I've been coming here for years, ever since George's Greek Gyro's moved down the street and I realized that, as a vegetarian, there was no longer anything I could get there but a salad on a pita. I kind of like the Greek ranch sauce (I think of it as a tzatziki variant) and the Greek fries are awesome. I usually get the falafel, which I've been happy with. There's a big menu, carefully chalked in on a big chalkboard above the owner's head. Credit cards OK but it costs extra to use one. The place is a little dinged up (it's been a restaurant, without many changes, for about the last 25 years now; my dad started eating at George's in the early 80s) but that doesn't bother me. The stupid TV they installed does. I keep saying I'll stop coming here because of the TV but I still come by occasionally. read more

Pretty decent for Americanized Greek food. In fact, they're more deserving of like a 3.5 star rating. I'm on a crusade to try out all the Mediterranean joints in town, so I stopped in here earlier today for lunch. Their menu seemed to have quite a few options, but whenever I try someplace new I always order the standard: gyro and baklava. I was feeling especially hungry so I got the plate with everything on it. I was pleasantly surprised by the succulency (new favorite word) of the meat, that part was good. The sauce was good as well, but there was something a little off about it. Either this was some kind of ranch dressing or it was a style of tzatziki that I'm unfamiliar with. It was pretty tasty, if not possibly somewhat unauthentic. The baklava was also pretty good, so extra points for that. The whole shebang plus drink came out to like $10.39, which seems about average. Overall, I've got no real complaints. A pretty standard but satisfactory joint. read more

This spot is definitely the best late night food around. I'm not joking when I say I've have walked to Ali Babas blackout drunk for 4+ miles just get to get a gyro with the "shaky shake" totally worth it. Also fun fact: Ali babas is a got me laid, so good for the staff! read more

Gyros from here are always fresh and amazing. Best in Lincoln! I love getting the French fries with seasoning instead of steak fries! their tzatziki sauce is the best around. Great service every time too :) read more

I love this joint so much, I definitely recommend the hot and spicy gyro!! The fries are also amazing

Me and my girlfriend have gone to Ali babas for years and it's in my top three places to eat in Lincoln. We always get the gyro with fries and I've never had a bad experience. read more

Traveling for work. Haven't had a gyro in ages. Walk in to an empty restaurant. Old man behind the counter. I've actually ordered gyros before and was served gyros with lettuce. Yuk. So I asked what he puts on a gyro. He says sauce onions and tomatoes. Classic sandwich. So I ordered one along with some steak fries he was grilling, to eat there and a Greek salad to go. I watched him make my gyro, huge, and just like he said, he put sauce onions and tomatoes. He then put a giant spoonful of grated cheese of some kind. WTF. I actually say WTF. He looks at me like WTF you don't lika cheese? I grabbed the plate and said I'd wipe it off. I did but it still tasted like chit. The potatoes were delish. The whole time I was eating in this empty restaurant he was on his cellphone talking very loudly in a foreign language. I couldn't even hear what was on the news on the television When I was done I came to the counter to get my salad. He gave me the container and it seemed kinda heavy. I thought I hit the jackpot. When I got home I opened it and like WTF. It was gyro meat piled on lettuce and tomatoes. With more of those delish potato wedges. This is not what I ordered. I drove back to the restaurant. Walked in like WTF. I ordered a Greek salad. He said that's what I gave you. I insisted that it was not a fuc*=# salad. I threw the thing on the counter and walked out. I'm from Chicago and when you go to a greasy spoon and order a Greek salad you get crisp lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, green and/or red peppers, pepperoncini with Greek dressing. Very refreshing. Not that crap he sold me. read more

This place is the TRUTH. For $7 get the spicy lamb gyro and have them add some feta on top of the standard yogurt sauce, tomato, onion. The spicy lamb has serious kick but they also have hot sauce if you want to go next level. The two brothers who run the business are the nicest day or night. It's usually pretty speedy but even if it's not it's worth it. read more

Ali Baba Gyro - Mediterranean Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

The menu is written with chalk on a blackboard, it's got some pictures but nothing that you could visualize the item. The menu is in sections with to some familiar names to regulars, like Z plate or Gyro sandwich or Gyro plate. But the best feature here are the greek fries, which are large wedge fries, seasoned to perfection and grilled lightly. If you ask you might get a few of the crunchy ones. The food come out fast and hot with a friendly smile asking if you want other condiments added like onions or the added cucumber sauce or what is really needed is Feta added. You can't got wrong with whatever you order, word of warning the kebob's take more cooking time, so call ahead if you want it when you arrive. This has been a stable here you years, no decades. Must be doing something right. read more

