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Aladdin's Natural Eatery
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
8 Schoen PlPittsford, NY 14534
(585) 264-9000
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sun 12 pm - 8 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:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
28 reviews for Aladdin's Natural Eatery
Review Highlights
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"...has a lovely outdoor patio which overlooks the Erie Canal." In 7 reviews -
"The falafel was extremely good." In 7 reviews -
"It has a rustic feel and has great outdoor seating." In 3 reviews
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28 reviews in English
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Review from Mike R.
Chatham, NJ
6/12/2011
Very tasty place. We went on a Saturday night and sat upstairs, in view of the balcony but not on it. We were a party of 5 and I was at the end of the table and sort of sticking out in traffic, but it wasn't too bad.
I ended up with the combo platter and everything was good. The baba (ganoush) was very smoky and tasty, and the tabbouleh was mostly parsley, which is how I like it. The falafel was extremely good. I also enjoyed the pitas--made with some whole-wheat flour they were hearty and tasty.
I had a hard time choosing what to eat (hence the combo platter) but everything on the menu looked good. Lots of choices for vegetarians and vegans, as expected. The pastas looked great, and I'll try them next time, or perhaps the falafel sandwich, or the lasagna-like thing, or. . . -
Review from Chris T.
Pittsford, NY
5/18/2012
This place is pretty good. The Gyros are good, Service is efficient.
They NEED a Fryer. I like Fries with my Greek food. Get a Fryer and I will change to 5 stars. -
Review from Sara W.
Rochester, NY
2/11/2012
It's funny how on their website it states "excellent customer service." Although I had no problem with the food and the location is great, it was the customer service that won't have me going back. My sister ordered a glass of wine that tasted flat- we are not the type of people that complain but when you are paying extra money it's only normal to expect a decent glass of wine. We told the waitress that the wine tasted flat and her response was "well we just opened that bottle so it can't be flat." She did nothing to rectify the situation. I am not sure how this could qualify them to say "excellent customer service." I will pass on going here again and go elsewhere
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Review from Brand X.
Rochester, NY
6/18/2011
The last two times I was there, my meals looked hastily thrown together. Here's a pile of dried out grilled chicken, there's a pile of pasta, and over here is some feta. Enjoy.
They used to be better than this. Plus, the downstairs eating area was freezing and smelled like the soap in the bathroom.
In general, the place is getting run down and tired. Not sure why it's still so popular. -
Review from Chris L.
We returned tonight to take advantage of the outdoor seating.
Though it was a relaxing, error-free meal, I still left disappointed, wishing the food was better.
I'm not a huge fan of falafel, but my girlfriend was really craving it tonight, so I gave in. While the texture was moister and less sawdusty than a lot of falafel I've had in the past (especially the version they used to serve at the Halal station in Douglass Dining Hall when I worked there), it was overly salty and did not come with any sort of pita to soften the blow. It looked like a bunch of mini cow pies with a side salad. Needless to say, we did not finish our plate.
The gyro pita was sub-par. The meat was dry and the pita was slightly stale. The least they could have done was warm it up in the microwave, so my first few bites would be enjoyable. My girlfriend enjoyed her moussaka, though I have yet to find a Greek place that is bad enough to screw up that combination of ingredients.
Have you ever had bad lasagna?
Then you probably will never have bad moussaka.
So why three stars and instead of two? The outdoor seating. Sitting with a cool glass of Muscato and watching the sun go down over the canal is a nice way to end a crazy week.
If only Aladdin's were a wine bar...Listed in: Cheap Eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/19/2011
Does Aladdin's serve consistently good, fresh food? Yes.
Is there anything on the menu I can't live… Read more »
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Review from Kishen D.
Pittsford, NY
3/5/2011
Nothing can beat sitting on the balcony after a morning of cycling with you friends having a quick bite.
The food is not perfect, but it is generally very good. Their pita is kind of coarse if compared to other places' but whether it is in a gyro or slathered in hummus it is pretty good. As Aladdin's and Olives are within half a mile of each other I must make the comparison, A's gyros have more meat than Olives but, to me, have a less refined flavor and texture.
