Sahara Falafel

I was craving falafel and needed some fiber after a long road trip. Luckily, this spot was open late. I ordered on the phone at 11:30pm and arrived around 11:45pm.

I decided to go for the vegetarian plate. Based on photos on Yelp, I thought I would come with two falafel's, but it came with 4! I ordered two falafels on the side just in case, and those came with some salad.

The order was ready on time. They gave me 3 pieces of pita in a bag, which I think was due to it being so late at night.

The falafel could have been crispier, but it satisfied my craving. I liked the thin pickles. The baba ganoush with my favorite thing in the plate. I'm not a huge fan of the parsley salad, although it was fresh. I wish the hummus was more seasoned.

I haven't tried many Mediterranean places in the area, so I'm not sure what I could compare it to, but that was a decent late night meal.

Published 7 months ago

Delicious food and great service. The combo sandwich is amazing, and the hummus is great too. Good prices, would definitely recommend.

Published 6 months ago

We purchased some shawerma sandwiches, absolutely disgusting and old. Not fresh at all. We used to come here and it was good. So we asked the employee why there are different people working, and he said new ownership. Now we know why the food was disgusting and old, because of new ownership. This place has gone down hill since the new owner took over. The only good thing was the cashier was super nice. The younger dark looking man. But the shawerma was at least a week old.

Published 2 months ago

Open until 2am daily. Falafels cooked to order and made fresh daily. Service was great, super friendly. A little toe pricier but flavors were good. There isn’t much around that opens late, so it’s nice to have a spot to go.

Published 2 years ago

It's my favorite quiet spot after Disneyland. Food is made to order, so you have to be a patient but worth the wait. The falafels are fresh! Their garlic sauce is excellent 👌 they also have chili sauce for the spicy lovers

Published 3 months ago

Nice clean and cozy place with the very respectful owner and staffs. They made the delicious food with fresh material. You can have a nice experience of real and original middle eastern taste and flavors . You can choose from falafel and gyro and kebob and a selection of drinks plus hot tea with mint . Highly recommended. thank you .

Published 5 years ago

I always have a great experience at sababa, the food and atmosphere is 10/10. Islam was our cashier and greeted us with a warm welcome and great service!

Published 2 months ago

Very disappointing wraps & falafel. The shawarma was very dry and flavorless. Falafel was also a let down - could have been fried a little longer.

Published 2 months ago

I recommend trying this place out at least one.

Published 20 days ago

Published a month ago

This is the Worst shawarma I’ve ever had. This place use to be good but I am not sure what happened 🤔

Published a month ago

Very bad not recommending

Published a month ago

Published 2 months ago

I always have a great experience at sababa, the food and atmosphere is 10/10. Islam was our cashier and greeted us with a warm welcome and great service!

Published 2 months ago

We purchased some shawerma sandwiches, absolutely disgusting and old. Not fresh at all. We used to come here and it was good. So we asked the employee why there are different people working, and he said new ownership. Now we know why the food was disgusting and old, because of new ownership. This place has gone down hill since the new owner took over. The only good thing was the cashier was super nice. The younger dark looking man. But the shawerma was at least a week old.

Published 2 months ago

Very disappointing wraps & falafel. The shawarma was very dry and flavorless. Falafel was also a let down - could have been fried a little longer.

Published 2 months ago

It's my favorite quiet spot after Disneyland. Food is made to order, so you have to be a patient but worth the wait. The falafels are fresh! Their garlic sauce is excellent 👌 they also have chili sauce for the spicy lovers

Published 3 months ago

No only is the beef shawama is really good. They have a great customer services! If you guys want easy "cant go wrong" beef shawama is just delicious.

Published 3 months ago

We recently visited this place after a few years. Back in the days, the falafel sandwich was double the size in thickness and longer and around $4-5. Today it is around $10 and half the size. So essentially three times as expensive.

