Priscilla L.
Yelp
I really wanted to give this place a 5 star rating, but there were a few issues. I found the food was superb and tasted freshly prepared, the server was very hardworking and friendly, and the premises were very clean. I hope to come back soon.
Came here for dinner on Sunday, June 27, 2021 before 8:30pm, and am writing this review the following day.
I told the employee at the register that this was my first time at Ali Baba Restaurant, and wondered if I was supposed to order with her or sit down at one of the tables. She gave me a menu and indicated I should sit, which I did. Since the restaurant had many customers coming inside to pick up their orders or ordering for takeout, I did end up waiting around 15 minutes before the employee came to take my order. I felt bad for the employee as I could see she did a lot of work. There was one diner who kept changing his order and the server was very patient with him.
I ordered 2 bottles of Poland Spring water and Lahmajun Turkish Pizza and the dessert Kunefe at around 8:42pm because I had read reviews that the dessert sometimes take 20+ minutes to make. I figured by the time I was done with my meal, that the Kunefe would be ready.
Less than 10 minutes later, a kind-looking man (the chef?) brought out the Lahmajun. I asked him if I should get the water from the refrigerator that was in front of me. He didn't seem to understand and the waitress came over. I said that I was sorry to bother her, but should I get my own water. She brought over the water.
Lahmajun: Delicious. Thin, perfectly baked crust. Tasted freshly made. 5/5. It wasn't enough for dinner, so I ordered something more.
I placed an ordered for Iskender. The description: Slices of doner (gyro) mixed with tomato sauce, yogurt topped with buttered homemade bread served by itself. ($18.00)
When I got the Iskender, I didn't see the homemade bread. I asked the server if bread came with the Iskender and she said the bread was under the doner, so I said thanks. However, I remained confused as the menu description said the buttered homemade bread would be topping the doner and served by itself.
I couldn't finish the Iskender and asked the server for a box and bag to take home the leftovers. She brought me a box, but not a bag. I packed the leftovers into the box. The server came by and said the Kunefe would be out shortly. However, it did take 20 minutes from the time I finished my main course to get the Kunefe. The server said the Kunefe takes a while to make. I said I understand and that's why I ordered it at 8:40pm when I did the initial order and now it was past 9:30pm.
The server said she could cancel the Kunefe, but that was the main reason I came to Ali Baba, so I said I would wait for it.
Kunefe: Cheese, butter, kadayuf, syrup, and pistachio. (5/5). $7. Fantastic. Crunchy, flavorful, sweet, and texture heaven. One is probably enough for 2 or 3 people. I had to ask for a takeout box for the dessert, which I did along with a request for a bag. Server brought over a bag, but not a box for this no had to ask again for a box.
So the bill came and despite the various service quirks, I gave her an $8 tip which is almost 23%, based on the pre-tax amount.
Then I went home and was looking over the photos I took at the restaurant and noticed that Iskender is listed under Meat Dishes which are supposed to be "served with bulgur, salad and homemade bread". Maybe I'm reading the menu wrong?
While I was looking over the menu photos, I noticed that the Poland Spring Water was listed as $1.25 on both the paper menu and the digital menu hanging in the restaurant, but I was charged $3 (for the 2). That's a 50 cents overcharge, but okay I understand prices probably increased and the business didn't get a chance to update all the prices. I'll let that overcharge slide.
I am re-reading the menu. The "served by itself" at the end of the Iskender description perhaps refers to the Iskender is served by itself and not to the buttered homemade bread served by itself. Which means the Iskender doesn't come with the bulger, salad and bread. Perhaps this is a recent change because from reading other reviews, diners used to get the homemade bread for free when dining in. I never got the bread that I see in so many reviews.
A duplicate credit card receipt wasn't provided. The original receipt was also not returned. Luckily, I took photos of the receipts and would recommend other patrons to do so in case something arises -- for any restaurant, not just this one.
Overall, I thought the food was excellent and the server was overworked. The server had a positive attitude, which was appreciated. Next time, I hope we can upgrade the rating to a 5.