On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
Ali Baba's lunch buffet is the stuff of legend. The food is excellent and the selection is amazing... kabob, chicken, beef, vegetables, rices, sauces, and many varieties of each. Everything is fresh and very flavorful.
The service is limited, though I usually go for lunch so it may be different during dinner. They pretty much bring you a drink and set you free to graze. :-)
This place is BUSY. I recommend going early and/or planning a long lunch since there is always a wait.
If you like Mediterranean food... go there and enjoy!
Daunting selection of Mediterranean buffet at lunch, and not all of it is good.
I was looking for a place to get some work done before my flight home, and I wandered into a strip mall in the "Denver Tech Center of Dallas," better known as Las Colinas, TX. Maybe I was distracted because I was on the phone, but Ali Baba's marquee beckoned.
Stepped in, and what do I see? My first Middle Eastern buffet! I've been to Indian, Asian, and American comfort food. Never saw Lebanese, Syrian, Greek and other cuisine ala trough.
Now the bad news... Maybe it was late, maybe I'm too picky. The falafel was dry, the hummus was soupy, and the Kibbeh (sp?) not that tasty. Positives included the Baba Ghanough, Salads, Gyro meat, and Pita.
Perhaps another try earlier during lunch will find a fresher selection.
I have been dreaming of harisa and lamb for a few weeks, so the Ali Baba sign was a beacon today. I think I misread the beacon's message though because it wasn't what I would call home.
1. lunch is only offered as a $10 buffet
2. the pita is obviously store bought, dry, uninviting
3. the hummus is bland and too thick, turning perhaps?
4. the moussaka is defining itself as moussaka rather loosely
5. the harisa tasted of red bell peppers... it should be made of red chilies and spice and oils!
6. the kefta, kibbi, and donnar were okay, a bit dry, but okay.
7. the veggies were okay, too.
8. rather than "thyme pie" I wish they had a true za'atar- while the thyme pie is still tasty, it needs more sesame & oregano
For Middle Eastern fast-food, Fadi's is much, much better. In a pinch, Ali Baba works. And if you don't know traditional flavors, it is probably pretty good based on the other reviews.
Very Americanized Mediterranean food. The rice is loaded with butter, and their "vegetables" are the same zucchini mash in every dish. Their meats are good and I liked the cauliflower appetizer. I'd give this place three stars for their food, because it's good for carry out once in awhile and I do enjoy a few of their dinner offerings, but I can't get past the dirtiness of the restaurant to eat here anymore. Every time I stopped in either my chair had food on it, or my glass wasn't clean, etc. I'm a little finicky and after a few bad experiences I lost my appetite for this place.
If you are in the mood for a post-lunch food coma this is the place to go. Their lunch buffet is awesome--huge selection with items for both the carnivore types and vegetarians. Food on the buffet is kept hot, looks fresh, and well stocked. Service is kind of non-existent, but that's okay because it keeps you focused on the buffet.
I tried their Sunday lunch buffet, $15 per person. You can try a little bit of everything: domas, chicken curry, gyros, falafels. I thought the falafels were a little dry. I had to sauce that mother up. Their hummus is delicious but a little runny, a texture I'm not use to. They were a little too generous with the olive oil perhaps. Chicken curry was good though not sure if the pita bread was made there. It wasn't soft like other pita breads I've tried. They've got a huge variety of salads, chicken, and beef dishes. Very attentive waitstaff for a buffet lunch. Great ambience, they even have a room for a private party if you ever have a large group. Lovin the ethnic feel and music of the place. hehe.
This place can be described as "if Fadi's was a buffet." I am for sure a fan, and will definitely go back. However, I made the mistake of going on a Sunday, and it was $15 for lunch! I heard it's cheaper during the week, so that kinda sucked. They offer a lot of variety, and being a vegetarian, it a vegetarian's paradise. But they have many options for meat eaters and vegetarians, and you will leave stuffed. I wasn't happy that they didn't have baklava for dessert. They only had rice pudding, and I thought that was a rip off for a buffet. Plus, their falafel was way too dry.
Things to try: cauliflower (OMG!), their seasoned rice, their lamb (my boyfriend loved the lamb.)
One of my co-workers dragged me here for lunch and I more than groaned the whole way there at the thought of eating at a buffet. Fortunately, Ali Baba is not your typical buffet; It was actually really good.
The rice, potatoes, hummus, lamb, and babaganoush were all very good. The chicken dishes had a good flavor, but the meat itself was pretty dry. The falafel was also a little too brick-like for my tastes, but overall (and especially for a buffet!), everything was good and I'd definitely go back.
I had a great first visit. My friend gave me the tour of the lunch buffet and from there I enjoyed several entree items as well as a couple salads.
There are nice defined dining areas within the restaurant that keep the volume down and keep down the foot traffic. In addition, the staff was very attentive.
I had a wonderful time and will be going back many more times. In the future I will be taking a note book to write down the names of all the great items - more details will be added after further visits.
I was here on a Monday night, in town for business. I prefer sitting at the bar when I'm dining alone as it just seems less depressing, but alas their bar area was closed that night; I'm guessing they close it down on slow nights.