Was heading to Colorado with my son , wanted something different and stopped here The food was authentic and outstanding!!! Friendly and clean. If your in Lincoln give it a try, you won't be disappointed if you enjoy a great gyro. read more

The food is cold and looked like it had been sitting on the grill all day long. The fries were barley warm and the meat was not even heated up prior to making my plate. The owner handled my food with his dirty bare hands too. read more

I hate to give this place a bad review. But the food was terrible. I had to go to Lincoln for a meeting. I have searched Omaha for a good falafel sandwich but have yet to find one that I consider even mediocre. As I was driving in, I noticed this place and they had a sign that said "falafel". On the way back I had to stop. I will say that the guy that served me, that I assume was the owner was wonderful. He was VERY VERY nice. I ordered the falafel sandwich with a side of hummus. They make their own bread which was pretty good but it was a bit thick for me. When he initially brought me the sandwich, there was no sauce. I asked for yogurt-tahini sauce. What I got was some disgusting sauce that was closer to a bad ranch dressing. I was able to dip the falafel in the hummus, which had alot of poor quality oil, similar to motor oil, on top of it. The sandwich did come with fries, which were the best part of the meal. When I initially saw the fries, I thought--oh--i didn't want fries. But they were good. The owner had a conversation with another customer and told him the most popular thing is the gyro and that is what most people order the first time they were in. He was impressed that I had ordered the falafel. I should have told him how bad stuff was but he was so nice. In their case under the cash register, were some delicious looking pastries. I asked him where they were from because I recognized the boxes from a place that I used to frequent in Dearborn MI. He was familiar with the place but reported that they made the pastries themselves. I had to get some, so I ordered two to eat on my drive back. They too, were a huge disappointment. I think they were stale and had a rather rancid oil and honey quality to them. Maybe their gyros are better..... read more

OMG!! The tandoori chicken kabob is the best late night food ever (but you're going to have to wait for it!) Those lemon-y potatoes are so tasty as well. read more

Going out to eat is almost like a mating ritual for me and my partner so we tend to go out to eat frequently. When we want a burger, we head over to Ali Baba Gyros. Yes. CHEESEBURGERS. Mushroom Swiss to be exact. It does take extra time as they make your meat patty fresh from frozen but they are nice enough to tell you that it will take extra. It's great that they know people are in a hurry downtown. Open late, you can head in until 2am or so and still order off the menu. I am not a fan of lamb so I don't get gyros, but the burgers are the big draw for me. You get a choice of steak fries or freshly made crinkle cuts. Cheese sticks are delicious and so are the fried mushrooms. We have ordered onion rings but they were undercooked and not delicious so we stick to fries. Ali Baba has a large selection of items; almost too many! But there are some vegetarian options on the menu and they usually make everything fresh to order although some may be frozen. Overall, a good choice for downtown Lincoln any time of day. During the warm months, they have a great outside seating area where you can park your bike, sit, enjoy the weather and people watch. read more

Update: Still the best gyros in town, and quite frankly, anywhere that I've had. Nothing compares. Ali baba's by far has the best gyros in town! If you're looking for something quick, delicious and comparable in price to fast food, (but a bazillion times better) please give them a try! It's actually surprising that I'm finally writing a review about one of my Lincoln staples. Of course, my love of this place started back in the day as a prime spot for late night food after a tour of O street. But the test of time has proved Ali baba's is so much more than that. Now it is one of my preferred lunch or quick dinner choices. Service is always exceptional when we come in, and if you come enough, the owner (presumably) will greet you with a friendly smile and remember your face, and sometimes your order! My fiancé and I always gets the spicy z plate, so unfortunately I can't say I've explored the menu extensively, (although I'm sure whatever you get would be amazing). The z plate is a gyro made deliciously spicy with hot sauce and spices in the grill. I load mine up with everything (feta, lettuce, tomatoes, onion), including jalepeno, and I get the sauce on the side to prevent it from making my sandwich soggy. Do as you please. The steak fries are also an amazing addition if you're really hungry. The portions are great and comparable for the price you pay. Come prepared with cash if you are using card for a small purchase, as they may assess a fee. Enjoy one of Lincoln's best!!! read more

Another recommendation while in town and another winner. I had the Z-pack from the menu. Fantastic. ... Two thumbs-up! read more

Ali Baba Gyro - The Z-pack - Mediterranean Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

My first time coming here. Just dropped my kid off to college so was excited to get some Mediterranean food after traveling 21 hrs from Los Angeles. First bite was great but then my taste buds experienced a mountain of sodium which made it hard to have another bite. I had the regular Gyros with the cucumber yogurt sauce however, I did not see a cucumber in the sauce. I'm used to cucumber sauce with cut up cucumber in it. The fries were good but it might have been Ole Rida fries frozen with seasoning. Overall everything seemed processed and previously frozen. I understand restaurants get busy and shortcuts are helpful like package shredded lettuce but something should be made fresh or at least taste fresh. But the best thing was the friendly service which is always important. read more

One of the oldest in town. Try their chicken kebabs! excellent! Visit quite often! They also have Tues special for lunch. Love the place!

