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oChef » Faridas Somali – San Diego
Faridas Somali - San Diego
Photo from Faridas Somali
Faridas Somali at a glance
San Diego Mid-City
- 🥘 African Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 27 of the guests
#281 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 African Restaurant out of 3 in San Diego
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
290
Reviews
79.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic cuisine
- Great value
Frequently criticized
- Variable service
- Ambience needs
The restaurant Faridas Somali Cuisine, an authentic African restaurant located in San Diego’s vibrant Mid-City neighborhood, invites you to discover a unique culinary journey. Here, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere where you can savor delicious Halal food and explore a menu rich with healthy and vegetarian options.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely meal, this cozy spot promises a memorable experience for you.
Overview: Introducting Faridas Somali
Faridas Somali offers a compelling culinary experience, with many praising the delicious food and generous portions. The authentic flavors and substantial meals often leave a lasting positive impression, making the kitchen a clear highlight for many visitors.
It’s a place that clearly excels in its kitchen offerings. However, some experiences with customer service have been less consistent, and the general upkeep of the dining space could see improvement.
While the food shines, occasional issues with order accuracy and the overall dining environment suggest areas for refinement.
Good
7.7
out of 10
290
Reviews
79.3%
Satisfaction
51
negative
9
neutral
230
positive
Faridas Somali earns a respectable overall score of 7.7, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a solid 79.3%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
These figures are drawn from 290 customer remarks, with 230 positive observations outweighing 51 negative ones. The kitchen is a clear standout, with Food scoring an impressive (8.6), often highlighted for its authentic flavors and generous servings.
Value also rates well at (8), offering substantial meals for the price. However, Service (5.6) is more of a mixed bag, and while Ambience (6.9) is generally acceptable, there’s room for refinement.
What people like
- Delicious authentic food
- Generous portions
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Unkempt dining area
- Order accuracy issues
If you prioritize authentic, flavorful cuisine and generous portions at a fair price, Faridas Somali is certainly worth considering. The kitchen consistently delivers, making it a strong contender for a satisfying meal.
The recommendation score of 7.8 supports this. However, be prepared for potentially variable service and a casual, sometimes unpolished, dining environment.
For those focused purely on the plate, it’s a solid choice, but managing expectations for the overall experience is advisable.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Faridas Somali
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
The food here is a real standout, earning a fantastic score of 8.6 and delighting an impressive 92.1% of customers. With 164 positive remarks out of 178 total, diners consistently rave about the fresh ingredients, delicious flavors, and generous, authentic portions. Its clear the culinary experience, featuring Somali delicacies and African flavors, is a major draw.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. A smaller number of 11 opinions noted some areas for improvement, such as limited menu items, occasional cold takeout food, and concerns about serving sizes or watered-down mango juice. These are minor points amidst overwhelmingly positive feedback, but worth keeping in mind.
Food
178
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
164
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious authentic food
- Generous portion sizes
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Limited menu items
- Cold takeout food
- Watered down drinks
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was elevated by the delicious food and expertly made drinks, including vimto, mango, and watermelon. While good food and drink can be found elsewhere, what truly made our time special was MOHAMED and his attentive service, ensuring our experience was memorable.
- green sauceThe green sauce has the right kick of spiceyness
- portionsI had the chicken sakkur with rice, and it was the most incredible chicken and rice I’ve had in years. The portions are huge, and I felt like I was eating great healthy food. I could have made this last for three days!
- big portionsSo delicious with big portions!
- FoodFood:4
- Somali delicaciesMy experience at this restaurant was a delightful journey into authentic cuisine straight from Mogadishu. Faridas and his family have created a charming eatery, sharing Somali delicacies with the local community after relocating from the capital city to San Diego years ago. I highly recommend trying the chef's special paired with a glass of their wonderful beverage.
- bananathe side of banana for the full experience!
- breadbread they served you is super delicious
- chef's specialhighly recommend trying the chef's special
- flavorsgood flavors that are not overpowering
Frequently criticized
- chickenThere's more onions than chicken.
- chicken stakesThey screwed up the entire order!!!
- foodfood is overly expensive and average
- mango juicemango juice which I felt was too watered down
- menu itemslimited menu items
- noodlesclerk couldn't even tell me what kind of noodles they serve
- onionsThere's more onions than chicken.
- serving sizeThe serving size is "stingy"
- spaghettiThey screwed up the entire order!!!
