mmm-yoso!!! is the blog, with the main role of Blogger played by Kirk, however while He and His Missus are on vacation, the part of Kirk will be played by Cathy.
Hi. Cathy again. I wanted to share this wonderful restaurant with you. On the corner of Main and Avocado in El Cajon, near the Courthouse, for about three years now, Ali Baba has been in business.
It used to be Top Sirloin, which had great food, but a very, very tacky ‘decor’. The interior has been transformed to look like the interior of an Arabian King’s tent. Fabric on the ceiling and walls. Rich, deep colors.
Then there is the food. Wonderful and fresh.
We started this meal with hot tea ($1) and "Ali Baba Blood Juice" ($1.50) 
, because, you know, we had to. The ‘blood juice’ is a sweet (corn syrup added) iced tea fruit (maybe pomegranate?) blend mix. It is refreshing in the summer especially. I like the minty hot tea myself. 
We started out with the small Hommus appetizer ($5), served with two pieces of *large* (about 10 inches in diameter- this perception view is slightly askew) fresh, hot baked bread. The hommus is made fresh and the portion size is quite large (the plate is deep). The large size ($8) is served on a platter and is a wonderful portion to share.
We also got the small Ali Baba salad($5), which came out looking like this,
with the chickpeas, olives and tomatoes
on top, along with the lemon (vinegar and olive oil was on the table) 
But as you can see, the rest of the salad was Persian cucumbers, which are seen more in this photo, on the bottom of the plate. It is very refreshing and is more like the salads I grew up eating-no lettuce.
I ordered a shawarma sand
wich ($6). This photo doesn’t do the size of it justice- I could only finish half. As wide as a soda pop can and much larger than one with the sandwich uncut. Those are pickled turnips on the side and inside the sandwich. The beef is *excellent*, moist and fully flavored. The bread is, again, fresh made.
The Mister ordered a lamb kebab plate ($9.95) ground lamb mixed with onions and spices and grilled over charcoal. It is served with tomatoes, parsley, pickled turnips, onions and fresh baked bread. More than enough food. Wonderful, fresh food!
All the prices are $1 less if you get the food "to go" instead of eating inside. The service is friendly and helpful and there are always large family groups eating inside.
If you live in or are near the East County, you should try it. You will like it.
Ali Baba Kabab House 421 East Main Street El Cajon, CA 92020 (619)442-3622 website