Ali Baba

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Location
220 3rd Street
Hours
Monday - Friday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Phone
530-758-2251
Prices
$5 for most items
Menu/Website
[WWW]DavisAliBaba.com - Order by phone or online!
Owner
Ali Moghaddam
Daily Specials

Mondays: Istanbuli Polo (Curry Rice, Chicken, & Green Beans)
Tuesdays: Gheymeh Polo (Basmati Rice with Beef & Lentils)
Wednesdays: Bagheli Polo (Dill & Lima Bean Rice with Curry Chicken & Onion)
Thursdays: Ghormet Sabzi (Basmati Rice with Chicken & Spinach)
Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays: Fesanjoon (Basmati Rice with Pomegranate, Walnut, and Chicken)

Ali Baba is a wonderful little "pseudo-Persian" restaurant very close to campus on 3rd Street and A Street. During lunch times the place gets packed — and rightfully so! Ali Baba has amazing burgers (cheeseburgers especially), and cheap lunch specials that fill you to the brim.

The daily specials run a little under $6 with tax, are ready in an instant, and taste very good. Make sure you mix in the yogurt they give you — it's delicious! Also, you can order a half-order of the specials that runs much cheaper and gives you nearly as much food — they give you as much sauce but less rice. They have a red hot sauce that you can put on the rice to "kick it up a notch".

Their menu lists [WWW]gyros, sandwiches, burritos, cheeseburgers, Indian dishes (i.e. chicken and green peas in curry rice), onion rings, [WWW]baba ganouj, salads, and more. They are a "Jack of all trades" (where else can you get a Veggie Burrito, Falafel, and a Cheeseburger?). No sushi though.

The regulars (owners?) are always relaxing inside, playing backgammon against each other. Ali Baba is perhaps the backgammon capital of the area.

Also offering Mediterranean food (gyros, falafel, kebabs, dolmas,...) is Sam's Mediterranean, which is just a block down the street. Both are very popular, but Ali Baba may get slightly more business due to its proximity to campus. However, because of this, your food generally comes out faster at Sam's. Because both restaurants are so close in quality and location, there seems to be a bit of a rivalry; some people swear by Sam's Mediterranean, others swear by Ali Baba, but most are just excited that we have two great Mediterranean joints so close to campus.

Ali Baba offers free wireless internet.

Ali Baba changed ownership in June, 2008. Currently, the menu is exactly the same as before, although it may be expanded in the future.

See a burger review in [WWW]Davis Life Magazine

Pictures

alibabaoutside.jpg alibabainside.jpg ali baba_night.JPG

Comments:

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2004-11-15 21:56:20   I went to Al Baba's the other day and ordered a Veggie Mushroom Cheese Burger and they gave me a couple strips of Bacon. I took a bite and lets just say, not only do I keep kosher but I've been a vegetarian for over eight years. I waited for another burger and I barely got an apology. They seemed pissed off about me saying they messed up my order. They have great food when they make it right but when I fuck up a customers order I offer them something extra to make it up to them. Basically they should have given me some fries. - RobRoy

2005-03-07 00:59:15   I think Ali Baba's is actually the best food value in town. All there food is restaurant quality, but at fast food prices. Their burgers are awesome. Their daily specials are excellent. They also tend to have this group of guys who play backgammon in the afternoon around 2, and they're absolutely hilarious. —JaimeRaba

2005-03-07 01:20:06   It might appear strange to order a burger in a Middle Eastern restaurant, but its definitely worth it. Their bacon mushroom cheeseburger is arguably the best burger in town. Their daily specials are very tasty too. The fesenjan special has been sweetened for the American palate, and offers a flavorful mixture of pomegranate and walnuts. —CraigBrozinsky

