Alforon Reviews

We cannot rave enough about Alforon, precisely because we are Lebanese, and we very much appreciate fresh food prepared with the kind of old-world care and love that it deserves, and that is now becoming so rare in this rush-rush-rush-eat-and-run world. The result is heavenly combination of crispy, crunchy, zesty, and yummy food that one would only expect in the days when Lebanon was the shining culinary jewel of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Not only this, but the food is served with so much warmth and care by owners who clearly love what they do and their customers. If you are looking for a rare experience in taste and service delight, you must try Alforon!

I first tried Alforon as a culinary adventure with my best friend; neither of us had been there before. The warm and friendly greeting we received upon entering set the tone, and the recommendations we were given for trying out new dishes were delicious! My husband was planning to join me in San Diego (we live in Arkansas) and I told him that I had discovered a new restaurant that I KNEW he'd love. I was right! Alforon has become our first stop to eat in any restaurant in San Diego, and every time we go, we leave with big smiles on our faces. We are treated like family. I cannot say enough nice things about the owners, servers and food! Everything is fresh, flavorful and in healthy portions. We have already brought many of our friends and family, and will continue to come back again and again.

Absolutely amazing restaurant it feels like I’m at home with the worm welcome and delicious food Samia and her husband are doing this with true love they are the oweners I’m definitely coming back again and again Please try the Tabola and definitely desert Aish Saraia

I travel a lot for business and my favorite cuisine is Middle Eastern/Levant. From my travels, I have eaten at many highly acclaimed Lebanese restaurants, and I can say honestly that this is the best one. On a recent business trip to San Diego, I stopped by Alforon for dinner. The food was so good that I had to come back another night for dinner. I also ordered many dishes “to-go” so that I can enjoy them for breakfast/lunch at the hotel. I tried the following dishes over a 1-week period: Sayyadieh, Fattoush salad, humous, Foul, Labani, Zaater bread, tabouli salad, shawarma, Lahem Bajeen, spinach pies and everything was super delicious. The ingredients were fresh, sandwiches were all baked onsite and to order, portions were plentiful, and the presentation was enticing. While dining, I could hear other patrons raving about how delicious the food is. On top of it, the owners, George and Samiah, were out there speaking with guests, answering questions, offering suggestions and making guests feel as if they are home and part of the family. Truly, this is the best Lebanese restaurant in San Diego, and possibly in the US.

SAM serves as owner, hostess, waitperson and I found her in the kitchen too. This Lebanese restaurant offered us great chicken and cheese flatbread, incredible baba ganoush topped with olive oil, and the world's best falafel served with a fresh tahini. Yes, the world's best and most flavorful based on my culinary falafel experiences in over 10 countries. The authentic Lebanese coffee offered an additional reminder of Lebanon, as SAM enjoyed my photos of my 2020 visit to Lebanon. Great attentive service here. We finished off our dinner with the famous Love Dessert, a poundcake concoction soaked in a secret sweet syrup and topped with ground pistachios. The ambiance offers a plethora of awards intermixed with old nostalgic Lebanon photos. Kids boosters seats and high chairs. Laminated legible menus. Accessible entry/et and throughout the venue with tables, chairs, and sitting benches with pillows. Accessible restroom with 2 grab bars and 5ft x 5ft space. Van accessible free parking in front of venue with curb cuts. Free street parking shared with various venues.

has big group dinner there recently . parking lot is small and street parking are difficult. in a small plaza. place is not that big. The owner is very nice explained to us about the dishes and gave us some recs. My favourite is chicken Tawook and Shawama . the lady's finger vege dish is also excellent , so good to eat with rice.if i am in the area, would try other dishes. Tried yoghurt, sour and slightly salty but good. i need to put in quite a bit of sugar in that drink , though it most likely is supposed to drink as it is :P.

We go to this place every time we are in town and the family owners are WONDERFUL and the food is amazing. Have them suggest ideas because we enjoy everything on and off menu. Its very special !

I was expecting fabulous food based on the reviews I saw on google. Sure, the owners were nice and service was fine, but the food was subpar. The chicken kebab tasted boiled instead of grilled. Dishes were large portions but overpriced for the quality. The title of the restaurant is “oven” in Arabic, but don’t be fooled because they bring out normal dry bread (not warm). I recommend trying other Mediterranean restaurants before going to this one, there are several good ones in San Diego. The only thing that was okay was the kofta in tahini plate, but the potatoes were not even cooked through at all. The rice was fine though. But the kofta kebab was so thick it was hard to eat. The restaurant itself is nice though, as are the owners. Must be a tourist trap since the food channel guy visited it.

I ordered the chicken tawook, a garlic infused chicken on flatbread topped with yogurt and cheese. It was heavenly! My husband had a beef dish and enjoyed it, he had been missing his mother's arab food. This place treats their customers with tlc and the food was delivered without a long wait. Authenic, traditional cooking; the chef takes pride in his craft. Great food and the prices are reasonable. The parking and location could be better but with food and service like this, who cares!?

