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Never a disappointment whenever I come here. My friends and I usually come in during happy hour where hookah's half-off; otherwise, it's quite pricey. Win!
Hard to believe that I still haven't been able to come out whenever there are belly dancers. It's all good though. Good company with great quality shisha: gotta love it. The staff's pretty chill as well.
This is also a very nice place to chill at. Free wi-fi for those who need to go online, and a delicious array of food and drinks! I'm a big fan of the chai haleeb. I always have to get it, haha.
It's getting a 3 because I couldn't decide on a 5 or a 1.
After all, it wasn't Zodiacs fault a hot coal landed on my leg and scarred me forever, it was my dates. It is, however, Zodiacs fault for being so awesome in it's atmosphere that it constantly taunts me and scares me to think of going back.
I recommend, just don't sit on anything that looks like a stool, because it's really a pillow and the shit WILL hit the fan.
I've been smoking hookah for almost a decade now and Zodiak is among the best. They have a wide variety of flavors and a typical smoke can last for an hour if it's just you on the pipe; with friends, of course, it goes more quickly. The prices are a bit steep ($16 for a pipe on average) but the quality of the smoke is good. I only wish they'd go back to the natural coals; the self-lighting compressed discs are horrible. I don't cough when I smoke but if you put a freshly-lit disc on, you taste it and it's horrible. That quickly goes away but the low-quality coals really do change the flavor and experience of smoking a hookah. It doesn't ruin the experience, though.
The place is big enough for upwards of 100 people and on Friday and Saturday nights, it gets packed. The interior is a little bit worn-down, but that's a testament to the turnover they get. They play a lot of Arab dance and folk music too which adds to the ambience. On weekdays it's more mellow, and they sometimes put on the TVs or play Frank Sinatra (to the person who complained about that: really? He's the freakin' Chairman of the Board!); you can always play backgammon or cards, or browse the net on the free Wifi. The food is quite good too as are the drinks, but the focus here is the hookah.
I don't go here that often any more but the occasional pipe after work is nice; I don't even consider going to other hookah bars now because they're not really as good as Zodiak is. My only real gripe is the fact that they're using those terrible self-lighting coals; if they went back to natural hardwood charcoal, they'd definitely get five stars.
Was here on New Year's Day around 4pm.. my husband and I were the only people in there! Assumed everyone was still recovering from the night before ; )
Found this place through yelp before our trip to San Diego & all the reviews are pretty much right on. Long lasting hookah, tons of different flavors, great service, flat screen TV's, love the decor, cool ambiance. Minus one star because it WAS expensive. But still, 3 hours well spent!
Zodiak is one of the chill spots that's a constant on my lists. The staff is nice and friendly, and the hookahs last a long time using the best quality tobacco (Starbuzz, ftw.) The atmosphere just draws you in, and every time I've gone so far, I've enjoyed it there. Definitely though, beware the seating. What I thought was a stool, was actually a cushion. Good way to get a laugh, bad way to find a place to sit.
For the many, many years I have been coming here, I should have written a review a long time ago. I have been smoking hookah since I was 16 (now 21) and can tell the good tobacco from the bad, a good hookah from a bad hookah etc! The run down...
1. They use awesome tobacco (Starbuzz Premium Tobacco to be exact) Recommended flavors/mixes: California Love, Tangerine/Mint, Raspberry/Mint, White Grape, Pomegranate, Stawberry/Vanilla, Citrus Mist, and many more!
2. The staff is awesome and is very honest with you if your having trouble debating what type of flavor to get.
3. They have HAPPY HOUR! From 12 noon to 6PM, and hookahs are half price $9.00 and a refill is only $4.50!
4. They have free wi-fi so coming to do my homework here during the day is always an option (I used to go to Living Room, but lately it's been loud and extremely hard to find a place to sit, sorry I have NO patience for that)
5. Fridays & Saturdays have a belly dancer! You definitely get that Middle
Eastern vibe going!
6. They have food! Middle Eastern cuisine and a few regular sandwiches, affordable prices. They also have many blended drinks, teas, coffees, etc.
This place is awesome! I highly recommend to all, come with a few friends chat it up play some cards, backgammon, chess or checkers!
Ps. DO NOT FORGET YOUR ID! If they do not know you they will card you (must be over 18) and won't take I forgot it at home excuse for an answer.
Note to users: Zodiak NOT Zodiac. Hookah Lounge, not Café.
I've been going to the Zodiak for quite a number of years and I cannot believe that I've never reviewed this place!
