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Aladdin Halal
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Restaurants Halal Middle Eastern, Halal [Edit]
121 Allyn StHartford, CT 06117
Neighborhood: Downtown
(860) 278-0202
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Aladdin Halal
Review Highlights
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"i absolutely adore the pizza though." In 12 reviews -
"It is reasonably priced." In 3 reviews -
"Delicious falafel pita and lentil soup." In 9 reviews
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26 reviews in English
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Review from Daniela R.
West Hartford, CT
2/29/2012
We used Aladdin Halal's catering service for a function at school, we got A LOT for our money, the food was delivered on time and beautifully arranged, and an entire room of faculty, students, and staff were very pleased with the quality and taste, including more than one person who was happy to be able to eat because it was halal. (We had a speaker give a lecture on the Middle East, so we wanted to serve authentic Middle Eastern food, and we got what we paid for!)
Two days later, my husband and I went to restaurant for dinner. Two days before, I was unable to stay for the entire lecture because I had to teach a class, so I never got to try the food, but it looked so good, and people were raving about it the next day, so we made the trip to the actual restaurant (easy to find parking, though you need to look for the name under the building's awning or you might miss it.) He and I were completely satisfied with our meals--I had the vegetarian combo, which was so plentifully arranged I could not finish it all (not typical for me), and he got a meal that came with lamb and ate every bite. We also had the best dolmas (grape leaves) with a very unique spice and we shared a kibbeh which was excellent.
I asked to speak to the manager to thank him for the great catering job from two days before, and he was so nice he brought us some free dessert, which was very good, especially the herrisa (like a coconut square) which I liked better than the baklava, which was a tad dry, but I can't complain about a freebie.
Everyone I dealt with, from the first phone call to the servers to the manager were super nice. It seems to me that the other reviews I read here on Yelp may have been written by people from the drunken-college bar crowd who walk into a place at 2am with a sense of entitlement, perhaps? Falafel needs to be made fresh to be good, so either they don't make it after a certain time for that reason (when most kids will be ordering pizza, I suppose), or if it takes longer than expected, then just deal with it, for heaven's sake. You're getting a late night nosh after drinking, I don't think anyone should really expect tablecloth service in that context, do you?
As for the person who claims to have been cheated on his bill, since I wasn't there, I can't say that you were or weren't, but when our school had its food delivered I made a mistake with the money, and the driver had to return to get the balance of what I owed him, and he was very nice about the whole thing. I just did not get the sense from any of the staff I encountered that they would be dishonest. And a few people here complained about the restaurant being misleading about its nature, but there is nothing about the name, decor, or menu that says "Indian" to me, and Naan is an Indian bread, Aladdin serves Pita bread (albeit a bit dry because of how they warm it.) And coming from New Haven before Hartford, I can tell you that a combination Middle Eastern food and Pizza joint is not abnormal or inauthentic--there's a similar combo on College St. in the Elm City, though Aladdin's quality is superior to that place.
Don't let some of the lukewarm reviews for Aladdin here on Yelp dissuade you from giving it a try. After our school's good experience with Aladdin's catering and my good experience at the restaurant, we will be visiting and ordering from there again to be sure. And while I'm not Middle Eastern or an expert on food from that region, I'd have to say that this is the best I've had in CT, including the overrated Mamoun's in New Haven and Tangier's in West Hartford. -
Review from Yush K.
Terryville, CT
1/27/2012
GREAT TASTING MEAT!
I am addicted to this place. There CHicken Kabab pita sandwich is incredible! I also get grinder once in while! It is truely remarkable!
Food is healthy, clean and perfect for college students.
They delivier... please dont be shy to try their Arab menue options because they really know what they are doing!
My friend had the shawrma it is worth it! Best in Hartford Area! -
Review from Anon Y.
Hartford, CT
Updated - 5/22/2012
The food was good. I had rice and kebab. The chicken orzo soup is very good, if a bit too salty. Ambiance and cleanliness could be slightly better.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/14/2011
Pizza looked good, didnt try it. Their chicken orzo soup is GOOD, if a bit salty. The steak and sub… Read more »
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Review from Heather J.
Bethlehem, PA
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love this place! I've been in Hartford twice for business. Loved it the first time and came back on my second trip. Food is plentiful, delicious and reasonably priced. The family combo was more than three of us could eat. Yum yum yum!! And the owners remembered us 5 months later and greeted us like regulars! Will come back again for sure.
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Review from Katie W.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
9/3/2011 ROTD 2/2/2012
Seriously delicious vegetarian combo. And consistently good. Hummus is creamy and tahini-y. Wicked parsley in the tabouli, like it should be. Grape leaves have great spice. And the falafel melts in your mouth. Not like Tangiers, which are dried out rocks.
I love middle eastern food. And Aladdin, notwithstanding the late night pizza joint feel, has some real top notch food. My husband, despite his middle eastern ancestry, always tends to go for pizza or grinders here. And he has been disappointed. That is why they only get 4 stars. Go for the middle eastern food. Its scrumptious.Listed in: Our little sad city
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Review from Umar Z.
