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Ali Baba's Kitchen
Category: Restaurants Mediterranean Mediterranean [Edit]
2110 Newbury RdNewbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 480-0324
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- 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
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
103 reviews for Ali Baba's Kitchen
Review Highlights
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"Ali Baba has THE BEST chicken shawarma around, hands down." In 16 reviews -
"The pitas are great and so is the hummus." In 26 reviews -
"I can't get the Lamb Curry out of my mind." In 6 reviews
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103 reviews in English
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Review from Michael C.
Los Angeles, CA
chicken is so tender
always get the super family combo if you have 4-6 people.. frckn AWESOME.
GARLIC SAUCE FTW -
Review from Brittany N.
Newbury Park, CA
Salty. Very salty.
I ordered the Small Family Combo a few days ago (Beef Shawarma, Chicken Kebab, 6 Falafels, rice, Baba's Salad and 4 pita bread for $23.79) and absolutely everything was over-salted.
I adore Mediterranean food but maybe my tastes are more geared towards Persian specific meals i.e. Darband Grill on Thousand Oaks Blvd. Flavorful but doesn't cause the epic bloat of 2012.
I miss Pita The Great (Oak Park). Sigh. -
Review from Natalie M.
Thousand Oaks, CA
I have been to this place about 10 times. When I first started going there they were in a different location and at that time I wouldv'e given them 5 stars. Food and service were excellent. Since they moved to the new location, food is still great although twice I ordered for takeout and when I got home realized that part of order had been left out. I have to say, when I mentioned it to the staff when I went in again, they gave me complimentary pita and hummus and were very apologetic.
This is still one of my favorite restaurants in the Conejo Valley, I just hope they keep up the good work as they get more popular. -
Review from Rachel G.
San Dimas, CA
Best shawarma's ever!!!
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Review from Brazzer K.
Agoura Hills, CA
I went back with some co-workers and I have to say that they have really changed their game. Food is a lot better, the same waitress is there, although each month she has a different hair color, but for the most part the food has become a lot better. Good Job!!!!! I have already been back a few times.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/13/2011
I got the onion, I mean salmon shawarma plate and they charged somewhere around 14 dollars for 10%… Read more »
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5/13/2011
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Review from Tom G.
Camarillo, CA
I have been a regular customer for year and never had a disappointing meal. I recommend this restaurant without hesitation. Looking forward to trying the new menu items.
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Review from Amy S.
Thousand Oaks, CA
I got a reply to this review saying that the prices were high at Ali Baba due to quality. I want to clarify: I will pay top dollar for quality. But not for a pile of rice masking the small amount of chicken.
Also, I will clarify that I prefer the Israeli take on dishes such as Falafel and Shawarma, since that is what I know. That is why I find more of what I like in the SF Valley where I can find Israeli Middle eastern cuisine. To each their own:)
Ali Baba is fine in a pinch, it is my only option here in the Conejo Valley..... I just prefer other places. I wish them luck and nothing but the best of success for their business!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/5/2011
The food tastes ok. But the portion size for the price is way off. I got a Chicken Shwarma plate.… Read more »
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11/5/2011
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Review from Jennifer H.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Haven't been back here, but apparently my review has struck a few chords with the owner.
The owner himself is sending me weird messages with one-liners like, "You live in castle?" (How about just apologizing instead of attempting to insult me with broken English?)
Then some shill wrote me a message telling me that they have fired the employee I complained about, and that the customer who walked out is a regular again. I highly doubt that.
Creepy!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/20/2011
Service here is TERRIBLE, which you'd never expect from a place that's smaller than most people's… Read more »
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7/20/2011
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Review from D M.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Did carry out for lunch. Chicken Shawarma was good, the Falafel plate was excellent. I'll go back for sure, excellent Mediterranean option out here in the burbs.
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Review from Micki H.
