- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Ali Baba Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Pera Soho specializes in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on a wide range of small plates, grilled seasoned meats and fastidiously… read more »
37 reviews for Ali Baba Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"Great tasteting food in a family run set up." In 4 reviews -
"I really like Middle Eastern food and was pleasantly..." In 3 reviews -
"The baba ganoush and hummus had fresh flavors with the..." In 5 reviews
Loading...
37 reviews in English
-
Review from Mike M.
Hoboken, NJ
3/25/2012
So many things to love about Ali Baba:
*Very friendly staff
*BYO
*Tasty food at reasonable prices
Went this Saturday night and got the Grand Combo. For $17 I got 3 different meats along with hummus, baba ganoush, and rice. I got 2 days worth of meat and it was all great.
Good spot for good food at good prices and a relaxing evening. -
Review from Julie G.
New York, NY
4/1/2012
I have never, EVER been so disappointed by a restaurant that I've tried with a promotional coupon. I would like to note, first of all, that as soon as we walked in the restaurant, we were bum-rushed by the waitresses regarding whether we had purchased a Living Social deal. We disclosed that we had, but the sub-mediocrity that followed makes me suspicious that they served us smaller, crappier portions BECAUSE they already knew that we weren't paying full price for the meal???
Now, if I am at a restaurant in the New York metropolitan area, and I have to reach across the table for the salt to flavor my meal, I just can't help but feel embarrassed; both for myself, and for the restaurant's chef. At Ali Baba, the curry lamb stew, to my dismay, was absolutely tasteless, and I couldn't choke it down without the addition of salt AND pepper. It was served with a side of unremarkable lentil fried rice. The mousaka was not as terrible as the stew, but it wasn't really that good, either. The portions of both dishes were inappropriately small. Even the dressing on the Greek side salad was way under-seasoned.
We ended up leaving so dissatisfied with our dinner that we headed directly to Mamoun's for shawarma immediately upon exiting the restaurant. Mamoun's was reliably tasty, yet we ate it quickly, and out of anger, for our previous experience at Ali Baba. -
Review from Dot S.
Hoboken, NJ
3/24/2012
If you go before 5pm, you will probably be the only guests which means you get SPOILED by the cook and waitress even more than normal. I love the food here and the cook (owner) is super cool. Very friendly and accommodating.
Fresh squeezed OJ, fresh falafel's, whole wheat pita bread served warm with fresh hummus- super yummy. An oasis on Washington street. -
Review from Steve P.
Boston, MA
5/23/2012
Worth it for the falafels and hummus.
By the way, if you sign up at http://thelevelup.com with promo code 125686 you get a free $2 to use here, plus an additional free $5 that you can use here or anywhere else on http://thelevelup.com. -
Review from Lee N.
Weehawken, NJ
5/4/2012
Incredible felafels, excellent empanadas, and world class lamb and rice platters.
Also the only restaurant ive been too where the OWNER is in the KITCHEN doing the hard work and quality control for the food preparation, and the results show. Some of the tastiest middle eastern food ive ever had.
Many others just stuff a bunch of illegals in the kitchen, go home, and dont care what garbage they spit out of the kitchen...
Any time im in the area, I make sure to make a pit stop and take something to go. -
Review from Silva S.
Hoboken, NJ
1/19/2012
This is place is bring-your-own-bottle AND has the friendliest serving staff. Ever.
We got the falafel, which was not the best falafel I've had. They made the pieces really small so that they were mostly crispy and fried and didn't have much soft fluffy center. I prefer falafel to be large with a soft herby inside.
We also tried the dolma (stuffed grape leaves), delicious and tabouli. As an entree we shared the steak, which was grilled and juicy and came with grilled vegetables and delicious rice.
Atmosphere is nice and they leave you be. On our way out the waiter even asked for our email address to add us to their mailing list which notifies customers of special events with belly dancers! -
Review from Priya S.
