It was only recently that I started becoming more adventurous with Mediterranean cuisine, since it wasn't something I had eaten very often before. Sofra Grill has quickly become one of my favorite places to enjoy it! Go-to orders: -Chicken Skewers Plate - SO MOIST AND JUICY!!!!! -Steak or Chicken Shawarma Plate -Steak Shawarma Fries FOOD: 9/10 Flavorful food, juicy protein, fresh sides- it is all so good. The portions are pretty big and not overly salty or oily. Their pita bread is very fluffy as well. SERVICE: 9/10 Staff is always quick, very kind, and chill. AMBIANCE: 10/10 They recently expanded! They opened up the wall and added an extended section to the restaurant. The decor is simple yet aesthetically pleasing--nothing feels overdone. I also love the attention to detail in their plating; everything feels thoughtfully presented. read more

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Sofra Grill is the kind of restaurant where you arrive hungry and leave wondering whether you have just eaten dinner or participated in a Mediterranean endurance competition. The hummus was creamy, the chicken shawarma was flavorful, and the bread was so good I briefly considered putting it in my pocket for later. The Adana kebab had enough spice to remind me that I still have functioning taste buds, while the lahmacun was essentially Turkish pizza, but which raises the obvious question: Why haven't we been doing this all along? So far, so good. My stomach was optimistic. Then things became a little less heroic. Some dishes seemed to have been prepared by completely different kitchens that weren't on speaking terms. The mixed grill arrived looking like it was preparing to support me through the apocalypse. There was so much food that I started making strategic decisions about which items I would eat now and which ones I would leave behind for my imaginary second stomach. A few dishes were excellent; others were more "perfectly acceptable, but let's not get carried away." The atmosphere is pleasant, the menu has plenty of choices, and there are enough good dishes to make me want to return. But three stars feels right: not bad enough to complain, not good enough to write poetry about. I'd happily come back for the shawarma, hummus, bread, and kunafa--but next time I'm bringing stretchy pants, a financial advisor, and someone to carry me to the car. Service was okay. read more

Greetings to all, this not my first time to this outstanding eatery, let's see how it went: Parking is street side only, or at your own risk at the local Smart and Final store. Inside is a modestly lit atmosphere gleaming throughout both sides of the restaurant. The service was great and the greeter was excellent as well. The food we ordered was to go, But was outstanding and very Flavorful as well. Nice job Safra Grill , another outstanding Meal well done. read more

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Good Mediterranean / Turkish food in South City! It's a 3.75/5 for me! We went on a Friday night and had to wait a bit to be seated. They're popular! And their food quality proves their popularity. We got the lamb shank and the kofte plate. - Lamb shank: 4/5. The lamb shank is a whole show! They brought it out uncut and then cut the bread skin open, revealing the lamb shank and the rice. The lamb shank was super tender. It had a good balance of fattiness and lean meat. The rice was soaked with the goodness and umami flavor from the lamb. This is an amazing dish and I recommend this! - Kofte plate: 3/5. The kofte was a bit dry unfortunately. The rice and the veggies were good though. Overall, this is a solid spot in South City! I would recommend and would definitely go back! They can get a bit busy on the weekends. read more

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Habibi this place is halal!! I ate here twice in July and I'll probably eat here twice in August too! Sofra grill has the best most authentic middle eastern food. From the Meze to kabob, everything is spiced and cooked to perfection, absolutely delicious. The bread, cheese and ice cream are all made in house! The portion sizes are great too. My favorite must order items: all kabobs, Meze platter, kunafa, yogurt drink. The customer service was beyond amazing.i can't say enough great things about the hospitality! Azad and his staff were so gracious and went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and more. read more

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Good portion sizes and good value for money. I was surprised to have received twice as much as I was expecting when I ordered the $11 chicken shawarma. In terms of taste, it's definitely a notch below Mazra - the Adana kebab was missing a flavor kick and was a bit too bland and some of the mezze felt off too (maybe less real olive oil and other type of oils being used?). Nevertheless you should give it a shot if you're hungry and in the area! read more

