Aladdin Pita
3750 W 80th Ln, Merrillville, IN, 46410
Aladdin Pita Menu
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Address :
3750 W 80th Ln
Merrillville, IN, 46410 - Phone (219) 736-5204
- Website https://www.aladdinpita.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Matt P.
A very good experience. It's authentic Lebanese and nearby fare. Wife is Egyptian and they have menu items she grew up eating. Bread was warm and soft. I really liked the falafel and eggplant sandwich. The combination meat sandwich can be split into an extra sandwich, that much meat. Solid cream brûlée. This place good for novices and for experienced Mediterranean foodies. Priced right. Wait staff very good.
(5)Marc R.
This is the best middle-eastern food in Chicago-land. I have been eating food like this for decades and this place wins out on quality, service, and the fact that there is a middle-eastern grocery and Hookah shop right next door. They bring out complementary appetisers and pita with each meal - even a $4.00 sandwich -- which includes all the standards plus 1-2 random items. This is a super treat! The iced tea and Turkish coffee are perfectly prepared. I usually order the felafel and eggplant sandwich and perhaps a sweet with my coffee after the meal. I think they have an all you can eat buffet on Sunday night. Now, I know it is a haul from Chicago, but if you are visiting friends or coming and going to Michigan it is worth the detour. There is a smoking and nonsmoking section (Indiana law is different) and the middle-eastern men tend to sit in the smoking section and chat over tea most of the afternoon if you come before 5. They also have Hookah if you are in the mood. Unlike others, I have never felt the smoking was a problem and it never bothered me. Most times I have been here there has been one booth in the back where people smoked. Never more. I have spent time in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, Italy, (and, Chicago) before and after the smoking ban and people smoke in the villages and non-tourist areas even today. A very good restaurant on the north side of Chicago was run by a Lebanese guy named Nimrod (some of you might know the place) and there is a great black and white photograph of him downstairs with smoke rings wafting up through the air. As he put it after one meal, a good meal followed by a good smoke is a "Lebanese tradition." I am not Lebanese but I took his word for it. I truly appreciate a smoke-free place, but I think that tobacco and middle-eastern culture often go hand in hand.
(5)Janelle C.
The food was great. We went on a Thursday night and didn't realize there was the buffet option available. There was a great variety of food, ,including veggies, hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, rice, lemon chicken, lamb, etc. The lamb had a weird taste to me, but I am picky about lamb, my husband loved it. The dessert was meh- some almond cake and fruit. Where was the baklava!!!?? The only thing I had a big problem with was the service. The waitress must have walked by me at least 5 times, made eye contact and kept walking! She sat in the booth next to ours and just sat there, talking to her - boyfriend, another waiter? I have no idea. But it was kind of rude. Finally my husband turned around and asked for the bill. I would go back because of the food, and just hope the service gets better.
(4)Robert S.
Falafel, hummus, baba ganouj...all are wonderful. I always get my order to go and the service is *fast*. The place could use a cleaning, but the food is great.
(5)Sanford H.
Aladdin Pita, a Merrillville Oasis Commentary by Sanford D. Horn May 22, 2013 Admittedly not a big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, I recently enjoyed, not one, not two, but three good meals at good prices at Aladdin Pita in Merrillville, IN, at the behest of my girlfriend, who had dined there frequently in the past. I will share a secret initially shared with me upon my first foray into Aladdin Pita's menu - there is a daily lunch special not found on said menu. For six bucks patrons can enjoys a dinner's worth of food for lunch. Having eaten this lunch special three times, I can attest that it is enjoyable, filling, and mostly consistent. Seated in a dimly lit restaurant in a non-descript strip mall-ette of fewer than a half dozen forgettable stores, the low key wait staff brings small dishes of humus, baba ghanoush, and a cucumber, tomato, cilantro combo, along with fresh baked pita bread. While the pita is freely replenished, don't eat the contents of the small dishes too quickly as extra costs a buck a dish. While eating the appetizers, the lentil soup arrives - thick - almost a pea soup consistency, but yellow in hue with a slice of lemon accompanying. Never one for lentil soup, this is quite savory, and for a cup, leaves one wanting more. The entrees should have been, and were, served in a reasonable amount of time as in each visit, Aladdin Pita was sparsely filled. Surrounding a mound of yellow seasoned basmati rice are a delightfully spiced shredded beef - called shwarma, chunks of seasoned kabab chicken, two link sausage-shaped pieces of lamb - called keftah, some more of the cucumber salad, served with a tiny ramekin-shaped dish of tasty tahini, and a falafel ball atop the rice. In two of three visits, leftovers were brought home. In all cases the beef was excellent and the lamb was consistently good. The chicken was dry in two of three cases and overcooked in the third. If the regular menu is anything like the lunch special, I am confident there will be something for just about everyone. From vegetarian dishes to sandwiches to salads to kababs the menu is rich with ethnic specialties and numerous options. Service is consistent and steady, but not personable. Attached to Aladdin Pita is the restaurant's store featuring even more ethnic options any fan of Middle Eastern cuisine will enjoy. Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.
(4)Jason G.
Their falafel is amazing!!!!! I've had both the pita and the platter. My pregnant fiancé had a taste for falafel and gyros one day, so I ran and got both. Shortly after, I arrived with the goods and opened the bags (an amazing aroma combination) and watched as she combined the 2 together. It was the start of a whole new craving lol. But really, their food and prices are very nice.
(5)Mike S.
Hands down the best falafel in NWI and is easily as good as anywhere Chicago has to offer. Love the free hummus dips and pita. In a nut shell, everything here is delicious.
(5)Aishwarya B.
The food is great! The falafel with dip is delicious and so is the hummus.
(5)Sean T.
A local treat! No more going to Chicago for good Mediterranean/ mid east cuisine... if you want a whole lot of bang for your buck, go in from 11-2 for their lunch special at 5.99 what a sensation, not for my wallet, every taste bud was pleased, and my stomach... 10 out of 10!
(5)Alex B.
This place has been a favorite between me and my bro for years. the food is good! Really good! and being a college guy on a budget what's to hate about a delicious chicken sandwich with soup and fresh pita bread that has a plethora of dippin sawwauzez to go with it for around 6 bucks? NOTHING, that's what. Reasonably priced for a hookah break and one of the best lemon rice soups I've ever tasted. (only on Sunday) what keeps this from the 5 star is the unfortunate luck of us sometimes having a crappy waiter. How he is still employed there is beyond me, but besides this minor annoyance Aladdin's pita is a prime choice. Update 11/27/11 Ordered the Lamb shank, wasn't a huge fan, voiced my concern to our waitress who was apologetic and quick about getting that resolved. I then ordered the Lamb chops and holy hell, my taste buds went on an adventure and I didn't wanna come back. At around 16 bucks the dish is a little bit on the pricey side especially with only 4 chops and somewhat sad in sizes.However with chops this bombastic in flavor I wish I had ordered two. Paired with some seriously tasty rice and char grilled veggies, I know exactly what i will be ordering the next time I visit Aladdin's Pita. Update 4/6/14 I haven't had bad service in a long time, seems aladdin's pita stepped up it's game. So there's nothing keeping this fine restaurant from the 5 stars it rightfully deserves. Lamb chops are still #1 in my book
(5)Cory M.
Was searching for something new in the area to eat with my wife. Came across this restaurant on yelp tired it out since we like this type of food. Outside looks ok but inside very nice. Great customer service food was very good 5 stars will be back
(5)Kathryn O.
Menu is basic, nothing special. I would much rather make the trip to Chicago for infinitely better Middle Eastern food. The service is terrible especially if you are a woman. WAY over priced for the quality of food. Tried and tried to give them chances but after a few visits I will never go back.
(2)Noureen J.
Best middle eastern food ever. Prices are pretty reasonable too!! Their hummus, baba ganoush and turkish salad, is to die for. And the fresh pita bread too, yummy!!! i've tried almost everything on their menu and i loved it!! Its an hr drive for me to get there but its all worth it. Definitely recommend it!!!!!!
(5)Jessica W.
I tried this restuarant for the first time last night. When walking in, I was just wanting to look at the menu. I found they offer the typical middle eastern fare-- falafels, hummus, feta salad, stewed meats with rice, pitas, etc.. The greeter guy informed me they had a buffet on that night. I decided to go for it, to try a little bit of everything. I was disapointed. First the food is pretty standard. The buffet offered 2 soups, salad, 4 meat entrees and some rice, some fruit and a couple sweets-- I tried some of the stewed lamb, (which tasted STRIKINGLY similar to Rice-a-roni). I am confident it was in fact Rice-a-roni. Perhaps I would give the menu a try next time. No Buffet for me.
(2)Carlton G.
I love Aladdin Pita! I eat there all the time. Most of the time the service is great, occasionally they have a bad server (or two). The food is great and the price is even greater. I get the fallafel sandwich with soup and the free appetizers and it costs me like 8 bucks with tip! Can't beat it!
(5)Karen B.