2005-05-17 21:01:15   when i went here the food was very good, but the service was very slow (they had to grill new chicken kabobs to order, which is ok by me). however, they were out of hummus. the only thing that bothered me about the slow service was that when i changed the order from the hummus to baba ganoush, they brought the babaganoush dip out at the same time as my meal. at least 30 min after i ordered it. they should have gave me the baba ganoush while i waited for them to grill up the chicken. (this not only would have kept me very happy, since the babagonoush was amazing, but it also would have been at no extra effort to them, because all babagonoush is, is a dip made fresh in the morning and scooped onto a plate when you order it). it makes no sense that they would wait for the whole order to finish and then serve the dip, especially when one of the people working there was sitting watching TV. but overall because the food was good, and because they are close to campus I'm definitely going to at least try it a few more times, to see if the service was just a fluke. —Matthh

2005-05-26 13:19:19   its alright for a quick bite. the last time i went in there the guy working the counter and the guys playing backgammon were so busy ogling girls that it was kinda uncomfortable in there. food is alright, but not great —AshleyOrsaba

absolutely the best burgers in town, and their gyros kick ass. i live a couple houses down from Ali baba and eat there at least once a week. the fesenjan is excellent too. the kabobs take extra time to make, but they generally warn you of that when you order. and, even though it sounds strange, their burritos are great. i love this place. —EllenWoodall

2005-06-13 18:26:05   Good food. Feta cheese burger == good. Burger patties on the thin side. —GeorgeLewis

2005-08-13 11:22:53   The burgers are excellent. The gyro's are good, though I like Sam's gyros better. The fesenjan is pretty tasty, inexpensive, and more than I can eat. —AlexPomeranz

2005-08-14 21:02:42  Great fries. Not shoestring, but wide-style. Little plastic seal-able containers to fill with ketchup & hot sauce if you're on the go. Also, they now carry Mancunian soft drink "Vimto," which is awesome.—ErikNoftle

2005-08-26 18:04:27   The burger was absolutely amazing! Definitely worth it, for 3 to 5 bucks. —ES

2005-08-26 18:24:55   I prefer Sam's: more laid back, friendlier staff, the same if not better food. —JimSchwab

2005-11-20 22:17:02   I had a kebob here once and it was like dog food on a pita. Sams is ten times better. —AlexEley

2006-01-09 12:12:21   I've got mixed feelings about this place. Generally the food is pretty good, and inexpensive, and the staff (and regulars) are friendly enough. But it's rather dirty and in the last few months has been getting more so. A friend of mine caught a glimpse of the kitchen once and told me she couldn't bring herself to eat there afterwards. It's starting to smell more and more of old grease, and everything—floor, chairs, counter, doorhandles, table—is unpleasantly sticky to the touch. I'll probably still go there, but I wish they would clean it up a bit, but I haven't got the nerve to say anything. That goes for a number of Davis restaurants, as it happens. —NicholasCorwin

2006-01-26 18:40:30   I can't believe that no one has mentioned Ali Baba's Spinach Special. It is served on Thursdays and is by far their best special. The spinach is stewed all day with chicken, giving the chicken a tenderness and flavor that is unmatched. If you like spinach, this dish is for you! I actually look forward to the occasional Thursday where I remember the special and indulge in this savory dish instead of some lame ass Co-Ho food. Yum! —SerenaDonovan

2006-03-09 15:01:14   Ali Baba is the closest to authentic Persian cuisine I've ever had in Davis (aside from my mother's cooking). Sometimes they're a little slow on the order but the prices and quality of the food make up for it. —MikeAhmadi

2006-06-05 07:01:41   We recently had Ali Baba prep food for 80 people. Darish, the owner, was really responsive via email as we worked out the details. On the day of the event a few items were not quite ready when I went to pick them up - rather than have me wait he ultimately delivered the remaining items to our event! The falafel, rice, pita, hummus etc that we ordered were a big hit. I definitely recommend Ali Baba. —JonathanKaplan

2006-08-01 18:41:22   salmon burger if you're looking for a red meat but not vegetarian alternative. it's off the menu, but if you ask for it, they'll probably sell it to you. —EmilyTung

