This used to be the best place in the valley. Unfortunately, time has taken it's toll. The hookah quality has gone down hill, the food and service is still great though. The price of the hookah does not justify the quality of the hoolah I recieved on my last visit, there was no flavor, hard to inhale, and when I told them the inhalation is hard they added more coals instead of making me a new head or poking more holes. The prices for the food are typical of any quality restaurant and I commend them for still having such a diverse menu.

I’ve been coming to The Spot in Sherman Oaks for about 20 years, and this place holds a lot of great memories for me. Over the years, I’ve spent countless evenings here with friends, and it has always had a unique atmosphere that keeps bringing you back. Their hookah experience is on another level, the food is consistently great, and the service has always been awesome. There’s just something about The Spot that feels different. It’s not only a place to eat or enjoy hookah—it’s a place where you can relax, spend time with good people, and create memories. Twenty years later, I still enjoy coming here. Definitely one of those longtime Sherman Oaks spots that has earned its reputation.

I had a really disappointing experience at The Spot Hookah Lounge. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere felt off—nothing like the relaxed, welcoming vibe you’d expect from a hookah lounge. The place was poorly managed, and it showed in everything from the long wait times to the lack of attention from staff. The hookah itself was honestly below average. The flavor didn’t last, the setup seemed rushed, and I had to keep asking for basic things that should’ve already been taken care of. It felt like they didn’t care about the quality at all. What made the experience even worse was the owner’s attitude. Instead of being professional or trying to improve the situation, they came off as dismissive and uninterested in customer concerns. It’s frustrating to spend your time and money somewhere that clearly doesn’t value its customers. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone looking for a good hookah experience. There are much better lounges out there that actually care about their service and customers.

The service and staff were warm and welcoming, creating a pleasant dining atmosphere. I ordered the Sultani kabobs—while the Koobideh lacked flavor and didn’t meet my expectations in terms of quality, the Barg was noticeably better and more enjoyable. The complimentary tea refills were a thoughtful touch, and the portion sizes were generous—easily enough for two people. Both the salad and rice were fresh and satisfying. It’s worth noting that many guests seemed to come primarily for the hookah and tea, which adds to the laid-back, social vibe of the place. The place is open until midnight and is busy at night.

The Spot in Encino is one of those places you keep coming back to because it just works. The service is always great, and surprisingly, they have some of the best chicken koobideh I’ve had, especially if you like it spicy. If you ask, they’ll add heat to the koobideh, but honestly their spicy chicken koobideh is already the move. If you don’t want to do a full rice plate, I’d definitely recommend swapping in their Caesar salad, it’s actually really good and doesn’t feel like an afterthought. They also have the Persian Bugs Bunny (carrot juice with ice cream), which a lot of people love and is kind of a classic there. And of course, the hookah; my favorite is the Heisenberg, mainly because of the mint. They usually have sports or the Food Channel on during the day, and at night the vibe shifts; it almost feels like a nightclub. You always end up running into people you know. Solid food, good energy, and a fun place to hang out.