I have never written a bad review in my entire life. This happened about 2–3 months ago, but it still bothers me to this day, so I finally decided to share my experience. After 14 years of living in the middle of America and dealing with racism and uncomfortable treatment on a regular basis, I took a vacation to Anaheim. I was excited to finally try Persian food again after 14 years and to be around my own community for a change instead of constantly feeling like an outsider. For context, I have long dark hair and a long dark beard, so I tend to stand out in a crowd. I ended up going to this restaurant three times during my stay. because it was the only Persian restaurant within walking distance. First visit: It wasn’t terrible, but it was definitely uncomfortable. When I went to pick up my order, the woman at the counter stared at me for a very long time before saying anything. Then she joked that I reminded her of a prophet. I laughed it off even though it felt like one of those backhanded comments you’re not quite sure how to respond to. Second visit: I brought a friend and we sat down to eat. Every time the server interacted with me, she would stare at me for a long, uncomfortable moment before responding. It wasn’t normal eye contact — it felt like she was trying to figure out how she wanted to respond or if she even wanted to respond at all. I was polite the entire time and said thank you each time she brought something, but she never acknowledged it. Meanwhile I watched her interact with other customers in a completely different, much more normal and friendly way. Persians are known for hospitality and warmth, so when it’s missing, it’s very noticeable. Third visit: Even though I originally wanted to sit down again, I decided to just do takeout because I didn’t feel comfortable sitting there and being stared at the whole time. The same employee who had served me previously was now working the front counter. When I asked for my order she again stood there staring silently at me for a long time before going to get it. Instead of bringing the food back to the counter, she walked off in another direction and seemed to be looking for a coworker while holding my order. The whole thing took so long that I eventually walked over, took the food from her, and brought it to the register so I could pay and leave. Even while I was trying to pay, there were long pauses where she held my card and looked around instead of completing the transaction. When another employee came out from the kitchen, she gestured in my direction while still holding my card. At that moment I accidentally made eye contact with the coworker, which made the situation even more awkward. When I asked what was going on, she suddenly said something along the lines of “oh, you have nice hair,” in a tone that didn’t really match the situation. At that point I just smiled, said thank you, paid, and left because I didn’t want to escalate anything or create a scene. What bothered me the most about this experience wasn’t just the service or even the food being dry and stale after waiting 14 years to try Persian food again. It was the feeling of being treated like I didn’t belong — especially in a place where I expected to feel some sense of familiarity and community. After spending so many years dealing with uncomfortable treatment from strangers, this experience stuck with me more than most because it came from my own community — the very place I hoped to feel welcome. Persian culture has always been known for hospitality and warmth. That’s something I’ve always been proud of. Unfortunately, that’s not what I experienced here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Home Cook
Good persian food and friendly service
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sh Rat
On our visit to LA we visited this place twice. Their food is unbelievable. We tried their kubideh twice and every time it was better than before. Their tadiq with ghormeh sabzi and gheymeh was amazing and a must have. I recommend this restaurant 💯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liliana Garcia
The food was pretty bland/plain tasting. They also gave me scorching hot food without warning and I burned the inside of my mouth on the first bite and days later I’m still dealing with pain from this second degree burn!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Juhi Sharma
Not a good restaurant if you are vegetarian.
Theexplorer
I recently visited Hatam Restaurant and overall had a fairly mixed experience. First, I want to highlight the positives, because there are definitely some. The staff were very friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout our visit. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted politely, and the service remained consistent and respectful the entire time. Orders were taken smoothly, the food arrived in a reasonable timeframe, and the staff checked in to make sure everything was okay, which I really appreciated.
The atmosphere is very traditional Persian style, which many people will enjoy. The décor, music, and general vibe clearly reflect Persian culture and give the restaurant a classic, familiar feel. It’s a comfortable place to sit, chat, and enjoy a relaxed meal, especially if you’re looking for a nostalgic Iranian dining experience.
That said, the food quality itself was not the best, in my opinion. While the presentation was decent, the flavors didn’t fully meet expectations. In particular, the lamb chops were disappointing. They had an unpleasant smell and didn’t seem properly marinated, which affected both the taste and overall enjoyment of the dish. For a restaurant that focuses on Persian cuisine, where seasoning and marination are so important, this was a letdown.
Overall, I would say Hatam is okay. The service and atmosphere are strong points, but the food quality could definitely be improved. With better preparation and attention to flavor, it could be a much better dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Joseph Thorpe
Great experience here multiple times. Food is delicious and they treat you like family. My family and I love it here and come to eat here when we visit Disneyland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniella Afshar
Roach in my food and it was alive, I couldn’t even take a picture I was so disgusted….
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
A N
We were visiting Irvine and decided to go this resturant. We sat outside on the patio with my wife and child. The outside windows and walls were extremely dirty, covered in dust and debris. The food is not cheap—$4 for a single glass of dough filled mostly with ice. The waitress barely came by one time to over and a second time to bring the food, yet we were hit with an automatic 18% gratuity on the bill, but they font say anything. On top of that, they still asked for an additional tip at the bottom of the receipt. The owner is double-dipping by charging premium prices for the food and then adding an automatic tip on top. Shady business practice.
