Ali Baba
- Price Range: $
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
6 Reviews for Ali Baba
A very light hearted atmosphere, Ali Baba can quench your hunger for Middle Eastern food. During lunch time, there is an all you can eat buffet that is very tasty and affordable. At night, they have belly dancers on stage and around the tables. The falafels are very good and I highly recommend the kabobs.
At first, the thought of a Middle Eastern buffet turned me away, as I don't care for buffets in general. But this place quickly disengaged that worry.
As we walked in, I noticed the HIGH ceiling with black panels and a high stage area (for belly dancers, on Friday and Saturday nights.) The room felt somewhat like a club in that respect. There is a grocery store area to the right, a music store area in the back and the buffet region is over yonder on the far left side. Dining area is smack dab in the middle. (Can you picture all of this yet, huh huh??)
The staff seated us, but it only took moments until we hit the buffet for round 1. I was impressed with how vast the buffet appeared. From right to left, you have a nice salad bar with greek salad, tabbouleh and an olive tray. At the next section of the buffet, there were a few eggplant dishes, hummus, at least 2 or 3 soups, roasted potatoes, falafels, beets, and 3 or 4 other things I can't recall. Next to last is a wide assortment of meat dishes. Lamb, chicken, ground beef. At the far right side were a couple desserts: an apple pie-ish baklava and a Sara Lee(?) chocolate cake. Free bread on the hizzee.
EVERYTHING I tried was damn delicious, except maybe the baklava which was just decent, (read as: not terribly authentic.) I chose the vegetarian buffet ($8.95) v. the meat/all inclusive buffet ($14.95), so I cannot comment on the meat dishes this time around... My friend seemed to enjoy the chicken greatly though.
I was impressed especially with the tabbouleh, which I can eat a truck load of. I would like to have seen grape leaves, but the server informed me that those are in a rotation, as are other items on the buffet. The falafels were cooked just right. The roasted eggplant was dee-lish!
This restaurant is a bit out of the way from where I live (Orlanda), but I highly recommend it if you want to venture outside of downtown area and hit a satisfying assortment of Mid-Eastern delicacies. Just don't expect from the dessert assortment.
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Useful (2)
For me this place is worth the drive. Your vegetarian friends will think you're a God when you bring them here, and if you're a meat eater, you'll still leave satisfied. Plus, they use organics!
I haven't been to see the live belly dancing, but I want to! The lunch buffet is probably one of the best deals in town. You get easily, at least 25 different choices, for $7.50. Check 'em out.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Wow, I really enjoy this place. Best of the local buffets. And as my hubby always says, fresh is the best and Ali Baba has some fresh offerings.
It's quaint, and scrumptious.
Ooooh, the hummus and pitas and the kEEE-bobs are soo-OH good!
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
This place has a really good buffet and great live belly dancers. If you want a slice of the middle east in Orlando, or want the feel of going on a mini-vacation I recommend trying this place out.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Ali Baba has an extensive buffet to meet just about anyone's dietary requirements. Each buffet entry has a detailed list of ingredients, so you know exactly what you are eating. Being a health conscious person, this is a perfect place for me to eat. If you are into ethnic foods or would just like to try something different that taste great, then Ali Baba is the place to be. The service is also excellent and the employees try to cater to your needs.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
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