I just want to say that this place is totaly closed, but I miss it. I realized that a few weeks ago, when we were in the city. What I loved is that their falafels were made from fresh garbanzo beans and tasted like the ones that I tasted in Amsterdam. They were the best ever. They also had amazing toppings - hummus, pickled veggies, and so on. Had I known, I would have gone there before their closing. But my desperation led me to Oren's Hummus, so it's all good.
Countess D.
So underrated. Everyone is kind and welcoming. Amazing food. Great prices.
Ed U.
Oh dear, I just found out it's closing on Saturday after four decades in business. Ali Baba has a cave no more as owner Husein Dawah is retiring and certainly deserves credit for enduring so long in the Mission. I tried his corner spot for the first and what is now likely my only time just in the past month. The tired-looking place was empty in the middle of the afternoon save for some locals who popped in and out without eating anything. I ordered the lackluster $9.95 Vegetarian Combination Plate that consisted of mojjadara (a Syrian version of lentils and rice), tabouleh, a heaping scoop of hummus, and green salad (photo: accompanied by slightly stale pita bread (photo: Other than the hummus, the food tasted tired and the service was relatively non-existent. In hindsight, it made me wonder if he had already started his retirement. Oh well, good luck, Husein! FOOD - 3 stars...rather tired food made way earlier in the day at the very least AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...also tired...I'm noticing a theme SERVICE - 2 stars...just seemed disinterested TOTAL - 3 stars...yep, it's time to retire RELATED - Looking for something else to eat in the Mission? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed:
Heidi G.
this is the best Mediterranean food I've found since the Middle East restaurant in Boston many many years ago! As well as great food it's also amazing service. There was a shady character who came in to the restaurant while I was eating, and he made a bit of a scene. The lady at the counter handled it with patience and grace. I will definitely be introducing this restaurant to friends ;)
Emily D.
Very distressed to see some less than favorable reviews of my favorite falafel place EVER. I've been coming here for 10+ years and one of the MANY things that I love and appreciate about Ali Baba's cave is that the falafel is always. the. same. And I mean that in the best possible way. It's been consistently awesome for a decade! If you didn't get extra sauce it's probably because you didn't ask for it or pay for it. If you didn't like the falafel is probably because you don't like falafel. Come on, people. THANK YOU to my friends at Ali Baba's Cave for bringing me absolute JOY for so many years!
Krutika J.
The side of falafels came with no sauce. The falafel wrap was dry and no sauce whatsoever. No value for money.
Yos R.
My favorite restaurant in the city . Amazing food with a good prices Very quiet place
BobbyLee B.
I love my Super Falafel Wrap that they make special for me everytime!
Ruby R.
Literally just bought a shawarma here to eat at home. Ate half because I was hungry but it was disgusting. The meat has no flavor, absolutely no flavor. Like, they didn't even salt it. The service was nonexistent, the owner or person in charge was not paying attention to customers. The server behind the counter was trying to get him to ask me my order but he was not even trying to help. The server then looks to me and say sorry and takes me order. Gross. I should of went to one of the other places on the street, but I wanted to support old, local businesses.
Carmen R.
Not only is this the best falafel in San Francisco, I have never been sick from eating here ! The poor food safety score is misleading , see photo !
Dropped in with a friend who likes to eat meat (I'm vegan). They made awesome food for each of us! I had the super falafel with eggplant, and it comes neatly wrapped and it's about the size of a burrito. It was quite good. My friend had the lamb shawarma plate and he gobbled it down, so no complaints there! Super nice guys working there. They let me bring Charlie in. Tables could be cleaner.
l c.
Yeah, yeah whatever! I love this place. Why? The food and the people who work here are so darned nice. I went in tonight and Juan and Ali treated me like family! They remember me by name and what I order. I have not been here in two years. Juan watched my car out the window while I ate because I was parked in an illegal spot! I mean how nice is that? Ali joked and smiled and chatted to me in English and Spanish, and Juan chit chatted. I dunno, but I just love the Food and I love the staff. I've eaten here for years with no problems. Great spot, and my favorite for peeps and really good food. It ain't fancy, but it's a five in my heart. Vegan available! Oh, so yummy good. I go alone usually and I leave happy, because they are so friendly. The Food is very, very good. Take out if you want to, if you need fancy. You won't be sorry. I am a fan.
Barsaa M.
Ordered a falafel wrap to go , the food did not ha e enough salt and the falafel was dry . Will avoid
M K.
This place used to be pretty good. It's now terrible. I got a chicken schwarma plate with the dry, old meat. I brought it back and replaced it with lamb. This was equally as bad but instead of dry, just really garbage quality like fat and gristle. The restaurant and bathroom have an overall dirty, sticky vibe and needs a deep clean and refresh. I've probably eaten here 10-20 times over the last decade but since the quality has hit rock bottom, and it looks like they're no longer passing inspection, I'll never go back.
Jose V.
