Probably the worst food I ever had in my life . The meat had to be old because it smelled like a dead body. Never again .. I ordered off uber eats . read more

Dynamic African Restaurant Cuisine - The worse food I ever had in my life . It smelled so bad . I'm 100 percent sure it was old meat that was spoiled . - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Home food made in America! Made with real homeland ingredients! Fresh and tasty just like grandmama's! Great food! Great excellent service! Great Space! read more

Came here with a large group - half of whom never tried Nigerian food before. The owner was very accommodating and made us feel like family. The food here is the best Nigerian food in Chicago! You wait for the food but that's because it's cooked fresh and then value quality. We all had the egusi soup with pounded yam, jollof rice and also isi ewu. The egusi soup is so flavorful and top recommended traditional dish to try as a first timer. The jollof rice has the right amount of kick to it. If you want that African at home environment with a home cooked meal feeling- this is the place! read more

We have just left the restaurant and while the food was delicious the restaurant was out of much of the items on the menu. Apparently they order for the week on Mondays and by the weekend the selections are sparse. But what we were able to order was amazing, delicious and spicy. If you're a stickler and have no flexibility in your personality I would avoid this place. The restaurant genuinely reminded me of restaurants we would frequent when my family lived in Nigeria. The servers and the cook were friendly and very accommodating. And the place was empty, so we didn't get that memo! read more

What a wonderful lunch we had today at the Dynamic African Restaurant. We brought friends who are new to Chicago from the Congo. They were overjoyed to find familiar food and music. The owner stopped by our table to welcome them to Chicago and reassure them they had found a comfortable, welcoming spot. The service was excellent, the food delicious, and atmosphere lovely. I recommend it highly! read more

Dynamic African Restaurant Cuisine - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food is disgusting, service is crap, owners are total shit humans. They will boot your car if you leave it there for less than 5 minutes. No compassion or sense of community here. Don't ever go here!! read more

I love this place! I have been here at least 5 or 6 times, and I have yet to be let down. When i first started coming they offered both Nigerian and Jamaican menu items, but since have changed the menu to only Nigerian. Also note that the restaurant is closed on some Sundays to have community meetings. Call to verify!!! First things first. This place has great music (naija music with music videos) and the hosts are always very welcoming. When you walk in, you are able to sit wherever you'd like, and the menus are normally already on the table. The hosts will immediately bring over water, and ask if you need any help deciding on menu items (always a plus) The FOOD: Everything is made to order, so be patient as your foodnis prepared. I'd definitely prefer to wait for fresh food than receive a quick meal that's been sitting out for a while. My go-to meal is Nigerian stew with white rice although I will sometimes order jollof rife with meat. I have also tried the okra stew which is also pretty tasty. Each of the items mentioned comes with a hefty serving of rice, with your choice of 3 meats. (Cow leg, fish, beef, chicken, or goat). The Nigerian stew has all of the perfect flavors with just the right touch of heat so it's not too overbearing. Although I have never been a fan of okra, the okra stew is really good (not slimy haha). The Service: the restaurant overall is family style, so expect to see the regulars and the hosts mingling and chatting about every day things. Also don't be caught of guard if someone asks for your opinion of something haha. The hosts are very patient especially with those who aren't familiar with Nigerian cuisine. They'll readily tell you if they believe you won't like something, or if it may be too hot for your taste buds. I've never had to ask for refills because they're pretty much always right there when the cup is getting empty haha. Overall I'd definitely recommend Dynamic to anyone who's a fan of Nigerian cuisine. Prices are great for the amoubt lf food that they gice you, and the service is great!! read more

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I like this place a lot the ladies are always nice & they seem to enjoy taking care of their customers. Sometimes there's a wait because they cook the food fresh. If you want your food fresh & tasty wait around. I love their stew & egusi I also love their pepper soup they have the best pepper soup ever. read more

I love the red stew with fish and Fufu so much that I came here everyday for a week in a row. I just couldn't get enough of that delicious taste in my mouth. The food is very fresh and clean. No preservatives , just real food read more

Dynamic African Restaurant Cuisine - Fufu & red stew & fish . Soooo delicious - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The jollof rice didn't really have any seasoning to it and my proteins that came with it was burnt and hard to eat. I had the Egusi Stew with the fufu as well, it was surprisingly decent. read more

4 stars for the food, 5 star for the act of human kindness and compassion. I was having lunch with a co-worker here when a man came in looking tired and dehydrated. He asked the lady (the owner I believe) working there for a glass of water. She went above and beyond that and sat him down, ordered the kitchen to make something for him to eat. He apologetically said that he did not have money to pay for the meal. She told him not to worry and that it was more important he regain his energy. Seeing that act of kindness made my dinning experience an unforgettable one, which I am extremely grateful for. Now onto the food: Although my exposure to African cuisine is sorely lacking and can't say this is the best but from the dishes I've had the pleasure of tasting was pretty good. Had the Pounded Ham with soup with my choice of three proteins (Goat, Beef, Salted Fish), even asked to make it extra spicy which made the dish even more delicious. :] Writing this review is honestly making me crave it now... read more

