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Alborz Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Persian/Iranian Greek, Persian/Iranian [Edit]
2672 Del Mar Heights Rd(between Mango Dr & Portofino Dr)
Del Mar, CA 92014
Neighborhood: Torrey Pines
(858) 792-2233
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 9:30 pm
Sun 11 am - 8 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
91 reviews for Alborz Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"There was a live band and a belly dancer." In 5 reviews -
"Tip 2: Portions are huge so save a few bucks and share." In 7 reviews -
"I'm thinking San Diego's best Persian food." In 5 reviews
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91 reviews in English
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Review from Kim V.
Santa Barbara, CA
4/29/2012
The rice dishes are very tasty and the gyro meat here is amazing: moist and flavorful. In addition to lunching here a few times, I've also bought a take out portion of the meat so that I can make gyros at home.
My Persian colleague recommended this place to me, so how could I go wrong? -
Review from Maria A.
Carlsbad, CA
5/8/2012
Yogurt was amazing.
Meat- eh.
Salad-amazing
And the crispy rice was awesome.
Being Greek...I can say that this place is def Persian...not so much Greek. But that's okay..it all tasted great...just a little over priced. -
Review from Alex D.
3/30/2012
Alborz is a very decent Middle Eastern and Greek food establishment located right off Interstate 5 in Del Mar.
A rather traditional setup, Alborz is the sort of place you can take your parents. At least they will be able to marvel at the large piano and the well-positioned stage suggesting the possibility of an occasional live performance more than you while appreciating the quiet music flowing gently in the background. A variety of lamb, chicken and beef plates are likewise sure to please, not to mention falafel and other vegetarian options.
Quality is what you pay for here, and while prices can appear a bit steep, especially at dinner, the overall experience is decidedly refreshing, making it worth your money. For starters, however, a bargain priced lunch specials menu is available. -
Review from Joe F.
San Diego, CA
5/17/2012
Excellent Persian food. The braised lamb is amazing.
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Review from April L.
2/16/2012 1 photo
One of my all-time favorite places to go when I'm in the mood for an amazing greek chicken salad! I'm never disappointed! Always served with warm pita bread & tziki sauce on the side.....the service is a little slow; seems like its ran by family mostly. They're always nice, and courteous.
Get the Greek Salad add chicken -
Review from Kina D.
Del Mar, CA
4/22/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great to dine in with good friends
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Review from Sherry B.
San Diego, CA
1/1/2012
I give it two stars.
I think the staff and food are excellent. It's probably one of the better Iranian restaurants in San Diego.
However, the DJ... Deejay Al who plays there at night is terrible. His music is not that great but some may disagree because there are people there! However, he prides himself as being "humble" when in fact he is not. He is unfriendly and terse. Stresses about how he does not have time and it's very difficult to get in touch with him. I was trying to hire him for an event but he kept saying he was too busy and that the event was too far ahead to worry about. Actually the last time I went to Alborz with my girlfriends, he made us all very uncomfortable. There is a review about Deejay Al on it's own. But since he DJ's for Alborz, I had to write a review here too.
I would not recommend going to Alborz when Deejay Al is playing. -
Review from Savvy S.
San Diego, CA
2/9/2012
Okay OK so I guess we really got lost. We did not stay in La Jalla, so I've had to re-post with the right spot.
The food is AMA*z*ING !
as good as it gets .....really....and so Fabulous!!! mouth is watering right now.
getting turned around after a family day trip in Torrie Pines got us to this neighborhood.
Place was ackwardly quiet, but we carried on anyway.
The Best gyro filled with flavorful LAMB, spiced and seasoned (not oil soaked like some) portioned extremely well for the price, all ingredients fresh.
The T sauce was soooo good, but the Lamb was perfect so I had an internal struggle to use or not to use the T sauce.
The Baklava was wonderful in every aspect (flavorful sweetness beyond just honey) color and texture (pistachios topped). Best I've had yet. yup!
Place looks like carpeted banquet hall; no room divisions whatsoever.
You will find Karaoke machine, mood lights, sound mixer and small stage for lounge singer. Has full bar against back wall, with TV set to a sports game.
Looks like a great place for a larger family gathering or a reception with plenty of parking.
originally posted week Jan 27, 20012 -
Review from Denise K.
