Mitra’s Cafe: Persian Kabob

I come to eat here from time to time and I LOVE this place. The owner is so sweet and the food is absolutely delicious. If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to have a good meal, this is your place. Clean and has a good drink selection!

It's crazy how you suppose to go somewhere else to eat and you didn't receive the good customer service so you literally leave and ending up discovering the hidden gem. I am not going to mention where I went before this restaurant because I don't like to hurt small business but I end up discovering Mitra's Cafe my mistake and fall in love with it. Now, I have been going there for past couple of years. The food is amazing {especially Lamb shank recommended by owner). But what stands out is the chef and owner Max. An all around good person. He handles the registers, cooks the food, and serves. He does it all. He survived the pandemic, and he wants to help those in need. There is a sign in front of his restaurant which says, "If you are hungry and don't have money we will feed you. Just let us know. -Mitra's Cafe". Wow, that warms my heart emotionally speaking, I can't never see human or animal or birds hungry. Seriously, These are the kinds of small businesses we definitely should support. BTW - The food is halal!!

I got 2 koobideh beef skewers with rice, pita bread, tzatziki sauce and a salad for $12.99. I can't beleive a meal that good with that much food was only $12.99. Great service also, highly recommended.

Great food. Max catered our Coldwell Banker Realty awards party. Everyone loved the food. Beef and chicken kabobs, rice, pita bread, salad, hummus and yogurt sauce. Yummy.

This Will be the best restaurant in my life. All the plantes are the best. So sad it’s closing.

I loved the beef and chicken kabobs! Also did anyone notice the sign in the front? I love that they are willing to feed the hungry, since restaurants waste soo much food. I think it’s a community gem, not to mention the price was right!

So yummy! Owner is so nice! Love this place

Nothing bad to say, owner is friendly, reasonable pricing, and best of all the food is absolutely delicious. The gyro wrap is simply amazing and the fries were some of the best I’ve had in quite a long time

This is a great place for delicious and authentic Persian food! Carefully prepared with fresh ingredients by the very kind and talented owner. We catered a wonderful Persian dinner for friends and family with Mitra’s delectable dishes… the kabobs, rice and lamb shanks are the best!! A special sign in front says that if anyone is hungry, they will be fed for free. Talent, kindness and a great family make this place great and unforgettable.

The food seemed to be fresh and the spices were mixed in good proportion. The ild gentleman who served us was very polite and patient with the order. The price was great and a small recommendation would be to increase the quantity a bit and serve side salads on the wraps. The sizes seem a bit small for the entree. Overall can’t complain for the great food and pricing

Great Mediterranean food with a good price. The lamb shank with rice was one of our favorites , and it is a big portion only for $18. I recommend their food.

I've been coming to this place for a while now. I don't know what some people are saying this place is overpriced. This place is very reasonable. I usually order the koobideh (ground beef skewers). They are $8.00 here (which is soo inexpensive compared to other Persian restaurants that charge over $12.00...such as Luna Grill). They even have $4.99 specials (one skewer though, but perfect if you're not THAT hungry). I like supporting mom & pop shops. This place has a nice mellow atmosphere. The owner is more personable. Unfortunately, the cashiers need just a bit more training. Other than that, I'd definitely recommend this place.

I have to say, Mitras really surpassed my expectations. The koobideh is excellent and tasty. The chicken kabobs are equally the same. Max the owner is really nice and the prices are the best in the area. So stop by and try the food, I don't give high reviews,but this place hits the mark. Oh ya lunch special is only 6.99 for one skewer, rice and salad!!!!!

Excellent quality food for the cost. You can't go wrong. Very generous owner.

This place is so unique! I had a salad but will return for more on menu. You can’t tell the care about their community and making quality, healthy and delicious food! I may have reviewed the wrong place early but this is the place had a green salad and it was just what I needed!

Sweet family owned business, helping support the community! Great food, lovely small market with imported foods, and great service with a smile! Skip the chain restaurants around here, check out Mitra's cafe!!

Ordered a Beef Wrap. Let me tell you it had so much flavor. Very good food! If you’ve never had Mediterranean food this is a great place to try it for the first time! Good prices to

If you’re craving some "Ash" aka veggie noodle soup, head over to this Persian business. They also sell Persian spices, tea and other things you need to make Persian Cuisine at home.

Agnes Huff

This is a great place for delicious and authentic Persian food! Carefully prepared with fresh ingredients by the very kind and talented owner. We catered a wonderful Persian dinner for friends and family with Mitra’s delectable dishes… the kabobs, rice and lamb shanks are the best!! A special sign in front says that if anyone is hungry, they will be fed for free. Talent, kindness and a great family make this place great and unforgettable.

Utkrisht Shah

The food seemed to be fresh and the spices were mixed in good proportion. The ild gentleman who served us was very polite and patient with the order. The price was great and a small recommendation would be to increase the quantity a bit and serve side salads on the wraps. The sizes seem a bit small for the entree. Overall can’t complain for the great food and pricing

Ayat Riahi

Great Mediterranean food with a good price. The lamb shank with rice was one of our favorites , and it is a big portion only for $18. I recommend their food.

