This Jackson Mississippi Lebanese Spot Has Been Serving Fried Kibbeh, Grape Leaves, And Thick Hummus For 20 Years

Some of the best lunches start with a plain storefront and a growling stomach. In Mississippi, there is a small cafe where the hummus is thick, the kibbeh comes out crisp, and the grape leaves arrive almost before you settle in.

It does not look fancy from the street, and that is part of the charm. Once you taste what comes out of that kitchen, you will understand why so many people plan their midday break around it.

A Lakeland Drive Storefront Near the Medical District

Tucked along Lakeland Drive, a short drive from the busy hospital complex in Jackson, sits Aladdin Mediterranean Grill. The address is 730 Lakeland Dr, and the building itself looks older, with a lived-in character that fits the food inside.

Nothing about the outside shouts for attention.

Inside, though, things change quickly. The place is a small, lively storefront cafe serving Mediterranean and Lebanese-style dishes, from hummus and falafel to kabobs, shawarma, and lamb chops.

Guests describe the space as cozy and clean, with a taverna feel and a patio for anyone who prefers to eat outdoors.

Location plays a big part in its lunch crowd. Medical workers, office staff, families visiting patients, and road-trippers passing through all find their way here.

Some people walk in with no idea what to expect, only to discover a dining room buzzing with takeout orders and full tables.

For travelers moving across Mississippi on Interstate 55 or I-20, it makes an easy detour into the capital city. Locals, on the other hand, treat it like a neighborhood standby.

Either way, the first visit usually leads to a second one, and the menu gives plenty of reasons to keep exploring it.

Twenty Years of Mediterranean Cooking in Jackson

November 2004 marks the start of the story. That is when owner Yoseph Ali opened Aladdin Mediterranean Grill, bringing the flavors of the eastern Mediterranean to a Jackson neighborhood that has since claimed the restaurant as its own.

Two decades is a long run for any independent restaurant. Staying power like that usually comes from steady cooking, fair prices, and a sense that the people running the place actually care.

Guests often mention meeting the owner in the dining room, describing him as welcoming and focused on making sure first-timers leave happy.

Growth followed naturally over the years. A second spot, Aladdin Mediterranean Express, now operates downtown inside Capital Towers, giving office workers a quicker way to grab hummus or shawarma during the workday.

The restaurant also offers catering, so its dishes show up at meetings, parties, and family gatherings around the city.

More recently, breakfast joined the lineup, which explains the early 7:30 am opening on most days. Even with those additions, the heart of the operation remains the Lakeland Drive dining room.

It is where the original recipes live, and where regulars keep returning for the same plates they have loved for years.

Football-Shaped Fried Kibbeh

Crack one open and the steam tells the whole story. Fried kibbeh at Aladdin comes shaped like little footballs, with a shell made from cracked wheat and sirloin wrapped around a filling of spiced ground beef and pine nuts.

Kibbeh is a beloved dish across Lebanon and the wider Levant, and many families treat making it as an art form. Shaping the shell takes practice, since it needs to be thin enough to crisp but sturdy enough to hold the filling.

Here, each piece is deep-fried until the outside turns a deep golden brown.

What makes it fun is the contrast. The outer crust crunches, while the inside stays tender, savory, and lightly warm with spice.

Pine nuts add a buttery little bite that keeps every mouthful interesting.

Most plates arrive with tzatziki sauce, and its cool cucumber and yogurt flavor balances the richness nicely. Plenty of diners skip straight to dragging a piece through hummus instead, which might be the best move of all.

As a starter for the table, kibbeh is easy to share, though it tends to disappear fast. Ordering an extra round is rarely a regret.

Hummus That Holds Its Shape

Runny hummus has no place on this table. Regulars point out that the version here is thick enough to stand up on a pita wedge, with just the right drizzle of olive oil and none of the watery texture that ruins lesser bowls.

