Long bookmarked on Yelp, but I didn't find myself anywhere near the area until recently to actually try the food. Located on 1st in Santa Ana near Tustin, there's a wrought iron fence around the private lot, and the restaurant is open until 9pm most nights. I was surprised nobody was dining in, and except for a woman waiting for her takeout order to be made, I was the only person for most of the visit. I quickly realized the phone rings often, so most business is ordered ahead, with the option to eat there, in the car, or take home. Clearly, for presentation and likely quantity, I recommend eating there. The host is a nice older gentleman who literally does it all, and is so good it hardly seems like he's working. My Shish kabob plate came out faster than expected, and I was almost as impressed with the salad as the saffron rice and actual kabob, which is tender and amazing by the way. Basically, you pick a drink from the refrigerator, and I let him talk me into trying hummus, and appetizer, which ultimately comes with cut flatbread. His take is less creamy than other restaurants, but the flavors are fresh, without garlic. Don't worry, the salad dressing is a fantastic creamy Italian style. All-in-all, I was enjoying every bite and pretty much ate everything, although I preserved some hummus to eat at home. The price was commiserate with the quality, and I suppose I'll try more when I'm around the area. read more

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Food Ambiance Service It was great The owner was very friendly Hi frequency Big plate read more

This place is definitely a must try! We came here on a Saturday afternoon and just like one of the reviews mentioned, there was no one in there, which got us a little skeptical, but! The beef koobideh... oh man. Where to start?! it falls off when you pick it up. 10/10 Tendernism. The hummus was definitely homemade 9/10, just needs a lil more salt which is not a hard fix. The owner was very attentive and made sure to help pack our left overs. 10/10 The place was clean, and quiet. We were able to talk and enjoy our food. Don't let the location fool you, the food is a must try. read more

Soltani Restaurant - Beef Koobideh $19.99 - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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This small family owned restaurant had been on my radar to check out for quite some time. I'm in the area at times for work and thought it would be an ideal place to do have lunch. The high ratings and reviews led me to trying this place with my coworkers. Unfortunately, it was an odd experience and we will not be returning. It was a Wednesday afternoon and the small gated parking lot was pretty much empty and when we entered, there was no one in there. I was concerned. But we were all there and decided to stay. A gentleman or owner was trying his best and was friendly. There was another person preparing the food. We ordered the hummus, which was served with very thin flat bread pre-wrapped in plastic. The hummus also came out in a plastic container. It was bland and the consistency was not creamy, but more watered down. Interesting, he was really pushing for us to order the yogurt appetizer. But we were not interested. We all got the lunch specials, which was a fair amount. My taste buds were not happy at all. The iceberg salad was bland and drenched with a creamy white dressing that I did not care for. Not a fan of the onion and tomato either. There was no charred flavor or seasoning to entice me to eat it. My beef koobideh was dry and bland, and not juicy at all. It seemed like the rice and meat was reheated which resulted in dry results. My coworkers got the boneless chicken kebab and chicken koobideh. They were not happy either with their food. The quality of the food reminded me of what you would get from a cafeteria or institution that mass produces food. For drinks, we went to the cooler to pick out our own soda and canned drinks. As for the service, the owner was trying to be helpful, but not exercising sanitary practices. He was trying to remove the paper from our straws for us. There was one other person who came to pick up a takeout order during the time that we were there. We would love to support small businesses, but the food quality and lackluster taste will keep us from returning. read more

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Food is delicious. My go to is the kabob with cherry rice. Service is great. Im glad to have such an authentic persian restaurant in Santa Ana. read more

Soltani Restaurant - Kabob children with cherry rice - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

A truly authentic hole in the wall Persian restaurant. The owner was incredibly sweet and attentive, and most importantly, the food was outstanding. Everything tasted fresh, homemade, and full of care. I also love supporting a local, family-run restaurant like this. We ordered the koobideh combos, tahdig with ghormeh sabzi, and their homemade yogurt with cucumber. Both the beef and chicken koobideh were extremely juicy and packed with flavor. It's hard to find a place that serves tahdig, the crispy Persian rice, and this one was done perfectly. It paired beautifully with the ghormeh sabzi, a rich and comforting Persian herb stew. They also offer green rice made with fava beans and dill, which complemented the koobideh and stew perfectly. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and deeply flavorful. Skip Panini Kabob Grill and other chain spots and come here instead. The food is far more authentic, flavorful, and satisfying. This place is a gem! read more

Soltani Restaurant - Tahdig with ghormeh sabzi - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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This place is amazing!! The owner is super nice and sweet. I arrived at the restaurant 1130am to beat the crowd. The chicken is great! I had a different type of rice. It had potatoes and it was really. The ambiance was very chill and not over crowded at that time. Place was clean and the easy to pay. You need to try this plate. Its called lamb something read more