A tip is supposed to be based on the quality of service and the food, not automatically given. Definitely not worth the price. We will not be going back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Sabah Fattohi
A must stop by when in CA, drove at least 10 miles to get their but worth every bite. Not sure what to say about the food, you just can't go wrong with any thing you choose. The BBQ white fish was great tonight. The Crispy rice with Kemay and the chicken kubady earlier this week 😋. Love down to earth people. Try the Persian Ice-cream or the Backava for dessert. Did I brag enough or what.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tadig, Chicken Koobideh and Basmati Rice, Soltani, Boneless Chicken Kabob, Lamb Shank, Mixed Appetizer Platter, Borani, Beef and Chicken Koobideh, Persian Ice Cream
Food is delicious! Excellent prices ! One of the female servers is very nosy about costumers private life!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chicken Koobideh and Basmati Rice
Mohsen Nazemi
We has Hatam cater food for our party and they did a wonderful job. The food was excellent and all of our guests also thought it was delicious. The catering service was one of the best we have ever experienced. Hossein Agha was super friendly and met, and exceeded, all of our expectations. I give them a 5 star. Mohsen
Food: 5
Service: 5
Miguel Rodriguez Arce
Had birthday lunch with 3 people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hannah
I’ve been coming to Hatam restaurant for years—both dine-in and takeout—but sadly, it’s been going downhill for a while now. Here’s my observations:
1️⃣ Extremely rude customer service I recently brought an American friend to show off our Persian culture, and I was embarrassed. No greeting when you walk in, no smile, nothing. The restaurant was practically empty, yet the staff acted like doing their job was a favor. When you order by phone, it’s the same attitude—rushed, rude, and unwelcoming. Persian culture is known for warmth and hospitality, but this place gives the opposite impression. This is not how we Persians are!
2️⃣ Bland, tasteless food For the price they charge, the food quality is unacceptable. The kebabs and stews are flavorless, watery compared to nearby competitors like Mission Ranch. Persian food should be rich and aromatic, not bland and forgettable.
3️⃣ Nickel-and-diming on basics On my last takeout order, I was told onion is “complimentary.” Seriously? Every Persian knows that onion is a basic part of any kabob dish—it’s not some special extra. That comment alone was my final straw. Will not be supporting this restaurant again. After 6 years of being a loyal customer.
This used to be a place I loved supporting, but unless they change the management, hire friendlier staff, and improve the food quality, I won’t be coming back. It’s sad to see a place with so much potential go downhill .
I have never written a bad review in my entire life. This happened about 2–3 months ago, but it still bothers me to this day, so I finally decided to share my experience.
After 14 years of living in the middle of America and dealing with racism and uncomfortable treatment on a regular basis, I took a vacation to Anaheim. I was excited to finally try Persian food again after 14 years and to be around my own community for a change instead of constantly feeling like an outsider.
For context, I have long dark hair and a long dark beard, so I tend to stand out in a crowd. I ended up going to this restaurant three times during my stay. because it was the only Persian restaurant within walking distance.
First visit:
It wasn’t terrible, but it was definitely uncomfortable. When I went to pick up my order, the woman at the counter stared at me for a very long time before saying anything. Then she joked that I reminded her of a prophet. I laughed it off even though it felt like one of those backhanded comments you’re not quite sure how to respond to.
Second visit:
I brought a friend and we sat down to eat. Every time the server interacted with me, she would stare at me for a long, uncomfortable moment before responding. It wasn’t normal eye contact — it felt like she was trying to figure out how she wanted to respond or if she even wanted to respond at all. I was polite the entire time and said thank you each time she brought something, but she never acknowledged it. Meanwhile I watched her interact with other customers in a completely different, much more normal and friendly way.
Persians are known for hospitality and warmth, so when it’s missing, it’s very noticeable.
Third visit:
Even though I originally wanted to sit down again, I decided to just do takeout because I didn’t feel comfortable sitting there and being stared at the whole time. The same employee who had served me previously was now working the front counter. When I asked for my order she again stood there staring silently at me for a long time before going to get it.
Instead of bringing the food back to the counter, she walked off in another direction and seemed to be looking for a coworker while holding my order. The whole thing took so long that I eventually walked over, took the food from her, and brought it to the register so I could pay and leave.
Even while I was trying to pay, there were long pauses where she held my card and looked around instead of completing the transaction. When another employee came out from the kitchen, she gestured in my direction while still holding my card. At that moment I accidentally made eye contact with the coworker, which made the situation even more awkward.
When I asked what was going on, she suddenly said something along the lines of “oh, you have nice hair,” in a tone that didn’t really match the situation. At that point I just smiled, said thank you, paid, and left because I didn’t want to escalate anything or create a scene.
What bothered me the most about this experience wasn’t just the service or even the food being dry and stale after waiting 14 years to try Persian food again. It was the feeling of being treated like I didn’t belong — especially in a place where I expected to feel some sense of familiarity and community.
