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Ali Baba Grill
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Middle Eastern, Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
109 Rubey DrGolden, CO 80403
(303) 279-2228
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Classic Spanish Cuisine. Our chef Antonio's family has a very large saffron and olive plantation in the heart of the Spanish country side. We import… read more »
104 reviews for Ali Baba Grill
Review Highlights
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"The hummus alone is worth the trip." In 49 reviews -
"I got my chicken shawarma and loved every bite." In 8 reviews -
"...with hummus, 2 stuffed grape leaves, falaffel patties, and..." In 3 reviews
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104 reviews in English
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Review from Matt S.
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best Middle Eastern food in Denver for my money; I was born in Lebanon and grew up in Saudi Arabia - so I know a thing or two about it. I was skeptical upon parking, the restaurant is in a little strip mall in north Golden - not exactly a hotbed of culture.
Almost every time I've been there, I've heard customers speaking Arabic - always a good sign.
Until I came to Ali Baba the first time, I'd never found hummus worth paying for at any other place in the area - I'd much rather make my own. That was until I found Ali Baba...their hummus is incredibly smooth and has just the right amount of tahini, so many places overdo it.
I'm not generally a fan of falafel, but the ones at Ali Baba are the best I've ever eaten, hands down. Unlike the lumps of Kingsford charcoal briquettes that so many places try and pass off, these lightly fried bites of goodness come out fresh and packed with flavor.
Many places in Denver seem to think it is okay to pass off ground beef as kafta kebab, but at Ali Baba you get hand-formed ground lamb with the requisite spices - not to missed. The gyro meat is always fresh and tasty.
Go for lunch and the value can't be beat - gyro sandwich for five bucks? Um, ok!
As other reviewers have noted, they don't have a liquor license, something that normally would preclude me giving five stars, but I'll let it slide under the heading of 'Authenticity'.
I can't recommend this place highly enough - truly delicious, truly authentic. -
Review from Lily S.
I'm not kidding, Ali Baba Grill is the best Middle East joint in Colorado! All of its dishes are consistently good; to me, that's more imporant than having some outstanding and others crappy. What comes to mind as an example is the Jerusalem restaurant on the DU campus. It's got a huge dessert counter but a lot of them are not that good, so I'd rather it be like Ali Baba, only serving Baklava as dessert and it's good baklava.
The renovated Ali Baba Grill is pretty exotic looking. We arrived late for dinner and got one of the biggest tables in the corner which made us feel like king and queen. The servers were very accommodating as to what we want to leave out, substitute, etc. The portions are HUGE for the amount of money paid (and they offer coupons on their website so be sure to check that out!).
For starters, I could not stop eating the hummus and pita, I didn't even care how full I was going to get, it was like if I didn't rush, the pita's going to get cold so I better stuff my face, lol. Then our grilled mushrooms came, very juicy and fragrant. Flavor wise, I would give 4 stars as I remember liking the grilled mushrooms from Damascus Grill (which I also reviewed) better, but again, the importance is consistency.
As soon as our entrees came, I regreted having stuffed my face with hummus and pita. The King Combo is indeed meant for a king's appetite. Falafels were freshly fried - too hot to the touch but oh so good. The eggplant dip, which I specifically asked to replace Baba Ghanouj because I've tried the latter and wanted to compare. Both are great dips, still prefer the Baba Ghanouj. The meats were all good, just what I expected them to be. Hmm, maybe all their dishes are so tasty for a reason, I was downing water all night up until bed time. But hey, as long as it taste good, that's all it matters to me.
The Hummus Be-Shawarma (A generous portion of hummus topped with either Gyros, Chicken Shawarma) plate looked a little too deconstructed. I'll probably stick with a Chicken Shawarma sandwich in the future. Nevertheless, the garlic-yogurt sauce was condiment of the Gods! It single handedly improved the otherwise dry and bland chicken chunks. We asked for more sauce when packing our leftovers.
Not living in Golden will make trips like this to Ali Baba Grill such a treat! -
Review from Lacey M.
1/31/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I'm really diggin' on this place right now. I've been a couple times so far, and the food has been phenomenal every time, along with great service. I'll admit I didn't have very high expectations for a little mediterranean joint in a strip mall in Golden...but I was blown away.
Upon first glance, it doesn't seem like anything special. But once you enter the main dining room you are transported to land far far away, with magic carpets on the ceiling, hookahs in the corner, and comfy pillows to sit on.
