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Ali's Original Roti Shop
Category: Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Ethnic Food [Edit]
337 Utica Ave(between President St & Carroll St)
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Neighborhoods: Wingate, Crown Heights
(718) 778-7329
- Nearest Transit:
-
Crown Hts - Utica Av (2, 3, 4, 5)
Sutter Av - Rutland Rd (2, 3, 4, 5)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Ali's Original Roti Shop
14 reviews in English
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Review from Cassandra M.
Brooklyn, NY
5/20/2012
I love... everything they serve.
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Review from Florence Y.
Brooklyn, NY
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ali's popped up on the map on my phone when I was getting directions to check out an apt in Crown Heights...and I remembered my friend from Trinidad had mentioned Ali's before. So I decided...since I am in the hood, why not? :)
I came in around 5-ish on a weekday, and there was a short line. I cannot decide if there was a line cause there were "so many" people or that they were on island time/ with one woman serving food and a man just prepping to-go paper bags. I got myself a boneless chicken (without the peas) option...which costs more? It came with a huge portion of roti, boneless chicken, chickpeas and potatoes in a container. I didn't think the food was that amazing..cause all the flavors were...integrated together. My friend did warn me that the one on Fulton street was better, that' the one he frequents.
Maybe I should have tried something else? Or the one on Fulton....
Tip-bits:
Ask what things are if you are unsure
Do not come in when you are in a rush, they are on island time -
Review from Kiandra L.
Plainfield, NJ
10/14/2011
I've been here twice in a week. I love the buss up shot. Get the beef or the goat. I've had the regular roti with boneless chicken and it really didn't do it for me. I think I just don't like the boneless chicken. I've also had the regular chicken roti with the bones and that was much better. However the buss up shot with the some pumpkin...Awww man. It had me craving it for a week until I went back.
The line in here can be and usually is ridiculously long, so don't go here if you have something to do or think you can just run in and out. You will probably be in line around 20 minutes. -
Review from Jenteel P.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/15/2011
{Actual Date of Visit: 6/25/2011 & 7/5/2011}
I've had two visits to Ali's now to base my review off of. The roti REALLY is that good. I ordered all the veggies w tamarind on top & the buss up shot on the side just like Alysha R (see below) instructed. YUM YUM YUM!
Ali's was bigger than I expected with ample seating. The woman and man running the show were very efficient and pleasant. Unfortunately the 2nd time I went I did not have the same experience. I'll just say no toilet tissue and no forks and had to ask for an alternative; I'll leave it at that. (Read Tanda M's review for details).
I'm Caribbean so I love all my island people, but unfortunately it is THAT HARD to get consistently good service. And good service is very, very important to me. It's not that difficult.
Thanks again Alysha R for the suggestion because again the food is THAT good ;D -
Review from Ramon W.
Brooklyn, NY
4/26/2011 11 Check-ins Here
Rushed in here one night for my wife's roti fix.....Wow!!!! The best I've had in years. The boneless chicken roti was excellent. Juicey tender well seasoned chicken. Very flavorful potatoes and veggies and the skin was just right. Not soggy -- like some other places. I'm going to have alot of check-ins here!
Very clean place, and friendly emloyees. My next visit--- It's gonna be a toss-up between the shrimp or conch roti -- yes a conch roti! I might walk out with both! -
Review from Reem C.
4/18/2011
Ali's is hands down the best roti shop in NYC...matter of fact...it's the best roti shop on the East Coast. The first time I had Ali's was about ten years ago after the West Indian Labor Day parade. After jumping up on the Parkway, I needed fuel for my body. The boneless chicken roti from Ali's hit the spot.
When I moved to Queens, I would drive all the way to Crown Heights just to get a roti from Ali's. That's how good it is. The roti skin is done just right, and everything is seasoned well. I've tried many roti spots in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx and nothing compares to Ali's.
When I go to Ali's, I always get the boneless chicken roti because it saves me the time of having to pick out the bones. The shrimp looks good. I think I may get the shrimp the next time I go. -
Review from Alysha R.
11/9/2010 3 photos
I am a 31 yr old Trinidadian chic....who has been eating from Ali's since I was a child..... am I biased? no....I'll tell you if the roti sucks.. because there are plenty of spots that you can go to in Brooklyn for roti...but my family always comes here.... Its the only place my mother will come to get her roti skins...to go along with her curry... (because who has time to make a homemade roti skin?!! lol....no way..).... and my best friend from the UK craves the shrimp roti from Ali's as soon as she gets off the plane.. You can have your Dhalpurie roti with all the standards...chicken...beef...goat....veggies....sh rimp....and even conch..... they also have boneless chicken roti..which saves you all the hassle of picking out bones..but some old timers still enjoy that pastime (when I ate meat.....I did not....it annoyed the hell out of me.).....Your choice nonetheless.
