Ever since Al Baik announced that it would be opening branches in the UAE, it has thrown foodies into something of a frenzy. Its first branch – launched in The Dubai Mall in June – has been known to attract queues so long that pictures of them have gone viral, and there are no signs of them abating either.
So it made sense when Al Baik opened its second UAE branch, at the Expo 2020 Dubai site on October 1, that it attracted some of the longest lines found at the global fair on the day.
For those planning to make a trip, the Expo 2020 branch doesn’t have any dishes that are exclusive to it, but rather a limited selection from the original Al Baik menu. So expect dishes such as their falafel, the only vegetarian offering at the moment; the chicken nuggets meal, the most popular option; the value shrimp meal (Dh27 for 10 pieces) and the jumbo shrimp meal.
The meal options come with fries and sauces, which can also be bought separately if you have a hankering for extra helpings of the garlic or nugget sauces.
The menu at Al Baik Expo 2020 is constantly updated, with more dishes being added; new to the list seems to be the corn in a cup (Dh7.50) and a double Baik sandwich (Dh9.50) with options between regular and spicy.
How does Al Baik Expo 2020 compare to Al Baik at The Dubai Mall?
The Dubai Mall branch offers a wider selection, with all the Expo 2020 offerings as well as options such as the chicken fillet sandwich (Dh6.50), hummus (Dh4.50) and vanilla ice cream (Dh2).
However, the prices on the Expo 2020 menu are slightly elevated.
The brand’s most famous offering, the nugget meal, is priced at Dh15 at The Dubai Mall but goes for Dh18 at Expo 2020; the shrimp meal is Dh22 at The Dubai Mall and Dh27 at Expo; and the double Baik which is Dh7.50 at The Dubai Mall is priced at Dh9.50 at Expo.
According to calculations, that's about a 20 to 25 per cent increase in prices at the Expo 2020 site when compared to The Dubai Mall. The bottom line is that you can expect to shell out around Dh2 to Dh5 more for the same dishes at Expo 2020, although with Al Baik’s prices, this still puts it very much in the budget category.
How does Al Baik in the UAE compare to Saudi Arabia?
Al Baik opened its first store in Jeddah in 1974 and it’s certainly come a long way since then. A meal of four sizeable chicken pieces, along with a bun and fries, was initially priced at 10 Saudi riyals (Dh9), making it a satisfying and affordable meal for those on a tight budget. Today, the same meal goes for SAR13 with VAT (Dh12.7).
The Saudi branches have a more extensive menu too, with a variety of sandwich options, fish fillet and desserts, which we hope will land in the UAE soon enough.
There’s also a difference in price: Al Baik’s beloved chicken nuggets meal goes for SAR13 (Dh12.7) in Saudi Arabia as opposed to The Dubai Mall Dh15 price tag and Dh18 Expo 2020 price.
The shrimp meal goes for SAR19 (Dh18.6) in Saudi Arabia and Dh22 at Dubai Mall at Dh27 at Expo.
The jumbo shrimp meal is priced at SAR26.5 for eight pieces (Dh25.9); it is available at Dh31 at The Dubai Mall and Dh38 at Expo 2020.
Overall, it’s about a 20 per cent jump in prices between Saudi Arabia and at The Dubai Mall.
There might be a difference in terms of pricing and offerings, but the flavours and memories associated with the brand ensure that it still has a solid fan following. And judging by the lines gathering outside both the UAE branches, it looks like the appeal of Al Baik isn’t waning any time soon.
I Feel Pretty
Dir: Abby Kohn/Mark Silverstein
Starring: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Rory Scovel
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
ATP RANKINGS (NOVEMBER 4)
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,585 pts ( 1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8,945 (-1)
3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,190
4. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,705
5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5,025
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,000 ( 1)
7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 2,945 (-1)
8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,670 ( 1)
9. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,540 ( 1)
10. Gaël Monfils (FRA) 2,530 ( 3)
11. David Goffin (BEL) 2,335 ( 3)
12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,290
13. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2,180 (-2)
14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,125 ( 1)
15. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,050 ( 13)
16. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2,000
17. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1,840 (-9)
18. Alex De Minaur (AUS) 1,775
19. John Isner (USA) 1,770 (-2)
20. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,747 ( 7)
Barbie
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Scorline
Iraq 1-0 UAE
Iraq Hussein 28’
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.
The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.
The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.
The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Copa del Rey
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (rated 72-87) Dh 165,000 1,600m.
Winner: Syncopation, George Buckell, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Big Brown Bear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
Winner: Stunned, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
Winner: Pillar Of Society, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