In the name of inflation, these restaurants, especially with low overhead, are really ripping off its customers and making a killing. I understand prices, rent, wages went up 50-60%. So u instead doubled your price over the last few years, but why reduce your serving size too !?

No wonder, people in the last 2 years have cut down on eating outside and more at home.

Published 3 months ago

Published 4 months ago

This is THE SPOT to eat falafel! The staff are from heaven!

Published 4 months ago

Best falalel must try again i love it please hype this up its better than any other fast food 💯

Published 4 months ago

best food i ever ate best falafel ever mashallah

Published 4 months ago

Amazing Falafel and Shawarma!

Sahara Falafel in Little Arabia is a hidden gem! The falafel here is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, full of flavor. The shawarma is tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The hummus is creamy, with just the right touch of spice, and the fresh salad brings everything together.

The portions are generous, and the quality is top-notch. If you’re in Anaheim and craving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, this is the place to be. Highly recommend giving them a try!

Published 5 months ago

Awesome place for Mediterranean dishes

Published 2 years ago

Published 5 months ago

Friendly staff. Tasty food

Published 5 months ago

Delicious very nice owner

Published 5 months ago

Falafel & lamb kebabs are top tier.

Published 6 months ago

Best late night food! Love they are open till 2am and food still feels fresh even after midnight

Published 6 months ago

FOOD WAS DELICIOUS 😋
SERVICE WAS AMAZING
THANK YOU GUYS YOU'RE THE BEST 🙏

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

My fav since 1997

Published 6 months ago

Horrible place. Slow service, sub standard food, dead environment. The owner needs to upgrade the filthy kitchen, and implement a better service system.

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

Great delicious food. Timely fast service. Very reasonable prices. Spartan furniture.
If you there once, you’ll definitely go back

Published 6 months ago

Delicious food and great service. The combo sandwich is amazing, and the hummus is great too. Good prices, would definitely recommend.

Published 6 months ago

Amazing falafel made by amazing people covid-19 has closed inside for a dining everything is safe employees are masked ordering can be done online or over the phone for takeaway.

Published 4 years ago

I love this place, delicious shawarma

Published 7 months ago

Very good

Published 7 months ago

I was craving falafel and needed some fiber after a long road trip. Luckily, this spot was open late. I ordered on the phone at 11:30pm and arrived around 11:45pm.

I decided to go for the vegetarian plate. Based on photos on Yelp, I thought I would come with two falafel's, but it came with 4! I ordered two falafels on the side just in case, and those came with some salad.

The order was ready on time. They gave me 3 pieces of pita in a bag, which I think was due to it being so late at night.

The falafel could have been crispier, but it satisfied my craving. I liked the thin pickles. The baba ganoush with my favorite thing in the plate. I'm not a huge fan of the parsley salad, although it was fresh. I wish the hummus was more seasoned.

I haven't tried many Mediterranean places in the area, so I'm not sure what I could compare it to, but that was a decent late night meal.

Published 7 months ago

Excellent food have been coming since 15 years

Published 7 months ago

Published 7 months ago

The staff are pleasant. There is free parking out front. The falafel was made fresh in that we watches him put in the oil. Overall just okay.

Published 8 months ago

Excellent service! Great food!

Published 8 months ago

Published 8 months ago

The food is really bad quality, doesn’t taste good. And I saw the kitchen is dirty. The service was really bad overall not recommended at all.!!

Published 8 months ago

Published 9 months ago

Always good

Published 2 years ago

This is a great place to eat at. We come from Utah, every time we come into town we stop by 1 or 2 times. The lady that was working Thursday night she went out of her way to help us even though they were about to close. Food is amazing-humus, share an and chicken tawook.

