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 Jen A.

After reading all of the positive reviews about this place, I was a little disappointed. The atmosphere was the best part about this place, especially the decor on the walls and the fountain. But the food was sub-par. Mediocre falafel wrapped in thick "pita" with tasteless tomatoes and lettus. We also got the greek salad, which had sliced black olives from the can and run-of-the-mill italian dressing! I'm hoping to find better Mediterranean food in the Denver area...

by Greg W.

Good food, nice people. The Gyros are excellent. Very accommodating to large groups. Excellent service.

by Becky S.

Driving by, you'd think this place was a dive.  But once you're in the front door and once you've taken in the impressive decorations in the room to the left, you'll realize you've made a fantastic decision.  The hummus is probably the best I've ever had, and their food is authentic and delicious.  The rice is amazing as well.  Although they don't have a liquor license, they do offer some unique drinks such as a strawberry drink that tastes just like a smoothie but isn't frozen.  I'd say just about everything about this restaurant is amazing!

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 Ashley K.

What a GREAT surprise this place is! You would never suspect the caliber of restaurant by the outside. But hey, never judge a book.... yada yada! We snuck in here one night and had the best hummus of our lives, no joke. The food is great and the atmosphere makes everything really blend together well. Don't go here if you are looking for drinks with dinner. They don't have a liquor license. But it is worth going for the food, the different dining experience and indeed, the finest hummus ever! This is a winner!

by Betty T.

I went there couple times with friends. Food and service are good. Price is decent. The internal decoration is special.

by Jacob M.

So considering we are in Golden, CO.  Not really a mecca of multi-culturalism like LA/NYC (but it does have other advantages over those places).  Relatively speaking then it is a very good restaurant.  It will hold you over for your Mediterranean/Middle Eastern craving.I got the chicken shwarma and hummus.  The shwarma was dry and lacked on the flavor some.  Most ME food has such bold strong flavors, it feels 'Americanized' in fear of offending some WASPs.  The hummus was a little heavy on the tahini and salt and light on the lemon (just a tad, nothing extreme) for me.  Loved the texture though.  I had the same issue at the Palestinian restaurant back in LA (La Zeez).  So maybe it is a regional thing, and I like the Greek preparation better.I'll be back to try other dishes and update if needed.Bottom line;  It holds the cravings over and all-in-all is a decent place.  Good introductory exp for ME food without being to bold on the flavor (or garlic)

by Bret O.

I really liked this place. We stopped by for a late afternoon dinner/snack since we had a more formal dinner to go later that night.The service was quick, I had the falafel wrap. Very tasty, the falafel was fried to order.Highly recommend it, seemed a little out of place in Golden. If I ever go back to Golden, I will eat there again without hesitation.

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 Mariko Y.

I think for the entrees Ali Baba earns around 3 stars from me, but the fact that they have the best hummus that I've ever eaten and the neatest decoration evens it out to 4 stars for me.     The upper level especially is like the nicer restaurants that we visited in Fez without some of the tragedy of poverty.  The decoration is stunning and in the center of the room there is a large marble fountain which also seems to be a staple.  In speaking about the decor, about half of their tables are actually level with the bottoms of the chairs, so that you either end up leaning over your plate or holding the plate.  It was an entertaining exercise in people watching to see who would leave the plate and lean and who would cross their legs and attempt to juggle the plate and food.  (I was a leaner)  They serve hummus and salad with the entrees and the salad is on a separate plate, which is nice because then you are saved from the mushy warm lettuce.  On the down side they use white jasmine rice, and although I enjoy it with other dishes I didn't think it complemented the meal as a yellow rice would have.  Their chicken skewers were good, and their falafel were crisp and also tasty.  They are shaped like little hearts and have more of a yellow gold color than the normal dark brown.  I don't think they were the best falafel I've ever had, but overall the food was good.  I need to rave about the hummus because that was for me the best part of the meal.  It has a natural and almost zesty appeal and it is the smoothest I have eaten.  I actually considered foregoing eating but hummus and pita, and then decided that wouldn't work.  :( Just go and eat hummus. And a little side story:  There was this little tot that was not calmed by anything food or otherwise that his parents tried to give him.  Our waiter walked over with a few pieces of candy, handed it to the boy and he instantly calmed and did not make a peep for the rest of their meal.  It was cute.

by M E.

I am a big fan of the food here: humus, baba ganoush, kabobs, gyros and gyro salad, pita, grape leaf rolls, and falafels are all absolutely wonderful.What's not good is the service. The guy waiters have big attitudes and don't want to do anything you ask.All waiters are slow. They don't check in with you enough, don't refill water, etc.I asked for some stuff and never got it.I deal with the service because I like the food a lot.

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 Doug Y.