I used to go there when it was in La Mesa, then they moved to El Cajon Blvd. We started going more frequently as a means to gather the UCSD college kids, secondary mates, and tertiary friends for some hookah action.
Tonight was no different. All of us have lead very different, yet similar lives and we share a hookah as if time had stopped. Tonight, we shared three different flavors of hookah; passion fruit, fuzzy navel, and vanilla. We talked about life, Mythbusters, and my Yelp drama. We also quoted Tropic Thunder quite a bit. It wasn't super awesome, but I'm starting to think it may be the new cool. Killing pandas, and other valuable, tasty creatures in a film has some advantages such as memorable lines and a distinctive flavor in your mouth.
The staff was extremely helpful this evening, and the dancer came out on time. I can't say that this has ever happened before, but I'm glad they always give us the "VIP" treatment now--I guess it's because we always bring a large group and order their extremely overpriced food.
I highly recommend it, however, I'm reserved in saying this place is inexpensive. A hookah and a sandwich cost me $35.00. I shared the hookah, of course, so the bill for 3 hookahs and food + drinks probably topped $100.00. Not cheap if everyone doesn't pitch in. You could almost buy a baby panda for $100.00 on the black market. Okay, maybe those are a little more expensive, but for reals, hookah is getting expensive.
My hookah lasted about 3 hours with only 3 people on the hookah, so I'd say that wasn't too bad. You also have to know how to distribute the coals. If you don't know how to do this, ask the staff. The music is upbeat and lively. Sometimes it's hip-hop, sometimes it's middle eastern craziness. When the belly dancers come out, the volume goes to 11.
Get there early to grab a comfortable spot for you and your friends. I recommend between the hours of 8 and 9 on a Friday or Saturday to really procure your hookah, seats, and food. After that, the lines get long and the place gets packed.
Normally I'd give 4 Stars. I'm being generous with the 5 stars because I saw a 1 star review that is the complete opposite of what they claim this place to be. If you search Miss A's reviews for the word "hookah" you can see for yourself. The "hookah connoisseur" has given one establishment 5 stars, while every hookah place in town gets 1-3 stars. Very suspicious indeed.
Zodiak is where you go if you want to hang out in a hookah bar but want to go with a mix of smokers and people who are not. Not only are there a number of tasty menu options to make them feel its worth their while, but it is also very well ventilated and they do not allow you to smoke anything but hookah itself inside. It is very open & spacious and the decor is lovely and comfortable. It's not necessarily cheap, but if split a hookah three ways (the limit per hookah), it amounts to $6 dollars apiece, which is not bad for such a lovely night. The tobacco is high quality and they have a wide assortment of flavors.
Fridays and Saturdays they (almost always) have a belly dancer and that adds a whole new level of charm to the evening. I was a little alarmed that the last time I went there seemed to be less belly dancing and more gyrating for tips, but I am hoping it was an off night.
Kinda pricey but I had so much fun here! The chai tea with evaporated milk is delicious. The hookah we had was pretty good. They recommended the "Sexy" blend... which I did not like but our other hookah was good.
They have cards and games and lots of tv, which is great.
Best part of the night was when the belly dancer came out though. She was amazing!!! She took two of our friends up to dance and I got it all on video. Loved it.
Long lasting hookah pipes, schwarma sandwiches, and sweet teas under Morroccan laterns with alternating Arabic Pop and Hip Hop until 2:00 AM on a Monday night... I am sleepy today.
One more puff and one more sip...just not ready to go home, I sink back into the low cushions and put my feet up. No one is in a rush to move on.
This place is beautifully decorated with imported tarps and lanterns in bright colors. Order your traditional Arabic Chai several ways...or some strong coffee if you prefer. They have a small menu of sanwiches or platters, mostly involving schwarma, kebobs, or hummus. Each time I've eaten there, I have really enjoyed the food. Often I have tea and pastries.
The crowd is a mix. The no-alcohol policy gears toward the Caldean and Norther African SDSU student population. The no-alcohol policy is a disappointment for my friends and me, but keeps the place neat and low-key. This is probably one of the most comfortable hookah lounges in San Diego.
The is an extensive list of hookah flavors and some beautiful pipes for sale. I like to choose a new flavor each time.
I would give 5 stars if they would clean the bathroom and keep the temperature a little warmer.
This is a great spot to catch up with old friends or smooch in a corner.