The menu proudly calls it award-winning hummus, and the recipe explains why. Pureed chickpeas meet tahini, which is sesame paste, plus a bright squeeze of lemon.

Then comes the finishing touch: extra virgin olive oil, a small swirl of jalapeno pesto, and a dusting of sumac, a tangy red spice made from dried berries.

That little bit of pesto is what sets it apart. It adds a gentle green heat that wakes up the creamy base without overpowering it.

Sumac brings a lemony tartness that ties everything together.

Warm pita comes alongside, and some plates include both white and wheat pieces. Many guests say the hummus is the one item to order no matter what else lands on the table, even if your entree already includes a scoop.

Visitors from big food cities have compared it favorably to bowls they have had elsewhere, which says a lot about a neighborhood cafe in Mississippi.

Grape Leaves Rolled by Hand

Picture a tidy row of small green bundles, glossy with oil and lined up on a plate. Dolmas are one of the oldest snacks in Mediterranean cooking, and the name comes from a Turkish word meaning stuffed.

At Aladdin, the Vegetable Dolmas feature grape leaves carefully rolled around rice seasoned with a mix of spices. The leaves bring a slightly tangy, earthy flavor, while the rice inside stays soft and fragrant.

Each one is just the right size for a single bite or two.

For heartier appetites, the menu also lists a meat dolmas plate, which turns the appetizer into a full meal. Having both options means vegetarians and meat lovers can each enjoy their own version without compromise.

Speed is another plus. Guests often note that dolmas reach the table quickly, making them an ideal starter while the main plates are still cooking.

Squeeze a little lemon over the top and they brighten right up.

Pair them with a scoop of hummus and some kibbeh, and you have a small sampler of Lebanese flavors that could easily become lunch on its own. It is a light, refreshing way to start a midday meal.

Lunch Plates Built for a Busy Day

Time matters at noon, and the kitchen seems to know it. Guests regularly mention short waits for seating and food that comes out fast, even during a crowded lunch rush.

The lunch lineup keeps things simple and filling. A falafel lunch brings crispy falafel with rice, hummus and pita, and a green salad.

Shawarma lunches feature seasoned grilled chicken or gyro meat with sauteed peppers and onions, served with the same trio of rice, hummus, and salad.

Everything on these plates works together. You can scoop rice and meat into pita, dip falafel into hummus, or use the salad to cool things down between bites.

Nobody walks away hungry.

Kabob plates are another popular route, and some diners say a chicken kabob entree is generous enough to split between two people. Gyro sandwiches with fries also show up often for those wanting something handheld.

Takeout gets equal care. Orders come packed with each item kept separate in the container, so the salad stays crisp and the hummus stays put.

For anyone eating at a desk or in a hospital waiting room nearby, that small detail makes a real difference.

Lamb Chops, Kabobs, and the Big Combo

Lamb chops come up more than almost any other dish when people talk about this restaurant. For guests who want something more substantial than a sandwich, the grill side of the menu delivers.

Diners describe the lamb as tender and nicely seasoned, and the mixed grill earns praise for meats that are cooked through without drying out. A hummus and lamb plate offers a balanced portion for lighter eaters, pairing rich meat with that famously thick dip.

Then there is the Big Combo. It brings four pieces of shrimp, two lamb chops, and chunks of chicken kabob on one plate, making it a great choice for anyone who cannot decide.

Combination kabobs are another favorite for sampling a little of everything.

Seafood fans have options too, including a tilapia plate. Chicken kabob gets frequent mentions for being juicy and well-flavored, with the staff clearly proud of how it turns out.

Not every plate lands perfectly every time, and some guests have found certain dishes uneven. Anyone who keeps halal should ask before ordering, since not all meats may be halal.

Still, the grill remains a strong reason to stay past lunch into dinner.

Plenty of Choices for Vegetarian and Vegan Diners

Eating meat-free in the South can sometimes mean a side salad and a shrug. Here, it means a long list of real options.