We stopped on our way east for dinner. This is a Middle Eastern grocery, butcher shop on one side, and restaurant on the other side. They serve fresh, hot pitas with hummus, baba ghanoush, and tomato cucumber salads to start. The food was very good, fresh and extremely reasonably priced. I had a falafel sandwich and my husband a mixed meat sandwich ( shish kebab , lamb kabob and beef shwarma). Also had good Turkish coffee.
(4)Howard L.
We came back for a dinner, almost a year after our first lunch visit. It was an ok dinner, and good value at under $40 for 3, and we also all had leftovers. The son had the business special beef kabab, wife had pita pies (beef, spinach, and cheese), and I had a beef shawerma plate. The pita bread (hot and fresh) and hummus were great. I should have just ordered the Mediterranean catfish like I was going to but I wanted to give them a second chance (from last lunch visit) at the beef shawerma - and I was disappointed again as beef was old and dry. Never again for me on the shawerma - order the right dishes, and you'll be happy here. We were also pleasantly surprised that the Hookah smoking from adjacent smoking area was not very noticeable. We thought it could be a little smokey going in, but it was the type food we were looking for, and as mentioned, it wasn't a factor at all. Servers were attentive and friendly.
(3)Jennifer G.
Came in for take out this time. Had beef shawerma sandwich, which came with small salad and hummus. It was very good, the tahini sauce was excellent. I got to shop around the store while waiting for my shawerma. They had pita pies, candy, cookies, lots of treams from Hassoon Bakery, sodas, etc. I had a great fruity Middle Eastern soda of some sort. The prices are great - $4.99 for sandwich plate.
(4)P R.
Good fresh food. Very reasonable prices. Great attitude and service. What more can I say.
(5)Barb R.
It's clean and the pita bread is phenomenal, especially if you get it while it's still warm from the oven. Read my review -- examiner.com/restaurant-…
(4)Charles F.
I attended a concert at the Star Plaza Theater and wanted to find somewhere to eat beforehand. This was different than most of the other standard fare steak places and such on US 30. Fortunately, it wasn't too busy and I had no problem being seated. Before I even said anything, 4 little bowls of food and pitas were set before me. Hummus, baba ghanouj, arabic salad and another salad. It is part of some sampler appetizers for each table. I ordered the beef schwerma plate. The meat was ok though the rice was really bad. It reminded me of the rice one would receive at a low quality family restaurant. I must admit that I am quite spoiled with 3 good middle east style restaurants in my home area.
(3)angie p.
Hated this place. Went with my then step-father of middle eastern decent. I hated eating there with the nats constantly flying in my food, the chicken bryani was disgusting, and they did not offer to take it off the tab. It was inedible. The bathrooms are disgusting cause there is butt water all over the floor (the water can is not for the plants, think of it as a do it yourself bidet).
(1)Katie W.
This place has awesome food for a great value. I have had the chicken kabab sandwich and the lamb kabab plate and both were delicous. Also, while you wait for your meal you get tons of pita and several delicious sides such as hummus, baba ghannoug, and tabouleh.
(5)carmen b.
Hello, food snob here. Not to many places around to compare this to . Been there once and had the Falafel Sandwich and it was GREAT. Good quality food. The Humus and Relish that came with it were a good acompanionment. Whenever something is family owned most of the time it is good. I must go back sometime and check out buffet.
(4)Al T.
This is honestly one of the better places to eat in the Region, as well as being the only middle eastern eatery around. Service is always friendly, as they tend to hire either my dopplegangers or my friends' younger siblings. =P Serving portions are usually generous and it's hard to find anything on the menu that isn't tasty. Their Stuffed Grape Leaves are heavy on the mustard, but other than that I have no complaints. Especially since many of the dishes are vegetarian friendly! When I go to Aladdin Pita, I usually get the Hummus, Falafel Sandwich, Lentil Soup or the Lamb Stew. Heck, even the Stuffed Grape Leaves are still tempting on occasion. And did I mention this is the only place in Northwest Indiana that has a buffet you can trust NOT to give you food poisoning? That's worth 3 stars right there. As a final note, don't forget to check out the grocery section. There are some awesome sweets sold there (including Halva!) and you can pick up that last-minute birthday hookah for your friend.
(5)Jeri R.
I love this place! I love when I can go out and stuff myself silly and not feel gross afterward because the food isn't disgustingly greasy. Everything is very light and tasty. I've always had good service and the little market attached to the restaurant has some nice finds. I have yet to try the buffet but I reaaalllly want to.
(5)Paula B.
Started coming here year or so ago and kids and husband and I love it! The portions are just right, the food is superb and most importantly to me - the service is fantastic! They retain a lot of the same employees (perhaps family?) but when I go out once a week I want to be taken care of and that is the case here. The meat is all lean (no fatty grizzle). Well worth the price (although prices have gone up in the last 6 months we noticed). Will continue to eat here but perhaps not as often. A sign of the times.
(4)L. R.
Been coming to this place for years! Love the food. Love the little attached grocery store and I always get an extra plate of hummus and baba to go along with the freshly baked pitas. The only reason it isn't 4 stars is because I agree with Rebecca. Who needs the smoke just on the other side of the room? Lots of kids coming in to buy smoking paraphenalia or sitting in the restaurant smoking fruit gum. This is what ruins it for me mostly. But I like going during lunch when hardly anyone smoking is there. In fact, meeting some friends here tomorrow. Definitely worth the trouble to find.
(4)E P.
Good middle eastern food. Nothing fancy. Casual. Cheap prices.
(3)Jackie H.
Had a pleasant Sunday dinner here with my husband a couple of weeks back. Armed with a Restaurant.com certificate that got us $25 off a purchase of $35, we were ready to sample a lot of Mediterranean food! First off, we were cheerily greeted when we walked in by the man at the connected food-shop counter. We were seated promptly in a smallish dining room (went for the non-smoking section) that seemed porbably even smaller since it was buffet night and that was set up in our area. The place had a lot of people dining, so I'm guessing it's pretty popular. The room itself wasn't all that exiting to look at...pretty plain. The server we got was pretty low-key and softspoken in contrast from the peppy gentleman at the door. He was pleasant enough, but points deducted for never bringing us silverware--even after bringing our complimentary pitas and hummus. No worries in the end, we just stole some from the buffet line. We opted to order from the menu instead of the buffet, since we had that certificate to blow, and all. We started with the Bahba Ghanog and some Falafel. Both were very flavorful. The Falafel was piping hot too-burned my mouth! But good amount of spice. The Bahba Ghanog was a wonderful accompanyment to the warm, fresh pitas that were brought earlier. Addictive. Since we both ordered entrees, we got soup as well. They had a lentil soup that night...It was okay, but not overly impressive. For entress, I went with the kabab sampler (one chicken and two different kinds of beef) and the hubby tried the Shrimp Kallaya (a shrimp/tomato/veggie stew). Both of our entrees came with rice as well. My kababs were very enjoyable, with my favorite being the Shish kababs (pretty much seasoned stew beef). Everything was well-seasoned and flavorful. The Shimp Kallaya my husband had was just okay...It didn't seem all that special to me, but I guess that's why I didn't order it in the first place. He seemed to like it, though. We went home pleasantly full with even more leftovers to take home. This place really does give a lot of food for the money. Next time, I'll likely try one of their sandwiches as those are a lot cheaper than the entrees. Definitely will dine here again!
(4)Lindsay M.
We love this place! It's the best middle eastern food in the Region.
(4)Chris Z.
This place would be excellent if they knew whether or not their pitas are vegan (they are NOT) and if they didn't think it was ok for there to be a "little bit" of chicken in vegetarian lentil soup. NO THANKS!
(1)Jill W.
First time here -- out of this world. Second time here -- just ok. Hopefully it was just an off night. You get plenty of great food and if I'm not mistaken, it's the only (or one of few) middle eastern restaurants in the area. When the majority of places to eat are crappy fast food places or horrible chain restaurants, we need to support these places. There's also a middle eastern grocery attached, so check that out as well. Funny side note -- I saw a hippie girl walk out with a hookah, and she stopped and looked at it like she was holding the holy grail. That was worth the price of admission.
(3)Stephen F.
Unbelievably good food, I haven't had hummus, pita, filafel, and lamb like that since visiting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Kim K.
We have enjoyed Aladdin Pita on nights when they have their buffet and we have enjoyed it simply ordering off the menu. Their lamb is so tender it falls off the bone. The pitas, soft and fluffy, the perfect spoon for silky hummus. If only the servers could be just a tiny bit quicker on beverages (both delivery and refill) but that's a minor quibble for a restaurant that continues to put out food cooked with such love.
(4)Rebecca F.
