Aladdin Mediterranean Café Salmonella Lawsuit (2026 Update)

Aladdin Mediterranean Café in Clairemont, San Diego, is linked to a Salmonella outbreak among diners who ate there from April 25 to May 1, 2025. San Diego County reported 98 probable and confirmed cases of illness by May 15, 2025, among diners ages 1 to 90. Diners have sued the cafe in San Diego Superior Court, alleging illness after meals on April 26. The suits are individual cases, no MDL covers them, and the county had not identified the source of the outbreak in its May 2025 updates.

Latest Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant Salmonella Lawsuit Updates

May 15, 2025: County Count Grows Sharply

A San Diego County health spokesperson told NBC 7 that the county had recorded 98 probable and confirmed cases [1]. The cases were among diners, up from 37 a week earlier. At least nine people were hospitalized. NBC 7 also reported that the cafe’s owners faced multiple lawsuits, with the latest complaint filed the day before.

May 14, 2025: Food Safety News Reports 89 Patients

Food Safety News, citing county public health officials, reported that 89 people were now on the outbreak’s patient list [2]. Ten people were hospitalized, and the report said the cafe reopened on May 12.

May 8, 2025: County Update Raises the Count

The county reported 37 probable and confirmed cases among people who dined at the cafe [3]. Their ages ranged from 1 to 90, and nine people were hospitalized. The restaurant closed voluntarily on May 1. The county said the source of the outbreak had not been identified and the investigation was ongoing.

May 7, 2025: NBC 7 Reports a Pair of Lawsuits

NBC 7 San Diego reported a pair of lawsuits against the cafe [4]. They are filed on behalf of three people who say they were sickened after eating there on April 26. Daniel Meza and Nubia Munguia are plaintiffs in one suit, and Joseph Jarvis is the plaintiff in another. Both suits are in San Diego Superior Court, and these are the plaintiffs’ allegations.

May 2, 2025: County Announces Outbreak Investigation

The county announced that it was investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to Aladdin Mediterranean Café [5]. County epidemiologists had identified 14 confirmed and probable cases, ages 18 to 79. Five people were hospitalized. The county said people who got sick ate food from the cafe on April 25 and 26, 2025. The cafe voluntarily closed when notified.

What Is Salmonella?

FDA says Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It can spread through food handlers who do not wash their hands and when people eat raw or undercooked foods [6]. FDA says salmonellosis usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. In this outbreak, the county tied illnesses to meals at the cafe. See our page on Salmonella lawsuits.

Who May Be Affected?

People who ate at Aladdin Mediterranean Café in Clairemont between April 25 and May 1, 2025, and then became ill match the county’s outbreak notices. The suits name lamb, chicken, pita bread, hummus, rice, Mediterranean ice cream, a Mezza Platter and shawarma wraps, all eaten on April 26, 2025. FDA says children younger than five, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. Aladdin Hillcrest on Vermont St. is a different restaurant with a different owner. Fox 5 San Diego reported that the outbreak and lawsuit do not involve it [7]. Whether you qualify depends on an individual legal review of your own meal, symptoms, medical records and the dates of your illness.

Reported Injuries or Damages

The county lists these symptoms for the outbreak: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea that might have blood or mucus, abdominal cramps and fever. The county’s case counts report illness among diners. They do not say what caused each case. The suits describe the plaintiffs’ illnesses, and all of these are allegations. Daniel Meza and Nubia Munguia allege diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and dehydration. They say they tested positive for Salmonella, and Munguia was hospitalized. Joseph Jarvis alleges bloody vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration. He says he stayed in the hospital for several days. Charles McLaughlin and Paige Bensing allege Salmonella symptoms. They say they had symptoms after eating on April 26 and were treated at urgent care about a week later. The plaintiffs’ attorney also alleged that the cafe had seven prior violations for failing to maintain holding temperatures for the food it served. The cafe’s response to this statement is not reported.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep these records and items if you became ill after eating at the cafe:

• Receipts, card or bank statements and order confirmations showing the meal
• The menu items eaten and who ate them
• Photos of food, packaging and any symptoms
• Medical, urgent-care, hospital and stool-test records
• A dated log of symptoms and when they began
• Records of missed work and lost pay
• Messages with the restaurant, the county or an insurer

Filing Deadlines

Deadlines to file a food poisoning lawsuit are set by state law. They depend on where you live and when you ate, got sick and were diagnosed. The cafe is in California. California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 requires an action for injury caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect to be brought within two years [8]. Some states count from diagnosis rather than from the meal. A missed deadline can end a claim no matter how strong the facts are, so check yours with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Potential Compensation

The filed suits seek damages for medical and pharmaceutical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. They also list emotional distress and punitive damages. No settlement or verdict has been reported. Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Potential compensation in other restaurant cases is covered on our food poisoning lawsuit page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe Reopened After the Salmonella Outbreak?

Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe has reopened after the Salmonella outbreak. It closed for almost two weeks and reopened in mid-May 2025. Food Safety News gave May 12, and NBC 7 San Diego reported the next day.

What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning?

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning generally begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food, according to the county and FDA. Most people develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, and FDA says to consult a healthcare provider if you suspect an infection.

Has Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe Responded to the Lawsuits?

Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe’s response to the lawsuits has not been reported. NBC 7 San Diego reported on May 7, 2025 that the cafe’s management had not answered its request for a response about the outbreak.

Where Can Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe Diners Report a Salmonella Illness?

Diners can report a Salmonella illness linked to Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe to the county’s Environmental Health and Quality Department. Its May 2025 notice gave (858) 505-6814 and fhdepi@sdcounty.ca.gov, and asked people who are still ill or have recovered to report.

References

1. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/salmonella-outbreak-at-aladdin-cafe-grows-to-98-probable-confirmed-cases-county-health-dept/3826926/?amp=1
2. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/05/almost-90-people-now-on-patient-list-for-salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-restaurant
3. https://www.countynewscenter.com/update-on-restaurant-salmonella-outbreak/
4. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/2-alleged-victims-linked-to-aladdin-restaurant-salmonella-outbreak-file-suit/3820845/
5. https://www.countynewscenter.com/county-investigating-salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-local-restaurant/
6. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/salmonella-salmonellosis
7. https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/lawsuit-filed-against-aladdin-mediterranean-cafe-amid-ongoing-salmonella-investigation/amp/
8. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=335.1&lawCode=CCP