If you do end up going the one dish that simply must be tried is the spanakopita, it is slightly sweet, spinach-y, tangy, crispy all at once. Easily my favorite dish! I normally have two, one for me and one to share. -
Review from Polly H.
9/5/2011
Speaking about large portions of flavorful food, this place is truly worth it. It is a short wait, and they do not take reservations, but it's right near an abandoned railroad. It has a rustic feel and has great outdoor seating. I find it awesome for Greek food, such as spanokopita, gyros, soulavkis, shish kebabs. My favorite was my beverage which was a banana, milk, and honey drink(with ice). It was really soothing to look out at the Erie Canal as I eat my dinner with my friends and family. There were ducks just randomly sitting on the side of the road which was nice. It was a beautiful evening, so it was perfect with the view.
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Review from Kristen S.
Rochester, NY
4/21/2011
I went here for lunch with a friend and it was a decent choice. We ordered the falafel as well as the humus for appetizers and we both got soups for lunch because the appetizers were quite big. The falafel was good and flavorful but a bit dry, not the best I've had. The humus was good with pita bread and both were served with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.
I got the vegetable soup and the vegetables in it were artichoke, spinach, and broccoli. It was very tasty but VERY heavy. Definitely made with heavy cream. I am pretty healthy conscious and my stomach did not take well to the heaviness of the soup but it was certainly a nice treat, I ended up taking about half of the bowl home to eat later.
The atmosphere was OK...it was very crowded and loud so not really the ideal place to sit down and chat with a friend but we went on the week of spring break so there were lots of people there that might not have otherwise gone. The wait staff was friendly and attentive so that was a plus. Another plus is the pricing...two people ate for less than $25 and we both left very full!
I give this restaurant 3 stars because of the atmosphere and also because the food was not amazing...nothing too special. -
Review from Marian C.
Rochester, NY
7/2/2011
This spot on the Erie Canal has a lot to offer. Too bad it doesn't deliver. On a recent hot summer night, we arrived with a party of 7 and were informed we were required to eat indoors. Little did we know that this meant we would also be required to do without air conditioning in the 90 degree weather. When we suggested we would rather not dine in sauna-like conditions, the manager decided to engage in a heated argument with my husband. She vehemently shouted at him about how the owner would not allow the A/C to be turned on, regardless of our misery.
I couldn't tell you how the food was, because I was too nauseated to eat.
And then, the finale, an enforced tip.
Your mileage may differ.
But if I wanted to eat dinner in a sauna with Nazis, I'm sure I could find a nicer one. -
Review from Juneko R.
Marin County, CA
9/12/2009
I really miss this place. For the 2 1/2 years that I lived in the Rochester area, Aladdin's was one restaurant we frequented fairly regularly.
Their hummus is excellent, their Greek Salads are simple but tasty with a huge portion of greens tossed with a perfect balsamic vinagrette & a smattering of pungent greek olives, their falafel sandwiches in pita bread are huge to the point of ridiculousness (one of my friends actually complained about the size of his falafel), their lasagna is richly flavored, gooey with cheese and served browned in its own mini casserole dish, and their mediterranean plates allow you to select a combination from a variety of goodies such as falafel, tahini and/or hummus with pita, dolmas, etc. The menu is huge and there are ample choices for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
But my personal favorite is their spanokopita, the traditional flaky Greek spinach pie enrobed in phyllo dough, which they've cooked & seasoned to perfection. When accompanied by a Greek salad, it's the perfect light summer dinner.
And speaking of summer, with its location overlooking the Erie Canal, Aladdin's is a delight to dine at. In the Autumn, when it gets a bit chilly, the restaurant has outdoor heating, so you can enjoy the crisp sunny weather outside.
After dinner, you can stroll along the historic Canal area, wander around some small boutiques, and watch the boats and waterfowl on the water while catching a glimpse of some lovely houses as well (you can even buy tickets for an Erie Canal cruise, if you're so inclined).
We've taken many friends visiting from out of town to Aladdin's and they've all loved it. It's a good place for dining with a group, but beware: its popularity means it can be very crowded on weekend evenings and indoor dining on the weekends can mean a pretty high noise level--something to take into account when you're dining with a large group of friends. I don't know if they take reservations, but it's definitely worth calling ahead to find out.