I've tried a couple different apps, including the falafel (some of the best I've ever had!) and the Sambusek w/ cheese (Feta Cheese, eggs, olive oil, spices, lemon juice, wrapped in wonton skin then deep fried to perfection). Both were great, but I definitely lean towards the falafel. I will be ordering that every time! All entrees also come w/ hummus, which is oh so creamy and delicious. The pita bread is a little dry IMO, and doesn't seem homemade, which is a shame.
And on to the entrees... aka... sweet, sweet heavenly meat. The best way to go is definitely the Lebanese Meat Combo: A combination of lamb kabob, chicken kabob and kafta kabob (made w/ ground lamb). Wow. I can't even put into words how amazing that platter o' meat is. The menu says it feeds 2 people...but that thing is ginormous! Feeds way more then just 2 people, even for big eaters (like me). The Gyros entree is also a must try... blows Pete's gyro meat out of the water!
It does make me sad that they don't serve alcohol. Both visits, when eating a bite of perfectly grilled lamb, I was longing for a lovely glass of Shiraz or Zinfandel to wash it down with. But alas, I must enjoy my meat sans alcohol, but I promise that will not keep me away from this little hidden gem in Golden. -
Review from Ilona F.
5/19/2012
Several people recommended this place so I thought I'd try it out. Arrived late afternoon on a Saturday, not quite dinnertime but far after usual lunch hours. Still, the lunch menu was valid. A star for that. Considering that this restaurant is in a strip mall, I was delighted by the decor, rich in color, pattern, and detailed accent pieces. Another star. Since I wasn't too hungry, I ordered the falafel sandwich. It came quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly. It wasn't as hot as I would have liked it; and, aside from the falafel and sauce, the rest was unimaginative. Instead of a few chunks of pale tomato (which don't distribute themselves well), they could have diced it, added cucumber and some spices. I'm not sure why I was expecting a more Jerusalem-style falafel, loaded with all kinds of colorful condiments (pickled onions, cabbage, to name a few). Anyway, the third star is for the friendly waitress. I might return someday, but I'm not in a hurry.
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Review from Jonathan H.
Denver, CO
5/10/2012
My girlfriend and I ate here on a Friday evening about a month ago. It was highly recommended by some friends who live in Golden, and we liked what we saw on Yelp, too. We just wished we'd had as good of an experience as it appears so many here have.
We walked in, took a quick look at the menu that was taped (what? is menu theft a problem?) to the front counter. GF had already looked at the menu online but I wasn't sure what I wanted. Wanted to sit down, nice day, asked if we could sit outside? "Sure, we'll take care of you. Sit anywhere you like." We did. They didn't.
We took a couple menus and walked outside. It was 10 minutes before anyone came out to see us. Brought us nothing (water? silverware? hello?). By then we were both ready to order food and drinks. Drinks arrived quickly enough, food came out about 15 minutes later. GF and I were both parched from a hike and by then had completely finished our sodas AND waters. Waiter came out, set down food, turned around and walked away before I could even ask for refills...And I don't think that's something I should have to request.
Food looked great. Problem? Still no silverware! Walked inside to front counter. Waited a few minutes to see if anyone would speak to me...The THREE guys behind the counter were far too busy talking to each other, so I grabbed a couple sets of silverware from the wait station and walked back outside.
GF had ordered a sampler plate. The baba ghanouj (sp?) and hummus were EXCELLENT. The pitas they served with it were dry and stiff. Everything else in the sampler was so-so. I got the gyro sandwich. I prefer to remove it from the foil rather than peel it away as I eat it, and perhaps that's my mistake, but...Pita was dry and stiff. They had constructed the sandwich so that all the meat was on one side and all the veggies and sauce were on the other. Result: veggies and sauce bust through dry, stiff pita, and the whole sandwich falls apart as I'm eating it. Worst part: in the middle of my sandwich was a piece of gyro meat about the size of my fist. WTF? Tasted alright, but I shouldn't need a knife to eat the meat in my sandwich. GF got the baklava dessert which was also EXCELLENT.
So some of the food was 5 stars, and some of it was 1 star. Overall, though, I didn't think the food was anything better than food at Shish Kabob Grill, Jerusalem, and Ya Hala...And some of it was markedly worse.
