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Aladdin Gourmet International, Inc.
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Middle Eastern, Ethnic Food
208 E Hillsdale BlvdSan Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 574-7288
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Sun 9:30 am - 7 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
82 reviews for Aladdin Gourmet International, Inc.
Review Highlights
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"But the crowning glory of Aladdin is the pita bread." In 10 reviews -
"My hummus sandwich is simple yet fresh." In 23 reviews -
"But the chicken shawerma was great - perfectly seasoned..." In 7 reviews
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82 reviews in English
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Review from Claire W.
Another great find from Yelp! I've driven by this place a million times but from the look of outside I would never have thought they have great foods at their deli section as it looks like just a middle eastern grocery store and I wouldn't usually shop at a middle eastern grocery store.
Four stars for their lamb shawerwa only. I was craving a quick dinner last night before heading out to a wine tasting event in Palo Also, so Aladdin's lamb wrap sounded just about right as it is close by where I work. I learned that if you are going west on Hillsdale Blvd towards the mall, then you should make a left to Saratoga Dr. and go around the Pike Lane on the right to get to the front of the store, as you cannot make a left turn from E. Hillsdale Blvd to the store front.
Once I made it inside the store around 5:30 pm, I saw many baked goodies (all sorts of middle eastern pies and cakes, baklava, etc) inside the counter at the deli section. I was hoping to get their fresh-off-the-oven pita bread but the basket was empty! I placed my order and the young guy started grilling my meat and heating up the pie I ordered. I looked around and the store is huge and have produces, groceries, etc; nothing fancy but it is clean and the guys working there were friendly.
Lamb wrap - $7.99. This is huge and the "pull lamb" (as opposed to pull pork) was so tender and tasted so good! I don't know how they do it but I swear the pull lamb tasted like beef, so if you are afraid of lamb but like beef, you might wanna give this a try and who knows you may change your mind about lamb! I love the slightly tangy and spicy sauce (spiciness optional) and the hummus, which makes the lamb very juicy, and the tomatoes, chopped onions and pickles all work very well in the wrap with the meat. I could only eat half of it and saved the other half for next meal. If you like Waterfront Pizza's shawerma dishes you might wanna give Aladin a try as it is a couple dollars cheaper here but the food is as good!
Spinach and feta pie - $1.5. This was just so-so. Maybe it would have tasted better if it was fresh out of the oven? By the time I bought it and he re-heated it the bread was real hard and had not much flavor to it. The inside filling was dry and the spinach was very acidic (with vinegar?), which was not what I had expected, having tasted the soft, cheesy, delicious cheese pie from Waterfront Pizza.
I chatted with the young guy at the cashier's counter and he said they are from a variety of middle eastern countries, Lebanon, Palestin, etc. and they take at least two days to make hummus (including soaking, cooking the beans, grinding and seasoning) and that was why it is so creamy. I love hummus and will definitely have to go back and get their hummus.Listed in: Mid Peninsula Restaurants, Middle Eastern Restaurants
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Review from Kathy S.
3/13/2012
I guess I look middle eastern as people were saying excuse me in a foreign language as I perused the aisles. At least, I think they were saying excuse me...
I found some good prices on filo dough and curry mixes. This is a good place for frozen/canned/jarred middle eastern goods. Their produce selection and restaurant wasn't so appealing. Their veggies weren't the best quality and the food didn't look very hygienic.
If you want tabouli, go to Trader Joe's. A small serving here costs $5.75 and it's $2.75 at TJ's. Just that alone should make you weary of the pricing scheme.
I don't know if I could call this place gourmet but it definitely is international. Worthy of a visit, but not somewhere I would go on a regular basis. -
Review from Crystal C.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012
Oh Aladdin, you are my guilty pleasure when I'm in San Mateo because of your impossible-to-back-out parking spaces. But still I risk getting rear-ended because those oh-so-delicious shawarma wraps keep me coming back. Keep on doing your thang Aladdin!
P.S. I get the kefta kebab wrap and it's always warm, always delicious, and great for a warm Saturday afternoon. -
Review from Lavender T.
San Francisco, CA
5/6/2012
I always pick up lunch here on the day I feel healthy, fresh and good Mediterranean food!
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Review from LARISA M.