This place was recomended to me by a friend. We went there and were pleasently surprised. First of all a lady there whom I assume is the owner was very welcoming and explained to us the different items they have in their menu, which is mostly lebanese pies or the equivalent of a pizza. We tried four different kinds and they were all outstanding. I specially recomend the cheese pie and the Spicy chicken pie.

This is a very good local place on El Cajon Blvd in the College (SDSU) area. Their flatbread choices are really tasty, the flatbread baked there in their brick oven, and their other dishes, check out the daily specials, are usually superb too. It is all very authentic and the owner is usually in the dining room talking with diners, even taking orders, making recommendations and sometimes serving meals. I usually have a special or a flatbread which sometimes is also a special. The salads and other pre main course dishes are well worth trying but portions can be large. They recently obtained their beer and wine license so they now have Lebanese beers and some wines (or if you bring wine they charge a modest corkage fee). Also, they do lots of take out as well.

Excellent place! I had the Ouzi Lamb which cooked to perfection. The lamb was extremely tender, and the ouzi rice when paired with the yogurt was amazing. If you live near SDSU, and haven't been here yet, WHY?! You're missing out. The decor is very nice as well, recently renovated, perfectly lit and pretty quiet while I was there.

BEST Mediterranean restaurant in town! I must say we had the best culinary experience we’ve had in a while. Big bravo to chef. We had Sumbusack made with cheese and another with beef, we had kufta Kabab, Okra, fish, chicken with Amazing rice, salads, kibeh and their signature dessert. We ordered a lot and couldn’t stop eating. Meals are large and shareable. Everything is spiced super well. The lady that served us (might be the owner or manager as well) is incredible. You can walk in and tell her to order whatever she thinks, and trust her, she knows what you should get! Must go to this restaurant!

I was attending a conference at SDSU and was looking for a good place to eat, found this restaurant on YELP and decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed. The owners were friendly and asked if I had been there before, I told them it was my first time. The wife sat down next to me and explained each menu item and asked if I had any allergies. I really appreciated this extra service as I was not too familiar with Lebanese food. I decided on the Falafel on oven baked flat bread, it looks like a pizza when it come out. Wow, absolutely heaven, a wonderful creation. They basically spread the Falafel on the flat bread, put the toppings on that and then bake it. I also had their Baklava which was to delicious. I definitely want to go back to try the Chicken Tawook flatbread which is their specialty. This place is tiny, about 8-9 small tables and just a few parking spaces in the front but you can park on the street. The prices are very reasonable and portions are great.

Visited here for a 2nd time, a few years in between. Located in a small old, strip mall on El Cajon Blvd.near College, small restaurant. A few spots in the front in the mall, but mostly street parking. Friendly, although sometimes slow service. Not b3 cause they are inattentive,but because they are very busy, and one server(at least bot times I went for lunch). Very friendly, as if your Auntie is serving you. If you want suggestions, she is happy to give it to you. My friend had the falafel wrap this time and last time. I ordered a Flatbread last time which was so very delicious. This time I asked her for a suggestion and it was something I considered already. I don't remember the name,but it was similar to a stuffed zucchini and cabbage rolls, 2 different things on one plate. It was huge and although my friend had a few bites, I took the rest home for dinner. It was served with their home made yogurt, also yummy. I would highly recommend trying this restaurant. Very friendly and polite and awesome food as well.

The owners were very nice and made it have a friendly feel to it. The food was great and their dessert was good too.

Small Lebanese / Mediterranean restaurant close to SDSU. They share a tiny parking lot with neighbors. We tried the Baba Ghannouj, Falafel Bajeen, and the chicken tawook. You must try the chicken tawook as it was pretty darn amazing. The chicken was well seasoned and tender. The dallops of the home made garlic paste tasted sublime and pungent. We were so glad our server suggested added cheese and jalapeno to the tawook. We just didn’t know there were added charges for both.

My friend and I went to Alforon restaurant on January 31. Although this is a highly rated restaurant, we just did not like the food, the presentation and the taste. We did not enjoy the consistency, we conclude that we are just not the right clientele for this place. Since taste is a personal experience, the customers, who enjoy this place, can continue being served there. We will go somewhere else where we can find our tastes and choices served and pleased.

You'd never guess how good this place is from the plain jane exterior... Delicious food, friendly service. Have the chicken flatbread!

We stumbled into this place because the sushi place next door could not accommodate us. My wife said 'this place looks good' and boy was she right! We had three different flat breads with a Labni appetizer. All were excellent. Also reasonably priced. The waitress was very friendly, as was the proprietress (I think that's what she was). We left happy and would not hesitate to come back.

Like in Lebanon a family owned restaurant is attended by the owners, they welcome their guests as if you are their home and make you feel as part of the family .George and Samia makes sure you order what they think it will please your appetite so don't worry if you are not familiar with Lebanese food names , by asking you questions they will recommend the perfect dishes from appetizers to desserts and coffee, trust them they know their bussines. Considered by some gastronomic critics as one of the 25 best restaurants in their category in America and one of the best Mediterranean authentic Lebanese place . Alforon meaning The Oven , freshly baked flatbreads are a must.