Jersey City, NJ
4/19/2012
Horrible! The meat smelt funny and service was average. The food was not what we expected at all. The rice was mushy and presentation was very disappointing. We ordered a platter Everything was thrown on one plate. The chicken/lamb/ beef/ gyro was piled on top of each other an we had to pick thru to figure out which was what!!!
Very disappointing, My husband who can't get enough of kebabs on a norm, left more then half his meal because he couldn't stand the strange smell. -
Review from Nathan S.
Hoboken, NJ
1/4/2012
I eat here at least once a week.
This is the only restaurant I will miss when I leave Hoboken.
As such, if you can only try one restaurant in the mile square city, this has to be the one. -
Review from P G.
New York, NY
2/24/2012
Amazing food , great prices, large portions, good service .. all this at an affordable price!! Will definitely recommend to all Mediterranean food lovers
-
Review from Jo D.
Hoboken, NJ
2/11/2012
Came here with a living social deal - really good food with giant portions. I would definitely go again - and BYOB is always a plus!
-
Review from River J.
Hoboken, NJ
8/6/2011
With the onslaught of middle eastern restaurants in Hoboken over the last few months, it's easy to forgot the original that's been with us for so long.
I stopped by for a quick lunch one day this week, and ordered the vegetarian combo plate. It was beyond good...it was great. Some highlights: The super fresh falafel was excellent, the baba ganoush was the best I've had, and the hummus was perfect.
Because it's rarely crowded, it's a great place to go with a few friends and a bottle of wine. -
Review from George B.
8/13/2011
I don't eat Indian food often, but when I do, I choose Ali Baba.
I have eaten here a few times and never have been disappointed. I always start off with naan bread and typically someone at my table orders chicken tikkamassala. From there the menu choices can go anywhere. I prefer the lamb but they also have goat items too! The prices are affordable and you get a lot of food with each serving.
Not bad, especially within walking distance! -
Review from Pooja K.
9/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Review only for the hookah-
Nope. Will never return. 25 bucks for hookah thats not even starbuzz,, what were they thinking!!! Mind u, we didn't get food, just hookah.The actual apparatus was so old that the nozzle was rusty.The plastic mouth pieces didnt fit the pipe properly and the hookah was so burnt, its because my bf is a hookah fanatic that he was able to fix it. Not coming back. -
Review from T H.
Jersey City, NJ
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Food is delicious! When you see locals dining at an ethnic restaurant, then it's a good sign of authenticity! Lamb stew was flavorful, my companion had a meat rice platter that was plentiful, tasty and satisfying. Definitely would return. And to those commenters w their ridiculous negative "reviews" on this place ( really? You trash a place bc the hookah thing doesn't work?), get a grip.
-
Review from Dana L.
Hoboken, NJ
10/20/2011
Good Mideastern food, but amazing service! Just went this evening and ordered a bunch of items, including the yogurt and cucumber salad. After we were served I realized that the yogurt could be unpasteurized, and being pregnant, knew I had to ask. Turns out that it wasn't (they even brought out the container to show me), so I politely didn't eat it, while my friend enjoyed. About 10 minutes later the waitress brought another bowl and said that her father (the chef) made me a new dish with yogurt that was pasteurized. SO incredibly thought and totally unnecessary. Definitely a small, family run business, and prides itself on taking care of its customers. Thanks Ali Baba! I will be back for sure!
-
Review from Leo K.
Fair Lawn, NJ
2/20/2012
I would have to say very average food, but the staff is friendly.
-
Review from Albert M.
Jersey City, NJ
1/15/2011
I went here on a Saturday afternoon with a friend for lunch to just catch up and we found this place deep in Hoboken and decided to check it out. I got to saw the decor is pretty to eat around but it is quite small place for my liking. I often like spacious places.
I don't remember the food that I eat because it was just alright and it very forgettable disk for my taste but the baba gonoush was great for the opening of our meal. We order the same disk twice because it was that good. The pita was good also but I don't know if it was homemade or packaged.
Pardon my spelling regarding any disk. -
Review from Homer S.
