Aladdin Café — Restaurant in Vancouver

I learned my lesson yesterday at Aladdin Cafe. Next time, if I don’t know a place, I will at least check their reviews first. This is why I feel compelled to write so others have the benefit of my mistake. Three of us went looking for some Middle Eastern treats on a nice Friday night. This place, though only had one person in, appeared clean so we decided to give it a try. There was a middle-aged man that gave us the impression to be the owner or manager as he was directing the other two employees. Standing behind the cash register with a stern face, the manager handed us a flyer menu and said we are out of Kebobs but have lamb, beef, and chicken. We ordered two plates of mixed chicken and beef and one Falafel plate. We asked him to add two pop to the order. Instead of explaining what kind of pop he has, he barked at us “what kind of pop”. We said Coke or Pepsi, thinking what’s the difference. He barked again what kind of pop, instead of explaining they have bottles and cans. We came very close to leaving but didn’t want his attitude to ruin our night. My nephew asked him if they had a washroom and he simply said NO. There was no suggestion of where he could go. I told my nephew I noticed a Home Sense a block away, and that is where he went. The food turned out to be at par with his attitude. The beef was certainly not grilled or broiled. There was zero grill or broiler mark on it and tasted more steamed than anything else. The kitchen is in full view of the customers. We could see the Shawarma on the vertical rod wrapped in Aluminum foil. There was a Panini machine, and flat grill. We did not see any cooking being done there and the food came from the back area. Aside from a skewer of beef and one of chicken on each plate, there was plenty rice but no more than a spoon of salad, and two triangles of cold Pita bread. There was no sauce or dip. We stretched our mind to see some positives in the food but there were none. My nephew left his plate almost untouched. They could’ve removed his plastic cutlery and served it someone else. That is how untouched he left it. I ate two pieces of chicken and tried one piece of beef and regretted it. The smart person in our group ordered Falafel. His was safer since Falafel are fried. The three plates and two pop cans were $45. We left the place in disbelief but we had no one to blame but ourselves. The clues were there- a place in the busiest street in Vancouver on a nice weekend night having one customer. It was too late but certainly a lesson learned. Next time, I will check the reviews before...

Second and last time I go here. When asked if I like hot stuff I thoroughly confirmed as I was getting a lamb wrap and salad. The lamb felt over cooked so that it was bland and not gamey. I may have missed this had it not been as tame as a mayonnaise sandwich. I must admit that by the time I did get my lunch it should have been in this dishes advantage that I was quite hungry. I also ordered the most pitiful attempt at a greek salad in my current memory. The dressing was straight out of a store bought bottle, and the two kalamata olives were pitiful, pun intended does not elevate how they tasted old and dry. Romaine lettuce, no tomatoes or onions to speak off, I write this days after this was ordered to stave off as much dissapointment I could but just trying to relive this dish serves to make this reviews purpose. At an $18 meal should reflect this, I shouldn't have payed more than $7 to be quite frank is generous. Is there a 0 star rating? this should be such. The pictures I post for reviews tend to speak for themselves, but frankly I should have gone back for my money after the first three bites...

In my opinion they have the best chicken wrap in town. They are always consistent with getting that nice crust on the chicken that makes it so much better. They have a very nice selection of toppings that take the wrap over the top, we especially like the pickled turnip. White and red sauce is also a must. If you like spicy and want to experience the magnificent wrap the way we do ask them for chicken wrap, no onions or tabouli (sorry tabouli fans). Then we go ever thing else with extra pickles, turnips and hot peppers. Ask them to finish off with copious amounts of white and red sauce. If you don't like the spice, just omit the hot peppers and red sauce. The other options are great as well especially the chicken rice plate that almost takes me back to a New York street cart of Halal Boys fame. They are very friendly and it's easy to taste the...