Ali Baba’s Cave

Ooooh Ali Baba, you satisfied my crave of a gyro sandwich. I was a bit skeptical stepping into this place, but quickly all my doubts vanished.
I ordered a gyro sandwich with everything including hot sauce. It came with hummus, French fries, gyro meat, hot sauce and a few other things that I can’t quite remember right now.
The sandwich was very tasty, however, I do have one complaint, it was wrapped in lavash bread. I really wish they made laffa style bread here, it would make everything so much better.
Ali Baba is a great place to grab a quick bite and satisfy your Mediterranean sandwich cravings.

Supposedly voted the best falafel in San Francisco but we would not go back for it. It was ok.

Best falafel anywhere. Get the super falafel which is filled with lots of stuff. Can’t find one like this anywhere else. Been coming here for many many years. And now that I don’t live in the city, I still come back here every time I’m in SF.

This is one of our go-​to spots in the neighborhood! Tasty food, friendly service, and reasonable prices. The wraps are sizable, so my husband and I usually share a chicken shawarma wrap, which we get with eggplant and grilled onions (it already comes filled with fries, hummus, and tahini). Delish!

I never write restaurant reviews but I feel I have a social obligation here. I’ve never eaten at this restaurant, however I was walking by it late last night with some friends after they were closed and we noticed a ton of rats running all over the floors and counters. If you don’t believe me, I posted two photos of those little guys. DO NOT EAT HERE.

Ali Baba’s Cave was in plainsight but passed them by. walked a few blocks, discovered only pricey Salvadorean eats on mission. returned. found more pricey eateries on Valenci.
eats: iamb/​beef schwarma (8.95)
–contains french fries, grilled eggplant, chili, hummus, tahini sauce, onions, parsley, beef/​chicken sliced from split and grilled.
–first and last time eating chili in schwarma
–huge sammie, not much dripping till the end.
remember to get napkin out from under. i didn’t, found it soaked later
4.5 stars, amongst best ever tasted.
take outs:
–11.95 gets u meat with salad, 2 sides, and a piece of lavash bread.
fab value. small room for seating inside.
–one older gentleman does it all. slowly, methodical, courteous, semi-​cheerful
–everything looked fresh, sides, 4ish.

last night I stood outside this restaurant and watched 7 (!!!) rats crawl around on the floor and counter. Why has the health inspector not closed this place down yet?

Great food for a pretty decent price! The super falafel wrap is HUGE and filling for two. This place is good for vegetarians and non-​vegetarians :)

I honestly will never eat here. I’ve seen so many rats running around at night when the restaurant is closed. They also leave their fries, fried eggplant and sauce out overnight by the rats. Lovely

Delicious food and very friendly service. Come here for a quick and healthy lunch or grab something to go.

split the falafel wrap. it’s huge and delicious.
super nice staff.
cheap.
high end ginger ale.
the hot sauce is very hot.
hole in the wall that makes consistently yummy food.

This is my first restaurant review but this is an exceptional circumstance. I love the food at this place, they have amazing falafels but, DO NOT SIT IN THE CAVE! I sat in the cave for about half an hour, eating and reading. A few hours later, once I was home, some really nasty bug bites appeared on my back and leg. I have about 5 bites and I’m terrified these are bed bug bites. I’m taking the necessary precautions because these do look like bed bug bites.
In conclusion, food is good but DO NOT SIT IN THE CAVE! And owners, please take care of the problem, this is unprecedented.

This place is amazing. First, the staff is incredibly welcoming and generous.
More important than friendliness is the food. My god, the food. I must say, this is perhaps the best middle eastern food I’ve ever had. It’s so fresh, so delicious, so mouth watering… I can’t wait to go back!

love this place! Was shopping right across the street when my cousin told me to stop by Ali Baba’s Cave to pick up a wrap before we go biking. Great food for on-​the-​go! Still delicious even when the food gets cold later.
I got the beef and lamb shawarma wrap + eggplant (eggplant is a must… delicious and makes it extra moist). very flavorful overall :)

This place was voted the best Falaffel in SF and while it was good the interior was less than to be desired… They have a cool little back area with comfy pillows and such but the table is falling apart and its a little musty and unclean.
I would say grab this food to go and enjoy at home.

Just came out of Veo & looking for a quick stop to grab some lunch to go. Enter Ali Baba’s Cave
Tried the Super Falafel Wrap & the Mr said it was among the best to date. Their «super» wraps are made w/​french fries, eggplant, smooshed falafels, hummus, onion… weird combo but it totally worked! Might be good to get more hot sauce next time
Also tried their Veggie Ohzi & it was very interesting — nicely seasoned veggies & rice w/​a lovely cinnamon undertone, all wrapped up in a pastry shell. We’d totally get this again!
What a happy hole-​in-​the-​wall discovery & one we look forward to repeating… often!

Falafel wrap is ok. The falafel was dry today… what makes the wrap taste good is the balance of flavors after adding the other items (hummus, chili sauce, onions, parsley, cucumber salad, and fries… yes fries in the wrap). It all comes together nicely… but really just alright. Not sure why so many people recommend it without the onions. It certainly adds to the overall flavor.
Could easily be four star if I was stoned or drunk.

We sampled this place on a food tour. It was one of the few places that was welcoming enough to allow a group of 15 sit and enjoy their rolls and use their bathrooms. The food we had and what was on offer was pretty good. It will be worth coming back and trying more of their menu.

From an expert in middle eastern food:
This hippie place has
1– amazing falafel sandwich: ask him not to add onion though. Try it with the fries and eggplants.
2– unhealthy but great lamb shawarma sandwich: ask him not to add hummus to it.
They need to work on the interior of the place. It looks so ghetto and dim, hence the title «cave».

It’s no secret.
I have a shameless addiction to Mediterranean food.
It’s one of those things I can never get sick of. No matter how many falafels get stuffed in my face, I will always have an unceasing craving for more.
And I blame this fiery love of falafels on genetics (of course). My father has been fervidly feeding my falafel addiction since I was a wee young’n, and amid the wide selection of Mediterranean cuisine in the bay area, Ali Baba’s has always been our favorite place for that good good, hands down. I honestly have a hard time trying other places because I’ve already found perfection at Ali Baba’s.
They earn a dazzling five stars in my book because, well…
*FALAFELS are the bombdizzles. Try it try it try it. They’re huge and delicious! Definitely worth the moolah. One bite and you’ll look like that one emoji with the heart eyes, yadamean.
*The WRAPS are made to order right in front of your very eyes (O.O) You can let them know exactly what you want, or don’t want, inside of your magical creation! No hot sauce? Extra red onions? No problem. The homies at Ali Baba’s gotchu covered.
*Everything is S P R E A D so evenly it’s ridiculous. None of that sloppy nonsense. It’s amazing. Plenty of eggplant, potatoes, tabouleh, hot sauce, hummus, tahini and falafel throughout the entire wrap. Major props, Ali Baba.
*Their beef, chicken, and lamb are solid choices. The beef is well marinated and tender. The chicken and lamb aren’t super juicy, but not dry either. I personally think the beef/​lamb combo is the best choice among the three.
*Such friendly servers. They’re always happy to move a table and a set of chairs outside for us when I bring my doggy with me.
*Fast service! Shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to grab a quick bite, even with a line of customers. Yee!
Bottom line.
I heart falafels. Especially from Ali Baba’s. It’s a love that will stand the test of time, and will truly never fade.