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Category: Middle Eastern [Edit]
614 W Diversey PkwyMon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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The service was great!
I got the falafel wrap and it was very flavorful!
I wish the pitas were a little thicker...
They serve beer!
Came here last night before seeing a movie and now I wonder why we haven't done that before. The chicken shwarma pita roll is simply fantastic. The side salad (for only $2.30 more) is very generous and the balsamic vinaigrette is quite tasty. The hubs got the chicken shwarma salad, which was definitely good, but not as good as the pita roll. The hummus as an appetizer was tasty, classical hummus - harmless, but worth getting if, like me, you find hummus as addicting as, say, Fruit Loops.
Overall the value for the meal is great - the prices are very reasonable and the outdoor patio is just fantastic on a perfect weathered evening.
Oh yea, and as Susan F mentioned - the bathrooms are really nice here!!!
Every little bit goes a long way.
I'll tell you why this deserves 5 stars.
Location--for me at least. Restaurant is nicely sized and they have outdoor seating, great for ppl watching
Menu-huge, granted you can only do so much with middle eastern food, but still great!
Service-orders are taken in a timely manner and they are nice
Bathrooms-hey, they're actually super clean!
As for the food, I've never had a bad meal here. I tend to stick with the chicken kebob roll or spicy kafta or beef rolled. I could probably eat these all day and not get sick. They have great hummus/pita bread and combo dinner platters too that are pretty big. A friend of mine swears on the fattoush salad!
They sell beer and wine, though I've never sat down with either. Carry-out here is great, never tried delivery though.
This is my neighborhood staple and I hope it never leaves!!
Great service, great food, and great prices! Everything comes out promptly and all pretty, and it tastes awesome!
I LOVE Aladdin's. The hummus is so smooth and perfectly seasoned. The tabbouleh is lemon-y and very finely chopped. The fattoush salad is to die for. And, I have to disagree with the poster that wanted thicker pita. The thinner, the better. Also, the servers are very friendly. They don't know me by first name, but they see me almost every day.
I've moved back home to Florida, and left Chicago in the dust, but I still dream of Aladdin's. Thankfully, I can go back for visits, and I will! My mouth is watering just thinking of it.
Yummy Middle Eastern chow? Check.
Splendid Outdoor Patio? Check.
Menu longer than Rapunzel's hair? Check.
You certainly won't find yourself with a shortage of choices when visiting Aladdin's, the menu is a whopping 8 or so pages long. Insanity!! Fight the urge to become monumentally overwhelmed and settle into one of the sure fire favorites; crunchy falafel, garlicky fattoush, fabulously filling rolled pita sandwiches or hey, a specialty combo plate gives you the best of a whole new world - sue me, I couldn't resist the Aladdin reference.
Dinner with the lovely Jelena Z. proved to be win/win both in great company (natch) and our glorious tasty delights. Our app of hummus was HUGE and totally satisfied with some crisp veggies, toasty pita and a drizzle of olive oil... Mmmm mmm, I wanted to lick that plate clean! Round two of hearty salads was just as gratifying... my shawarma specialty salad abounding with fresh veggies, seasoned char-grilled steak and a tangy crown of feta cheese was more than enough to send me into Aladdin overdrive. Honestly I can't remember the last time a salad was this spot on, must have been that housemade lemon vinaigrette!
Service was a bit spotty... it's a bit inappropriate for your server to inform you he's making a Walgreen's run in the middle of your meal, ain't it? Uh, get me a pack too while you're at it, Bro. Kidding...
All in all though I can't hate on a lax vibe, especially when I've come to soak in a chill sidewalk café atmosphere. 4 happy stars from my very happy - and healthy - no-longer-grumbling tummy.
Out for a bike ride and just happened to roll past this place, and decided to check it out. Great spot!
Great selection, far more then most Mediterranean places I've been too. Had a vegetarian wrap that was exactly what I wanted. Nice outdoor area and would definitely check it out again.
So my parents were visiting and didn't think to pack umbrella's. We're out and it starts pouring... it's around dinner time anyway so we duck in to Aladdin's to kill time before their play starts.
The staff was friendly and helpful. They both had a couple questions about the menu which were quickly answered. I got us falafel to start with and we each had a different entree. The falafel was good but I've had better. All of the entrees were good, but I was a big fan of the rice which was well seasoned and had just a touch of cinnamon. Not something I thought I'd like but it was quite tasty.
They have a case full of cakes that are just begging you to order them so my mom saved room for dessert. She got a slice of their signature chocolate cake which I had a taste of and I must agree was wonderful. I also love black forest cake which I noticed they had so I plan on going back to sample that.