2006-10-03 21:51:58   Though it was expensive, I tried their lamb sandwich for the first time and I thought it was quite wonderful. I don't think I'll be going in again for their meals, however, because of the semi-steep prices for what they serve. And it's true that they really do have the best onion rings in Davis. —JohnDudek

2006-10-29 16:03:43   Closing at 9pm? Try 8:40 unless you want that terrible veggie special (how is it that Mediterranean food has no spice!). Also messed my veggie burger order once, luckily I'm not a vegetarian! Also, how bout' that re-decorating? They took everything down and painted it all white, they de-decorated! —AndyPastalaniec

2007-01-21 12:58:30   I had their lamb sandwich awhile back and I agree with what John said! It's one of their best items on the menu! —CalvinCheng

2007-01-29 14:58:16   I don't know about the hotness ratio dropping in recent times. There's still a girl who works there who is pretty seriously hot. —KenjiYamada

2007-03-11 15:17:47   The food is mostly very good. burgers and fries are great along with most of the specials. the kebabs are often overcooked and chewy. service is good other than the owner who is usually bossy and unfriendly. they should also change the horrible radio station —SaraVaughn

2007-03-17 21:33:57   The chicken burger here is very good! —LisaSands

2007-03-24 19:33:31   I've had their hamburgers a couple of times. Quite good and semi-sizable. Their onion rings seem good too. —JosephBleckman

2007-05-02 20:39:32   The specials!! Oh, the specials! I love the specials, especially the vegetarian one (which is available all the time) and the pomegranate w/chicken one. They are served with rice and yogurt. Since they are specials, they are already prepared and can be served right away, so they make a fantastic "to go" meal. The specials are so good that I haven't been able to try anything else. (Ok, there was a dolmas appetizer once, served with a tomato-ey sauce. It was OK). —CovertProfessor

2007-05-09 17:21:35   I like the food here a lot. I get a bit frustrated when I phone in orders, a lot of times I end up waiting for longer then expected (they say it's ready in 15, it takes closer to 25 or 30 for example). Usually that's fine though. I just ordered using their online order system, trying it out. Pretty smooth and easy to use so far! —EdWins

2007-05-15 19:15:38   The cheeseburger I had this afternoon was DELICIOUS. I now know where to go if I want a homemade burger, because it's a LOT better than Redrum, In N' Out or anything I could get at another sit down place. It tastes like something my mom makes! —ChristyMarsden

2007-05-15 20:49:42   I tried the lamb sandwich for the first time this past weekend. It's actually more like a gyro with lamb meat. It was huge and messy and very good. I would order it again. —AlexPomeranz

2007-06-09 20:36:00   The burgers are good and I rather like the aggie special, but every time I've ordered something else here, it has been disgusting. They put mayo on your burger without asking you about it, sometimes they put it on even when you ask not to have it. Then they generally look rather annoyed when you ask for a new bun. —AmyGoogenspa

2007-07-26 21:47:00   I'd rate the food is good but the wait for the food was horrible (at least I know they started cooking when I ordered it and that I had friends to chat with while we were waiting). If you know what you want, order ahead. —atwong

2007-08-23 14:03:19   The Thursday special is hella good. Spinach with chicken (also very good without the chicken) over basmati rice. It seems to be steeped in some kind of oil and spices. It pretty much makes my week. The burgers would be super awesome if they were made a little faster, but you can't really expect a good burger to be cooked in 5 seconds (unless you're at McDonald's and feel like eating a turd sandwich). —BrianMac

2007-09-01 17:12:27   agree that the specials are awesome, i think ali baba's has the best onion rings in town —CM

