Middle Eastern: Ali Baba Cafe

Ali Baba http://www.alibabacafe.com/
19009 Preston Road, #209,/Dallas Texas 75252/ 972-248-8855

If you blink you might miss the Ali Baba Cafe, tucked inside the far corner of a strip mall. As hungry Yankees in big D we’re always on the hunt for the next great ethnic eatery. “Hey, Middle Eastern,” I shouted. Assuming that I meant food, my husband, Joey had enough time to screech a hard right into the parking lot. Ali Baba’s is run by a lovely Syrian family who make every effort to greet their customers. The walls are dotted with what appear to be family photos from life in the old country. Authentic Syrian and Middle Eastern music sets the mood perfectly. Open Sesame because here is the real Ali Baba treasure trove---the food! Authentic Middle Eastern dishes include Eggplant Dip, Falafel Fritters, Tabbouleh, Roasted chicken, lamb and beef dishes all freshly prepared with heady aromas and exotic spices like cumin, smoky paprika, and curry. The portions are hefty. Do yourself a favor and wear your elastic waist pants! We had the Mezza appetizer which includes an assortment of popular Middle Eastern favorites like Hummus, Babaganoush, and Tabouli. The Tabouli was packed with fresh parsley, I thought perhaps a little too much, but it tasted wonderful and besides parsley is loaded with vitamins A and C. Also included with the appetizer were olives, dolmas (okay so those were from a can) and pita bread. Halfway through our appetizer our entrées arrived. Like two thieves, we were already stuffed. Still, we couldn’t resist diving into the golden, creamy richness of Chicken Curry served with rice. We managed to find room in our tummies to try the baklava. Delish! Why not choose a cultural theme for your next family night out? We’ll definitely go to Ali Baba's again! Prices are reasonable. Other locations at 955 E. Campbell Rd. #200, Richardson and 1905 Greenville Avenue, DallasYankees Eat Rating = 4 Very Good