But the service was shameful. If I was going to eat here again it would be take-out only. There are many wiser ways to spend my food money in Golden, so I doubt I'll be back. My guess is that there just aren't many good Middle Eastern restaurants on the West side of Denver, so this place ends up seeming better than it really is. -
Review from Amanda T.
Golden, CO
5/16/2012
FANTASTIC food, very inexpensive. Friendly but very busy servers. Newly remodeled section has great ambiance but uncomfortable chairs. They'll let you sit there for forever without a hassle.
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Review from Sarah K.
Denver, CO
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in for lunch and got yummy hummus and lamb kabob. The service was a little slow, but we were in no rush. Also, the seating was a little odd. Portions and prices reasonable, I wish I had gotten that baklava...
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Review from Sumay J.
Aurora, CO
4/27/2012
The best Middle Eastern food in Colorado - hands down. They have the best hummus - to die for - love their kufta kabob - absolutely delicious - and their chicken shwarma is also excellent. Authentic - delicious - Middle Eastern food. You can't go wrong here.
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Review from Farwah R.
Chicago, IL
4/18/2012
really a surreal experience and amazing halal food. My favorite restaurant for life. The service is nothing to great, but the food and the huge combos really made up for it. It is sad that I moved from Colorado and haven't been in years. Hope it hasn't changed.
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Review from Riza H. C.
Denver, CO
12/7/2011 8 photos
Man, this place is indeed jam packed especially when its time for DINNER. Was here with Hubs on FRIDAY November 4th 2011, after running some errands in this part of the neighborhood. Time was about 17:45hrs ish.
We were seated prompty (near to the cash register) or where the "baklava" or desserts display is located, given the menu and these were what we ordered that evening :
* Grilled Mushrooms ($4.95)
* Lamb Shank (My order for that evening) ($13.95)
* Lamb Curry (Hubs' Order) ($12.95)
While going thru their menu, I think they also "feature" or aka sell their hummus and baba ghanouj in a couple of the health stores in town like Vitamin Cottage and Whole Foods.
Hubs mentioned he likes the Hummus and the Grilled Mushrooms. For the Hummus, this was like the first time, Hubs liking it. I feel that the Hummus is so ADDICTIVE in a good way. Hmmm.... Hubs said, the Grilled Mushrooms are tasty perhaps so it might have been drizzled with some kind of sauce i.e A1 sauce or something.
If I am not mistaken our main entrees comes with Salads, Hummus and Pita Breads. I was quite surprised with Hubs decision and order, but I think I could recall a few day earlier prior dining in at Ali Baba Grill, he mentioned that he was craving for "something curry".
When our main entrees arrived, Hubs tasted the curry. The Lamb meat was tender, but it seems that the curry lacks of something. As for my dish, yes it seems to have alot of lamb meat and the lamb shank looks HUGE, but it seems it lacks of flavor of "something"...
Hmm, I want to like this place. I want to support this kind of establishment. But something is missing, I mean amiss that I could not pin point at that moment of time until today, hence with the 3 STARS review. To return, YES a maybe, though I think I still want to try the lamb shank dish again or some other dish that Ali Baba Grill Golden Location offer.... Perhaps when we were there, its their OFF DAY or something. After our dinner we strike a conversation with one of the staffs. We are glad to know that they provide Halal meats except for their Gyros, since they obtain the Gyros meat from another supplier.
We ended our evening at Ali Baba Grill, Golden Location at about 18:55hrs ish. As I look up at the receipt given, it mentioned that "Where Every Meal Is A Treasure"... Hmm... I bet it is.. but where is my Treasure?? Hehehe...Listed in: Zip Code 80403 & Zip Code…
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Review from Mark M.
Golden, CO
3/19/2012
Overall bad experience! Nicely decorated place is the only positive. The service was very very rushed, they wanted us out of there fast. Waiter was obviously disappointed when we walked in the door (it was still 35 minutes before the restaurant closing time). Then brought all our food out (appetizers and entrees) at same time very quickly so it was obviously not prepared fresh. The food was tired, chicken was so over-cooked it had the texture of powder. Other food dried out. Then bill came immediately and asked to pay now because he "wants to leave".
This was our second or third time eating there, other experiences were better but after this time we will NEVER be going back. -
Review from Kimberly S.