The food was so delicious, and the atmosphere was very welcoming along with great service and generous staff. Everything I ordered was really good, definitely coming back to try more stuff outta the menu!

I visited this one yesterday. Falafel wrap, Spinach pie and flatbread for just $15.96. Cooked fresh, excellent combination of aromatic herbs and spices in each dish. A lot of variety for vegetarians, vegans and naturally gluten free. Clean and organized, price perfect, awesome ambience. I believe the management has maintained the decor, atmosphere and overall feel for sophisticated customers. No non-sense despite weekend rush, minimal waiting time (3-4 minutes)! Do they cook with love? Me and my friend actually checked out faces of as many customers and how they were eating. I guess the chef does cook with love as each customer was happily relishing what they ordered. THIS IS RARE. Noisy people should stay away from this place.

Upon moving to San Diego from New York, my wife and I had all but conceded the loss of great Middle Eastern food, from halal carts to Turkish to Israeli to Persian to Afghani. Not only did we find out that there's a great community out here, but we also found this absolute gem that is nowhere near where any tourist would go. The secret's been out for awhile among locals, though. The delightful husband and wife team that run this spot lay claim to the best flatbread pizzas we've ever had, including the famous chicken tawouk (moist chicken, garlicky magic sauce, perfect dough). But don't forget their other superstar dishes - homemade labneh (my wife obsesses over it and keeps telling them if they decided to mass-produce it, they'd be rich) and baba - as well as their many specialties, such as kebabs, kibbeh, and another showstopper - fisherman's rice (a must order!). Both Sami and George are kind, friendly people who love feeding others and making them feel like family. We try our best to go here once every few weeks and take out-of-towners to dine here regularly. One of SD's very, very, very best food spots.

Wow...where to start?! The best Lebanese food I’ve had outside the country itself. The service is incredibly personalized and friendly. All off the staff ensure your experience is everything it can be. The meal portions are large. The food itself full of flavor and fresh made just for you. Pistachio rose water dessert is delicious. The ambiance is what you make it. Quiet and cozy or perfect for a family meal. Several tables of various sizes for groups or couples. Parking out front makes for easy access. Absolutely fantastic experience. Will return and highly recommend. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options all available, as well as chicken, lamb or beef. Full menu with great variety.

What is it with hiding these gems in nondescript strip malls? This place is easy to miss and that would be a great shame. We were guided by the friendly staff through Lebanese Food For Beginners. Everyone at the table was wowed by their selection. The flatbread is as warm and welcoming as the staff. Put your adventure on and try this place. It’s worth the drive: for the food, the atmosphere and for the most amazing dessert you’ll ever taste-infused with orange blossom and rose petal and lavender. You’ll think you’re in the One Thousand and One Nights. Or in a dream. A delicious one.

Some of the best food we had while in the San Diego area for 8 days. Flavorful, plentiful and great atmosphere. The owner greeted us and was a graceful host. Food was amazing!! Will definitely go again when in town..

It's sometimes difficult finding Halal Food when you're traveling.. but luckily we came across this and absolutely loved the place.. Don't exactly remember what we ordered but everything tastes so good.. both the chicken and beef and the naan (bread) in the base.. The staff was extremely good natured and there were no delays/waiting... In the end , we were served Chef's special dessert and it was one of the best things I've ever tasted so far from eastern menu. i think my hubby could just take me to San Diego again just to have that ;) Hehe.

This place is over rated by a long shot. We went on an evening when we were attending an event at the open air theater at SDSU. We found the flat bread meat dishes unappealing on all levels. It looked like canned meat on a thin pizza crust and was devoid of taste, bland is about the best adjective I can use. Our salad was just so-so and the hummus was not as creamy as we like. The services was a bit hectic and when I asked a question or two the server, who my well have been the owner acted as if I were questioning his integrity.

I saw this place being written up and highly recommended, so I decided to give it a try tonight! I was really hungry and ordered may more food than I could finish. The stuffed grape leaves were superb and the chicken tawook was simply amazing. The wife of the owner, "Sam" for short was all over the place, greeting customers, taking orders and making sure that every patron there was pleased! As I was leaving, she even brought her husband out to greet me! This is an amazing dining experience and I will come back for sure'

We came all the way from Orange County after hearing about this place. The reviews don't do it justice whatsoever, the food is absolutely delicious. We enjoyed the Koubeh with Laban, amazing. The Koufta with Tahina was to die for and the Baba Ghanouj was out of this world!!! Try the "Love Story" dessert for a fabulous end to a great experience. Friendly, hospitable and cheerful owners 😀 Highly recommended ❤️

Dizzy Diz must be really dizzy thinking this is average.This place is da BOMB. Different then anything out there, you can always tell when the people that grew up eating this food say its the best they have ever had including the restaurants in Lebanon. My Lebanese friends took me there bragging about how authentic this place is and how it reminds them about their Grandma's cooking years ago before they immigrated to the US. You must eaten Lebanese food in the wrong places that must have gotten you dizzy. The Humous you must have been used to has a 6 months expiration date... LOL This Chicken Tawook was to die for and the flavors in their kibbie are so amazing my friend says it was better then hommade... And the prices here man are nuts, don't know how they can afford to be so cheap, for the quality, it is a steal we ate like a five course meal with that amazing dessert in the end and each paid 17 plus Tax. Try that at another place with half the quality and you'll pay 35 / a head... one advice you guys order what you can eat because at these prices you tend to over order because it is so inexpensive.

