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Ali's Trinidad Roti Shop
Category: Restaurants Caribbean Caribbean [Edit]
1267 Fulton St(between Arlington Pl & Nostrand Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Neighborhood: Bedford Stuyvesant
(718) 783-0316
- Nearest Transit:
-
Nostrand Av (A, C)
Franklin Av (S)
Franklin Av (A, C)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for Ali's Trinidad Roti Shop
Review Highlights
-
"Even better with tamarind sauce." In 11 reviews -
"Don't forget to try their Doubles and Plourie." In 20 reviews -
"The roti, doubles, and aloo pie are awesome, period." In 5 reviews
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Tiffany S.
Brooklyn, NY
11/30/2011 10 Check-ins Here
Shrimp Roti or Doubles. Corn Soup? I'll take one of each.
I love this place. I have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. I am West Indian (St. Vincent & The Grenadines) so I know West Indian food. Trini's do it best when it comes to a delicious roti. MMMM!
This place is extremely popular and therefore can be quite crowded at times, but I'll wait for good food.
I can't wait for my next craving.Listed in: Deliciousness
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Review from Tracey T.
New York, NY
3/19/2012
I am thankful there isn't an Ali's Roti Shop in my neighborhood!!! It is sooooooooo good.. (hint, hint open one in Manhattan)!!
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Review from Rahil P.
10/15/2011
I just ate the oxtail stew roti and although I'm not a fan of it, I can't wait to try more!
I've never had a Caribbean roti, and what I received was unexpected. It was identical to a Chipotle burrito. I took two bites of mostly roti (the dough) and curry powder then opened it, realizing the entree was 75% dough. I ended up eating the filling with a fork. The filling was quite dry, especially for it to be named a stew. The oxtail contains bones, which I knew, but made it feel even dryer.
So why am I still a fan? I didn't have a problem with the place, ingredients, or how it was cooked. Maybe it's supposed to be dry. As an inexperienced Caribbean cuisine eater, I can't wait to go back and try more items from here (or a similar place). I mean, I still have to try the aloo pie, doubles, goat, pholourie, sodas, or even some grocery! -
Review from Swarnadeep M.
Briarwood, Queens, NY
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Doubles and Ox tail roti! wonderful food and very quick service. Would love to try out the other options. Can't wait to go back!
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Review from Leanna P.
11/29/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I've grown up eating Roti in NYC all of my life. I've tried Roti at various places but if you are in BedStuy and want some good Roti make a stop here. Now I will agree with other reviews I've had better Roti but I think it depends on the culture. I've eaten Jaimaican and Trinidadian Roti and have enjoyed both. But support this local business. In fact, I might need a Roti fix this week.
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Review from Nate C.
Fresno, CA
3/13/2012
after moving to the area a year ago we realized there was a very limited selection of good restaurants. my wife and i tried the roti shop based on yelp reviews and they did not disappoint!
the channa & potato roti is wonderful and totally filling. like an indian burrito. no matter what you get, you should always order a "double" or two. didn't know what doubles were until coming here.
the cashier has always been kind and helpful.
we typically take the food to-go. -
Review from Anubis K.
Brooklyn, NY
10/18/2011
First of all as far as I am concerned this place is overly hyped/rated the food is not at all that great I've eaten far superior roti's in the past I swear every time we order from here they never give us anything besides a bunch of bones with very little evidence that there is supposed be meat somewhere in between the bombardment of pepper for which we never even once asked for it is my understanding that these people assume that the only favor a roti is supposed to have is nothing but pepper well I think not I am sorry but nothing here taste like anything that I've eaten in Trinidad before not even close it's basically typical generic food you cannot feel or even taste the love in the food because unfortunately there is none at all to have very disappointing indeed :(
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Review from Quana C.
1/23/2011
Growing up in WillieB there was a lack of West Indian food/ grocers so we had to travel. B44 here we come!
Ali's was a regular stop for us back in the day and if parking is right it still is.