Golden, CO
1/11/2012
I haven't been to this place since they opened like 10 years ago. Wow, have they grown up!!! I remembered the interior as being tiny, a very bland peach color with absolutely nothing to indicate the type of cuisine they offered. Today I was blown away when I walked in and felt I was transported to some exotic middle eastern oasis!
Then the food arrived and I was blown away again! First the falafel appetizer: 6 per order and served screaming hot with the yummiest, lemony dipping sauce ever! Then my fettoush salad topped with chicken shawarma - OMG, a huge portion of fresh crisp greens, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and crisp pita chips lightly dressed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette....I had enough left for dinner tonight! I washed all this deliciousness down with their wonderful, fragrant, creamy, comforting chai tea. (After lunch I was dying to fire up one of their beautiful hookahs and have me a toke of Strawberry Fields, but alas....apparently those are just for decoration.)
I'm hooked! Can't wait to come back for dinner! -
Review from Alexandra K.
Littleton, CO
4/17/2012
I ordered dinner to go from here and it was absolutely fantastic. I am pretty picky with food (being a longtime foodie & more recent vegan).. This place is a GODSEND for vegans and vegetarians. Rarely do I not have to alter the ingredients so it was a nice break to (mostly) be able to order right off the menu. I ordered the baba ghanouj, hummus, falafel, muhamara, eggplant dip, grilled mushrooms sans butter, and a couple of spinach pies. I didn't really pay any attention to decor (not really snobby about this) except that it was very clean and the guy I dealt with was pleasant enough (he could have been an a-hole and I wouldn't have cared the food was so good). Overall, no complaints at all; the portions were very generous, prices were good, and everything was F*CKING DELICIOUS!
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Review from Amy D.
9/27/2011
What is it about finding good food in strip malls? It happens people! Not always, but sometimes. And sometimes it's Yelp-worthy.
An ad rep came to visit me today and we ended up at Ali Baba Grill for lunch - I hadn't been in ages and quickly worked up a craving for chicken shawarma...and falafel...and gyros. At the time it ALL sounded good.
We arrived and were promptly seated and orders taken. I got my chicken shawarma and loved every bite. My rep went with the gyro lunch entree and co-worker had the lamb kebab. HELLO! I had one bite and *almost* regretted my initial choice. But no worry, I'll be back and will have a whole kebab all to myself. Maybe even two!
As always the falafel was most dee-lish, as was everyone's entree. My ONLY (small) gripe with Ali Baba is: where does everyone go when it's time for the check? Seriously it's pulling teeth to get the bill there. Usually you can flag someone down and give the "we're ready for the check" wave but sometimes it's a little challenging.
No worries though, the food and atmosphere make up for it - at least in the upper level where the decor is Mediterranean-inspired and very inviting.
I work in Golden and our restaurant options are few - thank goodness for little strip-mall gems like Ali Baba Grill. -
Review from lisa o.
Jefferson, CO
12/11/2011
Food wise: Good grape leaves. Good hummus & baba ghanoush. Good falafel. Good tabouli. Good baklava. Location & decor: Inside it certainly doesn't feel like it is sitting in a strip mall given the unique Middle Eastern decor, but it is. The service is always solid no matter how busy it is.
The amount of food is large in respect to the cost. All around a nice place. -
Review from Kate R.
Denver, CO
11/22/2011
We have been going to Ali Baba for over two years now and somehow it keeps getting better. How is this possible?
Dinner Salad = awesome (who compliments a dinner salad?)
Hummus = awesome
Baklava = freaking awesome
Everything = awesome
The service is efficient and polite, the ambiance is unique, and the prices are incredible for what you get. Next time you drive through Golden, ignore Washington Street and take a trip to the strip mall off of hwy 93!! -
Review from Christine P.
Denver, CO
9/22/2011
Oh Ali Baba, you are on top of your game! Service, ambiance, mouth watering food, all spot on. Who would have guessed that such a treasure exists in an unassuming little strip mall in Golden.
When you enter Ali Baba there are a few tables and a counter directly in front of you. Pretty sparse. But then, you turn to the left, walk up a couple of stairs and everything changes. It is very ornate, lots of fabric, colors, pillows. I half expect a belly dancer to pop out around the corner.
And then there is the food. The creamiest, smokiest, most delicious baba ghanouj, hummus that I could eat by the ton, crispy, tasty falafel, tender, juicy, chicken shawarma, it's all delicious. And, they are not shy about giving you value for your dollar! Expect leftovers my friends their portions are healthy to say the least. But I love that about them. Because the next day, when I'm thinking about the delicious food I had at Ali Baba, I realize there is a little more in the refrigerator and I'm happy all over again. -
Review from Crystal V.
