by Dylan M.
I can't believe no one has written a review for Aladdin's yet. This place opened when I was a freshman, then it closed for two years. Then it opened again when I was a junior, and it was well worth the wait. The food and restaurant itself was kinda bland and unbecoming, but after the renovations, something really jump started around here.They're open super-late, but only take cash after midnight. It's been a few years since I've been in there, so that might have changed. I'm pretty sure they serve alcohol, so this makes for a great spot to stop in late night and get a beer and sub. They have one of the best steak and cheese sandwiches and Italian subs in the city.The only thing is, you have to remember to order your food without their "special spice," which is really just cinnamon. It's so gross with it on! I'm not really sure how that tradition got started either.They also deliver after midnight, til about 2:00am, and don't forget to tip well or they will spit on your shoes. TRUE STORY!
by Voltaire D.
Aladdin's has definitely had its ups and downs through the five years that I have lived in Richmond. Its a corner restaurant and hookah lounge that sits in the heart of VCU. The food has always been at par, nothing great but nothing bad. I usually stick to the pizza, gyro, or the beef with cheese empanada, my favorite being the empanada. Smoking hookah is usually the main attrachin to the place, or the fact that its open till 3am. One big flaw that actually knocked Aladdin's down a half a star was that they charge you a sit in fee if you decided to eat there. I know few years ago they never charged people to eat there but maybe due to being on a collage campus and no one tipping or people just camping out there they decided to start charging. Another flaw, though i'm pritty used to this idea with mom and pops places, is that they only take cash and have been only taking cash for as long as i have been coming to this place. It wouldn't be that big of a deal because they have an ATM inside, but that ATM charges you a toe and a finger for its withdrawel fee. Overall it an ok place wont be missing much if you never eat there. It use to be the only place you could smoke hookah or get food late at night but now theres at least three places I could think of that have hookah and tons of places to eat late. Richmond is blowing up.PROS:Smoke Hookah and eat, empanadas are good, Cheap, open late, CONS: Charge you to sit-in, only take cash