Sofra Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

I first discovered Sofra Grill at a Yelp Celebration earlier this year, and I've been looking for an excuse to come back ever since. We ordered takeout this time, and my Chicken Shawarma Plate was outstanding. The chicken was flavorful and generously portioned over perfectly cooked saffron rice. The fresh house salad balanced everything beautifully, the garlic sauce was creamy and addictive, the hot sauce had just the right kick, and that warm, fluffy pita bread was worth the trip all by itself. The Steak Shawarma Plate was for my 20-year-old son...and I was hoping he'd save a tiny piece for our pup. Nope. He guarded that plate like it was priceless. Leia gave him her very best puppy eyes, but he wasn't giving up a single bite. Judging by how fiercely he protected it, I'm guessing the steak shawarma was every bit as good as my chicken. Sofra Grill has officially become a family favorite. Next time, I think Leia deserves her own order. read more

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Good spot if you are looking to grab some Mediterranean food. They have expanded to the spot next door so they now have ample seating. I have only gotten to go here so not sure if it is a fast casual style or if you can sit down and order. I did see the waiters bringing out plates to the tables but it seemed like you could order at the register than sit down if you wanted. Staff is friendly and the food is good. The white sauce is good if you are okay with garlic. They must make it in house since it was much stringer than others I have tried. Very good in my opinion. Rice is flavorful and meats are cooked well. Have a good amount of spice on there although maybe too much if you are sensitive to those types of flavors. One of the only spots to serve up a lamb shank which is tender and tastes good with the rice. Also gotta drop some of that extra white sauce on there. Overall great spot of you are looking for Mediterranean in the area. read more

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Came here for a quick bite and the time from order when I arrived to pick up was under 5 minutes! Chicken Shawarma- Generous portion of tender chicken, well seasoned over a beutiful prepared rice pilaf and a side salad. Tasty bites and the flavors had heat, spice and very savory. Going back for sure and looking forward to trying the other dishes. read more

Sofra Grill - Chicken Shawarma w/side salad & pita - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

Reviewing as part of the Yelp Celebration event! I visited on a Saturday afternoon. Parking was full but I managed to find a spot in the residential area. After checking in, my food was ready in about 10 minutes. The manager/owner came outside to personally hand me the bag which was very kind and thoughtful. Overall experience with the staff was very welcoming and friendly! Portions were super generous and I really appreciate that the salad/pickles were packed separately so they don't get warm from the hot foods. Everything was so flavorful and fresh. This could easily be two meals! Sauces were a nice addition as well. I would highly recommend Sofra if you're in the area (or passing by) and need a warm, hearty meal. I am planning to return so I can try some of their other menu items! Big thank you to the Yelp team for arranging this event read more

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My first time trying this place. ERCAN was the absolute best!!! He was so accommodating, kind, respectful, and went above and beyond to execute our order and experience. ERCAN is all about customer service. He always smiles, he even had a wonderful conversation with us when he had time to talk to us, which made us feel more welcome than any restaurant we've ever been too. Honestly, ERCAN is an asset to this restaurant. I am definitely going to come back and request ERCAN to take care of us because he makes us have a wonderful time. He always does his best and goes above and beyond to make sure you enjoy your meal here. The establishment is beautiful and clean well put together absolutely beautiful. When you look inside, it looks elegant. Food portion was absolutely wonderful. You can tell the food here is delicious, light, and real quality ingredients no additives. Just all healthy. I would highly recommend coming here if you're looking for a healthy, delicious elegant spot to eat out with friends or family. Also make sure you request for ERCAN to take care of you. He is absolutely wonderful and the best. Thank you ERCAN for your hard work, dedication, professionalism, and kindness. read more

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We came here one lazy Sunday afternoon for lunch. We had a Baba Ganoush, the Branzino fillet, and the Kofte plate. The Baba Ganoush was very good. The fresh bread that came with it was amazing. We probably could have just snacked on this pair all day. The Branzino fillet was pretty good. I like that it was a fillet vs a whole fish, so I didn't have to deal with bones. It was a little bland for me though. I added the garlic sauce which gave it more flavor, but I would have liked not to have to do that. Not bad, but could be better. The Kofte plate was also pretty good, but again a little bland for me compared to the Kofte at Mazra or a koobideh at one of favorite Persian spots. Again, not bad but much more flavor when I added the garlic sauce which and hot sauce. Service was excellent. They were attentive and refilled out waters without asking. The unisex bathroom is EXTREMELY clean. A good indication of how they keep their kitchen. Definitely a plus. This is a nice local spot we'll have to come back to so we can try other items. This visit, however, was just okay. Next time I'll have to try the lamb dish and a few others. read more

