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A Taste of Africa - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants African African [Edit]
3015 Shattuck Ave(between Ashby Ave & Emerson St)
Berkeley, CA 94705
Neighborhood: South Berkeley
(510) 647-9504
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
103 reviews for A Taste of Africa
Review Highlights
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"...over rice, chicken, black-eyed peas, sauteed spinach and..." In 20 reviews -
"The ginger drink was awesome so definitely get that if you..." In 15 reviews -
"This hot sauce was unlike anything I have ever tasted." In 24 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
103 reviews in English
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Review from Cameron M.
Oakland, CA
9/8/2011
While it looks like this place closed the Oakland Urban Dining Guide had an amazing night out there. Thank you chef Malang Pendar for your hospitality. For all of you that loved this spot as much as we did check out our video review and recap of of our experience here:
http://youtu.be/LCiUNN... -
Review from Kandice W.
Pittsburg, CA
4/30/2012
Awwww so sad that it's closed.. best food ever... everyone was so nice...
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Review from Tia L.
Oakland, CA
7/25/2011
I'm both really sad and really glad I got to eat here once before the place disappeared. I don't know any other place that serves this type of African food (if I recall correctly, food from the Cameroon area). They had awesome peanut dishes that had a homey, earthy taste as opposed to the super-peanutty flavor that can be overwhelming in Thai food.
The spicy sauce was delicious. I don't recall specific dishes anymore; I think ours had some bananas. Regardless, it was amazing, so amazing that I'm writing a review in memory of it nearly two years later. -
Review from Skylar S.
Los Angeles, CA
9/19/2010
So sad to hear this place is now looking for another location.
They are closed at their current location.
I am sad to see them go because even though this place was just a hole in the wall restaurant, the food was savory and the customer service was excellent with really friendly staff that just made you revel in the feeling of small, hole in the wall restaurant.
Hopefully, they'll find a new location soon and re-open! -
Review from Aaras V.
Berkeley, CA
12/6/2010
I am SOOOOO sad that this place is gone. I even went to the Ashby Flea market two weeks ago to see if their truck was there and sadly it was not.
This was the best African food I have ever tasted. I will never forget the jellof rice with ground nuts, spinach, tomatoes and spices. It was so flavorful and unique and the cook and staff were family which made it that much better. Such great food and service. I hope you guys come back! -
Review from Greg J.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 7/28/2010
Unfortunately, this place is closed, cleared out, and gone. Evidently, the owners of the property had been wanting to get rid of them. One day they had a fire and that was the end of it. The space now sits empty :-(
To the owners of the restaurant, here's one last 5-star rating for you!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/13/2010
I wasn't sure what to expect when we walked in. Well let me rephrase that. Actually, I was… Read more »
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Review from Jessica G.
Alameda, CA
7/19/2007 ROTD 3/6/2008
Short Story: Ridiculously delicious food.
I think I can attribute at least 29% of my popularity to the fact that I've introduced my friends to this place. And that I live 2 blocks away from it. Everything I've eaten there has been superb, tho the fish combo is particularly, one might say INSANELY, tasty. Portions are huge; you can serve 2 moderately hungry people on one combo, easy. The service is of the type that would ordinarily drive me crazy in another sort of restaurant. (I.e. the staff are slow, distracted, and quite possibly high.) But they are genuine and friendly, so I don't even care. I cannot contain my enthusiasm for this restaurant, but I should warn you that the habanero sauce caused ecstatic hallucinations in my boyfriend, and I was jealous. -
Review from Ted R.
Updated - 2/1/2009
Just to reiterate. These brothers are so cool, you'd be a fool not to check 'em out. The flavors bust out all over the plate when you get any of the combos, and they will let you know what's most happenin' that night. Get the ginger-lemonade. You'll need it to help you after you get "all Taste crazed" and spoon on more and more of that tasty hot damn sauce they home cook... I digress, A Taste of Africa rocks - literally. They were cooking, we were eating and when they cranked up the Damien Marley we were all signing. It was a beautiful ting, man.