The roti is always delicious. I've tried them all here over the years and was never unhappy with any choice. It has been around for a long time so they must be getting something right!
Go on and give them a try you won't regret it! -
Review from Kai-Lee P.
Manhattan, NY
Ok I don't like roti but my friend wanted me to give it another try... I hate that the curry is powdery instead of saucy...ick... the doubles I could eat and I love ting! the cashier/ waiter guy was really nice but roti is just not my thing :/ so take this review from a biased person....
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Review from d'N'L m.
Brooklyn, NY
11/5/2009
Roti, roti, they like to party, they don't cause no problem, they don't bother nobody.. So last night we done headed over to Ali's Roti shop..
I really did not know what to expect.. What is a roti, what's the restaurant look like, what else can you get besides a roti..
Lets start with the decor.. Very bare bones..You walk up and you are screened off from the woman making the food and the man taking the cash and orders.. It kind of looks like one of those bullet proof glass set ups but, its just plain glass.. There are a few tables and chairs but, it seems like a take out spot..
What is a roti?
Well a roti can be described in laymen's terms as a West Indian Burrito.. It is kind of like an eggy, crepe-y, wrapper that houses stewed meat, potato, in some sort of curry sauce.. I think you can get other vegetables but, a standard one comes with potatoes.. Last night I had a goat roti.. Tender fall of the bone curry goat with perfectly cooked potatoes.. Liked that the wrapper soaks up the curry sauce..
What is a doubles?
A doubles is a fry bread sandwich that houses a spicy mixture of chickpeas.. They are super cheap, super filling, and freaking awesome.. This is a must to order..
One more important thing:
I am a sauce guy.. Any kind of extra sauce, I always like to try.. Their tamarind sauce is outrageous. Spicy with whole chunks of tamarind.. It really helps break up the doubles but, it's great on the roti too..
They also have a pretty fantastic hot sauce.. The tamarind might be considered a hot sauce to some but, the hot sauce, is pretty intense.. Not chemically hot most likely scotch bonnet pepper.
Lots of good ginger beer, lemonades, and other drinks from Trinidad to explore.
Dinner was a lot of food and was only like 8 bucks.. I am a fan and will be back soon.. Really nice people in there.. -
Review from Erik F.
Brooklyn, NY
6/7/2008
Carryout Trinidadian treat on the cheap. I like it.
Kind of a wacky place, a roti shop with a general store for decoration (has anyone ever bought a copy of the poetry book on sale? It is something like Ghetto Stalin: the soul of a street poet.).
You go in, there is often a line but it move sort of fast. The menu is above you but doesn't list any prices. There are a variety of Roti ($5) and dinners over rice, exotic sodas and a few nice side dishes. The real treat is the thing called Doubles ($1), which are a channa curry between two pieces of fried flat bread.
I am still new to roti and in the honeymoon phase. Ali's is supposedly the best in my neighborhood and definitely one of the few real destinations in my area for food. At the end of the day I probably think the Ali's down by Prospect Park is a tad better but really this is a fine distinction mostly based on one veggi-roti I had down there. (It is a pain to get down there so I don't know when I will ever get back.)
Quick guide for newbies:
Roti: Big piece of fried flat bread wrapped around a choice of fillings. Chicken and goat come with bones in. You may first think it is a burrito and something to eat on the go, but really you want to sit down with it, unravel it and peel off pieces of bread to pinch mouthfuls of filling. How else you going to deal with those bones? There is a crumbly flake that comes off the roti (corm meal?) that I like to think of as Roti Dust.
Doubles: A channa (chick pea) curry in an Indian vein between to smaller pieces of a thicker fried flat bread. A treat.
Aloo pie: A potato filled pastry in the tradition of a samosa.
Phoolori: Fried dough balls with tamarind sauce.
Everything seems to be influenced by a Indian style curry vibe but organized into a portable format. I also hear not everything is available all the time, but there is no way to know without asking.
You can ask for hot sauce or tamarind sauce to spice up or sweeten up your order as you like.
