One of the most anticipated parts of travel for us is, yes, you guessed it, the food. It should come as no surprise that no matter where we are exploring, food is always at the forefront of our itinerary planning.
When we casually mentioned to our friends and family that we would be visiting the Bay area, everyone immediately told us one word; Zareen’s. Hands down no questions asked, we were told under very strict instructions to go to Zareen’s.
Now thisss is where it gets tricky with us. Aamir is a die-hard Pakistani food lover, me, not so much. I have a few dishes that I enjoy eating whereas Aamir will eat almost any Pakistani dish.
So, as per tradition, I started to do research. I perused the menu extensively before we had ever left the city limits to ensure that there would be something for all of us (me) to enjoy.
I was not disappointed. I LOVE Pakistani BBQ. I honestly don’t know a person alive who eats meat and does not enjoy a good Tandoori. What’s not to love about well cooked, flavorful, spicy meat? Combined with a delicious array of chutneys (sauces) and we are in!
Cut to our trip. We arrived in San Jose and had a GREAT time. We feel in love with the chill vibe and were extremely impressed with all the international food options available. We shouldn’t have been surprised since there is such a diverse community, but it was still nice to see soo many global cousins represented.
Okay now to the part you’re here for… Zareen’s and our Experience
First Impression
Busy, as in, line outside the door onto the sidewalk busy. We were then faced with a choice. Do we brave out the line and hope the food lived up to hype? Or do we find another option that is not as busy and get a faster meal? On any other day we would not have even considered abandoning our quest but because we had a 5-hour drive back, tough decisions had to be made.
Fortunately, my motto of ‘since were here, we may as well get the maximum experience’ came through and we decided to stay. Honestly, I was compelled by the fact that Aamir is always missing the food from Karachi, and unfortunately it is an underserved market in Los Angeles. I would have felt terrible if he missed an opportunity to get some authentic Pakistani food because we were lazy. I am soo glad we stayed. BEST DECISION EVER!!!
I do not have even one second of regret for the time we spent in line. I honestly consider it an investment. We were looking around us and everyone that was eating was not eating they were ENJOYING their food. And yes, there is a difference. People from all ethnicities and age groups were raving over plates of spicy Nihari (thick beef stew) or breaking into steaming fresh naan (fluffy flat bread). By the time we got to the counter, we were ready to eat.
What we ordered
Based on the reviews and recommendations from friends and family, we went into the place with an idea of what we wanted to order so it was just a matter of condensing our list which was almost the entire menu into a manageable few items that we would actually be able to eat.
1. Chicken Samosa
What’s not to love about a crispy flaky outside filled with well-seasoned slightly spicy chicken minced to perfection? Samosa’s are a staple in all desi households and you will often find them as an appetizer of choice at many a desi gathering. There is a reason for their international popularity. They are delicious. If you are not super adventurous with your food choices this is a sure-fire winner and great way to start your meal.
*foodie note: to portion size for the samosas is not large so keep that in mind when ordering for a large group because, lets be honest, no one want to share a samosa.
2. Sizzling Gola Kabab
The dish that had Aamir salivating as soon as he heard it was on the menu. Imagine a hot plate with a soft sizzle and the amazing aroma of onions and well-seasoned beef. The key to a good goal kabab is that it is soft but still holds its shape. These Kababs were perfection. They were spicy and hot and absolutely delicious. We were not disappointed.
*Foodie note– due to the fact that we over- ordered (as per tradition) we ended up having some leftovers. This is a dish that we honestly feel is enjoyed fresh. It was just as delicious the next day but there is something extra about the fresh sizzle. Trust us.
3. Sabri Beef Nihari
Ok. So, this dish carries a LOT of pressure. Why? Many claim that they can make excellent Nihari, some even come close. It’s a huge debate (almost as big as the Best Biryani debate) about where to get the best nihari in Karachi. So, safe to say, we are very passionate about this subject. So how did this Nihari compare? According to Aamir, it was a hit. Not too thick and not too thin. With the right amount of spice. The beef to sauce ratio was perfect. Also, to note, there was not too much unnecessary fat which, although tasty, is only good in sparing amounts.
*Foodie note: this is a SPICY dish for those who are not used to Asian spices levels, you have been warned. It’s a delicious dish and we would highly recommend that even if you are spice averse you give it a taste. – That’s why dessert was invented. Right?