I settled in at my lonely table and flipped through the menu. I settled in on the dolmas and the raw kibbi, which is described as a "mixture of raw beef, cracked wheat served raw with olive oil and pita bread". The dolmas were good, but did not have enough seasoning to them. As for the kibbi, well, it was about a pound of beef in a pool of olive oil. I was able to finish about a quarter of it before having to give up.
So two stars for the meh food and the server not saying to me, "Dolmas and the raw kibbi might be a bit too much food for you..."
YUUM!
Okay, I'm not a buffet person. I go out of my way to avoid them at all costs. I just can't seem to get into the communal dinning experience-- until now that is.
Ali Baba rocks - the Irving location particularly. The atmosphere is casual quality; the fresh ingredients embrace you at the door. Intoxicating lamb, beef, chicken, curries, nan, tabbouleh, grilled veggies, and did I mention the nan?
I've not had the pleasure of dinning here any other time but lunch, and with so many options it can be addicting. As other yelpers have mentioned it's reasonably priced and consistently good. Two reasons I keep going back for more.
One of my co-workers found this place via yelp. I travel to Dallas for work every few weeks. I'm glad this place was found as it's one of the lunch spots I hit on every business trip here.
I usually come for the lunch buffet. It's a really good deal for the price you are paying. The lamb is the best, along with the other meats and veggies.
Just be sure you don't have any meetings after lunch, or else you'll be napping!
I will definitely come back and have recommended to my other co-workers.
I was there for lunch and had the lunch buffet. It is very inexpensive ($10 for weekday lunch buffet & $15 for Sunday lunch buffet), the quality is good and the lunch buffet offers a great selection of different items.
I miss you Ali Baba. I worked a few doors down from this place and it always has a huge lunch rush. Be prepared to stand in line unless if you can make it by 11-11:15 to beat the lunch crowd. It was a mongolian grill that stood vacant for a few years before Ali Baba moved in. My coworkers and I eyed this place from construction day 1 and the food didn't disappoint. Even if you're not the adventurous eater, you should try this place at least once. It's a buffet for crying out loud! You're bound to find at least one thing that's "good" enough to eat. The service is great and they keep the food coming!
My favorite items on the buffet include the rice, rotisserie chicken, and yellow curry chicken. The falafel is sometimes dry and you have to stalk for the gyro meat, but hey you can't get everything perfect when the food is flying off the buffet! Be prepared to spend $10.81 for a meal + water. Be sure to save some room for their rice pudding and don't forget a dash of cinnamon.
I was so excited to find Ali Baba was still open! We used to go to the North Dallas location and were majorly bummed to find it had closed. We made the trek from The Colony to Irving... no so bad going Geo. Bush. So worth it! OMG. My gf and I LOVE the hummus and the falafel. I have tried a million times to copy their hummus to no avail. It's velvety smooth and garlicy and tangy and fabulous and... you get the picture.
I always get the Shish Tawook. Basically grilled white chicken chunks marinated with garlic (Soooo good!). It comes with yummy Rice-a-Roni type rice and grilled veggies. It can easily feed two. I always like to take the leftovers home for the next day... even better (if you can stand the garlicky stench it leaves in your car and fridge! Worth it, trust!)
Try this place out... it's one of my top five restaurants of all time. And it feels sorta healthy!!
i went into serious food coma after i ate here. The buffet was really good. I thought the pitas could have been better, but the selection of food was fantastic. I got a little bit of everything. Actually, I got a little too much of everything and i wasn't sorry when i was stuffed full after.
I saved enough room for the pistachio rice pudding. that just sent me over the edge. i would have injected that stuff into my veins if I could have. it was so delicious.
Awesome Place for Fresh and Healthy food
I love this place to the core. I think this place has the best Mediterranean food in the whole of DFW area. I have always been there for their weekday Buffet and the quality and taste of the food has always been excellent. The food is very fresh, very healthy and you have tons to choose from. Although they have some of the best kabobs, this place is equally great from Vegetarians, since there is a good selection for them as well.
The rates for the daily buffet are around $10 and doesn't include any drinks. But its totally worth it. The place is fairly popular and can thus be packed during lunch times. They don't take any reservations over the phone. They don't even let you get on the waiting list if they don't see 90% of the people in your group present upfront.
Overall, this restaurant has never disappointed me so far and you can expect consistency in what they offer(and how they offer !!). Do make sure you have plenty of appetite when you plan to go there....you can never have enough of their rice pudding at the end !!
* Pros:Fresh, Healthy/Grilled Food, Lots of choices and Delicious
* Cons:Can have waiting during lunch time on weekdays
I'd say the food is just a little above average - the service was great the few times that I've gone, so I gave it another star.
The location is all right - that parking lot (near Staples, Starbucks, Champps, etc) is nuts, though. You'll find parking, but watch out for idiot drivers.
The buffet is pretty darn good - not huge, not a ton of variety...but I mean, it's a buffet with GOOD food...you can't really complain.
I recommend coming here for a casual date or a filling lunch.