My date was hotter than the sauce - call her dreams. Anyway, dreams and I both ate as much as we could and couldn't hardly get close to finishing our plates. We boxed up a couple of more meals with what was left. Which is my way of lettin' y'all know that it's more of "a value" than "a pricy" on the Well Fed Ted scale.
ATA, you get 5 shiny "a Black man is President - and we have Cameroonian rastas feeding us in Berkeley - it doesn't get any better than this" stars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/5/2008
So f'n five star! So pro-Obama! Most righteous grub!
Cameroonian cuisine at it's finest. Sure,… Read more »
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Review from Brad L.
Hayward, CA
6/3/2008
West African restaurants have been dropping like flies in recent months: the closings of Taxi Brousse and Lagosia have reduced the East Bay's population of such by 40%. Thankfully these guys, along with Lam Toro and Tropical Paradise, are still around. When I came here, I didn't know anything about Cameroon except soccer and Manu Dibango; I left scarcely more educated but very full. The combo I had ($16.95) included:
ndole - the national dish, peanut-spinach sauce, necessarily Americanised since the actual ndole plant isn't grown here, excellent
jollof rice
stewed chicken - very tasty
koki - corn cakes
black-eyed peas
sule - fried plantains
ewole - another spinach prep
The food is well-prepared but might seem bland to those used to Caribbean food. The cook has an answer to that: "I usually destroy people with my hot sauce", he claimed. A sample suggested that this was not overstatement.
If you're on a budget, just get one of the stews. Remind me to go back on a Thursday, when they have oxtail. -
Review from Eos K.
Berkeley, CA
4/7/2007
Taste of Africa is a Camaroon cuisine joint. While they'd kept up a food truck at the Ashby flea market, for two years their weekday doors were closed. About three months ago they reopened and thank goodness. The restaurant industry is a strange one. While there are many east African restaurants, finding a good west african one is nearly impossible. Taste of Africa is just about the sole exception in the east bay.
The ndole (peanut and spinach sauce) and jellof rice are the basis of most meals. All but a couple dishes are outright vegan, not just vegetarian. The exceptions are things like the traditional chicken, which is rice, ndole with some deliciously stewed chicken on top.
They also have black eyed beans, greens, yams, and if you're lucky okra. It is hit or miss whether various appetizers and soups are going to be available. If there is something you particularly hunger for like the koki corn, or the pepper goat soup which is not a regular on the menu, call up the day before and see if they can put it together for the day you're coming.
Also if you like hot food, ask for some of their hot sauce. The sauces are made by them and while there are a couple different variety, all are enough to cause even the most devoted lover of spice to break a sweat. -
Review from Theresia D.
Vallejo, CA
2/28/2010 1 photo
My mouth was in heaven at every bite I took...
Now I didn't have the wonderful experience to sit in the restaurant but I did find him at the wonderful Ashby-Berkely Flea Market. He comes out there with all his pots & pans and anything else needed.
I mean seriously this food was divine. One bite and I knew I would be back, and so we were.....had to have me some plantains. Everything was freshly made....I love the fact that its so convenient and they are even personable. They just make you want to come back next week, or in my case, i'm considering going to the restaurant this week, LoL!!
I'm not sure what else there was to eat but what I had was great and can't wait to have more, if you have been wondering about this place, no need to any more, just take that step and walk in the door and order up. You will love the food. -
Review from Jeffrey R.
Berkeley, CA
7/27/2007
I knew I was in for a ride when I ordered what is labeled as THE BEST GINGER DRINK EVER. Who could resist? The owner brought it to me herself and warned me that it was spicy. Dr. Pepper is spicy, right? How pleasant.
She looked at me expectantly, so under pressure, I took a long sip of my GINGER DRINK and smiled. "Thank you, this is ve -- " then the coughing spasms started. This was not a drink to be taken lightly. If Dr. Pepper is spicy, then Dr. GINGER DRINK has five PhDs. I tried to make some lame excuse, like it went down the wrong pipe, but she just laughed. I did not feel very manly.