4. The Silver Spoon Paratha Roll
If the goal kabab got Aamir excited, this kabab roll was what got my attention. I love a good kabab roll. Beef or chicken, I don’t discriminate as long as the meat is not dry and there is plenty of sauce. The Paratha (flaky buttery vision of roti) needs to be fresh, flaky, hot, and soft. The cardinal sin, in my humble opinion is if someone makes a paratha roll in a Naan unless requested by the person eating it (why? No clue). This paratha roll was delicious. Great balance of sauce and meat. And the paratha checked all the boxes. Also, I appreciate that this wasn’t a flimsy, small paratha, this was a BIG boy. Very filling.
5. Jalapeño Cheese Naan
This was a last-minute addition. This would normally not be first on our list since we normally would not mix my beloved Mexican cheese and jalapeño with naan. I am a bread purist, and reserve my fusion mixings for deserts and sometimes curries. This was actually brought to our table compliments of Zareen herself. Oh my God. This bread. Do yourself a favor and order this. You will thank me later. This bread was a rich blend of gooey cheese, bits of jalapeño wrapped in fresh naan. Zareen sent this over to us after we had voraciously eaten (and thoroughly enjoyed) the items we had initially ordered so we had leftovers of this as well.
*Foodie note: this was a great snack on the road and was delicious at room temp and, dare I admit, even when it was cold out of the fridge. A winner.
6. Fresh Naan and Sheermal
Nothing and I mean NOTHING goes better with good Pakistani food, than hot, fresh, soft Tandoori Naan. If a place has bad naan it can ruin your entire experience. You want your naan to be fresh and soft and as you can tell from the pictures, this naan hit the spot. Sheermal for those who don’t know, is a sweet, dense relative to naan that is delicious on its own, eaten with BBQ or Gola Kabab or my personal favorite; dipped in Chai. Yummm. make sure you order a sheermal if you have never had one. They are addictive
We Enjoyed the Food to the Max, but Fell in LOVE with Zareen
It was a super busy Sunday and the place was packed. I mentioned to the cashier that I needed a table with good lighting so I could take blog worthy (anything for you guys :)) photos. He pointed to the corner and said, that’s Zareen if you want to say hello. I walked over and introduced myself and she said she would get us a good table for photos. She was in the middle of a meeting with her manager so I l didn’t take up too much of her time. Cut to us eating and one of her servers walked over and delivered the jalapeño cheese naan compliments of Zareen.
She then stopped by and actually sat with us and had a nice chat. She told us the philosophy of her food, how she wanted to keep the taste authentic so that we could show diners from other ethnic origins, just how delicious unaltered authentic Pakistani food it. Despite having two successful locations, she is extremely hands-on with her food preparation and recipes. Drawing from tried and tested family recipes that ensure customers are always coming back for more and happily waiting in line. If you are lucky enough to get into the store on a Saturday or Sunday for Halwa Puri, the chances are, the Puris were made by Zareen herself. She has a community-oriented mentality when it comes to taking care of her staff including subsidized housing. For us Zareen represented the absolute best of a modern female entrepreneur. When we asked about her future plans, we were exhausted just listening to the plans.
Things to know before you go
- Its busy
Like always busy. According to Zareen there is no real sweet spot where the crowds thin out significantly. So be patient and prepared to wait. We promise it’s worth it
- You can’t hold a table
Since the space is small and busy, the restaurant has a policy that you can’t hold a table until you have ordered your food and have your order number. They have helpful staff that are on site to ensure that you find a place to sit once you have your order placed.
- They Sell out of popular Items
As is the case with all good food joints that make the food from scratch, often times they sell out of their popular items. Keep that in mind when you are planning your visit.
*Foodie Note: have a contingency plan and keep a few second options just in case what you really want is unavailable. Don’t worry, there are PLENTY of items on the menu to choose from.
- The Chai is Free
Yes, free. And it’s not, a westernized “chai tea latte”, bleh, it’s an OG family style milk chai. And it’s delicious. There is also a community reminder to enjoy and not waste.
- You can order in advance
If you are on a time crunch, don’t fret, you can still get your delicious on and order ahead.