Go early! There is a wait on Fridays. The food is fresh, with a variety of flavors and textures, and enough 'recognizable' food to satisfy picky eaters. Dolmathes, tahini, hummus, gyro, falafel, babaganoush, tons of flat breads and sauces. So good it makes you want to fall asleep after lunch.
Maybe I should've tried the buffet. I thought the food was mediocre. I like the proportions. Not too big, not too small. I even had to take some home. I guess I expected better tasting food for the price. I'll probably go back and five it a second try.
The service was impeccable. they were fast and efficient. I didn't have to wait long for my meal.
I went in on a week night evening and parking wasn't a problem.
What a wonderful restaurant! I've only been there for lunch, but they have an incredible lunch buffet. You could feast just on their salad bar - feta and cucumbers, tabbouleh, dolmas, etc. The hot food bar had chicken, gyro meat, rice, potatoes, many wonderful vegetables, etc. There was so much food to choose from. And the pita, hummus, tzatsiki. Love it! I'll definitely go back.
One note of caution: For lunch, this place is mobbed at noon. I would suggest that you get there no later than 11:45 (earlier would be better) or go after 1 PM.
I had no idea that you HAD to get the buffet for lunch, I was hoping to get a platter or something. However the buffet had soo many choices, my favorite was definitely the curry chicken with almond rice. I also enjoyed the make your own gyros. I did not enjoy eating the hummus, kinda blah for me. Also the babaghonush wasn't tasty at all. Finally, the price was up there for a lunch buffet, I mean 10 bucks a person. Next time, I want a buffet I'll hit up Sweet Tomatoes.
have visited Ali Baba for their $10 weekday lunch buffet; went there over the weekend and was dismayed that for $5 more, you don't get a whole lot extra. thyme pie (good) was all i could recognize as a new selection, although i usually load up on the doner (fair), golden chicken and shishtawook (good), babaganoush (good), fried cauliflower (excellent), fatoush and tabouleh salads (excellent). wish the pitas were homemade instead of store-bought. all things considered, good for weekday lunch buffet....better quality can be had at Fadi's, but one pays more. there's the trade-off.
This was my first experience with mediterranean/lebanese food. I must say I was more than surprised at all of the tasty dishes on the buffet. Meat, GOOD, Soup, GOOD, Rice, GOOD, Pita bread GOOD! The best way I can explain this food is that everything seemed to be infused with so much flavor! The fried potatoes were a hit as well as the lamb, those were for sure my two favorites.
You know in the movies when someone enters a sanctuary like a church and all of a sudden, they hear the angels singing? That was EXACTLY what happened when I entered Ali Baba and saw the buffet. Head there on a Friday during lunch time and it's a mecca of delicious, hot, fresh food. If you are not familiar with Mediterranean food, this is the best place to figure out what you like and don't like because you can try a bit of everything without being stuck with a giant plate of food that you hate and have to pawn off on unsuspecting roommates. The set up is basically in three sections- the first for salads, the second for appetizers and the third for meats and rice. Grab a plate (or two!) and fill 'em up with tasty lamb gyro, shish tawook (grilled chicken cubes), hummus and rice oddly reminiscent of Rice-A-Roni (props to the reviewer who first pegged it- spot on!). Friends said the falafel and stuffed grape leaves were also great but carnivorous me did not waste precious stomach space on the vegetarian options. Finish up with the delicious rice pudding. My only complaint is that the pita is not the fresh baked pillowy variety like at Fadi's but rather, the thin packaged version. But in the face of all the other tasty food, it's not a huge negative. You gotta go, if only to hear the angels singing!
There's nothing that I love more than our monthly happy hour at work... everybody else goes crazy… Read more »
The extensive menu has all of the standard mediterranean items like dolmas, falafel, kabobs, etc. As I read the menu, the stuffed squash appealed to me, though the description said stuffed with rice and ground beef. I thought the ground beef might be too much, but it was well proportioned.
He had the lambchops, medium done. He thinks they should give more food for the price, but I think they grilled it just right. He needs to eat less anyway.
The service was very good - courteous and efficient. It's a good place for a quick, casual dinner.
Was really blown away by the variety of options on the Sunday brunch buffet. They offered many dishes I have never even seen before at other Mediterranean restaurants. For buffet style, their meats are kept extremely moist and warm. The kabobs, gyros, and lamb are all extremely well done. The huge selection of dips, hummus, baba ganouj are all really well prepared. I am a huge fan of their vegetarian items as well. Would recommend trying this for Sunday brunch. The cheap price tag gives this a 5.
Food was great, I got the Gyro's and Hummus. I got my stuff to go but was very pleased when I got back to hotel. I will be going back and it's included in my rotation while traveling on business.
i hate buffets, but for lunch this place is the "shiznit" to quote jack black a la tenacious d. golden chicken? good. hummus? good. pita bread? good. end review.
gotta say, they make a mean addictive hummus...everything thing else is good enough.
Irving, TX
Category: Moroccan
Irving, TX
Category: Turkish
Irving, TX
Category: Mexican
Dallas, TX
Category: Middle Eastern
Dallas, TX
Category: Vietnamese
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
My ranking of brunch buffets from Arlington to…