Really 4.5 stars for being second to the other Ali's but I'll give it that other half a star cause it brightens up the food options near Clinton Hill significantly.
Pumpkin! -
Review from Pria P.
New York, NY
6/8/2009
Oh man. After wanting to come here for the longest time, I was disappointed with the food. (As a disclaimer, this was my first time trying a west indian roti so I may just not be a fan of them in general.)
When I got to the shop, I was super excited to see the long line of neighborhood locals (my friend and I stood out like sore thumbs). I ordered a vegetable roti that I couldn't bring myself to eat more than a few bites of. I asked for it spicy, but found it to be really bland. I have no idea what the yellow flakes were all over the roti itself, but they made the it taste mushy on top of the chewy texture- and there was way too much of it. The filling was overcooked and had a really bad aftertaste- maybe it was cooked in some kind of meat fat that I wasn't used to. Who knows.
My friend who got the chicken roti also found hers to be bland. Of course, they were a good value for the $ - $5 for huge Chipotle sized rotis. Obviously, people who are familiar with w. indian rotis love this place so it must be good- I just wouldn't recommend it to vegetarians or people who like spicy food.Listed in: Overrated
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Review from HANA R.
Los Angeles, CA
10/27/2008
Authentic, Trinidadian Street food Joint .......just like in Trinidad !
Veggie Roti would not be my first choice in any other west Indian restaurant or Roti shop, but, they have the veggie roti I can't resist.
Love their home made hot sauce.
Don't forget to try their Doubles and Plourie.
I stop here to get my fix, everytime I go back to New York!
Miss it...can't get this in West Coast....
**sigh** -
Review from Jared C.
11/16/2009 1 photo
When the sun is setting over Bedford Stuyvesent, and the songs from the muezzin in the nearby mosque fill the air calling the faithful to prayer, there is no better time to file into local favorite Ali's. And as the name suggests, you would be a fool to ignore their glorious, heaping mounds called roti.
Ali's is definitely not the place to expect kind and courteous staff. Ali himself (guess?) struggles to run back and forth between order and pickup windows, jotting down orders and trying to make sure the cooks have all the right info. It seems like every order needs to be said at least twice no matter who says it though, a real comical gap in communication exists here for some odd reason. Hope though that he takes your order, as if he's around the corner and you have to scream through the window to the ladies in the back, your order is effectively being broadcast for everyone to hear, and don't even think about asking questions! It's all fun and quaint somehow though, and makes procuring your delicious snacks that much more rewarding.
The major two panels of the menu are split between "rotis" and "dinners," but one of these gigantic rotis, which all range between $4-6 is more than enough to be called dinner. The curry chicken roti ($5.50) is filled more with potato than anything else, but does have a couple big chunks. Interestingly enough, the pieces are still on the bone and have to be pulled out and eaten separately with your hands like fried chicken. The curry is up to par with the best Trinidad cuisine in this city has to offer, and it is obvious the chicken has been slow cooking in that stew all day as the meat falls off the bone.
The cheapest option on this side is the potato and chana roti ($4), which is basically the same thing without the chicken pieces. The beef, oxtail, and other options are all strong and worth the good variety in life if you return for multiple visits.
Meanwhile, the alou pies and doubles are better around the corner at A & A. Unfortunately you will have to wait until tomorrow, as you're stuffed beyond belief by Ali. -
Review from Stevin G.
Brooklyn, NY
8/3/2008
There is a reason there is a line out the door almost all the time. Ali's is great food on the cheap.
I typically get my West Indian food in South Richmond by JFK(another Caribbean neighborhood) because I work at the airport, but I've made Ali's kind of a destination on my way to prospect park on my bike.
Their dahl pourie is yummers stuffed with Chana and a ton of hot sauce. Get the pholourie too, and bask in the delicious tamarind dipping sauce as you're whisked away to a white sand trinidad beach.......or an explosion of commotion known as fulton street. Better yet ride your bike up to prospect park and sit on the lawn while you stuff your face. That's what I do. -
Review from Jon S.
