Ali Baba Kebab House Family Restaurant- in El Cajon

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog, with the main role of Blogger played by Kirk, however while He and His Missus are on vacation, the part of Kirk will be played by Cathy.

Hi.  Cathy again.   I wanted to share this wonderful restaurant with you.  On the corner of Main and Avocado in El Cajon, near the Courthouse, for about three years now, Ali Baba has been in business.

It used to be Top Sirloin, which had great food, but a very, very tacky 'decor'.  The interior has been transformed to look like the interior of an Arabian King's tent.  Fabric on the ceiling and walls.  Rich, deep colors.

Then there is the food.  Wonderful and fresh.

We started this meal with hot tea ($1) and "Ali Baba Blood Juice" ($1.50) , because, you know, we had to.   The 'blood juice' is a sweet (corn syrup added) iced tea fruit (maybe pomegranate?) blend mix.  It is refreshing in the summer especially.  I like the minty hot tea myself. We started out with the small Hommus appetizer ($5), served with two pieces of *large* (about 10 inches in diameter- this perception view is slightly askew) fresh, hot baked bread.  The hommus is made fresh and the portion size is quite large (the plate is deep).  The large size ($8) is served on a platter and is a wonderful portion to share.   

We also got the small Ali Baba salad($5), which came out looking like this,

with the chickpeas, olives and tomatoes

on top, along with the lemon (vinegar and olive oil was on the table)  

But as you can see, the rest of the salad was Persian cucumbers, which are seen more in this photo, on the bottom of the plate.   It is very refreshing and is more like the salads I grew up eating-no lettuce. 

I ordered a shawarma sandwich ($6).  This photo doesn't do the size of it justice- I could only finish half.  As wide as a soda pop can and much larger than one with the sandwich uncut.  Those are pickled turnips on the side and inside the sandwich.  The beef is *excellent*, moist and fully flavored.  The bread is, again, fresh made. 

The Mister ordered a lamb kebab plate  ($9.95) ground lamb mixed with onions and spices and grilled over charcoal.  It is served with  tomatoes, parsley, pickled turnips, onions and fresh baked bread.  More than enough food.   Wonderful, fresh food!

All the prices are $1 less if you get the food "to go" instead of eating inside.   The service is friendly and helpful and there are always large family groups eating inside.

If you live in or are near the East County, you should try it.   You will like it.

Ali Baba Kabab House 421 East Main Street El Cajon, CA 92020 (619)442-3622 website

Comments

[nhbilly]

WoW that looks great! Odd to see a place charging less for take out. Talk about a heck of a deal for some fresh hot humus I can eat that stuff on anything! ;-)

[RONW]

how do you stumble upon these food establishments??

[ed (from Yuma)]

Cathy,

That food does look great. There seems to be a real Middle Eastern community in the east county. Have you ever been to Sahari?

[cathy]

All of the Mediterranean places in East County out here have the "to go" menu charging $1 less per item, Bill. I guess they don't want to have to clean up after anyone. Fresh hommus is great.
It's a long story, Ron, but let's just say I tend to drive a lot, avoid the freeways and am not afraid to stop. Anywhere.
We have a large Chaldean population in East County, ed. El Cajon was one of three U.S. cities where you could vote for a new Iraqi President. Never heard of Sahari...do tell!

[Omar]

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for blogging about Ali Baba. Along with Vine Ripe Market's grill, Ali Baba is a favorite of ours and a nice alternative when we want to take friends out to dinner.

The "feasts" on Ali Baba's menu are fantastic, featuring a good deal of meat and chicken and some of the area's best treatments of rice.

Dedicated carnivore that I am, I've been eating my way through San Diego's numerous kabob houses and have found Ali Baba one of the better choices. Next on my list: that place on El Cajon's Main Street that bills themselves as the "House of the Real Kabob ".

Best,

[cathy]

You mean Al Salam Halal, Omar? I did it on June 16 2007...or is there another one? The grocery stores on Main Street also sell kababs you know...$1.25 each

[Omar]

No, Cathy, it's the Hamurabi Family Restaurant at the corner of Main and Van Houten in El Cajon. There used to be a diner there with a Polish name, but I can't recall that.

Hamurabi has a big ol' sign 20 feet off the ground that says they're the "House of the Real Kabob", which cracks me up, 'cause, I mean, kabab is a good meal and all, but it's just meat on a stick, and the sign seems a leeeetle bit over the top. But it makes me want to try the place, so who's the dummy?

As to the stores on Main Street, yes, I've seen the inexpensive skewers, but I if I'm not dining out, I prefer to prepare and cook the kabab (kefta, beef or chicken) myself. The exception to that rule is Vine Ripe Market's grill, where I'll "carry out" most any time.

Cordially,

[Nicole]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll be checking this place out soon! The only kabob I've tried so far have been at Vine Ripe and I love that place! But now I definitely want to venture out to El Cajon to give Ali Baba a try!

[cathy]

I'll be looking for Hamurabi this week, Omar. I love to just walk in and try places...and should have some time to do that now ;)
Hello and Welcome, Nicole! I looked at your blog and see your lifestyle is similar to mine- El Cajon isn't that far of a drive and has its own qualities... really. You'll enjoy Ali Baba. Glad you enjoy Vine Ripe- a regular stop for me. I posted on it in October 2006.