Let's make that 3 and 1/2 stars. Okay, I finally made it back here to try my luck again at a highly rated joint. Much better the second time around. The waiter was actually courteous and not aloof. The hummus with pita appetizer had a good earthy flavor (toasted sesame?). They even had a description of one of their entrees that fit me "indecisive about what to order?". I had the King's combo which was a meat and vegetarian combo. The chicken kebab and falafel and hummus combo were pretty decent too. Minor gripes would be the store bought tasting and tough as nails pita, bland plain jasmine rice, tabouleh which was more like a plain parsley salad, and a louisiana brand tasting hot sauce (or some other familiar taste). Some hits and misses but overall pretty good so make it a  three and a half, okay? Alright, I screwed up. I had an hour to kill after a job interview in Golden and I knew Ali Baba's…

by J H.

The food here is sub-par. I know its the only middle eastern restaurant here in restaurant-less Golden but please don't go here out of ethnic food desperation. I've been to Israel, and here there and everywhere for middle eastern food. The food at Ali Baba is disgusting. We had the lentil soup=the Dead Sea. It should have been called "salt soup". The worst. I dont know if the chef mistakenly dumped a can of Mortons in the pot but thats what it tasted like. The gyros was a horrible meat concoction. It was mixed in with old cucumbers with one that had mold on it-mold that grew prob because they are too cheap to use fresh vegetables. Oh, so gross!!!The hummos was awful-it had a very funny taste to it. I dont know what they used in it but I make it all the time and this version was funky!I wont ever eat here again. I cant believe people like this place.

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 Muriel P.

We stop here after our bike rides.  They have great tabouleh and hummus and babaganoush.  Enough to get us back on our feet.  I like the diversity and that you can have 3 appetizers for 2 people and be full.Addition : we got our wedding food from here.  We had the roasted lamb and it was delicious.  The rice that comes with it is amazing.  We have some left over all frozen now, and i am looking forward to it...

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 Taj M.

The problem with hanging out with fellow Yelpers is that somebody always gets scooped! Yes, Jessica B, Kevin B and I hit the Grill, big-time. The chicken shewarma is the best I've ever encountered, soft and tender with delightfully intense flavors. You'd have to be an asshole not to like this. Or a vegetarian.Rather than rehash, I will add this: as with any splendiferous restaurant situated in the bare drabness of your typical strip mall, Ali Baba's Grill is a pearl in the oyster ... a purplish-pink pearl.

by Marie C.

Ok, so I might not be a Middle Eastern food connoisseur, but I've had my fair share of Middle Eastern cuisine and this was hands down the best. After noticing the delightful decor, the next thing we noticed were the reasonable prices...that was until we got our food and realized that the portions were humongous! So make that VERY reasonable prices. Everyone in our group loved the food and we had great service. My only complaint would be that their tea cups are too small, because their Chai is amazing! And make sure to save room for their baklava!!

by Amanda W.

Every time I come here, it seems like it gets better and better. A long time ago, they renovated the restaurant to add a room with more authentic Middle Eastern decor. The food is amazing. The Hummus and Pita Bread is my favorite part, it just tastes so fresh and delicious, I can't even describe how amazing it is. The main course doesn't disappoint, either. The rice and chicken kabobs are my favorite.. gosh, I'm hungry right now. Excuse me.  The staff is very friendly, another bonus. We have referred our friends and family and they all say the same thing: Yum. If you haven't been here yet, what are you waiting for? GO!

by Melissa H.

Stopped in last night for dinner with Mom and were treated to a pleasant surprise.  We chose to sit in the upper dining area which had benches and knee height tables.  There are also plenty of traditional table chair settings, but this was comfortable since we could sit back and relax and catch up.  Our servers were a bit slow to take our drink food order but based on reviews on Yelp! we tried the King Combo (veggie meat platter) and an appetizer.  The King Combo came with falafel, tahini, hummus, veggie salad, stuffed grape leaves, a lamb type skewer, some beef and some chicken.  Everything was outstanding.  The pitas that came on the side were warm and fresh and the seasoning on the hummus was unique.  The lamb was extremely tender -- much better than the beef pieces.  The platter was accompanied with some jasmine rice, but honestly, we were stuffed with everything else that we didn't eat much of the rice.  The appetizer was a fried wonton wrapper stuffed with a type of cheese and some spinach.  I was expecting more spinach... and they weren't stuffed very full.  I would pass on them next time.But my favorites were the falafel and the lamb for sure.I will definitely return, but keep in mind that if you're looking for fast service, you may want a little extra patience here.  :o)  And the portions are plenty big enough for two!

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 Harmony O.