Brooklyn, NY
6/29/2010
Slow service can be cathartic.
A drawn-out meal can double as a temporary escape, but not when it's in a poor-ventilated video store/bodega/take out restaurant in the middle of Bed-Sty.
I waited 35 minutes in the minuscule storefront for a conch roti ($8). It was pretty good. Not awe-inspiringly great, but satisfying. The best part is the roti itself, which is flaky and not too thicky. It's wrapped tightly around a huge serving of fish and potatoes. The actual conch was a tad on the chewy side and insanely spiced.
Next time I'll ask for one of the many Trindadian sodas to wash it down. I'll also bring a book. -
Review from Eric E.
Brooklyn, NY
1/17/2010
Ali's is one of my favorite eateries in not only Bed-Stuy, but NYC period. The roti, doubles, and aloo pie are awesome, period. Over the course of many visits I've tried roti with beef, chicken, and goat and various combinations of vegetables and have yet to be disappointed. I highly recommend adding pumpkin and/or spinach to any roti. I'm not sure whether the doubles are better at Ali's or A&A around the corner, but I can confirm that both are delicious. I'm not crazy about pholourie in general - I don't find dough balls very exciting - but the tamarind sauce is good.
To those who complain that the food is bland: it's all in the ordering. A plain chicken and potato roti is naturally going to be on the bland side. My understanding (which I acknowledge may be wrong) is that you have a choice between stew and curry roti; if you want more flavor/spice, get curry and order it spicy. A curry chicken, potato, and spinach roti, ordered spicy, cannot be considered bland.
I was surprised to read Jason B's complaints about the service. Ali frequently takes my order and he has never seemed harried; he has always been friendly and warm. And yes, I have had to raise my voice to order from the women in the back assembling the food, but they're equally friendly and it's never been a bad experience.
Bottom line: Ali gives you a lot of very good food for very little money. -
Review from diana y.
4/19/2010
I had no idea how ginormous these rotis would be. So I ordered an oxtail one for me, a chicken one for my bf, an aloo pie, two peanut punches and something else that I literally crammed into my mouth without looking at.
The oxtail roti was FABULOUS. If you're not the kind of person who likes to spit bones, it might not be for you. If you're all about super tender, flavorful, fall-off-the-bones oxtail and a little bone-age isn't a problem for you, I'd highly recommend it. Chicken one was pretty good, too. But my hunny, who has like 4 stomachs, was not able to finish it, so be forewarned.
I remember liking the aloo pie and thinking the peanut punch (more like sweet peanut milk) was too sweet. But if you're a big peanut fan and love yourself some sugar, this is it for you.
For the price point, you'll get fed very well here. Find what you like on the menu and just keep ordering that until they have to roll you out of the store.Listed in: Clingreentonstuy
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Review from Scott G.
New York, NY
8/6/2010
I literally just ate their curry goat roti (with pumpkin of course) and am falling asleep as I type
so good that I ate this roti, which was probably meant for two people, in about 5 seconds -
Review from Matteo R.
7/30/2009 1 Check-in Here
I come here almost every weekend for my fix of doubles and pholourie, plus the occasional roti or alou pie.
Their doubles and pholourie are absolutely great: fresh, plump, and flavorful. Even better with tamarind sauce. Their rotis, which are quite large in size, tend to be a bit dry for my taste, but are otherwise solid, although they could use more spice.
Although you can give them your order on the phone and then pick it up, the line is constantly busy. Be prepare to wait: the line can get very long on weekends, and it doesn't serve food before 12 noon. -
Review from Jul B.
Brooklyn, NY
2/19/2010
I expected so much from the Fulton location. Possibly because the Flatbush & Midwood location is a favorite. I was soo shocked how dirty & how slow they are with taking orders/serving.
Phoolori tasted yucky & the roti was not wrapped properly. I will never go back to this location. You must venture to Flatbush! -
Review from S O.