- take out foodtake out food is cold
If you're looking for an authentic and flavorful meal with generous portions, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a few minor issues like limited menu options or occasional cold takeout might pop up, the overall culinary experience is overwhelmingly positive and highly recommended.
Service (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 5.6 with customer satisfaction at a mixed 47.9%. On the bright side, many customers rave about the exceptional, attentive staff, friendly owners like Mo, and quick service. Youll often find a welcoming atmosphere and polite, courteous interactions, making for a pleasant experience.
However, with 35 positive remarks versus 33 negative ones out of 73 total comments, theres clearly room for improvement. Some folks encountered rude cashiers, issues with messed-up orders, and a lack of attention to detail. Others mentioned poor communication, long wait times for food, and even instances of staff being dismissive or unhelpful, which can definitely sour the customer experience.
Service
73
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
33
negative
5
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Welcoming owner
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Rude cashier attitude
- Orders often wrong
- Slow prep time
Often praised
- serviceThe service was exceptional; the staff was not only attentive but genuinely warm and welcoming
- customer servicethe food, presentation and the customer service top notch
- staffThe staff was very accommodating and polite
- ServiceService:4
- ownerThe owner, Farida herself, is amazingly kind.
- Customer ServiceCustomer service personified. Extremely professional attitude.
- MOHAMEDMOHAMED and his attention to making our time there memorable
- Mo"Mo" (part of this family owned restaurant) was friendly and welcoming.
- attentionhis attention to making our time there memorable
- attentiveYou were just the right amount of attentive.
Frequently criticized
- customer servicehorrible customer service, especially the new girl
- cashierThe Somalian cashier guy was extremely rude
- orderWhen you order no onions. Normally I wouldn't care but this is like the 10th time
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was a mix of amazing food and terrible service. I called to inquire about prices for a larger order, intending to call back when ready.
- wait timeTook so long to prep our to-go order.
- NFC/Google/Apple PayNo NFC/Google/Apple Pay at register
- attention to detailWe ordered spaghetti and received something completely different. There was absolutely no attention to detail. The entire order was wrong, and we only discovered this after getting home.
- attitudetheir attitude was very bad
- cashier attitudethe girl that always work cashier should work in the front she has less attitude
- closing timestill 20 minutes for closing. Me dijeron que ya era muy tarde
If you're looking for a place with potentially great interactions and quick service, it might be worth a try, especially if you catch them on a good day. Just be prepared for the possibility of encountering some service hiccups, particularly around order accuracy or cashier attitude.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
Looking at the vibe, it seems like many folks found it quite pleasant! With 11 positive comments out of 16 total, guests often highlighted a relaxing atmosphere, a nice area to sit, and even praised its outstanding cleanliness. The overall score for ambience sits at a respectable 6.9, suggesting a generally good experience.
However, the customer satisfaction is a bit more of a mixed bag at 68.8%, indicating some areas for improvement. A few of the 4 negative comments pointed out issues with the floor being sticky and the tables and chairs needing better cleaning. There were also suggestions to make the place more appealing, especially regarding the restroom.
Ambience
16
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Relaxing atmosphere
- Comfortable seating area
- Outstanding cleanliness
What people don't like
- Sticky floor
- Unclean restrooms
- Unappealing appearance
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- area to sithas a nice area to sit and eat
- authenticThis place is authentic
- cleanlinessthe cleanliness is outstanding
- great placeThis place is a great place
- placeMy experience at this restaurant was great, especially trying food I was not familiar with. It is an extremely casual place to eat.
- quiet placeit's a quiet subtle place
- relaxing atmosphereloved the place relaxing
- subtle placeit's a quiet subtle place
Frequently criticized
- floorRestau floor is very sticky
- place appealingmake the place more appealing it looks a bit sad
- restroomThe bread served was super delicious, and the overall food quality was great. However, I would suggest they clean their restroom more often and perhaps make the place more appealing, as it currently looks a bit sad.
- tables and chairstables and chairs needs to be cleaned.
If youre looking for a generally pleasant and relaxing spot, especially for a casual meal, youll likely find the ambience agreeable. Just be aware that some minor cleanliness issues, particularly with the floor and restrooms, might detract slightly from the overall experience for some.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a solid score of 8 and a fantastic 87% customer satisfaction, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a great deal. Out of 23 customer remarks, a whopping 20 rave about the price, value for money, and affordable price, often highlighting generous portions and overall good value thats truly worth it.