Samia gave us a warm welcome and and after carefully consulting our dietary needs, recommended the most fabulous dishes. Furthermore, she recommended just the right amount of food for us and didn't push us into ordering more than we could eat. The hummus with pinenuts was rich and tasty. They were generous in topping up our pita bread. Samia arranged for the flatbread to be tailored to be half non-spicy for me and half-spicy for my husband. The flatbread was the most delicious thing we've tasted: the chicken on it was most and tender, with bold yet not overpowering garlic flavour. Wonderful service, incredible food. We strongly advise you trust Samia with her recommendations.

Very attentive and pleasant staff! The food was very good and bountiful. The only downside was the cramped dining area, but the food and service more than made up for it.

This restaurant is a gem. It is hard to see do you have to look carefully and since it's so delicious you may have to wait for parking. But if you are lucky enough to find it, you'll feel like you've found a new dining room. The flat breads are the bee's knees. The chicken tawook does not disappoint. E

I was amazed that this wonderful restaurant has been hidden from me for 12 years. I have eaten at every Med. Rest. in the neighborhood. This little corner of Lebanon not only has the best food.....the owners make you feel like you are in their kitchen at home. So, if you enjoy an authentic, not run of the mill restaurant, well look no further. I was also shocked at the pricing. The Salameh family knows their customers well. Thank you...Seth

My wife and I were interested in a middle eastern restaurant to take our family while in San Diego. I had heard of Alfaron on diners, drive-ins, and dives and we were disappointed! Great food and ambiance! The Chef took our order and the food was delicious! I had a lamb tenderloin kabob that’s was excellent, soft , tender and very flavorful! Our appetizers were spicy hummus and regular hummus falafel, spinach pies and pita bread. All these plates were very good too! Other members had chicken kabobs, We had Ouzy Lamb and Phoenician Pie! Highly recommend this place, authentic delicious food!

It is been a while since I enjoyed dining out as I did in this restaurant. The food is so delicious that we finished everything we ordered, the bread, the rice, the sauces, the salad!! Oh my God, you won't be disappointed if you like healthy fine Mediterranian cuisine.

Went here after seeing all the 5* reviews on yelp and was very excited. Unfortunately was very dissapointed. Knowing Lebanese food all too well, and even eating it the middle east and Lebanon, I know Lebanese. The food here was just average...nothing special....I dont understand the rave reviews at all. Although the kibbeh & fattoush were decent, the hummus/baba/tabouleh/zaatar and others were kind of bland actually. The owners are really nice, and I feel a little bad writing this, but it is the truth. Perhaps if you are not that experienced with Lebanese you can appreciate this more, but if you are, it wont live up to the reputation.

We were recently in town for just one night and ended up at Alforon. Although the location isn't great, but don't be discouraged - give it a try! We didn't know what to order, and who we think was the owner came and gave us a bunch of tips about what to order, explained the menu to us, and helped us order the right amount of food (we wanted to try a lot of things!) He kept checking in on us, asking how we liked the food, telling us where some of the food was sourced, and even showed us the right way to eat the Lebanese bread that came with the hummus! (It is not pita, as he told us!) We definitely had a great experience and wish we could go back. Highly recommend. Not only is the food great, but the service is 150%.

I am Lebanese and am fastidious when it comes to Lebanese food quality. The cheese with chicken and garlic pizza at Alforon was superb, and the salad had the wow factor. The manager was kind enough to put a Lebanese beer bottle in the freezer for 10 minutes as I've requested and I appreciate that. Prices are fair. The place is clean including the restroom.

A friend brought us here - so glad she did. Everything about this restaurant is great (except maybe the exterior and parking). Great food, good prices, and really exceptional interaction between us and the owners. For the average person, this meal might be a little adventurous, but it is completely worth it. There are numerous flatbreads, salads, falafel, and good deserts. Best advice, take the chef's recommendations! I really loved the atmosphere in this place, it was like being a guest in someone's home and it really enhanced the overall atmosphere. Even my very picky child loved the cheese flatbread and ate like a champ!

I happened on this place while visiting San Diego on a conference. The atmosphere is casual, and the hospitality is plain exceptional. Different than most near eastern eateries, as they go beyond the staples (hummus, falafel...etc). They have an array of fresh, brick oven backed, delicious Flat Breads (cheese, Zaatar, meat, spinach). I had Foul for starter and Kibbie for my main dish (which is very unusual considering this is a home cooking dish). Both were as good as Mom's. I'm in a happy place now.