Published a year ago

Nice little cute place but these are the mama Send Papa places where you can find the most delicious food that just had a Falafel sandwich and that was delicious! And I was so hungry I ate it already. I forgot to take a picture. Sorry guys.😂👀😋

Published a year ago

I visited Sahara Falafel recently and had an utterly disappointing experience. The lady at the counter was not just rude but seemed to have perfected the art of disdain. The food itself was a disaster; the falafel tasted like cardboard soaked in oil, and the hummus was bland enough to make me question its existence. Despite voicing my concerns, the lady did nothing to address the issue, leaving me with a bitter taste both literally and figuratively. Save yourself the trouble and steer clear of this culinary catastrophe. The shwarma was also over cooked and hard as a rock. She charges 1$ per extra sauce when the sandwhich barely even has a drop of any sauce. Never coming back, this place has gone to trash

Published a year ago

New owner is horrible! Chicken was so hard and she didn’t even do anything about it. Will never come back to this place it has Been ruined

Published a year ago

I really enjoyed this place, I haven’t been able to find a good place for Arabic food ever since I moved back from Sweden… But this place had very good Kafta and Falafel 🧆

Also the Shawarma sandwich’s are very good!

I gifted them a Palestine Banner & a Palestine Flag 🇵🇸

My family and I loved it, definitely will be going back again.

Published a year ago

Consistent service (6 trips so far), extremely friendly staff, excellent food & great selection of add-ons.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Best food ever!! I wasn’t able to take any pictures because I finished it so fast.

Published a year ago

We tried their falafel sandwich and enjoyed the freshness and crunch on it although it had an interesting flavor that was new to us. The size was also smaller than other falafel sandwiches we had for the same price.

Published a year ago

Delicious food! They provided great service even at 1:00 am.

Thank you

Published a year ago

Chicken shawarma cured my Alzheimer’s

Published a year ago

Strip mall Syrian joint with some of the best Middle Eastern food in the United States. I don't believe there is anyone in the country who makes a better falafel. Bright green & fluffy inside, fragrant rith coriander and fried to order super crispy. Kofta, hummus, and other favorites are also top tier.

Published a year ago

Always delicious and freshly made food.. They are friendly and helpful.

Published a year ago

Good tasty food!

Published a year ago

Been in OC for 5 years and i never tasted a flafel like it. Best in town. Brought nostalgia. Shoutout to Mahmoud who hooked us up with the best Falafel.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Best falafel in town. Subway style ( make ur own sandwich)

Published a year ago

Delicious food and amazing service.

Published a year ago

Only got the falafel but they were really good. Owner is very sweet

Published a year ago

Came here because it was highly recommended and left a bit disappointed. It's a real hole in the wall, light on the decor, and the service wasn't too quick but that didn't really bother me since I expected it. I ordered the combo plate but there was no falafel that day so they substituted dolmas. The meat was a bit dry, maybe it was because I was there at 10:30. For $25 and hearing about how great it was, I left a bit disappointed. The baba ganoush was fantastic though. I probably wouldn't come again since there's other options closer to me.

Published a year ago

Waste of my $15. I didn't like chicken shawarma at all. Just disappointed.

Published a year ago

Amazing Falafel!! 28 years in the Biz!!! Congratulations 🎉

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

$20 for shawerma plate. Friendly staff. Falafel was awesome. Chicken and beef both dry and bland. To each there own, but not for me unless I want falafel

Published 3 years ago

Not the best but it's ok if you want something different

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Best Falal and great owner. I strongly recommend eating in this restaurant

Published a year ago

It hits

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

I have been coming here over a decade. One of the best shawarmas in Orange County. The owner is very kind and takes pride in his business.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Coming here late at night is probably a great decision if you need food fast. Little Arabia is very underrated with all the food available, and this is no exception. All the Shawarmas are delicious.

Published a year ago

Best shawarma I ever had I ordered beef shawarma plate and chicken shawarma plate both taste good

Published a year ago

They don’t have the Shawarma machine anymore, yet still are selling Shawarma. Tastes like it’s generic frozen factory produced and they just heat on the stove. Beefs inedible.