I've been going there for 22+ years. It's seriously the best Gyro and Gyro salads I've ever had! I live in Omaha now and I make it a point to eat here whenever I'm in Lincoln. I love this place! read more

Ali Baba Gyro - Mediterranean Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

I really enjoy Ali Babas. The people who work there are friendly and helpful, and the food is consistently good. The menu is ridiculously extensive. I say ridiculously because there is no reason to get anything other than the cheese gyro. But that's just my opinion. My brother had the falafel and said it was very good as well. Reasonably priced and a great location. The interior is rather boring, but it's got that hole-in-the-wall charm that I think adds to the whole experience. Overall: Service: Always friendly, those guys are great. Food: Consistently good; large menu. Atmosphere: Acceptable. Charmingly acceptable. read more

Stupid good. Meat is great quality. Toppings are good. Very authentic taste. Place is a bit of a dive and never in a hurry, but damn the food is good read more

I was wandering across the desert, my horse had died and I was starving to death. I found a small patch of tiny little button cacti and I carefully began eating them out of desperation for food and hydration. A twisting sensation seized me from the center of myself and my vision began to throb and swim. A strange glow began to appear over all of the world - the desert, the sky, the space in between dimensions, I realized with surrendering and immediate understanding that the little cactus buttons I had eaten were a powerful sacrament and that I was, for better or for worse, about to enter a spiritual journey that could either guide me to safety or see me into the afterlife with some imparting wisdom. From the horizon all the way to the top of the sky a figure began to materialize into view. It was a person, but it was as big as the sky. The person glowed and there was no definition to its eyes. I was terrified and trembling in my cowboy boots. "Fear not, hungry cowboy, for I am here, and will guide you to the sustenance you need. Today is not your time to join us on the Great Plain." I fell to my face and crawled like a worm in the presence of this giant supernatural being, at first not knowing how to speak. After another glimpse I noticed the giant apparition was smiling. I managed to speak. "Who.. who are you?" I stammered. "I have been called many things over the millennia," said the being, "but in your language I have most commonly been referred to as, Mianashan. I am a visitor from a realm that you have yet to visit yourself. And there are too many bad guys to shoot and horses to break and poker games to play yet, so I am here to rescue you from the predicament that you have found yourself in. I am here to bring you to Ali Baba." The voice of Mianashan was louder than thunder, but soothing and beautiful. The benevolent goddess smiled wider, and her eyes, which blazed with white fire, blazed brighter until the world all around me became as bright as a sustained camera flash. The desert was gone, and as the brilliant light began to fade back to normal I saw that Mianashan was gone, and I was sitting in a small diner that was bursting with the fragrant smell of seasoned meat and roasting potatoes. I rubbed my eyes and saw a counter with a giant chalkboard menu on a wall behind and above it, and a smiling man behind it. I slowly dragged myself to my feet and approached the counter. "Are you Ali Baba?" I asked. "Haha, no. You are inside Ali Baba." Spoke the kind man. "You look frail, my friend. Come, let me get you some food and water." He pointed to the menu and said, "I think for you, that the Z Plate will be the healing you need" I accepted the Z Plate, a gyro with onions, tomatoes, feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce, with some fat-cut steak fries stuck within, and greedily ate the whole thing, followed by 5 cups of water. I could feel my strength returning. I needed more. There was a part of the menu that looked out of place, and I could see with mounting amazement that it glowed in the steel whitish-blue color Mianashan had set to the entire world before what would have been my welcome death in the desert south of Rathskellers Fork. I looked closer and saw a scant vision of the goddess's face, smiling. In English a menu item began to appear: "The Continuous Baba." "I'll have the Continuous Baba please" I said to the man, with a giant wolfish grin, the grin of a killer cowboy coming back to life and eating meat by the armload. "Are you sure?" Said the man, with a worried expression. "Most people do not see the special item. You have been sent by the goddess Mianashan. Why?" I could see fear growing in his eyes. "I don't know," I said, "but she wants me to have the Continuous Baba. That is all I know" "That item can kill a man!" Exclaimed the man, "Do you think you can survive the test laid upon you by the benevolent goddess?" "I was already dying and she transported me to you." I explained. "I do not see the harm in dying here, if she wills it. If I do, then I will go to the Great Plain." "Do not speak of the Great Plain! Ok cowboy, as you wish, one Continuous Baba, coming right up." He said with a trepiditious frown. The ceiling of the diner vanished and the sky filled with pterodactyls, descending and hauling with them a giant spit with a spinning gyro meat on it. When the meat wheel reached my position, I knew what to do to accept the Continuous Baba. I opened my jaw and locked my upper row of teeth on the side of the meat wheel. The wheel then turned and the meat fed itself into my awaiting stomach. The ancient creatures roared with satisfaction as the wheel spun and spun, my belly growing with the continuous feed of gyro meat cutting at my row of teeth and sliding down. As I died, I saw the smiling face of Mianashan reappear, and behind her I saw an expanse more vast than any human mind can comprehend. I am writing you all from the Great Plain, to tell you that Ali Baba is amazing. read more