Alforon was a different experience. The food was amazing. Not just one, all the dishes we ordered were superb! (And we ordered a lot…) Chef Salameh uses several ingredients, some you may recognize immediately, some you probably haven’t even heard of. But the most striking and wonderful ingredient that he tops off his dishes with is love! Sure, San Diego is great. There’s many things to do there, and there are many reasons to visit San Diego. But I bet you can’t find a better reason to visit San Diego than to eat at Alforon. Kudos to Chef Salameh and his wife for making our SD experience unforgettable!

What a gem, tucked away on El Cajon Blvd and 59th near SDSU, my husband and I found today when we visited Alforon . We were delighted with the authentic tastes of Lebanon prepared with talent and attention to detail. We met George Salameh, the owner, a friendly welcoming proprietor who helped us to navigate the extensive menu and order dishes that were delicious. He made us feel as if we were guests in his home (except, of course, it is his business, so there was a bill to pay). I asked about the eggplant Fatteh, an eggplant and yogurt dish that not only sounded unique but George readily modified the dish replacing the brown butter ingredient with olive oil with assurance that the layers of hot, cold, nut effect, taste and impact of this traditional Lebanese dish would not be compromised. George was on point! Very impressive dining experience including the outstanding spinach pie that was a delectable combination of spinach, onions, and summac spices. We began with the Baba Ghannouj eggplant appetizer served with flat bread to start a most memorable delightful meal. My husband had the Phoenician pie; he raved about it because the meat, spices, cheeses and pastry were delicious. Our only regret was not having room for the award winning highly recommended dessert. My husband and I are eager to return to Alforon to indulge in additional specialties from this menu, to see George and certainly will be sure to save room for dessert! We look forward to returning to Alforon soon.

Nowhere outside of Lebanon will you find kaac......except at Alforon. And it is mouth-wateringly perfect! George and Samia welcome you to their restaurant just like they would welcome you to their home. And, like the wonderful hosts they are, if you're not sure what to eat, they will help you with a marvelous choice. You will leave having had one of the best meals you ever eatten. Go enjoy, relax and leave joyful and content.

We have tried the middle eastern cuisine in almost every place we traveled, and Alforon is undoubtedly one of the very best. The standard menu items, hummus, baba ghanoush, yogurt, pita breads, pickles, stuffed grape leaves, etc. are all mouth watering good. Even the tea has some special herbs to enhance the standard drink. Everything is prepared on the premises, and so meets the owner's standard for flavor and freshness. To add to the delight are Lebanese ways of preparing flat bread entrees. They may look somewhat like a pizza, but the taste and toppings gives them another realm of flavors entirely. They are baked/roasted in a wood fire oven visible from the dining tables. The husband and wife owners are a gregarious couple who will make you feel at home, and take the time to explain the menu items and make recommendations. Their friendliness adds a whole other realm of "flavor" to the dining experience. And don't miss the deserts!

Everything we've ever had here has been wonderful, as is the service. The chicken tawhook is a must-try. Other highlights include the stuffed grape leaves (best I've ever had), the fried kibbeh, eggs in clay pot, and the delectable baklava and custard desert with rose syrup, the name of which I can never remember. If Mediterranean food is your thing, this place is heaven.

Just arrived in San Diego and was staying friends who were particular about their food. Found Alforon on Trip Advisor so decided to try it out as the reviews were great. I was not disappointed. The host was great, I told her the number in our party (take out) she planned the menu (3 course) and we were blown away by the freshness and flavours of our Lebanese Banquet. The Salads are fresh, the breads are a fantastic accompany to the array of dips. Very affordable as well. In the burbs but worth the trip.

Alforon is a Lebanese restaurant in the College area of San Diego. The proprietors, George and Samia, truly love what they do, and it shows. The deliciousness of the food at Alforon is surpassed only by the cordiality of its proprietors. This was our family’s first experience of Lebanese food and we were overwhelmed by the choices on the menu. George patiently (and passionately) explained the different dishes and offered suggestions for our consideration. We each chose a couple of items (the menu is a-la-carte). The meal was served “family style” and soon our table was covered with the most wonderful dishes of this and that. We started with Humus, smoky Baba Ghannouj (similar to humus, but made with eggplant), Fattoush (salad), and Grape Leaves stuffed with a deliciously savory filling. Then the main dishes started to arrive: (on fresh-baked flatbread) crispy LahmBajeen, Spinach and cheese, Portabella Mushroom, spicy Lebanese Sausage, garlicky Chicken Tawook, marinated sliced beef Sharwarma. George and Sam were checking with us (and with the other diners) often to make sure all was good. Every dish was delicious and we stuffed ourselves until we were uncomfortable. Then George described the desserts. We groaned and agreed to 1 order of each to share: Baklawa, a “dry” cake, and pistachio covered Aaysh Essaraya. All were delicious, but the creamy Aaysh Essaraya with its subtle aromatic spice was the hands-down winner. To top it all off, the prices are very reasonable. We are looking forward to dining with George and Sam again.