Soltani Restaurant - Its called Lamb something super delicious - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

We just found one of the best Persian restaurants in OC. The food is very delicious and fresh. The service is fast and very attentive. They have the best tahdig and masteh moosir. The kababs are out of this world. We tried chicken, koobideh and barg! Ended our dinner with a delicious cup of cardamon tea. I highly recommend this restaurant. Look forward to our next visit. Thank you Mr Mohammad Sadeghinejad read more

Soltani Restaurant - Tahdig! - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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I'm glad we tried out this place. Definitely not for you if you're looking for fancy. This was quiet and quaint and a little old-school. Service was quick. Soda was cheaper than other places. The hummus was a little less thick than I wanted but we loved the Koobideh and the rice. The owner was very welcoming. Recognized us as Filipinos and tried tagalog words with us. He was asking if we needed more drinks and got for my husband. He was egging us to eat more like a Lolo (grampa) when you visit their house. We really enjoyed our late lunch. Btw. There was ample parking too. read more

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This place had been on my radar for quite some time, and after a bit of contemplation, we finally decided to stop by for dinner. The restaurant has a very quiet, old-school vibe. The owner himself was running the place, and at the time there was only one other diner eating quietly, which made it feel very personal and homely. We started with hummus, which came with thin, pre-packed bread. I ordered a chicken dish that was served with grilled jalapeños (very spicy!), a grilled tomato, and a fresh salad. The food was flavorful and tasty, and everything felt freshly prepared. Service was quick, and the owner was genuinely kind--he even made a little extra so my wife could share. To top it off, he gave us two candies at the end, which was a sweet gesture. Overall, it's a simple, no-frills place with good food and heartfelt hospitality. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a calm, authentic dining experience. read more

Absolutely hands down my favorite New persian food Spot! Mohammed the owner has being outstanding customer service. He's so kind and humble very professional. The restaurant was super clean the food is delicious and juicy full of flavor. Way better than fancy restaurants. I loved my experience here and will be back. Look for the red and green twinkle lights if driving at night. Can't wait to bring my family here. read more

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This was my second time visiting this hidden gem of a restaurant. Mohammad is truly a one-man show hardworking, kind, and always pleasant. We stopped by to grab dinner to go before heading to the lantern festival. I ordered the Salmon Kebab, and my boyfriend got the Combo Koobideh. Portions are huge, the food is delicious, and the prices are super reasonable. If you're in the area and craving Persian food, definitely give this place a try and don't forget to say hello to Mohammad! read more

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Soltani restaurant is a Mediterranean place that as you enter you are greeted by the friendliest and helpful cashiers. It's located in a large shopping center, however, the location itself is fairly small. So, seating may be limited. The ambiance is laid back that gives cafe vibes. The service is friendly and helpful can't complain at all . The quality of food is stupendous! You can taste the quality of the food right away! If you're ever in the area check them out ! read more

Best Persian food you'll get. The owner is very nice and hospitable. I got the two beef kobideh skewers and it was so good. Rice is flavorful and moist and the beef kobideh was cooked well. Would come again. read more

Soltani Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

The food here is delicious. The owner has been here for years. I really like the chicken. They also have fun drinks ! Customer service is really good as well The ambience is nice as well. Great place to come have lunch. read more

Soltani Restaurant - Chicken rice and salad grilled tomatoes - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Great little place in Santa Ana. Owner was very nice and attentive and reminded me of a granpda excited to feed his grandchildren. Food was really good too. The rice was exactly what I expected from a Persian restaurant. Koobideh (chicken and beef) were also quite flavorful. Hummus was a bit watery but had good flavor. Definitely recommend. read more

I stumbled upon this locally-owned humble Persian restaurant after moving nearby. The owner was very friendly to me when I entered, and he even gave me some mints/candies while I waited for my order lol. I got my order to-go but there's plenty of indoor seating too. I didn't know what to get since I usually don't eat Persian food, so I stuck with the chicken kabob. I think I got the combo or plate because it came with a salad and grilled veggies. It was sooo delicious, the chicken was super flavorful and moist. I loved the grilled onions that came with it too. The hummus and naan were just okay, but I will definitely come back for the chicken kabob and try the other entree items too. Overall very sweet and friendly owner and delicious food, I'd recommend stopping by! read more

Soltani Restaurant - Chicken kabob and hummus with naan - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I loved eating here. I had the chicken and beef koobideh with saffron rice and cranberries. I felt at home. Mohammad, the owner, is such a kind man. I sat there and enjoyed my dinner and conversation with him. Not only was there incredible food, but a welcoming aura to Soltani Restaurant. I live in NYC now and I think about this restaurant often. I can't wait to go back when I visit my family. I highly recommend putting Soltani Restaurant on your hitlist. read more