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Amazing! Everything from the moment you walk in being greeted, to the service from beginning to the end of your meal. We've been here a good amount of times and the quality of service can't be beat. The owner is almost always around and his presence makes the experience that much better. The conversation is one you won't want to miss. The food is always top tier. Freshly made to order and the plating is always so clean. The service has always been great. They even expanded the restaurant so there's even more space to dine in and to bring your whole group with you. Definitely a south city gem. We will definitely be back for more! Thank you Sofra Grill! read more

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I highly recommend this place in the area!!! We came here since we were staying around the airport and the food caught our eyes. We had the meze platter, steak shawarma, and the beef platter. Big big portions and shareable size!!! And delicious. On too of that, for dessert we got the baklava ice cream and kunafa. So soo good. I recommend those two staples for dessert after finishing a delicious meal. Servers were friendly as well and the place was booming with customers! read more

Sofra Grill - Meze platter - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

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Sofra Grill is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the area! Food is always fresh & piping hot. I enjoy the balance in the plates, with salad and rice. In my recent visit, I ordered the chicken skewers plate and it was so delicious and flavorful. I was trying to savor every bite! Portions are pretty decent, with enough to take home as leftovers. Service is great, the folks that work there are always super nice and attentive. Seating is limited but can be a short wait when there is no lunch/dinner rush. I usually park at Smart & Final's parking lot and had no issues. There is nearby residential parking as well. read more

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I love this restauarant! I have ordered from here for delivery and also eaten at the restaurant. The restaurant is tiny with limited seating, about 7 or 8 tables along the right side wall. It could be busy with a wait, so unless you really want to eat there, it is much easier to order delivery. It was raining heavily the last time we came here, which probably increased our chances of getting a table right away. We grabbed the only available table at the time. The waitress was friendly when she took our order. We ordered the Chicken Shawarma plate, Muhammara, and Fattosuh Salad. I love their Muhammara. It comes with pita bread to dip into this delicous roasted pepper dip. It is so easy to just fill up on bread because it's so good! But make sure to save room for other stuff. They give you a huge portion of Chicken Shawarma served over rice. The Fattoush salad comes beautifully plated in a tilted elevated bowl. There's a clean restroom at the back of the restaurant. Unfortunately, parking in the area can be challenging at times. read more

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Went here for my first Yelp Event and the missus and I decided to share a Falafel Plate since we are in our #skinnyEra. The store is clean and big, and you can smell it a mile away (we know because we had to park far since parking is a bit abstract). But it is WORTH it. Our slightly cold To-goed meal was still a lot better than most mediterranean places we've been to....the falafel was crispy, looks homemade, and spongy inside. We are definitely going to come back and try the meat plates since those looked juicy af! read more

Sofra Grill - Falafel Plate (dissected for two people) - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

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Had the pleasant surprise of experiencing this restaurant through my first Yelp Elite event and I don't usually go for Mediterannean food but the chicken shawarma that I got was really good. It came with a salad, naan bread, and two sauces. The shawarma itself was delicious, I killed that whole thing in one sitting (a lot of rice). The salad wasn't my favorite but to top it all off with the naan bread was really good. I'd recommend this spot for anyone who's craving mediterannean! read more

Sofra Grill - Chicken Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

This place has great falafels. The first Time I had it here was delicious. Today I ordered falafels again and it was even bigger and delicious. Great place for falafels I will be back to order. The service here always has a bg up front. Great place for indoor dining and the dessert here are a must get. Thank you Yelp for the great spots read more