All in all, Aladdin's is definitely one of the best restaurants in the Rochester area where you can get an excellent meal for a very reasonable price. -
Review from Vanessa W.
Bethlehem, PA
7/17/2010
I went here after it was suggested to me by my fellow yelpers (thanks guys!). I spent a rainy morning shopping, but by lunch the weather had cleared, making this a perfect spot to stop for lunch.
This place has a lovely outdoor patio which overlooks the Erie Canal. Ducks, boats and rowers all passed us by while we munched on yummy hummus and pita sandwiches. Everything was fresh and good. But what was really noteworthy was the baklava. OMG was that delicious!!
Even though it was a hot day (in the nineties) it was cool here as we were in the shade and there was a really nice breeze. Def recommend it. -
Review from Lenny M.
Denver, CO
8/25/2010
This isn't exactly what I think of when I think traditional Greek food. Don't get me wrong though. This place is tasty. Get the falafel wrap. You won't be sorry. It even has banana peppers in it.
The people watching is great along the Erie Canal if you can get a seat outside. Weekends are very busy here so try a weekday.
I am dinging them one star because the service is not always the greatest. Nothing bad, but often slow. -
Review from Chelsea K.
Washington, DC
5/3/2006
This restaurant has two locations, one in Pittsford on Schoen, and on on Monroe downtown. The Pittsford one is defenitely more pleasant and leisurely, since it's right on the canal.
The quality of food is consistant at both places. Definitely try the spanikopita. It's a very healthy serving - probably the best priced item in the place. Nothing is very spactacular, though. -
Review from J B.
Los Angeles, CA
7/24/2011
We were seated right outside the kitchen where it smelled like dirty bar rags. Food took forever to come out. Pita bread was generic, like it was taken right out of the supermarket bag - not heated or flavorful at all. Hummus was mediocre. The falafal pita wrap was a hot mess - overly stuffed with lettuce and 3 little falafals on the side.
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Review from N E.
Rochester, NY
7/19/2011
In my many experiences of going to Aladdin's I have seemed to encounter a "mixed bag" of feelings. It is probably safe to say that the Aladdin's in the city has better food and better servers. That being said, this Aladdin's does have it's strong points.
Let me start with the good things about this restaurant. It is probably the only place along the canal in Pittsford that you can sit outside right on top of the water. On a beautiful sunny day such as when I visited, this is a prominent factor in your night out. Atmosphere is one of the main keys for a restaurant, and this Aladdin's has mastered the perfection of great atmosphere. The inside is nicely decorated as well in case you decide to go on a cold winter night. The restaurant has an amazingly vibrant and fresh, lucious smell that really invites you in and rather excites you for what you are about to eat.
Now, the food. Each time I am at Aladdin's I get something different, and from what I have experienced the food is very inconsistent. All of their PITAS are to die for - the flavor is exquisite and it is nice and fresh. Unfortunately I have not tried the Spanakopita but a friend says that it is excellent. Their mixed grill was filled with flavor; it was only $11 and the portions were very generous. For the most part, I have been happy with the food at Aladdin's.
However, I will warn you now not to order any pasta from this restaurant. The pasta is very cheap but you do not get a very big portion at all. I downed it in about five minutes and was still hungry. It had a moderately good flavor but in general it left something to be desired.
All in all, this restaurant is only average - though it has it's perks, it's inconsistencies hinder it from being a truly "great" Greek restaurant. -
Review from Ivy E.
Brockport, NY
4/26/2007
good variety, different flavors, great desserts!
I was disappointed in my salad and my friend was equally disappointed in her chickend salad pita both of which seemed to be nothing but lettuce
However the pasta entree that our other friend ordered was wonderfully unique and deliscious!
I would give it a second chance before totally writting it off! -
Review from Bryan H.
Rochester, NY
8/4/2009
I am by no means an expert on Mediterranean food, but this place makes a mean souvlaki salad and carries affordable red wines on their menu. The baba ganoush is an every-time-we-go-there sort of favorite.
The best time to go here is during the evening in the summertime, to sit outside as the sun sets over the Erie Canal. Great place for a date, nice segue into dessert or other such romantic dalliances.