Brooklyn, NY
9/29/2008
4 stars? Really?
I picked up two rotis tonight, one goat one chicken, they were out of doubles. I started with the chicken and first noticed the bones. I'm not talking tiny bite sized ones, there was practically a whole leg of chicken in there. So I plucked the meat off, then I noticed the flavor. Pretty bland for roti, if you're on a low-sodium kick you'll love it. Same story with the goat, though I was praying for a miracle. They're sitting half eaten in my fridge as I post.
I've had better roti at Golden Crust, the caribbean fast food joint within walking distance. Better yet, go to Soule, for two bucks more you can get a savory mouth watering roti that's twice the size. -
Review from Taiyo O.
5/29/2010 7 photos
I found here because of dedicated and kind Yelpers in Brooklyn. Thank you!
I ordered Doubles. It was good. What I was not so liking was that it's heavy(oil?). Like other Yelpers, I liked the inside messy stuff. I like the texture of chickpeas too.
Square shape Roti with chicken curry was huge! It reminded of Burritos at Castro's on Myrtle Ave. (see the photo). It was good but I felt I was more eating dough than curry. This concept of dough with curry reminds me of Japanese Curry Pan. You can get it at Panya Bakery in East Village. Bread dough is fried and coated with light sugar and Japanese curry inside. The idea must came from Roti. It's small but tasty. Many Yelpers reviewed in Panya Bakery as well.
I want to try things on the shelves as well as inside the glass counter. Unique items like Mantouk's sauce or Guyana & West Indian drinks. Especially banana flavor one. I posted photos of them. Check them up! -
Review from Ava E.
5/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I had to stop going to Ali's for a while because it's so damn good. It's always refreshing to find a place that has consistently good food. So after a long hiatus, I went back for my regular staples, doubles, pholourie and aloo pie. Wow, it was extra, extra good. I gotta stay away more often :)
Listed in: Caribbean Flavor for you to…, Bed Stuy...DO OR DIE!!
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Review from maria m.
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Delicious curry goat roti! This place is a staple. I've been going here for roti for years. Good food, good prices. I'm glad I live close by.
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Review from CHEVON M.
Freeport, NY
3/22/2009
Ali's has several locations and are pretty consistent. I tend to think the curried potatoes are a tad overcooked, but the curry chicken is always perfectly done. At the location on Utica, you can order a boneless chicken Roti which is way better, no mess, no fuss. I can't tolerate the big hunks of bone either, it takes away from the whole experience. Overall, the Roti is soft and fresh, but the fillings are somewhat bland.
Its reasonably priced, line is usually long but its good for a quick bite to eat. -
Review from Nasilele H.
Brooklyn, NY
10/25/2009 1 Check-in Here
I LOVE Ali's Roti shop and have been getting Roti from him since I was a teenager. Over the years I became a vegetarian so I went from Curry Chicken Roti to Veggie Roti and it still gives me my fix. I also love the Bussup with veggies.
I crave Ali's about once a week lately!! SOOOO yummy!!!
It does feel a little like going to the Soup Nazi... Seinfeld fans will know what I mean! But its so worth it hence the 5 stars. -
Review from Adam F.
Los Angeles, CA
2/10/2008
Yes goat rotee, yes, the goat bones are all in there for flavor and are only a minor inconvenience anyway; the potatoes are for value. Get that tamarind sauce; get that pepper.
Some praise from the Voice, too:
http://www.villagevoic... -
Review from Jamilah M.
Brooklyn, NY
11/17/2009
I've been eating Alis since i was a kid. I love it here but I do agree with the huge bones being an issue in the roti, and they are cheap with the tamarind sauce for the pholourie! Ali's was better back in the day however I'd still reccommend them.
It's not only THE ONLY curry I trust (as far as street food) but it's as close to Trinidad I can afford :-) -
Review from Semuteh F.
Brooklyn, NY
5/25/2011
They don't need yet another 5-star review but discovered this gem of a place today on a long walk and will be back! Potato Roti and Double were so yummy. The homemade ginger beer is potent and they have Ting!
