Ali Baba Cafe

Great Restaurant

This place looks very humble from the outside, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to try Ali Baba restaurant. I've eaten there several times (usually I get the Spicy Chicken) and I've always enjoyed myself. The owner/ head chef definitely puts a lot of care and pride into his work. He even treated my party to some free servings of fried-banana dessert. Again, great restaurant.

Always Great

I go to Ali's quite regularly. Sometimes with my family but more often my work takes me into Sudbury frequently, and when time allows it's not uncommon for me to drag one of my collegues over to Ali Baba. I don't have to drag them back, they are usually the ones initiating a return visit. The food is consitently awsome! Ali knows how to cook! The mainstays are his Shwarmas and Falafals. So good, that the collegues I take there who are normally very conservative on trying new kinds of food, will rave about them afterwards. But other items off the menu are also good choices. I could go on with the superlatives, but that would be pointless. Just go there. It's good. And be prepared, Ali is generous with the portions. The regular serrver can be quite entertaining at times. She speaks her mind. Sometimes however, Ali is doing everything, serving, cooking, answering the phone, and busin' the tables after you leave. Also entertaining. Ali Baba's is very kid friendly. All of our kids like going there, especially since Ali will often prepare something "off menu" for them. We all feel like we've been treated.

Terrific food, service could be improved.

I'll start out by saying that overall, my experience here was a very positive one. Service was inadequate, so perhaps that tells you something about just how delicious this food really is. It's fantastic! We visited as part of a rather large group (15~) for a staff Christmas party. I recently bowed out of the serving world, so I was a bit confused as to why it took 10+ minutes for our table to get water (and even longer for refills). I will concede that there was a single lady serving us (and the entire restaurant) with the help of a young guy who was more of a 'runner', zipping back and forth helping bring food and clear plates. Still, though, some organization on the server's part would have gone a long way... She took our drink orders in waves, I think about 4 at a time. She asked for our names, and after getting 4 or so orders she would scurry away to return minutes later with those drinks, and to take the next wave of drink orders. My mind is a bit boggled as to why she'd not use seat #'s (opposed to names) and why she'd not take the full table's drink order at once... this was a rather inefficient way of doing things. I did eventually get a wine, although I had to chase down a second glass that ought to have been brought while I was starting the main course, as the first was finished after the appetizers. I'll also add that I thought it strange that we were given no explanation as to what was actually happening with our orders... we were never given menus, and suddenly food just started coming out. Salad, then bruschetta (spicy and not), then main courses of chicken marsala, beef/chickpea curry, rice, and seafood (shrimp, mussels, scallops, and I believe imitation crab meat in a wonderful sauce). Desert was some kind of fried bananas, ice cream, and sauteed berries. All of these items were brought on 3-4 large plates and we distributed it amongst ourselves--kind of a neat way of doing things for a party, I thought, but I felt that we might have had an intro telling us what to expect. The food? Like I said, it was awesome. Salad was fresh and tasty, bruschetta was nothing to write home about, but still good (and not at all soggy). The chicken marsala was one of the best things I've ever enjoyed in Sudbury! Fantastic. Curried beef was good, albeit a bit tough, and the rice was terrific. Seafood was also great, in some kind of creamy sauce. I'm not a seafood eater, but I really enjoyed it. Back to the wine, if you're a red drinker you've got two choices: merlot or shiraz. I opted for the latter... and I'll just say that the second glass was much easier to get down (my first taste did not leave a good impression). I'll be back as part of a duo, next time, and anticipate better service and will enjoy the freedom of ordering whatever I like (though it'll likely be the chicken marsala!).

Always a hit, never a miss

I go to Ali's about every other month, and although the service is sometimes questionable depending on what waitress he has, and the place isin't shick and decor dated and ugly, the food is always outstanding. I have never had a bad meal from his kitchen, his lunch menue has shawrma's and they are fantastic! I love the food, and the cook. He's great too, everything else I could go without.

