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Aladdin's Eatery is famous for providing health-food connoisseurs with a wide variety of tasty and vegetarian-friendly meal options, but the extensive menu offers something for everyone—even meat lovers and folks who are wary of typical "healthy" meals. An excellent usage of traditional spices and flavorings makes all the difference here, so if you're a newbie to body-friendly food, do yourself a favor and give Aladdin's a chance.
Food: Light, fresh, healthy and rejuvenating are accurate words to describe Aladdin's cuisine. The focus is on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes prepared without the grease, oil and overused flavors/spices Americans have grown accustomed to since the rise of the fast food industry. Although some may find a few of the dishes bland if they are unfamiliar with "health food" cuisine. With a wide selection of salads, soups, pita "pizzas", rolled and salad pitas, wraps, and delicious desserts, it's hard to decide on just one entrée. Luckily, the prices are very fair, so you can choose more than one meal and take the rest home for later. You simply must try the Dawali (stuffed grape leaves) and Bird's Nest baklava. As for the entrées, most everything is pretty delicious.
Libations: Try "The Comfort Drink", Aladdin's signature hot mint tea, for a true Middle Eastern beverage. Green teas, organic and kosher teas, black teas, coffee and soft drinks are also served here, alongside an array of healthy raw juices and blended smoothies. Eating well has never tasted this good. A respectable beer and wine list rounds things out, including some unusual beers (Almaza from Lebanon) that you probably won't find anywhere else in Ohio.
Décor: The décor is simple, warm and unimposing. Lying somewhere between modern and ethnic, the atmosphere blends well with the menu and overall theme. This is a casual place, and although the ambiance contains rich and exotic hints, it's easy to feel comfortable, laid back and relaxed in one of the cozy booths.
Crowd: The dining area is a reasonable size, and people of all ages and ethnicities enjoy the food here, though college students and adults of Middle Eastern descent make up a large portion of the crowd at any given time. Food is available for carryout at all Aladdin's Eatery locations.
Service: Aladdin's has a reputation for excellent, friendly service, and we couldn't agree more. We fully enjoyed our experience here. Our waitress was friendly, fast and efficient, and we didn't have to wait long for our meals. The staff on hand is usually very knowledgeable about the meals served, menu options and food ingredients, making this one of the best places in Columbus for anyone who has a picky palate or any kind of food allergy.
Bottom line: Take your taste buds on a trip through the Middle East and do your body a favor at the same time. This is one health food joint that offers far more than "crunchy granola."