Thousand Oaks, CA
I love that I found this little hidden gem! We've been there twice now and each time tried something different and it's been consistently delicious. The best part is that my kids love it too and the prices for their kids entrees are super reasonable. The owner's wife makes the baklava and the harisa (never had harisa before but evidently it's this AMAZING coconut cake). Oh boy, it's making me hungry just writing this review...Yummm!!!!
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Review from Ilan M.
Simi Valley, CA
I have been going the Khalil for over 10 years.
Food is plentiful and very delicious.
Service is friendly and fast.
The owner is a great guy and does a lot to support the community.
If you like Middle Eastern food, Bab's Kitchen is the place to go in Nerwbury Park. -
Review from Alyssa G.
Long Beach, CA
Really good, cute family restaurant, how can I not give it 5 stars?
I've been here a few times with my family, dine-in and take-out and everyone always likes it. The chicken shwarma is by no means authentic (roasted on a spit and shredded off) but it was soooo moist and juicy, way better than I had expected. My mother got the special of the day which was the moussaka - it was the potatoey moussaka i've had before at armenian and greek places with their creamy goodness but Ali Baba's lamb-sauce-smothered-eggplant verision of moussaka was not bad. I love that they have specials although the grape leave/walnut thing was too tooo garlicky. Hummus, as everyone has mention is really, reaaaallly good. Salmon is delicious.
I also have gotten their steamed veggies and dessert. Even though the veggies were you typically boring mix of broccoli, carrots, other stuff, it was still really good because of the freshness and cripsness of the veggies - big big plus in my book. And of course you can't have veggies without dessert so I tried the coconut cake to stray from the typical baklava. It was simple, interestingly textured (maybe cornmeal), and somewhat similar to a tres leches cake if that makes sense.
Anyway, good casual, family-run place in the usually-boring conejo valley. Cannot complain :) -
Review from Claudia B.
Simi Valley, CA
The chicken schawarma in garlic sauce, as well as the salmon (marinated in lemon juice and onion) were incredibly flavorful and moist. LOVED how they tasted, although I probably preferred the chicken over the salmon just a little more. The salmon was milder in flavor but melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the chicken was both succulent and a very rich flavor. Here's what's interesting.....the chicken schawarma I had at the Ali Baba's in Simi Valley was just the opposite....that was dry and tasteless. Ironically, we couldn't help but ask if they were possibly the same restaurant owner, just a different location. We were told the Simi location is owned by a brother to this Newbury Park location. I have to say, though, the Simi brother should take lessons from this Newbury Park brother......this guy knows how to do it RIGHT !!!!!!!!
In fact, everything was delicious. The salad had flavor, the hummus was creamy, smooth and flavorful. The rice was probably the least flavorful, but it was moist, and both the chicken and the salmon were flavorful enough to make up for what the rice didn't have. I much prefer that it be this way.
We used to live in Newbury Park, so it was easy for us to find this place, neatly tucked away in an unassuming strip mall. Parking is easy. Restaurant is plain, but they have some very nicely painted murals on the walls, which I photographed, along with the food we ordered. If you're in the area, definitely stop by for some very well prepared, tasty food.Listed in: Around the World in 80…
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Review from Kevin S.
Los Angeles, CA
The chicken kabob is the best. Very tender and incredibly tasty. In fact, I may venture to say it's the best chicken I've had... this year. haha!
Try the chai tea, too! -
Review from Mark S.
Newbury Park, CA
I'm still a big fan of Ali Baba after three outings, the last two with kids in tow. Food is always fresh, lamb is wonderfully tender, portions are well-sized, and prices are on the money for the quality that you get. Of particular mention are the falafel. I've tried them in a number of restaurants in the SF Valley and the Middle East and I have to say Baba's falafel are among the best I have had. They are 99 cents each, but well worth the cost. To top it off, my kids love them and they are one of the few green things they will eat.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/24/2011
I was always hesitant to try this restaurant because it occupied a narrow, spartan, and dingy space… Read more »
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4/24/2011
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Review from Joleen Q.
Talk about YUM-O! It's hard to miss... it's next to the Subway. My bf got the lamb curry which was super yummy. The hummus was delicious and the service was pretty good considering it was just one girl running the whole show. You MUST TRY the Baklava... best I've ever had!
