Dan's Take on Our Day at the Corpus Christi's Festival and Our Family Review: Ali Baba Kabab's in Cuenca, Ecuador

Flower Market in El Centro Cuenca

Flower Market in El Centro Cuenca

Flower Market in El Centro Cuenca

We went to the flower market and then on to the booths that have candies and cookies for sale.  Some of the items are supposed to only be for sale once a year at this festival so the ladies were eager to attend and try some different offerings.

Heather's Favorite Building in Cuenca

What we found was mostly not homemade and a bit stale or very dry.  There were a lot of gummies ( a favorite of mine!)  So I scored a few that are hard to find here.

Sweets, Baked Goods, and Gummies :-)

We walked the booths amazed at the amount of items for sale.  There was a light rain falling and we ducked from awning to awning to try and stay dry.  That idea worked well for about 5 minutes, then an awning gave up a puddle and it emptied upon Heather and me soaking us both.  We should have brought an umbrella but when we left home, it was clear and sunny.  That’s how it is here in Cuenca, it can rain for 10 minutes and go back to clear and sunny the rest of the day.  It reminds me of Colorado in that way.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER BEES

Another thing that we had been warned about was the bee's at the booths.  No joke, there were swarms of them buzzing and eating.  I am allergic to the stings and I was a bit nervous to be around so many of them at once.  Mama assured me that they had no interest in me, they were in heaven with all the sugar and honey around.  Walking through clouds of bee's when a single sting can send you to the hospital is still unnerving to say the least.  But Mama was right, I went unscathed.

After we finished our walk, we caught a cab to a restaurant I had been to once before on a “guy's night out.”  I had enjoyed it a lot and had spent a lot of time talking it up to the ladies.  It took a bit of convincing.  They had tried Greek food in Hernando, Florida with little success.  I had some doubts they would like this place but I talked them into trying it.

 Review:  Ali Baba Kabab

Cuisine:  Middle  Eastern, Persian

Owner:  Reza Alibabai

Location: Augustin Cueva y Remigio Crespo | Around the Corner From Subway Sandwich Shop City and Country:  Cuenca, Ecuador

Hours:  Mon. - Wed. 4pm - 11pm and Thu. - Sat. 11am - 11pm

The Front of Ali Baba Kabab

Ali Baba Kabab's Amazing Food and Prices

Ali Baba Kabab's Logo Sign

Ali Baba Kabab's is a small friendly restaurant that serves alcohol and has a lively time most weekends. We managed to come in during a quiet time and were able to chat for a few minutes with the owner, Reza Alibabai. The ladies loved the umbrella's that act as an awning and make the place stand out. Very colorful and that's something they love a lot.

Reza Alibabai, the Owner

Reza Alibabai, the Owner

Conversation is easy and fun in this place. The ladies ordered Polo Kabab's and I ordered myself a Polo Shwarma. The food was excellent, fresh, and very tasty. The garlic sauce is soooo good, it's addictive. We asked for extra for all three of us. 

Ali Baba Kabab's Menu - Side 1

Ali Baba Kabab's Menu - Side 2

Ali Baba Kabab's Bar Area

Heather Wanting a Garlic Kiss

Dan After Giving Heather A Garlic Kiss

Mama Not Wanting a Garlic Kiss, at All!

A football game came on tv (soccer in the states) as soon as kickoff happened, 15 people appeared, ordering drinks and food and "shwarmed" the place.  We felt lucky to have had the time we had with Reza. He is a very engaging man. He is Iranian and he has traveled extensively. His food is a treat for westerners who have little to no exposure to Persian cooking. I had previously had Iranian cooking in Chicago and Reza's cooking was even better than my 20 year old memories of my previous experiences.

Dan's "Pollo Shwarma"

Heather and Mama's "Pollo Kabab's"

So the shamrocks? 5 out of 5 the ladies loved the food and both agreed it was a gem. They even ordered some Shwarma's to go for dinner. Both have said they can't wait to go back again. It is amazing all the diversity we find in the Expat community, it is a blast to discover. This was more than an experience in a restaurant, it was about culture, being expats, and discovering how simple and honest the food of Iran can be. Yet it is also complex at the same time. The spices used build a flavor profile that's very addictive. You look at the ingredients and they are honest. Nothing is disguised. It's a lot like Real Mexican cooking in that respect. Yet when combined, complexity develops and your lost in the harmony. 

Heather Loved the Umbrella's

Heather Loved the Umbrella's

Heather Loved the Umbrella's

I hope that someday relations between our home nations can be repaired so that we can take a trip there and continue to explore the cuisine. Until then, Ali Baba Kabab's will more than suffice. Give it a try and have some fun!