This restaurant was recommended to me by more than one person, but I'm failing to see what the hype was about. The menu was not very descriptive and we had to guess what was going to come out of what we ordered. The food tasted good but was rather uneventful and smothered in dill and parsley (not necessary). We got large portions, but it was overpriced for what we were served. Although the restaurant is clean, the decor doesn't add anything to the atmosphere. Not impressed and will not be returning.

I've been many times, every item on the menu is quite good. Service is good and the staff are very friendly. Most recently went with friends and family for a fantastic meal.

Absolutely amazing food, amazing service. His...

Absolutely amazing food, amazing service. His wraps are delicious, as are his salads and pasta dishes. Everyone I was with loved their meal, and it was extremely fast service seeing as the owner was the cook, and waiter. I'd say best place in Sudbury for both lunch and dinner. Will definitely be visiting again. (Order the bruschetta as an appetizer, it is amazing.)

Amazing service for one man working, there was...

Amazing service for one man working, there was about 8 tables occupied at the time and the food was brought out timely. Super friendly guy. That doesn't even speak for the food... wow. You need to try it for yourself, amazing.

I would not go back to this restaurant. The...

I would not go back to this restaurant. The outside is as ugly as the inside! The food was awefull. Never again.

Loved the place

One man operation at Dinner time until Lady came in to help. Be patient it is worth the wait. We all of us were pleased. He said let hin know next year when we are in town he will do Lamb Shanks for me.

Amazing

I have been to this place many of times and also had take out too and i have never been dissapointed Ali is an amazing cook and the food is to die for!!!! Thanks a million ali

I tried most things on the menu and I have not...

I tried most things on the menu and I have not found yet something I don't like. Friendly service, GREAT food. You really have to go to this restaurant!

Chicken wrap is definately good. Healthy portion...

Chicken wrap is definately good. Healthy portion that fills you up. Atmosphere and service is where this place is lacking. But a good lunch spot for sure

I ordered take-out for one. When I ordered my...

I ordered take-out for one. When I ordered my curry, I was asked how I like my curry which made me super happy because I like a mild to medium curry and he did it. I went to pick up my order at the time I said I would and my food was just being packaged, which also made me happy because I knew my food was not sitting around waiting for me and getting cold. The salad was super fresh and large. The food was awesome, I will be going back in the near future with friends to try some of the other dishes.

Food took forever to be served, the quantity in...

Food took forever to be served, the quantity in the chicken shwarma was only 2-3 pieces, and all we could taste was the pita bread, which was cold. I have had shwarma before at other restaurants in Toronto, and the real shwarma tastes ALOT better.

try the hummus! Chicken marsala was nicely spiced...

try the hummus! Chicken marsala was nicely spiced and tender. Thought the coucous would be cold, however delicious warm with a good quantity of shrimp. Very tasty dinner. Definitely plan to return soon.

Fantastic!!! Great spicy curry, lots of flavor...

Fantastic!!! Great spicy curry, lots of flavor without burning your mouth. Veggies were perfect the hummus and flat bread appetizer was perfect. Our charming host was busy but did a great job!

The sauce was amazing and we really couldn't get...

The sauce was amazing and we really couldn't get enough but our stomachs gave out before the portions did. The waitress was new and definitely in need of some hospitality skills but she tried. Their liqueur license is still pending so when the sign comes down from the window we'll go back to try an absolutely fabulous meal with a nice red wine. The only real negative for us was a restaurant with a distinctive name which hints at a certain exotic cuisine presents a rather sparse menu. Since the menu is a function of the kitchen and there is only one person manning the pots one shouldn't be surprised.

Unbelievable value and taste. Well done...

Unbelievable value and taste. Well done. Sudbury's best-kept secret.

This restaurant is AMAZING! The food is...

This restaurant is AMAZING! The food is absolutely to die for. The owner of the restaurant is also the chef and he is extreamly friendly. The food that you receive in this restaurant is comparable to a fine dining restaurant, and the prices are very inexpensive. I recommend this restaurant to anyone!