Someone picked up the food for me. So I didn’t see what was happening. Called to complain, was told the machine was broken, and they haven’t had it for 10 days. was not even offered a curtesy refund or discount.

Published a year ago

The food was fantastic, and the customer service was top-notch! The beef shawarma sandwich and plate were absolutely delicious 🤤. I definitely plan to revisit when I'm in town again. This order was for carry-out, by the way.

Published a year ago

Published a year ago

Food was tasty, juicy and flavorful
It is a bit pricier now

Published a year ago

Crazy expensive !!
Falafel sandwich is so small for 10$
Many restaurants cheaper than this place
Taste ok..
It's gonna be my last experience there!

Published a year ago

Very yummy. Helpful and attentive service.

Published a year ago

Good food great service .

Published 2 years ago

Been going here for 7 yrs now. Good food, should try atleast once.

Published 2 years ago

Good

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Open late, good food.

Published 2 years ago

Very authentic Mediterranean food and the place was open late too. 10/10 would recommend for Mediterranean food lovers.

Published 2 years ago

Great place for late night. The food was good and I love the hot sauce. 🔥

Published 2 years ago

The most wrong thing you can think about specially at night is to eat from this restaurant. It tastes horrible not worth a single cent. Absulotely there is no pickles and the bread is been 3 days out there.

Published 2 years ago

not good

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Mediterranean food cravings satisfied, we had shawarma plates, it's delicious😊😋. Reasonable prices as well😀

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

I took a friend to this place and they said unequivocally that this was one of the best shawarmas they had ever tasted. Absolutely delicious.
The place is not super nice or very big but they are open till very late and so it’s a great place to stopover for dinner after Disneyland.

Published 2 years ago

Been at this place for a dine in with a friend at 10pm. The server was confused about the order and we didn't get our order for 45mins !. We were really hangry by then. Once we got the order, the falafel was ok, salad seemed kinda old. Wouldn't recommend this place.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

This place has the best food ever and open really late so that's even better every time i have gone it's been amazing delicious service is good only cause well they speak different language but food is beyond words of delicious and so yummy 😋🤤😋

Published 2 years ago

Excellent

Published 2 years ago

Chicken shawarma/Sandwich was really good.
Make sure to get some spicy sauce added.

Published 2 years ago

Super fresh, super delicious and the owner was such a nice guy! We loved the food. We got a mixed shwarma and a lamb as well as falafel. All were 10/10. MUST TRY THEIR FALAFEL

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Great Falafel, open late, awesome service. Thank you.

Published 2 years ago

I really like this place and have come multiple times over the past two years, but last night was a struggle, the chicken was literally dryer than the Sahara and our group was unable to finish our food due to the extreme dryness of the chicken. Hopefully they figure out how to keep chicken moist and not to serve such dry chicken

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Excellent no frill made to order falafel. 👍check it out

Published 2 years ago

I've been to many Mediterranean food spots, and unfortunately this place was not worth it. Highly overpriced (nearly $22 for a plate?), little to no flavor, and the worst part of it all was that I ended up with a stomach ache. Would not recommend

Published 2 years ago

Best hospitality around town, food made with love

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

This place was okay, the chicken shawarma felt dry, maybe it was cause of the time, I came to pick up the food but I thought it lacked flavor. The baklava and the Hommus was really good! Props to the owner too for being super nice. Will be back in the day time to see if there’s a difference.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

I bought the falafel the best falafel in town.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Meat was not the best. Kind of dry and no flavor.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Authentic and good falafel 🥙🧆

Published 5 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

This place is great. You can't believe how tasty their foods and appetizers are.

Published 2 years ago

Great food as usual , came to this place after 7 yrs and still the taste is the same . Perfect and fresh food . Loved it !

Published 2 years ago

Love Falafel and Laban

Published 2 years ago

We ordered shawarma roll here, tasted very good. We eat that next day on the Disney trip, wow still tasted good. Best place to pick halal rolls for the next day Disney visit! Billing staff was awesome offering us complement tea while we we’re waiting to pickup the food.