All in all a nice spot but nothing super special about it. If you're in the neighborhood give it a shot but don't make a special trip.
Ventured upon this place last weekend during a long walk to nowhere. I was really impressed by their vegetarian friendliness and attempt to be healthy food. Loved their hummus, pita was thinner than expected yet good, and the falafel sandwich/wrap was also good.
The pitza was a little interesting, and what surprised me most is the excessive amount of cheese on it! I mean, if you're going to be a healthy food place, hold the cheese!!
But I enjoyed the patio dining and the service was generally good. Definitely recommend this place and especially to vegetarians!
so good!
I have eaten a lot of Mediterranean food, and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT! I lived for 4 years down the street from Aladdin's, and the first sign that this place wasn't all that is that I did not eat there at least once a week, as I would have done that had it impressed me. The food itself is mediocre, and I think the place is packed because of its location and atmosphere, which I cannot deny are great, especially in the summer time. I guess I'd give the place more stars if that's all was needed to rate a restaurant. The bread always tastes microwaved to me, and not genuinely fresh. Not to mention, they skimp out on the meat in some of the "meat" dishes. I'm not a big meat eater, but hey, on the rare occasion where I want some meat in the entree, I want a good amount.
I do have to say, the desserts and the drinks are great, but as far as Mediterranean food goes, I can't say this is the best I've had.
I read alot of good reviews about this place on yelp so I decided to try it out. The food is good but not superb. I just wasn't impressed and for the money I spent, I didn't leave happy. Their falafel was over fried and the shish-kabob was bland. I didn't get to try their chicken shwarma so to be fair, I will give this place another chance.
3 stars is A-OK.
We were hungry, Aladdin's was the closest "healthiest" place, and we had never been before. Sold!
Our waitress was friendly enough. The menu was a lot bigger than I expected it to be. I knew what I was looking for -hummus and falafel- so I settled on the hummus falafel rolled pita. My boyfriend didn't know what he wanted so he picked out the first interesting thing he saw, the Mujadara Plate.
My rolled pita arrived wrapped in foil. It was ok, but I think it might have been made earlier in the day. The falafel was a little bit soggy. It didn't come with anything on the side, but it was big so I didn't have a problem with that.
My boyfriend's Mujadara Plate was HUGE. The plate was loaded with lentils and rice, topped with a salad of cucumbers and tomatoes and surrounded by a bunch of "toasted" onions that were more greasy/deep fried than toasted. He ended up bringing home enough leftovers for another meal.
Yes, Aladdin's is a chain. That doesn't really bother me much, and I don't understand why some people get so worked up about it. I wouldn't mind coming back, but it definitely isn't on my list of places I must visit.
I had a feeling this place was a chain while I was eating there (institutional decor, corporate branding on the menus...) but I wasn't sure. Now that I have confirmed that it is, I feel less guilt about my two stars.
The good: cheap, healthful, great smoothies, kibbie appetizer
The bad: brusque manager, our rolled pitas (one with spicy kafta, one with grilled tuna) were wrapped in microwave-safe-foil: as if preassembled and reheated
The ugly: tuna tasted old, when the waitress cleared our uneaten mains, she simply offered dessert and never asked if there was a problem
If I lived or worked nearby, I was consider coming in for lunch and trying something else... patrons seated nearby seemed to have great looking food.
After watching the film Food, Inc, we were craving some healthy food. Everything was excellent!
Veggie Chili/Lentil Soup
Almond Salad
Lamb Roll-up
Chicken Shwarma Roll-up
And the fresh juices rock too!!!
I had a serious craving last weekend for Middle Eastern food. I've seen Aladdin's many times walking around that corner of Clark and Diversey, and decided it was time to give it a try.
I got the lamb-rolled pita (without turnips). It was great in terms of flavor and spice, the only thing I would change was the fact that the lamb inside was in big chunks that were hard to bite and I may have ended up making a mess.... ;) My dining partner got something similar with beef? (Sorry I didn't catch exactly what he got before writing this.) His was also really good, I snagged a bite. Easier to eat than mine for sure.
We split a peanut butter cup slice of cake for dessert. It was cake that tasted almost too light to be cake. If I'm getting cake, I want my fill of sugar. Go big or go home right?? It was tasty though, I'll probably try another cake type when I go there again.
The menu is so large it's really hard to make up your mind, but the price was right. 2 people full of food for under 30 bucks including tip and the awesome outdoor patio makes me one happy gal! I love me some people-watching.
