Hafez Cafe

Today, I was craving Abgoosht, Persia's cherished national dish, an ancient lamb stew bursting with flavor. The traditional way to enjoy it is by mashing the meat into a paste and creating small sandwiches with fresh herbs, followed by alternating bites of Salad-e Shirazi and Liteh pickle.I found an amazing spot that serves top-notch Persian food, with excellent customer service, a clean and tidy environment, and high-quality dishes. The place was bustling, but the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. If you're craving authentic Persian food, this spot is definitely worth checking out.They even bake their own fresh bread in a traditional Tanoor oven, which is both warm and delicious. The menu offers a variety of Persian dishes, including classics like beef soltani, kaleh bareh (lamb head soup), and of course, Abgoosht. The restaurant also serves a fantastic tea blend with sugar cubes, which adds a nice touch.Hafez Cafe in Laguna Hills, California, has a family-friendly vibe with outdoor seating and plenty of parking. It's a great spot for kids and groups, and the portions are generous. The chicken is always flavorful, and they offer healthy options, plus unlimited tea.The cozy, casual ambiance and the family-owned charm make it a great spot for a laid-back meal. Other popular dishes include beef kobideh, joojeh kabob, kale pacheh, Ashe Reshteh, hummus, mast o'khiar, Persian burgers, and more. The food quality is exceptional, and the prices are very reasonable for the quantity and taste.The best part of Abgoosht is enjoying it the traditional way, which really brings a sense of nostalgia. For many, this dish is linked to fond memories of family gatherings from the past. Abgoosht, also known as Ab-goosht, Abgousht, or Dizi (after the traditional stone pot it's made in), holds a special place in Persian culture.You get to mash the meat yourself with a meat masher, combining it with beans, potatoes, and tomatoes. The ingredients meld together into a rich, hearty stew, and you get to experience it in a truly hands-on way.For me, it reminds me of sitting under the Korsi, enjoying a warm bowl of Abgoosht while the snow fell outside. Those moments are unforgettable, and they really capture the essence of this comforting, traditional dish.The mashed meat and soup are served separately, allowing you to enjoy each element on its own. You mash the meat, beans, potatoes, and tomatoes into a flavorful paste, while sipping the savory broth as a comforting soup. This separation allows you to fully savor each part of the dish in its traditional form.I even filmed the steps of how to eat it in the traditional way after you order.

Unfortunately, unpleasant hospitality can kill what's otherwise a good thing, and the insults Ali flew at my mother won't fly. We made an app-based order that gave her a 40-minute pickup wait (I'm doing the pickup); she called to politely request an earlier pickup time because I was literally already in the parking lot.Ali has quite a hot head and exploded on me, constantly referencing the 1pm pickup time that Uber Eats had generated. We know. Enjoy those pics. They change nothing, but your wretched attitude and toxic masculinity sure do. How dare you slander my good-natured, senior citizen, South African mother.If there's one thing she knows, it's how to politely ask for what she wants. You're a monster. Go to therapy like me.Oh, and thank you for forcing upon us the bread we explicitly asked you to leave off. How disrespectful to people who are hungry, and to your ancestors who sacrificed so much for you.

This place is so close to my house and I was surprised I hadn't tried it before. It's right across from Jordan market so after you order, you can go grocery shopping. I ordered the ground mix which was beef koobideh and chicken kebab to go. The food wasn't quite ready in the time they quoted, so I sat down to wait and they gave me hot tea. The service was great. The food was delicious. I got kebabs and it came with rice, a tomato, and a bag that had sumac, onions, lemon, and butter. Also included in my bag was a huge piece of homemade bread.

It's one of the best Iranian restaurants I love it delicious and quality service is awesome all waiters and employers are awesome.

Absolutely delicious and authentic. Take it from me, if you want to taste real traditional Persian breakfast, come to Hafez Cafe on Saturdays and Sundays and try the halim. Or if you're really brave, try the kaleh pacheh which is a sheep's head soup including brain, tongue, and eyes. It's not for the faint of heart and I 100% pass on it but the halim is divine and with the right amount of sugar and cinnamon, tastes like grandma's recipe.

If you're looking for authentic Persian food that truly delivers on flavor, this is the place. The dishes here remind me so much of my grandmother's cooking--comforting, rich, and full of tradition. The gheymeh was easily one of the best I've ever had, perfectly balanced with spices and flavor. I'm also incredibly picky when it comes to chicken, but theirs was exceptional. It was well-marinated, juicy, and a rare find. The rice was equally impressive, easily some of the best I've had.Overall, I love this restaurant for its consistent quality and authentic taste. It's a place that feels like home.

Amazing breakfast! Especially the halim!!! I would definitely come again and try their lunch.

Food is great, very clean and friendly helpful staffWe always come here for their breakfast when we come to OC and by far they have the best "kaleh" I have had in California Thank you Hafez Cafe

The food here was pretty good and differentiated from other Persian offerings I've had in OC. I came with a friend who was very familiar with food from this region, and he said that their bread was made properly (and this was one of the best parts) and there were some appetizers on the menu nowhere else (Olovieh).The kabobs we got were really moist and flavorful, and we really appreciated that the tea was provided while dining in.On the kinda sketchy side, when we tried to pay they tried to pull a "credit card machine" broken type thing and demand cash. We were able to eventually work it out bit this made the affair seem questionable.

The owner's sister (manager) so rude ,but staff so kind.She needs discipline and good manner to behave in good way with customers