Amazing falafel—crispy golden nuggets that reveal a bright green, speckled, nutty interior—is Aladdin’s strongest dish. The falafel patties come on a puffy semicircle of pita with garnishes of shredded lettuce and tomatoes, plus a great garlicky tzatziki sauce. Gyros are pretty standard here, but ground lamb is nicely cooked: it’s crusty dark brown on one side, tender beige on the other. Wash it down with a Vimto or another imported soda in a strangely sturdy aluminum can.

This is mostly a take-out joint catering to the university crowd, so the interior is not worthy of too much description: you’ll find a bottleneck at the front counter, framed photos of some unnamed Middle East locale, and a few tables and seats at the counter.

But the staff is friendly and patrons are convivial, so it won’t ruin your hummus if you have to sit down here. And make note of this place in your late-night-falafel file—they’re open until 2am every night to sate your midnight cravings. If nothing else, you can watch the drunk college kids.