Meanwhile, the food was excellent. My friend asked for some of their famous hot sauce. In order to redeem myself, I asked for some too. I dabbed some on my chicken and took a tentative bite. This hot sauce was unlike anything I have ever tasted! I usually cannot handle hot sauce, but this was delicious and, amazingly, there was no pain! I dared to take a second bite, and then a third.
I looked up at my friend and noticed that beads of sweat were forming on his forehead... Not a good sign, given that he is one of the biggest fan of spicy foods I've met. You know how cartoon characters can walk over a chasm until they look down? Well, I promptly plummeted into the depths of habenero hell.
Mouth on fire, blinded by tears, I groped for something to drink. In my desperation, I eagerly gulped down THE BEST GINGER DRINK EVER which was not unlike swimming in the Dead Sea with open wounds.
The owner came back to our table to ask if everything was alright. This was my last chance to be a man. "Y-Yes", I said, through the tears, sweat, and pain - mouth full of ice cubes - , "Five stars". -
Review from Erica H.
Sweden, ME
1/13/2008
Well, maybe pop wasn't there that night, but it really did seem like a cozy mom and pop restaurant. The staff are genuinely friendly in a neighborly way. The food is delicious. I mean, I've eaten a lot of fried plantains in my travels in Central America. These were really savory fried plantains. I also liked the yams, the peanut sauce, the stewed greens, and the okra. No slippy-slimy okra here. The okra is smooth and over rice, even a bit hearty.
Dairy-free: ***** (five stars, lots of options)
Gluten-free: ***** (five stars, lots of options)
Vegetarian: ***** (five stars, lots of options)
Vegan: ***** (five stars, I think you get the point, you'll definitely find some delicious food to fill your belly here)Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Cris L.
Sweden, ME
1/13/2008
Erica was describing this as a mom & pop place. I disagree. I think it's just a mom place. It's so tiny pop doesn't fit.
It actually does feel like you're eating at someone's house. In Africa. Absolutely delicious food, but they're not professional caterers. -
Review from Professor H.
Oakland, CA
7/12/2008
Alka seltzer... check.
Rolaids.... check.
Tums... check.
Now feast on some crazy delicious african food served with jah love by an eccentric stoner. It is so good - it is otherworldly. Try the super-hot sauce as well, proceed with caution, but it's worth the plunge. -
Review from Lauren B.
Oakland, CA
7/20/2008
I wasn't insanely crazy about the food, though we might have been getting the last of it on a Saturday night.
I was, however, super-crazy about the ginger drink, which makes your mouth tingle with happiness and tastes like the very definition of good health. Made of ginger root and lemon (am I missing something?), it is not only tasty -- it's a big, healthy glassful of the notorious stomach-calming properties of ginger, (which I need because I'm job-hunting, not because of the food!).
I'm either going in on a regular basis for this miracle drink or I'll have to buy some ginger root and a blender. Or maybe get a new job ... -
Review from Ana M.
3/4/2008
Everything about this place is 5 start worthy.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming
Service is SUPER friendly. We told our server we were vegetarian and he made sure we ordered all the right stuff.
Food is delicious!
I had never had African food, in fact I'm a pretty boring eater! But I can say after going there I am a fan. -
Review from daniel m.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2008
I feel really bad giving A Taste of Africa only four stars because the food deserves five stars. The service, despite them being some of the friendliest people I've ever met was kind of very slow (my friend and I didn't even get our water until we had basically finished our meals).
However, the food was truly excellent. The owner (?) / chef / waiter told us what he had available from the menu for the night and what would be the best for us to have. My friend had the spinach and I had the black eyed peas and we shared a plate of plantains. Excellent. To top it off he put a dollop of his homemade spicy as anything I've ever had hot sauce on each of our plates. So spicy that my voice turned raspy and my eyes refused to hold back the tears. The plantains were the perfect food to quickly calm down the spice.