Golden, CO
10/24/2011
Ali Baba's is one of my go-to favorite spots here in Golden.
Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious!
The hummus is bar far the VERY BEST hummus I've ever had the pleasure of eating.
Service is always extremely fast and in my experience, very friendly.
The menu pricing is insanely reasonable for the quality (and amount) of food. -
Review from Laurie S.
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Delicious as it gets! Went here for the first time and I am in love. True food coma love. I ordered the vegi plate which was enormous, and also came with a pre-dinner salad. Falafel in the shapes of hearts, lots of baba ghanoush and tons of hummus. Best Hummus and baba ghanoush I think I have ever had, seriously amazing.
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Review from Julie L.
5/24/2011
The first time I came here I wasn't very hungry and had the lentil soup and baba ghanouj with pita which were both flavorful and fresh but nothing exciting.
The second time I visited I had my Lebanese friend with me. We started with the Kibbeh which is meat paste stuffed with ground sirloin and beef and deep fried with a cucumber dipping sauce. It was hot, crunchy with a meat flavor that was not like any appetizer I've ever had. Dipped in the cucumber sauce, it gave it a slightly gamey flavor that added a level of flavor and depth. She explained to me that they may have used goat milk for the sauce which gave it it's distinct flavor.
For lunch it was the lamb kebobs. Forgive me little lambs but when you are marinated in olive oil, oregano and special spices and charbroiled fresh on the grill, you are sooo hard to resist. Incredibly tender without the usual strong gamey taste, the kabobs are one of the best I've had. With a bed of long grain basmati rice and a grilled tomato it completed the meal.
As much as I enjoyed the meal the server was all but PMSing in his own male way. Both times he was less than friendly and looked miserable serving each plate of food. On my first visit he plunked down my soup so hard I thought he broke the bowl. The second visit was slightly better but when we asked if pita is served with the meal he retorted that all the rest of the diners ordered hummus so that's why they had pita bread. Hmmm... might have been better to have "suggested" the hummus. -
Review from Sean S.
Denver, CO
1/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I usually dont get enough hummus with my meal but in this case they loaded it up. I might add that it was pretty damn good too.I had the gyro and humus plate and the was a huge portion. I plan on going back and getting their lamb shank.
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Review from Taj M.
Denver, CO
Updated - 12/22/2011
The last time I was in, the service was lackluster and my wife's hot sandwich was cold. My favorite dish just wasn't quite as good as I remember.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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Review from Hank I.
Golden, CO
8/23/2011
The hummus alone is worth the trip.
Entrees are big enough that two that are just hungry can share and not leave feeling that way.
Cool interior too. -
Review from Mariam D.
6/27/2011
After a day of hiking through Red Rocks, we were rescued by a friend who brought us here for dinner. The Ali Baba Grill is located in an ordinary shopping center .. but don't let the unimpressive exterior fool you. Step inside and be transported to an authentic Middle Eastern/Lebanese establishment - the decor is impressive and the ambiance relaxing and enchanting.
We started with hummus, veggies, and pita bread. The second portion of pita was cold, but nonetheless the hummus was delicious and we devoured it like savage beasts. Next we ordered the Meat Plate and the Vegetarian Plate and shared plates. The meats included lamb, chicken, and beef on skewers served with a side of rice, and they were tasty... though I do not eat lamb. The veggie plate was more to my liking- it was filled with hummus, 2 stuffed grape leaves, falaffel patties, and a few other treats to include a side of rice as well. A curry dish was ordered by a friend at our table, and I sampled and it too was quite good.
In conclusion: all of the foods we tasted were delicious, our waiter was pleasant, and our experience was a very enjoyable one! -
Review from freckle b.
Westminster, CO
12/29/2011
Sometimes I dream of the hummus here. I'm not kidding - it is amazing. (The kebabs are good too, but, oh, the hummus ....)
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Review from Lucas S.
Golden, CO
12/20/2011
Chicken shwarma!
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Review from Cat S.
5/9/2011 1 photo
Ali Baba is pretty decent Middle Eastern food in an area that I wouldn't expect there to be good food. Had random cravings for hummus and doing a yelp search of the Golden area, Ali Baba came up with pretty decent reviews.
