For a feast of Mediterranean dishes served fresh, the deli counter at Aladdin’s Market & Kitchen is the way to go. Perfect for a quick lunch pick up, the fare is authentic and delicious, perfectly combining the refreshing flavors of the Mediterranean into effortless meals light enough for lunch but hearty enough to satisfy any appetite.
The menu is expansive, which can make it difficult to know where to start. Appetizers including dolmas and falafel catch the eye.
For a full meal, consider building your own bowl so you can mix and match the flavors you love. Choose from chicken, beef or falafel (vegetarian) with a base of pita, lettuce or rice. Then, add your toppings; it’s all about the classics here including pickles, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. For sauces, the options feel endless from the light, yogurt-based tzatziki sauce to a fresh garlic sauce and everything in between. The bowl is filling and the meats are tender and full of flavor, clearly marinated in a special recipe of herbs and spices that we’ll never get our hands on.
Shawarmas are another big sell. Again, the option is for chicken or beef, rolled up in pita bread and boasting a similar mix of ingredients as mentioned above—tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and garlic tahini sauce. The soft bread mixed with the warm meat and light and fresh toppings make for an ideal combination year-round. If you’re going vegetarian, the falafel sandwich is similar.
Perhaps a little Americanized, the menu does have French fries… but we suggest getting the shawarma fries. Soft in the middle and crispy on the edges, these fries are loaded with chicken or beef, Mediterranean salsa and a house blend of seasoning before bring drizzled with garlic sauce. Greek fries, topped with feta cheese and parsley, come with your choice of sauce for drizzling or dipping.
On any given day there are specials available at the counter as well. When we visited, it was chicken wings and fries with Aladdin’s flair.While you wait for your order to be up, walk around. The market is filled with Mediterranean goods you can’t find just anywhere. Stock up on jars of olives, delicious cookies and freezer favorites. Basmati rice and strawberry wafers are available, too—and despite being imported, the prices are fair, allowing you to indulge in the culture and cuisine at home, too.