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not so great of an atmosphere. The live music was kind of off-putting. Service is super slow. For a Christmas party, how could they not set the table with enough wine glasses?? The wine also tasted like grape juice (??). Also off-putting. Just downright odd.
The hummus was mediocre. The baba ganoush was mediocre. The only thing that I liked at this dinner was the Greek salad and the koobideh kebab. I'm not typically a chicken fan, but the chicken kebab was actually pretty tasty (and moist). The saffron rice was just ok. The beef was overcooked.
Highly doubt I'll come back here. You're better off someplace else... -
Review from Caryn A.
Del Mar, CA
2/15/2012
I ordered spanikopita, what I was told was Baba Goonij and gyro plate to go... The food was horrible-- came soggy, cold, not tasty and salty.... No sauce!
I was shocked because it was VERY Good a couple years ago!
VERY DISSAPOINTED -
Review from Jason J.
San Diego, CA
1/23/2012
I love this place! I been going to lunch here for years. The lunch portions are very big + bottom-less pita bread. The iced-tea is very good
We usually get the olive fetta plate, chicken barg or gyro plate. I have had a bunch of the other stuff as well and it is all good food.
You definately dont leave there hungry!
I have not been to the Iranian "Justin Timberlake" concerts that they hold there but they seem to have a nice stage to perform on. -
Review from April M.
8/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you love huge portions of bland food and slow service, dine here!
Yelp SD, you've failed me. Chicken Barg was terrible. No flavor. Yuck. We ask for hot sauce and they give us Tapatio?? Are you freakin' kidding me?!
Extra star only because it got me out of a work lunch potluck. Eat at your own risk.. Eeek!!Listed in: I just threw up in my mouth a…, Lunchtime Escapades
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Review from James F.
9/9/2011
When I worked in Del Mar in the 90s, we would come here for lunch probably once a week for their lunch menu. After several years, I got to come back and relive the deliciousness this past week, and was glad to see that their lunch specials are still:
- really tasty
- loaded with food
- decently priced
The restaurant has expanded twice since I started coming here, and now they have a bar and stage. But for lunch, all you need is either the kobideh kebab or chicken kobideh plate. Tasty soup, Greek salad, yummy rice, and a large strip of ground meat seasoned and grilled. Add some flatbread on the side, and I've got a happy (and full) tummy. My lunch companion got the chicken kebob, and wasn't able to finish all her food.
I can't believe I haven't been back to this place in so long, since the food is always a winner with me. -
Review from Christina R.
San Diego, CA
3/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Just went for lunch today and maybe it's just me, but seems weird to have Greek/Persian fusion! I was supposed to meet a friend at 11, but it ended up being more like 11:20 because neither of us could find the place! We had to ask, because it's hidden in a back corner of the mini-mall behind Jack-In-The-Box.
For starters, I tried the dolmathes which were served warm and topped with crumbled feta. A small tub of tsatsiki came on the side. The tsatsiki was exceptionally weak. I've made it many times at home and there's no comparison. This came out of a jar somewhere. There were two half slices of plain tomato and two plain cucumber slices for garnish. The domathes were tasty enough. However, the price was $8 for six dolmathes, which seemed like a bit much. I can pick up twice as many for about half that price at a nearby Middle Eastern market.
We chose to go Persian for our entrees - FESENJOON, walnut-pomegranate stew with chicken, for me and a sweet rice dish with chicken for my friend. First the good: the portion sizes were enormous! Now the bad: My friend was turned off by the menu description of "boiled chicken legs" and requested a substitution of chicken kebab which raised the price of her dish to $19!!! (from $14). The sauce on her rice was so sweet, she couldn't eat more than a few bites. Her kebab was dried out and bland. My fesenjoon tasted alright, but there weren't any identifiable vegetable parts in it. I think they put everything in a blender and ground it to a pulp. The rice that accompanied both dishes was a combination of white jasmine rice topped with a small serving of yellow rice. Boring. I added a huge amount of SUMAC, citrus-flavored seasoning, to make it palatable. At least the sumac came in a large shaker on the table.
Our entrees came with a side of salad or soup and we both chose the chicken-lemon soup, which is the equivalent of Greek AVGOLEMONO. I enjoyed it because it was full of barley-rice? and very hearty. However, my friend thought it was bland and boring. I don't think she enjoyed the lemon flavor at all. I saw other people with the salad and it looked ok, nothing jaw-dropping.