However, its not entirely without its critics. A few voices, 3 out of 23, did mention feeling overpriced or overcharged. While these are a minority, its worth noting that a small number of customers felt the food was overly expensive' compared to their expectations.
Value
23
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Affordable prices
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Overpriced
Often praised
- priceThis was my first time eating at this restaurant, and the food was delicious and proportioned correctly for the price. I left feeling satisfied with a new flavor marinating on my tongue.
- value for moneyI can't believe I've driven by so many times and never even seen it, let alone visited. It's a hidden gem offering great value for money.
- $7huge serving for $7
- affordabilityfood are delicious and affordable
- affordable priceat an affordable price
- cash paymentsThere’s a discount for cash payments, too
- good valuea good value
- placeThis place is worth your money San Diego.
- pricesOverall, great prices.
- quality and valuethis spot delivers on both quality and value
Frequently criticized
- overchargeddecided to over charge
- overpricedOverpriced.
- pricefood is overly expensive
If you're looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this restaurant seems like a solid bet. Most customers walk away feeling satisfied with the generous portions and reasonable prices, making it a great choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at Faridas Somali?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 27 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an African Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 23$, many guests actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range. It seems there’s a nice mix of options, with some diners opting for a more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 27 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an African Restaurant in San Diego. It offers good value, especially with the range of spending options available.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Faridas Somali
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Green Sauce & Food!
I've been coming here since I was 17 and I absolutely love the food. The green sauce is amazing. It's a quiet and subtle place, so good!
- food10
- green sauce10
- quiet place8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Long Wait and Communication Issues
My experience at the restaurant was marked by a significant wait time. I called in my order 30 minutes before arriving, but I still had to wait 55+ minutes for my food. Additionally, the staff member at the front who took my order spoke no English and could barely understand me, even failing to grasp that I wanted a drink.
This lack of understanding also led to being overcharged because they didn't know how to operate the payment machine.
- wait time1
- language barrier1
- payment machine2
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Food, Exceptional Service!
I visited Farida's with my husband because I was really interested since the name "Farida's" and my name is Farida lol (I'm the Mexican that went the other day). The service was 10/10, and it really felt worth the price since they give you big portions and the food is so delicious. They even gave us banana, which I felt really respected, as they want us to eat the traditional way.
The rice has a delicious flavor, the goat, and the bread were the best! Really, really worth it. I love it and can't wait to go back!
- service10
- price9
- big portions9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Somali Home Cooking
My experience at this small restaurant was a delightful surprise. Despite being located in a strip mall with some vacant spaces and having a limited menu where certain dishes might be unavailable, the food itself was outstanding. Every dish was cooked perfectly, featuring good flavors that weren't overpowering, and served in generous portions.
The goat plate was incredibly tender, and the fish in both the fish wrap and fish salad was moist and savory. The service was polite and courteous, and there's even a discount for cash payments, adding to the overall positive experience.
- food10
- flavors9
- portions9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Expensive and Average Food, Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The service was lacking, as there was no NFC/Google/Apple Pay option at the register, and the clerk was unable to provide basic information about the noodles served. The food was overly expensive and only average in quality.
Overall, the price did not match the quality received.
- NFC/Google/Apple Pay2
- noodles2
- food3
What Faridas Somali offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Faridas Somali Cuisine?
At Faridas Somali Cuisine, you can enjoy a cozy, casual, and quiet atmosphere. They offer dine-in, takeout, and delivery for your convenience. You’ll find table service available for brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert, and it’s a great spot if you’re dining with kids.
What special dietary options and amenities are available at Faridas Somali Cuisine?
Faridas Somali Cuisine offers healthy options, Halal food, vegetarian dishes, and small plates, plus coffee. You’ll find free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of space. The restaurant is also fully wheelchair accessible, including its entrance, parking, seating, and restroom for your comfort.
How does Faridas Somali generally score with customers?
Faridas Somali holds a good overall score of 7.7, with customer satisfaction at 79.3%. Customers particularly praise the Food (8.6) and Value (8), while Ambience (6.9) and Service (5.6) are seen as average.
What are the standout features of the food at Faridas Somali?
Customers frequently highlight the delicious and authentic Somali delicacies, noting the generous portions and good flavors. Many enjoy the chef’s special and the bread, often recommending the side of banana for a full experience.
Are there any common issues customers experience at Faridas Somali?
Some customers have reported inconsistent service, including rude staff or long wait times for orders. There have also been mentions of issues with order accuracy and a desire for improvements in the cleanliness and appeal of the dining area and restrooms.