Ali Baba Grill

by Jesse B.

Review Redo:I had previously only had take out from Ali Baba, and the food was always good.  But tonight we dropped in with Taj, and I could not be more surprised. There are two rooms to this place.  I had only seen the overly bright front room, but right next to that room is a large room with loungy seating, middle eastern art, mirrors, and doors.  And the back wall is an incredible wood, gold paint, and mirror extravaganza.  It's beautiful, though I'm not sure I understand the purple paint. Taj and I both ordered the Hummus BeSwarama, which was a huge pile of very flavorful chicken in a ring of hummus.  It was delish....and when you order and entree it comes with a salad, and hummus with pita.  Kevin  had the Shrimp Curry.  He loved it, ikt was served in a bowl, with a large portion of rice.  Very nice.  Prices are also good.  They don't serve alcohol, but if you need it, stop into the Spot Bar and Grill after, it's right next door.

by Tamara S.

My Favorite Restaurant and Definitely the Best Food I have had Anywhere!La Zeez in Denver, CO had been my favorite restaurant of all times and had expanded my experience to include more Middle Eastern dishes. When it closed, I was without my now favorite flavours and dishes. Luckily, Fayahd Autobacchi, the former owner of La Zeez, along with his new partner Mahmoud, have opened Ali Baba's Grill in Golden. Each platter is carefully prepared not just for looks, but also for a perfect balance of flavour and taste. The portions are huge for a reasonable price and the decor is interesting. You have not had hummus until you've tried theirs (as well as every other dish on the menu). I have been a vegetarian most of life, but I did try a bite of a few of their meat dishes several years ago and it is the only time that meat has not just been tolerable, but delicious! (not that I would make a habit of a lifestyle change). Even if you are not passing through Golden, the 25 minutes from Denver is well worth the trip.

by Rachel G.

The baba ganouj here is epic - creamy, salty perfection. Pita sandwiches are cheap and massive. Meat is moist and tender. Decor is awesome for a strip mall location. Have you checked out some of those hookahs?! They're ridiculous!

by Fer D.

My husband works in Golden and Ali Baba is very often our choice when I meet him for lunch.Great, great food.cheap, very cheap lunch specials. my recommendation is the beef kabbob, but everything I tried is great. if you are looking for bargain lunch, keep it to the lunch sandwiches and water, and you won't spend more than $5.

by M M.

I love gyros and these do not disappoint.  In fact they are quite large, and I cannot eat more than one.  Delicious!

by Rachel D.Kris M.Mike R.

Food-5Service-3.5Excellent food and wonderful atmosphere.Ali Baba's is very nearly a godsend for Golden.  In an area lacking distinctive, flavorful ethnic cuisine, Ali Baba's shines, and honestly would not be out of place among middle-top restaurants elsewhere in Denver or Boulder.  Their food is typically fresh and delicious, served with care, and reasonably priced.  My favorites are the gyros and chicken shwarmas, but their plates and dinner dishes are delicious as well.  The hummus is well made.  I'm pretty sure Ali Baba's went through a renovation over the summer, as their initial eating area has been greatly updated and redecorated.  It's now nearly as nice as the upper eating area, which is seriously some of the best middle-eastern decorative work I've seen this side of the Dushanbe Tea House.  Definitely worth checking out, even if you never decide to eat there (which would be, IMO, a big mistake).Great food. Low key service. Cheap pricing.

by MathPrincess L.

I'm so happy to see Ali Baba so highly rated here. Truly the best places to eat in Golden. My family holiday meals consisted of everything on this menu, so I have a bit of experience when it comes to this type of food. Everything is always fresh and well seasoned. I'd say they are 95% consistent with the meat, only once has it been overcooked. The employees care about food and happy customers and are always willing to listen. Everyone loves their hummus different, I make mine more lemony, Ali Baba's hummus is very popular and they use lots of Tahini so it's thicker and richer. This is one of those places after you eat here you will crave it again and you'll have to go, you won't be able to help it. Whenever I get homesick I go here, I'm so lucky to have Ali Baba's. Note: there is no alcohol served here.

by Jelena W.