The pita bread that came with the meal was on the thin and crispy side which is fine. I thought it was out of place that they brought butter with it. I don't know anyone who eats pita with butter, blegh! I spent 5 weeks living in the Greek countryside, and all we ever ate with our pita was feta.
The decor was a bit kitschy and there was a large stage but since we were there at lunch, there was no music. Apparently there is belly-dancing and music at night.
Just for comparison, you should try Soltan Banoo in University Heights, although it's much farther south. Now that's real Persian cuisine. Unadulterated and authentic. I know the family that owns it, so maybe I am biased, but their fesenjoon kicks the butt off of this place.
Service was very prompt, and we had no troubles getting our leftovers packed to go.
Also, they were very accomodating to my 2 year old who made a huge mess and gobbled up the pita bread with butter.
If you go, stay away from chicken and try the lamb or salads. -
Review from Babak L.
San Diego, CA
2/19/2012
Alborz is a very good option if you are looking for Persian food and you are near North County San Diego. The food is authentic, well-prepared, and tasty. I would highly recommend going there on a weekend night when you can check out the live entertainment. The interior of Alborz is luxurious which creates a pleasing and comfortable atmosphere. Alborz is a fun place with good food and entertainment. We had a little bit of a hard time with our food server's attitude, but we overlooked this minor item as everything else about this place was great.
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Review from Rebecca N.
San Diego, CA
8/30/2011
Since I moved out of LA and down to La Jolla, the Persian half of me has been crying out for want of the food I'd grown up eating. Endless meals of carne asada fries and sushi couldn't satisfy my incessant cravings for koobideh and baghali polo, and I was left a hollow shell of a person. One day, driving over Del Mar Heights, I spotted the sign for Alborz, and decided to return a few nights later to try it out. Little did I know I'd found the solution to the many miles that separated me from my mother's cooking.
My first time here, my boyfriend and I split the soltani kebob (one ground beef and one filet mignon skewer) and an order of fesenjon. The kebob was fantastic, but I have to say that the fesenjon was perhaps the best I'd ever had. Yes, better than my mother's. It was full of pomegranate, so a little sourer than most (which I loved), and the chicken had been cooked in the stew, rather than added at the end, so it was falling right off the bone.
My next visit was on a Friday night, so I got to experience the rather odd ambiance the restaurant takes on during the weekend. Cue random dude playing Gypsy Kings, strobe lights / disco ball, and a mediocre-at-best belly dancer running around the dining room. As tasteless and obnoxious as I found this attempt at a transformation into a club-like establishment, it was also pretty amusing, and the food was as delicious as ever, so I wouldn't even knock off a star for this silliness. I just wouldn't recommend going here for a first date or business meeting on the weekend. That is, unless you enjoy your date or business associate ogling the scantily-clad dancer pelvic-thrusting on stage. -
Review from Emil S.
San Diego, CA
4/9/2012
Fine cuisine with delicious meals that melt on your tongue. The restaurant itself is very chique and elegant, while the meals are savory and appetizing. I recommend the meat variety; however, customization should be available based on the customer's wants.
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Review from Bonsuela G.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 8/3/2011
After going to Sadaf a few times, I was eager to get back to my my fix of Alborz. It really is the best spot for Persian food, IMO.
Last nite's gorgefest consisted of Panir Sabzi, house salad and vegetarian Ghormeh Sabzi and stealing bites of my dinner date's delicious cinnamony rice. The portions are HUGE!
Needless to say, I was stuffed to the maximum. I managed to save a lil leftovers for today's lunch. Win, win.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/13/2009
My boyfriend is a regular at this place during the week and finally decided to include me on a trip… Read more »
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Review from Crystal N.
Santee, CA
3/16/2011
Persian/Iran food? check!
Live music? check!
Belly dancer? check check check!
Came here for a birthday get together and we were all immersed by good company, good food, great customer service, and good live entertainment.
The bread, hummus, and maust khiar certainly kept everyone's tummy happy as we waited for or entrees to arrive. Everyone ordered various dishes, I ordered the lamb shank and it was delicious. It was a huge shank and a massive amount of basmati rice mixed with dill and baby lima beans. No complaints from anyone with all the different dishes people ordered.