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Review from Ellen B.
Westlake Village, CA
Seriously the best Medditeranean food I've ever had!! Unfortunately have never been to that part of the world to compare, but the best I've tried yet! The Chicken or Beef Kabob plate are my go to almost every time. Both are cooked perfectly, juicy and the beef is soooo tender! Comes with really tasty rice, fresh lightly sauteed veggies (yummy!!) and my favorite the "Baba Salad". A really nice romaine, tomato, cucumber salad with a refreshing olive oil and lemon dressing. I also really, really like the Chicken Shwarma salad for when I'm feeling like something a bit spicey but I substitute he babe salad instead of the salad the Chicken is originally laid on. Not to mention the only place in town I can find Baklava, yum!
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Review from Lino K.
Northridge, CA
If you're heading up to santa barbara or just driving up on the 101, make sure you stop for some delicious mediterranean food at ali baba's kitchen. Definitely on the pricier side but really fresh and flavorful food. The portions are probably large enough to share. I got the chicken shwarmma plate that came with perfectly piping hot chicken with a nice lemony zing to it. Accompanied with some soft pita, fresh and nutty hummus, and a simple salad with cucumbers and lettuce and pickled radish.
Food done right, and worth the money! -
Review from Clara K.
Camarillo, CA
Went in here during a very non-busy hour, and was the only table seated in the entire restaurant. Definitely was not the worst service I had, but the waiter could have been a lot nicer. Keep in mind, we were the ONLY TABLE in this restaurant, and this was in the late afternoon, not at the end of the night when they just want us to get out so they can go home. The waiter did not bother to ask how we were doing, or refill our drinks. He wasn't helpful at all when I asked him about the menu, and when I asked what their most popular dish was, he said, "All of our dishes are popular." Thanks. Now I know exactly what I want to try. Maybe I came in on a bad day because I was actually really surprised to see so many positive reviews about this place. Perhaps the waiter's favorite pet ran away or something. I don't know, but anyways I'll move onto the food.
I had the lamb curry, and my date had the beef shawarma. Nothing horrible, but far from memorable. Between the two, I preferred the beef shawarma sandwich. -
Review from Emily L.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Well, yum!!!!!!!!
This is one of my favorite lunch places in the area. Get there before 12, or else you'll be fighting for a table with me and the rest of my coworkers.
I usually get their pita sandwiches which really fill you up at a reasonable price. The pita sandwiches always come up piping hot, which really does make the food taste awesome!
Also, the hummus is wonderful. A small size of the hummus is always more than enough for a table of four, and they'll bring out extra pita if you run out for free! -
Review from Marissa C.
Chatsworth, Los Angeles, CA
This is some of the best Middle-Eastern food in LA (and I've had homemade Lebanese food my entire childhood)! I have been here multiple times and my taste buds have never been disappointed. I have tried most everything on the menu too, and it's all been very tasty. Their hummus and babghanoush is fantastic! What's also great are their "family meals." Once I ordered the family meal for 4, it was more than enough food for 4 people, so although individual meals may be pricey, the family meals are a great value.
Service is friendly too. Though, I would've given 5 stars, but it always takes a little while to get served.
Overall, definitely recommended!! -
Review from Todd O.
Need to get out of the office for a quick lunch? If you're in the TO/NP area, Ali Baba's a.k.a. Babas, is a great choice!
Had an hour between meetings, so headed here for the beef shawarma pita sandwich ($6.99). The beef is marinated in their tasty sauce, the salad filling is (re)fresh(ing), and the pita is light and supplements their hummus perfectly. I'm always a fan of home made hummus, and if anyone would like to make some for me, I'll gladly accept it at my doorstep. For the time being though, Trader Joes does the trick for me. I digress.
Our meals were out within five minutes of our order and our drinks were refilled without having to ask. Quick, convenient, and tasty. -
Review from Ms. L.