I wouldn't say it's the best I've had - the chicken shwarma meat was really dry, but the service we experienced bumped it up to a 4 star rating. It was really busy (it being dead day at Mines) and people were drunk/rowdy from drinking all day, but I thought our waiter handled us well, even with the craziness going on.
We ended up getting the Fettoush salad with chicken shwarma, hummus, a chicken kebob, and gyro entree. The waiter was kind enough to give me a shocked look when I tried ordering the chicken kebob entree on top of my salad. "It's a LOTTTT of food." Well, dear me. Please just give me the side then :) And it was a perfect amount of food! The entree would've overwhelmed me.
The chicken kebob was perfectly grilled and moist with very good flavors. The hummus had the creamy texture that I love. And the gyros were pretty decent too!
At the end, (I think for the wait we had to endure in the beginning), they gave us each free baklava to take with us. And the baklava was GOOOOOD. -
Review from Mike E.
3/24/2011
I try to get to Ali Baba Grill whenever I find myself in Golden around lunch time, with yesterday being my latest visit. I know there's nothing magical about making good hummus and baba ghanouj, but there's something about both here that I find damn near irrestible. I've even started seeing them in Whole Foods so I'm not the only one to occasionally crave them. Within a few minutes of sitting down you can get a few warm pitas and a good portion of dipping heaven!
I had the gyros sandwich yesterday, which once again was outstanding. Fresh ingredients are key to any dish, with the veggies and tzatziki sauce used in the sandwich being great examples. All the flavors combine to make dozens of blissful bites of happiness. I've also thoroughly enjoyed the chicken kobideh and kafta kabob, both came with rice, hummus, and a salad.
The prices are very reasonable and the service has always been fast and friendly. The decor was all brought over from the Middle East and definitely adds to the overall ambience of the place.
Next time you make it to Golden you'll have to check it out! -
Review from Elston G.
Denver, CO
3/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
To know if a lebanese restaurant will be any good... there are only 2 markers you need to evaluate:
Kibbeh or Kebbeh ( fried ) and Hummuos.
This place hits a home run on both. This place rates in the top 3 nationally.... Sunnin in West Los Angeles, Sammy's in Houston, and now Ali baba grill... this place is a must.... everything we have tried is excellent.... and fresh fresh fresh. -
Review from A K.
League City, TX
5/29/2011
Great food and a neat facade all at an awesome price.
Judging by its outward appearance, I was shocked by the inside. The restaurant is nestled in a small shopping center across from Canyon Pointe and has a very plain facade. Once inside, the walls are painted in gold and maroon with authentic-looking decorations, including a massive marble fountain in the upper dining room and fabric draped over the ceiling. If you can, get a booth seat along the wall so you can recline while you eat.
Speaking of which, the hummus is tasty and the fresh, warm pitas are sooo good. I had the ground lamb sandwich and the lentil soup, both of which were very tasty. The best part? The price. I feel like restaurants are sometimes subject to the "Golden" bubble (in terms of inflated prices) but Ali Baba has no such compunctions and offers fresh, delicious food at an incredibly affordable price. My dinner for two cost under $30 and both of us were stuffed and took portions home. I will absolutely be back. -
Review from Gitana G.
Arvada, CO
9/1/2010
I was positive I was going to "LUV" this place after reading all the reviews on Yelp EXCEPT there are too many conflicting factors to give this place more than three stars.
The upper dining room is how a Middle Eastern restaurant SHOULD look (especially for being located in a strip mall!) As Jelena mentioned, They have middle eastern "serapes" hanging from ceiling and covering the benches that circle the perimeter of the room. There are three thigh-high fountains in the middle of the room, one of them being marble. Only one of the fountains was actually running when we were there. Still the sound of running water was an improvement to the background elevator musak. It sounded something they would play in a funeral parlor. WTF?
The lighting was good and bad; they have some lovely Moroccan-style colored lanterns and huge, wagon-wheel-style chandeliers. As someone else mentioned, it was still a little too bright. The walls are decorated exotically with panels of Middle-Eastern script and gold swords.
We walked in and the waiter attempted to sit us in the lower dining room (yawn; it looks like a cafeteria.) I requested that we sit in the upper dining room. Initially, the waiter told us "It was full" then he said "Wait five minutes" We waited about five minutes and then he moved us. The upper dining room was only 1/2 full. At this point, I'm a little annoyed. If you go to Ali Baba INSIST that you sit in the upper dining room for the full experience.