The atmosphere was certainly entertaining by the live entertainment that Friday evening. There was a live band and a belly dancer! The belly dancer definitely had the guys in our tables undivided attention.
All in all, it was a good night with good food, company, and great for a large get together. -
Review from David G.
11/24/2010
It's time for the latest installment in the never-ending quest to find a regular lunch spot with the coworkers...
This time we decided to take a detour from our usual Asian destinations and try some Persian food at Alborz. It's certainly well hidden -- look next to the laundromat in the strip mall hidden behind some trees off of Del Mar Heights Rd.
Little did I know that Alborz is more than a hole-in-the-wall Iranian restaurant. Turns out it's also a full-service hookah bar and event venue, with a dance floor and stage. Presumably it mainly caters to the local Persian community, but, at the same time, I was a little jealous that I didn't know about it sooner! During a weekday lunch, though, the vibe was pretty mellow.
What *wasn't* mellow was the decor. I think a Pepto Bismol factory exploded in there. I don't know what else could explain the ocean of pink.
The big draw at midday is the menu of $10-$12 lunch specials. Each comes with a bowl of chicken/lentil soup and a Greek salad, and they're all absolutely massive.
I opted for the zereshk polo, which is broiled chicken legs served with a heaping mountain of sweet basmati rice with berberries. The rice was absolutely delicious, but there was enough for 10 meals there, so I took most of it home. The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and quite tasty. Unfortunately, there was more bone than actual meat. Was it worth it? Not especially.
The real weirdness went down with my lunch companion who discovered none other than a RUBBER BAND in her vegetarian lunch combo. That's right -- a bright blue strand of elastic co-mingling with her tabbouleh. Unfortunately, her lunch was *not* comped, despite our polite entreaties. Weak.
I'm sure Alborz feels entirely different on weekend nights, when hookah-smoking and belly-dancing fill the place. For lunch, it elicited little more than a "meh" out of me -- but if you're in the area and need a quick fix of cheap and abundant eats, it'll do in a pinch.
Let's say 2.5 stars, but I'll round up because I'm way too effing charitable.
And with that, the quest for a regular lunch spot continues... -
Review from Albert W.
12/23/2010
Hey hey, did you know Alborz serves up hookahs? They're regularly $15 and are discounted to $9.99 before 3PM on any day of the week! This is quite a delight, as it's hard to find hookah joints in San Diego outside of downtown and east county.
Being on the pricey side for lunch at about 10-15 bucks a plate, this is a place our hero couldn't really see himself going to regularly.
PROS:
- Service is friendly and prompt.
- Classy middle Eastern flair.
- Belly dancing on some nights.
CONS:
- Parking is kind of crowded in the lot. -
Review from Eric L.
9/1/2010
My coworkers love this place. Well, two of them to be specific. This is their go to place for when customers or out of towners are here. So what do we get?
Lamb Shank (Dinner portion) is two HUGE lamb shanks that had good flavor but a little dry.
Slovaki Plate (sp?) a plate FULL of meat. YUM. The basmati rice is amazing but the meat was a little dry (again).
What makes this place great is the lunch deals. It's about $15 for a LOT of food. I'd highly suggest this place for some good persian food. WAY better than Daphne's -
Review from Craig Y.
Del Mar, CA
2/4/2011
Hidden in the back corner of the Del Mar Heights shopping center, is this pearl of a Persian/Greek restaurant. I think their specialty is Persian and the food is very well prepared although a little heavy. The portions are huge and it's pretty much mandatory to leave with a doggie bag.
If you go early, the place will seem like a cavern because the place tends to fill up later in the evening (after 7:30 I think) with live music and belly dancing. Although the music is sort of like Persian disco, it does get the place jumping and pretty soon people are dancing. So if you're looking for a fun place with some interesting food, check it out. -
Review from Derek W.
11/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
Was first introduced to Persian food back in college by my roommate. Found Alborz a few years ago since the gf worked close by.
One thing different about Alborz is that they actually warm up the pita bread before bringing it out to you. A simple step like that really changes the flavor of the pita bread.
Forgot to take pics but I love their beef koobideh. The meat is juicy and filled with tons of flavor. Served on top of a huge serving of white and saffron rice with a grilled tomato. One order is enough for two meals or enough to share with a person.