This place is family run and operated and is definitely a bit hectic. It's clear they are doing this because the love the food. And the food they make is good. Despite the fact they were a bit slow and seemed a bit forgetful, the food was delicious and very worth checking out. I would like to come back here soon. But it will probably be a bit earlier to try their cheaper specials (3-5pm). And to try their ginger beer... -
Review from Jack C.
Berkeley, CA
9/11/2009 1 photo
"Taste of Africa" invites its patrons right into the heart of African kitchen. The aroma of garlic black-eyed peas, friend plantains, ginger lemonade is all too enticing to pass up.
My favorite, friendly, man with dread working behind the counter is a one-man restaurant. He cuts, stirs, serves, talks, smiles all the time.
Very spicy. Very authentic. I highly recommend the vegetarian combo plate. The chicken is melting off the bone too. -
Review from Jessica L.
Palo Alto, CA
12/11/2008
This restaurant is wonderful for a small group of close friends, which is exactly the what we did. We ordered the vegetarian combo and the chicken stew, both of which were delicious and fed three of us very nicely.
The plantains were cooked so well. The skin was nice and crunchy while the inside was sweet and felt kinda like mashed potatoes.
The chicken stew was phenomenal. As the owner/cook/great host slid that plate of tasty stew, my vegetarian friend commented "That smells awesome." And it was. It really really was.
Although the dishes may be a little pricey 9$-20$ it was well worth it.
One of my friends ordered the ginger drink, which was a bit pricey, and it's only for those who love ginger. It was literally a sucker punch in the face on ginger- not to say it was bad. But be warned. Only for those who looove ginger. Notice the multiple "o"s.
The restaurant is small and it's a very intimate setting, the music is great and the VHS videos they play really add a nice homey feel.
Ps. If you like spicy food, ask for their spicy paste. -
Review from Martha T.
San Francisco, CA
8/5/2009
This place is fantastic. As I type, I am munching on a bowl full of leftovers. A green/tan bowl of mushy and marvelous leftovers. And every bite is SO GOOD. Yams cooked in coconut milk, okra, spicy chicken, black eyed peas....LOVE the combo platter.
I I have been an adventurous eater my whole life, and I have lived in SF for years, trying out the huge variety of ethnic restaurants that SF has to offer, but this everything at this place tasted like something new. I wish I lived around the corner like my friend who introduced me to it, but I'll just have to visit her more.
I can't quite give them (him? it seems like a one-man show) 5 stars because the restaurant decor and vibe were a bit lacking. That's a shame, because peeking into this place would give you no sense of how insanely good the food is. Oh well, maybe better for the locals if it stays a local secret.... -
Review from Vivian W.
Palo Alto, CA
3/30/2008
I was really disappointed about A Taste of Africa. After reading all these great reviews, I expected to be blow away.
Good things:
1) It could receive two stars for the host's personality, but even then, that's a stretch.
Bad things:
1) I've never had african food before, but I thought it was nothing special. Definitely not worth 14 dollars.
2) Made the wrong dish, and gave it to me anyways saying it was the dish i ordered
3) My friend expressly ordered prawns without the peasant sauce. When they gave him the dish with peasant sauce, they said it didn't have any.
You not eat here if you are ALLERGIC to anything because they may make a mistake in the preparation and then not tell.
4) Overcharged on everything, and made us pay for the peasant dish. -
Review from Sasitorn S.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2010
Speaking with my true feelings after i had a chance to try "A Taste of Africa" we both wanted to try something new and every time we drove pass by that area this restaurant is closed but we were lucky yesterday.
First, i was a bit shock about how cleanness of this place was but somehow it still was more acceptable if compared to other places (in some bad areas) i have been so far. This tiny restaurant has been served African food, cameroonian style. we didn't get the menu but the guy which i believed he would own the restaurant and he was the chef came to our table, and explained what he has to offered to us. i didn't catch everything he said but fish dish was interesting to me.
So we both ordered one chicken and one fish. It didn't take too long to get the food. when our foods came, i was surprised cuz my fish dish was a big portion to me. And yes, i made the right decision, My fish was really yummy, very crispy and cooked well, the green stew vegetables were great and I also love my deep fried plantains. I also had a chance to try chicken, and it was good, very tender.