Now I actually prefer buss up shot (comes from the word busted up shirt)...because the paratha is made... then shredded up by hand....I love buss up shot because its BUTTERY...FLAKY....and FATTENING!!! ...lol...its so freaking good...and has been my favourite since I was a child... Although here you will get one big piece of paratha...and you can "bust it up" on your own....at home...Their Dhalpurie skins are great...but just not my preference......I get my buss up shot with all the veggies... potato, channa... bhaji *spinach for you americans....curry pumpkin..curry soya chunks (or shrimp)....curry mango...and some tamarind sauce/pepper sauce on top.......and I get them SEPARATE...all my veggies in the metal tin.... buss up shot wrapped separately....to eat at home (see pic # 3).....and if I do get Dhalpurie..I do the same.....just because I don't like wet/soggy roti....
Ali's has recently expanded their space...which now includes the space next door....they've added some tables..and done a lot of remodeling.. This place is always packed! and the line loops in a circle....Even on a weeknight at 9pm.... you will find this place bustling.... The young ladies behind the counter work quickly...and I always TIP them....there's a jar up on the counter... drop ah lil something in there nuh!.... Hard work to make roti's all day...and I know..because I worked in my Aunty's roti shop for 3 summers as a teenager... not fun!!! ....lol
On Saturday's.. doubles run out by my mid afternoon..
They also serve Trini Chinese Food (fried rice/chow mein, chinese chicken).... Bake & Shark....and other hot foods....
The uncle/dad/hubby packs up your food/takes payment...and he's always the friendliest....never forgets my face...
ATM inside if you need cash.....
3 words for you - BUSS UP SHOT. - you won't be sorry.
(its so good...if they don't have it...I say ok! later dahlin...see you next tme)......Listed in: Brooklyn Baby!
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Review from Stan T.
Brooklyn, NY
4/25/2010
I'm suprised that I'm the 1st reviewer on this while its been around for years before its annex on Flatbush Ave.
Let me say that I've never had any problem with the food or the service. Their Dhalpuri roti as well as their Bust-up-shot has been very close to their counter part in Trinidad on Backchain st. Their aloo pies are delicious crispy on the outside & soft on the inside, especially w/pepper & tambrin. Their phoulorie is also very good, but I honestly only order them when there's no doubles.
They recently addes tables & chairs. They'res usually a line but it usually moves pretty quickly. -
Review from Tanda M.
7/6/2011
Date of visit 7/5/11- Visited Mid-day with 2 foodie friends. Typical set up. Went to use bathroom- a bit of a nightmare. No toilet tissue and nothing to wash/dry hands with. SO...how do the food servers wash their hands? Hmm...Had the "famous" boneless chicken roti. Was pretty good considering I had to eat it with 2 spoons. Who runs out of forks and knives? Who runs out of toilet tissue for the patrons? Kinda ridiculous considering I paid $7 for the roti. Definitely good food. The experience, not so good. It was a nice day though and the parking wasnt too bad on Utica.
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Review from S J.
Brooklyn, NY
7/26/2011
Don't hesitate to try it out. If the West Indians mamas are buying their skins here, and only here, that should tell you something. Affordable and tasty food, vegetarian options, beautiful West Indians, chance to hear that lovely Trini lilt - what's not to love? If you get take out make sure to get your roti on the side.
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Review from Josh F.
Brooklyn, NY
6/16/2011 4 Check-ins Here
A no brainer!
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Review from SUPER D.
Briarwood, NY
2/17/2011
The ONLY place I go to in New York to buy roti. The goat roti is ADDICTIVE!
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Review from Clint H.
5/14/2010
For my money, this is the best Roti you can get in NYC...I've been coming to this spot for years and I have yet to be disappointed by their delicous Dhal Roti...Even though the prices have taken a bit of a hike in the years, the food here is always great...I always get a potato roti (and wash it down with a Red or Banana Solo) and my brother gets the Boneless Chikken Roti (pretty genius for them to offer boneless chikken). Their phoulorie is quite delicous as well, and the doubles are great, but you can get better doubles at other places i think....If it's Roti you want though, this is where you should go...
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Review from ShakeZula l.
Saint Albans, NY
5/16/2011
I have never been to Trinidad. I can't ever say for sure I could locate it on a map, and I can find Uzbekistan in a flash. After taking three bites from my shimp bussup, then two bites from my double, and then half an Aloo pie, I wiki'd Trinidad to learn everything about it; Did you know that Trinidad is Spanish for Trinity? The infamous Spanish viking Christopher Columbus discovered the island on his third voyage to the West Indies. After cramming some roti down my gullet and washing it down with some poolouries, I went into a lovely coma and day dreamed of relaxing next to the Paria Falls while sipping on coconut rum. In conclusion, this is the spot that's hot (Did I really just rhyme spot and hot?! Ugh I stink) if you want authentic Trinidadian cuisine. Big up.