I recently introduced my boyfriend to the place that comprised a good percentage of my diet in my single days living in Lincoln Park. That place was Aladdin's. I was glad to see that although they've evolved their menu a bit, it hasn't changed much and the additions of things like pickles and root veggies to dishes were to add nutitional value to their menu. My favorites are all there: Fatoush salad, the salad pockets, Aladdin wrap pitas (with tahini sauce), the veggie plate. They also have a comprehensive list of teas, fresh juices and smoothies, all good. Their meat is good quality, the lamb fresh and lean, chicen too. They also mercifully deliver so I can be healthy and lazy at the same time. This place is hidden between Panera and Chipotle on one of the busiest corners of the city but far worth the seeking out. I've never had to wait for a table or waited long for my food. A great healthy value for your money!
First, never knew this was a chain, until now...
I used to come here quite often when i lived in chicago. the chicken kabob sandwich was always a guarantee for tasty snack, me and my girls lived off their hummus and pita, scooping that all up while talking for hours on randomness. The desserts and cookies look amazing displayed, but definitely fell a little short.
But! all in all. pretty good. If and when there is a beautiful day in Chicago, eat outside. The food is light and all decently price.
I actually really like Aladdin's. I order from here all the time and enjoy their patio in the summer months. I always get the lentil soup and the Aladdin's Salad. Sometimes we'll do the falafel appetizer as well. Everything I've tried I've really liked. It's different to the usual pizza/bar food/sushi/sandwich places that surround it. I've brought out of town friends and they all have liked it because it is different from what they usually get around where they live. Plus, it's healthy! :) Or I should say, most of it is healthy...
The servers are always really nice but the guys that take payment for pick-ups could be a bit more friendlier!
Aladdin's is a fabulous chain and it has found a home in a great location. I'm a fan of the Ohio chain and often go with the family because it appeals to meat lovers (can't go wrong with the sharma) and vegetarians alike.
Food is decently affordable, decor is refreshing and there are options on the menu for everyone. I love the len-chichen-chili with cheese, the fruit & nut platter (great melons topped with vanilla yogurt, honey and almonds) and usually tend towards Jaffar's Pitza (big enough to share, but why not just eat it all yourself?)
Desserts always look amazing but they never seem to taste as good as they look. Baklava is good though.
The food is pricey for what you get, but it's a better, healthier and more fresh option than neighboring Chipotle and Panera. The patio was perfect for Diversey/Clark people-watching while resting my tootsies post-shopping.
I've always been a bit put off by Aladdin's menu (so long), but my knowledgeable server helped me sort it all out. I ended up ordering the beef kefta rolled pita, which I'd liken to a Middle Eastern burrito. The cool crunchiness of my side salad complemented the warmly seasoned beef kefta nicely. Oh, and get the yogurt tahini dressing. I would've dipped my Diet Coke in it if I could've.
Friendly staff serving up fast, healthy meals... I'll be back.
There are definately better Turkish/Lebanese places around, but the service is quick and they focus on being healthy, which I really like. They use lean meats in everything and the portions are perfect, so you don't have to cheat on the old diet. They have a great selection of wraps and pitzas - pita pizzas- which are very tasty.
This is one of my local favorites. Usually I get the same order: dijon chicken pita and len-chili soup (a mix of half lentil, half chicken chili). The soup comes with extra pita bread. I've also had some of the other items with favorable outcomes; a dish called chicken sambusek is this pita bread stuffed with chicken, onions, and veggies, with salad. I feel like most of the items are decent sized and good value. If you are really hungry, though, you might want to order more than just a salad pocket. The only thing that I've eaten here that I did not enjoy was a beef dish called Kibbie. It wasn't bad, by any means, I think that maybe my palate just didn't appreciate the spices.
Dining in here is always good, take-out can be hit or miss, as sometimes delivery times can take upwards of an hour. But lately it seems like the delivery has been speedier and the food hot and fresh.
Oh, and ps, get one of the giant cookies near the register, they are on par with homemade.
While the food from here is very good, the portion sizes are small for the price. I ordered the spicy kefta rolled pita, and the kibbeh as an appetizer. While it was filling, it was $13, and there were no leftovers. The 'side' of Lebanese salad was in a condiment cup, hardly a side, more like a sample. It was all very good though, but the kibbeh had just a little bit too much cinnamon, which overwhelmed the flavor somewhat.
The boyfriend ordered falafel as an appetizer (which were well-seasoned and very tasty) and the lamb rolled pita. The standout of the rolled pita was the pickled turnip slices in it- delicious! I could eat those on their own.
I love their spicy sauce, and the food was fresh and delicious, but it's just a bit pricey for the portion, especially since it's a chain.