3/26/2012
Ordered a platter of food from Aladdin through Waiters on Wheels for a company lunch and overall the quality was fine but a little expensive for Mediterranean food. We got skewers of lamb, beef and chicken and a platter of hummus, falafel and other appetizer items. Unfortunately, nothing really memorable about this place.
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Review from Richard A.
Cupertino, CA
Updated - 3/22/2012
Time to update this review and upgrade from two to four stars. A couple of years ago, this place changed ownership again, and they expanded... big time. They now dominate the building they're in. The food is great, the menu has expanded as much as the shop, they have a butcher, and the folks are always friendly. If you're hungry for a gyro, a falafel or meat plate, or a pizza with a Mediterranean flair, this is the place to eat.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/12/2007
Very good, authentic Mediterranean cuisine. It's a small shop, crammed to the rafters with goods… Read more »
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Review from Danielle R.
San Francisco, CA
3/12/2012
Their beef shawerma wrap is the business. It's DELICIOUS. I've also had the lamb which isn't my favorite but the beef keeps bringing me back. They also have really cheap medeterranian spices which is awesome. Pretty inexpensive, quick service. THere isnt a lot of places to sit as its mostly a grocery store, but on a nice day there's seating outside. All in all, one of my fav lunch spots in the area.
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Review from Carla B.
11/15/2011
Good, but not exceptional hummus and baba ganoush. The spinach pie was horrible - sour tasting and git tossed after one bite. Selection of housemade products better than in most Middle Eastern groceries.
The woman behind the counter told me that she makes everything herself! -
Review from alexandra n.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2011
This market just did a major facelift! I LOVE IT! its clean, its fresh, its friendly and authentic!
The new kitchen staff is fun! Especially Lana! Her cooking is delicious and she has a memorable character.
I have tried to find a good Middle Eastern Market for a while and have searched around the bay area.... for me, this place is it. Other markets will give you stale nuts....not so fresh produce and bad falafels! Aladdin Deli & Market hits the spot on all levels!
Good representation of culture, and they even have some good Turkish brands in there! I recommend trying out the Deli and pick up some items in the market while you are at it! OH & I cant leave out the fact that their "Kaak" is amazing! I really closed my eyes and felt I was back home. The Fire oven is perfect. -
Review from Alena R.
San Bruno, CA
9/8/2011
Wow!! this place looks amazing after the remodel!! If it wasn't for the original green awning out front you would have never guessed it was the same place!
I ordered the Spicy Beef Shawarma. The pita bread was fantastic! Warm and help up real nicely for the sandwich. Unfortunately the beef was very chewy and not tender. The spices the meat was marinated in surely helped. My friend ordered the Chicken Schawarma which was out of this world. Chicken was tender and moist with lots of flavor.
I also picked up a spinach and feta pie. It was freshly made and less than $2 so I had to try. It was perfect. It tasted like a warm spanakopita wrapped in pizza dough with little surprises of lemon! A definite treat!
I will surely be back!! -
Review from Laura K.
San Mateo, CA
1/31/2012
New in town, but staying around the corner from this little shop. Love the chicken schwerma, especially because the sauce didn't have a ton of cumin! Great hummus, babaganoush, and tabouli too!
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Review from Rita H.
San Mateo, CA
4/3/2011
I remember this place being around since I was like 15, and for years I wondered how in the world they managed to stay in business. For those of you that remember, this used to be a *hole in the wall with bad service, questionable quality of products, and a pension for over-charging. Now, since I am in my thirties, it's good to see that some things don't change, and despite this spiraling economy, the new Aladdin still manages to maintain the same "high" level of standard as it's always has.
Because I am middle eastern, I can say without reservation, these dudes just don't like the ladies. I'll stop there before I stir any feathers. But really, it wouldn't hurt business if you guys smiled once in a while and didn't seem so put out by assisting a patron of your finely newly remodeled establishment. -
Review from Dee Z.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 12/13/2011
I didn't realize they remodeled; was about to walk into a restaurant - talk about getting thrown off...just happened to look down the ways to see they took over and remodeled an old store. It's now so much cleaner and brighter and way more welcoming. The deli has expanded to include lots of desserts!!!! Yeah!!! One word - Kushta...I could eat a dozen of them...rolled up in shredded phyllo dough...delicious. Kibbee is still some of the best in the area.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/17/2010
Love Aladdin for the middle eastern groceries and halal meat. It's a little disconcerting to see the… Read more »
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Review from Erin S.