Wish I knew of a place up here equally as good as Alborz. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Los Angeles, CA
3/13/2011
This was my first time trying Persian food so I had no idea what to order. But luckily for me, one of my friends (who is Persian) definitely knew the ropes and ordered the most delicious dishes for us.
We ordered the Tadig (w/two stews), Berg Kebob (filet mignon) with Albalo Polo (basmati rice w/black cherries) and Boneless Chicken Kebob with Shirin Polo (sweet rice).
Out of the two stews, I definitely liked the one with lentils. The other one (which I'm not sure what it's called) was a little too heavy on the spices for me, but if you really like parsley and basil, then that's definitely the stew for you.
As for the main entree, I liked the chicken dish more. Even though I don't typically eat red meat, I did try the filet mignon and it was a bit too dry for me. The rice were both delicious, but I was a bigger fan of the sweet rice. The pistachios, almonds and orange marmalade blended so well with the rice!
(Tip 1: If you're looking for a place for good conversation on a Saturday nigt, don't expect to be able to hear each other here cause there will be singing and belly dancing distracting you allll night!)
(Tip 2: Portions are huge so save a few bucks and share) -
Review from bella d.
San Diego, CA
1/17/2011
So last night was some crazy belly dancing marathon. Wow, the place was packed and jumping (for a Sunday that's rare...then again it's MLK holiday today...). I think the next belly-dancing-a-thon is the weekend of Feb 12 (call to confirm this date if you're interested).
The interior is done well (considering it's tucked away between a Jack In The Box and laundry mat) with white linen and nice lighting. The food is consistently very good and the wait staff is very attentive. We've never had bad service here, no matter what time of the day/night we've come.
Middle Eastern food done right. My two favorite dishes are the Koobideh and Eggplant Stew with Beef. Of course you can never ever go wrong with the gyro platter - enough to feed a small army and always succulent and flavorful! Anything with lamb is a winner and the rice portion can feed a small army (of your closest friends and family).
Oh, and then there's the roasted tomato. If you're like me and not inclined to waste stomach space on salad or soup (delicious by the way) then ask to substitute for a roasted tomato. It may cost you a few extra pennies but it is well worth it. It just goes perfectly with the meats and stews.
Alborz is one of our favorite neighborhood "go to" places. -
Review from Tanya S.
San Diego, CA
6/18/2008
Great lunch prices with so much food you can feed a small village. I kid you not.
Weekdays from 11-3 you get basmati saffron rice, lemon lentil soup, greek salad, flatbread with fresh onions, and your entree of choice.
Things I've tried are the chicken kebob, chicken barg, chicken kobideh, adas polo, gyros plate, vegetarian combo plate, and all the sandwiches. Try the tadig and the baklava if you still have room.
Basically everything I've had here is good but get here early to beat the lunch rush. I've never had a problem with service since I like to get my grub on early. -
Review from janeDO E.
San Diego, CA
1/28/2008
Fahk! I've been ranting over in the Talk section and so now I feel obligated to post a fucking restaurant review. Especially since I've been damaging my karma with negative rants over there and this might help repair my karma.
Let's see... this place. I've been there exactly twice. The first time, I had a groovy time sitting with a friend around a pile of shaved meat and raw onions. The second time I went with my spouse and realized that we were sitting around a pile of shaved meat and raw onions. If sitting around a pile of shaved meat and raw onions is your thing, then this is a good place. Nice ambiance, good serving size and reasonable prices. But their pile of meat and onions is a bit too large. -
Review from Wendy K.
12/21/2008
While in San Diego the other week, my S.O. and I went to dinner here with his friends. We had a reservation for 7:00, and there was clearly no need for one, as tumbleweed blew by us on the floor when we entered. The place was empty on a Sunday night.
His friends had been there before, so they insisted we order the Fesenjon minus the chicken as an appetizer instead of as an entree. The rice was almost a solid mass, but it was supposed to be that way. The pomegranate paste was delicious -- sweet, yet savory. I thought it made for an interesting dish, but it was exhausting trying to break apart the rice, so I only had a spoonful or two of the dish.
For my entree (in their "Daily Specials" part of the menu -- if they're served daily, why are they specials??), I ordered Gheimeh Bademjan, which was a combination of veal, split peas, and eggplant in a savory sauce. It was served with the biggest portion of rice I have ever seen.