This food, service and selection are outstanding. This non descript strip mall houses one of the best restaurants in San Diego. Truly the food is fresh, you can tell they just made their Baba Ganoush, the flatbreads are incredible and their falafel light and not greasy at all unlike others I’ve been to. It’s an all hands place the chef will come out and take and deliver your order if it’s busy, the wait staff keep the food and drinks flowing. I’ve been here now several times and it doesn’t disappoint. So much to choose from don’t be afraid to be adventurous, the staff will steer you in a delicious direction.

We love Middle Eastern food and have eaten in Many other Lebanese restaurants. We were a large party and maybe that was the problem. We ordered two items and after 20 minutes they came out to say they were out of those items. The food was not as tasty as other Lebanese restaurants.

This is my favorite restaurant in San Diego, the owners are great and work very hard and lovable, I can't wait to come back to San Diego again to visit them and see "Khaltooo Samia". Everything is great there I totally recommend it

This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego, and it is definitely a hidden gem. I dream about the Lambajeen! George and his lovely wife, Sam, do an excellent job with this restaurant, and you can tell immediately that this is a passion project. All the food is made with love, and everything is high quality and absolutely delicious! I love Alforon, and I cannot recommend it enough. Do yourself a favor and eat here tonight!

Alforon has to be one of the best Lebanese restaurants in California. It's tiny and humble but the food is great. The balilah and tabouli salads are delicious and fresh. The flatbreads are AMAZING! The staff here is friendly and the prices aren't bad at all. Have something different today (without the risk of not liking it).

I took my Mexican friend here who had never tried Mediterranean/Lebanese food. We are both very picky, and there were TONS of things on the menu that we wanted to try! He tried the tabouli and had the hummus, I ordered chicken tawook. The food came so quickly, Samia the owner was playing the part of manager, friend, food guru and wait staff. The chef and owner, George makes you feel at home and you can tell he has known this food and had the passion for it all his life. You always want the 'real' food when you spend money to go out to eat, and this is a prime example. Traditional food from another place, that tastes amazing and is raved about! Be apart of it SD

My wife and I decided it was time we made a big effort to dine here again. We used to eat here almost once a month when we lived closer because the food was so delicious. Shame on us because we have not been here in over 5 years since we moved house from nearby University Heights to much further away in Solana Beach in 2015. What a lousy excuse for not enjoying some of the best service and Middle Eastern food we have ever enjoyed ! Hopefully our incredible lunch here last Saturday will redeem us to some degree. After driving around 25 miles from home we walked in the front door soon after midday and I asked the lovely young server Kseniya at the cashier desk to fetch Samia the co-owner for us. When Samia came out we were so happy that she remembered us. We found a nice table backing onto the kitchen and waited for someone to take our lunch order. It was very busy we could see and that was fine because it gave us time to study the expanded menu. We couldn't help admiring the new decor in the now much larger ...virtually double the size of the restaurant we remembered about 5 years ago. That's great because it means that the owners have been doing well. After a few minutes George the co-owner stopped at our table to take our order.....we knew of him as the head chef but had never met him before. We had a funny chit chat and he helped us with our lunch order. I decided on a fresh made Lemonade with Mint and of course waters for us both. A serve of Soujouk Flatbread and an entree of Kafta B' Tahini was just what we needed. Our meals came out in a fairly short time and looked just wonderful....and tasted even better than we remembered. We couldn't eat anything more and enquired about dessert with Kseniya. My wife wanted some Lebanese Coffee but they were so busy. It requires some attention to prepare but to our rescue Samia brought some out. Soon after George delivered our Aaysh Essaraya " LOVE DESSERT " which tasted just as good as years ago. I tried some of my wife's rich Lebanese Coffee and it revived me. We packed our delicious leftovers in take out containers and congratulated ourselves for making the long overdue effort to eat here. Please forgive us ! We thanked George & Samia the co-owners and our server Kseniya for the wonderful lunch experience. This is probably one of the top Middle Eastern restaurants in the USA !

In quest of authentic Lebanese food, quest no more! This is how i picture a successful family business! Salameh is a humble master chef, the wife Samia is a delight, this is a true experience with delicious food, personal service and attention. You can’t go wrong with the order, notable mentions are the Ouzi Lamb and the flatbreads such as Soujouk and Shawarma! I feel sad and embarrassed that i have lived in San Diego for many years and only recently knew about this restaurant from Guy Fieri’s show on Food Network!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for your reviews of Alforon!!! You all helped make our decision very easy on where to have dinner! My family and I were at my mother in laws new home the other day helping her unpack etc. Not knowing the area I went straight to local reviews for Lebanese food and Alforon stuck out immediately because of it's 1) the hightest rating for Lebanese food 2) It's 5 out if 5 Star rating and 3) It's $5 (only one)! I said this is the place for me and I was not disappointed! We showed up just about 5pm. We were greeted by George (my new best friend) and were given the "Family Table". Very nice table in the corner with plenty of room for the 5 of us. I told George that I found him on Tripadvisor and was impressed with his rating. He promised me I would not be disappointing. While his wife took care of the other guests in the restaurant, George went over the ENTIRE menu with us. He told us about how the different dishes were prepared, how he makes everything in house and how there are no microwaves in his kitchen. He explained why/how things were made in the old country and the small changes he has made on most of his dishes to make them his own. The Hummus was very good. We tried 4 different flat breads and by far my favorite was the Chicken Tawook. If you like chicken and garlic you have to try this. I could have eaten 2 or 3 more! My youngest one had a couple of pieces of the Cheese flat bread and loved it so much she asked if she could take a few pieces home for her lunch the next day! The Yogurt, Cucumber and Mint dish was awesome. I don't normally have dessert but George told us PLEASE save room for the Aaysh! WOW... I really enjoyed this dish. It was unlike anything I had every tried. Very delicious. Everything tasted so fresh! The service was excellent! We loved everything about this place! We all can't wait to go back. See you soon George and company!