5/6/2011
What is good about this place?
1. The hot, chewy sesame pita they are cooking all day in the open oven is FANTASTIC- I crave it:)
2. The hummus is delicious as are all the salads and sauces.
3. The falafel is crunchy and chewy and terrific.
4. The grilled meats are magnificent.
5. The prices are just right.
What I will try next:
1. Pizza from the hot oven
2. We ordered a platter for a party....will see how that turns out and get back to you-
Whats needs work?
1. The ladies behind the counter are very sweet. But, they don't understand very much if any English...I think one of the ladies does. So, it is hard to learn about the products if one of the owners isn't around to help translate.
I am not sure why people think that the folks aren't friendly to women. I have always been treated with great respect and courtesy. Perhaps you aren't smiling and in turn, they aren't either? -
Review from Celeste S.
El Granada, CA
4/29/2011
I ordered food from here for a company lunch today. They arrived on time (the time I requested they deliver) and the delivery guy was friendly and helpful. When I placed my order they were helpful in my ordering with suggestions.
The food was great. Now, I'm not a Med food expert but I really liked it. And those at work who do eat Mediterranean food a lot said it was fantastic. We had chicken schwarmas and falafel wraps along with a couple large meza platters. The falafel was GREAT. As was the hummus. I could have eaten all those until I exploded.
I would definitely order from here again. -
Review from Lisa H.
Hayward, CA
10/28/2010
I've been here twice, but I won't be back.
I stopped in a few weeks ago to try their Schawarmas. We both got beef, and they were very very good, absolutely delicious. Everyone was nice, it was a good experience. The next time we went in, last week, was a bit different. Most of the people were really nice, except the guy at the register, who seemed like the boss. He was openly hostile and unfriendly, and he charged us a dollar more for each schawarma than we'd been charged last time. And he charged us $7 for a small package of cookies! None of the items we got had prices posted on them, so we couldn't exactly argue.
It was very strange to be trying to spend money at a business who clearly not only doesn't want your money, but also really doesn't want you in their store at all. That may go over fine in the mideast, but it's not very appropriate in San Mateo in 2010. -
Review from Jellie J.
Portola Valley, CA
1/7/2012
I came into Aladdin today hoping to try out some good Meditteranean food. Unfortunately, I was so disgusted by the filth and stench that I could not stomach eating lunch here. An odor hung upon the market that lingered in my nose well afterwards. I would have staid, but once I saw some of the orders of other clients I decided this was a no-go. The food looked old, plain and cheap. I myself come from the meditteranean region and am very well aware as to what the cuisine should look and taste like. This is a faux establishment that seriously needs a visit from the health inspector. Will not be returning here.
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Review from Racquel R.
San Carlos, CA
4/12/2011
They had me at first bite! I ordered a chicken shawerma wrap and it was delicious! I went in with a group of coworkers who are regulars there. So there were a total of 8 of us. Despite all the bad reviews about poor customer service and bad to women..I thankfully didn't get that feeling.
I tasted some of what the others had ordered as well and gave me some ideas of other things to order. The woman at the deli was very patient with us - explaining what everything had. So overall, my experience was positive - leading me to actually crave going back. So keeping my first trip there in memory - I'm a new fan of this place. It was definitely a nice surprise! -
Review from Robin B.
Atherton, CA
11/9/2011
A friend told me I needed to go to Aladdin to get some great hummus. Having spent time in the Middle East, I'm picky... I have driven past a ton of times, always saying to myself 'I'll stop next time'. I could KICK myself. It is AMAZING hummus. I'm so happy! Now, I can't speak for the rest of the foods because I didn't have any (yet) but if this is any kind of hint... :-)
I will be back, and soon! The woman next to me said the falafel is amazing too.
People were very nice and helpful. -
Review from Peter G.
San Mateo, CA
3/29/2011
Their recipe for falafel is outstanding, and I've eaten many falafels while traveling in the Middle East. I would rather buy my lamb cuts here than at some supermarket chain due to the prices and the high turn over.
Many thanks that this place is here to stay. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Belmont, CA
3/5/2009 3 photos
I've been holding off on reviewing Aladdin until I tried it enough times to see what I really think of the place as a whole.
