Sahara Taste of the Middle East Menu – El Cajon, CA

Type : Middle Eastern restaurant

Location : El Cajon, CA

A mix of Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus, kebabs & gyros, served in a simple setting. Based on 798 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.4 stars. Price $$

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No-contact delivery

Sahara Taste of the Middle East 92019

Address:
2990 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, CA 92019

Phone: (619) 660-9990

Website:

Social Profile:

Hours

Friday 10 AM–10 PM
Saturday 10 AM–10 PM
Sunday 10 AM–10 PM
Monday

(Labor Day)
 10 AM–10 PM

Hours might differ
Tuesday 10 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–10 PM
Thursday 10 AM–10 PM

Menu

Sandwiches
Chicken Shawarma Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, garlic aioli sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $12.50
Beef Shawarma Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $13.50
Gyro Sandwich
Gyro served on flat bread with tomato, onions & tzatziki sauce		 $12.50
Chicken Cream Chop Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, ranch sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $12.50
Chicken Tikka Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, garlic aioli sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $12.50
Filet Mignon Tikka Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $18.95
Falafel Sandwich
Vegan. Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, tahini sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap. For vegan request without tahini sauce.		 $11.50
Beef Kufta Kabob Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, parsley, raw onions, sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $12.50
Salmon Tikka Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $18.95
Chicken Kufta Kabob Sandwich
Served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, sauce, on a choice of a French roll, pita bread, or a wrap.		 $12.50
SALADS
Sahara Salad
Vegan or Vegetarian. Romaine, spring mix, cucumber, tomato, onion, bell pepper, pita chips, sumac, and pomegranate dressing. Add Chicken, Beef, or Falafel for an additional charge.		 $12.95
Greek Salad
Vegan or Vegetarian. Romaine, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, onion, artichoke, pepperoncini, olives, dolma, feta cheese, and Greek Dressing. Add Chicken, Beef, or Falafel for an additional charge.		 $12.50
Mediterranean Salad
Vegan or Vegetarian. Spring mix, romaine, fresh berries, dried berries, apples, walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, and pomegranate dressing. Add Chicken, Beef, or Falafel for an additional charge.		 $12.50
Plates
Chicken Tikka Plate
Chunks of grilled marinated chicken breast. Served with rice, pita bread, one side choice, and one side of garlic aioli sauce.		 $18.50
Beef Kufta Kabab Plate
Fresh ground USDA beef mixed with onions, parsley, and spices. Served with rice, pita bread, one side choice, and grilled tomato.		 $18.50
Chicken Shawarma Plate
Layers of marinated chicken cooked on a spit and thinly sliced. Served rice, pita bread, and one side choice. Served with one garlic aioli sauce.		 $18.50
Filet Mignon Tikka Plate
Chunks of grilled marinated filet mignon. Served with rice, pita bread, one side choice, and one side of tzatziki sauce.		 $22.95
Beef Shawarma Plate
Layers of marinated beef cooked on a spit and thinly sliced. Served with rice, pita bread, and one side choice. Served with one tahini sauce.		 $19.50
Salmon Tikka Plate
Six ounces Atlantic Salmon skewered with bell pepper and onion, served with rice, pita bread, and your choice of side.		 $22.95
Falafel Plate
Vegan or Vegetarian. Six pieces served with pita bread, grilled tomato and your choice of three sides. For vegan request without tahini sauce.		 $16.95
Chicken Cream Chop Plate
Seasoned and breaded chicken breast. Served with rice, pita bread, one side choice and one side of ranch.		 $18.50
Gyros Plate
Served with yellow rice, flat bread, tzatziki sauce and your choice of side		 $18.50
Chicken Kufta Kabab Plate
Ground chicken, mixed with onions, parsley, and spices. Served with rice, pita bread, and one side choice. Served with one side of garlic aioli sauce.		 $18.50
Sahara Bowls
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Garlic aioli , Rice , Choice of Sahara side & warm pita.		 $13.50
Chicken Tikka Bowl
Garlic aioli , Rice , Choice of Sahara side & warm pita.		 $13.50
Beef Shawarma Bowl
Tahini sauce , Rice , Choice of Sahara side & warm pita.		 $13.50