I initially visited for the Yelp experience this week and the food was so good. I came back on a Sunday. You know what was funny? The guy who helped me told me his name was John, but for some reason, I felt like he was lying. Sure enough his name was something else, Ercan. How odd is it for him to tell me a different name? It was so odd lol. The food is amazing. The service is outstanding. I will definitely bring my kids back here. Just really odd that the owner or Manager gave me a different name. read more

Ordered takeout so can't say for dime-in. Street parking is very easy to find. Picking up my food went smoothly. The staff at the register was really nice and I had no errors with my order. I ordered the musakhan, muhammara, and the sofra bread. The chicken in the musakhan was very tender and falls off the bone. One of the most flavorful dishes I've had. The muhammara was just as good. Both came with bread, but nowhere close to the size of the sorta bread, which had a nice charred flavor, but not as soft in texture as the ones that came with the first two dishes. Overall, I really liked what I ordered and probably didn't need to order the sofra bread. I will definitely be coming back to try their other dishes. read more

Sofra Grill - Musakhan - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

Sofra Grill was one of those places that completely exceeded my expectations. My wife, a few friends, and I stopped by on a Thursday evening and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. The staff greeted us with genuine hospitality and made us feel welcome right away. Friendly service can really elevate a meal, and that was definitely the case here. I ordered the musakhan, and it was outstanding. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and each bite was packed with flavor. It had that homemade quality that makes you appreciate the care that went into preparing it. It is the kind of dish that keeps you coming back for another bite even when you are already full. We chose to sit outside, and it ended up being a great decision. The outdoor seating was comfortable and made for a relaxed atmosphere where we could enjoy good food and catch up without feeling rushed. It was the perfect setting for spending a Thursday evening with family and friends. Between the fresh, flavorful food, the welcoming staff, and the enjoyable outdoor seating, Sofra Grill checked every box for us. I will absolutely be back the next time I am craving Mediterranean food, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone in the area. read more

The team here is so amazing! Special shout-out to Azad, who truly makes sure you enjoy the food and takes care of you. The dips were great, food was hot, dessert was yummy. Not from the area, and sad we can't come back. read more

Sofra Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

This place is a AMAAZZINNGG. I've been going since they opened, and the food is consistently GOOOD. Everyone inside has a smile on their face and very attentive to their customers, however owns this spot must know exactly what they are doing :) The ambience is calm, and a lot of cool things hung up their walls to look at like hand woven rugs and traditional plates... I eat here once a week at least! read more

Sofra Grill - Chicken Shawarma Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

Sofra Grill South San Francisco, CA Came in for late lunch and ordered the Aldana Kebab and Beyti -- both were absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. But what really made the night was the service. A huge shout-out to Ibrahim, our server! He was hardworking, courteous, and made sure we had a fantastic experience from start to finish. After our meal, we tried the baklava ice cream -- generous portion, easily good for two people, and absolutely delicious . Overall experience was top-notch. Already planning my next visit and telling all my friends about this spot. Highly recommend. For 2 people ($ 60.00 ) read more

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Low-key one of those spots you don't expect to hit this hard. Everything tastes fresh, like actually fresh--not just "restaurant fresh." The meats are juicy, well-seasoned, and grilled right, and portions don't feel skimpy. Service is fast and chill, no weird attitude, just good people running it. Place has a casual vibe, nothing fancy, but that kind of works--it's about the food. Definitely one of those "I'll be back" spots, not a one-time try. read more

Sofra Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

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This place is definitely a hidden gem! Everything we ordered was amazing and delicious. The staff was very friendly and engaged with conversations with us. Always made sure our waters were filled and constantly checked in on us. The place was a little small but once you start eating you don't even notice it. Will def be coming back here! read more

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Every time I come to Sofra it hits so good. The service is top notch, the food is excellent and flavorful, and the ambiance is nice, especially after the remodel! Sofra always had a line before so I'm glad they were able to expand, but I'm also so happy that even with more space there is still sometimes a line! It's cool seeing the owner so invested too in his employees and the guests too. This last time I ordered the beyti and of course it was excellent, but anything is delicious with some garlic spread on it! I usually love the salmon wrap too. Yum, yum, yum! read more

Sofra Grill - Beyti with that delicious rice - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