My fiance and I spent Thanksgiving in Valpo with his parents and had planned our Aladdin Pita buffet night for weeks. When Sunday finally came, we piled in the car all ready for some Mediterranean buffet goodness. Pro: The selection and quality of food was incredible. I was truly impressed with the spread of sauces and appetizers: tahini, tabouleh, gourmet olives, and an amazing bread dish that was melt in your mouth yummy. Pro: The variety of meats was impressive as well: several chicken selections, lamb, beef and sausages. Pro: To top it all off, there were three dessert offerings: a creamy cheesecake, fresh fruit and a honeyed cake with slivered almonds. All of it delicious. Con: First off, my fiance and I live in San Francisco. I've been to my fair share of hookah bars in California, but I will never be able to fully enjoy a meal in a smoke-filled room, especially when five feet away, a hookah is being smoked by a woman holding a newborn baby....and a cigarette. Cigarette smoke indoors truly disgusts me, and it really compromises the atmosphere of the restaurant. Aladdin Pita, if you go cigarette-free, I'll come to your buffet night twice during my next visit. Thanks for an incredible meal anyhow! It totally lived up to the hype.
(5)Alyssa M.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. They have the best falafel I've ever tasted and all their food is very reasonably priced. Best lentil soup too. I love that they give you hummus, baba ganoush and a couple other appetizers (usually arabian salad) with super fresh pita for a FREE appetizer. Beware though, service has gone downhill in the past 6 months....they used to be so quick and attentive but now we have to ask for everything even the basics like silverware and water!
(4)Donna G.
I just came back from the buffet, and it's time to change into my comfy pants so this will be quick... Service was friendly, helpful, and quick. The variety is a sight for sore eyes and everything I tried on the buffet tasted like middle eastern homemade comfort food (perfect on this rainy cold night). On top of it all, they had the sweetest fruit for dessert. The only reason it's not 5 star is for the crazy atmosphere of the buffet crowd - it was very hard to have a dinner conversation with my husband and that kinda sucked on a Sunday night. So, I'll be back again on a normal night!
(4)Lakan D.
This is my second time here. I often go there for their buffets, which I will say is NOT cheap, it will cost you about $16, assuming you don't buy a drink and only pay for the buffet alone. But anyways, this place rocks, and besides Middle Eastern buffets are not too common. Their lamb is so tender, so soft it literally tastes like the best and most tender beef you've ever eaten. Good and crunchy falafel and they give you warm pita bread. I often find myself stuffing those pitas with falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj and veggies and literally making falafel sandwhiches out of them. Other things in the buffer included dip selection such as hummus and baba ghanouj. They also had some chicken kebabs and beef patty kebabs, also dolma only that they use bell peppers to stuff the rice and lamb in. They also had the tabbouleh salad, loved it and munched on it. Ehhh...let's see what else I had.....they also serve some Indian dishes like basmati rice and tandoori chicken. I didn't get the tandoori chicken. So definitely, their lamb is the best.
(5)A C.
How can you go wrong with a restaurant that has fresh pita, awesome humus, and lamb that is always tender? I've been going to this place since 2006. I still have yet to find a Middle-Eastern restaurant that can compare, even in the city of Chicago. My favorite things to order are the Bamya (Which is an okra stew that can have lamb in it), and the Lamb Shanks. The lamb is always so soft, and wonderful. The taste is always so perfect. I've had the quail, and loved it. They roast them, and they are wonderful. Also, I can't begin to even describe how often I crave the humus here. In northwest Indiana it's hard to find restaurants at this level. For most people I strongly suggest to not let their store front throw you off. Plus they have fantastic products in their store front that I usually buy from when I go there. The staff is friendly, though sometimes the place is really busy, and it sometimes takes a while before they make a round back to your table. So if you are looking for something different in NWI, then I suggest to go to Aladdin Pita. Also, if you are wanting to get out of the city of Chicago for a few hours and want to have dinner, then I suggest coming this way. There is no disappointment at all.
(5)Emma T.
Have been coming to this place off and on for 5 years. Good, clean facilities. Very friendly staff. The food is quite good. Never any problems. If you're going for the hookah, their coal burns hotter and quicker than your typical hookah cafe. Try the more mellow flavors so the scorching isn't quite as bad on your senses.
(4)Laurie S.
First time here, I was a little worried at first because of the store at the front, but the food was good and you got a lot of food for the price. I got the chicken Shwarma on a pita and it was tasty and lean. Lentil soup was delicious too. They also gave a pita and hummus as a starter, all for under $8 Great value!
(4)Toeknee C.
Very friendly staff they made us feel comfortable!!! Turkish coffee was excellent and the hummus is amazing!!!
(4)Jennifer G.
I adore this place. The pitas are fresh and warm. The humus is amazing. Just right. The falafels are to die for. I actually dream of them now that I do not live in the NW Indiana area anymore. The lamb is excellent. The mint tea is perfect and goes with everything. You cant go wrong ordering anything there. The buffet is a good value. It is always packed on Sundays. My friends and I love getting take out there, or just sitting in and grazing. When I had a really tough day I would find my way to Aladdin Pita with my friend Rick or Heather and we would sit and smile, eat our weight in protein and tea and feel full for days. Im not kidding. Something about middle eastern food makes you feel soooooo full for a very long time. The taste of the food is excellent, and the same smiling young man is always behind the counter to greet you, a shorter stout guy with a very chipper demeanor. Really nice and courteous people working there. The prices are very reasonable. The Arabian coffee is really good- Think it is called Turkish coffee there. Don't be thrown off by the thick sludge at the bottom. Just enjoy it. Also stop in the shop before you go and get yourself some pistachio pastries. THOSE will not be cheap. But,.... you will be glad you did ;)
(5)John T.
I went again last night after a long time away and absolutely loved it! Chicken Biryani, Beef Shawerma, a variety of apps all coupled with great service. The food tasted deliciously fresh and had awesome flavor! Honestly very well may be the new place for my fiancé and I! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Karla D.
Wow amazing delicious awesome good food for great price & tons tons of vegetarian options & fresh juices. I will be returning again & again is healthy non greasy food.
(5)Eliza S.
Fresh and flavorful with traditional hospitality. Thoroughly delighted! Stopped in only for the freshly baked pita. Was warmly greeted and while the clerk went to the kitchen to get my fresh pita, I browsed around the small market. Shelves are well-stocked and clean. There is a full restaurant attached to the market with tablecloths and oasis murals on the walls. . . nicely appointed and smelled sooooooo good. I considered how convenient it might be to pick up some hummus and baba ganoush to take home instead of making it myself. After browsing the take-out menu and realizing how affordable sandwiches were, I decided not only to get hummus and baba ganoush but to sit down with my teenage son to spilt a sandwich. We were immediate greeted by a well dressed and groomed waiter who patiently took our order. We did not end up splitting a sandwich. My mouth watered for the Falafel and Eggplant sandwich however my son did not share my enthusiasm. He ordered Shish-Kabob sandwich. Sandwiches are served with a choice of lentil or mushroom soup. The lentil soup was served in a cup with a slice of lemon. It was delicious. If I were asked how I could improve it, I would say a little less salt. I am a little salt sensitive. You can always add salt at the table but you can't take it away. I certainly wouldn't complain though because the soup was flavorful! A foursome of mezze is offered complimentary. This was so welcome and reminded me of the abundant mezze that precedes meals in Israel. The eggplant was crispy and creamy all-in-one almost the same to be said for the falafel, crispy and moist inside with delicious flavor. I can't write about my son's sandwich but to say it was gone within a matter of a few silent minutes and every mezze bowl was being wiped clean with the last bit of pita. We each ended our meal with a Turkish coffee. Yum! The right amount of sweetness and the hint of cardamom. Just the perfect end to our meal. A delightful and unexpected experience in our quest for fresh pita!
(5)Larry P.
This is one of our favorite places in fact we drive about 25 miles to enjoy it on a regular basis! My favorite is the falafel with onions. My wife loves the Chicken Shwarma, all of our family wants to go to Aladdin when they are in to visit. If you are looking for middle eastern food this is the place. The building could use some sprucing up but the food is the best!
(5)B H.
This place has authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at reasonable prices. I like that the food is fresh and flavorful. The complimentary appetizers come with a basket of fresh from the oven pita bread. Don't fill up though. Every meal comes with a bowl of soup, I prefer the lentil which is available every day. It is served with a wedge of lemon. They have several sandwich options as well as wide range of vegetarian options. Try the manakeesh, fresh baked bread topped with olive oil and herbs and baked to perfection. The spinach pies are great as well. I could go on and on, but I have never had a bad meal here. The service is good and the premises are clean.
(5)Kelly B.
Aladdin Pita is one of the best restaurants around~ EVERY time I have been here, the food was exceptional & the staff superb! I can't recommend the falafal & cauliflower sandwich with tahini enough... it is outstanding! I'm a Vegan & they have many options, as well as for Vegetarians. They cater & do parties in the adjacent room, so keep them in mind for your next function. I mean, you want good food, right? Great service? THIS is the place to come to, hands down!
(5)Mark L.
Great AUTHENTIC middle eastern cuisine at affordable prices. When you're in northwest Indiana & don't want fast food or are tired of chain restaurants, eat here instead. The food is fantastic & the staff is always on point.
(5)Ryan K.
One of the best Falafel I tasted. Fresh and authentic flavors. They also serve a soup and small appetizers with every meal. The owner is very friendly and the service is good.
(5)Just M.