To be fair, the food here is pretty good. I really like the shish-ke-bab pita and their salads and desserts are yummy. I only give the place 3 stars, though, because they always give me attitude about bringing my baby in her stroller into the restaurant. I get it, mommies with strollers are kind of a pain, and I try really hard not to be "that mom." I always try to pick a restaurant that is not crowded and that has plenty of open space to park the stroller if I go out to lunch with my baby. Aladdin's is usually mostly empty on weekday afternoons, so it would seem to fit the bill. But, they always give me attitude about moving tables and make me feel generally unwelcome when I go in with a stroller. So, even though the food is good, the baby-unfriendliness will keep me from returning, at least until my daughter is a little older.
I have eaten here 3 times, twice dine-in and once take-out. I have never been disappointed. There are several notable aspects of the restaurant that place it fairly in the 5 star realm. They are listed below.
1) freshness and quality of ingredients
2) serves beer, wine, AND fresh raw juices
3) best value
4) nice restroom
5) fairly diverse menu
Aladdins is sandwiched between Panera and Chipotle. I think it would be cool if someone took a $5.95 salad from Aladdins over to Panera and Chipotle to illustrate the possibilities (i.e.-no iceberg lettuce!, just one of many differences). If you are getting a salad in the area the best bet is Aladdins. There is a close second but I'll save that for another review. And I've heard good things about their falafel as well. But really I like the look and feel of the vegetables.
I'm not a beer or wine connoisseur but selection good enough. And they have green tea (iced if you like). Plus raw juices.
As mentioned above, you get better salad here for $5.95 than you do at the places on either side. I'm just sayin'
The restroom is nice. Check it out.
Menu diversity...its Middle Eastern but if you are with someone that isn't into it they could still find something to eat. And they have cakes and cookies that look really American.
Staff is friendly. And sometimes attractive.
This was my first experience with any kind of Mediterrraneanish food, and I loved it! I got the Hummos Chicken Plate which came with several pieces of Pita bread. I thought it was delicious and the portion size was perfect. My boyfriend also loved his meal, though I couldn't even tell you what he ordered. The prices for both our meals were very reasonable.
The atmosphere here is also fantastic! Tables aren't too close together and the decor is warm and inviting.
We will definitely go back. And next time, we're going to have to try one of their giant-sized (and delicious-looking) slices of cake.
I recommend the Baba appetizer (a huge portion, and the flavors were full and strong), and the Chicken Dijon Rolled Pita. The marinated chicken is the best I've had in quite a while, and the pita is a hefty size - probably 8-10 inches. We were able to share both and still not finish the Baba app. Friendly and informative servers as well. Yes, it is a chain throughout the midwest, but for a quick, healthy bite to eat, give them a try. I'm looking forward to trying their other dishes soon. Big plus - they're open until 11pm on Fri/Sat nights.
Why would I review a chain? Because their hummus was so good. The rest of the food is very mediocre and a the menu is a little confusing - they have a dark meat chicken salad and a white meat chicken salad without much to differentiate between the two, not even in the descriptions. The iced tea is good and we had decent service. I'm sure I'd love the patio in the summer, but with all the other really good other Mediterranean places nearby (also with patios), it makes it tough to say that I'll return anytime soon.
I went here last night after walking for hours trying to decide on a place to eat. 1. We wanted to eat outside, and 2. I wanted meditteranean (although my boyfriend wasn't sold on the idea)...I forgot how much I like this place. We split the hummus to start, and each had a falafel salad. The hummus is delicious and comes with a big bowl of pita...I personally like my pita a little more fluffy than the thin one they have, but trust me...I still ate my fair share! The salad was great. I had to physically stop myself from eating the last of the 4 falafels on my plate, they were so good. The yogurt dressing for the salad was good and light. The whole meal was a total of $24 without tip- not bad at all. I definitely recommend this place for a casual dinner or lunch, especially on a nice Chicago day when you can sit outside.
All Hail Commercialized Mediterranean Cuisine!
Seriously, commercial, fake, the Panera of Med. Food....you name it, I can take it, because I friggin' LOVE Aladdin's. Ask my roommate. I could eat at this place for lunch and dinner every day of the week. Luckily, I have restraint, and can hold out for my weekly Saturday Aladdin's indulgence. Read: great hangover food.
The soups are varietal and delish. The pockets are awesome and are the best of both worlds--salads and sandwiches! Fresh pita, great falafels, dolma, tabouli...I have yet to try something at Aladdin's that wasn't satisfying. The portions are huge and, for me, the price is perfect. Delivery is SUPER quick. I mean, you're right, I do live a block away but hey, someone's got to support the delivery guy, right? Nothing to do with laziness, nothing.