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So glad we came here Sofra was a perfect stop came here right before 12 and the place started filling up quick and for good reason the food here is SO GOOD Staff here don't mess around food comes out quick! Don't judge this place based on the size or location let the food do the talking. A personal must get from here would be the Zaatar and cheese flatbread and dipping it into their garlic toum. The meats are tender and juicy my mouth is watering looking at the photos again. Baba Ganoush here is perfect I'm a huge fan took it home with extra pita. If this place is one of the options on whatever choices you have for lunch or dinner tonight COME HERE read more

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I went to Sofra Grill today after seeing a TikTok from Hella Hansel, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We started with the hummus and flatbread. The hummus was incredibly creamy, drizzled with delicious olive oil, and the flatbread was hot and fresh -- honestly, I could have stopped there and been happy! For my entrée, I had the lamb shank baked inside an incredible dough. They cut it open tableside to reveal fall-off-the-bone lamb sitting on a bed of yellow rice with tomatoes, onions, and carrots. It's served with a garlic spread that perfectly complements the bread, lamb, and rice. The portion was huge and only $25.99 -- an absolute steal. I had my 7-year-old with me, and he ordered the flatbread with cheese (basically a sauceless pizza -- perfect for a picky eater!) along with the Parmesan garlic fries, which were amazing and definitely shareable. The food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and the service was phenomenal -- attentive, knowledgeable staff who truly enhanced an already fantastic dining experience. If you haven't been to Sofra Grill yet, you're missing out! read more

Sofra Grill - Cheese flatbread - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

SO HAPPY I found this place but it is likely the best Mediterranean / middle eastern food I've ever had. Not only that but the workers really treat you like family. They're always checking in on you even when the restaurant is completely packed. My husband and I had the best time here. We got the hummus w steak that we absolutely devoured even before our entrees even got there. The lamb shank dish I could eat with a spoon because of how incredible tender it was. My husband LOVED the chicken shawarma. The tea with the flakey pistachio dessert that's like baklava but with cream is a must have to wrap up your night. 10/10 restaurant for a casual and perfect night out. Definitely will be coming back. read more

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Sofra keeps popping up at the top of my yelp so I wanted to visit. my friend and I got beef Shawarma wraps to go and couldn't wait to try The wraps were really awesome! The beef was plenty and flavorful, they split the portions into two wraps to keep the balance, and the whole thing came together so tastefully.They also come with a bag of fries, garlic sauce, and hot sauce which completes the whole experience. Can't wait to add Sofra to the rotation, and SO glad that it was so good! read more

Sofra Grill - Beef Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - South San Francisco, California

Arrived at around 1pm on Sunday and it was packed. We waited about 10-15 mins for a table. Stayed busy the whole time we were there. There were quite a few items we wanted to try. Ultimately decided to go with the Beyti. Hubs went with the special - Beef Shank. Both dishes came with salad and rice. The beef shank also came with a fluffy pita. We also had to order their Sofra bread which is made in house. I must say . . . we enjoyed each of our dishes. The beef shank was tender and loved the flavors of the Beyti. The Sofra bread arrived piping hot - crunchy outside, soft inside and so good with the garlic sauce. Good sized portions that we could only eat half of everything and packed the rest to take home. If we weren't so full I would've liked to try their Kunafe dessert. Service was friendly. We'll definitely be returning. read more

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Dined here on a weekday night, and it was still very crowded. After a 25 minute wait for two people we got seated and ordered the lamb shank and biryti dishes as well as the steak fries. I loved the biryti, creamy sauces complimented the meat well, and the lamb was so tender and presentation was lovely! The steak fries were fresh and good too. Ambiance is lovely with an authentic yet trendy feel, we got 9 pieces of baklava before leaving and they were flaky and delicious! Overall this place is very charming and I'd return if in the area. read more

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The food is phenomenal! Every dish was packed with authentic flavor, beautifully prepared and incredibly fresh. The kababs were genuine and made me miss home! The staff were super friendly and accommodating, going above and beyond to make sure we felt welcome. Ambiance is great for a date or family meal. read more