I enjoy the food and the small store there. When you sit down for a meal you get 4 small dishes of hummus, baba ghannoug, arabian salad, yogurt salad and pita bread. All are very good! I love the lentil soup with lemon they have there too. I never had the lamb but have been told its very good. I have had the beef, chicken and vegetarian lunch/dinners. I try to go at least once a month to get my fix :)
(5)Jenna C.
Vegetarian & Vegan Options in Indiana! Be still my beating heart! This place is ON POINT. Love supporting family run businesses. Kind staff. You sorta feel like you've stepped into their living room, and the whole fam is there greeting, serving, and cooking up generational recipes. Hummus is off the hook and the VEGAN spinach situation that came with basically an entire bag of pitas... So. Good. Lentil Soup is legit, and the babaganouj was mouth watering. So hard to find good for you, non-meat, delicious food in this area of the country. Thank God, for these guys... they got me through!
(4)brent r s.
Lemon soup is always good but not offered everyday. Ful is properly prepared and delicious. My kids love the hummus and its a kid friendly spot. The small store attached offers take away options and small treats. Would I return? Yes probably in the next month or two.
(4)Michelle Q.
Intricate layers of flavor in each dish. Lentil soup is one of the best I've ever tasted. Unpretentious decor, friendly staff, and clean. Thursday buffet had nice selection of dishes that tasted and appeared fresh not mass produced.
(5)Michael B.
AWESOME!!!......If you love Hummus, and Shish kabobs. ...you will absolutely love this place. Great service and outstanding middle eastern cuisine.
(5)Shannon D.
OMG. I just graduated from Valparaiso University, so I lived on campus. My friend and I would always travel to Merrillville to find some good eats. She took me here because she had been there before, (we love authentic, cultural cuisine). This place is AWESOME. We went around lunch time, and just as you would get salsa and chips at a Mexican restaurant, they give you 3 types of dipping sauces (hummus and other kinds) accompanied with pita bread - FOR FREE! Absolutely delicious. We both got the chicken shawarma, which was delectable. If I still lived in Indiana, I would go here at least 4 times a month. You won't be disappointed. The prices are great and, by the looks of it, I think there's a buffet sometimes.
(4)Ed R.
My favorite restaurant in our area- by far. Free sampling of hummus and other things along with warm pita as soon as you sit down. My favorite is the falafel and eggplant sandwich with a side of feta cheese. Price is less than mcdonalds for the sandwich and it comes with soup- lentil is amazing. Even my little guys who aren't super adventurous eaters yet enjoy it here. Try it out!!!
(5)Jo W.
I love middle eastern food so I'm a bit biased, but I really enjoyed this place. Service was great, fast and friendly. Food was great value for money and tasted great. Give it a try if your looking for something a bit different and much more healthy than the standard American fare you usually find on these roads.
(4)Anuj S.
I like Aladdin near Merrillville. I carried out a falafel sandwich and a side of hummus for dinner tonight. The flavor was good and I liked the tahini and hot sauce. I was a bit miffed that they charge extra for the hot sauce. It was a real sauce, though, so that was cool. Real in the sense that they actually make it. Since I took it to go, I think the food had cooled off by the time I had it. Next time hopefully I can eat it freshly made at the restaurant itself.
(4)Shannon L.
A+ every time. My family comes every Thursday or Sunday for their buffet. Food quality is excellent, staff is friendly and there's awesome vegetarian options. On point. Oh, and great atmosphere. I could go on and on.. truly a gem.
(5)Daniel L.
Surprised by the quality of the food and staff here. The staff were courteous and professional. By the looks from outside, it didn't seem like the place you'd find good food but this place served one of the best middle eastern food around the area.
(5)Mari M.
My boyfriend and I ate lunch at Aladdin Pita today and everything was delicious. As soon as we sat down, our server brought us a basket of pita bread and a bounty of dips. The pita bread was fresh, fluffy, and warm. It was accompanied by hummus, baba ganoush, Jerusalem salad, and yogurt, which were all fresh and flavorful. I ordered the falafel sandwich. The falafel was seasoned very well and was fresh out of the fryer. This falafel was better than any that I have eaten near Kedzie and Lawrence. That is a powerful statement considering I have eaten a lot of falafel in my lifetime at a lot of different restaurants. My boyfriend ordered the beef schwarma sandwich and thought it was very tasty. Each of our sandwich orders included a cup of soup. My lemon rice was really good, as was his cup of lentil soup. We also paid a visit to the adjoining grocery store. They carry a great selection of spices, rice, dried lentils, imported sweets and candies, tahini, and grape leaves. I am so glad that this little grocery store exists because last time I made grape leaves I had to drive all the way to Kedzie and Lawrence to purchase the ingredients. It is nice to know that Aladdin Pita is in the area.
(5)Jesse R.
I was in Merrillville for work for a couple of days and I stopped at Aladdin Pita. The place has the best middle eastern food I've ever had. Excellent pita bread and fresh quality ingredients. If I lived near I would be a regular for sure.
(5)Mary P.
This was our first time at the restaurant and we had a wonderful experience. The menu is well rounded and easy to understand. We asked the waiter what he recommended and once he knew we hadn't been here before he took time to explain the dips and then recommended dishes that would allow us to try several items. My husband had the Business Special. A combination of shish kabab, kefta kabab, beef Shawerma and falafel. Everything was wonderful and nicely seasoned. I was going to order the stuffed grape leaves but they had run out :( So I had the Shawerma Plate. Marinated slices of beef and chicken with rice and tahini. It was great and I will enjoy the leftovers tomorrow. We will be back and since it's on our way home from work there's always takeout!
(4)Brian Z.
I came base on a recommendation from a lebanese friend. I was impressed with the sides of hummus, labna, Arab salad, babagahnog and pita. Fresh lemonade was nice. I had the falafel sandwich. Great homemade falafel in side pita with Arab salad and tahini. Best falafel I have had to date. And for desert I had the muhallabia which is like a italian pana cotta custard drizzled with a simple syrup and topped with shedded coconut and pistachios. On the menu was a few lamb dishes. And also a buffet which I will need to come try. If it is great then will probably up the review to 5 stars. Service was great and server was very attentive and quick. Not one negative.
(4)k j.
2 words: i'm hooked!
(5)Glenn M.
We went for the buffet The food was absolutely fresh and wonderful and the service was so courteous and so friendly we plan on going there again soon.
(5)Laura S.
This is more of a review of the banquet hall and the service given their. On August first I got married and had my reception here for less than 40 people and paid $20 a plate. The venue itself fairly large. They also have a quote on quote sound system found out later was kind of crappy during my dance with my husband and my father. We had scheduled from 130 to 5 o'clock to have the banquet hall and to be served food and hors d'oeuvres with some dessert of the course our wedding cakes. being the bride I kind of expected the head table to be served first, this did not happen. We waited a lot just water. The food was delicious but we got it kind of late and then there was a ton left over. To much to late. The head table was not served and we were not given plates, I had to go ask for plates and to be served through the kitchen doors as it was going on like 230 and we had barely seen anybody. It was very very unorganized for close to 800 dollars that I paid. I don't know it was up with the sound system but it was crackling and making it unbearable to even have music playing. I brought in the speaker that I had bought for the wedding to play music in a microphone and we use that instead. The only thing that made this somewhat tolerable is that the food is always delicious, but if I would have known the service was going to be this bad, I would have taken my business someplace else. It saddens me greatly.
(3)Ella B.
Excellent food! They give you 4 free samples of their amazing food even before you order. Yes the restaurant looks a bit off inside but the food is really athentic. Service was amazing too. Will definitely be back!
(5)Jerry S.
The first time I went here I was absolutely amazed. Awesome food, Kind workers. I went back three times, and its awesome each time. To start you get (4) complimentary bowls of dip, with fresh Pita bread. The Aladdin salad is the very best Greek Salad look alike I ever had. Great Lentil Soup, and the best part Lamb Chops. OMG. My wife Loved the Beef Schwarma, and yes it tasted very good. I am hooked and will return weekly. Murad, a waiter was top shelf as were all three that I had.
(5)Rick H.
Always consistent quality and great flavor in their dishes. Fresh ingredients and friendly service. I just moved to the area and discovered this gem, which is just off of Rte. 30 (but visible from the highway). I love it here!
(5)Dr. E.
I did expect to find middle eastern food in this part of the country, but I was pleasantly surprised by this find. It's a great storefront with a restaurant attached. Great people running the business and excellent items offered. The sides were a hit and the pita...excellent. The fatayer were a little dry and they forgot my cheese one....but I would have gotten 1/2 of that meal for the same price in California...so no complaints there. It was a huge portion.
(4)Rott G.
Best pita we ever had! Baked fresh to serve! Best hummus ever!! The staff is friendly and prompt. We bring friends here and they agree! The sage tea is delicious as well as the mint.
(5)John H.
this place is great. They bring out of a lot of appetizers with you first get there, hummus, baba ganoush, and a few other things. The chicken shish kabob sandwich was awesome and it came with free soup. Plus it was a really cheap. the server was super nice also.
