Dare to be different, and branch out from Spruce Street. Amongst Penn’s Mecca of food cart offerings, it’s easy to make the same choice over and over. There are other options, however, and Ali Baba’s Magic Food serves as a delicious alternative to Hemo’s, Khan’s, Bui’s or (dare I say) Magic Carpet. Ali Baba’s Magic Food stands out as one of the tastiest Middle Eastern offerings in the entire Penn bubble. If you’re looking for authentic and freshly prepared classics such as falafel, shawarma and kebab, this place fits the bill. Although nestled in between several other food trucks behind Pottruck, Ali Baba’s aroma wafts powerfully over to Walnut Street.
The truck offers all the standard items you’d expect from a Greek or Israeli restaurant. The meat platters ($5.95-6.50) offer generous portions of freshly grilled selections with an addictive, deliciously garlicky tzatziki sauce. Other accompaniments include a watery salad and a tasty yet soggy slab of rice. The sandwiches are a much better bet ($5.50-6.00): pita filled with the same flavorful ingredients and sauces. The falafel balls ($3.75 for a sandwich) are light and tasty, but a little greasy. The baba ganoush was also quite savory, and the tabbouleh really packs a punch with lots of fresh herbs.
Don’t be fooled by the possibility of enjoying a nice, hearty cup of lentil soup. While only $1.50, the soup was oily and contained almost no lentils. The true standout on the menu is Ali Baba’s daily special. Take, for example, the special couscous plate with hints of cinnamon and cardamom topped with chicken so tender it literally falls right off the bone. The plate ($5.50) is also nicely paired with tabbouleh, baba, and fresh chickpeas. Talk about bang for your buck.
Another plus? The lines are usually on the shorter side. And while some of the food is freshly prepared, Ali Baba is impressively quick at turning out platters and sandwiches with plenty of hot, scrumptious food.
Ali Baba Food Truck 37th and Walnut St. Don’t Miss: The daily special Skip: Lentil soup and rice platters Bottom Line: Shorter lines and low prices make this a good Middle Eastern alternative.
