Restaurant Review of Aladdin's Eatery in Columbus, Ohio

Aladdin's Eatery is one of the most popular spots in Columbus, Ohio for Mediterranean cuisine on the go or for a sit-down meal and offers a ton of menu items for decent prices. Aladdin's Eatery has a few locations throughout Columbus, Ohio, but usually my favorite, especially if I'm dining in, is right off Grandview Avenue next to Caribou Coffee. This is usually the best of their locations in terms of quick carryout (it generally only takes about 5-8 minutes from the time I order, even if they're busy) and they have the best décor, service, and patio out of any of their other locations (there is one in Gahanna, one on Main Street, and the one in Grandview) and is a reliable spot for a quick lunch or nice dinner date. Aside from the great food, they have some of the very best prices, especially for what you get and I love the desserts, almost all of which are irresistible.

Aladdin's Eatery in Columbus, Ohio is an excellent place for vegetarian dishes and unlike some other restaurants, their vegetarian selections aren't limited to a few choices. Instead, there are several vegetarian-friendly menu items, including salads, pizzas, and wraps as well as appetizers such as the Fatayer (which is a pie-type dish enough for two that has feta cheese as well as spinach) and the great rolled and stuffed grape leaves called the Dawali. Most of their appetizers are just under $6 and many of them are large enough to serve as a light lunch if you're in a hurry. If I get any appetizer at Aladdin's Eater in Columbus, Ohio as a meal it is the Fattoush, which is like a giant salad with mixed greens, pita chips, and tons of fresh herbs. It is surprisingly filling and always a great summer lunch item. Another great lunch dish that is not an appetizer is the Falaffel Pocket, which is just one of the many pita pocket sandwiches they offer. These are rather large and filling and most of them are, amazingly, under $7. For other lighter lunch options, they have a range of interesting salads with unique ingredients, one of which is the nutty Almond Salad and the Tuna Salad (they have excellent tuna-not the canned can, mind you, the steak kind).

Dinner at Aladdin's Eatery in Columbus is never disappointing since they offer nearly anything you might crave, including lamb, beef, chicken, and plenty of vegetarian dishes. Aladdin's Eater has an amazing dish for vegetarians called the Mujadara Plate, which is a giant plate (and I mean giant!) filled with soft green lentils and finely chopped vegetables. It is incredibly filling and like my other favorite dish, the spicy curry Chicken Sambusek Plate, is under ten dollars. Generally, at least at the Grandview Avenue location of Aladdin's Eatery in Columbus, Ohio, they are willing to throw together anything you can dream up and seem quite open to menu suggestions or special requests. For instance, when I get the lentil dish, I ask them to mix in some tabouli and garlic sauce, which they are always happy to do. Additionally, this is a great place to find healthy food for your kids with their children's menu offerings of fresh pizzas and pockets as well as smaller-portioned lentil dishes.

I like to write balanced reviews of restaurants, including any problems, but there is little I can say about Aladdin's Eatery in terms of negative issues or drawbacks. They offer cheap, quick gourmet food and Aladdin's is a Columbus, Ohio favorite. If there is anything wrong with the place it might be that they are expanding and might soon become a big chain, thus perhaps ruining the personal service.