Jane Doe

I've been coming to this place for a while now. I don't know what some people are saying this place is overpriced. This place is very reasonable. I usually order the koobideh (ground beef skewers). They are $8.00 here (which is soo inexpensive compared to other Persian restaurants that charge over $12.00...such as Luna Grill). They even have $4.99 specials (one skewer though, but perfect if you're not THAT hungry). I like supporting mom & pop shops. This place has a nice mellow atmosphere. The owner is more personable. Unfortunately, the cashiers need just a bit more training. Other than that, I'd definitely recommend this place.

jeffcp1

I have to say, Mitras really surpassed my expectations. The koobideh is excellent and tasty. The chicken kabobs are equally the same. Max the owner is really nice and the prices are the best in the area. So stop by and try the food, I don't give high reviews,but this place hits the mark. Oh ya lunch special is only 6.99 for one skewer, rice and salad!!!!!

Sahar Zzzz

If you’re craving some "Ash" aka veggie noodle soup, head over to this Persian business. They also sell Persian spices, tea and other things you need to make Persian Cuisine at home.

Donald Steffes

Excellent quality food for the cost. You can't go wrong. Very generous owner.

Joseph Delgado

This place is so unique! I had a salad but will return for more on menu. You can’t tell the care about their community and making quality, healthy and delicious food! I may have reviewed the wrong place early but this is the place had a green salad and it was just what I needed!

Diana Ford

Sweet family owned business, helping support the community! Great food, lovely small market with imported foods, and great service with a smile! Skip the chain restaurants around here, check out Mitra's cafe!!

Jonathan Najar

Ordered a Beef Wrap. Let me tell you it had so much flavor. Very good food! If you’ve never had Mediterranean food this is a great place to try it for the first time! Good prices to

What a Gem! This tiny place is powerful in flavor. Great food and the owner is very nice. He is always so happy to see u and makes the food for u too. He has this sign outside for people that cant afford the food.. that to please let him know. Thats pretty amazing. Good blesses u friend” thank u and see u soon .

This gentleman feeds those who are hungry but afford to buy food. His landlord, the veterinarian next door is kicking him out after 14 years of tenancy. Years ago, landlord refused to give the tenant a lease contract and now this good man is being forced to move and lose his business. I’m so saddened by this injustice. The tenant helped his landlord to pay the mortgage down for 14 long years and in return the ungrateful landlord is forcing him out of business. Shame on the landlord. Karma will come and bite him on his ugly butt 🥹

Moved into the area a few months ago and I am overjoyed my boyfriend found Mitras Cafe on accident! There are plenty of healthy fresh and delicious options, cooked to order and a lot more affordable than many fancy places out there. The owner has always taken my order and always greets me with a smile and is so kind to my son with needs. Definitely a staple in our rotation for those hassle-free dinner options that we have ordered once a week for a month and the food never disappoints.

Wanted to support a local business that gives back to the community and I wasn’t disappointed. The spot caught my attention with the sign outside that offers a free meal to the hungry. The ingredients were fresh and delicious. God bless you always!

Love the food there, if you havent tried it yet, go, cause its closing due to owner of property, who is also owner of business next door wants to expand!

This review is long overdue. I’ve been coming here the past 3 years, probably 50+ times. The food is great and Max is a genuine human. A true hidden gem! Our go-to’s are the boneless chicken plate and filet kabob plate.

Always go here for the lunch special with chicken. Never seen it super busy but my lunches are not always at the same time. Super nice guy who is always keeping himself busy. Nothing to really complain about. Good goof and atmosphere with good music playing in the background.

Loved this place!! I would get the lamb shanks plate with extra sauce. Loved the broth!! The owner was helpful and friendly. I am sad they closed!

Lisle Emerson

Loved this place!! I would get the lamb shanks plate with extra sauce. Loved the broth!! The owner was helpful and friendly. I am sad they closed!

Marco Lezama

This gentleman feeds those who are hungry but afford to buy food. His landlord, the veterinarian next door is kicking him out after 14 years of tenancy. Years ago, landlord refused to give the tenant a lease contract and now this good man is being forced to move and lose his business. I’m so saddened by this injustice. The tenant helped his landlord to pay the mortgage down for 14 long years and in return the ungrateful landlord is forcing him out of business. Shame on the landlord. Karma will come and bite him on his ugly butt 🥹

sophia

beautiful place, wonderful sweet owner, never had better food or a better experience!! 10/10

None Nikr

Love the food there, if you havent tried it yet, go, cause its closing due to owner of property, who is also owner of business next door wants to expand!

Luis Molina

Wanted to support a local business that gives back to the community and I wasn’t disappointed. The spot caught my attention with the sign outside that offers a free meal to the hungry. The ingredients were fresh and delicious. God bless you always!

LosG Klans

What a Gem! This tiny place is powerful in flavor. Great food and the owner is very nice. He is always so happy to see u and makes the food for u too. He has this sign outside for people that cant afford the food.. that to please let him know. Thats pretty amazing. Good blesses u friend” thank u and see u soon .