(5)Tom S.
The food always seems to have very fresh ingredients and I've never had a bad meal. The lamb is especially well seasoned and tender. And their lentil soup is my go-to cure when I'm under the weather.
(5)A C.
How can you go wrong with a restaurant that has fresh pita, awesome humus, and lamb that is always tender? I've been going to this place since 2006. I still have yet to find a Middle-Eastern restaurant that can compare, even in the city of Chicago. My favorite things to order are the Bamya (Which is an okra stew that can have lamb in it), and the Lamb Shanks. The lamb is always so soft, and wonderful. The taste is always so perfect. I've had the quail, and loved it. They roast them, and they are wonderful. Also, I can't begin to even describe how often I crave the humus here. In northwest Indiana it's hard to find restaurants at this level. For most people I strongly suggest to not let their store front throw you off. Plus they have fantastic products in their store front that I usually buy from when I go there. The staff is friendly, though sometimes the place is really busy, and it sometimes takes a while before they make a round back to your table. So if you are looking for something different in NWI, then I suggest to go to Aladdin Pita. Also, if you are wanting to get out of the city of Chicago for a few hours and want to have dinner, then I suggest coming this way. There is no disappointment at all.
(5)Stephen F.
Unbelievably good food, I haven't had hummus, pita, filafel, and lamb like that since visiting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Marc R.
This is the best middle-eastern food in Chicago-land. I have been eating food like this for decades and this place wins out on quality, service, and the fact that there is a middle-eastern grocery and Hookah shop right next door. They bring out complementary appetisers and pita with each meal - even a $4.00 sandwich -- which includes all the standards plus 1-2 random items. This is a super treat! The iced tea and Turkish coffee are perfectly prepared. I usually order the felafel and eggplant sandwich and perhaps a sweet with my coffee after the meal. I think they have an all you can eat buffet on Sunday night. Now, I know it is a haul from Chicago, but if you are visiting friends or coming and going to Michigan it is worth the detour. There is a smoking and nonsmoking section (Indiana law is different) and the middle-eastern men tend to sit in the smoking section and chat over tea most of the afternoon if you come before 5. They also have Hookah if you are in the mood. Unlike others, I have never felt the smoking was a problem and it never bothered me. Most times I have been here there has been one booth in the back where people smoked. Never more. I have spent time in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, Italy, (and, Chicago) before and after the smoking ban and people smoke in the villages and non-tourist areas even today. A very good restaurant on the north side of Chicago was run by a Lebanese guy named Nimrod (some of you might know the place) and there is a great black and white photograph of him downstairs with smoke rings wafting up through the air. As he put it after one meal, a good meal followed by a good smoke is a "Lebanese tradition." I am not Lebanese but I took his word for it. I truly appreciate a smoke-free place, but I think that tobacco and middle-eastern culture often go hand in hand.
(5)Noureen J.
Best middle eastern food ever. Prices are pretty reasonable too!! Their hummus, baba ganoush and turkish salad, is to die for. And the fresh pita bread too, yummy!!! i've tried almost everything on their menu and i loved it!! Its an hr drive for me to get there but its all worth it. Definitely recommend it!!!!!!
(5)Janelle C.
The food was great. We went on a Thursday night and didn't realize there was the buffet option available. There was a great variety of food, ,including veggies, hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, rice, lemon chicken, lamb, etc. The lamb had a weird taste to me, but I am picky about lamb, my husband loved it. The dessert was meh- some almond cake and fruit. Where was the baklava!!!?? The only thing I had a big problem with was the service. The waitress must have walked by me at least 5 times, made eye contact and kept walking! She sat in the booth next to ours and just sat there, talking to her - boyfriend, another waiter? I have no idea. But it was kind of rude. Finally my husband turned around and asked for the bill. I would go back because of the food, and just hope the service gets better.
(4)Robert S.
Falafel, hummus, baba ganouj...all are wonderful. I always get my order to go and the service is *fast*. The place could use a cleaning, but the food is great.
(5)Emma T.
Have been coming to this place off and on for 5 years. Good, clean facilities. Very friendly staff. The food is quite good. Never any problems. If you're going for the hookah, their coal burns hotter and quicker than your typical hookah cafe. Try the more mellow flavors so the scorching isn't quite as bad on your senses.
(4)Laurie S.
First time here, I was a little worried at first because of the store at the front, but the food was good and you got a lot of food for the price. I got the chicken Shwarma on a pita and it was tasty and lean. Lentil soup was delicious too. They also gave a pita and hummus as a starter, all for under $8 Great value!
(4)Jennifer G.
I adore this place. The pitas are fresh and warm. The humus is amazing. Just right. The falafels are to die for. I actually dream of them now that I do not live in the NW Indiana area anymore. The lamb is excellent. The mint tea is perfect and goes with everything. You cant go wrong ordering anything there. The buffet is a good value. It is always packed on Sundays. My friends and I love getting take out there, or just sitting in and grazing. When I had a really tough day I would find my way to Aladdin Pita with my friend Rick or Heather and we would sit and smile, eat our weight in protein and tea and feel full for days. Im not kidding. Something about middle eastern food makes you feel soooooo full for a very long time. The taste of the food is excellent, and the same smiling young man is always behind the counter to greet you, a shorter stout guy with a very chipper demeanor. Really nice and courteous people working there. The prices are very reasonable. The Arabian coffee is really good- Think it is called Turkish coffee there. Don't be thrown off by the thick sludge at the bottom. Just enjoy it. Also stop in the shop before you go and get yourself some pistachio pastries. THOSE will not be cheap. But,.... you will be glad you did ;)
(5)John T.
I went again last night after a long time away and absolutely loved it! Chicken Biryani, Beef Shawerma, a variety of apps all coupled with great service. The food tasted deliciously fresh and had awesome flavor! Honestly very well may be the new place for my fiancé and I! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Karla D.
Wow amazing delicious awesome good food for great price & tons tons of vegetarian options & fresh juices. I will be returning again & again is healthy non greasy food.
(5)B H.
This place has authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at reasonable prices. I like that the food is fresh and flavorful. The complimentary appetizers come with a basket of fresh from the oven pita bread. Don't fill up though. Every meal comes with a bowl of soup, I prefer the lentil which is available every day. It is served with a wedge of lemon. They have several sandwich options as well as wide range of vegetarian options. Try the manakeesh, fresh baked bread topped with olive oil and herbs and baked to perfection. The spinach pies are great as well. I could go on and on, but I have never had a bad meal here. The service is good and the premises are clean.
(5)Eliza S.
Fresh and flavorful with traditional hospitality. Thoroughly delighted! Stopped in only for the freshly baked pita. Was warmly greeted and while the clerk went to the kitchen to get my fresh pita, I browsed around the small market. Shelves are well-stocked and clean. There is a full restaurant attached to the market with tablecloths and oasis murals on the walls. . . nicely appointed and smelled sooooooo good. I considered how convenient it might be to pick up some hummus and baba ganoush to take home instead of making it myself. After browsing the take-out menu and realizing how affordable sandwiches were, I decided not only to get hummus and baba ganoush but to sit down with my teenage son to spilt a sandwich. We were immediate greeted by a well dressed and groomed waiter who patiently took our order. We did not end up splitting a sandwich. My mouth watered for the Falafel and Eggplant sandwich however my son did not share my enthusiasm. He ordered Shish-Kabob sandwich. Sandwiches are served with a choice of lentil or mushroom soup. The lentil soup was served in a cup with a slice of lemon. It was delicious. If I were asked how I could improve it, I would say a little less salt. I am a little salt sensitive. You can always add salt at the table but you can't take it away. I certainly wouldn't complain though because the soup was flavorful! A foursome of mezze is offered complimentary. This was so welcome and reminded me of the abundant mezze that precedes meals in Israel. The eggplant was crispy and creamy all-in-one almost the same to be said for the falafel, crispy and moist inside with delicious flavor. I can't write about my son's sandwich but to say it was gone within a matter of a few silent minutes and every mezze bowl was being wiped clean with the last bit of pita. We each ended our meal with a Turkish coffee. Yum! The right amount of sweetness and the hint of cardamom. Just the perfect end to our meal. A delightful and unexpected experience in our quest for fresh pita!
(5)Larry P.
This is one of our favorite places in fact we drive about 25 miles to enjoy it on a regular basis! My favorite is the falafel with onions. My wife loves the Chicken Shwarma, all of our family wants to go to Aladdin when they are in to visit. If you are looking for middle eastern food this is the place. The building could use some sprucing up but the food is the best!
(5)Lakan D.
This is my second time here. I often go there for their buffets, which I will say is NOT cheap, it will cost you about $16, assuming you don't buy a drink and only pay for the buffet alone. But anyways, this place rocks, and besides Middle Eastern buffets are not too common. Their lamb is so tender, so soft it literally tastes like the best and most tender beef you've ever eaten. Good and crunchy falafel and they give you warm pita bread. I often find myself stuffing those pitas with falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj and veggies and literally making falafel sandwhiches out of them. Other things in the buffer included dip selection such as hummus and baba ghanouj. They also had some chicken kebabs and beef patty kebabs, also dolma only that they use bell peppers to stuff the rice and lamb in. They also had the tabbouleh salad, loved it and munched on it. Ehhh...let's see what else I had.....they also serve some Indian dishes like basmati rice and tandoori chicken. I didn't get the tandoori chicken. So definitely, their lamb is the best.
