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    Ali Baba's Kitchen

    4.3 (205 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Ali Baba's Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

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    ALI BABA'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Ali Baba's Kitchen

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    Feta Cheese
    Christine M.

    I ordered for pick up on the phone, it was a bit tricky. I picked up my order so I saw the interior of the place. It was clean, open, and straightforward. The staff isn't too pleasant, but I don't mean that in a bad way. The food itself was good, I got a lemon chicken. It was expensive, but good. I found it interesting that they don't out their white sauce on the side (esp for a take out order) and on top of that, they charge for white sauce itself. I don't see myself wanting to stop by because I'm in the area.

    "Side Dishers Bowl" (ginger chicken, falafel, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, black olives, pickled onions, tamarind sauce, ABK sauce)
    Matthew L.

    Ali Baba's Kitchen is a Middle Eastern restaurant that opened in Hamden, Connecticut in 2014. It was founded by husband and wife Pakistani immigrants Jamshed and Sobia Khalid. Jamshed worked in the fishing industry as a young man, but dreamed of working in the restaurant business. He came to the United States in 1989 and worked for a vending machine business. He finally entered the food industry in 2000 when he started "Mughali Foods": a food cart that prepared Indian and Pakistani food. In 2003, Jamshed became the owner of Noor Mahal, an Indian restaurant in Orange, but continued to run the food cart. He sold the restaurant three years later to focus exclusively on the food cart operation. He later dubbed it "Ali Baba's Fusion" and shifted the menu to halal Middle Eastern cuisine. At one point, Jamshed even had six Ali Baba food carts operating around New Haven. The Kalids opened a brick & mortar location in Hamden in 2014. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the couple cut down their food cart division to a single cart and put most of the focus on the brick & mortar location which was rebranded as "Ali Baba's Kitchen". The menu was also augmented to focus on healthier food options. A second location opened in North Haven in 2025. My wife and I recently sampled Ali Baba's delicious cuisine for the first time. Although I had heard several great things about them for a few years, I never got around to stopping in. While my wife was recovering from a minor surgical procedure at Yale-New Haven Hospital, I ventured to nearby Cedar Street in search of a cheap lunch. Located adjacent to the hospital, the street features a menagerie of food carts that are often visited by hospital visitors and staff. When I saw (and smelled) Ali Baba's food cart, my decision had been made. I ordered the "Mixed Combo" (grilled beef gyro and lemon chicken strips, sautéed onions, rice) and it was phenomenal. A week later, once my wife was home, I decided to head to the brick & mortar location to get takeout. Once again I ordered the "Mixed Combo", my wife ordered the "Side Dishers Bowl" (chicken biryani with ginger chicken and falafel topped with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, black olives, pickled onions, tamarind sauce, ABK sauce), and we shared sides of "Samosas" (with tamarind sauce and chana masala) and "Hummus" (with pita bread pieces). We think that the food at Ali Baba's is sensational and we plan to order from them again and again! We look forward to trying out the new location in North Haven because it's just a five minute drive from home!

    Emily G.

    I was lucky enough to attend an event to honor the beautiful makeover and rebrand of their restaurant. The inside is absolutely stunning. I can't get over how good it looks! The workers and owners are so sweet. The family is wonderful and kind. This is most definitely a family business you would want to support! The hummus is one of the few I will get out because it is done so well! The pita just adds to the beauty of the hummus. The falafel is perfection. Flavorful and perfectly crispy. The rice bowls are delicious from the base to the toppings. I love the lemon chicken is one of my favorite things! I always try to grab a roti roll too! They are so unique and have 860 Kombucha served right in tap! It's so freaking good. I couldn't decide between the chai and and butterfly pea. They were all incredible. This is definitely an easy pick up spot or a place to go and have lunch.

    Tahini Sauce and Falafel
    Tiffany B.

    A hidden gem in Connecticut! Ali Baba's Kitchen is serving some of the most delicious Middle Eastern food and I have seriously been craving it since my last visit. 10/10 recommend the hummus with fresh pita bread chips and lemon chicken in a build your own bowl or gyro - just incredible! The interior was just recently renovated as well, and it is beautiful. The ambiance in the room is very bright and welcoming, and the staff is some of the most kind people I have ever met. They also serve Kombucha on tap from 860 Kombucha - locally brewed in Connecticut. It was my first time trying and it is so tasty. It does not taste as vinegar-y as the ones you find in the store. Very refreshing and clean.

    Enamul H.

    I ordered 2 Bowl it's really Delicious and flavorful. Customer service was great employee was friendly and kind , . And restaurant was so clean and perfect I loved it . 10/10.

    Lemon Chicken
    Karissa D.

    Had an issue with an online order but the manager Huda, contacted me and resolved the issue. Great customer service! Thank you!

    Lemon Chicken with canned black olives?
    Dave G.

    I really wanted to hype up all the 5 star reviews but my experience was not good. I read the reviews how this was the best fast Middle Eastern food in state and it's far from that accolade. I stood in front of rhe register with no line for 5 minutes before someone reluctantly came because it was starting to get awkward. I ordered the lemon chicken bowl and they charged me for extra feta cheese which I didn't order and wasn't on my bowl. The service, as I previously stated, was ineffective. I really wanted the food to make up for everything else. It didn't. The food was subpar at best. I'm trying to understand why they put Canned black olives in the food? Not a good overall experience. I would not drive out of my way to eat here. Maybe if you're local

    Falafel Side

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    1 month ago

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    2 months ago

    Great food, very clean, great operation, great service! I plan to return often!!!!!!!!!

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Great food, clean restaurant, efficient customer service everything was delicious and the price point was average

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    8 months ago

    The food is great here, customer service is always consistent, and they make your food fresh to order.

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    3 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    3 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Helpful 3
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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

    The KATI PANEER rolls are to die for... along with the lavendar kombucha on tap--- OH MY!

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    5 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

    Fantastic food! Definitely recommend this place! The new decor is fun and makes for a great dining experience.

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    2 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    4 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks Karissa! We’re glad everything was resolved!

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    3 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Helpful 1
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    4 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks so much Allison!

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    1 year ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    1 year ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    1 year ago

    Reliable when I need a quick, affordable meal that still has a lot of flavor! Lemon chicken bowl is my go to

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    2 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thank you Nathan!

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    3 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thank you Tom!

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    2 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks Wendell! Looking forward to having you dine in next time!

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food and great ambience! We tried speciality bowl and cauliflower kati roll, both tasted amazing!!

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    Jamshed K.

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thank you so much for your kind words Sabrina!

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    1 year ago

    i love the vegetable stew that comes with their fish SO MUCH! I have also loved the fish as well as the lemon chicken.

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    Jamshed K.

    Thank you very much Padya!

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    There are no words to describe how delicious the lemon chicken bowl is. I love this place so very much.

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Ali Baba's Kitchen

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