Filed Tuesday in San Diego Superior Court, the suit claims that the two plaintiffs - who dined at Aladdin on April 26 - contracted salmonella after consuming lamb and chicken dishes. One of the individuals required hospitalization, and both continue to recover. According to their attorney, Ron Simon of the Houston-based firm Ron Simon & Associates, the pair are seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. The lawsuit also aims to prompt improvements in food safety protocols.
"This is about holding restaurants accountable and ensuring a safer experience for all customers," Simon said, adding that his firm has received calls from additional individuals who believe they were impacted by the outbreak. "We expect to file more lawsuits in the coming days."
The County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health and Quality is actively investigating the outbreak, which has now grown to include 24 confirmed and probable cases. Victims range in age from 18 to 79, and seven individuals have required hospitalization. The restaurant, located at 5420 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, voluntarily closed in response to the investigation, although a sign originally posted at the site attributed the closure to a water heater issue.
Health officials are still working to identify the precise source of contamination, but food safety experts suspect undercooked chicken or another raw food product may be responsible. ÌýReports from customers describe harrowing experiences. One woman said her 79-year-old mother passed out in a bathroom and was hospitalized for three days. Another parent recounted their two-year-old daughter being admitted to the ER twice, describing the aftermath as a "week of hell."
The salmonella strain linked to Aladdin typically causes symptoms within 12 to 72 hours but can take up to six days to appear. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Vulnerable populations such as young children, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at greatest risk for severe illness. As of early May, San Diego County had recorded 184 salmonella cases in 2025. Officials continue to urge anyone who dined at Aladdin on April 25 or 26 and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical care.
The legal and public health investigation is focused solely on the Clairemont location. Aladdin Hillcrest on Vermont Street is operated by a separate owner and is not implicated in the outbreak.
The salmonella strain linked to Aladdin typically causes symptoms within 12 to 72 hours but can take up to six days to appear. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Vulnerable populations such as young children, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at greatest risk for severe illness. As of early May, San Diego County had recorded 184 salmonella cases in 2025. Officials continue to urge anyone who dined at Aladdin on April 25 or 26 and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical care.
The legal and public health investigation is focused solely on the Clairemont location. Aladdin Hillcrest on Vermont Street is operated by a separate owner and is not implicated in the outbreak.
Originally published on May 6, 2025.Ìý