This is my favorite lunch or casual dinner spot, period. The Ali Baba Grill is my first choice to treat friends visiting from out of town, for a lunch date, an informal business meeting, or for a solo bite to eat while passing through Golden. If you haven't visited yet, get your shoes on, lift one foot, and hop to it!It might not look like much from the outside, but the Ali Baba Grill is beautifully decorated. The back room, sometimes reserved for meetings, is adorned with rugs, couches, and wall hangings brought from Syria by the owner and his family. There is a fountain that houses a few goldfish, and several ornate hookah pipes adorn the tables- no, you can't use them, but they're nice to look at. Even the menus are ornate. The music is very authentic, consisting of selections from contemporary and classic artists, mostly in Arabic or Egyptian.As for the food- you won't find a better falafel sandwich anywhere. A big plus is the price; sandwich wraps, found on the lunch menu but served all day, are only $3.99. Entrees and appetizers are equally reasonable. You can easily get dinner for two for under $25, including tax and tip. A couple of menu recommendations from a regular:Safe and Delicious:Drink: Orange Juice- this is fresh squeezed in the kitchen, and tastes so fresh I'm still not convinced they don't grow it in the kitchen, too. Not convinced? Try ordering it not long before closing- they are almost always out due to high demand for the best O.J. in town!Appetizer: Baba Ghanoush- This delicious chickpea paste comes with warmed pitas. If you're a hummus person it'll take a little getting used to, but you may never go back to bland ol' hummus after you taste this savory variation on the 'chickpea goo on pitas' theme.Entree: Falafel Sandwich- Falafel, hummus, tomato, and lettuce in a pita wrap. The portion size is more than ample, and the falafels are the tastiest and freshest I've had.Dessert: Baklava- Tasty and dripping with honey, just like Mom used to make, if Mom was a Lebanese gourmet.Adventurous Appetite:Drink: Yogurt Drink- The servers will warn you that you may not like the yogurt drink, but if you're the least bit unusual in your tastes, ignore them and order it anyway. This is a staple on Lebanese and Syrian menus and mostly offered for the customers who are from Arabic-speaking countries and visiting for a taste of home- you'll find it strangely salty, but a few sips and this yogurt/juice concoction will grow on you.Appetizer: Stuffed Grape Leaves- These may be a little tangy for the average American palate, but they're a great choice for a lover of foreign foods. Filling, but not too filling, leaving plenty of room for the meal.Entree: Chicken Shawarma Salad- This is one of the most flavorful salads I've ever enjoyed. It complements the yogurt drink very nicely. Yummy fresh greens are topped by delicious chicken and pita chips, and everything is drenched in shawarma sauce, a sharp and unique dressing made with garlic and oil. The portions are huge, and it's even fairly healthful!Dessert: Baklava- Okay, it's good enough to recommend twice; also, it's the only dessert offered.What about the service, you ask? Well, Ali Baba's is family owned, and most of the employees are either family or friends of the family. If the restaurant isn't too busy, you may find your server hovering over you asking how the food is and refilling your drinks- a refreshing change from the jaded teenyboppers serving at most spots in this price range. If you're interested in learning a few words of Arabic, ask for Mahmoud- he helped my Arabic class struggle through an evening of Arabic immersion over dinner.Overall, I'd give Ali Baba's six stars if I could- if you haven't been, visit soon. If you haven't gone in a while, go back. Take your friends, your family, and your sister's cousin's grandmother's boyfriend's college roommate. Delicious, unique, super friendly, and right in my price range.

by Mona O.

Delicious, fast, cheap, and authentic.  The falafel was tastier, more flavorful than I've had anywhere else.Easy to find since you can see it from Hwy 93.  Had an early dinner here after an afternoon at Red Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge, and the Coors Brewery.  Nicely decorated.  If you're in this area and need a bite to eat, I would highly recommend this place.

by Rachel D.Kris M.Mike R.MathPrincess L.Hans O.

Food-5Service-3.5Excellent food and wonderful atmosphere.Ali Baba's is very nearly a godsend for Golden.  In an area lacking distinctive, flavorful ethnic cuisine, Ali Baba's shines, and honestly would not be out of place among middle-top restaurants elsewhere in Denver or Boulder.  Their food is typically fresh and delicious, served with care, and reasonably priced.  My favorites are the gyros and chicken shwarmas, but their plates and dinner dishes are delicious as well.  The hummus is well made.  I'm pretty sure Ali Baba's went through a renovation over the summer, as their initial eating area has been greatly updated and redecorated.  It's now nearly as nice as the upper eating area, which is seriously some of the best middle-eastern decorative work I've seen this side of the Dushanbe Tea House.  Definitely worth checking out, even if you never decide to eat there (which would be, IMO, a big mistake).Great food. Low key service. Cheap pricing.I'm so happy to see Ali Baba so highly rated here. Truly the best places to eat in Golden. My family holiday meals consisted of everything on this menu, so I have a bit of experience when it comes to this type of food. Everything is always fresh and well seasoned. I'd say they are 95% consistent with the meat, only once has it been overcooked. The employees care about food and happy customers and are always willing to listen. Everyone loves their hummus different, I make mine more lemony, Ali Baba's hummus is very popular and they use lots of Tahini so it's thicker and richer. This is one of those places after you eat here you will crave it again and you'll have to go, you won't be able to help it. Whenever I get homesick I go here, I'm so lucky to have Ali Baba's. Note: there is no alcohol served here.Ali Baba's interior is really cool, from its outside it looks like a regular groceries' side shop; once you get in, an amazing decor pops up and it gets quite interesting, nice furniture, hand made booths, nice lamps hanging, very goddy. Food:Ordered a Kobideh entrée; it was not quite what i was expecting... The meat was quite dry with not so much seasoning, the rice was al-dente dry, tomato was a nice touch to the dish. Portion was big, but boring.