Ali Baba is the treasure on 14th street. I am a fan of the "Z" plate -- an overloaded pita served open-faced on a plate with seasoned steak fries radiating out from under the traditional Gyro meat and such. I usually eat half the fixings and all the fries with a fork and then pick up the pita, fold it in half, and devour the rest like a traditional Gyro. The only thing else on the menu I've tried are the Kebobs -- they were fabulous! One kebob for a snack, a Gyro for a light meal, or a "Z" Plate to fill yourself up when you are really hungry. This is the only place I go for Gyros in Lincoln now. read more

To ask for a well prepared gyro in Lincoln is tough. The product served was under par. If the owner would care that would be great. I think I will stic k making my own. Waste of money read more

Staff is pure class. Fries are fantastic. The gyro delicious, what more do you need?

By far, my favorite downtown comfort food! The gentleman working behind the counter has been serving delicious gyros since at least the middle 80's, and he's as happy and polite as ever. Support our local places everybody, our economy needs help on every street corner...they need our business. read more

This place is a rip off. I ordered gyro sandwich, and they gave me tiny pieces of gyro meat and a lot of lettuce filled in the sandwich instead. I didn't come in to eat lettuce, and if I wanted lettuce I could have made myself at home or gone to somewhere else okay like Olive Garden. Give the people whet they paid for, a decent sandwich filled with gyro and stop ripping them ( Sir the owner) ?? I won't go there again. :-) read more

Sorry. Not a fan. I ordered the falafel and wanted to substitute hummus for the white dairy sauce. This was not acceptable to the owner, and I had to pay an extra 5.99 for a side of hummus. The veggies were pale and old. I'll try the other gyro place down the street. No problem! read more

Best gyro in town. Little pricey and you definitely gotta ask em to make it good or they will skimp. Awesome after the bars, or even just a switch it up dinner. read more

Excellent gyros, good fries, good cheese sticks, good falafel sandwich. The service was fast and friendly, and the location was accessible. If I ever have dinner in Lincoln again, this place will be on my radar. read more

Hole in the wall right near campus, open late and serves the best gyros! Big portion sizes! Friendly service, highly recommend.

I am never disappointed here. Great people run this place, and the food is fantastic. I like the Z plate, the chicken kabob, and the burgers. All very tasty and reasonably priced. Plus they are open late! read more

They hook it up on the gyro meat! They are open late which works well for the kids going to Harry Potter's midnight premier or after you get out of the bar (I am the latter). read more

Friendly employees, great food, cozy and nostalgic dining area. If you grew up in Lincoln, maybe just went to college there, I'm sure this place is familiar. Everything on the menu is very good, definitely get a gyro if you can't decide what to eat! read more

The best place for a gyro or chicken kabob in town! The Z- plate is the greatest thing I have ever eaten anywhere. The staff is friendly and they are open late. Don't be fooled by the other ripoff place in town, this is the real deal! read more

One of the best gyros I've ever had. Great prices. Good atmosphere. I love hole in the wall places like this.

Gotta try this place! It's a Lincoln staple and has been around forever. I get the same tandoori chicken kabob every time! It's tasty on pita or over salad. I like the portion size and I can save it for later or just save my appetite for this delicious/healthy dish! read more

Great gyros. some say it's a bit overpriced but you get a lot of food. So you basically get what you pay for. :) The man who helped us (I'm guessing is the owner) is super friendly. :) read more

Love it! Though I always confuse it with the place next door. What's that one called again? Oh never mind. They're both the best.

A very friendly staff and a large menu. If you are downtown and are having a Greek craving, stop in. We have been going there for years and love the owner! Vegetarian friendly with some good American choices as well. read more