There is a home-made lemonade- ginger drink which is really good, refreshing but not too strong for ginger.
The service was very friendly...like family service. -
Review from Eva Leona Lerriqs S.
Berkeley, CA
3/29/2009
Yummmmm! Went on the recommendation of a friend. She was right.
We had the meat and vegetarian combo, which came with chicken, rice, peanut sauce, greens, black eyed peas w/vegetables, and plantains. Generous portions. Very warm chef/owner. He talked to us about the food and kept checking in with us. The restaurant has a nice homey feel to it. After eating there, I felt like I had been among wonderful friends. -
Review from Joe K.
Los Angeles, CA
6/22/2009
Let me clarify my five stars. As long as you are not in a rush, then it's well worth your time. The food was absolutely AWESOME. I was a li'l skeptical at first. My partner is the one who chose the spot. I was looking for some type of quick lunch, a salad or a turkey club, something easy. He was the one who was being adventurous. The gentleman who works there was very friendly. He hooked us up with delicious chicken, plantains, beans and rice. It was SO GOOD. And you must try his hot sauce. But, warning, you only need a LITTLE.
The next time I'm in Berkeley, I will definitely make my way there! -
Review from Rworange C.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2007
This tiny restaurant serves homey African food. Pots bubble on the stove and the owner will stop by the table and spoon the fantastic fiery, yellow habenero sauce with ginger and garlic right out of the pot and on to the plate.
This is a great restaurant for meat eaters and vegetarians.
The Ndole (peanut sauce, garlic, onions, tomatoes and African spices) over Joloffe rice with black-eyed peas and a few greasless fried plantains is a good vegetarian option. The peanut sauce didn't have a deep peanut flavor though.
There is a good lemonade. There is also a house-made ginger drink.
Desserts include Ice cream and do do (plantains), bean pie, berry cheese pie, and homemade cookies.
Lunch specials start at $5.99.
The staff is nice and the 20 seat restaurant feels like being in someones kitchen. Everything is cooked to order and service can be very slow for that reason.
These are the same people who have a truck at the weekend Berkeley farmers market. The food is Cameroonian. -
Review from Ronald T.
Oakland, CA
9/25/2009
Popped in here on a whim with my daughter after her dance class. Nice people, like coming into someone's home. The choices were limited to main courses, no appetizers, which in the end was fine because the portions are ample.
I had the vegetaria platter, okra, black eyed peas, plantains, yams, spinach etc...all pretty good. They have some hot sauce called "bonfire" which is super duper hot and should be used sparingly!!! It's made with habanero chiles and it's hot hot hot!
My daughter had the meat and vegetable dish which was also good, the chicken was especially tasty.
Things are bit funky but that is part of the charm.
Want to go back and see what else they make on the menu and try it out. -
Review from Senor Q.
San Francisco, CA
12/24/2009 1 photo
This is one of my favorite places.
The food is AMAZING. You feel you are in someones kitchen--or living room. But either way, you feel right at home.
As I type this, the owner is running around scatterbrained. He comes by every so often to greet us and see how we are doing. Grandma--or is it grandpa?--is in the corner asleep on the couch. We are always thoroughly entertained.
The atmosphere is laid back. African music is blasting. When I pulled up in my car, he waved to me before I got out of the car.
Just note: service is African style. Expect to wait a while. Come patient. Leave satisfied. -
Review from Markito M.
Oakland, CA
4/26/2008
Much of the food is vegan and excellent but it can be a scene in here. Once I was in there and someone was trying to fix their refrigerator but refused to do it until they cleaned it out because it smelled like someone had died in it. I also got them to give me a catering bid once and I called about 3 times and never got a call back and then dropped by and the quote they gave me was about 40 times what it should have been.
The plantains are O.K., the greens are very good, the rice with peanut/spinach sauce is divine. Yams are also good. -
Review from Catherine C.