Final Thoughts
If you want to enjoy some authentic good ‘ol Pakistani food, Zareen’s will satisfy even the most discerning pallet. We are anxiously waiting for a chance head back to the bay area and enjoy some amazing food again. Anddd now I’m hungry… ** I “jokingly” (I was actually serious) asked Zareen if she would open a location in Los Angeles. She laughed and said no. Till next time. Happy Eating!!!!
If you want more info on Zareen’s as well as look at their menu and online ordering options check out their website here
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21 Comments
Wowwww this restaurant looks great!! We definitely have to check it out next time we are there! Wish we knew about this place when we were in SF couple months back ! Thank you for all the helpful tips and sharing your great experiences! The pictures and food recommendations help a lot ! We are always looking for a good halal Pakistani restaurant there every time we visit ! We will definitely try the food items you have recommended!! You guys are great 👍🏼
We are glad we can help. It’s always overwhelming to find good food on the spot so its easier when you have a list of options available. We hope you have a chance to go back to SF and enjoy Zareen’s. Thank you for the love and appreciation 🙂
LOVE that place!! It’s one of my favorite desi food joints in the US, everything we’ve ever tried there has been phenomenal. Just can’t go wrong with them 🙂
Yes absolutely, we 1000% agree. The quality and consistency really is amazing.
Im salivating just reading this review! Cant wait to go there again :p thanks for the menu recommendations!
Oh yes! Mann we are missing Zareen’s delicous food too! Let us know what you end up ordering when you go!! Hopefully we can all safely get back on the road!
What a detailed post with mouthwatering pics😍I never tried this restaurant but will surely do when we goto SFO!
Oh you will LOVE it. Most of her recipes are passed down from her family and everything taste super authentic. Im glad you enjoyed the pictures. They make our mouth wather too 🙂
That’s amazing! I’m going to Pakistan this month and I’m so excited for the food! I had no idea where to find such good food in California.
Ohh mann, enjoy yor trip!!! We are salivating just thinking about all the good food you will get in Pakistan. Eat our share as well! The Bay Area has a lot of gems that have great food. We wish we had more options in LA but its nice to know more people are sharing their talent. Have a safe and enjoyable trip to Pakistan.
I’ve never had Pakistani food but I will definitely add Zareen’s to my list for the next time I’m in San Jose!
Oh Mann.. you will LOVE Pakistani cuisine. Its flavorful and has a kick. I hope you get a chance to experience it soon! If you are not big on super spicy they have mild curry alternatives as well. Just tell them when you are ordering 🙂
I love Zareens! The only thing I missed in Bay area while living in LA… and ever since I have moved here its Zareens every sunday 😁.
But thank you for so many recommendations that I will surely try soon ! Zareen is very hardworking and I have seen her engaging with her customers which is great!
Zareen’s is worth it! Im glad you are enjoying it <3 it really is great to see an entrepreneur that really works with and for the community that they are in. Not gonna lie,we are a little jealous of how close you are to delicious food! Glad you enjoyed the post
Great site! Finally, we found a delicious halal restaurant in the Bay Area.This is the first time we had tried a Pakistani restaurant after reading this blog.You guys are amazing and truly inspiring us to visit more places .These contents are very interesting and well streamlined with lot of images. I highly recommend this site to anyone who likes to travel since it is very useful if you are new to the place or if you want to discover new activities, restaurants or places which you have not been to.
Oh yay! WE are so GLAD you enjoyed the post and are finding our blog and overall site useful 🙂 Please Please feel free to share our site address with your friends and family and let us know if you have any specific questions, we are ALWAYS more than happy to help with travel and food 🙂
Oh My!! I am already hungry and looking forward to trying Zareen’s now, we are taking a trip down to Bay area and I think I know my lunch spot already! That silver spoon roll looks delicious!! Thank you for such a detailed review!
Yasss!! You can order anything on their menu and it is delicous! Say hello to Zareen when you drop in 🙂 Fingers crossed you have a chance to enjoy their weekend halwa puri.. its aaamaazing
Based on your recommendation we visited this restaurant and loved everything we ate there!
Can’t wait to go back and try some more stuff. The Nihari looks amazing. Thank you for this post
YAY, we love Zareens!! We love that their food quality is ALWAYS on point. Even the locals will say they get consistently delicious food! We are glad you found the post helpful!
What a lovely writeup and pics. So glad you loved our food and so very grateful to get such a wonderful review.
Thank you!
– Umair & Zareen