2007-10-11 01:39:12   For a burger and fries, Ali Baba is a far better choice than Habit Burger, though I haven't tried their lunch specials, they too look quite delicious. For Gyros, it is cheaper than Sam's or Cafe Med. but Sam's is a better dish, not to say the gyros are bad or not worth the price, I never mind eating here with friends as they have enough of a variety that it generally suits everyone's tastes. They also have Tahdigh (sp?), which is a delicious crust of rice literally from the bottom of the pan (so it is full of greasy goodness), which I tend to like with stew, but I have yet to get that. Their Hummos isn't worth it probably.. I dunno, it just seems a bit over priced, but then again, it is always over priced, at least the pitas are good, it could also be a bit cleaner, it has a sort of hole-in-the-wall atmosphere about it, and the bakalava is a bit dry. —DavidPoole

2007-11-16 07:59:15   I used to eat here alot. However their chicken in their specials doesn't taste fresh... I can't stomach it any more. —AnnieSirrah

2007-11-16 12:57:03   I love this place. I go here several times a month. Daily specials are really good, as are the burgers an gyros. I think I ate here 3 times a week over the summer.Kebabs take a little while to cook (15-20 mins) but its a huge portion and well worth the 6 or 7 dollars. I'd definitely eat here or at Sam's over habit or in-n-out supporting small businesses. —GregMediati

2007-12-12 00:58:52   The Daily Specials are great for when you want a mess of healthy, hot food on the run. Takes 5 mins or less, costs $5.92, and you get a big styrofoam tray of rice and a tub of hot food (potato curry, pomegranate chicken, etc.) You can bring the food wherever you're going and share with friends for a snack, or eat it all yourself for a meal. Does anyone have all the daily specials to post? I didn't know about the Thursday spinach special, but I love oily herby cooked spinach. —TedBuehler

2007-12-19 19:46:15   GREAT MUSHROOM BURGERS!!! —thelonepiper555

2008-01-27 20:16:01   The burgers are good. —GregWebb

2008-02-06 11:58:39   I ordered their special today, which was the "Baghali Polo"...dill and lima beans mixed with rice and a side of chicken curry. I used to hate the way dill smelled and tasted, but this one was more of a lightly fragrant smell rather than the really heavy smell that I was used to. The rice was light yet very flavorful, and the chicken was tender and well flavored by the curry. You should definitely mix the yogurt sauce into the rice; it really adds to the flavor. —wootywoo

2008-02-19 22:56:54   Good falafel sandwich (much better than Sam's which has soggy falafel). I agree with the other comments that the service is slow, but the food is hot and cooked to order so I don't mind! —mj

2008-03-18 15:58:04   Two notes. Firstly, they never seem to change their specials.. ever, which is amusing. Secondly, they used to have good onion rings.. but now they don't, early march I went there expecting some nice deep fried battered crispy onion greasy deliciousness, but sadly was served some reconstituted pre-made stuff that they had heated in their fryer. I felt a bit gyped. —DavidPoole

2008-03-19 00:18:20   I believe the specials correspond to a certain day of the week. For example, you will find the same special every Thursday. Perhaps you tend to visit on the same day each week. —IDoNotExist

2008-04-06 09:43:10   The food here is good and inexpensive. Definitely a good place to eat. —IDoNotExist

2008-04-14 18:45:01   the specials are really good! especially the tuesday special, as well as the friday (pomegranite special). you can even order 1/2 special which is still a lot of food. i also highly recommend the burgers. if you do not want a lot of toppings you can always request that they be taken off, there are a lot of good combinations. PS. davidpoole, the onion rings are cooked the same way they have always been —ReginaGunn

2008-04-18 19:08:35   I got the Veggie Special today at 11:00. The cook down was 25 minutes but I had nothing to do so I was not in a rush. You can grab a copy of the Aggie while you wait for your food. The Veggie Special is a cup of sweet curry with potatoes, carrots, and lima beans with a huge rice and a small cup of non sweet yogurt. The food is very good considering the price is just a little under $6. If you are healthy, you can divide the Veggie Special into two portions (share with a friend or take out) and still be full. Good place if you don't mind the long wait. —justinhu

2008-04-22 12:55:39   for about $8 I got a REALLY dry and sort of gross salmon burger, fries and a drink. Compared to other salmon burgers that I have paid the same amount or less for, I was REALLY disappointed to say the least...disgusted might better convey my feelings. However, I LOVE Ali Baba's falafel and regular burgers, so I can't say that the entire restaurant is bad, in fact it's pretty good. The service is faster around lunch time and their fries are great (I don't like a lot of salt so I think their choice, but adding salt might be a good idea for some people).