What they're doing right:
+ Superior pita selection, including Hamati Bread (which is really thick, nice pita - not the thin stuff most places have).
+ Delicious Aladdin house-made bread, hot and fresh out of their oven (if you time it right - they baked some today, which was covered in sesame seeds).
+ Falafel sandwich (wrapped like a burrito) is tasty and has a nice kick to it.
+ Shawerma is okay (very popular), but I prefer the falafel.
+ Expansive menu with lots of fresh options (tabouli, spicy eggplant/mousaka, tahini salad, and Greek salad are worth getting).
+ Staff can sometimes be very friendly, albeit inconsistent.
What they need to work on:
- Greet your customers when they arrive - I don't think I've ever felt welcome when I'm trying to order, which is bad for business. A smile, hello, and eye contact would do wonders. "May I help you?" would probably increase sales and repeat customers.
- Feng shui your store a little - the line to order food is confusing, especially when customers are sometimes ignored.
- Change your hummus recipe - it is inedible for me.
- Mujadara (lentils with rice and sautéed onions) isn't fabulous.
- Though our rotisserie chicken was moist and seemed a good value at $6.99, it was borderline undercooked and surprisingly fatty (unusual for rotisserie chicken)
I appreciate their house-baked bread, extensive pita selection, and falafel. There are other menu items I'm looking forward to tasting as well.Listed in: Middle Eastern Faves
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Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/21/2009
I have to deduct a star despite the chicken shawerma. I saw some Turkish bread (they look like round buns) in Ziploc bags. They only had the plain kind but sometimes they have olive and cheese filled ones. I was intrigued but I noticed some mold on the bread. I also saw mold on another type of bread (flat bread).
I decided to try the beef shawerma wrap. While the beef was sliced thinly and seasoned well, some pieces were too chewy and tough. Also the usual guy didn't make the wrap and the other guy isn't as good at assembly. I still like how they add hot sauce to the wrap and use the softer kuboos bread but the beef shawerma was a bit disappointing.
It's chicken shawerma for me from now on (though I'm still curious about the Armenian beef sausage).Listed in: Supermarkets and food markets, Deli rundown, Shawerma obsession, Restaurants close to downtown…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/6/2009
Now I know why they ran out of chicken shawerma during my other visit - it's fabulous. Aladdin… Read more »
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Review from Karen r.
San Mateo, CA
4/28/2011
I think the food is really great. I've had the schawerma plate and the veggie plate (with falafel, hummus, etc). But I agree with other reviewers about the service. It is NOT good. I've been there 3 times, and each time I'm ignored, even when they're not busy and clearly not doing anything else.
Once I finally place my order, I wait around some more until I get my food. Then when I pay, I just get the distinct feeling that the people who work there believe they're doing me a huge favor by allowing me to purchase food there.
It's bizarre.
But my husband loves their food, so we might be back. Who knows, maybe he would get better service. -
Review from Asha S.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2010 5 photos
This review is for the store, not the deli. (Tempted to "Add a Business" so ratings for one won't influence the other. Just seems like a cheap shot at an FTR though..)
We stopped by here to pick up charcoal for the hookah we bought a few days ago. I was pleased to find a decent variety of items - from breads to hummus to spices.. snacks, hookah flavors, and charcoal, too. The selection of hookahs was rather limited, though.
If I cooked, I probably would've been excited about all the ingredients I could find here. -
Review from Joseph F.
San Francisco, CA
7/10/2009
Wow. Is bias due to cultural heritage somethign you're supposed to disclose in a review? (if so, alot of mexicans have some 'splainin to do).
this place is DELICIOUS! I was absolutely amazed at the authenticity of the food, decor and overall vibe of this place.
I'm Lebanese, and have been back to the motherland a handful of times. This was like taking a walk back. The falafel was perfect. A little oily, great texture, and deep fried to perfection.
The babaganoush and hummous followed suit, with the baba nice and creamy and the hummous having just the right texture (israeli hummous tends to be a little to thick for my tastes). The only think i noticed that was different was the "tahini salad"... but that's only because I typically eat tahini alone, not mixed in with cucumbers and tomatoes etc.
OOH and the decor. yeah... this place is in a grocery store. Yeah... there's a butcher shop too. HENCE WHY IT"S AUTHENTIC!
trust me. You're lucky they aren't slaughtering goats on the front sidewalk hehe. Hookas, Zatar, REAL pita (it's thinner and better than the usual american crap) and god help me they even have Lahme bajeen and mineesh (arabians pardon me for my horrible spelling, I've been horribly assimilated) made fresh to order.