Published 2 years ago

Best place in earth , love the real taste of middle eastern food

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Bad service

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

The food was delicious and had good portions. It was also decently priced

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Had a falafel plate and it was amazing, plus enough for 3 meals.

Published 2 years ago

This place sells very good food, customer service is okay, and the prices are about average for this area/food type.

Published 2 years ago

To me they have the best Beef/Chicken combo Shawarma Sandwiches in North and South Orange County. The price is in line with other similar restaurants. BUT the taste is great and the portions Re bigger. I've been visiting once a week.

Published 2 years ago

First, I share with you that the high reviews this restaurant gets are well-deserved! I just happened to be passing by and I wasn’t even hungry, but when I walked in and smelled the cooking, I knew I had to try something.

I tried the falafel. Hi hi feel is the test if any good Middle Eastern restaurant. I really loved the texture of a fresh falafel crunchy on the outside soft on the inside and green with parsley. The falafel here is simply excellent.

Additionally, the smaller of condiments which are provided with the falafel balls are also dry good, and all homemade.

I asked the owner about a red condiment that had some texture to it. I was thinking that this was some sort of Middle Eastern delicacy that he wanted me to try. To my surprise, he told me it is homemade hot sauce, and I was truly impressed. His hot sauce is the first time I’ve ever tasted a hot sauce with which is both flavorful tart and has some heat. Truly original!

On top of all of this, the owner must be among the friendliest, the most gracious souls I’ve ever met in orange county area.

If you want a great dining experience, I can highly recommend this place.

Enjoy the great food and the hospitality.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Expensive but good

Published 2 years ago

Update your work hours they are incorrect

Published 2 years ago

FIIREEEE dont sleep on this local hidden gem. Bomb food and open late, great customer service, sometimes there’s a little wait due to it being a family owned business but worth it!

Published 2 years ago

If I could give 20 stars I would come check it out

Published 2 years ago

Grabbed a few items to go.
All were super fresh and tasty. Will be back for sure.

Published 2 years ago

Visited from Texas for some lunch and my wife and I were blown away by the beef and chicken shawarma. We ordered some baklava for dessert and were greeted by another dish hand crafted and made with love by the owner himself! Definitely recommend.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

The food is amazing.

The people are so friendly & welcoming. Wish them all the success.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

I’ve lived in Palestine in the past and I’ve always wished I can find a place that makes falafel close to what I’ve experienced on the streets of Ramallah. I’ve found that and much more here. The owner welcomed us with a beautiful smile and laughs, reminding me of the kinda arab hospitality I miss so much. The falafel, accompanying sauces, and experience was a 100/10. I will definitely be coming back and I’ve finally found a piece of home in Anaheim.

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Was on my way back from universal studios starving got some absolutely delicious and splendid good thank you

Published 2 years ago

Very poor quality. I found a small piece of stone which was going to crack my teeth while having a bite.
Bread was cold and they charged me for the hot sauce!

Published 2 years ago

The food is delicious, no complain about anything. Tonight i had the kebab mix plate and the vegetarian plate.

Published 2 years ago

Published 6 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Very good falafel and shawarma definitely the best falafel I tried in America I recommend going to this place worth every penny very good service too

Published 2 years ago

It's good

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

This is my favorite falafel and shawarma spot. Worth the drive from LA. It’s been here forever and the owner and staff are gracious. We came here to film a segment and as soon as we smelled the food we just had to eat lunch. Thank you Mahmoud!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

I am surprised this place isn’t rated higher! I have been to this place twice and both times I was taken back by the spices and taste of the food. When I eat Middle Eastern food, this is the standard I hold other places to. Wish I lived closer.