Hoboken, NJ
12/6/2009
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
I had an unwarmed lamb soup (microwave no working?) and my guest had a vegetarian meal. The hummus and baba ganoush were enough to make me sick later. (And by sick I mean throw up.) I didn't appreciate the putrid-like taste that apparently others enjoy.
That being said the place seemed busy and was getting a lot of calls for delivery. Me -- I'll never go back -- maybe you'll like it? -
Review from Kenna t.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2009
After reading the previous yelper's comments about how this place charges their own gratuity, I had to call and find out for myself.
Indeed it is true!
A woman answered and when I asked "is it true that you charge gratuity on a party of 2?" she fumbled around and finally got out "well yes if there is a big party we do." and when I said "but what about for a party of 2?" she said "well it depends on how much you eat!" and that's when I said, "ok. i don't need to hear anymore."
That is just crazy-town.
Yelpers I wouldn't waste your time. -
Review from Ed A.
7/10/2009
I've been to this place twice, as I'm not a huge Middle Eastern food aficionado. Both times I got the same dish (by accident actually) - the chicken sandwich. Yes, it doesn't scream Middle Eastern, but it was actually really tasty and only about 6 or 7 bucks. It was pretty big and filling, and the hot sauce (optional) was really tangy but not to the point where you can't taste your food.
Both times I also had a little bit of my girlfriend's food ( I think once it was a gyro and the other I can't remember) - also pretty tasty. Server was pretty friendly too.
Only downside is that they automatically charge tip. Very SoBe like, which we could have done without. But the prices are pretty fair.. most meals were $10 or under. I thing I'll go back and try a different sandwich soon. Solid 3 star place. -
Review from Adam K.
Hoboken, NJ
11/9/2010
Being Lebanese, I'm probably a little tougher on a middle eastern place than I should be.
I ordered the lamb platter. The baba and hummus are good, but I can make it better which is kind of a negative in my books (why pay someone else to do a worse job?)
The lamb was very good and at $15 I had a good meal at a steal of a price in Hoboken.
Overall it seems like this place does killer take-out business and had extra room and thought "hey, how about throwing some tables and chairs in here?" -
Review from Jennifer C.
Hoboken, NJ
9/18/2010
The company I work for had ordered take-out dinner here because we had to work late. I had the kufta kebab (lamb) and it was just mediocre. I think the white sauce was a cheese or cream sauce and it was really unappetizing as it was starting to flake/dry-out on the meat =(
The only component of that dinner I liked was the baba ganoush (pardon my spelling).
The pita for the group of us came in its original packaging (6 pieces in some plastic bag with a twist tie) and it had just been taken out of the refridgerator.
A lot of my co-workers had a bad impression of Middle-Eastern food after that experience, but I encourage you to try other restaurants that serve the same cuisine. I personally have and I've enjoyed Middle-Eastern cuisine elsewhere. -
Review from Maly A.
6/10/2011
Family run cozy little place. Casual, inexpensive, BYOB and GOOD food.
-
Review from Alison C.
2/26/2009
In the past few years, I have begun to diversify my palate and have become more interested in ethnic cuisines. I really like Middle Eastern food and was pleasantly surprised to find one of these restaurants right in my area...and especially one "celebrating its 25th anniversary"! However, my friend and I were less than impressed with our meal.
Let me first describe the environment. Picture a quaint, intimate dining room with Middle Eastern accents. Then, imagine a nice, but loud caretaker screaming into the phone regarding deliveries. Oh, and do not forget the mysterious sound of microwaving coming from the open kitchen...neither of which added to the ambiance. The cheesy paper takeout menus apparently also serve as dine-in menus, which might as well have entitled us to leave a lesser tip.