Everything went well. This was our first time visiting this restaurant. Very quant. Mohammed the owner very kind and attentive. He made all the food. 4 plates. To be fair, he had plenty of to go orders, so service was on point. I hope he has help when this place becomes busy. We will be back! read more

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We love Soltani! Such a hidden gem in downtown Santa Ana. This is our go-to when we want delicious Persian food - we're lucky it's so close to us! The owner is such a sweet man and makes it that much better. The boneless chicken kabobs are ALWAYS juicy and the filet minon is always tender. Our go to is their soltani combo (filet minon & ground beef) and a boneless chicken kabob..but you can't go wrong with anything you order. Their combos come with a delicious bed of fluffy rice, grilled veggies, salad, and flatbread. We always order a side of the maast khiar to balance it all out. We've never eaten at the restaurant, but always get it to go (15 min) and for our family of 4 we always have leftover the next due to the amount of food given! This is comfort food and so happy he's here in Santa Ana. Every time we have guests over, we order from here and everyone always loves it! read more

I can't begin to describe how much I love this restaurant and its owner/head chef Mr.Mohammad. The Soltani combo was the best kabob dish I've had in ages with the barg skewer being some of the most tender meat I've ever had. Dont come here expecting a fancy restaurant like 99% of other Persian restaurants. This is a true hole-in-the-wall joint with excellent food and even better service. You'll literally feel like you're eating at your family's house. read more

Soltani Restaurant - Tadig appetizer - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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First time here for dinner, around 7 and it was a good time not many ppl yet. Great kabobs, koobideh and chicken with pepper and grilled tomatoe and onion, yogurt and shallots was off the chain, as in great! Salad shirazi was very good too, I was impressed, went w my gf n she was also happy n impressed. Owner is awesome n friendly, good portions for sure. They also have mini plates. Very fresh n cool ambiance! I'll be back very soon! read more

Soltani Restaurant - Deliciousness - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I can't believe this was the first time I've been here despite living so close! My friends and I were craving some Mediterranean food and I wanted to look for a new place to check out and I found Soltani on Yelp! We came here for a late lunch on a Sunday and were greeted by the owner and (maybe) his son. They were both so kind and wonderful! The restaurant is super clean and very spacious and they have their own parking lot. It's set up as both a take out and dine-in. We sat down and the food looks sooo good! We ordered 3 plates. The beef kabob, filet mignon, and a mixed one. Wow the flavor of the beef kabob was wonderful! I could taste so many herbs and flavor in it! Filet mignon was also tender and the steak was also delish! We also got hummus and the yogurt sauce with pita. The owners were super friendly, sweet, and generous! They checked on us quite often and were so attentive! This is my new favorite go-to place for healthy yummy grilled protein and veggies! Oh, one of the unique things on their kabob plate was the grilled orange chillies! It was pretty spicy but adds so much flavor to the food! Highly recommend!!! read more

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My kids & I were craving some Mediterranean goodness & stumbled on this little gem. The food is fresh & savory. We like to call in & pick but they also offer sit down service. We love small family owned so give them a try! (We have been back a few times) oh & I love the hummus read more

This place is very fresh and tasty. Love the family ambience. Very sweet staff. My husband and I enjoyed the koobidehs and all the sides. We've only been ordering take out, but I can tell the dine-in customers enjoy their meals. I can see it in their empty plates. I can see it when they stay for longer than anticipated after finishing up their plate read more

The food was so delicious! I highly recommend the food. Well priced and fast! I would recommend the food.

Tucked away in a shopping center I would've never noticed is my new favorite persian spot. Like you'll read in other reviews, it's quite literally a hole-in-the-wall spot with such good homemade food. Looking for a place to finally try gormeh sabzi, I found this place on Yelp and picked up some food to-go. We ordered the chicken kabob with chicken koobideh and it was so delicious and tender! When I arrived to pick up, the kindest man, the only person in the place on a weekday night, was making the food with so much care and attentiveness. We chatted about family and the restaurant as he insisted to help carry the food out to my car for me. The whole experience warmed my heart and reminded me of my own family's restaurant growing up. These are the small business I started writing Yelp reviews for, and the ones we need to take care of. read more

Soltani Restaurant - Chicken kabob and chicken koobideh with green rice - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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This place has become one of my favorite restaurants in OC! Ate dinner here tonight and it was some of the best Persian food I've had in a long time. My boyfriend and I both ordered koobideh, chicken kabob and shirazi salad. Everything was delicious and the owner was incredibly friendly. If you're in the area, please check this place out. read more

Delicious hole in the wall in next to an auto shop. This place is easy to miss but should be on your list for delicious Mediterranean! I ordered the #1 beef koobideh and combo chicken & beef koobideh and it was bomb! Meats were juicy and flavorful, not dry. Rice was perfectly cooked and lightly seasoned. Mr. Mohammed was nice and helpful with ordering when I entered. This place is small and they had one cook at lunch so it took about 10 minutes for to go which wasn't a problem. This place is really worth a try so I hope you check it out! read more

