My people...don't judge this place by the way it looks, o! I've driven past Rahama Ghanaian…read moreRestaurant plenty of times, and heard about it's food, I finally thought, "Let me go and see for myself." Now, when you walk inside...hmmm. Don't come looking for fine dining. The place is old, worn, and very simple. It's giving neighborhood carryout with a few round and square tables instead of a fancy restaurant. The décor has definitely seen better days. But let me tell you something...the crowd doesn't lie. I came around lunch time on a Thursday, and there were about 15 people inside. For a small mom-and-pop restaurant, that's saying something. Good food will always bring people back. When I went to order, I told the lady at the counter, "I heard the food is good, but the reviews I read says the service is slow." Ei! She laughed and said, "Who said that?" Then she pointed around the restaurant and reminded me how busy they were. The auntie wasn't having it! She was friendly, playful, and very welcoming. I ordered the Fufu with Okra Soup (#6) and the Fish with Jollof Rice (#7), swapping the banku for jollof. Now tell me why my food came out in about 15 minutes! As she handed me my order, she looked at me with that little smile like, "So...where is that slow service now?" Chale, she got me. I couldn't even argue back. My experience was the complete opposite of what I had read in the Yelp reviews. As for the food...ahhh, now we're talking! Both dishes were delicious. Everything tasted fresh and homemade. It had some pepper, but not the kind that will make you start crying and looking for water everywhere. Just enough heat to enjoy the flavor. The portions were generous too, and the prices? Very reasonable... So no, you won't come here for the décor. You come because Auntie is back there cooking with love. Sometimes the places that don't look like much serve the best food. Chale...don't let the outside fool you. Come hungry.

I'm giving this place 3 stars because of the banku. I asked for banku, fried fish, shitto and…read morepepper sauce. I ordered via DoorDash. Once I received my order, I was unhappy, mainly because the shitto was so small, which they've put in an onion sauce that seemed to have a dash of hot pepper. Oh, and it was cold as well, like it was in a fridge and not freshly made. The secondly reason for the 3 stars, the fish. It was so tiny and over fried, I was so angry, but also hungry, oh and it was dipped in floor before they fried it. In other words, I enjoyed some but not everything.

I've been coming to Koite Grill for years - especially back when I lived down the street and it…read morenever misses. I've tried just about everything on their menu, and it sparked such a love for Senegalese food that I ended up taking a trip to Senegal last year...yes, it's that good. The family who runs this place is incredibly sweet, welcoming, and somehow never forgets a face. I bring friends and family any chance I get...partly to share, partly because I need everyone to understand the hype! And I can absolutely confirm Senegal indeed makes THEE best Jollof (I mean they did create it!)

Service - outstanding. The young ma at the front desk answered all questions very politely and was…read moreapproachable. He was able to describe flavors to help us make our choices. Food - Good AF. So good, that I'm in the car, headed back to the SAME PLACE I ATE AT LAST SUNDAY! The only negative - it was freezing inside. Like eating in my bubble coat, nose running, cold.

Excellent restaurant, one of a kind gem not to be missed! We shared a small platter for four people…read moreand the samosas appetizer which tasted as delicious as it looks! We couldn't finish it, left full with food to take home.

Swahili Village - Updated Review…read more At this point, I've been to Swahili Village too many times to count , but this was my first time experiencing their Rosé Brunch, which I believe is a newer endeavor for them. We went during Maryland Restaurant Week, so I was definitely interested in seeing what brunch at a spot I already knew would be like. The brunch had PLENTY of choices! African staples like jollof rice, suya, plantains, etc., mixed in with American breakfast favorites like pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon and chicken wings. So whether you wanted an African plate, a traditional breakfast plate or a little bit of BOTH, you had options. Now, that first round of food was GOOD...but COLD. And I mean food that would've been hitting if it had just been hot! We mentioned it and asked if they could replenish some of the items, which they did. That second round was MUCH better. Fresh, hot and definitely more of what I expected. I appreciated that they corrected it when we brought it to their attention. The restaurant was clean, and the décor was beautiful. I've always appreciated how Swahili Village showcases the beauty of Africa throughout the space, but Kenya in particular is beautifully represented. The cultural touches really add something special to the atmosphere. Now...the service. Everyone was nice, but multitasking was definitely a struggle. We constantly had to ask someone to find our waitress. Basic things were being missed. Like ma'am...PLEASE pour us some more water!!!! It appeared that our waitress was training, which I can understand, but there still should have been someone making sure the table was being taken care of while she learned. Then came the discount situation. As part of Maryland Restaurant Week, I found a promotion online stating 20% off the meal. However, when it was time to actually apply it, the manager became very particular about which items qualified instead of applying the discount to the entire meal as the promotion appeared to state. Then there's already an automatic 18% service charge, followed by the request for an additional tip. With the level of service we received...that wasn't exactly sitting well with me. Then MORE back-and-forth. The Rosé Brunch apparently included complimentary rosé champagne because my friend was wearing red. Cute idea...except neither one of us drinks. So we asked if we could substitute a mocktail instead. Our waitress said, "Sure!" Perfect. Well...apparently NOT. ‍ That somehow turned into a no, followed by a whole bunch of word salad explaining why they couldn't do what we'd already been told they could do. Between our waitress, the waitress training her and the manager, it became way too much semantics, explaining and excuses. At some point, I don't need another explanation. I just want consistency and good service. I even told my friend that Swahili Village has received Michelin recognition, so my expectations were naturally a little higher. But THIS particular Sunday brunch experience? It didn't feel like that level of experience at all. The food selection was there. The beautiful African/Kenyan décor was there. And once the food was replenished and came out hot, the food was GOOD. The brunch concept definitely has potential, especially if this is something new they're building. But the service, communication and all that unnecessary back-and-forth really took away from what should have been an enjoyable Restaurant Week brunch. I've had enough previous experiences here to know what Swahili Village can offer. Unfortunately, brunch still has some work to do.

