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    Ali Baba's Kitchen

    4.3 (205 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Ali Baba's Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

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    ALI BABA'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

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

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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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    8 years ago

    Their lemon chicken platter is amazing! My second favorite item is their falafel sandwich. If you put honey on it...OMG!

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    Photo of Jamshed K.

    Jamshed K.

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    10 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    5 years ago

    Nice place to get delicious Indian fusion type food. Service is also great! Try the lemon chicken platter, my favorite!

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    Jamshed K.

    Thank you Desi!

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Good food for less than 10$. People are nice you get good portion of food. Good stpot for lunch

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks for the support Moe!

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    10 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    9 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks for your review, Phyllis! Happy eating!

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    6 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    5 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thank you for your support Meredith! Happy eating!

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    7 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks Dominique! Happy eating!

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    11 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    8 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks for the support Maria!

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Friendly staff delicious food , I'm really liked. Everybody must try lemon chicken is great

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    Jamshed K.

    Thank you for the support!

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    8 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks so much Vale! Happy eating!

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    8 years ago

    Okay food, I prefer the white sauce of halal guys though. They don't offer sofa refills which is a bummer.

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks for your feedback Sohaib!

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Jamshed K.

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    9 years ago

    Delicious lemon chicken platter! Hummus is also very good, will definitely be returning.

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    Jamshed K.

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

    We've eaten here many times and never been disappointed. Good service, excellent food, and very reasonably priced.

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    Jamshed K.

    Thanks for the support Tim! Happy eating!

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    11 years ago

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    Page 4 of 6

    Ask the Community - Ali Baba's Kitchen

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