Three stars for the food. I ordered the combo plate, a good gauge for quality and taste. My husband had the lamb.
Combo plate - three stars (did not make me "swoon" - just okay)
Lamb plate - four stars (good flavor; kind of salty)
Pita - one star (not very fresh; cardboardy)
Tabbouleh - two stars "parsley salad" - quote from Doug Y.
Hummus - four stars
Baba ghanoush - four stars
Falafel - two stars
Sambusek wi/th cheese appetizer - five stars (deep fried feta; yum)
Turkish coffee - one star (cold; not even close to warm)
Mint tea - one star (what? no refills for $1.95?)
Gyro sandwich - two stars (takeout; just "okay" - quote from kiddo)
Copper covered menus - five stars (unique!)
Service - two stars (the "brothers" seemed to do the bare minimum, here)
This seems a little nit-picky, but the entrees were served on what seems like melamine plates (*think cafeteria trays, here). True, melanine has come a long way in a couple of decades, but the glasses and coffee cups were straight out of a truck stop. Oh, yeah, the "the service area counter" is right out in the open, which bothers me somehow.
Food-wise, I know I can find more satisfying Middle Eastern food in Denver. So, I don't think I would return for the food. However, the upper dining room is kind of cool, so that might warrant a return trip sometime in the far future.Listed in: Exotic Locales......Locally, It's all Greek to Me
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Review from Kasia K.
Littleton, CO
9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food was just average. I don't see anything special compare to other restaurants this type. Decor is great ! Simply beautiful. Service was horrible
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Review from a b.
Golden, CO
9/17/2011
I LOVE this place!!!!!!!!
Their hummus is amazing. Normally I make my own hummus, but theirs is so amazing that I simply cannot replicate it.
I love their pies as well.
The entrees are large - I always take half home or split it with a friend.
The sandwiches are great too. Love the gyro and falafel.
The staff is friendly and the restaurant is unique. I love going here! It's also a fabulous deal for your money. Fantastic place. -
Review from Andrew F.
Englewood, CO
11/21/2011
A real find! Delicious in all ways and wonderful service. Best I've had since NYC.
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Review from Harmony O.
Boulder, CO
3/9/2008 ROTD 3/18/2008
While most people were out enjoying the springy weather today, I was working, but luckily for me I was working in Golden! Went with work-related people to Ali Baba Grill for a late lunch. Brightly and comfortably decorated back room was empty when we arrived so we chose a nice corner table along the prettiest decorated wall of all.
Since their menus reminded me of the menus at Marrakech on Colo. Blvd. in Denver, I mentioned Marrakech to our waitperson, and she told me they are both owned by the same people, but Ali Baba has a more extensive menu. More Greek items at Ali Baba, she said.
Anyway, they have the same magnificent hummus and wonderfully fresh pita bread, and the entrees that come with a salad, hummus, and rice for a reasonable price. Most just under $10. The Greek Salad one of my co-diners got was huge with massive cubes of fresh Feta cheese and olives and everything else that makes a Greek Salad what it is.
Nice soups. Friendly fast and efficient service even as the place filled up with people while we were there.
And it's so nice and relaxing to watch that fountain in the middle of the room...Listed in: Service with a Smile
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Review from Darika S.
5/8/2010 ROTD 8/8/2010
Oh Ali Baba how I could just bathe in your hummus.
It's so smooth, creamy, and seasoned. The best hummus and baba ghanoush in the Denver area. I pretty much just order the falafel sandwich with fries and a side of hummus they always throw a bag of pita bread in the bag, though I dip the fries in the hummus as well. And every other time I get the baklava, not too sweet, but so flaky and it's the spot. Chicken swarma sandwich is a solid sandwich my husband says, but I guess I get weak for the dips. And I see the hummus and ghanoush in grocery stores now, yay!Listed in: Foods that make you cuss, The miles don't matter
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Review from Jelena W.
Lakewood, CO
7/26/2007 1 photo
This is my favorite lunch or casual dinner spot, period. The Ali Baba Grill is my first choice to treat friends visiting from out of town, for a lunch date, an informal business meeting, or for a solo bite to eat while passing through Golden. If you haven't visited yet, get your shoes on, lift one foot, and hop to it!