(5)Kelly B.
Aladdin Pita is one of the best restaurants around~ EVERY time I have been here, the food was exceptional & the staff superb! I can't recommend the falafal & cauliflower sandwich with tahini enough... it is outstanding! I'm a Vegan & they have many options, as well as for Vegetarians. They cater & do parties in the adjacent room, so keep them in mind for your next function. I mean, you want good food, right? Great service? THIS is the place to come to, hands down!
(5)Mark L.
Great AUTHENTIC middle eastern cuisine at affordable prices. When you're in northwest Indiana & don't want fast food or are tired of chain restaurants, eat here instead. The food is fantastic & the staff is always on point.
(5)Ryan K.
One of the best Falafel I tasted. Fresh and authentic flavors. They also serve a soup and small appetizers with every meal. The owner is very friendly and the service is good.
(5)Just M.
I enjoy the food and the small store there. When you sit down for a meal you get 4 small dishes of hummus, baba ghannoug, arabian salad, yogurt salad and pita bread. All are very good! I love the lentil soup with lemon they have there too. I never had the lamb but have been told its very good. I have had the beef, chicken and vegetarian lunch/dinners. I try to go at least once a month to get my fix :)
(5)Jenna C.
Vegetarian & Vegan Options in Indiana! Be still my beating heart! This place is ON POINT. Love supporting family run businesses. Kind staff. You sorta feel like you've stepped into their living room, and the whole fam is there greeting, serving, and cooking up generational recipes. Hummus is off the hook and the VEGAN spinach situation that came with basically an entire bag of pitas... So. Good. Lentil Soup is legit, and the babaganouj was mouth watering. So hard to find good for you, non-meat, delicious food in this area of the country. Thank God, for these guys... they got me through!
(4)brent r s.
Lemon soup is always good but not offered everyday. Ful is properly prepared and delicious. My kids love the hummus and its a kid friendly spot. The small store attached offers take away options and small treats. Would I return? Yes probably in the next month or two.
(4)Michelle Q.
Intricate layers of flavor in each dish. Lentil soup is one of the best I've ever tasted. Unpretentious decor, friendly staff, and clean. Thursday buffet had nice selection of dishes that tasted and appeared fresh not mass produced.
(5)Michael B.
AWESOME!!!......If you love Hummus, and Shish kabobs. ...you will absolutely love this place. Great service and outstanding middle eastern cuisine.
(5)Shannon D.
OMG. I just graduated from Valparaiso University, so I lived on campus. My friend and I would always travel to Merrillville to find some good eats. She took me here because she had been there before, (we love authentic, cultural cuisine). This place is AWESOME. We went around lunch time, and just as you would get salsa and chips at a Mexican restaurant, they give you 3 types of dipping sauces (hummus and other kinds) accompanied with pita bread - FOR FREE! Absolutely delicious. We both got the chicken shawarma, which was delectable. If I still lived in Indiana, I would go here at least 4 times a month. You won't be disappointed. The prices are great and, by the looks of it, I think there's a buffet sometimes.
(4)Ed R.
My favorite restaurant in our area- by far. Free sampling of hummus and other things along with warm pita as soon as you sit down. My favorite is the falafel and eggplant sandwich with a side of feta cheese. Price is less than mcdonalds for the sandwich and it comes with soup- lentil is amazing. Even my little guys who aren't super adventurous eaters yet enjoy it here. Try it out!!!
(5)Jo W.
I love middle eastern food so I'm a bit biased, but I really enjoyed this place. Service was great, fast and friendly. Food was great value for money and tasted great. Give it a try if your looking for something a bit different and much more healthy than the standard American fare you usually find on these roads.
(4)Anuj S.
I like Aladdin near Merrillville. I carried out a falafel sandwich and a side of hummus for dinner tonight. The flavor was good and I liked the tahini and hot sauce. I was a bit miffed that they charge extra for the hot sauce. It was a real sauce, though, so that was cool. Real in the sense that they actually make it. Since I took it to go, I think the food had cooled off by the time I had it. Next time hopefully I can eat it freshly made at the restaurant itself.
(4)Mari M.
My boyfriend and I ate lunch at Aladdin Pita today and everything was delicious. As soon as we sat down, our server brought us a basket of pita bread and a bounty of dips. The pita bread was fresh, fluffy, and warm. It was accompanied by hummus, baba ganoush, Jerusalem salad, and yogurt, which were all fresh and flavorful. I ordered the falafel sandwich. The falafel was seasoned very well and was fresh out of the fryer. This falafel was better than any that I have eaten near Kedzie and Lawrence. That is a powerful statement considering I have eaten a lot of falafel in my lifetime at a lot of different restaurants. My boyfriend ordered the beef schwarma sandwich and thought it was very tasty. Each of our sandwich orders included a cup of soup. My lemon rice was really good, as was his cup of lentil soup. We also paid a visit to the adjoining grocery store. They carry a great selection of spices, rice, dried lentils, imported sweets and candies, tahini, and grape leaves. I am so glad that this little grocery store exists because last time I made grape leaves I had to drive all the way to Kedzie and Lawrence to purchase the ingredients. It is nice to know that Aladdin Pita is in the area.
(5)Jesse R.
I was in Merrillville for work for a couple of days and I stopped at Aladdin Pita. The place has the best middle eastern food I've ever had. Excellent pita bread and fresh quality ingredients. If I lived near I would be a regular for sure.
(5)Mary P.
This was our first time at the restaurant and we had a wonderful experience. The menu is well rounded and easy to understand. We asked the waiter what he recommended and once he knew we hadn't been here before he took time to explain the dips and then recommended dishes that would allow us to try several items. My husband had the Business Special. A combination of shish kabab, kefta kabab, beef Shawerma and falafel. Everything was wonderful and nicely seasoned. I was going to order the stuffed grape leaves but they had run out :( So I had the Shawerma Plate. Marinated slices of beef and chicken with rice and tahini. It was great and I will enjoy the leftovers tomorrow. We will be back and since it's on our way home from work there's always takeout!
(4)Laura S.
This is more of a review of the banquet hall and the service given their. On August first I got married and had my reception here for less than 40 people and paid $20 a plate. The venue itself fairly large. They also have a quote on quote sound system found out later was kind of crappy during my dance with my husband and my father. We had scheduled from 130 to 5 o'clock to have the banquet hall and to be served food and hors d'oeuvres with some dessert of the course our wedding cakes. being the bride I kind of expected the head table to be served first, this did not happen. We waited a lot just water. The food was delicious but we got it kind of late and then there was a ton left over. To much to late. The head table was not served and we were not given plates, I had to go ask for plates and to be served through the kitchen doors as it was going on like 230 and we had barely seen anybody. It was very very unorganized for close to 800 dollars that I paid. I don't know it was up with the sound system but it was crackling and making it unbearable to even have music playing. I brought in the speaker that I had bought for the wedding to play music in a microphone and we use that instead. The only thing that made this somewhat tolerable is that the food is always delicious, but if I would have known the service was going to be this bad, I would have taken my business someplace else. It saddens me greatly.
(3)Ella B.
Excellent food! They give you 4 free samples of their amazing food even before you order. Yes the restaurant looks a bit off inside but the food is really athentic. Service was amazing too. Will definitely be back!
(5)Jerry S.
The first time I went here I was absolutely amazed. Awesome food, Kind workers. I went back three times, and its awesome each time. To start you get (4) complimentary bowls of dip, with fresh Pita bread. The Aladdin salad is the very best Greek Salad look alike I ever had. Great Lentil Soup, and the best part Lamb Chops. OMG. My wife Loved the Beef Schwarma, and yes it tasted very good. I am hooked and will return weekly. Murad, a waiter was top shelf as were all three that I had.
(5)Rick H.
Always consistent quality and great flavor in their dishes. Fresh ingredients and friendly service. I just moved to the area and discovered this gem, which is just off of Rte. 30 (but visible from the highway). I love it here!
(5)Dr. E.
I did expect to find middle eastern food in this part of the country, but I was pleasantly surprised by this find. It's a great storefront with a restaurant attached. Great people running the business and excellent items offered. The sides were a hit and the pita...excellent. The fatayer were a little dry and they forgot my cheese one....but I would have gotten 1/2 of that meal for the same price in California...so no complaints there. It was a huge portion.
(4)Rott G.
Best pita we ever had! Baked fresh to serve! Best hummus ever!! The staff is friendly and prompt. We bring friends here and they agree! The sage tea is delicious as well as the mint.
(5)Brian Z.
