Aladdin's serves great value, wholesome, filling food that leaves little to be desired in the portion sizes and flavor profiles. Whether you are an avid Lebanese food connoisseur or a newbie to the cuisine, Aladdin's will not disappoint. From Hummus to Shawarma, Aladdin's menu is exciting and varied.
Aladdin's is open seven days a week from 10 am to 9 pm (10 pm Friday and Saturday) for lunch and dinner (breakfast technically, though they do not serve traditional breakfast items)
Aladdin's was opened in 1994 by Fady Chamoun and his adoring wife Sally. Fady moved to the US in 1972 with the single-minded ambition to open an authentic Lebanese-style restaurant serving healthy eastern food for an affordable price. Fady made it his life's work to share the food and culture that he grew up in with his new home, and not only did he succeed, but he also thrived. Aladdin's may have started out preparing the basics, like Shish Kabob, but it has since grown into a vast and plentiful menu that never fails to impress with its variety and freshness. Quality, love, and creativity is the hallmark of Lebanese cuisine and Fady always clarified this for employees and patrons alike.
You can find out a ton more interesting info about Fady, his story, and how Aladdin's has managed to expand its empire by clicking the link here.
Where can I find Aladdin's?
Aladdin's currently has 30 unique locations spread around the eastern USA. There are a few Aladdin's restaurants in the following states: Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. There are not currently plans to expand the chain. It has been theorized that the chain will probably not open any new restaurants, as the quality and attention to detail may start to diminish. The family has never spoken out about this, though. You might be surprised to know that there are no Aladdin's chains in Lebanon itself. But, in fairness, does Fady need to share his cuisine with the Lebanese people? Probably not.
You can find a handy list of all the Aladdin's eatery locations on their website. You can find it more quickly by clicking on the following link to their interactive map with inbuilt contact information – click here.
What makes Aladdin's food stand out?
Lebanese food innately is incredibly rich and fulfilling. Their cuisine is wholesome and varied, with an emphasis on being healthy as well as satisfying. There is something to be said about the ability that Aladdin's has to create rich, creamy, warming food that doesn't resort to needing a ton of unhealthy fats and sugars. Aladdin's uses only the freshest and most ethically sourced ingredients, as well as avoiding unnatural preservatives. A great example of this is their hummus. Store-bought hummus is full of stabilizers, whereas the hummus from Aladdin's is fresh, packed full of flavor, and far healthier for you! Why settle for mediocre when you can have Aladdin's?
Is Aladdin's food traditional Lebanese cuisine?
Fady's dream was to open a traditional Lebanese restaurant in America. So naturally, yes, all the food prepared at Aladdin's is genuine Lebanese cuisine. Many of the recipes they still use today were designed by Fady and took influence from his childhood in Lebanon. Authentic Lebanese cuisine uses tons of parsley and chickpeas, which is why Lebanese food tastes so light and fresh. Often time chains tend to emulate a cuisine rather than fully embody it, this is not the case with Aladdin's. Not only do they prepare their food exactly as they would in Lebanon, but they also present it the same way. There has been very little Americanization in that regard, which is always a pleasure.
Is Aladdin's spicy?
Despite being middle-eastern, Lebanese food tends to be more "herby" than spicy. Even their meat dishes, while not shying away from heat and spice, tend to be more herby, taking their influence from earthy rich flavors and vibrant greens rather than the deep reds you might associate with southern American cuisines. If spice is something you really struggle with, then feel free to ask your server for their recommendation regarding a dish that is not quite as spicy or is that well suited to your other dietary needs.
What is breakfast like at Aladdin's?
Since Aladdin's is open for breakfast (10 am opening times) you may be wondering what they might be serving. Lebanese breakfast is a little different from American breakfast, so you can expect to see more chickpeas and lentils and fewer bacon strips and fried eggs! Aladdin's breakfast and lunch tend to blur into one. But you better believe you won't be wishing they had some traditional options on the menu. Why go to a Lebanese restaurant and not be willing to throw yourself into their cuisine?
Does Aladdin's have good veggie options?
Lebanese food is largely vegetarian-friendly, and even vegan in numerous instances, innately. It should be effortless to determine what items on the menu are suitable for veggies, like the Tabouli, and what items are not, like the chicken salad. Duh! Since all the menu items are prepared in-house, it is almost always possible to remove meat from an otherwise vegetarian dish. Just as it is possible to add extra protein to your dishes if you ask nicely!
Does Aladdin's serve alcohol?
No, Aladdin's only serves non-alcoholic beverages like lemonade or sodas, as well as a variety of fruit teas and coffee. This is in part because they want their restaurants to feel family-friendly and welcoming. Not like a bar. Besides, their lemonade is made fresh in-house each day, so why would you want to drink anything else? Their raw juices are exceptionally refreshing and exceptionally delicious. Their "Honeymooner" juice is by far the most popular!