It might not look like much from the outside, but the Ali Baba Grill is beautifully decorated. The back room, sometimes reserved for meetings, is adorned with rugs, couches, and wall hangings brought from Syria by the owner and his family. There is a fountain that houses a few goldfish, and several ornate hookah pipes adorn the tables- no, you can't use them, but they're nice to look at. Even the menus are ornate. The music is very authentic, consisting of selections from contemporary and classic artists, mostly in Arabic or Egyptian.
As for the food- you won't find a better falafel sandwich anywhere. A big plus is the price; sandwich wraps, found on the lunch menu but served all day, are only $3.99. Entrees and appetizers are equally reasonable. You can easily get dinner for two for under $25, including tax and tip. A couple of menu recommendations from a regular:
Safe and Delicious:
Drink: Orange Juice- this is fresh squeezed in the kitchen, and tastes so fresh I'm still not convinced they don't grow it in the kitchen, too. Not convinced? Try ordering it not long before closing- they are almost always out due to high demand for the best O.J. in town!
Appetizer: Baba Ghanoush- This delicious chickpea paste comes with warmed pitas. If you're a hummus person it'll take a little getting used to, but you may never go back to bland ol' hummus after you taste this savory variation on the 'chickpea goo on pitas' theme.
Entree: Falafel Sandwich- Falafel, hummus, tomato, and lettuce in a pita wrap. The portion size is more than ample, and the falafels are the tastiest and freshest I've had.
Dessert: Baklava- Tasty and dripping with honey, just like Mom used to make, if Mom was a Lebanese gourmet.
Adventurous Appetite:
Drink: Yogurt Drink- The servers will warn you that you may not like the yogurt drink, but if you're the least bit unusual in your tastes, ignore them and order it anyway. This is a staple on Lebanese and Syrian menus and mostly offered for the customers who are from Arabic-speaking countries and visiting for a taste of home- you'll find it strangely salty, but a few sips and this yogurt/juice concoction will grow on you.
Appetizer: Stuffed Grape Leaves- These may be a little tangy for the average American palate, but they're a great choice for a lover of foreign foods. Filling, but not too filling, leaving plenty of room for the meal.
Entree: Chicken Shawarma Salad- This is one of the most flavorful salads I've ever enjoyed. It complements the yogurt drink very nicely. Yummy fresh greens are topped by delicious chicken and pita chips, and everything is drenched in shawarma sauce, a sharp and unique dressing made with garlic and oil. The portions are huge, and it's even fairly healthful!
Dessert: Baklava- Okay, it's good enough to recommend twice; also, it's the only dessert offered.
What about the service, you ask? Well, Ali Baba's is family owned, and most of the employees are either family or friends of the family. If the restaurant isn't too busy, you may find your server hovering over you asking how the food is and refilling your drinks- a refreshing change from the jaded teenyboppers serving at most spots in this price range. If you're interested in learning a few words of Arabic, ask for Mahmoud- he helped my Arabic class struggle through an evening of Arabic immersion over dinner.
Overall, I'd give Ali Baba's six stars if I could- if you haven't been, visit soon. If you haven't gone in a while, go back. Take your friends, your family, and your sister's cousin's grandmother's boyfriend's college roommate. Delicious, unique, super friendly, and right in my price range. -
Review from Amy F.
9/18/2010 2 Check-ins Here
We used to come here all the time, but moved and forgot about it for a few years... The remodel looks great, sitting in the back room really did remind me of being in Northern Africa. If you want Middle Eastern food with Middle Eastern atmosphere, this is definitely the place to go! The food is very good as well, very flavorful and large portions for the price.
Our only complaint is that the service can be a bit... off. I don't know how else to put it, and it was this way five years ago, too. They aren't blatantly rude and they never mess up an order, but they can be a bit inattentive and slow. Doesn't bother me, but it drives my husband insane. I guess it speaks to the quality of the food that he still suggests it often when we want to eat out! -
Review from Laura L.
Denver, CO
8/29/2011
Beyond delicious. Loved the pita and hummus, Gyro platter (enormous servings, BTW) and heavenly baklava. One of the best places I've been to since moving to Denver. The decor is beautiful and ornate. I will be back, no doubt!!!
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Review from Eric S.
Golden, CO
2/4/2012
I just love the hummus, falafel, and gyros here so much. The staff is friendly and the decor is better than expected, it takes you away. It's a great deal.