My advice for first time, or any-time, Ali Baba-goers, get ANYTHING on the menu BUT the salmon burger...gah. —ArianeMetz

2008-05-11 11:50:19   I've been to Ali Baba a couple of times now, and I like the food there. The gyro I had was pretty good, and the dolmas were the best I've ever had. Last time I ordered the gyro burrito and got waaaaaaaay more than I expected. It was the biggest burrito I've ever seen. It was also very tasty, and how could you pass up a bottle of Sierra Nevada for 1.50!!! Hell, all their bottles are a 1.50. Good food and cheap beer, what more could you want? —JasonA

2008-06-14 03:54:38   Ali Baba's Bacon Cheeseburger = delicious. and they don't put stupid onion rings on it like the fast food places. —KellyCorcoran

2008-08-23 01:19:13   I absolutley love Ali Baba's! I've been going here for the longest time, my parents took me ever since I was a toddler. I can remember it going from different owners, and it's various remodels. I just recently went there again after not having been there for a long while. It is absolutley the best place for Persian food (im persian) other than my dad. Highly recommend the Fesenjun, which is Friday's special. It's this pomegranate walnut sauce with chicken. To die for. They give you wayyy more than you can eat, and just the right price. —natalie0927

2008-10-15 21:20:49   I think they may have changed their hours. They were not open when I biked by last Sunday (before 9 PM). Anybody know their new hours? —IDoNotExist

2008-10-15 21:33:22   We really, really miss their burgers. —EdWins

2008-11-07 18:10:26   Hi everyone, My name is Ali and I'm the new owner of ALI BABA.
I'm remodeling the restaurant and it's going to look great, I'm very excited. Ali Baba will be closed Nov. 27th-30th.
I'm planning on having an opening party with music and everything $5. Please let me know what you think, as your
feedbacks are greatly appreciated. I hope to make your visit to Ali Baba a lot more pleasant.
Thanks again,
-Ali

p.s. feel free to contact me, my e-mail is: alismoghaddam@gmail.com —alismoghaddam

2008-11-08 11:35:24   Are you the new owner (as of some time this summer), or the new new owner? ie. Did Ali Baba change hands again after Darish sold it? —IDoNotExist I don't think so, but Ali is the current owner and it's always nice to see business owners on the wiki! —StevenDaubert

2008-11-09 17:04:12   SunjeetBaadkar, I actually do remember you, if I recall correctly you either work or own a bookstore, right? —alismoghaddam

2008-11-10 23:57:04   I went to Ali Baba's last week with a few friends. To my dismay, they were out of their delicious Onion Rings (on a Friday night, A FRIDAY NIGHT!?)!!! I wasn't VERY hungry, so I ordered a Greek salad (which has NOTHING on Crepeville's, and was honestly kind of expensive). In the end, I needed to get some salt, and again, I was bitterly let down. THEY HAD DONE AWAY WITH THEIR STEAK FRIES! OH THE HUMANITY! Now they have (obviously pre-frozen) crinkle-cut fries...oh I was so sad!! I will definitely go back to Ali Baba's for their deliciously onion-y falafel...but for now they have disappointed me. Aree Rating: 7/10. —ArianeMetz

2008-11-18 11:40:43   I should have heeded the comments and got a burger. I ordered the falafel sandwich to go - wrong move. Old lettuce and no tzaziki sauce. Falafels were soft, not crunchy. I was quite disappointed since I had my mouth all set for tzaziki sauce. Oh well. The place smelled of old grease too. Open a door or window!! —Zabadu

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