The cuisine offerings were a confusing mix of proteins served as sandwiches, open salads, or platters. It was difficult to discern which type of meal included which sides. The chatty manager was very helpful with the menu, though, and helped us settle on Ali Baba Combination. This included our choice of 1 or 2 meat kebabs, hummus, baba ganoush, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, feta cheese, pickles, olives, peppers, and yellow rice. My chicken kebabs were tender and decently tasty, though I suspected they had been nuked in the microwave. The feta cheese was a bit slimy, and I only received one random chunk of it. All in all the platter provided a lot of substance for the reasonable price under $15. However, the hummus had an odd strong lemony taste, which my friend described as "soapy". This should have been one of my favorite components on the platter, but instead turned me off.
Like many restaurants in Hoboken, Ali Baba is a BYOB, which could be good or bad.
Ali Baba has potential, but I think they need to focus a bit more on the quality of their food. -
Review from Tara W.
3/1/2011
I don't get the hate for this place! I've never had issues with cleanliness here. I usually order the vegetarian grand combo and it's a huge tasty meal. They have whole wheat pita which is a plus. The hookah is fun, and the hostess/waitress is always so friendly.
-
Review from Richard H.
Clam Lake, WI
1/16/2011
The food is definitely delicious. The only problem I had with it was the wait time on food, but the place was packed when we walked in with a group of eight, and it was a Sunday afternoon, so it's understandable. Enjoy! Try the cinnamon tea.
-
Review from Anthony M.
Hoboken, NJ
9/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
Didn't get to eat here and honestly afraid to now because of the cleanliness issues I'm reading about. However, only Hookah spot in Hoboken and BYOB - gotta love that for pregaming before the city.
-
Review from Tanya L.
Ellicott City, MD
9/11/2011
This place is just okay. Some of the items were tasty. But overall just okay.
-
Review from Buzz L.
Hoboken, NJ
Updated - 9/27/2011
I have ordered a bunch of times on seamless since my last review. The issues seem to be completely gone. Fast, delicious, and always pay attention to the extra comments for extra yogurt sauce!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/21/2011
The only time I have ever had an issue with this place is when I ordered on Seamless Web. The… Read more »
-
-
Review from R N.
Hoboken, NJ
9/10/2010
Great tasteting food in a family run set up.
-
Review from Brian S.
Hoboken, NJ
8/15/2011
This place has been here forever..there's something to be said for that. The owners are always there and happy to greet you at your table.
-
Review from Raymond G.
Hoboken, NJ
7/21/2011
I have lived in Hoboken for 15 years and Ali Baba is still one of my favorite spots to eat. The food is awesome and it is a nice quiet place to hang out and talk with friends. My favorite is the mixed platter with Lamb, Chicken and Beef. The Hummus and Pea soup are outstanding. For the price, the quality is a steal. I will continue to come back for more.
-
Review from Andrerw B.
Hoboken, NJ
4/4/2011
I come here often for lunch and I love the place. The sandwiches are fantastic and the service friendly.
-
Review from E. C.
Manhattan, NY
2/6/2011
I've been here a number of times and haven't been disappointed yet. The food is great and the staff is super nice.
-
Review from Jim R.
Hoboken, NJ
3/1/2009
We had a nice meal at this intimate family-run spot last night. I found the service and the food were both quite good. We shared a large plate of grilled vegetables (onions, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes and eggplant), smothered in a delicious sauce that had a tangy BBQ flavor. The Ony's Meatless combo is a sampler of standard Middle Eastern fare. The baba ganoush and hummus had fresh flavors with the right balance of garlic, lemon and seasoning. Much better than any store bought versions I've tried. The falafels were crispy outside, tender inside. The Speecha pie was a bit like a pizza with meat, peppers and onions on a flat pita with no cheese. There are plenty of options for vegetarians, though I would have liked a fish or shrimp skewer option. The staff was attentive, polite and helpful. The menu does say they charge a 15-20% gratuity on checks over $50. BYOB, which is common in Hoboken. They do not accept Amex, if you care.
-
Review from Lisa Z.
Rutherford, NJ
10/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
this place is okay looking, its kinda small the food is good and zagat rated. would def come back again..
-
Review from danielle d.
Brooklyn, NY
3/2/2009
the only place selling lahmajun.. aka meat pie! def recommend it... awesome! great service as well..very casual