Overall, my experience here was positive. It was quiet enough to have a good conversation with my S.O. and his friends, the server was attentive -- probably due to having maybe one other table to wait on -- and the food was pretty good, albeit being a bit too heavy on the rice.Listed in: Livin' It Up in San Diego
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Review from David S.
San Diego, CA
7/8/2007
For many years, I lived right across the street from the shopping center that houses Alborz. I cannot tell you how many times I have been here.
Until I got sick.
Yes, I used to love it, but one evening after consuming my usual gyros plate, my stomach started rumbling. That was followed by 3 days of laying by a bucket and praying that it would stop.
Enjoy! -
Review from Sunny D.
4/24/2008
I don't understand the low reviews. I'm Iranian and for a quick bite to eat my family and I eat here all the time, you get decent food for a good price.
They recently had a huge renovation and the place looks good but for me its a little tacky with the decorations but the upside is that its very clean and appropriate esp bc so many people go there at night and on weekends for their shows (Call in ahead of the week if your interested in catching one).
I prefer to only go there for an early lunch on the weekends my favorite two things to order is the zaboon sandwich or the kalle pache which is absolutely delicious. Both are something I strongly recommend esp if you're daring and are ready to eat something a little different. The zaboon (tongue) sandwich tastes so good, very tender, its very simple -pickle, tomato, lettuce, and butter are in there.
The kalle pache (brain stew) is my ultimate favorite, there isn't anything scary in there trust me no weird gross pieces of fat or un-chewable scary stuff, and it doesn't smell funny. Its all very tender, tasty and almost melts in your mouth!
If that is just too out there for you or if you're not familiar with Persian food I'd just recommend ordering the koobideh kabob (I'm not a fan of their filet mignon kabob). But make sure you mix a good amount of butter, sumaq (its the red spice on your table, ask if you don't know) and the grilled tomato they give you into your rice! Thats what will make it very tasty. Also I've noticed many times that people are eating the rice separately from the meat, you're supposed to eat them together! So a little bit of meat and little bit of rice in you spoon and your good to go :) -
Review from Kapualani B.
Encinitas, CA
5/22/2010
We brought our own bottle of wine and was told the corkage fee was $17 that's pretty steep for a strip mall restaurant. When we looked at the wine list as an alternative, it didn't give the name of the winery so a house bottle wine for a minimum fee of $30 didn't convince us to try their's. They don't open any of the bottles at the table, they take it to a side bar and open it about 15 minutes later. I kept my eye on it because I didn't know what they were up to.
They have moderate food prices with an extensive menu. There was a very long wait for service, but I guess that is to be expected since we had a group of 10. If you want to spend 3 hours at a restaurant, that's the place. The food was average; nothing memorable. I had the gyros salad and the meat was very dry. It was supposed to be served with pita, but they didn't bring any. My husband had the lamb shank which had a lot of fat on it. The sauce was just watery grease.
The entertainment was very loud, one male on keyboards and another male singing; it felt like something out of the Wedding Singer. We had to yell during dinner to converse and this was during the dinner hour on a Friday night. Oh yes, there was belly dancing too. I do appreciate the cultural flare and I thought the female dancer was entertaining, but it wasn't enough for us to want to go back. -
Review from Jonathan R.
San Diego, CA
2/28/2010
It is not often that I walk into a restaurant in a strip mall to find women singing and belling dancing but that is what happened when I stepped into Alborz the other night. Although it is located off the beaten path (I wouldn't have known it was there if a friend hadn't told me about it), it is worth seeking out.
The atmosphere is fun and lively, although at times it can be a bit challenging to have a conversation over the music and signing. The performers were fun and encouraged audience participation, although I was not a fan of the dancer who thought that she was going to get more tips if she shook her body next to me while I was trying to eat.
As for the food, we started with a feta salad type of dish that was a bit odd in that it seemed to be a hunk of feta with a lot of mint leaves and other herbs. Maybe we weren't used to that type of preparation but it seemed too try. For the entrees we got a pomegranate walnut stew that was very flavorful, even if the chicken seemed a bit overcooked. We also tried a combination plate that came with ground beef and kabobs. I would suggest upgrading to one of the special rices. We really liked the shirin polo.