While most people were out enjoying the springy weather today, I was working, but luckily for me I was working in Golden!  Went with work-related people to Ali Baba Grill for a late lunch.  Brightly and comfortably decorated back room was empty when we arrived so we chose a nice corner table along the prettiest decorated wall of all.Since their menus reminded me of the menus at Marrakech on Colo. Blvd. in Denver, I mentioned Marrakech to our waitperson, and she told me they are both owned by the same people, but Ali Baba has a more extensive menu.  More Greek items at Ali Baba, she said.Anyway, they have the same magnificent hummus and wonderfully fresh pita bread, and the entrees that come with a salad, hummus, and rice for a reasonable price.  Most just under $10.  The Greek Salad one of my co-diners got was huge with massive cubes of fresh Feta cheese and olives and everything else that makes a Greek Salad what it is.Nice soups.  Friendly fast and efficient service even as the place filled up with people while we were there.And it's so nice and relaxing to watch that fountain in the middle of the room...

by m. c.

The ambience leaves a little to be desired, but it's obvious the effort was made (and really, how much can you do with a shopping plaza space?).  I think it was only the lighting that bothered me; it could have been darker to create more mood.  The food was impressive -- better than we expected -- and we can see why this is a local favorite.The hummus and pita were good and straightforward.  The falafel seemed tastier than what I'm used to; I'm not sure why.  The seasoning on the mushroom appetizer was fantastic.  My husband raved over his lamb kabob, and I had a hard time getting over the incredible speed of the service -- from the time we ordered until the food arrived MAYBE ten minutes passed.  (I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but we were starving and with a $15/hour babysitter at home, we were incredibly grateful.)The price was hard to beat -- we had a coupon for $5 off a $30 check, and try as we might (four appetizers and two entrees), we couldn't reach $30 in order to get the discount!  I'm disheartened by the negative reviews.  I will say that we've only been to Ali Baba's once so far, but we were so happy with the experience that we'll definitely be visiting again.  I hope our next trip is as good as this one was!

by Lauren D.

This place is awesome! I have to agree with some of the others before me, the hummus is delightful! Also quite tasty, the baba ganoush. It is leaps bounds better than any I've had from the store. I had the chicken schwarma that was a little dried out but still quite flavorful. Our server was a very softspoken and not very personable but the drinks food came out quickly nonetheless. You really can't describe fully how the inside dining room looks until you go see it yourself, hookas, gold swords and all!We will definitely be going back here again, food is great and affordable.

by taramis d.

The good:  the chicken schwarma, gyros, and falafel are AWESOME!  We discovered this place in 2005, by happenstance as we had gone to the area to get coffee from Noa Noa next door. but I was hungry for real food and tried Ali Baba.  Fabulous food!  Too bad its not closer to Boulder!The bad:  Their mushroom appetizer was spectacular before, but now they've added a really strange mustard and ketchup sauce on it... I found it truly odd.  Previously it was just mushroom with spices and it was divine.  Too bad - I'll make sure next time to specify without the mustard/ketchup topping.  ETA:  Avoid ordering the Noodle Soup.  Do not try this.  It tastes exactly like raw tomato sauce in broth, with noodles and vegetables, then  topped with an unfortunate amount of olive oil.  Worse yet, it came to the table lukewarm.  ::shudders::Also, we just had orders this afternoon for take-out to eat in the park.  When we got there, we discovered they didn't pack any utensils!  Not a big problem, just a slight bummer.  Double-check your bag!

by David S.

Either Yelp needs to add one more star to the rating system, or I need to go through all my previous reviews and lower them by one.This place didn't miss a trick, from the decor, to service, to the outstanding food, both for flavor and quantity.  To give you an idea of the size of these plates, I am a rather big guy (6'5 245lbs), had come directly from an 8 mile hike in the morning, and hadn't eaten very much for breakfast or the day before...and I not only couldn't finish my plate, I doubt if I ate HALF.  It's so good.  I had the King Combo, which as they say, is for the undecided.  It's a combo with both meat and vegetarian items.  One other couple had the Traditional Lebanese Meat Combo (2 people) and everything was fantastic.  The lamb really stood out, and unless lamb is in the form of gyro meat, I normally don't care for it.  The other 2 had the Chicken Shawarma (the best I've ever had, so juicy and perfect amount of spice.  Not spicy by any means, but bursting with flavor.  The other had the gyros lunch special, again out of this world and would probably feed 2 without a problem.  We also had hummus to open the meal, both the bread and hummus itself addicting.  My drink was chai, and if I've ever had better chai, I don't know when.  I just wish they had larger cups, as every time they filled it up, I emptied it in a jiffy.To close, we split their baklawa (Lebanese version of Baklava) and it was tender and buttery, but so big that I think it almost has to be shared.If you like Lebanese food, or middle eastern food in general, make the trip to Ali Baba grill.  Once is all it takes, you'll be hooked same as I am.

by Hans O.

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.

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 Mike R.

Great food. Low key service. Cheap pricing.

by Kris M.

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).

by Rachel D.

Food-5Service-3.5Excellent food and wonderful atmosphere.

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 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.