All About Food | August 5th, 2015
Cafe Aladdin offers Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine at its finest
When I moved here over 37 years ago, the ethnic food in the area was limited. In 1980, a gentleman by the name of Ahmad Younis and his family moved to the Fargo area because he could not find the work he was looking for. In 1990, he opened a street trailer (the first one in the Fargo-Moorhead area to my knowledge). He and his brother Younis Younis, opened their first restaurant, Aladdin's Market and Deli, in 1994 on Sixth Avenue North in downtown Fargo.
Ahmad describes Cafe Aladdin’s fare as a mixture of Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Whenever I think of Middle Eastern food, gyro and hummus come to mind. Ahmad said another popular item on the menu is the shish kabob. The restaurant also offers a halal gyro by request.
The brothers have done very well for themselves. Cafe Aladdin now has three different locations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Its most popular stop is located downtown. The other two are housed on 32nd Ave. and 13th Ave.
Cafe Aladdin offers food for everyone. The staff can prepare vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free meals for customers. There are even children-size plates.
It also has a little deli where they sell items such as feta cheese, kalamata olives and baklava, a traditional dessert.
In the times of many different restaurants opening throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area, it's great that these two brothers have not only been able to stay open but also to expand. So with that said, I hope you visit and enjoy their food.
When I asked Ahmad what he would like people to know about his restaurant, he put a big smile on his face and said, “I want people to know that it's family-run and family-served by the owners.”
Here is Cafe Aladdin on my good/bad criteria list for restaurants:
1. Location: Easy to find
2. Parking availability: Lots of availability at each location
3. Variety of menu: Outstanding
4. Wait staff: Great
5. Dining area: Clean
6. Food and presentation: Like perfect artwork
7. Cost: Range from $5.99 to $13.29
8. Bathroom: Clean
9. Would I go back and would I recommend it: Absolutely!
Cafe Aladdin
Three locations:
530 6th Ave N, Fargo
3017 13th Ave S, Fargo
1609 32nd Ave S #2, Fargo
June 17th 2025
April 16th 2025
March 26th 2025
March 15th 2025
February 19th 2025
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