Aladdin’s Express

This is my go-​to in downtown Lansing any time I don’t bring my own lunch. Everything I have had has been very good, including the chicken shawarma plate, chicken/​beef shawarma/​falafel sandwiches, baba ghanoush, lentil soup, hummous, etc. The prices are extremely reasonable (I rarely spend more than $ 7 and am more than satisfied with the sandwich/​side combo), the service is excellent, (the line can get long around rush hour, but it moves very quickly) and the workers are always very friendly. Any time someone asks for lunch suggestions in downtown Lansing, this is the first place I mention — and as I said, one of the only places I go myself.
The only downside for me is that they aren’t open for dinner or at all on the weekends — it would be an amazing out-​of-​work option for those of us who live in the downtown area.

Fresh, clean, fast, and friendly. Gyro was tasty. Authentic middle eastern food at a fair price. I would recommend for lunch moderate line but quick service.

Pretty good Middle Eastern on Washington Square. Quite tasty, but not the absolute greatest we have available here in Michigan. I love that there are so many vegetarian options. The dining room is very nicely decorated.

Fabulous middle eastern food! Lots of vegetarian and vegan options, beautiful décor, fast and friendly service, and the cheapest smoothies in town! Everything is fresh and healthy. This is my favorite lunch spot for work days.

You know there’s going to be issues when you show up at 1:30pm on a Friday to an empty restaurant. And then when you ask for 2 orders of Chicken Kabobs and are told that they only have enough chicken for 1 order. Really? On a Friday? At 1:30pm?

By far the best middle eastern restaurant in downtown Lansing. The staff is friendly and always remembers a face. I don’t venture too far on the menu because I’m one of these people that if I discover something I like, I stick with it. The chicken schawarma salad or chicken and rice are always my go to dishes. I recently discovered and fell in love with their lentil soup as well. The lighting in the restaurant is a little on the dark side but along with the décor, it creates a bit more of an intimate atmosphere. I definitely recommend this place!

I come from the West Coast, so in reality we don’t have as much Middle Eastern food options like here in the East. Which is a pity, because it’s quite delicious, and Aladdin’s is a great primer. I have stopped pretty consistently at least once or twice a month, mainly for the shwarma, but also their various spicy meats and pita bread. Love their rice and salads too.
Great food at a great value, and the staff are always very friendly.

Great place for a lunch break! My coworkers and I order from here regularly. The staff is always friendly and while I might enjoy more options, this is express and they do get you in and out fast. The hummus is great, and I’m addicted to the Shawarma. They offer a frequent purchase program that gets you a free lunch as well.

Nicely decorated restaurant, the indoor waterfall is a nice touch. I ordered lamb kabob over rice and a surfing dude smoothie… or so I thought. I’ve been craving lamb all day which brought me to this restaurant, but when I received my dish, I realized it was chicken a bite in. When I expressed my concern, the girl at the cashier told me I had ordered chicken, and said it was too late for me to change it. Yet a lady came in while I was waiting for food returning her food, because a mixup as well. Must happen often. I ate all of my food anyways, but was turned off by the customer service.
The food was pretty good regardless (in Lansing terms I guess), and I probably would have generously given 4 stars, had it not been for the mix up situation.

Let me start by saying that I am very picky when it comes to gyros. I am new to the area and there is a place back home I frequented that no other gyros have ever measured up to. I went to Aladdin’s with low expectations.
That being said, Aladdin’s actually topped them! This was the best gyro I have ever had, hand’s down. I work downtown so I walked in at lunchtime. I was so impressed with the service too. Fast and friendly. The gyro comes with a soup or salad and since they found out I was a new customer they gave me both at no extra charge! Way more food than I can eat but it was cool of them to do. They are Mediterranean/​middle-​eastern folks who run the place so you know you’re getting authentic. I know this may be a silly thing to get excited about but the pita the gyro was on was grilled and that seemed like a nice touch. It really did make the gyro better!

Went for beef shawarma but they were out. He recommended the lamb kabobs so I said yes — might as well try something new. Oh my, sorry to say they were disappointing. Tough and chewy, too much inedible grisly lines throughout. Only about half of it was edible.
However.
I still like it for everything else I’ve tried, and am willing to try new dishes to «expand my palate.» One disappointing dish isn’t enough to keep my away from Aladdin’s.