San Francisco, CA
7/28/2009
MmmMmmm, this place is soo good. I've never had anything like it. It's completely different from Ethiopian food, which is the only other kind of African food I've had.
I got the veggie plate, and my favorite part was the delicious spinach-looking cream sauce that was drizzled over everything--the rice, plantains, etc. The lentils were pretty good too. Everything had lots of flavor, and the meal tasted very homecooked in the best way possible!
Minus one star for the space. It was cramped - that night, there were four parties seated, and we had to wait for the waiter to go around pouring the spicy sauce on everyone's plates before we could leave. Other than that, the food is something you must try! -
Review from Sarah A.
Oakland, CA
1/11/2010
Eating at this amazing hole in the wall is seriously just what the restaurant's name claims: a true taste of Africa!
Where to start? We were greeted warmly at the door and seated right away. The restaurant is very small so the fact there was a table open was lucky for us. The owner came over with a warm smile, explained the three dishes he had cooking on the back stove ("I have fish, chicken, or vegetarian"), and asked if we were ready. Being a bit surprised that there was no menu, we asked him for a minute to check in before ordering. That was our mistake: he didn't come back for at least 20 more minutes. The dude was the cook, host, and waiter all in one. Though I did have a moment of panic that he was never going to come back, the wait was WELL worth it. Seriously, everything on the plate was exceptional (chicken, plantains, black-eyed peas, potatoes) - I am still dreaming of that meal.
My favorite part of the experience aside from the meal itself was when we paid. He had to plug in the register when he took our cash. The owner apologized several times for the long wait (he didn't expect so many people that particular night) and said he hoped this was the start of a beautiful friendship. I assured him it was and that we would be back soon.
Next time, however, I will prepare myself for a potential wait (knowing it is TOTALLY worth it) and will also bring beer as it's byob.
You will not regret your Taste of Africa experience! -
Review from Melissa G.
Walnut Creek, CA
4/3/2010
First of all, I love a man with a plan... and the second I walked in the owner/chef told me exactly what I was going to eat. He detailed each part of the dish, and of course it sounded amazing. When the food cam out, the plate was packed with a variety of things that complimented each other so well! I asked for the meal to be prepared spicy, but the chef will make it to taste!
This place is a hole in the wall, but don't let that stop you, the food is amazing and the service is great!
Don't forget to bring cash, this is a cash only establishment... oh and be sure to order the ginger tea... really refreshing and slightly spicy drink that is fantastic! -
Review from Lauraina L.
Oakland, CA
10/14/2009
plantains, black eyed peas, chicken, prawns, sole, ground nuts, okra, spinach, coconut squash, tomatoes, rice, ginger, hot sauce, garlic ..... mmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been to A Taste of Africa twice now, and this is West African food as good as it gets from the very heart of what it's all about. The food is fresh, healthy, and wholesome - and yummy! If you love plantains, coconut squash, and WOW! amazing and potent fresh ginger drinks, you've come to the right place!
Each night that I've been my waiter (I assume that he's the owner) has come personally to the table to tell me what he's cooking for the evening. There is a menu, but as all the things aren't offered every night, it's not really worth looking at. However, I find this charming and all the more appealing, as it only adds to the authentic nature of the place - as if I've stepped into Grandma's kitchen.
I must give an extra * for this restaurant for not only pleasing myself and my husband, who have more adventuresome tastebuds, but also his parents and his neice, who are on the less adventuresome side. My niece Jackie was given a special "Princess Platter" just for her, with mild spinach, prawns with tomatoe sauce, and rice - and she LOVED it!! I'm impressed! :)
As a final note, I believe that A Taste of Africa could be the way to keep yourself healthy during the seasonal transition into winter and the cold/flu season - my immune system was boosted by this food, I am sure of it! Ask your waiter when you go, he will tell you about the bitter herbs and spices used in the food. And don't hesitate to try the Ginger drink if you're feeling sick - it will be worth it! -
Review from Mani F.