Exceptionally friendly service and quality food. The tabouli was perfect, the foul was very garlicky but a bit bland, but the schwarma flatbread and the spinach cheese flatbread were to die for.

We came from a long distance based on the feedback in TripAdvisor. The food is delicious , the environment and the Arabic music was great 👍🏻 But I do not see any reason to prevent the waitress from smiling 😒 Sitting in a comfortable place and a happy atmosphere increases the magnificence for the place.

Everything we ordered was delicious! The menu varies and everything is well cooked and we'll made. I recommend this restaurant to everything who enjoys middle eastern food. Differently try it out!

Awesome food. Best grape leaves I have ever had! The owner is absolutely wonderful. Can’t wait to come back here again!!!

Really great authentic Lebanese food great service and exceptional performance by the owner providing each customer with her experienced advice

No wonder it was on The Food Channel ( DDD) Excellent Middle Eastern food. The spices were so real. The owners were ver genuine in their hospitality and cheerful. Don’t miss on Sojouk ( flat bread with very flavorful meat) On top of that THE DESSERT !!! Must try.

Alforon is a gem in an unlikely part of town. It's located in a strip mall and unassuming from the outside, but you step inside and delicious aromas waft over from the kitchen. My boyfriend and I went to Alforon because of the great reviews we saw on yelp. We got the chicken tawook, shawarma, and hummous with meat. Holy crap, the chicken tawook is delicious! It's a flatbread with chicken, garlic paste, and pickles. Sounds simple and it is, but each component is well executed to create a lovely balance of flavors. The shawarma is pretty good with lots of beef, but after a bite of the chicken tawook, it doesn't seem as good. The hummous was just ok on its own, but with the addition of the meat and jalepenos, it became great. Between the two of us, we polished off all three dishes with no problem and talked about the next time we'd be back. I would call that a success. The lady who owns the place was very pleasant as well. She was adorable, asked for our names, welcomed us to the area (we're new to SD), and made a point to call us by name when we were done eating. She made me want to go back just for the hospitality!

Excellent pizza with meat, cheese or herbs. Real Lebanese, very testy, owners are very nice, place is clean, thanks for keeping traditions living.

If you don't know anything about this food, come anyway and they will help you! EVERYTHING we had was delicious!! Bread, everything is made in house! We had three different items, chicken and cheese, falafel flat bread and baba gnoush - all fab

The first time we went to Alforon (at the suggestion of friends) we ordered and then I went to the car to get something. When I returned, the food had arrived and my wife had taken a couple of bites. She looked at me and said: "this isn't just good, it is AMAZING!" We heard that word from other tables as we ate our flatbread sandwiches. The fare is simple, Lebanese flatbread sandwiches that are like a cross between a pizza and a sandwich. Eat them open faced and flat or fold or roll them. Any way you eat them, they are delicious. When I went on Yelp.com to write a review, I nearly laughed out loud because nearly every review contained the word "amazing." I have been back to Alforon several times and the food always lives up to the reputation. Everything is made fresh, and Lebanese friends say that it reminds them the old country. The place is small, and if you go at lunch or dinner rush hour, you might want to ask for take-out. The owners, George and Samia are a delight, very friendly and outgoing. They really make you feel like you are a member of the family, sitting down to a meal in their dining room. Prices are reasonable and I have often seen small groups ordering a number of individual items and sharing. Fresh homemade hummus and tabouli are the best I have eaten. To sum it up, Alforon isn't fancy, it isn't in the fancy part of town, but if you are looking for great food at very reasonable prices, make the short trip to the University area (San Diego State) and try this family run restaurant.

Nice place to dine. Very comfortable. Clean. Service was excellent and the food... Fresh, light and tasty. Great halal find in San Diego

Best customer service. This place was awsome. Great food. Will definitely go back again. Highly recommend.

