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Aladdin Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
651 Union BlvdAllentown, PA 18103
(610) 437-4023
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sun 12 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Aladdin Restaurant
Review Highlights
21 reviews in English
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Review from Samantha B.
Bethlehem, PA
4/4/2012 8 Check-ins Here
I love this place. Its my favorite. The atmosphere is half-dramatic, half-kitsch and there are small camel statues everywhere. On Saturday evenings, they usually have a belly dancer.
Now, the food. I have recently become a vegan, so my restaurant options are limited. We come here for baba ganouch, tabouli, arnabit, falafel, and hummous. And we usually eat until we are stuffed. We B our own B, usually a bottle of wine, and we spend between 18 and 30$ for our delicious shared meal. If you are into honey, baklava is amazing. Turkish coffee after dinner is must.
The service is excellent, and for a family run business the attitudes are great! They all like their work and take pride in their delicious meals.
**Meat-eater friends, you are safe here. This is the place to bring a mixed group - they are sensitive to everyone's dietary needs and all of my picky to non-picky friends have a great time there.
I've been here a bunch, and plan on going back a bunch. -
Review from Lori L.
Bethlehem, PA
1/23/2012
WOW - What a hidden little gem! The menu is large, the prices are reasonable, the service is FANTASTIC and its BYOB!
Saturday nights they have a belly-dancer (who made me want to hit the gym!)
A MUST. Not only for the fantastic food, but for the culture. Great for kids too. -
Review from Becky V.
Bethlehem, PA
4/27/2012
Will go back again, am quite happy to have a good middle eastern place to visit locally. It's cosy and the food was NOMTASTIC.
I read some of the reviews here before I went, so I knew to try the arnabit appetizer. It's deep-fried fresh cauliflower with tahini drizzled on top. I recommend it. A yummy combination of crisp/crunchy with a soft creamyness. I know that sounds contradictory, but that's what it is - quite delicious. The hummus was also delightful, with lemon and garlic in just the right amounts.
I had the kafta kabob and my dining partner had the sultan kabob (meat combination). All quite delicious, including the rice and pickle and everything.
I've had better baklava, but not anywhere near this part of the country, and their baklava is definitely on the 'good' side, so that's not a negative review at all. I also much liked the turkish coffee - if you like strong, bold, not-bitter coffee, try it. Even my anti-coffee dining partner was willing to have a second sip. -
Review from Food L.
North Brunswick Township, NJ
4/14/2012
Absolutely LOVEEEEE this place. I have been to this place multiple times and each time was very special. The place has great interior decoration. Good presentation and waiters are very helpful with food choices. Food is amazing. It does not matter what you order. Everything over there is just WONDERFUL.
Recommendation: One the food that you MUST try if you go here is the ARNABIT appetizer. It is just AMAZING. Just the thought of it is making my mouth water. -
Review from Michael B.
Palmerton, PA
4/4/2012
You can't go wrong with eating here the food service everything is well worth it, make the time to visit you will keep going back and back
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Review from Ryan B.
Bethlehem, PA
10/16/2011
I have visited Aladdin several times before I decided to write my yelp review. Every time I came to this restaurant I was amazed at the experience. The best way I can describe The Aladdin Restaurant is that it is the Lehigh Valley's best kept secret.
The environment of this place is great. It offers a relaxing Middle Eastern vibe that you just can't get enough of.
The service is very friendly. This place sets the standard on how you should be served when you dine out. Every waiter I dealt with was very patient, willing to answer questions, and loved every part of their job!
The food is prepared perfectly. I have yet to order something from the menu that I did not think was the best I ever had. My favorites are the Chicken kabobs and the cauliflower. The seasoning is perfect.
I HIGHLY recommend this place! -
Review from Sammy G.
5/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't give one of my detailed reviews because I can't remember everything I got but I do remember that I enjoyed it. I'm not big on middle eastern food, Steve is so we tried it.
The place is really cool looking, the inside is nice and cozy, we got to sit in a corner together and it was nice.
I remember the food being good but I know that he liked it a lot more. I would recommend trying it. We won't be going back because it's so far, we went on our way back from a trip but I'm glad we stopped. -
Review from Kimberlin Z.