New York, NY
2/28/2009
This place is awesome. I amble in with the Berkeley Cassandra and they Ata sits us down, we start chatting about tribal beliefs in Cameroon, the love between a man and a woman and a child, the spirituality in reggae... and then find out that the restaurant is actually supposed to be closed, and he just decided that it was rainy and he had nothing to do so he strolled over and opened it so he could meet some people and sleep on the couch next to the wall.. who blows off steam and boredom by opening their restaurant?
And the food - the flavors explode all over the plate, are so distinctive and yet meld together so well it is shocking. This is not only the best African restaurant I've been to in the Bay, it's the best restaurant I've been to of any sort in the East Bay. Seriously - if I lived as close to this place as Cass, Ata would be driving a BMW on my dime by now. -
Review from Mark W.
Oakland, CA
7/17/2007
My new favorite restaurant. Fantastic everything.
It's not a fast food place, but your patience pays off. Not the cheapest place, but the portions are big and the quality is great. -
Review from Claire C.
3/17/2008
I had high hopes for this place after reading Yelp...The service was really great, but the food was unimpressive and pricey. We ordered the chicken stew and veggie/meat combo, and all I could taste was saltiness and spiciness and mushiness. They also didn't have a lot of the items on the menu available that day.
But maybe I went in on an off day, you should try for yourself. It's the green and red building with the fake camel in front. -
Review from Benjamin J.
Tacoma, WA
4/2/2008
Yum.
I had the meat and veggie platter. It's a little steep - about $16 - which is the reason I don't give five stars. But everything on it was quite good. The $5 ginger drink (I got it for $2.50 somehow!) is definitely worth what I paid, and probably full price too. It goes down refreshing, settles soothing, and the aftertaste is spicy. Weird, but great!
The real experience is the host. This guy puts passion into his work. When I was there, his mom was too (and chatted me up - great lady!) and a regular was cajoling him for not having pictures of his daughter up. Then they get into a great discussion about existentialist stuff. It would sound lame printed, but with a mouthful of sweet potato, by God, it was life-affirming!
Great place, great food, ample portions, not cheap, but worth it. -
Review from Andrew P.
Oakland, CA
5/7/2007
I've not had the chance to eat at the restaurant yet but I woke up this past Sunday with my mind made up about going to their truck at the flea market.
There were about 12 dishes on the menu, mostly ranging from $7 - $12, with two being around $4. I wanted the shrimp and spinach over rice dish but they were out, so I asked what else was good to try and the friendly person inside the truck recommended the vegetarian combo plate. it came with fried plantains, stewed/boiled spinach, beans, yams and some sort of red sauce, which I initially thought was tomato sauce (being that they had a lot of dishes with tomatoes) but, after putting a spoon full of it in my mouth, realized it was some extremely potent hot sauce and cried for half an hour.
The food tasted bland to me afterwards but it was still enjoyable. However, for the price I was really expecting something much tastier (perhaps so tasty it would even transcend dead, hot sauce ravaged taste buds). -
Review from Sharon G.
San Francisco, CA
2/28/2009
0 stars for the wait, 5 for the food.
Some notes:
Be prepared to wait for your food. Think of it as a test. Everything is cooked from scratch, and that takes time.*
You get what the chef is making. And it's all good stuff, so no complaining.
Have some ginger fruit punch while you're there.
The veggie combo is delicious.
*I think our extremely long wait was out of the ordinary for this lovely place. Your's might not be so bad. So try it. -
Review from Marian C.
Oakland, CA
5/19/2009
The food is YUMMY here!
When a group of us came here, we had a to wait A FRIGGIN LONG TIME.. that would deter me from going back.... however it was a one-man show that night, so it was understandable. plus i think there was a TV with music videos or something playing? He was an awesome host and very funny too . It felt like we were at someone's home and eating a home-cooked meal
If you love ginger, get the ginger or ginger lemonade drink! I don't like ginger so I did not like it at all... IT BURNED in my throat!!
it was an experience to remember.... just look for the green building w/a camel statue outside! ... random!!