Agoura Hills, CA
Wow, finally there's no need to trek out to the Valley for totally bombastic mediterranean food. I've yet to dine in, but I can tell you the take-out portions and presentation do not disappoint.
Definitely try the vegetarian plate and if you're feeling it, order an extra side of their eggplant dip (SO good).
For those cooler evenings, don't miss their lentil soup - perfect vegetarian blend of spice and middle eastern comfort food goodness. -
Review from Todd O.
Been there a couple times. I love the falafel, its pretty right on...hard crunchy on the outside and soft, moist and chewy on the inside. Good flavor yet not salty. The owner is really nice. I had a chicken shawarma but it wasn't my thing. For all the chicken breast fans out there they might like it. I wanted thigh meat that is slow roasted on a spit. That was not what I got. The fries are not bad with a pretty good seasoning but no where near the level of the falafel. There other dishes look really good and the portions seem big but I have not tried anything else.
They also open the place up on Thanksgiving and feed people, this alone is worth getting my money! -
Review from Brian M.
Newbury Park, CA
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Review from Hana J.
Oh Ali Baba, withholder of secrets!
I had more than my fill, with no regrets!
The chicken swarma spicy and tasty,
hummus so smooth, soft, and pasty.
You live up to your name,
the greatest legend of all,
Ali Baba you must gain some fame;
Everyone must come, yes, I'm callin ya'll!
My poor limmericks only manifest when I've had a good experience. Perhaps I was just surprised at the simplicity and deliciousness of the food while on my first "lunch date" with the boss...
Regardless, this kitchen is casual, cool and unassuming. Perhaps my next visit will allow me to reinvent the above poem...Listed in: Stuck in Thousand Oaks. Now…
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Review from Kelly M.
Simi Valley, CA
Great little place for lunch! Their hummus is fantastic and I love their beef schwarmas (spelling is off). The place is pretty small so if you plan on going for lunch I'd go a bit before noon otherwise its hard to get a table.
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Review from Wilmar D.
My coworker brought in some beef shawarma leftovers from Ali Baba the other day, and I therefore established a mission to get me some of that as soon as possible.
It was my first time eating there, and in general I don't really go out of my way to eat Mediterranean cuisine or anything of the like. I went with Michael S. and he thought it was hella random of me too.
Either way, props to Ali Baba! A very local and homey sort of setting, very casual service, and good tasting food.
I should note, however, that the owner asked Michael S. and me to move out of the table for six and move to the table for four just in case more people came in. Granted, I'm okay with that if it were likely that they would need that sort of room. But c'mon. It was almost closing time. And there was only one other party there.
Their moutabal and pita was nice and light, with spicy cayenne ideas and sour afterthoughts, which we couldn't really pinpoint. Michael thought it was kind of "wine-y" while I thought it was probably vinegar. Whatever. Great appetizer.
I ordered the beef shawarma plate. I thought the rice was good, but could maybe have been a little more... saffron-ey. The beef shawarma was properly seasoned and was bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. And while I kind of thought it was a little overcooked, the flavor of it etched a delicious note in my mind to come back here again and try more items.
The plate came with hummus and salad, both of which tasted great. Perfect consistency and flavor of the hummus, and a refreshing cucumber crunch to their salad.
I think this place is more ideally a lunch option, especially for the Amgenites and Baxterds. I think I just might take a long lunch break one of these days and drive from Camarillo to get me some more Ali Baba's. -
Review from S. T. V.
Los Angeles, CA
I've tried the beef sharwama and salmon sharwama, I have to say I'm surprised that I like the salmon more than the beef. I think the beef is too salty.
I love the hummus here, love it! The side salad that comes with the meal complements the meat really well.
This is really out of my way, so I haven't had more than 2 opportunities to eat here. However if it is close to where I live or work I would definitely come more often.
Prices are reasonable, the beef/salmon sharwama plates I get are $11.99 each and I definitely can't finish the whole thing in 1 seating. -
Review from Frank L.
I miss this place SO much!
I used to work in Newbury and this little joint was right down the street. The dining room is TINY and always crowded, but the shawarma is freaking fantastic.