I came base on a recommendation from a lebanese friend. I was impressed with the sides of hummus, labna, Arab salad, babagahnog and pita. Fresh lemonade was nice. I had the falafel sandwich. Great homemade falafel in side pita with Arab salad and tahini. Best falafel I have had to date. And for desert I had the muhallabia which is like a italian pana cotta custard drizzled with a simple syrup and topped with shedded coconut and pistachios. On the menu was a few lamb dishes. And also a buffet which I will need to come try. If it is great then will probably up the review to 5 stars. Service was great and server was very attentive and quick. Not one negative.
(4)k j.
2 words: i'm hooked!
(5)Glenn M.
We went for the buffet The food was absolutely fresh and wonderful and the service was so courteous and so friendly we plan on going there again soon.
(5)Shannon L.
A+ every time. My family comes every Thursday or Sunday for their buffet. Food quality is excellent, staff is friendly and there's awesome vegetarian options. On point. Oh, and great atmosphere. I could go on and on.. truly a gem.
(5)Daniel L.
Surprised by the quality of the food and staff here. The staff were courteous and professional. By the looks from outside, it didn't seem like the place you'd find good food but this place served one of the best middle eastern food around the area.
(5)John H.
this place is great. They bring out of a lot of appetizers with you first get there, hummus, baba ganoush, and a few other things. The chicken shish kabob sandwich was awesome and it came with free soup. Plus it was a really cheap. the server was super nice also.
(5)Tom S.
The food always seems to have very fresh ingredients and I've never had a bad meal. The lamb is especially well seasoned and tender. And their lentil soup is my go-to cure when I'm under the weather.
(5)Sanford H.
Aladdin Pita, a Merrillville Oasis Commentary by Sanford D. Horn May 22, 2013 Admittedly not a big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, I recently enjoyed, not one, not two, but three good meals at good prices at Aladdin Pita in Merrillville, IN, at the behest of my girlfriend, who had dined there frequently in the past. I will share a secret initially shared with me upon my first foray into Aladdin Pita's menu - there is a daily lunch special not found on said menu. For six bucks patrons can enjoys a dinner's worth of food for lunch. Having eaten this lunch special three times, I can attest that it is enjoyable, filling, and mostly consistent. Seated in a dimly lit restaurant in a non-descript strip mall-ette of fewer than a half dozen forgettable stores, the low key wait staff brings small dishes of humus, baba ghanoush, and a cucumber, tomato, cilantro combo, along with fresh baked pita bread. While the pita is freely replenished, don't eat the contents of the small dishes too quickly as extra costs a buck a dish. While eating the appetizers, the lentil soup arrives - thick - almost a pea soup consistency, but yellow in hue with a slice of lemon accompanying. Never one for lentil soup, this is quite savory, and for a cup, leaves one wanting more. The entrees should have been, and were, served in a reasonable amount of time as in each visit, Aladdin Pita was sparsely filled. Surrounding a mound of yellow seasoned basmati rice are a delightfully spiced shredded beef - called shwarma, chunks of seasoned kabab chicken, two link sausage-shaped pieces of lamb - called keftah, some more of the cucumber salad, served with a tiny ramekin-shaped dish of tasty tahini, and a falafel ball atop the rice. In two of three visits, leftovers were brought home. In all cases the beef was excellent and the lamb was consistently good. The chicken was dry in two of three cases and overcooked in the third. If the regular menu is anything like the lunch special, I am confident there will be something for just about everyone. From vegetarian dishes to sandwiches to salads to kababs the menu is rich with ethnic specialties and numerous options. Service is consistent and steady, but not personable. Attached to Aladdin Pita is the restaurant's store featuring even more ethnic options any fan of Middle Eastern cuisine will enjoy. Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.
(4)Jason G.
Their falafel is amazing!!!!! I've had both the pita and the platter. My pregnant fiancé had a taste for falafel and gyros one day, so I ran and got both. Shortly after, I arrived with the goods and opened the bags (an amazing aroma combination) and watched as she combined the 2 together. It was the start of a whole new craving lol. But really, their food and prices are very nice.
(5)Matt P.
A very good experience. It's authentic Lebanese and nearby fare. Wife is Egyptian and they have menu items she grew up eating. Bread was warm and soft. I really liked the falafel and eggplant sandwich. The combination meat sandwich can be split into an extra sandwich, that much meat. Solid cream brûlée. This place good for novices and for experienced Mediterranean foodies. Priced right. Wait staff very good.
(5)Mike S.
Hands down the best falafel in NWI and is easily as good as anywhere Chicago has to offer. Love the free hummus dips and pita. In a nut shell, everything here is delicious.
(5)Aishwarya B.
The food is great! The falafel with dip is delicious and so is the hummus.
(5)Sean T.
A local treat! No more going to Chicago for good Mediterranean/ mid east cuisine... if you want a whole lot of bang for your buck, go in from 11-2 for their lunch special at 5.99 what a sensation, not for my wallet, every taste bud was pleased, and my stomach... 10 out of 10!
(5)Alex B.
This place has been a favorite between me and my bro for years. the food is good! Really good! and being a college guy on a budget what's to hate about a delicious chicken sandwich with soup and fresh pita bread that has a plethora of dippin sawwauzez to go with it for around 6 bucks? NOTHING, that's what. Reasonably priced for a hookah break and one of the best lemon rice soups I've ever tasted. (only on Sunday) what keeps this from the 5 star is the unfortunate luck of us sometimes having a crappy waiter. How he is still employed there is beyond me, but besides this minor annoyance Aladdin's pita is a prime choice. Update 11/27/11 Ordered the Lamb shank, wasn't a huge fan, voiced my concern to our waitress who was apologetic and quick about getting that resolved. I then ordered the Lamb chops and holy hell, my taste buds went on an adventure and I didn't wanna come back. At around 16 bucks the dish is a little bit on the pricey side especially with only 4 chops and somewhat sad in sizes.However with chops this bombastic in flavor I wish I had ordered two. Paired with some seriously tasty rice and char grilled veggies, I know exactly what i will be ordering the next time I visit Aladdin's Pita. Update 4/6/14 I haven't had bad service in a long time, seems aladdin's pita stepped up it's game. So there's nothing keeping this fine restaurant from the 5 stars it rightfully deserves. Lamb chops are still #1 in my book
(5)Cory M.
Was searching for something new in the area to eat with my wife. Came across this restaurant on yelp tired it out since we like this type of food. Outside looks ok but inside very nice. Great customer service food was very good 5 stars will be back
(5)Kathryn O.
Menu is basic, nothing special. I would much rather make the trip to Chicago for infinitely better Middle Eastern food. The service is terrible especially if you are a woman. WAY over priced for the quality of food. Tried and tried to give them chances but after a few visits I will never go back.
(2)Jennifer G.
Came in for take out this time. Had beef shawerma sandwich, which came with small salad and hummus. It was very good, the tahini sauce was excellent. I got to shop around the store while waiting for my shawerma. They had pita pies, candy, cookies, lots of treams from Hassoon Bakery, sodas, etc. I had a great fruity Middle Eastern soda of some sort. The prices are great - $4.99 for sandwich plate.
(4)P R.
Good fresh food. Very reasonable prices. Great attitude and service. What more can I say.
(5)Barb R.
It's clean and the pita bread is phenomenal, especially if you get it while it's still warm from the oven. Read my review -- examiner.com/restaurant-…
(4)Jessica W.
I tried this restuarant for the first time last night. When walking in, I was just wanting to look at the menu. I found they offer the typical middle eastern fare-- falafels, hummus, feta salad, stewed meats with rice, pitas, etc.. The greeter guy informed me they had a buffet on that night. I decided to go for it, to try a little bit of everything. I was disapointed. First the food is pretty standard. The buffet offered 2 soups, salad, 4 meat entrees and some rice, some fruit and a couple sweets-- I tried some of the stewed lamb, (which tasted STRIKINGLY similar to Rice-a-roni). I am confident it was in fact Rice-a-roni. Perhaps I would give the menu a try next time. No Buffet for me.
(2)Carlton G.
I love Aladdin Pita! I eat there all the time. Most of the time the service is great, occasionally they have a bad server (or two). The food is great and the price is even greater. I get the fallafel sandwich with soup and the free appetizers and it costs me like 8 bucks with tip! Can't beat it!
(5)Karen B.
We stopped on our way east for dinner. This is a Middle Eastern grocery, butcher shop on one side, and restaurant on the other side. They serve fresh, hot pitas with hummus, baba ghanoush, and tomato cucumber salads to start. The food was very good, fresh and extremely reasonably priced. I had a falafel sandwich and my husband a mixed meat sandwich ( shish kebab , lamb kabob and beef shwarma). Also had good Turkish coffee.
(4)Howard L.
We came back for a dinner, almost a year after our first lunch visit. It was an ok dinner, and good value at under $40 for 3, and we also all had leftovers. The son had the business special beef kabab, wife had pita pies (beef, spinach, and cheese), and I had a beef shawerma plate. The pita bread (hot and fresh) and hummus were great. I should have just ordered the Mediterranean catfish like I was going to but I wanted to give them a second chance (from last lunch visit) at the beef shawerma - and I was disappointed again as beef was old and dry. Never again for me on the shawerma - order the right dishes, and you'll be happy here. We were also pleasantly surprised that the Hookah smoking from adjacent smoking area was not very noticeable. We thought it could be a little smokey going in, but it was the type food we were looking for, and as mentioned, it wasn't a factor at all. Servers were attentive and friendly.