I'll be back for the shawarma and from the looks of it I'll be re-reviewing with another 5 stars.
Shoo Habibe? AMAZING!Listed in: A respite from despair
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Review from Ali A.
Foster City, CA
9/14/2011
My friend and I both ordered the spicy chicken shawerma and it was good--and "Yay! I'm a fan."
My girlfriend grew up in Saudi Arabia and said that it was the best shwarma she's had since then. The chicken was so tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The lavash was very fresh and I also loved everything inside the wrap: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and sesame-tahini sauce. I am definitely going back and try the lamb, beef, and falafel wraps/plates as well as one of the many "pies" that looked really good.
The customer service was good. We were greeted with a smile by one male and two female workers. The cashier didn't smile, but wasn't rude. (Perhaps they've been reading the Yelp reviews?) -
Review from prista c.
Palo Alto, CA
2/24/2008
This is a good place for cheap, no frill take-out Middle Eastern food.
I had the lamb shawerma which was very tasty. The meat was tender, well marinated, mixed with grilled peppers and served with a side of lettuce, hummus (very hearty and good), and tabbouleh (slightly too much parsley but nicely limey). I also ordered a side of falafael, which was darn cheap at $1.95 for 1/2 dozen. The falafaels were good, mildly flavored with a moist interior and crunchy exterior, even after 15 minutes of sitting in the bag . The mousaka was also good. You can also watch them make fresh pita bread there too.
This really is a take-out place. I really don't recommend eating there, there are only a couple of tables inside and it's not exactly the most inviting place for a meal. None of the other reviewers mentioned this but the other incentive for doing take-out is that I got slightly freaked by the dissected lamb skull with intact eyeballs in the meat section, next to where you order the deli. Definitely go for take out.Listed in: Cheap eats around Palo Alto
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Review from Vivek N.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2008
Went there to pick up a sandwich and walked out like I was going to feed a family of 12. First their shawermas, different from what you get at most places:
- Its not Lavash bread, actually kuboos (which is a good thing)
- Meat is finely chopped and not big chunks (way to go)
overall pretty good , but may be a bit oily.
- A lot closer to what you may expect to eat in the middle east (as compared to Truly Med, or Ali Babas cave).
Was thrilled to see that they have Halloumi cheese, if you have not eaten it, give it a shot. It is AMAZING if you:
- cube em
- skewer em
- grill em.
Walid seemed like a really nice guy and was helpful too. They carry pretty much everything you will need if you are planning a middle eastern feast. Ive only been here once, and certainly plan on going back. If at all me experience sways, Ill be sure to update this posting.
Having grown up in the Middle East, I could appreciate a lot of the -
Review from Kimberly S.
San Mateo, CA
6/29/2010
I've heard Aladdin grills meat outside on the weekends, but not sure what time. We showed up around 2:30 on a Saturday and it looked like they just got done grilling. Darn! So we walked in and just ordered at the deli counter. Falafel wrap for me, chicken shawerma wrap for him.
I tasted Alhana's falafel sandwich about a week prior to this trip so I wanted to compare the two. And after my first bite, I decided Alhana's was much better. The falafels in my wrap didn't have that crunchy exterior and the spices were a bit lacking. But the chicken shawerma was great - perfectly seasoned, spicy, and just tasty!
If I knew they had fresh bread baking in the oven, I would have definitely ordered some! Just for that I'll have to come back, but I'm sticking to the meat dishes.Listed in: My New Hood - San Mateo!, More Than PB&J
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Review from kim n.
7/19/2007
Pretty solid Mediterranean food. The corner where it's located which is an intersection of Hillsdale and a frontage road made it somewhat hard to get through and at first I tried to sneak through the adjacent gas station lot but it was full. So I turned around and parked next to BevMo and the Tacos Peralta truck (which I'll try next time I'm in the area).
