Charcoal House Restaurant & Bar, La Mesa CA

First time here, and it was an amazing Christmas party. The food and the service were amazing. The food was delicious

Today, 11/11, we experienced the worst visit here. The hookah was burnt (they changed it twice), the beer is warm, they are extremely short staffed and most importantly I found plastic in the beef shawarma…. The staff tried to make it up to us by bringing us beef tikkah and it was so salty that I couldn’t swallow it. I don’t recommend this place for entertainment at all! I’ll keep going to other places or stay home before I think of coming here ever again.

Just ordered takeout from here, but the food was amazing and the staff was very helpful! Will definitely be dining in in the near future!

This place is worst we drove an hour this they said we don’t have ur reservation because we gived to some one else

This was my first time visiting Charcoal House and boy was I pleasantly surprised. The place was spacious, clean with outstanding decor and soft music notes playing in the background adding to the already serene ambience of this beautiful restaurant. I was served by Rowa, who was outstanding and explained the menu options in detail. Based on her expert recommendation I went with the Mixed Grilled plate and it was absolutely delicious. The fillet mignon was bursting full of flavor and the beef tikka was tender and juicy. I have been to quite a few Mediterranean restaurant and the quality of the food and service here was the best I’ve ever received by a mile. I would highly recommend and would most certainly be returning.

What can I say? I came here to celebrate my birthday with my family and everything was perfect. We had a reservation, got a great table up at the front, food was great, service was excellent and the live singer and people in other table were very welcoming, this was important because we were possibly the only Mexican family in there but really made us feel welcome and we stayed until closing. Can't wait to go back. Thank you Charcoal House!

I've been here for lunch twice now. The food is excellent. I am only deducting a star because service is a little slow. Both times I've been here for lunch, the place is empty. They should really advertise more for lunch. Really enjoy this place. Good for large groups.

Bad place. Mom came home feeling very bad. Hospital rushed. Never letting mom come here again.

Service is absolutely a joke. They refused me service because i was wearing shorts.

Every other person (male and female) in front of us had on shorts. From what i gathered this is their entry rule.

"If you let our sleezy security and enterance staff hit on you and creep on you, your allowed in. Or if your a guy and the security knows you.

Modern day sexism. This place shouldnt be around. SHAME on them.

Dont waste your time on this shady establishment.

Go to any other hookah lounge where they will feel the need to trest you like a human. Not like a animal.

New ownership should be ashamed. This place used to be awesome. Now TRASH.

Service was awful
There were 16 of us
4 arrived early then the rest
Upon arrival I asked if we can add a small table that was next to the large table because we needed 2 more seats and there was no room to fit the two extra chairs to the existing table.
I approached the server and ask politely, if we can add that small table he responded
I was told 16 aren't you 16?
Then I think it was the owner
He told me we can have that table
It was a Thursday and the place was half empty, perhaps the server didn't want to lose a table from his section.
My sister wanted a blended margarita and the server told us on the rockes is better and blended is not very good and soggy
Even after I told him that's what she would like to have she has had it before he still refused. I guess the bartender doesn't like to use and wash the blender afterwards.
We ordered a Bloody mary a Mojito and Margaritas and at least two of those cocktails are considered basic.
And they didn't taste good at all
And they weren't cold enough, I don't think the bartender knows how to shake the drinks probably or long enough.
When we were ready to pay and we asked to split the check Not into 16 but just to two checks
The group of 4 who arrived first to pay separately.
The server said no I can't.
I don't know what kind of system or software they use but there is always a split button.
Because we could have told him what the 4 had but he said I can't
I guess because once a party is over 6 a 15% gratuity is added and he probably wanted to get that percentage on the entire check otherwise the 4 could tip whatever they wanted
I usually tip 20% on a good service
Had I been provided a good service I would have tipped more.
And the server never smiled the entire time
The owner or manager was aware of the table situation and he solved it
But not the server's attitude and not the check split situation.
I don't recommend this place to anyone
And if you really have to go because that's what your friends want be prepared for bad service and stay away from the cocktails.

This is a gorgeous place you would not want to miss. It is beautifully decorated and sumptuous. I was first struck by the most silky and delicious hummus appetizer I've ever consumed. Then comes a beautiful entree generously portioned and mouth watering. Prices are moderate. Service is friendly and impeccable. You gotta stop reading this and go there!

From my understanding they're under new ownership and they are now open for lunch. At first site I was rather confused at the entrance because no one is there to greet you and there are 2 huge gray doors that don't exactly communicate "come in". However, I am so glad I peeked in because I was greeted by very friendly people and a beautiful atmosphere / ambiance, where you can have a conversation, and the music isn't overpowering nor are other people's conversations. Good for a couple or groups. They have more than enough seating.

We ordered as an appetizer Jajeek (see pic). We've never had it before but dang it was very good. For the main course we ordered the lamb shank and the mixed beef plate (see pics). Delicious doesn't begin to describe what we were eating. All the different spices, textures and flavors were a thrill ride for the taste buds. I drank a Diet Coke (my go to) and Omar had an iced tea (see pic) which wasn't even on the menu but the waitress, Rowa (awesome), made it from what she had available and Omar says it was delicious. There was a LOT of food. So we had to take some home but that was just to make room for dessert.kunafa (see pic). Yummers!

Are we coming back? HECK YA and you might want to give it a try too. Reasonably priced for these days of inflationary pressures.

The best place in the world, Najwan the best singer I ever heard, Dani the best professional friendly service I ever seen, the environment of the place is very amazing traditional environment, clean, reasonable rates, nice dance stage
The best happened in my trip to San Diego

So the reason for my 1 star ratings is this:
They posted on social media that DJ Aseel is coming to San Diego. The event was held at Parq club and restaurant in downtown. I got a VIP ticket because I'm a big fan of DJ Aseel. However, today Charcoal House posted that DJ Aseel is having another party at their place and that the tickets are sold out. When they didn't even promote the tickets or where to buy them. So I'm really upset and this kind of thing is not acceptable. I hope they'll consider informing their regular clients about these kinda events not just selective people.

The worst customer service I’ve ever seen,
They did had A DJ Aseel tonight but the tickets were only for preferred customers what a shame. We asked them 3 weeks ago since they started to handed tickets they said no we don’t have any event on February 9th 2023

It’s really a shame, I asked for tickets 3 weeks ago and they said it’s private and I know people they got ticket same day when I asked for ticket they said it’s private party only. After that I found out that they sold tickets only for preferred customers. What a shame