Ali Baba Family Restaursnt

Reviews

• Kaitlyn H.

  star star star star star 3 October 2026

  This place has some of the best Chicken Tekka EVER!!! I dream about their chicken it's so good! I haven't had a bad meal here yet! Everything is so wonderful and very fresh.
  
  I also LOVE the bread! It's so soft but crusty on the bottom! It's amazing!

• Max H.

  star star star star star 2 October 2026

  Where can 9 people (2 teens and 7 adults) have more food than you can imagine . . . with leftovers to go . . . and pay just $12.00 per person, tax and tip included?  Well, Ali Baba is one place for sure!
  
  In town for a convention and wanted a nice place to have dinner with a group of friends. Checked Yelp* for the reviews and, although it's not #1 in the list, it does have more reviews than most others in town, and nearly all are positive.  And it was just a couple of blocks from our hotel.
  
  If you like Mediterranean food, and you are here or nearby, DO NOT MISS a chance to dine here.  It's not at all pretentious, and the food is AMAZING!! And as virtually all others have commented, when you order a "Feast" you can count on having more food brought to the table than you can imagine.
  
  We bumped a Feast for Five up to six, and there was some of everything on the platter left to take back to the hotel -- divvied up two ways. $92.01 with tax -- $108 with a tip.  
  
  You may never find a better plate of hummus anywhere else -- creamy, flavorful, and a generous portion, considering the tandoori/naan/flatbread is close to 14-16 inches in diameter and they brought six pieces to the table . . . hot, fresh, and incredibly light and crispy/chewy at the same time.  No other way to describe it.  Spoon a swath of hummus on top of a hunk torn off and you're headed to heaven.  
  
  Every item on the platter was unique in flavor, everything was seasoned perfectly. Service was attentive and the food was served within just a few minutes of ordering.  
  
  Mediterranean food is one of my favorites while traveling, and I have never been to a place that serves food in such generous proportions or in the same presentation.  San Diego is one of our regular get-away spots, and we will definitely be back to Ali Baba in the future.  
  
  BTW . . . for those who complain about the "Chicken Cream Chop" being just a McD patty, that's not at all the case.  Yes, it's a commercial breaded chicken whitemeat cutlet, but it is tender, and the breading is light and crispy.  It's not a typical Mediterranean item, but it's a nice accompaniment to the rest of the platter.  Two beef items -- kufta kebab, shawarma, three chicken items -- kufta kebab, tikka, and cream chop, two rices, burghul (bulgur), pickle and onions, plus raita on the side.  Get it! You won't leave hungry.

• Mel M.

  star star star star star_border 12 September 2026

  Lunch date at Ali Baba's coz I luv Halal food! It was a hot day and we were served a huge 16 or even 18 inch Tannour bread. So fresh and it was huge! They also brought a big bowl of fresh Jajeek with Persian cucumbers. You must try this. It cools your system on a hot day. I luv this pair. I luv'd it so much they brought out another huge Tannour bread. Thank YOU! The Tannour is not bland. It's tasty, subtle, soft and warm with a little crisp. A lot going on in that bread right? The best I've had so far in town.
      I ordered the Chicken Tekka and the saffron rice. The saffron rice was just as addicting as the Tannour. The Chicken was tender and had a lot of flavor too. At this point I was so stuffed but couldn't stop eating. If you're looking for Halal food or really good Middle Eastern come to Ali Baba Family Restaurant in El Cajon.
  
  Mel M
  Yelp 19:66

• Dinah M.

  star star star star star_border 11 September 2026

  We were in the El Cajon area and decided to have middle eastern food. Yelp brought me to Ali Baba. Plenty of parking so we parked right by the entrance. We walked in about 8 pm. It was completely empty, so we were able to sit wherever we wanted.
  
  The hostess/server was very nice and explained a couple dishes because we aren't very familiar with Arabic food.
  We came at the perfect time because while we were ordering, a drove of people came in. In about 5 minutes, the restaurant was packed. Goes to show, this place was popular and we made the right choice coming here to eat. I ordered the half chicken over a bed of rice $10. My husband ordered the 3 meats combo (you choose 3 proteins of your choice) $15 and we ordered the cucumber/yogurt dip and it came with  bread (forgive me, forgot what it was called) $5.
  
  Our food came out quickly and we were shocked at how much was in front of us. 3 people could share my plate alone! My chicken was seasoned perfectly and super soft. The rice was good and had all the little sides to go along like tomato, onion and parsley. Great meal and inexpensive. Next time we go, we are definitely sharing.

• Amanda M.

  star star star star star_border 9 September 2026

  This was a nice place. Very laid back and chill. They definitely run on their Arab time. I loved their breakfast. I had the creama with honey and fresh baked break, scrambled eggs with veggies and tea on the side. It was a nice breakfast. Quiet and just a calm environment.