So I was intending to go to Iyanze after getting a bottle of scotch, but I saw this ugly storefront restaurant in a strip mall while looking for parking. Scott at Independent Spirits said that the place was closed, but information was from his trip in to open his store at 11 am. So after the single malt pick up, I walked over, and the door to Dynamic was open. A very nice, friendly fellow with a Jamaican accent cheerfully explained that it was indeed an African restaurant, but they weren't open yet, they open at 11. That is what the sign on the outside said, but at this point it was just shy of noon. I asked about the menu, as it looked like at least half the selections were Jamaican, and of course, he was speaking to me with a pretty Jamaican accent. He explained, in a very inviting and cheerful manner that he was the chef, he was indeed from Jamaica, his partner is an Igbo Nigerian woman, and he assured me both cuisines were authentic and delicious here, and urged me to come back shortly when they opened up, at 11:00. Since it was now after noon, I was quite convinced that at least the Jamaican side of the menu was authentic, from his very Jamaican sense of punctuality. When I returned in half an hour, a woman was also working, and although it must have been 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the restaurant, she was wearing a bulky down long arctic coat, scarf, knit ski hat, and took off her gloves only to wash dishes. I guessed she was the Nigerian partner, and wasn't yet used to Chicago winter. They didn't have my favorite, peanut soup, but they do have my second favorite, Egusi stew, which was pretty good. I prefer just fish in mine, but he added a wide variety of meat, including some unidentifiable and somewhat suspicious...bits. When he saw that I cleaned my plate except for the, well it could have been goat...parts, he said that next time he would make it with just fish for me. That adds a star just for noticing, I like an observant waiter-chef. Another star for entertainment, I got to watch a Jamaican chef try to shovel snow. He's better at cooking. So maybe a comparison would be in order, as there's some serious choice in Chicago for Sub-Saharan West African cuisine. Bolat is much, much nicer, in terms of decor and ambiance, but this place is less expensive. I like the selection of food at Iyanze better, but the service was better here. Although Dynamic is by no means "pretty" in terms of decor, it's brighter and cleaner looking than Iyanze. Iyanze can be very busy, just chock full of computer engineers and taxi cab drivers, which can slow service down to am equatorial pace, not matter the weather. In the hour or so I was in here, the only other customer was a fellow who came in and ordered one jerk chicken to sit down and eat, which he did with obvious relish, and another two orders to go. I guess the Jamaican side of the menu has its fans too. Expect to pay 10 to 12 dollars a plate, servings are generous. They offer nothing to drink besides water (no palm wine!), this could be a problem for some, the Egusi has a bit of a kick to it.. read more

Had such an amazing evening here. My first experience of Vegan Nigerian food and totally exceeded my expectations. The food was delicious. Friendly place. What a lovely evening, you can be sure I will visit again. read more

Dynamic African Restaurant Cuisine - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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**Update 12/27/14** Sadly, they no longer sell jerk chicken. I'll leave my five stars in the hopes that they bring it back. *********************************************** Best jerk chicken I've ever had! And I used to work at an authentic Caribbean restaurant. The atmosphere is pretty sparce, but who cares? The chicken is out of this world. read more

I have to say, this is THE best Naija restaurant I've been to as far as food is concerned. I tried their ogbono soup and it is absolutely amazing. It tastes like my mother's soup and she's a hard act to follow. I will definitely come here again whenever I visit!!!!! read more

I have only been to this location once for their Isiewu (goat head). It was really great the first time. Huge portions and it was really delicious and affordable. The second time we went she doubled the price and the portion was dramatically reduced and it wasn't that tasty and it was made by the same person. That just turned me off from the restaurant. read more

The jerk chicken is delicious and they give you plentiful. The prices are very reasonable seeing how you get a good amount of food. Although customer service is poor. My husband and I went to pick up food that we called in to order at least 15 minutes later than the time they suggested and we went in no one greeted us or ask how could they help us. They also seem to always run out of food. Even with these few complaints, they have delicious food and will continue to patronize them read more

It is definitely African. I like African food and this is Nigerian, I believe and authentic. If you go regular menu the right side is Jamaican. If you go as a group you can have African or Jamaican or mix. Take you own artificial sweetener as that is part of being authentic. I like the jollof rice. read more

It opened at 2 so we went in at 230 and when I walked in it was like a ghost town. I had to call out several times for someone to come and when someone did they told me they just got there and to come back. read more

