Ali Baba restaurant brings Mediterranean, American cuisine to Salisbury

At the entrance into Ali Baba Mediterranean and American Grill, the restaurant pulls foodies in with warm colors of orange, red and yellow. The restaurant's inviting space welcomes customers to sit down and enjoy dishes from Akram Hamed and Heba Gad's home country of Egypt.

Hamed hopes to see his restaurant become a representative of the kitchen table at home with families, friends and couples sitting down to enjoy a traditional, homemade Mediterranean meal. 

After opening its doors for business earlier this week, Ali Baba restaurant is offering Salisbury residents a taste of Mediterranean cuisine alongside American staples. 

"You have to have everything for everyone," said Gad, who's leading the kitchen. 

Located on Snow Hill Road, Ali Baba is owned by Gad's husband, Hamed, and it has been a dream of Hamed's for a long time. After working in the restaurant industry for years as a manager at various eateries in the area, he felt now was the right time. 

“I believe I have enough experience now to run my own," Hamed said. 

The name Ali Baba originates from one of the "Arabian Nights" stories called "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." Hamed said the name is popular with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants. With no restaurant named Ali Baba in Salisbury, Hamed said he knew the name would be a good fit. 

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Hamed and Gad are both originally from Egypt. Hamed moved to the U.S. about 22 years ago while Gad arrived about two years ago. The couple wants to bring traditional Egyptian-style Mediterranean food to Salisbury. 

“I have everything from scratch,” Hamed said.  

Customers can find traditional Mediterranean dishes stemming from Egypt on Ali Baba's menu, Hamed said. Hamed and Gad worked on the menu together, with his wife leading the cooking in the kitchen. 

Gad explained Egyptian-style Mediterranean food is different from Greek, Iranian or Pakistani Mediterranean food with its balance of spices. Nothing is too spicy or too under-seasoned. 

For foodies who are fans of Mediterranean cuisine stemming from a different country, they'll find recognizable dishes at Ali Baba with just a little bit of a twist. 

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Gad said her spice shelf is full with spices like cumin, red pepper, black pepper, garlic, turmeric, curry, paprika and nutmeg.     

Ali Baba dishes include stuffed grape leaves filled with rice, ground beef, tomatoes and mixed herbs; hummus dip made with ground chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil; and chicken or beef shawarma, which some know as gyro, Hamed said.  

The falafel is served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, parsley and tahini sauce all bundled up in a wrap. 

To pair with your food, Ali Baba offers its twist on lemonade made with mint and a few other secret ingredients. The drink comes out in a thick, creamy consistency with a frothy top, garnished with mint leaves. The mint and lemon combination give the drink a balanced taste of sweet and sour. 

But, to please all customers, Hamed is also offering American-style dishes. The menu includes wings, pizza, stromboli, burgers, pasta and various subs or wraps. 

Hamed said his goal is to please all customers by offering an expansive menu. If one person feels like Mediterranean and another feels like pizza or burgers, both can find what they want to eat at Ali Baba. 

“I have both," he said.  

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Hamed believes Salisbury is ready for more food options of different cultures.  

“Before when I came (to Salisbury), it was like not a lot," Hamed said.  

Now, Hamed and Gad hope customers become hooked on the dishes. Hamed thinks he can bring a lot of people in to try Mediterranean food since many haven't tried it before and don't know what they're missing. His hopes for the future of Ali Baba includes expansion.   

"My goal is every two years (to) open an Ali Baba restaurant," he said.  

On Twitter: @The_MegRyan

If you go: 

What: Ali Baba Mediterranean & American Grill  

Where: 817 Snow Hill Rd. 

When: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Contact: 443-978-7700