Seriously, if you're ever in the area and have a hankering for a delicious shawarma plate or sandwich STOP at Ali Baba's Cafe. The chicken and the beef are both exceptionally tasty.
I highly recommend. -
Review from Robert E.
Westlake Village, CA
I get cravings all the time but seldom do I find a place or meal that satifies those cravings completely. Tonight I am elated to have discovered the best place so far in my area for awesome Mediterranean food: Babas Kitchen!
I had a craving for a good salad and hummus when I left but was adamant on traveling over to the sub par Daphnes down the road. Lukily I stumped upon this restaurant, hidden between the Vons and Subway at the corner of Newbury and Borchard. The restaurant is small but very accomodating. It has the vibe of a small family run restaurant with friendly service; very clean and inviting.
I oredered a small hummus plate and the chiken schwarma salad. The owner and hostess/waitress were very nice and the food came VERY promptly. The hummus was good but the not the best ive had and the portions were more than filling for the price of a small plate (5 dollars.)
The salad was exactly what I wanted: fresh and delicious. There was nothing left on the plate when I was done except for the pits of those awesome greek olives.
I am an instant fan of this restaurant! Great food, great service, a second visit is gauranteed. Great for dates.
Service: 5/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Price: 4/5
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -
Review from Kirby B.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Ate here for the first time yesterday. We ordered the kufteh chicken (DELICIOUS!), salad, and chicken curry. Everything was amazing. I will be coming here all the time. Healthy, too.
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Review from John M.
Camarillo, CA
I've wanted to try this place for a while, so on my way back from a meeting, I randomly got off on Borchard thinking, "where else would there be a restaurant in NP?". I was right. Literally guessed and found it at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, I was the only one there, and the owner/chef/handyman was on his cell phone yelling, and then I got in, said something in Arabic and slammed the phone down.
"What would ya like?"
(-1 star)
I talked with him for a bit to put him in a good mood. Talked about Ali Baba historically, and how his food is made. Made small talk until my Lamb pita (doner kabab for those who have traveled). Cost me $8.50 roughly, and when I got it home... didn't fill me up. Didn't even really have a unique taste. Lamb was a little dry and the cucumber, lettuce and tzitziki sauce were pretty good. But for $8.50, I would much prefer a good Thai food, or a bigass burrito from Chipotle across the freeway. but hey, at least I can say I tried it. I can't wait to head back to Canberra, Australia in July to try out my old favorite Ali Baba there. Good stuff! -
Review from Sarah Q.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Always get the the plate over the sandwich!!! It's soooooo much good food! I'm a sucker for the chicken shwarma, but the falafels are good too. I've been coming here for 6 years, 99.8% of the time for lunch (it's close to work) and I've learned a few things. The service is spotty, haphazard, absent-minded (pick your adjective). I've never experienced rudeness, but don't expect stellar service here. I don't mind, the food more than makes up for it. The lunch rush is maddening. Save yourself and come a bit early or wait a while. Sometimes they run out of baklava early. If you want to indulge order the baklava with your meal that way they don't run out by the time you decide.
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Review from Brandon S.
Olympia, WA
Three conversations that could've turned this into a one star dining experience....
Us: "We'll have two feta Mini Sambosaks and two spinach Mini Sambosaks."
Waitress: "Oh, I don't think we have those, haven't for, like, three years. He doesn't like to make them."
Waitress: "I'm sorry, but we're out of the Kufteh Beef."
Regular patron next to us: "I got the last one! Have Kufteh Chicken, just as good."
My wife: Ok, can you make a Kufteh Chicken sandwich?"
Waitress: "Let me check."
Me: "Can I get a thing of garlic sauce?"
Waitress: "The red sauce or the white sauce?"
Me: "Huh? Ummm...I guess the white sauce."
(couple minutes later...)
Waitress: "Is this what you wanted? Tahini?"
Me: "Not really, the yellow garlic paste stuff. I've had it before."
Waitress: "Let me check..."
