Christian Tse

A fantastic family run restaurant. The skewers are cooked over charcoal - giving it a nice smoky flavor. The meats are Feay and tender. The rice is buttery and perfect. I come here so often the staff knows what I order. Really friendly and great food.

Steph Couvrette

The food was really great and honestly a bargain. We both got the falafel plate and it came with lots of pita, olives, cucumbers, feta and we both picked a salad. The salad was a really tasty minty cabbage salad. The plate came with falafel, hummus, salad with tahini and a very good tabouleh. Both ladies that came to our table were so nice. We've come back a couple times since my first review and everything is still good and everyone is friendly.

Shawarma Flaneur

I recently made a meticulously researched list of the best shawarma in LA and OC. (You can read the full report, entitled "The Shawarma Report: My Favorite Shawarma in Los Angeles and Orange County" on the subreddit r/FoodLosAngeles.) While the report is is not about kebab, I took the occasion to give Sahara's chicken kebab the highest praise. It is absolutely phenomenal, and has to be among the best in the city.

Bay Walker

Enjoyed our filling and tasty meal: Vegetarian Platter & Greek salad with a chicken kebab skewer, lentil soup, pitas and more. Excellent service and warm family vibe!

Betty Bet

The food is so good, no excellent!! The service is so great. The restaurant is not fancy, but simple, clean, bright and pleasant. The hummus is so good. The combo skewers is so great. Greek salad is yummy. It's $12.99, but can feed 3-4 people easily if you're getting another entree. The ground meat kebab is yummy. The beef is so good! I forgot to take pictures because I was so excited to eat. I took a picture of my leftovers at home.

Karla Molina

One of the best places to eat Middle Eastern food in Los Angeles is Sahara Restaurant in Pasadena! 🌟 I've been coming here since the 90s. The kebabs, hummus, tabbouleh, and Greek salad are my absolute favorites. Everything I've ever tried here is made fresh, yummy, and super delicious. 😋 The staff is friendly and attentive to your needs. They have an open-concept kitchen, so you can see them cooking all the food when you order at the counter. 🍽️ My family and I usually like coming here to have lunch on Saturdays before 3:00 PM (they close from 3:00-5:00 PM Mon-Sat, then reopen from 5:00 - 8:00 PM for the dinner crowd, closed on Sundays). They have parking in the back and two spaces for parking on the side of the restaurant. It's a fantastic place to relax and enjoy delicious food with family and friends. I highly recommend it! 👍

+1

Janet L

A family owned restaurant that serves up incredibly delicious Mediterranean food! Our server was so kind and attentive, and she made us feel immediately at home. The portion sizes were very generous and we were so full in the end. Our personal favorites were the baba ganoush, lentil soup, and the Sahara combination. Definitely can’t wait to come back again!

Sarah Kaplan

First thing when we walked in was the delicious aroma of meats cooking. It made my mouth water. The restaurant is clean and the staff very friendly. I got the khash-khash kabob, my partner got the Lula kabob. The staff were amazingly friendly and welcoming. We were just lucky to find the place when we got off the freeway looking for food. Now we will be stopping when we're passing through Pasadena.

Kenji Coleman

Really tasty food. The chicken is juicy. The beef is cooked perfectly. The hummus is creamy. Chicken is the best I've had in S. California! Their food is among the best Middle Eastern I've had in L.A. Prices are completely reasonable considering the high quality ingredients, excellent preparation, and large portion. Top notch service. Friendly staff, makes you feel welcomed immediately. Parking is easy. The only thing lacking a little was the ambiance. This my new Mediterranean food spot!

regis kwong

This evening( 5/16/2024), our church community gathered at Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine for a group dinner, and the experience was exceptional. As we settled into the cozy ambiance, we started our culinary journey with an array of sides. The hummus, paired with pita breads, was creamy and rich in flavor, setting a high bar for what was to come. The tabbouleh was a refreshing medley of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, and bulgur, dressed in zesty lemon juice and olive oil—a true testament to the freshness of the ingredients. The cabbage salad was another standout, offering a crisp and tangy complement to the meal. While the pita bread could have been served hot to elevate the starters even further, this was a minor note in an otherwise flawless symphony of flavors. The main course was a showcase of the restaurant’s mastery over meat. The beef kabobs were succulent and perfectly seasoned, each bite transporting us to the heart of Mediterranean cuisine. The chicken and lamb kabob platter was equally impressive, with the meats being tender, juicy, and infused with an array of spices that spoke to the experienced palate of the chefs. Service throughout the evening was prompt and courteous, with the staff ensuring our dining experience was comfortable and enjoyable. Although the parking lot is small but I feel it should be plenty as the restaurant is not that big. It’s worth noting that the prices are on the higher side, but for the authentic flavors and generous portions, it felt justified. Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine is worthy to be put on your restaurant to try list.

+4

"I stopped by Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine in Pasadena for lunch and ordered the chicken kabob plate with rice, hummus, and tabbouleh. The service was outstanding—the lady at the cash register was super friendly and welcoming, and the server was awesome, quick, and made the whole experience feel great. Shoutout to the staff; they really brightened up the visit! Food-wise: The rice was decent and fluffy, and the hummus was solid—nothing mind-blowing but perfectly okay and satisfying. The tabbouleh needed some work though; it felt a bit bland or under-seasoned compared to what I'm used to, and could use more lemon, herbs, or balance to make it pop. The chicken kabob was edible but something felt off—maybe the seasoning, marinade, or just an off day with the grill. It wasn't bad enough to complain, but it didn't hit the spot like I hoped, especially since I've heard great things about their kabobs. Overall, the friendly service saved the meal, and I'd probably give it another try on a different day or with a different protein (like beef or lamb, which seem to get more love). Solid spot for quick Middle Eastern food in Pasadena, especially if you're craving something hearty with great people working there."

M Q

It's very pricey, and food gave all an upset stomach and more. Hadn't been there in year's. The rice is ricearoni. I thought it would be like Massis or Raffis in glendale. I was wrong. Never again.