hidden gem in Lake Forest! read more

Kabab Express - 42. Beef Koobideh - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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If you are looking for some quality Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food in the area, Kabab Express is one of the best you will find. I stopped by for some shawarma and falafel and was impressed with their generous portions and thoughtfully crafted plates. The beef gyros plate I ordered came loaded with protein, accompanied with a giant piece of naan and a great mix of red onions and tzatziki. Throw on a slab of their delicious garlic sauce and a sprinkle of sumac, and you have yourself some perfect little gyros that I could eat all day. I would come back for this plate alone. The beef koobideh was tender and flavorful and was large enough for multiple meals for my kids. The falafels were solid and I love all the veggies that were served on the side. I didn't expect too much from this place with such an unassuming name, but I left deeply satisfied with my meal. I will definitely be back. read more

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Terrible service, tasteless food. Rude host. Not coming back here again. For what they charge they don't offer anything good. read more

Kabab Express - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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The food was authentic and flavorful. Iranian offerings at its best. Their special was 7.95 and the very nice young lady said it's not a lot of food. We had trouble finishing it. Good portions and inviting appearance. Great meal for. Great price. Very friendly staff. I believe we will stop here again. Lake Forest is even more international. Try this place, I think you'll like it. read more

Kabab Express - Dark meat roasted chicken, rice, roasted vegetables and a salad. - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Kabab Express used to be one of our favorite go-to spots. We used to come here at least twice a week because of the warm atmosphere and great service, mostly thanks to Mike. He was the heart of the place, always greeting everyone with a smile, checking on tables, and keeping the quality consistent. Unfortunately, since Mike left, things have changed. The welcoming vibe is gone, tables often stay unclean, and staff seem not caring. Even the food doesn't taste as fresh as it used to, and hygiene feels like it's slipping. We've started going to Café Naderi instead, where the friendly service and attention to detail remind us of how Kabab Express used to be. I honestly hope the owners bring Mike back, his energy and professionalism made all the difference. With him, Kabab Express felt alive. Without him, it's just not the same. read more

Surprisingly, really good. It was a late night choice and anything that's usually late night is questionable yet the fresh baked bread and the chicken medallions were so juicy. The hummus was good as well the lula kabobs. read more

I've been coming here several times and each time has been consistently amazing. The owner Mike is especially hospitable with a big smile and makes the dining experience very pleasant. BONELESS LAMB KABOB - 5/5 The lamb kabob is so juicy and tender. Every time I come here I want to try other entrees, but I end up getting the lamb kabob again anyway because it's THAT good. FALAFEL - 5/5 The falafel is also incredibly delicious. It's crispy on the outside but soft and not dry inside. read more

Kabab Express - Boneless Lamb Kabob (half rice half persian salad) - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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I had a falafel craving and this is close by work and the kids' school. I got there when it first opened at 11a. Server was super nice and she convinced me to get the sandwich since the flatbread is made in house. The restaurant is located in the Orchard shopping center and so there's plenty of parking. I love that the restaurant has plenty of tables and has brick walls. There's also a TV for entertainment. The bathroom is located in the back and could use some TLC. I did order my food to go with intentions to eat inside, knowing I won't be able to finish my lunch. It took some time to get but I understand that they just opened. Out of my combo, I enjoyed the fries and the garlic sauce the most. Not every place offers garlic sauce and so I enjoyed the surprise. There was something about the falafel that I didn't quite enjoy - I usually want the falafel to be the main thing I can taste but I think because it was accompanied with so many veggies I couldn't quite capture the taste. I did take it out to try and lacked in flavor. The server is what stands out in Kabab Express. Great vibes, nice smile and excellent service! read more

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10 out of 10 that's a lot coming from me I am a foodie and specialize in Mediterranean food , by far the best Persian food I ate . Greeted and served by the owner himself,the most amazing breed and food . Try them out you will not be disappointed prepare to take left overs as the plates are a big size . Tea is complementary and amazing bread as well . read more

Kabab Express - #51 Combination plate beef barg kabob and boneless chicken. - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

First time coming in, Saeed, who is the manager, helped us out tremendously and showed an abundance of hospitality. Our food was delicious and he even gave us a free cup of tea which was unbelievable! Food is fresh and delivered in a quickly manner, ambience is super nice and relaxing. This was my first time coming in, and it sure won't be my last. read more

Best Persian food in town . Recommend to try food here . Super nice staff and fast service read more

Kabab Express - Beef barg & koobideh meat are tender and juicy. - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Not often I drop in a positive review, but Kabab Express deserves some praise. The place itself is modestly decorated, but the value for the money is top notch. At first glance the prices seem a little high, but the quantity more than makes up for it. The roasted chickens are a good size, enough so that a couple could split the whole chicken plate and be completely satisfied. Pretty much everything comes with naan and hummus, and if you are on a bit of a tighter budget they offer complimentary hot tea so you don't have to buy anything extra at all. On my latest visit I tried the Gyros plate while the wife got a half chicken. Food was delivered fast, staff was friendly, naan tasty .... zero complaints. Looking for something a bit different than the sea of fast food chains in the area? Strongly recommended. read more

fantastic service. A very nice hands-on owner that was going above and beyond. delicious food and a terrific value I used to go to donor G on Lake Forest and for about the same price all you would get was a Gyro here I got a Gyro with salad and hummus. It was fantastic. I had to get it to go box the place was impeccably, clean and very professionally run. I like the marketing and design. I will definitely be back. read more

Kabab Express - Clean menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Food was yummy, service was alright, the restaurant was quite not busy... took the food to go so didn't really get to pay attention to the ambiance! read more

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