Aladdin's

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By JEFF KORBELIK / GZO

It happens all the time:  You go to an ethnic restaurant and don’t have a clue what to order.

So, instead of trying a new or an exotic dish, you order something you’re familiar with just to be safe.

Sediq Aliwen understands this, and that’s why the new Aladdin’s owner has changed the restaurant’s concept.

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Aladdin's Middle East Restaurant on N. 48th Street has opened a new all-you-can-eat buffet featuring cuisine from the Middle East including falafel, vegetables and gyro meat. (Eva Barajas)

The Middle Eastern eatery on North 48th Street now features a buffet, allowing diners to sample foods they’ve never tried before or enjoy those — such as hummus, falafel and shish kebobs — that they are more accustomed to.

Aliwen, who hails from Baghdad, took over Aladdin’s in late May from countryman Falah Almusawy, who left Lincoln to become a translator for the Iraqi army.

Aliwen said he worked five years at Valentino’s, so he knows a little bit about buffets.

He has a good idea. There are a handful of Middle Eastern restaurants in Lincoln, but none offers a buffet.

At Aladdin’s, diners can enjoy as many as 30 items, including 10 entrees and three or four desserts. Meals are $7.49 each and are available between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A co-worker and I stopped early this week for a late lunch and had the restaurant to ourselves.

Aliwen changes the menu daily, but some items, such as gyro meat and falafel, are there daily. On our visit, there were several beef, chicken and vegetarian options.

I tried a little bit of everything, but had trouble identifying some of the entrees because the dishes weren’t labeled. Aliwen said he plans to add labels in the future.

I know the buffet contained chicken kebobs, kubbeh (meat, bulgur and spices breaded and fried), falafel, hummus, pita, gyro meat and two hot soups.

I also enjoyed two of the three desserts offered, including a delicious treat that resembled a chocolate pudding cake.

The new Aladdin’s is a nice addition to Lincoln’s dining scene.  The buffet allows diners to try new foods at a moderate price.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.