Ali Baba Restaurant

 

3

41

caitlin o.

Brooklyn, NY

Much better than Med Grill and Aladdin's, with just as reasonable prices.

The loobee is delicious, as is the mohomara! I would suggest getting a selection of a la carte items from the menu and sharing them amongst the table rather than individual dinner platters - I tend to be disappointed by the very-well-done kebabs.

Very speedy service, too, and a nice relaxed atmosphere.

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3

12

Erica K.

Pittsburgh, PA

I've had food from Ali Baba before (lunch meetings and the like), and it's always been good, so tonight I went here for dinner with friends. While most dishes don't stand out as being better then other Middle Eastern restaurant, everything is good.

We got hummus (lots of paprika and fennel, little oil), vegetarian grape leaves (standard, but always a fav), Fatoosh, spinach lentil soup, spinach pie (amazing), the fish entree, and a chicken entree. I didn't try either of the meat dishes, but everyone was really happy with what they got. All of this, six beers (they have no wine or liquor, you're welcome to bring your own bottle), and two desserts was $68. Total steal!

The desserts were pretty amazing too. We got baklava, it wasn't too sweet, too nutty, or too sticky. A really nice balance between filling and phyllo dough. I don't remember the name of the other dessert, it was farina wrapped cheese with crushed pistachio and rose-something syrup. The cheese was the most mild I've ever had, and the syrup really stood out, flowery, but not too sweet.

And for being a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, the service is good - attentive and nice, no dropping your check with the food or taking your order and then forgetting about you.

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6

52

Jenney C.

Pittsburgh, PA

I think this is one of those restaurants for those who don't know any better. However I don't think anyone could enjoy their Moussaka. Obviously it had been reheated in the back in a microwave, bec. it wasn't warmed evenly through out the dish. If someone told me that their food came out of a can, I wouldn't at all be surprised.

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0

8

Christopher H.

Chicago, IL

I'm in Pittsburgh for a conference, and thought I'd grab some Middle Eastern carry-out for dinner. It's Sunday night, I called them up and found out they're open until 9:45PM! I was really surprised, since most places don't stay open that late on Sunday.

I ordered the Vegetarian Special ($6.95 entree), Spinach & Lentil Soup ($2.50/cup), and Baklava ($1.50/piece). I'm saving the baklava for later, but the other two dishes were excellent. The soup was freaking awesome, seriously. It had maybe a little too much oil, but otherwise, it was very tasty. The entree had rice (not memorable), hummus (okay), and baba ganouj (excellent). Yeah, you could totally taste the grilled eggplant goodness of the baba ganouj. I would definitely at least add a side dish of this if you eat here.

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0

5

Alona F.

PA

Excellent place for a quick, cheap lunch.  Menu is full of cheap eats, and healthful fare can be found here too!  I've twice had  lunch there for two for under $15.  The lentil soup and tabbouleh salad are great.  In and out in 30-45 mins easy.  Tight seating, though... most tables are for two.

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