As salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d live in Saudi ‘Arabia, yet here I am Tabaarakallaah. I never thought that I’d eat the best tasting fried chicken here either…lol.
There’s a famous chain of fast food restaurants called “Al Baik.” Believe it or not, they put Popeye’s “Momma Slap” chicken to shame. They bury KFC and their so called “secret recipe.” William’s and George’s Chicken are no match for my ‘Arabian brothers.
What makes “Al Baik” so special? {All you fried chicken lovers will enjoy this..lol} – They inject hot sauce right into the chicken. Every bite is full of flavor. As my southern father would say - “Gee Mo Nitty! That’s some gooooooood chicken!”
Al Baik is crowded on any given day. The lines were out the door and then some on during ‘Eid. My husband’s friend told him that restaurant owners in a nearby city complained to some officials when Al Baik wanted to open a new store in their town. They were afraid (and rightfully so) of being put out of business, so Al Baik did not build there.
Try their chicken if you’re ever in Saudi….you’ll love it In Shaa Allaah.
Haneefah
*Photo from the Virtual Tourist web site.*
As Salaamu Alayki,
It was so funny reading your post about this chicken place. My Zawj made Hajj in 1998 and is still talking about the chicken from this spot. He tells me that when we get there that is the first place we will eat from. He said if he could get someone to bring/send him some he would.
So for now enjoy it for all of us.
Umm Hasan Fi Darby PA
Comment by ummhasan — October 23, 2007 @ 8:50 am
wa alaykum assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,
The morning after we finished Umrah, at like 7am, we got up for breakfast and guess what we were given? Al-Baik fried chicken with some Bebsi lol. May Allah ta’ala reward the brothers. UmmHasan, I can understand why your husband always talks about it so much.
I also really liked Tazaj, they had some really good taquito looking snacks mashaAllah very tasty.
We were in the haramain for about 3 weeks alhamdulillah and every single day for lunch, dinner or both we had chicken! We would joke that if we ate any more chicken we would lay some eggs lol. Is chicken a new phenomena over there or something?! mashaAllah. I only had beef one time, and that was when we were in Jeddah at the new muslim organization with a group of sisters who invited us may Allah reward them.
asalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Comment by amatuallah — October 23, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
Subhana Allah! My husband tried to take me to Al baik. we walk about 15mins to get there but the line was unbelievable. He had been telling me about this chicken place were had the best chicken in his life LOL. When we were walking around Mecca we saw the Al Baik knock off and was temped to go but we didn’t wanna take the chance.
Comment by ummruwaidah — October 24, 2007 @ 3:08 am
As salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh akhawaat. Na’am, Taazaj is good too. I absolutely love their chicken nuggets with honey mustard sauce..smiles. My daughter loves the corn on the cob and cries for it when she sees it..lol. Kabsa (a famous dish amongst the Saudis) is very, very good. Give it a try if Al Baik’s lines are too long.
As for Al Baik, they’ve been in business since 1974. The way the people here go nuts over it you can’t help but to think that fried chicken was introduced to them last weekend. In Shaa Allaah you all be able to return and enjoy it whenever you wish.
Na’am, there are copycats on the scene trying to cash in on the success. Al Baik now has an official web site that lists all of their “authentic” restaurants. Any location not listed is an imitator. The locals call these copycats “Al Fake” or “Fake Baik” LOL. Some “Fake Baiks” are now popping up all over the ‘Arab world. I read some funny comments on the virtual tourist web site…….
Escadora7 wrote: It’s a little funny to see all the Saudi’s in their white dishdashas / thobes running to be first in line as soon as the doors are opened.
ne1se4 wrote: 7 years later and I wish I could go back: That chicken is the best in the world and the GARLIC SAUCE is also excellent. My family has tried to recreate both since we moved, but to no avail. A family friend who still lived there brought me some here where I live a few years ago. Even though it was 2 days old and cold, I practically inhaled it. The sesame buns I didn’ t start eating until I was about 12 because as a kid, I wanted to leave room for more chicken and garlic sauce.
Now that’s some good chicken!
Haneefah
Comment by Desert Diaries — October 24, 2007 @ 5:48 am
this is the funniest thing i’ve ever read!
Comment by Umaymah — February 7, 2009 @ 1:20 am
This Chicken is unbelievable.we lived in Mecca for 2 years and after that we have been big AlBaik fans .Never tasted fried chicken better than this one .Though even the KFC is 10000 times better in the Middle East than in USA .
Comment by Anonymous — April 23, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
aap sahi recipe net mey dain khali information hey
Comment by Anonymous — July 23, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
The recipe? A commentor via JeddahFood.com stated: “It’s a secret family recipe” – so secret, even the employees are kept in the dark.
Comment by Desert Diaries — July 24, 2009 @ 8:14 am
i want a recpieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee plzzzzzzz
Comment by mrs .adil — July 31, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
i love it!!! just had it yesterfday!! heck im having it for 12 years!!!!! eat it every 2 weeks!!!! love it
Comment by Raed — October 6, 2009 @ 9:35 am
It’s a secret recipe Mrs. Adil. I doubt that Al Baik will ever disclose the ingredients to the world. Mum’s the word on this one for sure.
Comment by Desert Diaries — October 12, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
salaam aleikoem,
InshaAllah we will come to Saudi for Hadj…I hope I can find Al Baik, because i’m very curious now
Comment by oum Ismail — October 14, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. You will not be disappointed In Shaa Allaah :)
Comment by Desert Diaries — October 29, 2009 @ 5:46 am
As salaamalaikum,
If anyone lives in jeddah yet, pls let me know U’r email. I’ll get in touch with you. Maybe you could courier me one family pack,, all expenses paid, I’ll even fill your car tank with high octane !
I don’t know what went wrong with me today, i’ve been thinking about it all day today…
help !!!
Comment by Nasser Ahmed — November 5, 2009 @ 3:27 pm