Gyros Bowl
Rice , Flat bread ,Choice of side.		 $13.50
Chicken Cream Chop Bowl
Ranch dressing ,Rice, Choice of Sahara side & warm pita		 $13.50
Falafel Bowl
Tahini sauce , Rice , Choice of Sahara side & warm pita.		 $12.50
Sahara Fries
1/2 & 1/2 Fries
Ranch.		 $17.95
Beef Shawarma Fries
Ranch and tahini.		 $17.95
Chicken Shawarma Fries
Ranch and garlic sauce.		 $16.95
Chicken Cream Chop Fries
Ranch.		 $16.95
Greek Fries
Gyro, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, feta cheese, olives		 $16.95
Papa Joe’s Specials
Lamb Over Rice
Seasoned slow cooked lamb over spiced basmati rice.		 $21.95
Chicken Biryani
Spiced basmati rice with peas, carrots, potatoes, fried boiled egg, chicken, and meatballs served with white beans stew.		 $18.95
Half Roasted Chicken Plate
Roasted Greek style chicken with roasted potato, rice and your choice of a side.		 $17.95
Kubba Hamuth
Rice and meat dumpling in a tomato sauce with vegetables.		 $18.95
Lamb Shank
Oven roasted lamb shank over white rice, with tomato sauce.		 $21.95
Dolma
Stuffed grape leaves with rice, meat, tomato paste, fresh herbs and spices		 $18.95
Jordanian Lamb Mensaf
Roasted lamb atop bread, with white basmati rice, served with yogurt stew.		 $21.95
Flatbreads
Laham Ajeen (Spiced Ground Beef) Flat Bread
Lahem Ajeen. Ground beef, bell pepper, onions, parsley, and spices.		 $8.00
Beef Shawarma & Cheese Flat Bread $12.50
Cheese Flat Bread
Vegan or Vegetarian. Feta and mozzarella cheese.		 $8.00
Chicken Shawarma & Cheese Flat Bread $12.00
Roasted Vegetable Flat Bread
Vegan or Vegetarian. Eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, onions, and cheese.		 $10.50
Cheese & Zaatar Flat Bread
Vegan or Vegetarian		 $8.00
Zaatar Flat Bread
Vegan or Vegetarian. Thyme, oregano, sumac, sesame seed, salt, and pepper.		 $8.00
Handmade Specialties
Bureg
Middle eastern egg rolls stuffed with parsley, onions, and spices.		 $4.50
Potato Chop
Mashed potatoes stuffed with ground beef, onions, parsley, and spices.		 $4.50
Kuba Halub
Spiced ground beef, and yew rice croquette.		 $4.50
Kuba Tarabulseya
Spiced ground beef, cracked wheat croquette with pine nuts.		 $4.50
Soups
Lentil Soup
Vegan or Vegetarian. 		$5.95
Potato Curry Stew $5.95
Okra Stew $5.95
White Bean Stew $5.95
Sides
Hummus
Vegan or Vegetarian. Garbanzo beans with tahini, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.		 $5.95
Middle Eastern Salad
Vegan or Vegetarian. Diced cucumbers, garbanzo beans, tomato, parsley, olive oil, and lemon juice.		 $5.95
Tabouli
Vegan or Vegetarian. Chopped parsley, green onion, cracked wheat diced tomato tossed with olive oil, and lemon juice.		 $5.95
French Fries
Vegan or Vegetarian.		 $4.50
Jajeek
Vegan or Vegetarian. Yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, sea salt, and mint.		 $5.95
Yellow Basmati Rice
Toasted almonds and raisins. (Not-vegetarian or gluten-free, made with chicken stock and vermicelli noodles).		 $4.50
Baba Ghanoush
Roasted eggplant with tahini, yogurt, lemon, garlic, and olive oil.		 $5.95
Pickled Turnips $5.00
Spiced Basmati Rice
With vermicelli noodles, toasted nuts, and raisins. (Not vegetarian or gluten-free, made with chicken stock.		 $4.50
Lebni
Vegan or Vegetarian. Kefir cheese.		 $5.95
Turshi (Mixed Pickles)
Vegan or Vegetarian.		 $4.50
A La Carte
1 LB Chicken Shawarma $19.95
Chicken Tikka $5.95
1/2 LB Chicken Shawarma $10.95
Filet Mignon Tikka
Chunks of grilled marinated filet mignon (served with: basmati rice, pita bread, pickled turnips, & choice of side).		 $16.95
1 LB Beef Shawarma $24.95
1/2 LB Gyros $10.95
Beef Kufta Kabob $5.95
1 LB Gyros $19.95
1/2 LB Beef Shawarma $12.95
Salmon Tikka
Seasoned & grilled chunks of Atlantic salmon, skewered w/ bell pepper & onion (served with basmati rice, pita bread, pickled turnips, & choice of side).		 $14.95
Chicken Cream Chop $5.95
1/4 LB Beef Shawarma $6.95
1/4 LB Gyros $5.95
Falafel (4 Pieces) $6.00
1/4 LB Chicken Shawarma $5.95
Chicken Kufta Kabob $5.95
Desserts
Double Chocolate Mousse Cake $5.95
NY Style Cheesecake $5.95
Carrot Cake $5.95
Drinks
Bottled Coke $3.50
Fountain Drink
Select your flavor: Coke, Diet Coke, Orange Fanta, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Lemonade, Unsweetened Tea, Sweet Black Tea, Raspberry Tea, Green Tea		 $3.50
Bottled Sprite $3.50
Yogurt Drink $3.50
Yogurt Drink Mint
Mint Flavor		 $3.50
Bottled Orange Fanta $3.50
Sauce and Dressing Sides
Side Of Garlic Aioli Sauce $0.50
Side Of Tahini Sauce $0.50
Side Of Ranch Sauce $0.50
Side Of Greek Dressing $0.50
Side Of Pomegranate Dressing $0.50