After spending so many years dealing with uncomfortable treatment from strangers, this experience stuck with me more than most because it came from my own community — the very place I hoped to feel welcome.
Persian culture has always been known for hospitality and warmth. That’s something I’ve always been proud of. Unfortunately, that’s not what I experienced here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Good persian food and friendly service
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
On our visit to LA we visited this place twice. Their food is unbelievable. We tried their kubideh twice and every time it was better than before. Their tadiq with ghormeh sabzi and gheymeh was amazing and a must have. I recommend this restaurant 💯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was pretty bland/plain tasting. They also gave me scorching hot food without warning and I burned the inside of my mouth on the first bite and days later I’m still dealing with pain from this second degree burn!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Not a good restaurant if you are vegetarian.
I recently visited Hatam Restaurant and overall had a fairly mixed experience. First, I want to highlight the positives, because there are definitely some. The staff were very friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout our visit. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted politely, and the service remained consistent and respectful the entire time. Orders were taken smoothly, the food arrived in a reasonable timeframe, and the staff checked in to make sure everything was okay, which I really appreciated.
The atmosphere is very traditional Persian style, which many people will enjoy. The décor, music, and general vibe clearly reflect Persian culture and give the restaurant a classic, familiar feel. It’s a comfortable place to sit, chat, and enjoy a relaxed meal, especially if you’re looking for a nostalgic Iranian dining experience.
That said, the food quality itself was not the best, in my opinion. While the presentation was decent, the flavors didn’t fully meet expectations. In particular, the lamb chops were disappointing. They had an unpleasant smell and didn’t seem properly marinated, which affected both the taste and overall enjoyment of the dish. For a restaurant that focuses on Persian cuisine, where seasoning and marination are so important, this was a letdown.
Overall, I would say Hatam is okay. The service and atmosphere are strong points, but the food quality could definitely be improved. With better preparation and attention to flavor, it could be a much better dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Great experience here multiple times. Food is delicious and they treat you like family. My family and I love it here and come to eat here when we visit Disneyland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roach in my food and it was alive, I couldn’t even take a picture I was so disgusted….
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We were visiting Irvine and decided to go this resturant. We sat outside on the patio with my wife and child. The outside windows and walls were extremely dirty, covered in dust and debris. The food is not cheap—$4 for a single glass of dough filled mostly with ice. The waitress barely came by one time to over and a second time to bring the food, yet we were hit with an automatic 18% gratuity on the bill, but they font say anything. On top of that, they still asked for an additional tip at the bottom of the receipt. The owner is double-dipping by charging premium prices for the food and then adding an automatic tip on top.
Shady business practice.
A tip is supposed to be based on the quality of service and the food, not automatically given. Definitely not worth the price. We will not be going back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
A must stop by when in CA, drove at least 10 miles to get their but worth every bite. Not sure what to say about the food, you just can't go wrong with any thing you choose. The BBQ white fish was great tonight. The Crispy rice with Kemay and the chicken kubady earlier this week 😋. Love down to earth people. Try the Persian Ice-cream or the Backava for dessert. Did I brag enough or what.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tadig, Chicken Koobideh and Basmati Rice, Soltani, Boneless Chicken Kabob, Lamb Shank, Mixed Appetizer Platter, Borani, Beef and Chicken Koobideh, Persian Ice Cream
Restaurantji Recommends
Food is delicious! Excellent prices ! One of the female servers is very nosy about costumers private life!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chicken Koobideh and Basmati Rice
We has Hatam cater food for our party and they did a wonderful job. The food was excellent and all of our guests also thought it was delicious. The catering service was one of the best we have ever experienced. Hossein Agha was super friendly and met, and exceeded, all of our expectations. I give them a 5 star.
Mohsen
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had birthday lunch with 3 people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been coming to Hatam restaurant for years—both dine-in and takeout—but sadly, it’s been going downhill for a while now. Here’s my observations:
1️⃣ Extremely rude customer service
I recently brought an American friend to show off our Persian culture, and I was embarrassed. No greeting when you walk in, no smile, nothing. The restaurant was practically empty, yet the staff acted like doing their job was a favor. When you order by phone, it’s the same attitude—rushed, rude, and unwelcoming. Persian culture is known for warmth and hospitality, but this place gives the opposite impression. This is not how we Persians are!
2️⃣ Bland, tasteless food
For the price they charge, the food quality is unacceptable. The kebabs and stews are flavorless, watery compared to nearby competitors like Mission Ranch. Persian food should be rich and aromatic, not bland and forgettable.
3️⃣ Nickel-and-diming on basics
On my last takeout order, I was told onion is “complimentary.” Seriously? Every Persian knows that onion is a basic part of any kabob dish—it’s not some special extra. That comment alone was my final straw. Will not be supporting this restaurant again. After 6 years of being a loyal customer.
This used to be a place I loved supporting, but unless they change the management, hire friendlier staff, and improve the food quality, I won’t be coming back. It’s sad to see a place with so much potential go downhill .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Loved the food. In love with beef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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