Guests who follow vegetarian or vegan diets often mention how easy it is to build a satisfying meal. The Falafel Plate is a standout, with crispy, well-seasoned chickpea patties that pair nicely with rice, salad, and hummus.

Tabouli, a bright parsley and bulgur salad with lemon, adds a fresh, herby side.

Baba ghanoush deserves attention too. Made from roasted eggplant blended with tahini, it has a smoky depth that feels very different from hummus, so ordering both makes for a fun comparison.

A sauteed vegetables plate rounds out the heartier picks.

Spinach pie is another appetizer worth trying. These savory pastries are a common snack in Lebanese homes, and they travel well for takeout.

Of course, the Vegetable Dolmas fit right in as well. Mixed groups especially appreciate the variety, since a vegetarian diner and a lamb chop fan can sit at the same table without anyone settling for less.

The menu makes sharing feel natural rather than like a compromise.

Cozy Taverna Atmosphere for Every Kind of Crowd

Walk in on a Friday night and you might wonder if there is a table left. The room fills up fast, yet the staff somehow finds a spot for groups who show up hopeful.

Warm and inviting without going overboard, the decor blends traditional and modern Mediterranean touches. The building has an older, authentic feel, and guests note that it stays clean and comfortable.

Seating is relaxed, and the patio adds another option on pleasant days.

Service gets a lot of credit for the mood. Servers are often described as cheerful, attentive, and happy to offer suggestions to anyone unsure about the menu.

Many visitors leave talking about how welcome they felt.

Who fits in here? Pretty much everyone.

Coworkers grab quick lunches, families settle in for an easygoing dinner, and couples find it cozy enough for a casual date night. Travelers from other states and even other countries have stopped in and enjoyed the friendly, neighborhood energy.

It is not a big, shiny chain restaurant, and that is exactly the appeal. The space feels personal and upbeat, the kind of place where the same faces return week after week.

Hours, Prices, and Planning a Visit

Early birds are in luck. Monday through Thursday, the doors open at 7:30 am and close at 9:30 pm, which covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one long stretch.

Weekends shift a bit. Friday and Saturday run from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm, making them the best nights for a late meal.

Sunday starts later, from 11 am to 9:30 pm, so plan brunch-style visits accordingly.

Prices are a big part of the lunch appeal. Guests often describe them as reasonable, with one example being an appetizer, salad, sandwich, and dessert all coming in under $30.

A few diners feel some plates run a little steep for their size, so ordering shareable items can stretch the budget.

Since it is BYOB, there is no bar tab to worry about. Takeout is popular, and the restaurant also handles catering for larger events, with trays of shawarma, falafel, salads, and hummus.

Parking sits right outside the storefront. For a quicker downtown option, the Aladdin Mediterranean Express location inside Capital Towers serves the workday crowd.

Checking the website before heading out is a smart way to confirm current menus and details.

A Lunch Habit Worth Forming

Some restaurants impress once. Others slowly become part of your routine, and that seems to be the pattern here, with guests returning again and again during short stays in the city.

The formula is simple but hard to copy. Crispy kibbeh with a spiced filling, tender grape leaves, and hummus thick enough to scoop with confidence make a strong opening act.

Add fast service, fair prices, and a menu that works for meat eaters and vegetarians alike, and you have an easy lunch decision.

Is every plate perfect on every visit? Not always, and a handful of dishes have drawn mixed feelings over time.

Sticking with the signatures, like the hummus, kibbeh, dolmas, lamb, and chicken kabob, tends to pay off.

For locals, the restaurant offers a dependable spot with real neighborhood warmth after two decades of service. For travelers crossing Mississippi, it is a flavorful break from fast food that feels personal and welcoming.

Bring an appetite and maybe a friend to share appetizers with. Order the mint tea, save room for baklava, and do not leave without that hummus.

Chances are good you will be planning the next visit before the check arrives.