Soltani Restaurant - #1 Beef - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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I had done a tour over at the Bowers Museum. I remembered eating at a Chinese near the museum, so I went on Yelp to try and find it. Not finding what I remembered, I decided to search for Persian. The restaurant sits in a kinda hidden plaza. The inside is eclectic. Tables and chairs don't match. Artwork on the white walls are all different styles. I was asked if I were going to order to go or dine in and then asked to sit anywhere. There were many tables put together, in 2 rows, to accommodate very large parties. A few other 2 tops and 4 tops were nearer to the front of the restaurant. I sat at a 4 top, since I was the only person there, for the moment. I loved that they have a "mini" lunch option. I requested the chicken koobideh and a tadig appetizer with ghormeh sabzi. Food took much longer than I had anticipated. I found out later why. A large family of latinos came in and sat at one of the longer table arrangements. Then a couple and their son came in and sat next to me. Both of them were served food within minutes. (They had called it in.) My food came several minutes after theirs. The mini plate was large. 1/3 of the plate was rice. A big piece of chicken koobideh in the middle and on the other side a salad with a white dressing, a jalapeno, 1/4 of an onion, and half of a tomato. Had I known the salad would have been dressed, I would have asked for it to be left off. It wasn't bad, however. (I don't like creamy dressings.) The veggies were all cooked perfectly. The chicken was juicy and had excellent flavor. The rice was fluffy. A few minutes later, the tadig came out. I asked for a smaller version of it but was brought a huge plate. (I was still only charged for the small, which I appreciated.) I was happy to see a dried lime on top. I love those! The stew was flavorful and delicious. The tadig, however, was a little too fried for me. Some pieces were so dark brown that was almost black. Luckily, they didn't have a burnt taste. I let the rice soften in the stew because it was a little too crunchy for me. I took it home for dinner and it was much easier to eat. I asked for an iced tea. It was made fresh. I was watching others. Everyone bussed their own table, placing everything on a table near the food prep area. So, after I put my leftovers in a container and went up to pay, I gathered up my plates and cup and took it up to the table. A gentleman ran up to me and said he was embarrassed that I was clearing the table. I don't mind at all! Prices are super reasonable, especially considering the amount of food you get. I'm rarely in Santa Ana, but if I'm in the area, I would most definitely return! read more

Wanted to like this place but the food is lacking in flavor. Hummus tasted like nothing and pita is paper thin. Chicken was decent but expensive for what it is. read more

This place is authentic Persian food. Best ever chicken koobideh I've had. I craved for it!!

The food was unflavorful, bland and did not taste like it was fresh. I only saw one other diner in the restaurant. I have to say it is consistent with other Persian restaurants I have been to. read more

Stopped by this Mediterranean spot for lunch and had a great meal! I ordered the chicken kabob, and it was perfectly grilled--juicy, flavorful, and served with delicious sides. I also got their yogurt drink, which was refreshing and paired well with the meal. Friendly service and a nice atmosphere made it even better. Definitely coming back! read more

Soltani Restaurant - Boneless Chicken Kabob - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Really delicious food! Small and friendly. We would definitely be open to going back!

Highly recommend it . Don't let the humble look of this restaurant make you miss out on the delicious food. We went there and the place was pretty empty, so the owner (I assume) kept checking on us and playing with our daughter, such a cute old man read more

Soltani Restaurant - Sirloin - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California

This hole in the wall is sooo good! I wasn't expecting much coming here but the food is so flavorful! The Beef Koobideh with the Shallot Yogurt is to die for! The older gentleman who takes your order makes you feel like he is your dad or grandpa and he talks to you in gestures and faces and it makes my heart happy! read more

The food was amazing and the customer service was great, And the played are huge and great for two or more people plus it was super clean read more

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This place is great. They have excellent food for great prices. This place has been open for years and surviving during difficult times. Very respectable. If you pass by or are ever in the area, please swing by (so worth it). Family friendly. Parking is in the front and never an issue. The owner is always on point extremely friendly and always ready to give an amazing service. I highly recommend this place! read more

We came to the restaurant later in the evening. I assume that this place is busier during the daytime but we were happy to be there. The service was personable and the man who took our order and served us was very kind. The fools was delicious, I had the chicken kebab and cranberry rice. I ate just about everything. I had the smaller portion and it was exactly what I needed. The chicken was juicy, the rice was fresh, and the tea was hot. Everything at this restaurant was top notch. The prices were very reasonable. There's a small parking lot for convenience too. Also, the menu is available in Spanish since this area is mostly Hispanic. The next time I'm in this area, I will be back. read more

Soltani Restaurant - Chicken kebab with cranberry saffron rice - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Santa Ana, California