The closest thing to authentic ivorian dishes without having to deal with visa application, flying…read moreacross the Atlantic Ocean and suffering occasional bad food in airline cabin food. Ivo Restaurant has relocated to this new address with an upgrade to their service. The food is, without question, consistently good, the menu is comprised of sauce graine with oxtail( palmnut stew), sauce arrachide with oxtail (peanut sauce) and the famous ivorian Kedjenou (chicken and vegetables cooked under pressure for optimum flavor). The grilled tilapia and fried plantains is a flagship but there is so much more to discover on the menu.. You can either dine in in a comfortable environment or do a take out of anything on the menu. My only recommendation for carry out would be that you find a better sealed container for the stews and sauces. Carry on with all the upgrades. 4.6 out of 5

For this week's effort to support local businesses, our food delivery app recommended a brand new…read moreWest African restaurant called Ivo that is located in the Hyattsvile Regal Theater complex across from the Mall of Prince George's (aka PG Plaza) The cuisine is from Ivory Coast, specifically. I ordered braised fish. I got the entire fish from head to tail. It was massive! The fish was very succulent and tasty. Not dried at all and well seasoned but NOT overseasoned! It also was not salty or greasy and oily! A PLUS for someone watching their cholesterol. It was very KETO friendly because it was served with an onion and diced cabbage slaw and a tomato based pepper sauce on the side. The fish is really bony however but the bones were very thick so you could avoid choking on them if you're not used to eating bony fish. The portion is so large it could feed 2 people! By yourself, you could arguably divide up eating this fish into 4 meals: You could eat this for lunch, dinner and then lunch again and a snack! For $18.99 you also get to pick a free side! I got the plaintains and we got plenty in the small carton that came in the bag. This is a steal of a price compared to what other area Afrian restauants charge for a full entree. It arrived super fast (like under 20 minutes) and was piping hot and fresh! I will definitely order there again especially bc they are so close to where I live. By the time I ordered in the evening, most of their most popular dishes were sold out so that tells me this place is a hidden gem that has already been discovered by locals who are keeping it quiet and to themselves. And for that reason, I will skip blabbing about them in my Next Door app but will help them out by giving them good reviews in Uber Eats, Postmates, Door Dash, Google Biz and Yelp and Facebook.

From their backyard, to their first food truck, to their second food truck, even their third food…read moretruck...I was there!! Now they have a brick n mortar, I'm super proud of them...Let's GO!! . Where I am: @projectsuya . Location Reviewed: 8777 B First Ave., Silver Spring M.D. . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Drinks ($5.99 for their Zobo-Hibiscus drink, & $4.99 for their Half n Half). A perfect sweet n sour half n half, & a tasty hibiscus drink!! STAMP!! Their Tacos ($14.99 for 3 tacos, a shrimp taco with cheese, & lettuce, a chicken taco with peppers, cheese, & lettuce, & a Suya taco with cheese, & peppers). They are all on flour tortillas, i put dry rub on the Suya, aioli on the chicken, & their Suya hot sauce on the shrimp-LIKE THAT!! STAMP!! Their Suya Burger ($9.99 Suya beef with onions, lettuce, & aioli, & fries). So look Suya beef is chewy. So it's that on this sandwich, but it's superiorly flavored!! The fries were DELICIOUS. LIKE THAT! Their Suya Wrap ($25 with beef Suya, onions, lettuce, aioli, & fries wrapped in a flour tortilla shell). Tasty, well seasoned, and everything was there! The fries threw me off. STAMP!! Their Suya Box ($25 with beef Suya, & onions, sweet plantains, & Jollof rice). I dusted the plantains, & suya with their dry rub, then put their hot sauce on the already spicy Jollof...STAMP this box!! . Customer Service: On Point! . Parking: Decent. There is street parking, & a garage next door. . Recommendations: Can't go wrong with their box!! . Accessibility: It's wheelchair & differently abled persons friendly. 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews

The staff were very accommodating and explained the menu to me, they made recommendations which I…read moreappreciated. The place isn't fancy but appeared clean and homely. The staff offered a complimentary beverage which was thoughtful, we were planning to only stop in for a couple of minutes but ended up dining in. This was my first time trying Suya and I found it was flavorful and mostly tender. I found some portions to contain some fatty pieces of meat however that was my only issue. Overall if you enjoy Suya, you'll likely enjoy this place. The meat was flavorful but wasn't overall spicy or salty.