Nice staff but unfortunately this place was dirty! The tables were full of grime, the bathroom smell leaked into the eating area. Just walk in and look for yourself.
I just want to say that this place is totaly closed, but I miss it. I realized that a few weeks ago, when we were in the city. What I loved is that their falafels were made from fresh garbanzo beans and tasted like the ones that I tasted in Amsterdam. They were the best ever. They also had amazing toppings - hummus, pickled veggies, and so on. Had I known, I would have gone there before their closing. But my desperation led me to Oren's Hummus, so it's all good.
So underrated. Everyone is kind and welcoming. Amazing food. Great prices.
Oh dear, I just found out it's closing on Saturday after four decades in business. Ali Baba has a cave no more as owner Husein Dawah is retiring and certainly deserves credit for enduring so long in the Mission. I tried his corner spot for the first and what is now likely my only time just in the past month. The tired-looking place was empty in the middle of the afternoon save for some locals who popped in and out without eating anything. I ordered the lackluster $9.95 Vegetarian Combination Plate that consisted of mojjadara (a Syrian version of lentils and rice), tabouleh, a heaping scoop of hummus, and green salad (photo: accompanied by slightly stale pita bread (photo: Other than the hummus, the food tasted tired and the service was relatively non-existent. In hindsight, it made me wonder if he had already started his retirement. Oh well, good luck, Husein! FOOD - 3 stars...rather tired food made way earlier in the day at the very least AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...also tired...I'm noticing a theme SERVICE - 2 stars...just seemed disinterested TOTAL - 3 stars...yep, it's time to retire RELATED - Looking for something else to eat in the Mission? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed:
this is the best Mediterranean food I've found since the Middle East restaurant in Boston many many years ago! As well as great food it's also amazing service. There was a shady character who came in to the restaurant while I was eating, and he made a bit of a scene. The lady at the counter handled it with patience and grace. I will definitely be introducing this restaurant to friends ;)
Very distressed to see some less than favorable reviews of my favorite falafel place EVER. I've been coming here for 10+ years and one of the MANY things that I love and appreciate about Ali Baba's cave is that the falafel is always. the. same. And I mean that in the best possible way. It's been consistently awesome for a decade! If you didn't get extra sauce it's probably because you didn't ask for it or pay for it. If you didn't like the falafel is probably because you don't like falafel. Come on, people. THANK YOU to my friends at Ali Baba's Cave for bringing me absolute JOY for so many years!
The side of falafels came with no sauce. The falafel wrap was dry and no sauce whatsoever. No value for money.
My favorite restaurant in the city . Amazing food with a good prices Very quiet place
I love my Super Falafel Wrap that they make special for me everytime!
Literally just bought a shawarma here to eat at home. Ate half because I was hungry but it was disgusting. The meat has no flavor, absolutely no flavor. Like, they didn't even salt it. The service was nonexistent, the owner or person in charge was not paying attention to customers. The server behind the counter was trying to get him to ask me my order but he was not even trying to help. The server then looks to me and say sorry and takes me order. Gross. I should of went to one of the other places on the street, but I wanted to support old, local businesses.
Not only is this the best falafel in San Francisco, I have never been sick from eating here ! The poor food safety score is misleading , see photo !
Restaurantji Recommends
Dropped in with a friend who likes to eat meat (I'm vegan). They made awesome food for each of us! I had the super falafel with eggplant, and it comes neatly wrapped and it's about the size of a burrito. It was quite good. My friend had the lamb shawarma plate and he gobbled it down, so no complaints there! Super nice guys working there. They let me bring Charlie in. Tables could be cleaner.
Yeah, yeah whatever! I love this place. Why? The food and the people who work here are so darned nice. I went in tonight and Juan and Ali treated me like family! They remember me by name and what I order. I have not been here in two years. Juan watched my car out the window while I ate because I was parked in an illegal spot! I mean how nice is that? Ali joked and smiled and chatted to me in English and Spanish, and Juan chit chatted. I dunno, but I just love the Food and I love the staff. I've eaten here for years with no problems. Great spot, and my favorite for peeps and really good food. It ain't fancy, but it's a five in my heart. Vegan available! Oh, so yummy good. I go alone usually and I leave happy, because they are so friendly. The Food is very, very good. Take out if you want to, if you need fancy. You won't be sorry. I am a fan.
Ordered a falafel wrap to go , the food did not ha e enough salt and the falafel was dry . Will avoid
This place used to be pretty good. It's now terrible. I got a chicken schwarma plate with the dry, old meat. I brought it back and replaced it with lamb. This was equally as bad but instead of dry, just really garbage quality like fat and gristle. The restaurant and bathroom have an overall dirty, sticky vibe and needs a deep clean and refresh. I've probably eaten here 10-20 times over the last decade but since the quality has hit rock bottom, and it looks like they're no longer passing inspection, I'll never go back.
Nice staff but unfortunately this place was dirty! The tables were full of grime, the bathroom smell leaked into the eating area. Just walk in and look for yourself.