The place is wall to wall with groceries and such and it's pretty darn cramped. We had to zig zag around to avoid being fire hazards since there were a handful of other shoppers. I got the kofta kabob and my co-worker went for the beef shawerma. It's a shame we could not get either the beef or lamb kabob plates since they were said to be catering only. I was craving a lamb kabob. On top of that I got some sort of meat filled pastry called a kubeh. The plates came with tabouleh, baba ganoush, hummus, a small side salad and bread. Lot's of food for about $10. The other interesting thing I got were the Israeli nectar drinks called Galil.
The people are pretty nice and there are tons of goods that I'd like to go shopping for one of these days. Maybe when I check out Tacos Peralta I'll give the store goods a whirl.Listed in: Skewered Meats and Falafels!
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Review from shelley n.
Daly City, CA
4/21/2008
My 2 stars are mainly for the service. 3 stars for the falafel.
Had the falafel which was nothing spectacular i know much better down the road. Also agree with the comments on the service. I wasnt sure who to order my food from and who to pay or anything. The person behind the counter was not very friendly and then kinda just threw our falafels on the counter not explaining to go over and pay at the register. Yeah common sense you would think that, but there was also somebody at the other end whom i maybe thought took the money. Service was just not that friendly.
Probably will not be going back. -
Review from Goodbers G.
Mountain View, CA
8/17/2006
My husband and I love this place. Mostly, we go for the deli: he gets the beef shawarma, I get the hummus sandwich. The beef, thinly sliced, is flavorful and juicy. My husband inhales his meal in about three minutes (it's normal-size though). My hummus sandwich is simple yet fresh. The smooth and ultra-garlicky spread is topped with crisp, unwilted lettuce and wrapped in a soft, doughy pita. Our meal comes to about ten bucks. There are a couple plastic tables and chairs out front, but don't expect anything fancy. Aladdin's is a low-key, around-the-corner kind of place: quick, tasty, and filling. We like it that way.
As for the market, I haven't purchased much besides spices (good selection and reasonably priced) and take-out hummus and pita bread (yum!). I do hope to try the baklava soon.
Aladdin's also offers party platters and catering services. I haven't tried that yet either. -
Review from Benjy W.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2007
One of the hardest things about moving to the States from Israel was missing out on great Middle-Eastern cuisine. For all its culinary greatness, the bay area has yet to master Middle-Eastern food. There's no good hummus anywhere, and the paper-thin wisps of bread that American supermarkets refer to as "pita" are simply awful.
Now I've never eaten any of the deli food at Aladdin, but the market side is my lifeline. Good imports from Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan mean you can get good labane, hummus, pickles and so on. They also have a reasonable selection of Israeli snacks and sweets (Bamba, anyone?)
But the crowning glory of Aladdin is the pita bread. They are the only retailer I've found in the bay area that sell Ross' Gourmet Bakery pita bread. Finally, a thick, soft, delicious spongy pita, as it was meant to be. Be sure you're getting that day's delivery, and not two day old stale pita. Ironically the bakery is a five minute drive from my house, but they don't sell direct to consumer. So I have to get down to San Mateo. Still, it's worth every mile.
Update: Fanny's Market in the tendernob sells Ross' pita as well. They don't get them in fresh every day, but you can buy them frozen on the off days. Defrost them for 60 seconds in a microwave and they'll be as good as fresh, guaranteed. -
Review from Sonali A.
Palo Alto, CA
10/14/2007
I cant vouch much for their groceries, but I sure can say something about their deli. They have quite a good selection of some dishes.. I love the mujadarah [lentils and rice, with onions on top], the eggplant moussaka, the chicken shawerma sandwich wrap in pita. All of this is excellent. I havent tried much other stuff here.
There isnt much place to sit and eat.. there are a couple of tables right outside the store. Its best for take-out instead.
Oh, and they also sell a variety of feta cheese which is really good too. You can sample a bite before you buy. -
Review from Boola B.
San Mateo, CA
1/29/2009
I wanted to like this place. Really. They have a lot of stuff in a relatively small space. I got the impression that time really does run differently inside this store -- got to wondering if they were actually interested in serving their customers in a timely fashion or if everybody had to have a leisurely chat and social time first.
Dunno, maybe it's a cultural thing. I'm just not used to taking 20 mins to buy a couple of grocery items. WTF! Many of the items don't have prices marked, so it's a guessing game - until you get to the register and get sticker shock. Then they give you static because now they have to put the unpriced stuff back in the freezer at the back of the store.