YAY i'm so glad i found a good hookah place down here! thank you, yelp.
came here with a friend last night. REALLY easy to find, but a bit of a drive from my place near UCSD. it's a really nice spot. good size, nice decorations, nice guy working, good tobacco, good music. i have NOT tried the food yet, but next time i will!
i have no idea what Posh P. is talking about. everything he/she said about this place does not apply. DEFINITELY recommend this place. go! and enjoy!
*Exceptional Sheesha w/ wide variety
*Unique Middle Eastern Decor
*Exotic Music
*Space can be LIMITED
Zodiak has outside seating for those warm summer Wednesday nights. They also serves authentic chai w/ haleeb, coffees, and shakes. Last time I went they had baklava, don't know if it's fresh, but I'd rather make my own.
Mostly college students and Middle Eastern crowds. The service is decent, their attention to reloads and coals is really on the ball. Cost can be a tad much. Parking is plentiful in the lot, or park on the street. Two tiny bathrooms, which are tidy, yet difficult to locate.
I like zodiak but when it gets crowded (and it can get reallyyy crowded) the people who work there don't give out the coal promptly enough. The decor is pretty cool but its pretty dirty and worn out now that so many people have been there...theres also some burnt holes on the couch seating along the walls. It can be kind of pricey but the people are nice....except I don't like one of the girls there that flirted with my boyfriend right in front of me! wtf...i should take another star off for that haha...but I wont.
The tobacco is good, the hummus is good and I like going there so overall I recommend it...its way better than fumari or habibi's right across the street. Also, they don't serve alcohol, it was a real bummer for my bf.
This place is TERRIBLE. Ask anyone that knows about hookah and they will say this place is a joke.
They use Toxic charcoal and fill your head with like half a spoon full of sheesha so it will burn out quick and you will need a refill.
It's sooo over priced!
The owner is a toofaced perverted jerk.
The music will put you to sleep(they play FRANK SANATRA!! no joke)
This place is just CRAP.
The only plus on this place is it's comfortable and semi nicely decorated.
The place is a waste of time and money.
If you are looking for a place to go to and get a headache due to the toxic smells in the air from there 10 cent charcoal go here.
Good shishas, especially if you get there early before it becomes an absolute zoo. Too many kids for my taste.
What gives it five stars though, are the shakes. They are the best thing I have ever drank without booze. Oh god are they good!
I went there tonight for the 1st time and I loved it. The workers there were very nice. There are couches inside and table outside. It was not really crowded when I was there. It is a very mixed and diverse crowd. If you want to drink alcohol, this is not the place for you since they don't sell it. They have really good coffee tho. There is a 3 person per hookah policy so if you have more than 3 people, be ready to buy more than one hookah. The flavors were really good. I found if very interesting that you put the coals on the hookah yourself. The best part about it was the belly dancer. She was so cool. If you just want a nice relaxing hookah lounge to go to, this is the place to go.
Very cool spot to just have a cool relaxed night with friends. The decor is nice, and the staff are friendly. Also a good alternative to lounges in the downtown/PB areas as parking is not a problem at all!
Went there last Friday, they had a great atmosphere.
I rated them 2 starts
basically the hookah was tasty and the music good but there were some negatives too.
The music was really loud, to the point I couldnt hear anyone, Iall we
were doing was shouting at each other
the hookah is rather price at 20 dollars, meaning there are better places to go and even if there are better 20 dollar places, id rather go there
The good thing was that, the atmosphere , in comparison to many hookah bars I have been to in orange county, was very diverse, you had arabs, and persians and african and Indians there. It was pretty cool.
UPDATED:
I BELIEVE THAT THEY USE THE KIND OF CHARCOAL THAT GIVES YOU
HEADACHES!!!!!!!!!!!
Once upon time, on a late Friday night, I discovered a belly dancing lady. However, with my short attention span, it was only interesting for a little bit. Other than the belly dancing lady, they have a wide variety of great tasting shisha flavors. Pomegranate has an awesome taste to it. The athomosphere is pretty relaxing until it gets really crowded with the mass amount of SDSU students...
The Zodiak cafe is the new hot spot for young hookah enthusiasts. I went, accompanied by my young teenaged friends, to this Moroccan-themed cafe to smoke some sheesha. The counter service was very nice and the sheesha (mint and Pomegranate) excellent!
the place is dirty seriously the few times I have gone I noticed an old empty water bottle under the display counter ewww! I don't think the place is very sanitary so take your chances.
This place has never let me down. Excellent service and has a culture of it's own. Better than Sinbad's!
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