Rich Mediterranean flavors on offer at Rockford restaurant Ali Baba's

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Mediterranean cuisine seems to be the latest craze. Just think how hummus has taken hold here, along with kebabs, falafel, tabouleh 鈥� all now readily available. For at least two of us, this kind of food is our favorite, and Ali Baba鈥檚 in Rockford, Illinois, satisfies that craving.

It looks like any other fast-food place on the inside: there are booths and tables in a clean, modern dining room. But the menu is another story. There is nothing mass-produced about the dishes coming out of the kitchen. Everything is fresh and made to order. I was excited to give it a try.

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Ali Baba

Address: 139 Sundae Drive, Rockford, Illinois.

Phone: 815-484-9200.

Website: alibabarockford.com.

Current hours: Saturday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Credit cards: Yes.

Wheelchair access: Yes.

Vegetarian items: Yes.

Gluten-free items: Yes.

Menu: The menu at Ali Baba features many Mediterranean treats, like baba ghannouj, an eggplant dip ($6.95) and stuffed grape leaves ($5.95 for six pieces) as appetizers. The gyros platter ($8.95), Mediterranean grilled chicken ($14.95), and lamb shank ($14.95) are just some of the offerings on the platter menu. Sandwiches like falafel, beef shawarma, and lamb kebab ($6.95 each) are also available and served with fries. There is a small kid鈥檚 menu as well as family-style platters and catering. Sweets from a regional bakery are for sale, and Ali Baba鈥檚 now features 鈥淩ock Melt鈥� desserts made in-house, like a Nutella milkshake ($6.95), white chocolate crepe ($9.95) and a strawberry waffle ($10.95).

Plates: 4.0

Food: 4.0

Service: 4.0

Cost: $2.95-$21.95

Value: 4.0

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