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Review from R B.
Brooklyn, NY
12/22/2009
Bed Stuy's most popular Trinidadian spot with a reputation for having the best Roti, Doubles and Pholourie in Brooklyn. There's usually a line, but it moves fast and it's always worth the wait.
The very act of reading the menu board makes me want to skip and automatically get to the head of the line to place my order. I like the shrimp Roti---a Trinidadian adaptation of an indian flat bread filled with shrimp, delicious potatoes, and a bit of pepper (optional). I also get an order of Pholourie, a small bag of fried dough with a tamarind sauce. To wash it all down, I grab a Jamaican soda and make my way to the seating area and begin my journey to a place called Trinidad. -
Review from Virginia Su B.
Boston, MA
3/3/2009
bring a fork. don't get all excited and bite into one of these things unawares- you'll straight up break your teeth on a bone.
i ordered a chicken roti. the chicken was perfectly done, the meat fell right off the bone, it blended nicely with the curry, and there is no way in hell i'd have been able to gracefully consume it without a fork and a trash can at ready for all the cartilage, bones, and unidentified sticks. yes. sticks. teeny branches for flavor? dunno. before this, i thought spaghetti was the worst 1st date food ever. wrong. these things are crazy. i felt as though i needed tweezers at several points throughout the meal.
the hot sauce we ordered was essential. it really needed that extra flavor. i think my favorite thing about the whole experience was it was truly different than other foods i've had. the soft, roti breading was delightful. the meal was extremely inexpensive, which is always good in a crap economy. there are only 3 or so tables in the whole place, probably best to get it to go.
also, the veggie roti was absolutely delicious, and also devoid of bones. -
Review from Christina J.
Huntsville, AL
3/27/2011
This was my first roti ever and it was delicious. I've had tons of West Indian food over the years, but never roti. I got the boneless chicken roti. Very good price, very filling meal, and not that long of a wait to get it. Next time I'll try it with tamarind sauce like a friend mentioned. I will definitely keep coming back to Ali's!
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Review from Melissa H.
Brooklyn, NY
10/24/2010
I have been coming here for years and love it everytime I go. I always get the chicken,conch or goat roti with pumpkin. I love the doubles and the phourlie. I always take it to go because the store is tiny and unattractive but the food is amazing. This is one of my favorites in Brooklyn for Roti.
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Review from Kelly B.
Culver City, CA
7/19/2009
What am I doing wrong?! Under the Roti menu the one "veggie" option I saw was potato which was absurdly bland... what is this elusive delicious "veggie roti" you are ALL yelping about!
Listed in: Being Bed Stuy
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Review from Dave L.
New York, NY
11/20/2008
Although I salute Ali's for keeping their prices extraordinarily low, they could use a little more punch (or salt, for that matter) into the curry that goes into their roti. The roti skins themselves were also a little too thick for my taste.
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Review from Ms J.
Brooklyn, NY
8/2/2008
veg roti is ON POINT.
phlourie are good.
get an order of doubles for good measure.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Bianca B.
9/20/2008
The phlourie will make you smile.
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Review from Lisa K.
Amityville, NY
11/6/2008
I've had the vegetarian roti and the doubles... I wouldn't suggest getting the doubles as I felt they were underwhelmingly bland. The roti had more flavor, but for all the ratings, I don't think it really stands up to the reviews. Sorry. I also had the tamarind sauce (tasty) but that didn't make up for the okay roti.
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Review from Anthony C.
Jamaica, NY
10/25/2010
Ali's roti shop is arguably one of the best roti shops in Brooklyn! their shrimp roti always hit the spot for me. Oh yeah can't forget their spicy doubles when you don't want a roti. Everything on the menu has a story to tell which is filled with mouth watering deliciousness. Now be prepared to bring your portable chair because at times the wait can be long. Even though at times the wait can be long it's worth it. You will be satisfied with what you ask for at the end.