It seemed like the yelp reviews were all over the place about this restaurant but I am glad we tried it. -
Review from Joy S.
Del Mar, CA
6/10/2009
Excellent Persian food! I normally don't order chicken dishes when I dine out, so when I ordered the kabob combo plate that came with a chicken kabob, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was succulent and delicious! The portions are large, so you can easily pack up what you don't eat for another meal.
I give Alborz 4/5 stars because I decided to be a bit adventurous and ordered a mysterious yogurt drink that I didn't like so much. Maybe that was how the beverage was supposed to taste, but I'm docking a point nonetheless. -
Review from The Critic ..
San Diego, CA
1/30/2010
Oh my god. The worst service I have come to encounter in a very long time. Let me tell you having an attitude to welcome a guest isn't the best tactic and to top it off micro waiving completely killed this review.
I wish I could give half to no stars to this place since I cant one star it is.
The Critic. -
Review from Paula N.
San Diego, CA
9/3/2008
This place isn't just about kebabs. It's got dishes like chicken in pomengranate sauce, and another dish with cherry sauce. Unique Middle Eastern dishes that can't be had at a regular gyro joint.
I was going to rate this 4 stars but then noticed bunch of people comment on the onions. We never got any onions!! And we really like onions and thought it odd that they were never offered. Also, our waitress screwed up our order. So minus one star on the service. -
Review from Lowell N.
San Diego, CA
9/22/2008
Reading other people's reviews it seems things can be hit or miss, and friends of mine have told me they don't like this place, but I've been coming for a few years and never had a problem.
The service has always been good, the food is excellent, the decor is very nice. I always have Persian entrees and sometimes have the Greek appetizers, all of it is good. This place has great hummus. For entree I usually get either chicken barg (juicy and delicious chicken breast) or the beef soltani (filet strips with a kebab of koobideh also beef).
Last time I went the service was so good I had to leave them a 30% tip and I asked to speak with the owner/manager to compliment the wait staff. I NEVER have done that in San Diego. The owners are a family and were very nice although the lady does seem stressed out (but not offensive in the least bit). -
Review from Del Mar Girl H.
San Diego, CA
9/12/2011
I have been frequenting Alborz for over a decade (before they did two expansions and took over my fav tanning salon when I was a teen :-)
The pro's:
-Generous Portions (1 plate serves 3)
-Flavor is very good and they offer a large variety of choices
-Fair prices for the portions
-Fun atmostphere for a group when they do music and belly dancing
The con's:
-Would like smaller portion size options for a "lunch price"
-The wine is AWFUL, DISGUSTING, they should offer better wine choices or allow you to bring in your own
-It's in a strip mall
-Great place for take out
This is what we usually order for 4 of us:
Appetizers: Dolmathes and Tabouleh (have ordered the hummus, it is good, but I'm not paying $8.00 for Hummus that you can make or pick-up at TJ's for less than 1/2 the price)
Dinner: Gyro's Salad and one of their Chicken Kebob plates (always forget which one is my favorite and have to ask).
This is MORE THAN enough food for four people, we always have 1/2 leftover. I usually have to ask for some extra pita and and Tatzatziki sauce (to eat with the leftovers).
If ordering for lunch, love their Gyro sandwich, enough to share with a friend or save the other half for dinner or lunch the next day.
As for service, I can say I agree with some of the other people that have reviewed - sometimes good, sometimes not. However, their intention is to provide great service, it is just inconsistent.
I would dine-in more often if it weren't for the TERRIBLE wine, I really do hope they offer a better wine selection or allow us to bring in our own. -
Review from Kip D.
San Diego, CA
4/4/2009
By far San Diego's best Persian food.
The meat is juicy and plentiful. The rice is fluffy and tasty. The service is good. My only complaint: a bit on the pricey side. If they brought the prices down a couple of bucks per plate that would be perfect--and 5-star-worthy.
Overall, this place is EXCELLENT and worth the drive from San Diego. It's by far the best Persian food in San Diego county!! -
Review from Dana S.
11/27/2008
Unique middle eastern, wait, scratch that...Iranian food.
The cherry rice is bomb, as are the kebabs, hummus and the onions! Dont forget the onions. Service was pretty quick and the food was tasty.
A bit pricey but what do you expect in Del Mar?