Valeria Rosales

Moved into the area a few months ago and I am overjoyed my boyfriend found Mitras Cafe on accident! There are plenty of healthy fresh and delicious options, cooked to order and a lot more affordable than many fancy places out there. The owner has always taken my order and always greets me with a smile and is so kind to my son with needs. Definitely a staple in our rotation for those hassle-free dinner options that we have ordered once a week for a month and the food never disappoints.

We had the beef gyros. Next time we'll ask for extra sauce. It was quite tasty. It was nice. Good good. Good atmosphere. Great service. Recommend checking it out.

First time customer. Dining and kitchen areas looked clean. Ordered the lunch special beef kabob with rice and salad. The food was made fresh, the salad dressing was the perfect amount and complimented the salad. Loved the flavors of the kebab and the rice. Good portion. Will come back to try the gyro and hummus.

I ordered their chicken and beef kabobs. It's an open kitchen. Just from observing, the preparation and cooking seemed authentic. Both meats were well seasoned. Chickens were also good, not too dry. Mitra is an above average mediterranean place.

The food is delicious but unsanitary. The man doesn't use gloves when preparing the food. Just be mindful of that, it's kinda nasty 🤢. The guy touches money and then your food, I saw it with my own eyes he was making/packing up a gyro after handling the register

Thought I'd try this place. Food was OK - got the beef Kabob plate to go. Portions were a bit on the small side but OK for lunch. You have options for 2 sides - I chose salad and hummus. Salad was good and so was the hummus but small portions. But I did find a hair in my food and that combined with the general vibe of the owner as kinda down and the fact that he was handling the food and the money was unsettling for lack of a better term.

Toby Danylchuk

Thought I'd try this place. Food was OK - got the beef Kabob plate to go. Portions were a bit on the small side but OK for lunch. You have options for 2 sides - I chose salad and hummus. Salad was good and so was the hummus but small portions. But I did find a hair in my food and that combined with the general vibe of the owner as kinda down and the fact that he was handling the food and the money was unsettling for lack of a better term.

i usually frequent this establishment in the mornings when i order my breakfast burritos but the last two times i ordered, the food had me feeling really sick. The last time i went, the employee messed up my order by giving me a smoothie when i asked for a fruit salad, and he said its my fault for talking to "4 people" while ordering with him. i told him i was talking to one person and i told you a fruit salad. he was very rude and took no responsibility for messing up my order. i will never order from there again and i hope you wont either.

We received burned falafel and rice, and we were charged for the baklava, but it was missing from our to-go order.

The food was nasty. I make better Kabab then this place. When you eat out you expect to eat something better then what you make at home not worse. The owner was very rude and the gyro sandwich was the worsed gyro sandwich ever. I would give zero star. And for the kind of food they serve price is way to much. I would not go back ever. I might just open my own place.

Okay. So let me tell you about how much of a horrible place this is. Max, is so rude. Literally uses profanity and always has an attitude. Like they aren't busy, i'm the only customer and he's still being rude. The food is soggy, uncooked and also gross. I don't understand why he's rude. Don't eat here, expensive, and not worth it.

1) they tried to charge me 3% to use my debit card, nice try there buddy. That's illegal in California and 10 other states in the us. 2) food was horrible, best way to describe the meat is dry like temecula's weather in the middle of summer. My wife's chicken was dry and almost crumbly. I ordered the barg am filet mignon, that meat was beat up, slapped, toss through the ringer or something cause it was dry and no where near tender like filet mignon supposed to be, this place had to be lying about serving filet mignon. I've had carne Asada and beef stew meat that was more tender. Hell even my cars tires could be more tender. I'm not sure where people gave it a 4-5 star review 3) seems like it took forever to get our food, granted there was only one person that I could see, who runs a business like that on a Friday night? Smh. 4) go to the tire shop for more tender food. 5) thanks for not saying thanks or have a goodnight as we walked passed you.

This location is permanently closed 🔐 But I don't know no warning on Google, after 30 minutes driving I found it 😕

Closed, drove from Vista to eat here & discovered it is permanently closed. Phone is disconnected.

I haven't been to this one and thought I would try it out. Bad first experience! The young girl who works there was rude to me, messed up our order. I rather go to the other Mediterranean restaurant next to Albertsons. Go to Gyro Kabob Greek Cafe. At least the owners don't question me about what I am wearing also the owners are friendlier and give you better service and food.

Linda

I hope my experience was a fluke but the food really wasn't good. The falafel was super dry, the gyro meat was bland and didn't look like they made it in store, and the babaganoush was the absolute worst I've ever had. There were giant globs of tahini and yogurt (?) that weren't even partially blended in. You can see that in the picture below. So disappointing.

“Mitra’s Cafe” has been PERMANENTLY Closed for at least 3 - 4 months now !!! I don’t know why this hasn’t been updated for so long ??

Nick Hakopian

“Mitra’s Cafe” has been PERMANENTLY Closed for at least 3 - 4 months now !!! I don’t know why this hasn’t been updated for so long ??