What Aladdin's Eatery is and how to order

Aladdin's Eatery is a Lebanese restaurant chain where you order at a counter, pay, and then pick up your food when it's ready. You don't sit down first and wait for a server — the model is fast-casual, similar to Chipotle or Panera. Most locations have a few tables and chairs, but many people take their food to go.

When you walk in, you'll see a menu board or printed menu showing the main dishes, sides, and drinks. You step up to the counter, tell the person taking orders what you want, hand over your payment (cash or card), and they give you a number or receipt. Your food comes out in a few minutes, and you pick it up from the counter or a pickup window.

Aladdin's also takes orders online through their website or app for pickup, and many locations deliver through third-party apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats. Online ordering works the same way: you select your items, pay, and then either pick it up at the restaurant or have it delivered to your address.

Key Takeaways

  • Aladdin's Eatery operates as a counter-service restaurant where you order and pay before receiving your food, not a full-service sit-down establishment.
  • The menu centers on Lebanese dishes like shawarma, hummus, falafel, and grilled meats, with options to build your own plate or choose a set meal.
  • You can order in person at the counter, through their website or mobile app for pickup, or through delivery apps if your location offers that service.
  • Most locations are open for lunch and dinner, though hours vary by restaurant, so check before you go or order online.
  • Prices are typically in the $8 to $16 range for a main dish with sides, though combo meals and family packs may cost more.

The menu: what you can order

The core of Aladdin's menu is shawarma — thinly sliced, seasoned meat (usually chicken, beef, or lamb) that's cooked on a vertical spit and served in a pita or over rice. You can get it as a sandwich wrapped in pita bread, as a plate with rice and sides, or as part of a combo that includes hummus, salad, and a drink.

Beyond shawarma, you'll find falafel (fried chickpea patties), grilled chicken or lamb kabob, and sometimes fish or shrimp. Most dishes come with your choice of two sides — common options are hummus, baba ghanoush (roasted eggplant dip), tabbouleh (parsley salad), rice, or roasted vegetables. You also get pita bread and a sauce, usually tahini or garlic.

Many locations let you build your own plate: pick a protein, choose your sides, select your bread, and add toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion. This is useful if you have dietary restrictions or strong preferences. Aladdin's also sells appetizers like hummus and pita chips, salads, and desserts such as baklava or knafeh (a sweet pastry).

Drinks are usually soft drinks, bottled water, and sometimes fresh juices or Middle Eastern beverages. Check the menu at your specific location, because offerings can vary slightly between restaurants.

Pricing and what a typical meal costs

A single shawarma sandwich typically costs between $8 and $12, depending on the protein and location. A shawarma plate — which includes the meat, rice, two sides, pita, and sauce — usually runs $12 to $16. Combo meals that add a drink and sometimes a dessert or appetizer are usually $2 to $4 more than the plate alone.

Falafel sandwiches and plates are often slightly cheaper than meat options, usually $7 to $11. Appetizers like hummus and pita chips run $4 to $7. Desserts are typically $3 to $5 each.

Prices vary by location and can change over time, so the best way to know the exact cost is to check the menu at your nearest Aladdin's or look at their website. Many locations post their full menu and prices online.

How to order online or through delivery apps

To order through Aladdin's website or app, go to their site, enter your location or zip code, and select the restaurant nearest you. You'll see the menu for that specific location. Add items to your cart, review your order, and proceed to checkout. You'll enter your payment information and choose either pickup or delivery if available.

For pickup orders, you'll get a confirmation with a pickup time — usually 15 to 30 minutes after you order. You go to the restaurant at that time, give them your name or order number, and pick up your food. For delivery, you enter your address, and the restaurant or a delivery driver brings your food to you. Delivery times vary but are often 30 to 60 minutes depending on distance and how busy the restaurant is.

If you order through a third-party app like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, the process is similar: search for Aladdin's, browse the menu, add items, and pay through the app. The app will show you an estimated delivery time. Keep in mind that third-party apps charge a delivery fee and sometimes a service fee on top of your food cost, so ordering directly from Aladdin's website is often cheaper if pickup is an option.

Dietary options and customization

Aladdin's menu includes vegetarian options like falafel, hummus plates, and vegetable sides, so vegetarians have real choices beyond just removing meat. If you're vegan, you can order falafel and most vegetable sides, but check with the restaurant about whether their hummus, tahini sauce, and other dips contain dairy or animal products, as this varies.

If you have a gluten allergy, ask whether the restaurant can serve your meal over rice instead of pita bread. Many locations can do this, but policies vary. Call ahead or ask when you order to make sure they can accommodate you safely.

You can customize almost any dish: ask for extra of one side, hold a particular ingredient, add extra sauce, or swap proteins. The counter staff are used to these requests. If you're ordering online, look for customization options in the menu — most apps let you add notes to your order.

Hours, locations, and how to find your nearest restaurant

Aladdin's Eatery has locations across multiple states, with the largest presence in the Midwest and Northeast. To find the restaurant nearest you, go to their website and use the location finder, or search "Aladdin's Eatery near me" in Google Maps.

Hours vary by location but typically run from late morning (around 10 or 11 a.m.) through evening (around 9 or 10 p.m.). Some locations may have different hours on weekends. The best way to confirm hours before you go is to check Google Maps, their website, or call the restaurant directly.

If you're ordering online, the website will show you which locations are currently open and accepting orders. If a location is closed or not taking online orders, you won't be able to place an order there through their app or website.

What to expect when you pick up or receive your order

When you pick up an in-person order, your food will be in a container or wrapped in foil, depending on what you ordered. Shawarma sandwiches are usually wrapped; plates come in a compartmentalized container so the rice, meat, and sides don't mix. Sauces are often in small cups on the side so you can add as much as you want.

If you ordered delivery, your food arrives in a delivery bag. Check that everything in your order is there before the driver leaves. If something is missing or wrong, contact the restaurant or the delivery app right away — most will remake the item or refund you.

Aladdin's food is best eaten fresh, ideally within an hour or two of pickup or delivery. If you're taking it home and eating it later, store it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently in a microwave or oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation at Aladdin's Eatery?

No. Aladdin's is a counter-service restaurant, not a full-service sit-down place. You walk in, order at the counter, and sit at whatever table is available. Reservations are not taken or needed. If you're ordering online for pickup, you don't need a reservation either — just order and pick up at the time given.

Can I modify my order if I've already paid?

If you've just paid and your food hasn't been made yet, ask the staff right away — they can often make a quick change. If your food is already being prepared or is ready, changes are harder. For online orders, you can usually modify your order within a few minutes of placing it through the app or website. After that, contact the restaurant directly by phone.

What's the difference between a shawarma sandwich and a shawarma plate?

A sandwich is the meat and toppings wrapped in pita bread, meant to be eaten by hand. A plate includes the same meat but served over rice with two sides, pita on the side, and sauce. The plate is more filling and lets you eat with a fork. Both come with the same protein and flavors — it's just the format and portion size that differ.

Does Aladdin's have a loyalty program or rewards?

Many Aladdin's locations offer a rewards program through their app or website, but this varies by restaurant. Check the app or ask at your local restaurant whether they have a loyalty program. If they do, you'll usually earn points on purchases that you can redeem for discounts or free items.

What if my delivery order arrives cold or wrong?

Contact the restaurant or the delivery app when ready with a photo if possible. Most will remake the order or refund you. If you ordered through a third-party app like DoorDash, you can report the issue directly in the app, and they'll handle the refund or replacement. Keep your receipt or order confirmation so you have proof of what you ordered.