Aladdin's also serves alcohol so I would consider a casual dinner there, but prefer my weekend feasts spread across the couch in front of the tv. Then again, that's just me.
Pretty good.
Chiacken schwarma is all I've tried because I do not want to risk disappointment.
There are your odds from the One-dish-for-6-months Queen.
Decent food at a decent price. Nothing mind blowing but the food is good if you are hungry and in the mood for some OK Mediterranean food. We ordered the chicken with hummus plate, a lamb pitza (that's right people, it is a pita+pizza), and a pita sandwich like thingy
All items were good....specially the hot sauce. It is not the kind that comes out of a bottle that says "Louisiana hot sauce". The pita is thin, my favorite variety. Portion sizes are adequate.
We also ordered a chocolate mousse cake for dessert. Eh, not really satisfying....it was more sweet than chocolatey....the coffee was good though
I wouldn't go out of my way to go to Aladdins but, I wouldn't mind eating here if I am in the area.
Ask for the hot sauce, it makes every dish taste better.
A good friend of mine absolutely loves this place, so she's always suggesting that we go here. I like it, very much. They've got a HUGE menu, so there's something for everyone. Mmmmm, and fresh squeezed juices, how can you go wrong with that?
The only reason I'm not rating this place higher is that Zad is down the street and my personal favorite.
Great, now I want a falafel......
WAAAY better for soup than Panera, which is right next door. I really like Aladdins, and will eat it when I'm hungry and nearby, but skip delivery, it's like $4.00. Not the very best Meditterranean food I've ever had, but it's good and healthy and not that expensive. And they have a good "kids menu", of which I order from when I'm just a little hungry.
Went here for dinner with a group of 5 on a Saturday night. We weren't a big enough group for them to accept a reservation, but we were seated right away (in the corner next to the kitchen which was less than ideal, but we could have waited for something better, we just didn't). Anyway, we went here because I had a craving for falafel and a friend had been here before. We started out with the hummus platter which was really good. My falafal roll was pretty good. Not a fan of the pickles in it, but the falafel itself was good. My friends all got other rolls and enjoyed them as well. Mostly, for what we ate and drank, I felt that the price was right if not just a touch expensive. Decent beer and wine list and not too expensive. If I'm in the neighborhood, I'll definitely come back.
I liked Aladdin's- and the cheap prices surprised me the first time I ate here. Everything was fresh and tons of choices. My boyfriend is Lebanese so he knows what the real authentic stuff tastes like and he thought this place was good. However we haven't been back because I didn't think the food was so great that you couldn't get it at another similar Middle Eastern restaurant.
What I didn't like was that the inside kind of resembles a Panera bread or some other type of sandwich chain. Nothing about the decor really stands out. I would agree with another reviewed who I saw had commented that it felt "commercialized".
I appreciate Aladdin's for its proximity to my apartment and for its variety of foodstuffs, but I don't love any of the dishes so much that I crave them. (For me, that's the indication of an awesome restaurant).
They have great salads - I like the mishwi and tawook salads (they're both marinated chicken-based, almost identical but I think they just slice the chicken differently!) Those portions are huge and the chicken is very flavorful. The hummus is tasty and comes with thin pita bread. If you're a fluffy pita person, consider this your warning. I am not a fan of the falafel here. I've given it a few tries - both for carryout and dine-in - and it's just very crumbly and too dry for my liking.
But like I said earlier, they have zillions of other things to choose from - including things like pita "pizzas" and wrap sandwiches. Many vegetarian options as well.
As a transplant from Cleveland, you could understand my excitement when I saw that I was living 2 blocks away from a Cleveland staple!
I really love Aladdins for many reasons. First of all the food is spectacular. I suggest getting the Vegetarian plate (hummus, baba, falafal, dawali, tabouli), or the dawali rolled. I also love anything with the chicken salad in it. The second thing I like about it is the portion sizes. They are huge. Everything I order besides the rolls are big enough to eat for 2 days. The third thing I love is their prices. They are defitely affordable for just a take out meal or even if you want to dine in on their patio.
I might have to go home and order it for dinner! Yummy!
This place has decent medierranean food. Granted the prices are low - the food is average. They put pickle in the sandwhiches which I didn't like.
Other than that, the soups and salads are okay. The hummus and falafel are decent. Nothing amazing, but not horrible either. They do have some good hot sauce and tahini which makes the food taste a lot better.
The serving sizes are medium. Place is cute and in the summer you can sit outside too.
Neighborhood: Lakeview
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Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Middle Eastern
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