The music and TV were loud, and the place had that "oh yeah, we hang out here all day with our family and friends and groove" kind of vibe. If you're part of the friends/family, I suppose it's great...but if you're just trying to get some food, it's a bit annoying.
YMMV. -
Review from Dan L.
San Francisco, CA
5/13/2009
Don't be afraid of the fact that this is a convenient store, or the dead goats hanging in the back....becuase this place has great food.
The chicken or lamb schawerma and the fallafel are both very very good. You can get it in a wrap for 6.99 or pay a dollar more to get the plate, which comes with salad, pita bread and choice of two sides (hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh etc.) -
Review from Misha T.
8/8/2009
I've driven by this place like literally my entire life without going in, my parents recently started going here and told me they had a kitchen.
after my adventure taming the great southern Californian wilderness i've developed a greater appreciation for middle eastern food and the news of a kitchen there was exciting since i need to be able to get my fix on the peninsula too.
aladdin didn't disappoint, the kefta kebabs were flavorful and juicy enough, the meat pie i split with my parents was awesome, sucker was the size of a medium pizza and was covered in all sorts of aromatic meats and stuff. I highly recommend that pie, it was like only 3 bucks!
i shoulda got one of those bbq's tomatoes, that would have been the cherry on top, or tomato i guess...
they would have got an extra star for the pic of a genie coming out of a lamp holding a plate of food and throwing a thumbs up but they also lost that extra star when they used the disney alladin font for their store -
Review from Kay M.
Belmont, CA
8/30/2010
Aladdin Market is like an Oasis of good, well-priced Middle Eastern food in the great white desert that stretches from Palo Alto to San Francisco. Seriously. I've been looking for some good Shawerma in the area for yearrrs, and had not found anything that wasn't sit-down or expensive.
My friend and I went around lunch time on a week day and it wasn't busy at all. I ordered the beef shawerma plate and a side of Musaka (a spicy eggplant dish, no like the greek Moussaka), she got the chicken kebab plate. I'm going to reveal right now that I compare just about all shawerma to Middle Eastern wraps on California in Palo Alto. I used to work over there and lunch there would always be the highlight of my week.
SO, this place does not get 5 stars because they just aren't quite as awesome. I wish their meat was a little more tender and flavorful. The Musaka I tried was decent, but the eggplant also should have been softer, I felt there wasn't enough delicacy in the seasoning. BUT overall this place was really good. The portions were huge, for under 10 bucks. With our meat we were given Hummus, Tabouleh, Baba Ghanoush, A veggie and feta salad, and some cucumber yogurt sauce. All the sides were really fresh and well made.
I will definitely be going back here. Looking to try a wrap and see how their falafel is. -
Review from Syed B.
Oakland, CA
5/31/2008
Quick, filling, and cheap. I can't say I've been disappointed by any of the Mediterranean dishes at Al's.
They now feature personal sized pizzas, whch tend to be hit or miss based on how the pizza lady wants to make them that day. But at $2.99 a pie, it's quite the steal.
Why the 3 stars? The service. Slow, confusing, unorganized. It's an adventure ordering your food everytime you go.
Going to Aladdin's is like your birthday. You're excited about it, but there's a lot of surprises. Sometimes you get exactly what you wanted, other times, not so much. -
Review from Michelle B.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2009
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this yet!
Anyway, this place isn't just a supermarket where you can buy mostly imported stuff from the Middle East but it also has a deli. You know what that means: shawerma! Back home (in Saudi Arabia) chicken and beef shawermas sold for 3 riyals a roll but here, they jacked up the prices to $6.45 (exchange rate is $1 per 3+ riyals). Putting prices aside, their shawerma tastes ALMOST the same as the original one. I wouldn't say it's authentic but it sure is close! I would recommend the lamb shawerma. It's a delicious change from what Americans regularly eat.
As I mentioned, the place also has a supermarket/grocery store to satisfy your Middle Eastern pantry. Spices, tea, breads (the "pita bread" Americans call is what we called "kahbus"), hookahs and they even have CDs from Arabic-speaking stars! Hello, Nancy Agram! I miss listening to her...I should also mention that they have candies and chocolates I only saw back home and not in the U.S. They has Lion and Cadbury and KINDER! I was kinda surprised.
This place made me feel like I was home again. But when I stepped outside, I was back to reality. Like, oh, I'm in Hillsdale again =[ LOL