This was my first time having West African Cuisine and I am glad I came here to try it for the…read morefirst time! The Chef/Owner was very kind and the food was delicious! The Amala with egusi and chicken was so hearty and delicious. The stewed chicken was also fall off the bone tender. The beef suya was nicely spiced but it did feel slightly dry. Now, I don't know if that's how the dish is supposed to be served but it was just not what I was expecting. The jollof rice paired nicely with it though. Overall it was a great experience and I look forward to my next visit to try other items!

I'm so sad to see the negative review, especially after I had such a great experience! Super…read morefriendly staff helped direct me to the most incredibly tasty spicy spinach and stewed chicken. Mmmmm. I could have eaten a huge bowl of that spinach!!! The spot itself is mixed in with a ton of other cool places inside the Solaire Social food hall in Silver Spring. Very cool vibes and I'm definitely already planning a return visit.

I was seriously craving some good jollof, and Monikay's Kitchen delivered way beyond expectations!…read moreI ordered the jollof rice with goat meat and a side of spicy suya--and let me tell you, every bite was a flavor explosion. The jollof was rich, perfectly seasoned, and had that authentic home-cooked taste I've been missing. The goat meat was tender and juicy, and the suya? Absolutely fire--spicy, smoky, and addicting. Big shoutout to Ousmane Diallo, who took my order. He was incredibly friendly, professional, and made the whole experience even better with his warm and attentive service. If you're looking for real West African comfort food done right, Monikay's Kitchen is it. I don't live close by but next time I'm in town I'm definitely be coming back for more!

Food was amazing! I paid $21ish for jollof rice and suya. It was sooooo good and flavorful!!!! You…read moredefinitely pay for quality of food. Portion may not be big but with every bite of Amazingness I don't mind. The rice was moist and not dry like a lot of places I have tried. Service was quick, called in to do a pick up order. It was such a chill place. Plenty of parking! More people should know about this place! When my friends don't want to make me Jollof rice (which is all the time lol) I'm coming here! Be ready to be sick of me lol

As a DMV African restaurant connoisseur, I take pride in discovering spots I've never heard of. So…read moreimagine my surprise driving past Flora Restaurant, a place that has apparently existed for over 20 years, and I had no idea it was there. Naturally, I had to stop in for lunch, especially since I've been wanting to try cassava leaves for the first time. Let's start with the space. The decor is simple, small, and honestly a bit dated. Very much giving 90s era gaudy with a slideshow playing above the bar highlighting the owner's credentials and accomplishments. Not terrible, just... okayyyy. Now let's get into the experience. When I walked in, there was NO ONE there to greet me. No host. No server. Nothing. I sat alone for a full 10 minutes. Completely alone. Eventually, I heard movement in the back and had to call out for someone. The owner finally came forward. I recognized her from the slideshow. She told me she saw me enter... which immediately made me wonder: why didn't you greet me then? Customer service was essentially nonexistent. My presence felt more like an interruption than a welcomed potential customer. She explained she was finishing a large catering order, which I can respect, but acknowledgment costs nothing. I asked what type of African restaurant it was, which somehow seemed to offend her. Instead of simply answering, she directed me to her slideshow and began referencing her international training and experience. For context, Africa is a continent, not a country. Asking for clarification is a normal question. I told her I had read good reviews and was excited to try cassava leaves for the first time. I asked if the dish was spicy. She responded, "All African food is spicy." That is simply not true. She then said the cassava leaves might be too spicy for me. I asked if I could taste a small sample to see if I could tolerate the spice. She refused and said she doesn't give samples. At that point, I expressed that I had specifically stopped in because I was excited to try something new. Instead of meeting that curiosity with warmth, she continued emphasizing how long her restaurant has been open and how it outlasted the business next door. Impressive longevity, yes. But hospitality matters. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to try the food. The interaction left me feeling more like a nuisance than a guest. As much as I wanted that cassava leaves experience, the cocky energy and lack of basic customer service made it hard to stay. So, no food review this time. Just an experience review. Will I return... for the plot? Closure? Maybe. Because one thing about me, I will find out if that cassava leaves is worth the attitude.

I loved the food here, it reminds me of back home. The guy was helpful and nice. Even gave me a…read morebowl to try some of my food before I went home. I will definitely come back and try the rest of the menu. Price is actually better than some places I've been to.