I came here with a Meetup group and was impressed with the way they handled our group. Samia, one of the owners, was a wonderful hostess and thoroughly explained the menu to us. It was so hard to choose between all the great sounding choices. I couldn't decide between the chicken tawook and the smoked salmon bajeen. In the end, the bajeen won out (I'll try the chicken tawook next time). The salmon is served on a large round flat bread with some kind of cheese, capers and basil. The dough of the flat bread was tasty and just the right amount of chewiness. It was delicious!!! And the food came very fast after we all ordered.

First, the food is absolutely delicious and by itself is worthy of a five-star rating. What makes this place stand out for us are Sam and George, the husband-and-wife owners. He runs the kitchen and she runs the dining room. George is happy to explain everything on the menu, and make suggestions. His help was most appreciated, and we ordered things we may not have otherwise ordered. Everything was amazing! Sam, from the moment we arrived, proved herself to be the funnier of the two. She clearly enjoys what she does, and loves making people laugh. She had us in stitches, and we still chuckle about her a month later. If you live in San Diego, or you are just visiting, go to Alforon! You will not be disappointed.

One word, outstanding. This is the real Lebanese food. The dishes are those that a Lebanese family would eat at home. Most of the dishes you do not find in any other restaurant outside Lebanon because they require a love of cooking and a dedication to quality, which you are plenty evident at Alforon. No surprise that the restaurant has received multiple accolades and awards. The husband and wife team are very welcoming and the service is great. Reminded of home.

The best Sojouk Flatbread I ever had in the States. If you are into Manaqeesh and Middle Eastern flatbread, this is the place to go to in San Diego. The owners are very friendly and welcoming and you'd feel right at home. Make sure to try their specialty dessert : Aish El Saraya! Fantastic!

The four of us had a fantastic meal here. The owners are friendly and welcoming and had great suggestions as we ordered. We were very excited to have leftovers so we could eat these great dishes again. Highly recommend this restaurant!!

We drove into San Diego late one evening, very weary with kids in tow. Walked in, and the owner, a lady was like a breath of fresh air. She welcomed us asked us to sit and took so much of time making suggestions and just genuinely awesome. The food was very good and that was by far the best personalised service I have received.

The food is simply amazing, probably because the owner is lebanese and very well humored. If this is our type of food, cant miss it

This gem in the college area is amazing! It’s family run and the owners always check in and chat with you. It feels more like eating at a family gathering. The food is outrageously good. Chicken tawook with jalapeños is my go to order. Phoenician pie is great. Kibbe floating in yogurt is to die for. The desserts are incredible. It’s got such heart. It’s in a strange strip mall location and hard to see. It’s become one of my favorite restaurants! The flavors are so addictive. Highly recommend!

The service is amazing but the food is better. Visit for sure. When you arrive you don't know what you are going to get because menu is hard to read but EVERYTHING is explained to you if needed which is nice. The server becomes the mother you never had. I have a mother tho...

Make sure to come hungry because you will leave full! The owners are a lovely couple who make you feel so welcome - like family! The food is delicious and it is not too expensive. There are too many fantastic items to list that we tried. Try everything! Worth the drive!

Enjoyed a large variety of vegetarian and lamb dishes. All great. Served by the owner who gave great details about the food.

We had a fairly large party and an international visitor going to this restaurant just on someone else's recommendation. But the entire experience was great. Everyone loved the food, the servings were generous and the atmosphere was so much fun. We had several appetizers and several different entrees and each one was delicious. The owners were warm and outgoing and we all left full and happy. We will definitely be going back.

We try to dine at a different place each week. Having heard good things from Middle-Eastern friends, we tried Alforon and were delighted by the warm, friendly reception, the decor, and the excellent food. The baba ganoush was the best I've ever tasted, and my chicken flatbread (which looks a bit like a pizza, but is much lighter and healthier), with extra cheese, was a masterpiece. Except for the high noise level--made worse by shrieking at the next table--it was a perfect evening.

My husband and I were staying in San Diego for a couple of days, locals told us to check out this place. They were right! The staff is very friendly and courteous, their food was reasonably priced and very good. We didn't have a long wait, yet it was packed. Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

We ordered chicken kebob and zatar with olives and cheese. Everything was exceptional, flavorful and yumm. Ask for their tea and thats probably the best middle eastern tea i'v had. The owners are very welcoming and talk to everybody and ask if they have liked the food or if they would want it differently.

Warning! We went to this restaurant today and ordered take home for dinner for 2. I never write negative comments but this was in need of a warning for future customers. We got Kibbe and Majbous along with one order of soup. The bill warranted a good, if not great dinner, at more than $60 for 2 dinners. The dry single boiled chicken breast was placed on tasteless rice, no condiments as stated and no spice. The chicken was too dry and tasteless to eat. The Kibbe (I know Kibbe having lived in the Middle East for years) was nothing more than ground beef in a very strange extremely bitter lemon sauce. Having lived in SD for many years and know there are many great eateries and always wanting to find new places - please don't waste you precious dollars here.

Alforon is a hidden gem. Being middle eastern it is difficult to find a restaurant that compares to what I am used to, but Alforon did just that. The flavors are spot on, and the owners make you feel at home and welcome. We had a variety of appetizers and enjoyed them all. Will definitely return.