Published 2 years ago

Great service
Great food

Published 2 years ago

Very very good food, great service and extremely yummy falafels. Great portions of food. Highly recommend eating here. And they're open until 2 am. Keep up the awesome work!

Published 2 years ago

Woww nice sharwarma

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

Great food great service they deserve more business they have been around for 30 years best falafel period

Published 2 years ago

The staff is RUDE and have a attitude. They need to be more friendly/Courteous to the customers.
I have visited the place a few times and noticed that the elder gentleman (The Owner) is courteous and friendly.
However the rest of the staff is rude. I will not go to this place again.

Published 7 years ago

My favorite restaurant in the area

Published 2 years ago

My late night go to! Can't go wrong with anything on the menu!

Published 3 years ago

Delicious food. Consistent quality, reasonable prices, professional service!

Published 2 years ago

A bit more than the most recent online menu suggests but not bad. Baklava was nice and war. The hummus and babaghanoush(sorry I'm writing while driving)were almost identical,something was missing and tabouleh I thought had to much sprig & twig. Best of all this place is open until 2am- munchieeez!!!

Published 2 years ago

Published 2 years ago

The staff are so friendly! I enjoyed this experience and the food! The falafel was moist and flavourful and there's plenty left that we took it to go!

This is our new favorite place!

Published 2 years ago

Their shawarma used to be so good. Quality of food seems to have dropped. The meat was extremely dry. Pita bread was kinda stale. And they started putting horse radish in their hot sauce. Not liking this.

Published 2 years ago

Over priced, I ordered a wrap and got pita bread instead, the chicken was full of skin and they added tomatoes. Chicken shawarma does not have tomatoes in it. The falafels were burnt. Not friendly upon pick up, will not be returning.

Published 2 years ago

The food was outstanding. Wish they had fries though. Falafel was so good and the hummus was great.

Published 2 years ago

Open until 2am daily. Falafels cooked to order and made fresh daily. Service was great, super friendly. A little toe pricier but flavors were good. There isn’t much around that opens late, so it’s nice to have a spot to go.

Published 2 years ago

This place is fantastic and the food is super delicious!!! The service is amazing! It makes you feel like you are part of the family.

Highly recommended 👍😊💪

Thank you!

Best regards,
@daniiandjei

Published 2 years ago

It’s too cold and no service

Published 3 years ago

Dishonest, my meal was 4,50, when I gave 50 to pay for the food they gave me 40 back

Published 3 years ago

My gosh this place is Soo good falafels are so fresh and well made

Published 3 years ago

The very best middle east fast food. Drive up from Irvine since it opened, about 18 years.

Published 3 years ago

Nice medeterinian foods with good price

Published 3 years ago

Great restaurant, the owners are amazing and very generous, and the food is beyond delicious. It's a must go place for authentic falafel, and shawarma sandwiches. All their food is homemade and is 100% halal.

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

My goto place for late night shwarma.

Published 3 years ago

People working there are nice and kind …but I was very disappointed with the food ….chicken shawarma lacked any flavor and tasted old . Beef shawarma wasn’t much different either . Grapevine leaves tasted like that stuff that comes in a can . I given 2 instead of 1 because of good vibes of people working there . It’s sad because I know their food used to taste a lot better .

Published 3 years ago

I recommend there Falafel, fresh and delicious.

Published 3 years ago

Gooooooood wrapps especially the combo Shawarmar wrap the way they cook and prepare the wraps absolutely delicious love their food

Published 3 years ago

Waste of money got the shawarma plate, it was cold. I don’t trust the people that work late at night it seems they do a half fast job. $21 for a shawarma that was made in a pan lol.

Published 3 years ago

Published 3 years ago

اكل حلال

Published 3 years ago

Like falafel so much testy

Published 3 years ago

An absolute must for a quick bite in Anaheim

Been coming here for years! Always very friendly staff. The food is absolutely the best I've had in orange county.

I moved away so I only get to eat here when I'm in town.

Published 3 years ago