This restaurant was absolutely horrible. They disrespect paying customers, and their food was not worth the money. The restaraunt itseld is not sanitary, do not waste your money here. read more

I witnessed two disgusting incidents at this restaurant this past weekend. One, on Friday night 7/8/16, I was walking down the alley behind the restaurant when i saw a woman peeing between the back wall of the restaurant and a garbage container. She noticed me, pulled her pants up quickly and fled inside the back door. It was a screen door, so i went to it to say HEY WHAT THE FUCK - and I saw her pick up a spoon and start to stir something in a large commercial pot. DISGUSTING. I was just about to go in when someone slammed the door shut. On Sunday 7/10/16, I was walking down the alley again and as i turned the hairpin corner by the back of this restaurant, there were several long banquet tables set up in the alley and many men were seated, eating and laughing. Several women came out of the restaurant's back door with food for the men. These men were eating food prepared in that restaurant while seated 2 feet away from 3 huge overflowing garbage containers - WTF? Who does this? This alley is used by CTA and police vehicles constantly - this could have been a serious disaster had a cop car come flying through - This restaurant needs to be CLOSED. read more

Went to Dynamic last night for an Early Valentines Vegan Feast. It was a really good experience all around. The owner was warm and friendly, and really took pride in her cooking. I could taste the love! The offering was a variety of veg-friendly dishes like plantains, an amazing and savory vegetable stew, beans and rice with coconut creme. The coleslaw had a real punch of horseradish and was a nice crunchy foil to many of the softer dishes. So delicious. The owner's brother took the time to tell us a little about Nigeria and talked about the history and authenticity of this cuisine. It's just a humble little storefront place across the street from the Thorndale Red Line stop. It's also BYOB with a liquor store across the street, and the fabulous Independent Spirits around the corner. Go! read more

Really really really good food! But they basically charged us double for a package order. It was almost worth it - but their staff needs to be more on top of it read more

Super fuckin good just order jerk chicken extra side of cabbage more than enough for two girls...less than twenty bucks BYOB

I may don't understand African food, but the dish I tried I just couldn't eat, it smelled like spoilt fish

The jerk chicken at Dynamic truly is the best in town! I've tried many, and never been completely satisfied. This dish is as good as you get in Jamaica! I have also had fish and it was perfectly done. The restaurant is not much from the outside, but the vibe inside is nice - friendly and good service, and the prices are reasonable! You won't be disappointed! read more

My Nigerian friend LOVES it! He says nothing like it in the other midwestern state he lives in but pledges to return to Dynamic whenever he returns to Chicago. Not only did he thoroughly enjoy his soup and pounded yam but thought the service was top flight. I recommended this spot to him based on Yelp; this one was solid. read more

I went with friends last night. it was...ok. First of all---no appetizers are offered (& neither is any dessert...not even chin-chin). We spilled water on the table, & just removed the tablecloth ourselves...it took about 1/2 hour to be served---& there were no other customers in the restaurant. Even though we asked for low spice, all the food was very spicy. If that's what you are looking for, fine. We were disappointed. read more

OK, so i enjoy African food and make the rounds of the usual suspect's; Vee Vee's, Ianze, Demeras. I've been passing by Dynamic for several months now, but it just didn't look that inviting. Small dumpy strip mall, bars on the windows. So, it was my day off and my birthday and I thought i'd treat myself to an African lunch. Inside the place is nice, simple and clean, a very pleasant surprise. I ordered my favorite, goat curry with fu fu (a pounded yam you eat with your fingers) and my partner had jerk chicken, rice and beans with a side of plantains. OMG, we were blown away. The portions were good and the flavors were AMAZING!!!!! All for 18 bucks. What a deal! If you like African food, don't let the exterior turn you off, stop in and give them a try. You won't regret it! And don't be in a hurry when you go there. Ryan, the cook, is from Jamaica. The service is very laid back, ya mon. read more

Awesome jerk chicken and jerk shrimp !!!. Food was full of flavor and so tender... I took my kids today 08-13-13. Well worth the trip ! They have a small lot for parking. The service was warm and friendly. If you want the best jerk chicken and a bargain the gome here read more

Holy Crap. This place is a diamond in the rough. I noticed that this place serves gumbo, the only place even remotely close to me to do so. I finally decided to give it a try but they were out of gumbo and told me they would have it later during the week. I appreciated the honesty and glad that I was not served seafood that wasn't at its freshest for a midwest restaurant. After scanning the menu, I decided to order the jerk chicken lunch, as I have had jerk chicken before at a Caribbean place, but this was 10X better and was ridiculously good. It tasted like this thing was roasted over a fire pit or something. Smokey, crispy, yet tender and seasoned well. It came with rice and a cabbage-vegetable side. The rice was extremely favorable as well. I went back and had the same thing the next day and it did not disappoint. Can't wait to see what they do with their gumbo. read more