(3)Kim K.
We have enjoyed Aladdin Pita on nights when they have their buffet and we have enjoyed it simply ordering off the menu. Their lamb is so tender it falls off the bone. The pitas, soft and fluffy, the perfect spoon for silky hummus. If only the servers could be just a tiny bit quicker on beverages (both delivery and refill) but that's a minor quibble for a restaurant that continues to put out food cooked with such love.
(4)Jackie H.
Had a pleasant Sunday dinner here with my husband a couple of weeks back. Armed with a Restaurant.com certificate that got us $25 off a purchase of $35, we were ready to sample a lot of Mediterranean food! First off, we were cheerily greeted when we walked in by the man at the connected food-shop counter. We were seated promptly in a smallish dining room (went for the non-smoking section) that seemed porbably even smaller since it was buffet night and that was set up in our area. The place had a lot of people dining, so I'm guessing it's pretty popular. The room itself wasn't all that exiting to look at...pretty plain. The server we got was pretty low-key and softspoken in contrast from the peppy gentleman at the door. He was pleasant enough, but points deducted for never bringing us silverware--even after bringing our complimentary pitas and hummus. No worries in the end, we just stole some from the buffet line. We opted to order from the menu instead of the buffet, since we had that certificate to blow, and all. We started with the Bahba Ghanog and some Falafel. Both were very flavorful. The Falafel was piping hot too-burned my mouth! But good amount of spice. The Bahba Ghanog was a wonderful accompanyment to the warm, fresh pitas that were brought earlier. Addictive. Since we both ordered entrees, we got soup as well. They had a lentil soup that night...It was okay, but not overly impressive. For entress, I went with the kabab sampler (one chicken and two different kinds of beef) and the hubby tried the Shrimp Kallaya (a shrimp/tomato/veggie stew). Both of our entrees came with rice as well. My kababs were very enjoyable, with my favorite being the Shish kababs (pretty much seasoned stew beef). Everything was well-seasoned and flavorful. The Shimp Kallaya my husband had was just okay...It didn't seem all that special to me, but I guess that's why I didn't order it in the first place. He seemed to like it, though. We went home pleasantly full with even more leftovers to take home. This place really does give a lot of food for the money. Next time, I'll likely try one of their sandwiches as those are a lot cheaper than the entrees. Definitely will dine here again!
(4)Lindsay M.
We love this place! It's the best middle eastern food in the Region.
(4)Chris Z.
This place would be excellent if they knew whether or not their pitas are vegan (they are NOT) and if they didn't think it was ok for there to be a "little bit" of chicken in vegetarian lentil soup. NO THANKS!
(1)Jill W.
First time here -- out of this world. Second time here -- just ok. Hopefully it was just an off night. You get plenty of great food and if I'm not mistaken, it's the only (or one of few) middle eastern restaurants in the area. When the majority of places to eat are crappy fast food places or horrible chain restaurants, we need to support these places. There's also a middle eastern grocery attached, so check that out as well. Funny side note -- I saw a hippie girl walk out with a hookah, and she stopped and looked at it like she was holding the holy grail. That was worth the price of admission.
(3)Rebecca F.
My fiance and I spent Thanksgiving in Valpo with his parents and had planned our Aladdin Pita buffet night for weeks. When Sunday finally came, we piled in the car all ready for some Mediterranean buffet goodness. Pro: The selection and quality of food was incredible. I was truly impressed with the spread of sauces and appetizers: tahini, tabouleh, gourmet olives, and an amazing bread dish that was melt in your mouth yummy. Pro: The variety of meats was impressive as well: several chicken selections, lamb, beef and sausages. Pro: To top it all off, there were three dessert offerings: a creamy cheesecake, fresh fruit and a honeyed cake with slivered almonds. All of it delicious. Con: First off, my fiance and I live in San Francisco. I've been to my fair share of hookah bars in California, but I will never be able to fully enjoy a meal in a smoke-filled room, especially when five feet away, a hookah is being smoked by a woman holding a newborn baby....and a cigarette. Cigarette smoke indoors truly disgusts me, and it really compromises the atmosphere of the restaurant. Aladdin Pita, if you go cigarette-free, I'll come to your buffet night twice during my next visit. Thanks for an incredible meal anyhow! It totally lived up to the hype.
(5)Alyssa M.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. They have the best falafel I've ever tasted and all their food is very reasonably priced. Best lentil soup too. I love that they give you hummus, baba ganoush and a couple other appetizers (usually arabian salad) with super fresh pita for a FREE appetizer. Beware though, service has gone downhill in the past 6 months....they used to be so quick and attentive but now we have to ask for everything even the basics like silverware and water!
(4)Donna G.
I just came back from the buffet, and it's time to change into my comfy pants so this will be quick... Service was friendly, helpful, and quick. The variety is a sight for sore eyes and everything I tried on the buffet tasted like middle eastern homemade comfort food (perfect on this rainy cold night). On top of it all, they had the sweetest fruit for dessert. The only reason it's not 5 star is for the crazy atmosphere of the buffet crowd - it was very hard to have a dinner conversation with my husband and that kinda sucked on a Sunday night. So, I'll be back again on a normal night!
(4)Charles F.
I attended a concert at the Star Plaza Theater and wanted to find somewhere to eat beforehand. This was different than most of the other standard fare steak places and such on US 30. Fortunately, it wasn't too busy and I had no problem being seated. Before I even said anything, 4 little bowls of food and pitas were set before me. Hummus, baba ghanouj, arabic salad and another salad. It is part of some sampler appetizers for each table. I ordered the beef schwerma plate. The meat was ok though the rice was really bad. It reminded me of the rice one would receive at a low quality family restaurant. I must admit that I am quite spoiled with 3 good middle east style restaurants in my home area.
(3)angie p.
Hated this place. Went with my then step-father of middle eastern decent. I hated eating there with the nats constantly flying in my food, the chicken bryani was disgusting, and they did not offer to take it off the tab. It was inedible. The bathrooms are disgusting cause there is butt water all over the floor (the water can is not for the plants, think of it as a do it yourself bidet).
(1)Katie W.
This place has awesome food for a great value. I have had the chicken kabab sandwich and the lamb kabab plate and both were delicous. Also, while you wait for your meal you get tons of pita and several delicious sides such as hummus, baba ghannoug, and tabouleh.
(5)carmen b.
Hello, food snob here. Not to many places around to compare this to . Been there once and had the Falafel Sandwich and it was GREAT. Good quality food. The Humus and Relish that came with it were a good acompanionment. Whenever something is family owned most of the time it is good. I must go back sometime and check out buffet.
(4)Al T.
This is honestly one of the better places to eat in the Region, as well as being the only middle eastern eatery around. Service is always friendly, as they tend to hire either my dopplegangers or my friends' younger siblings. =P Serving portions are usually generous and it's hard to find anything on the menu that isn't tasty. Their Stuffed Grape Leaves are heavy on the mustard, but other than that I have no complaints. Especially since many of the dishes are vegetarian friendly! When I go to Aladdin Pita, I usually get the Hummus, Falafel Sandwich, Lentil Soup or the Lamb Stew. Heck, even the Stuffed Grape Leaves are still tempting on occasion. And did I mention this is the only place in Northwest Indiana that has a buffet you can trust NOT to give you food poisoning? That's worth 3 stars right there. As a final note, don't forget to check out the grocery section. There are some awesome sweets sold there (including Halva!) and you can pick up that last-minute birthday hookah for your friend.
(5)Jeri R.
I love this place! I love when I can go out and stuff myself silly and not feel gross afterward because the food isn't disgustingly greasy. Everything is very light and tasty. I've always had good service and the little market attached to the restaurant has some nice finds. I have yet to try the buffet but I reaaalllly want to.
(5)Paula B.
Started coming here year or so ago and kids and husband and I love it! The portions are just right, the food is superb and most importantly to me - the service is fantastic! They retain a lot of the same employees (perhaps family?) but when I go out once a week I want to be taken care of and that is the case here. The meat is all lean (no fatty grizzle). Well worth the price (although prices have gone up in the last 6 months we noticed). Will continue to eat here but perhaps not as often. A sign of the times.
(4)L. R.
Been coming to this place for years! Love the food. Love the little attached grocery store and I always get an extra plate of hummus and baba to go along with the freshly baked pitas. The only reason it isn't 4 stars is because I agree with Rebecca. Who needs the smoke just on the other side of the room? Lots of kids coming in to buy smoking paraphenalia or sitting in the restaurant smoking fruit gum. This is what ruins it for me mostly. But I like going during lunch when hardly anyone smoking is there. In fact, meeting some friends here tomorrow. Definitely worth the trouble to find.
(4)E P.
Good middle eastern food. Nothing fancy. Casual. Cheap prices.
(3)