(Minute later...)
Waitress: "He said you don't want it, he says it's not good, the tahini is better."
Maybe we were just in a good mood or whatever, but instead of being frustrating, it was kind of charming in a weird way. They didn't mean any harm and it wasn't rude or anything, just kind of funny. Our waitress was friendly and nice otherwise, although we did have to ask for my wife's soup when she forgot about it.
It helped that the food that we did get was outstanding. Great falafels for an appetizer, my wife loved the Kufteh Chicken sandwich - thanks to the regular for suggesting it, and my Chicken Shawarma was delicious. Spicy and garlicy and perfect in a pita with some hummus, some tahini and their awesome salad. It could've used some garlic sauce, but if the chef that made this awesome food says that it's no good, who am I to argue?
Also, after we ate, the chef (and probably owner) personally apologized for running out of the Kufteh Beef. No worries.Listed in: My Favorite Reviews
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Review from Rockit O.
Thousand Oaks, CA
I'm a regular at Ali Baba. It's not five star fine dining, its take out or casual sit down.
Great Falafel and vegetarian soups, great shwarma and other grilled meats, I really like all of their food.
Independent family owned and operated with great food. Little restaurants like this are practically non existent anymore, especially in Thousand Oaks.
I hate corporate chain restaurants where food is rubber stamped out like parts in a factory. Ali Baba is real people cooking real food. -
Review from Elaine P.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Great hummus, plenty of bread. Their Family Special will feed your crew of four big eaters with plenty of protien and flavor. No adult beverages so if tea isnt gonna get it, go for take-out and enjoy their delicious food with your own beer or wine.
Prowling for dinner, my son and I were going to introduce Exotic Flame Cafe to my boyfriend but it was shut down for the Thanksgiving weekend. We Yelped and Ali Baba's popped up. OK then!
This place looks tiny from the street but it's pretty deep. Unless you are going there during a particularly busy time you'll probably get a table.
Once we ordered, our hummus came up pretty fast and kept us busy until our hot food arrived. Everything there seems to be individually prepared so, yeah, it takes a while. But I can't cook food that good, so fast, so big deal.
The service was fine. I recall only one waitress in there and she kept up with things OK. This isn't the kind of place to have a five-star experience. It has the ambience of a daytime cafe and the service matches it.
I think, given the absence of at least beer & wine, the brighter lighting, and the coffee-shop style furniture and fixtures, I'll primarily come back for lunch or for take-out dinner. -
Review from Lisa B.
Their Shawarma's are by far, the best I've had in the U.S. WTF? In Newbury Park? Yep...Newbury Park, CA. I've been going there for close to a decade and the quality has never faltered. I always have the Chicken Shawarma plate. Why fix it if it ain't broken?
Go there before or after lunch hour so you don't have to wait. It's quite small. -
Review from Joe C.
Buena Park, CA
I waited to write this review. I've been the Ali Baba six time. I've had the same meal each time, lamb curry. My first visit was not so good. My lamb curry was missing a key ingredient. The owner apologized and promised it wound never happen again. He recommended I try the mint tea the next time.
Well... I go back for the tea. It's so good. It reminds me of living in France. I'd visit the Mediterranean restaurants in my neighborhood and drink tea with the owners. I've been looking for that back here in the states. I found it at Ali Baba. The tea is great. The owner and staff are friendly and open. But the food... oh baby, the lamb curry is good.
It's hard for me to move off of a favorite dish. I don't want to even try anything else. I will. since I figure its once a week for the next six months. And that's the real test. If I am willing to eat as a place as if it were my own kitchen, it's good. -
Review from Sean M.
Chatsworth, CA
I feel like I'm doing gods work by bringing this places rating down one notch. Salty Hummus, and salty foods in general. Over priced because of the small portion of bad food.
I guess Mediterranean food is hard to come by in Thousand Oaks / Rancho Conejo, and the people who eat it has never tasted any better.
but REALLY??!!
I'll save my money and wait till I can get my hands on some quality Mediterranean food somewhere else.