East Hampton, CT
4/5/2012
The food was really great and the staff was friendly. Its a bonus that they are halal. I had a shawarma combo. The chicken was delicious and the humus was the best. Their piazza is also great.
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Review from Dawn P.
Fort Collins, CO
1/5/2012
The description is misleading. It's really middle eastern rather than Indian. On top of that, they serve pizza. The food was mediocre at best. The lamb was so tough we could barely cut it. The falafel was great, was was the hummus. Not worth the drive, but probably good for late night hunger pangs.
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Review from Dave N.
Hartford, CT
8/15/2011
I almost want to give these guys 4 stars for what they do well, but the majority of their menu forbids it! I haven't had everything, but they tend to overcook their meats to the point of being dry and hard; I haven't had lamb from there that I can really tolerate. Also, the falafel is tasty, but dry. To note, I've only had the meals as delivery, so it might be better in the restaurant.
On a good note, their pizza is great, and their grape leaves are great - both important things!! Having spent a lot of time in New Haven, I've had trouble finding good pizza in the Hartford area, but here is a place that delivers at all hours and has a fine selection of very tasty pizzas.
Bottom line positives; great pizza, grape leaves, availability
negatives: mediocre meals and overcooked/dry meats (delivery)
If you're coming by late nite, it's a great place to grab a snack and a slice or two, and if you're ordering delivery in the area, I highly recomend their pizza and a side of grape leaves. -
Review from J R.
Central Manchester, CT
2/1/2011
This place is fantastic, one of the few places in the Hartford area where you can have Middle Eastern food and unconventional proteins (the lamb and liver are great) without paying for the overpriced fine dining which constitutes most of the Hartford restaurant scene.
There is a bit of a language barrier with the night time staff, and orders do get screwed up if you're not careful, but it's reckless and unfair for anyone to be accusing the owners of being dishonest. My friend was mistakenly charged for a Steak & Cheese when he orders a "Slice of cheese", and as we left the owner chased us down and gave him the difference in cash. The story posted below by Kerim A is totally inconsistent with my experience, and I guarantee that the problem would have been resolved if they'd addressed it to the staff instead of passive-aggressively lashing out over the internet. -
Review from Mauricio P.
Astoria, NY
10/18/2011
Delicious falafel pita and lentil soup. Authentic and well priced. Ordered delivery and got here in solid time, and hot.
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Review from B. W. P.
Hartford, CT
8/27/2011
We ate here tonight... the food was very good, we thought, but the wait was too long, we were the only ones in the place, and it still took about 15 minutes to get a slice of Pizza, a Falafel and a Shawarma... reasonably priced. Perhaps it would be better picking up an already prepared order. Given the fact that we were the only customers, it shouldn't taken as long as it did. The food did seem fresh. I'd give them another try in the future. I think their product is way better than Tangier's, which is on the corner of Prospect & Farmington. It would be nice if there was more Middle Eastern food in the Hartford area.
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Review from Omar E.
Philadelphia, PA
10/8/2007
Didn't see this restaurant reviewed here, but I had to give my brothers from the cradle of civilization some props.
Far from the best Middle Eastern restaurant I've been to, but better than most around these parts. Although Aladdin was a character from "A 1001 Arabian Nights" which was set largely in Persia, this establishment in run by Egyptians. Standard Middle Eastern fare such as falafel and shawarma can be found here, executed well. If you have a great deal of experience in Middle Eastern dining, don't expect anything that will knock your socks off, but the food's reliably good.
Located near the Amtrak station and downtown Hartford's weak excuse for a weekend nightlife, after you're done boozing you can make it up to Allah by eating some tasty halal selections. Reasonably priced. -
Review from Jessica H.
Middletown, CT
2/12/2009
I love this place, their food is great. I love their chicken schwarma. I used to come here with my friends from Saudi Arabia and UAE... they swore by their food.
Their pizza is ok, nothing to write home about, but I got it every time I was out for a late night in Hartford. It is reasonably priced. It is small and has seating. You place the order, they make it and bring it to you. -
Review from Daniel S.
Newington, CT
4/28/2011
After walking by Aladdin's many times at the end of a long night of drinking, I finally decided to check it out. I'm a pretty big fan of middle eastern cuisine, specifically falafel. I feel I can't be too critical considering there aren't many places that offer quick, to-go, Middle Eastern in the area. With that statement aside, the food at Aladdin's was good. The service is another story.
I had the falafel sandwhich and the only complaint I had was I felt it to be a little dry, next time I'll ask for some hot or tahini sauce. A more serious complaint I had was the wait. There were 3 other customers, and to me, waiting 20 minutes for a falafel is a bit rediculous. Also I found the big guy behind the counter to be a little unwelcoming but I understand we all have bad days. I try to look past it.
Fast forward a few weeks ahead and I wanted to go back. I walked in around midnight and if I'm not mistaken they close at 2 AM? I asked for a falafel and was told they weren't doing falafel that night, why? not sure, I was thinking maybe because it was a little late, but the same man was behind the counter this time with the same kind of lazy attitude. To be honest that was the fibe I felt... they were being lazy. I had a really long wait the first time and this time for whatever reason they just weren't making falafel.