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This has to be one of my favorite places to eat Mediterranean food. The food is phenomenal, and the service is very good for the most part as well. There have been a few occasions when the younger servers seemed either overwhelmed or slightly irritated, but it's never been enough to prevent me from coming back. Overall, the service has been consistently good. One of the things I especially appreciate is the owner. Whenever he's there, he makes a point of making his rounds to every table. He's incredibly charismatic and friendly, and you can tell that he genuinely values his customers. If you're a repeat customer and he recognizes you, he'll make a point of coming over to chat and make sure everything is up to your expectations. That kind of personal attention goes a long way. As for the food, you honestly can't go wrong with the menu. There's something for everyone, and it really just comes down to what you like. I have my own staples that I tend to stick with, so I rarely venture too far from my usual orders, but I've never been disappointed with the food. The restaurant has also changed quite a bit. It used to be much smaller and could accommodate maybe six or seven tables. They've recently expanded, and the space is now considerably larger. I haven't actually dined in since the expansion because I've mostly been placing takeout orders, but from what I've seen, the expanded space looks beautifully done. Overall, this is one of those places I'm always comfortable recommending. Great food, generally good service, and an owner who clearly cares about his customers. I'll definitely keep coming back. read more

We came here for a late lunch, and had the hummus and pita, Branzino, chicken shawarma, and the lamb chops plates which come with rice and salad. There was a bit of a wait to be seated and for our orders to be taken but the food was pretty food! The hummus was fresh, we finished it all! The entrees were larger portions and we had some leftovers to go. Overall, would come back. Happy eating! read more

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We had a very disappointing experience. My toddler, mother-in-law, and I walked in and asked to be seated. The server responded in an unwelcoming and dismissive manner, told us the wait would be five minutes, and gestured for us to wait outside. South San Francisco was extremely cold and windy that day. I was surprised that two adults and a toddler were not allowed to wait briefly near the entrance until a table became available. I was also uncomfortable with the way the server repeatedly looked at us. The entire interaction made us feel unwelcome and disrespected. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this restaurant. I told my mother in law let's leave immediately. We have ate here before with no problems so I hope that management acknowledges the problem. The food is a 7/10 not bad but the the service was not up to par given they have limited space you should pick one struggle. read more

My sis and I were in the neighborhood running errands and wanted to grab dinner. Sofra Grill is a casual, yet cozy and inviting spot. Lucky for us, there was one last table available! We were seated quickly by the owner, Azad. He's such a nice gentleman, who really cares about his customers! Amazingly, he recognized me as one of the Yelp elites! I have been to Sofra Grill for a few of their Yelp events and I guess he remembered my face. I've also visited a few times after the events because the food was memorable. So much so that it's become a spot on our rotation! However, I thought I wrote a review for Sofra, but it's not here, so it's long over due! Imho, one of the best restaurants in this area! ***OUR PICKS*** LAMB SHANK ~ tender braised lamb shank over rice, wrapped in a homemade dough baked to perfection. This dish is my favorite on the menu. If you like lamb shank, you've got to try this! The rice is fluffy and moist, because it's baked with the shank. The meat comes off the bone and melts in your mouth! Cooked perfectly and so amazingly yummy!!! **chef's kiss** 5/5 BRANZINO ~ grilled filet w/Mediterranean herbs & garlic. A fantastic dish that also satisfies! Tender fish seasoned just right. 5/5 BAKLAVA & COFFEE ~ layers of phyllo dough pastry with walnuts. Azad surprised us with a few pieces of baklava and coffee! That was very nice of him! And a sweet way to end our meal. Though we couldn't drink all the coffee! We didn't want to be up all night! 5/5 Perfect from beginning to end! Wish I could give this place more stars!! Highly recommend Sofra Grill, if you haven't had the pleasure of dining here!! read more

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The food was delicious! I was hungry for a snack, and ordered hummus to go and the hummus was fresh and generous enough to share among multiple people. It even came with a very substantial piece of pita to eat with it, and I found myself wanting more. The staff was pleasant, and the atmosphere quiet and private to have a date. There's tight street parking but I was able to find a spot one block over. The bathrooms are clean and the place is bright and conveniently located. Would most definitely return! read more