I prefer this location to the one on Monroe, although I frequent this more urbane establishment often during the winter months. I prefer Alladin's to Sinbad's because the former costs less and offers more seating room while maintaining similar food quality and service. -
Review from Bronwen V.
Rochester, NY
7/20/2011
I will not be returning. After asking to put the tuna salad on a pita instead of inside one (as a pita instead of a pocket). I was told they couldn't do that during the dinner time, the chefs couldn't accommodate it and they didn't know how much to charge. I thought perhaps there was a misunderstanding, same contents rolled rather than stuffed and I would pay more... Again, I was told the manager said no. I felt as though it wasn't a very unreasonable request and certainly left a bad taste in my mouth about returning in the future.
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Review from Brian B.
Rochester, NY
5/24/2011
Aladdin's is just the best. And I love the veiw from the balcony.
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Review from Chris P.
Rochester, NY
1/22/2010
The food here is generally pretty good, but the service and the atmosphere in the winter is seriously lacking. I am sure that in the summer, when the porch is open it's a wonderful place to sit and enjoy watching people pass by, but in the winter we sat down stairs and smelled the overpowering deodorizer during our meal. We had to move our location once, and were not sure how the people who got seated where we were actually enjoyed their dinner. The service was OK, definitely not the restaurants finest hour. Word to the wise, if its summer and you can sit on the porch, check it out.. if not this is not the place to go.
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Review from Kathy G.
Pittsford, NY
2/10/2011
Delicious, healthy & versatile menu. Awesome vegan options. One of my personal favorites in Rochester. Service can be slow during busy times.
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Review from Roni S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/5/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I just finished my review of the Monroe ave location, and my feelings for the Pittsford one are no different. The quality of the food and service are top notch, and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg. I used to ride my bike on the towpath from Fairport. I have fond memories of sitting on the patio with a bowl of gazpacho in the summer months.
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Review from Ankur P.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2007
Delicious hummus and one of my favorite places in Rochester. Very reasonably priced and the Gyros are to die for. In high school, this was always my default restaurant. I miss it!
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Review from Ariel M.
Stamford, CT
3/14/2010
I LOVE Aladdin's with a passion. This is one of my favorite places to eat around here. I like this location better than the Monroe location, not sure why, and I couldn't tell you, but I just do. The food is really, really awesome. They have so much you can choose from. The staff is really nice and welcoming. I have never had a bad experience here. The food is pretty inexpensive. Their desserts are great!! They have a vegetarian sample dish where you can get like 5 different vegetarian dishes at the price of one big meal. It's great! Love it!
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Review from Michael B.
Rochester, NY
1/17/2010
Below average middle eastern eats. I used to love the Monroe location but am always disappointed when I go back to the pittsford spot.
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Review from roshni r.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2005
my favorite spot for a bite to eat along schoen place (a lovely stop along the erie canal with swans, and other lovely things :) ). good mediterranean fare--not the typical middle eastern med fare, but rather a blend of mid eastern, greek, italian, and even spanish influences. great gyros and a gret artichoke dip appetizer.
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Review from A M.
Waltham, MA
8/13/2011
I used to eat at this place a lot when I was growing up and remember loving it. Unfortunately, years later, this place isn't as good as 5-10 years ago. The one pro of my experience was that we were seated immediately, which is great for a Saturday night. However, it took the waitress about 10 minutes to come by to ask us what we wanted to drink. For dinner, I ended up ordering a souvlaki without cheese or dressing, but they brought it with both cheese and dressing. They were efficient about correcting the mistake and the new dish came out about 5 minutes later. Half way through my meal though, I realized the dish had a hair in it. I didn't end up complaining about that because I didn't think it was worth it at this point. Having eaten some of my meal, I have to say it was average, especially for the price. But overall, I wouldn't spend my money here again when you can get much better food in the same area and at a restaurant that is actually clean.
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Review from Tina S.
Diamond Bar, CA
4/17/2010
Yeah, it kinda smelled funny (like dirty dishwater) when we walked in, but I still enjoyed the food. The hummus (with meat on top!) was amazing! And my friend really loved her spinach salad. I had falafel and the fava bean taste was way too strong and bitter. I would not order that again.