Overall, If the service was better I would have given 4 stars. I've worked in restaurants for a while now and understand that things happen and you have bad nights, so I tend to be lenient. I'll go back, A) because I'm a fan of the style of food B) I can't think of any other places downtown that do it to-go and C) the food itself was pretty good.
I'll just expect a long wait, or certain items not to be available. -
Review from Anthony P.
West Hartford, CT
6/20/2011
Good place to get pizza, too!
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Review from S B.
West Hartford, CT
10/17/2011
Great food great price . Had food delivered for 20 people. On time and hot
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Review from Erik P.
Plainville, CT
10/27/2009
Went here late one night after a Wolfpack game. The pizza is great, the falafel is so so and can I just say the man at the counter was kind of a douche about us ordering falafel because they didn't have any prepared as they do with pizza by the slice. It wasn't even close to closing time but for some reason he had a bug up his ass about people ordering falafel at 1am. Upside of the whole night is the guy in front of me paid for my meal. Thanks bro, I'll get you on the next one hoss. If I ever go back that is.
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Review from ronald s.
4/23/2009
slow. slow. slow.
and i swear the 3 times i was in somehow i ended up with some sort of unknown meat on my vegetarian falafel. wtf?!? its sucks when you either have to pick apart your meal to make it edible, or throw it out.
never had the pizza, but it looked OK. -
Review from Courtney C.
Laurel, MD
10/30/2009
I'm far from an expert on Middle Eastern food, but I was eating three people who are and we all agreed it was delicious. I was hesitant to try a restaurant that serves Middle Eastern and Pizza....just doesn't seem like a normal combination to me, but it was raining and a short walk from our hotel. After going over their huge menu, I decided on the Mixed Grill with my two sides as the garden salad and the hummus. The hummus looks homemade and not some pre packaged stuff you get at most places. It was thick, flavorful and delicious. My salad was surprisingly good, but the dressing had been sitting for a while and was nothing but oil, pretty gross. They put it on the side, so I just used the hummus instead. The naan/flatbread they give you comes out warm, but was lacking. I've had much better. As for the meat, perfect! Tender, juicy and full of flavor! Lamb, Chicken and Beef. I was in carnivore heaven for a little bit.
The service is slow because its all made to order. I would rather wait than have some dry meat that's been sitting under a warmer. The lamb is cooked just like they do in the Middle East (slow cooked rotisserie style) and you can watch as they cut it off for your meal. While we waited, we also saw them hand make and toss their pizza dough. It looked and smelled delicious!
If you're in the area, give this place a shot! Its not a $5 dinner or fast, but its worth the price and the wait. -
Review from Kevin J.
9/5/2010
Aladdin's is your primary option around the Union station for take-out. Their front door sign doesn't appear to be permanent yet and the interior is modern and well designed, so I can speculate that the place may be newly renovated. I was really impressed with their variety of quick sandwich and dessert options. Had one of their Aladdin house specialties which is turkey and roast beef with greens on a 12"+ fresh roll with lite oil, wrapped up in foil to go for $6.99. Nice interior for a cafe/deli style restaurant, this establishment is 4 stars overall and I hope to return someday.
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Review from Faridah S.
Atlanta, GA
8/13/2008
EXCELLENT pizza, but i can't really speak on much else. a coworker of mine has recommended their sanwiches, speaking very highly of the steak special and ham & cheese. i absolutely adore the pizza though...being muslim, i'd never eaten pepperoni before this place, and now i'm absolutely addicted. i order about once a week
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Review from Pete B.
Southington, CT
12/5/2010
A decent option for a quick lunch in downtown Hartford when you don't want to spend a bundle. They are geared for pizza by the slice, but they made decent middle eastern lunches. The falafel is not bad, the shwarma are good if a little dry and kinda hyper-garlicky, and the kofta kebab platter is filling but right on the verge of being overpriced. The house made hummus is great. They kinda sell the middle eastern specialties short, but they do a good job if you order them.
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Review from M Z.
Hartford, CT
4/28/2010
Great pizza, big slices and very fast service. $5 for 2 slices. Staff is friendly. They have middle eastern options that are great too, the deli case is always fresh and full of new items.
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Review from mike m.
Traverse City, MI
8/13/2009
i went there twice for the pizza slices. plain cheese.
i love that new york style thin crust, and the real big slice.
i would go back every day if i lived here.
friendly service, and they are open late too. -
Review from Greased S.
Waterbury, CT
7/18/2010
Three stars is just right for this place. Not super fancy spectacular and not a ripoff -- the balance between the food and the prices is just a bit out of whack in my opinion. I think you pay a little too much for what you get, but where else can you find pepperoni that's halal? Love the cucumber dipping sauce. I could drink it out of a glass.
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Review from style c.
Manchester, CT
7/21/2008
It's good food but the boys take too long with most stuff. But it's a solid choice, sober or not.