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Menu Photos

Photo Gallery

Reviews

Samer Khouli
How have i lived in SD and missed out on this place? Hands down one of the best Middle Eastern places. We had some of everything and it was all awesome. The stuffed grape leaves were great with some yogurt on the side (meat and rice type); The lamb over rice was amazing so tender; the tabouleh and hummus were spot on; and the falafel were great just the right amount of crispy! Enjoy!

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Google Shopper
Fast. Seating was adequate. Food from Mediterranean idk how to judge it. Ive never really tried it. So after all dishes. The salad and flat bread veggie was the best. My taste buds could be different from other people or people raised on Mediterranean food.

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Ethan Staats
Yo, this place is amazing.

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Elizabeth Edwards
You don’t go here for the atmosphere! You go here for the food, because it’s one of the best middle eastern places to eat. Everything is so so good! I don’t even like lamb or beets, but I do there! Amazing food with amazing sauces!

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License2Diva
Wow! I bookmarked this eatery from the activity log on Yelp and, I’m so glad I did! The food at the Sahara was fantastic and so were each and every employee. We had the chicken kabob with saffron rice, Greek salad, cheese flat bread, beef middle eastern ‘egg rolls’, and, potato curry soup. Wow! all the dishes were delicious and we walked out of there carrying our stomachs! We definitely will be regulars!

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Brian Houston
Best Mediterranean food I’ve had in all of San Diego county. Very delicious, authentic flavor. Chicken was extremely tasty and tender as well as the beef. The restaurant has ample indoor and outdoor seating. They are very efficient at getting your order fulfilled quickly and correctly. Have been several times now with a consistent 5 star experience each time.

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Gina Rey
The customer services of this place is going down the drain. The serve name Sally was extremely rude, and wasn’t Listening to the order instead she was too busy talking and laughing with her coworkers. When I had asked a simple question regarding to the combo and plate she rolled her eyes and just added it to my order without explaining. Sad because the food is great but if the service sucks like that I would rather take my business elsewhere.

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Robby Ticknor (TicknorPhoto)
Fantastic middle eastern food! The flatbread was fantastic. The chicken and beef kabobs were amazing! Highly recommend

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E T
It is July 1st and I ordered some chicken shwarma Sarhara fries at about 8PM. Let me tell you, they are THE BEST FRIES I’VE EVER HAD. I’ve been full for 10mins now, but I can’t stop eating because they are other-worldly delicious. Shout-out to the cook for cooking the fries crispy to perfection, adding a lot of meat, and a good amount of sauce. I wanted to call in and thank the cook myself, but figured that’s a little awkward so here I am writing a review instead. 10/10 and food coma 100% worth it.

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Craig Hammond
From how busy it is it’s probably good. I’ve had their chicken shawarma fries with their Garlic Aioli sauce and it’s about the best fries I’ve had. Fries are crispy and flavorful. Not once was burnt like it sat around for hours. No not these, fresh!! I’m also not a chicken guy either, but they know how to season chicken. The whole plate is huge for 15 bucks. I couldn’t eat it all. I’ve had the beef fries too, but it didn’t come with the garlic aioli, but it was still good. Also had the Beef Kabob plate, lots of rice, cooked tomato, onions, delicious beef kabobs. Excellent meal. You can also help yourself to their Taziki, Tahini and Garlic Aioli just in case you didn’t have enough. It’s worth the drive.

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