El Mahroosa Cafe & Restaurant

We needed a cafe-type vibe to play some games and decided to go here. I was told this has one of the better knafeh but I personally didn't love it.Knafeh: sweeter side, and I would have preferred more cheese ratio. I wouldn't get it again here.Service/ambience: service was fine. This was the perfect place to chill with friends and play games. But since it's a hookah lounge, there will be smoke at all times of the day. I feel like they could do more with decorating the place (lamps, plants, etc).Parking: it's a little tougher. Might want to park elsewhere and walk here if needed.

We came here after a concert, very busy and full. Staff was doing their best to serve everyone, so there was a bit of a delay. We ordered kofta, chicken, and beef shawarma, tasted good! Our fav was the Kunafa! The place is full of folks smoking hookah if that's something you're okay with

Little Arabia beckons especially since they now have their very own Freeway off ramp proclaiming that approximately 2 miles of Brookhurst has formally become, well, Little Arabia, shukran. Parking at this place is an interesting enterprise. Wedge the whip in anywhere and anyway you can. I wandered inside. "Are you here for a Hookah?" "No, thanks, I'm seeing somebody. I'm just here for the food". The small dining room in front was empty and quiet while the huge back room was hoppin' and happenin'. It might've been an old bowling alley way back when Little Arabia was little to bother with, A thick layer of smoke hovered at chest level and covered the cavernous room. Hookah is a social thing and kinda like a Middle Eastern riff on a Japanese Tea Ceremony...kinda. Okay Hookah is nto as ritualized as that but the same concept is in play. Both have more meaning. They are more than just slurping tea or inhaling flavored smoke. The front dining room had a sticky floor, a sticky table top, and a stick chair as if they'd all been brushed with fresh Gorilla Glue. But the adjoining kitchen was spotless and glistening. I'm an adventurer and it didn't seem to bother the regulars in the back vast getting Hookah'd. The Staff: Mostly all serving the peeps on the pipes except one very sweet lady who appeared at my table with a smile. She offered to help bring up the lengthy menu on a QR Cube. That was nice as I usually have to call in Tech Support to assist me in plugging in a Toaster Oven.The Menu is seemingly endless. If some Country in the Middle East makes something unique, a version of it will show up here. The rumor has it that some of the dishes are made off site by a gaggle of accomplished Aljadas (Grandmas) who have, no doubt, made a few specific dishes for decades. Hoo-cares? If it's good, it's good. The specials are reserved for weekends any way. I asked for the Arabic Salad which showed up shortly. It was a mound of fresh and perfectly diced Persian Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Mint, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice and a shake of Oregano. The Salad was simple yet elegant. Tart, with a balanced ratio of dressing to Salad. Everything about it was just right. I thoroughly enjoyed my lovely little Salad and then hailed my pleasant server and asked her to warm a schwarma. The Beef was marinated and pan seared instead of being a packed stack of flaps the size of a Frisbee rotating slowly on a vertical Gyro Grill. The meat was tasty enough despite the little knobs being a tad toothsome. It took a bit of getting used to which I managed quick enough because it was tasty. Plus the portion was so large half of it went home with me and made up almost three additional meals. My Schwarma Plate came with warm store bought Pita that was so thin, I had to perform micro surgery on it to pry the Pita apart and wide enough to stuff stuff in them. Beef, Garlic Sauce, Hummus, Shatta (Hot Sauce), and the most wonderful little Pickle slices all got pushed into the Pita's gaping maw. Are you with me? All set? Now pick a corner and dig in. No matter how well or carefully you packed your Pita something will break lose, slide out and land in your lap after bouncing off your shirt. But, this beast was most enjoyable. The Charred Beef lay atop a platter of fluffy Saffron/Turmeric Rice and next to a simple Green Salad which paled compared to the fine Arabic Salad. A pile of napkins suddenly appeared courtesy of my kind and considerate server. I suppose she believed as I do, that if you don't get it all over you, you're doing it wrong. Even though the "Specials" don't hit the menu until the weekend, the regular menu is auspicious any day of the week. Dive in. A little trip to Little Arabia will have you happy and satisfied by meal's end here at El Mahroosa.

Food is excellent and service is 10/10. Ambience is amazing and you feel you are in the Middle East. I love that they play so much Arabic Iraqi music. It's always a go to spot for the Arabic events. Definitely I would recommend trying the kinafeh.

Thank you again to the very kind staff. This place is a gem and quickly becoming a favorite for my family and I. I highly recommend trying their Beryani or Kabsa with lamb. It is definitely not as overwhelmingly busy during the week vs the weekend. Looking forward to coming back!

Went there Sunday night 7pm for their AYCE Iftar Buffet (Breaking of the Fast for Ramadan). The place was festive. The selections were amazing. Soups, dips, veggies, stews, meats, rice, fruit, desserts/pastries.There was a raspberry juice welcome drink that tasted like rosewater. It was so good, I must've had like 3 glasses.They also gave out these luscious dates to snack on before the main meal.We got to enjoy:- lentil soup - Excellent- Spinach type of watery soup (meh)- This cabbage slaw that was in a light vinegar with blonde raisins and oranges, it was SO GOOD- So many pastas- So many dips: besides hummus, there was babaganoush, something with crushed walnuts, etc.- Salads- Pickles of all kinds- There was the main dish: Roasted lamb over rice, so very good!- There was this beef roll wrapped in pastry dough, the filling was so delish, savory, a touch of cinnamon, sweetness, etc. it has it all!- So many things I cannot nameI think the mint red tea is extra, but it was such a nice way to end a great meal!Parking is kind of tight but there is a very capable parking attending helping and guiding everyone.After 8:30pm, they start to bring out all the hookahs so it can get really smoky.But still thinking about all the great food from last night! OMG so good!Very festive, party like atmosphere.All the staff were so hospitable, and efficient, they get you all that you need!

Stopped by with family for some hookah. Parking are is small so we had to park by walgreens and walk over. Took about 10'min to be seated which wasn't bad. Had the mint slushi, it was pretty good i love a good mint slushi. Hookah was alright, kept getting harsh was hard to smoke after like 10 minutes. the boys had the milk tea drink which they liked. Ambience was alright, there was music playing on tv and everyone just talking. The space was so tight that i felt like that was no walking space when trying to leave. I would recommend that there be some space between the chairs etc so we can actually walk out freely without starring on how to get between the chairs to leave.

Horrible customer service and no courtesy at all. Called over the phone to ask few questions and the guy kept having another conversation in Arabic while I'm asking him questions Ordered through Uber eats and I got completely half of my order wrong and another 2 items missing Whatever food arrived was 5-6/10 but would never order again Bad!!!!

Kabsa Roasted, Eggplant Salad was delicious! Also got Kushari it was amazing. Definitely a new favorite go to place. There is hookah and smoking so if you are okay with that then this place is perfect! Had some tea as well!Service was great even it being full very attentive! Thank you i will be back many more times to try more things on the menu.

Incredible food! First time having Egyptian cuisine and absolutely loved every item except the stuffer pigeon. Came here with coworkers and had an amazing meal together.My only gripe is the lighting where we sat was dim but with better lighting elsewhere.