Reading, PA
11/30/2010 1 photo
Yes, there is an Aladdin restaurant in *both* Reading and Allentown, and from what I can tell, they are unrelated but both very good! This Aladdin is on the east side of Allentown in a quiet part of town. We have eaten here a few times in the last few weeks and always find it to be atmospheric and reliable Middle Eastern (Syrian) home cooking.
Vegans will find plenty to eat here, but ask for no cheese on your salad. The arnibit (fried cauliflower) is wonderful and comes in an appetizer version or a platter with rice. The tabouli appetizer is a huge bowlful. The large babaganoush platter is also very big. We always take food home. Aladdin is BYOB, so you really get a lot of food for the low prices. Remember to throw in a few extra dollars if the server is bringing extra glasses and opening a few bottles for you. Service is always friendly.
Beware of the un- or underheated bathrooms, which are a surprise in the winter, eek. At my favorite corner banquette table, I had to use one of the comfy pillows to block a spot with cold air rushing in. It is nice to sit among the pillows and beside a camel if you can. Love the kitschy lights all over the dark ceiling too.
We went when there was a belly dancer, who was quite good, but dining during this time makes it very hard to hear your companions. I was sad to see men in the crowd treating the dancer like a stripper. While is it appropriate to offer tips, they can be given when she walks around at the end -- or you can let her tell you where to place them on her. Don't stick them into her cleavage or pants, for god's sake. This isn't Al's Diamond Caberet or Scores, so show respect for what is a cultural dance, not a sexual one. Several little girls in attendance had to see this unfortunately, but earlier, I loved how entranced they were to see what was probably to them a Barbie or Disney character coming alive. She even danced with the kids.Listed in: BYOBs
-
Review from Dimitrios D.
New York, NY
8/31/2010
It's good middle eastern food in a gaudy, Oriental setting.
It's a fun place with solid food.
And I think they have belly dancing? -
Review from Vanessa W.
Bethlehem, PA
8/4/2006
Excellent food. Good times. Vegetarian menu.
Belly dancers on Saturday nights.
One of the best and longest standing middle eastern restaurants in town.
As per middle eastern tradition, if coming for dinner, expect to sit and stay awhile - esp if its bellydance night. It's not only the norm, it's expected.
A little bit worn around the edges, but a large Syrian group was there tonight and that was enough of a stamp of approval for me! -
Review from Ron S.
Allentown, PA
2/3/2011
Best restaurant in the Lehigh Valley, period. World class Middle Eastern food.
Make sure to try:
Labne (a strained yoghurt app. Delicious!)
Excellent humus, and also humus with ground lamb and pine nuts
Arnibit (fried cauliflower with tahini)
Makhdous ( pickled baby eggplants stuffed with nuts and peppers)
Aladdin Chicken--grilled to perfection, then brushed with garlic and olive oil. Perfect!
And the sauteed zucchini app, can't remember the name
The service at Aladdin makes you feel welcome, and right at home. Fantastic family-run restaurant with a true ethnic identity in a sea of mediocre restaurants that have no identity whatsoever.
BYOB! -
Review from Matthew T.
Allentown, PA
6/23/2011
Kitsch decor and so-so service, but the food makes up for it. I went for lunch and immensely enjoyed a special which is really big enough for two people. Wonderful hummus.
-
Review from Patrick M.
Capitol Heights, MD
3/2/2010
I have been eating at this restaurant since I was a kid and it was a small restaurant in the middle of Allentown. It is by far the best Middle Eastern food I have ever had, and is one of my all-time favorite places to eat! I always get the Tabouli and KusKus, which is outstanding but my new favorite which is also my mother's favorite is Kibbinea (sp?) which is essentially mostly raw lamb, but it is still incredibly delicious with the various oils and spices that are in it.
Highly recommended to any and every one! -
Review from Jeff H.
Lincoln, NE
4/13/2010
I came to Aladdin's with some colleagues who raved about it, and it was absolutely incredible! The Pita's are the best I have ever had, the food was fresh and fantastic, and the service was remarkable. What is not to like about Aladdin's, except that it is so far away from my home. If you are anywhere near Allentown, trek on over there.
Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing -
Review from Matthew R.
Herndon, VA
8/31/2010
My wife and I happened to be going through Allentown at dinner time and used Yelp to find someplace good but different and settled on the Aladdin. The reviewers did not disappoint. Everything from the appetizers and salad to the dessert was wonderful. The decor, we'll say, has character. Which only makes the restaurant all the more memorable.
-
Review from Sue Z.
Jackson, NJ
12/16/2009
This place is hilarious. You must go on a Saturday night..when there is belly dancing!! As long as you don't feel too uncomfortable with the belly dancer coming right up to your table and dancing near you, then you should definitely eat here. If you go with the right people, this place is a ton of fun. The second time I went with a group of girlfriends, and the belly dancer invited us up to the front to dance with her. The people at the table in front of us seemed very embarrassed, but we had fun. Besides the fun, the food was pretty good too. The hummus was yummy. The vegetarian dish with chickpeas and eggplant was really good. A friend really liked the lamb stew. It was a good time.
-
Review from Mark P.
New York, NY
4/23/2010
First and most importantly (until Yelp agrees to make this change), the address is 651 W Union BLVD, NOT STREET!! Union Blvd is in a completely different part of town from Union Street!!!. If the address says Union St, do not trust the google map on Yelp.
Having said that, it is worth a visit. However, I did have a small problem. Patrick M from Saylorsburg, PA said on 3/2/2010 that the Kibbee is mostly raw lamb. Anyone who as read my other reviews knows I am a devotee of Raw Meat - from sushi to Steak Tartare to Yook Hwe to whatever. So I went out of my way to visit Aladdin. When I got there I was told, YES, they can serve the Kibbee raw, but you have to call a day in advance. I understood. I respect the proper treatment of raw flesh, and maybe Patrick lucked out and someone else had called a day early for the raw Kibbee which he enjoyed, or the policy has changed. In any case, if you want the sensation of raw Kibbee which I have had once before and I still savor the memory...., call a day ahead, the telephone number on the Yelp posting at the time of this writing is correct, (610) 437-4023.
I had the cooked Kibbee and it was well seasoned but a bit dry. I would suggest getting a sauce, like Labne or Hummous, to eat with it if you order it out of desperation, as I did,
Despite the disappointment, the food was good, the service excellent. The people are very nice (they even spent 5 minutes explaining where Union Blvd was on the telephone when I called from Union St!) -
Review from Justin M.
Philadelphia, PA
8/9/2010
I grew up in the Syrian culinary tradition, and I wanted to sample some of Allentown's Middle Eastern fare on a recent visit for the DCI Championships. I was with a companion who wasn't as familiar with the cuisine, so I wanted to show off some of the signature dishes. I took a chance on Aladdin and was very happy.
It's homey, and family run through and through. Service wasn't polished, but was completely warm, welcoming and competent. We sampled the fattoush salad, grape leaves, makdous, hummus, lamb kabob, butlawa and Turkish coffee. Everything was tasty, and the menu was pretty comprehensive if you are feeling adventurous and sick of the same old hummus and skewers. Now if only we had been there for bellydancer night... -
Review from nicole s.
Easton, PA
8/7/2011
yeah so it's a little bit of a trek from where I live in the Valley -but it's worth it. The food is out of this world wonderful. Aladdin is family owned and operated so they put a lot of care into the food and the customer service. Favorites are the fattoush and the arnibit amongst others - there's this sauced zucchini which is also awesome. Cous Cous and the chicken kabobs are dynamite as entrees. But in a group the best thing is to order a bunch of appetizers to share for the full experience. If you have friends or family visiting, even if they're not sure if they like Mediterranean food - this is a wonderful place to take them.
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Review from Big M.
New York, NY
1/10/2010 1 photo
This place has the best fatoush salad I have ever had. I geek for the Greek! I frequently order salads from here once a week. The service is great too. If your looking for tasty healthy food, you have to experience Aladdin. They also do takeout.
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Review from M L.
Stroudsburg, PA
5/9/2010
It's authenic to the point you many forget you are still in Pennsylvania.
