I was tipped off about this place by a friend of mine that had taken a group to enjoy the food here. I am a lover of African cuisine so it was a natural that I come here to check out the goods. I walked in around 5:30pm and walked up to the counter and asked for a menu. I checked it out and decided to go with the seafood (shrimp), chicken and rice platter to go. It was a bit of a wait, but was expected. I walked home and opened up the goods and smashed it as it was delicious. The meat came in a stewish form and I just pored it over the jollof rice...it made for a very good meal and was just as good when heated up as leftovers. The ladies here are really nice and can advise you on whats good to eat. If you don't want to wait, I would advise you to order ahead if you are just getting takeout as they are cooking with some serious spices and it may start getting to your eyes...lol! Good stuff! read more

if I could give zero stars I would today I went to the restaurant to pickup my food I order egusi soup with fish and plantains . the food was beyond horrific I blame myself for not checking my food . when I got home so I can eat it was only 2-3 tablespoons of food in the bowl and the fish was so old and plantains were burnt I will never spend another dime in this establishment . if you do go to this restaurant check your food before you leave and make sure they charge you the same price every time read more

Food was delicious and portions are pretty sizable as well! A small family owned restaurant, without us asking the staff helped show us how the food is traditionally eaten and showed us where we could wash our hands before eating, which is not an experience you'll get at a larger restaurant. That being said I am not familiar with Nigerian food so I cannot compare it to others. The ambiance is what you'd expect from a mom and pop shop, definitely a no frills spot but if you don't mind that the food is worth a try! read more

The food was awful. Customer service was cold, detached from being friendly and informative about the menu. The fish was hard, and the rice was underwhelming at best. Nothing special about the restaurant. I will NEVER return to this establishment. read more

Pretty small place. Service was bit slow even with few customers. Jollof rice was ok but more of some seasoning flavor. Ambience is not great. The Meat was damn hard not sure if it was precooked. Charged 2$ extra for credit card. I would not go to this place again. read more

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They've got mice. That's it. That's the post. We were having dinner, a mouse ran from under one table to ours. The service staff SAW it, and wasn't phased at all. read more

There are only about 10-15 items on the menu, but I'm sure each and every one of them is good. There are pictures on the menu to help you make your selection. My tilapia soup was spiced just right, and the fish was fresh(as a seasoned fish eater I can tell the difference between fresh and frozen) Unlike some other west African restaurants, it is not overly greasy or oily here. Also, the younger woman(presumably the daughter of mama osas) informed me that most of the ingredients are organic. Very good to know. However, this isn't really a "take a date" place, more of a whole in the wall,yet exotic, tasty, nutritious eatery. read more

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I was visiting Chicago and wanted some nigerian food being where I'm from has No African Restaurants whatsoever. I called ahead of time because I read somewhere their food is made to order. When I arrived I sat for about 10 minutes while the staff walked around there were NO customers. Finally I approach a man(who I guess is the owner) and ask to order I told him I called ahead he had no clue what I was talking about. So after I ordered I sat another 10 minutes I went up to ask for something to drink. I had to grab it from the freezer (I know what you're thinking why the heck didn't I walk out, I just came from a 10 hour train ride I was desperate) So the food came it looked good and seemed fresh I Ordered pounced yam and ogbono soup it was very favorable and had a great portion. I didn't get asked once if I needed anything or if I was okay.... At this point if it wasn't cold and and I wasn't in the mood to run I would've walked out without paying the service was nonexistent so I might as well leave??? My advice just do take out. Great food though hence three stars. - Carpenter kim read more

Mama Osas African Restaurant - a plate of food - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very good chops (eat). This place has catered for my family before but this is the first time I would dine formally and I must say they are very good. Food: Pounded Yam and Efo was very good. Pounded yam was very soft and fluffy so it went down easily. Efo was not spicy at all and had shrimp and stock fish and then assorted meat. I also ordered fried rice and assorted meat to go and when I began to tear into this. I started singing Allelu, especially when I tasted the liver (real fried rice choppers know about the liver). Great work by the chef Ambiance: very tiny shop set up like a typical Buka Place. It was defo a Nigerian shop with the two deep freezers behind the counter. Service: Good service, they were not rude like Nigerians tend to be when they see other Nigerians (though I tired my best Akata (black American) accent and the woman smelt Yoruba right away in me. Lol. Overall it was a good experience honestly only disappointment was the lack of meat pie, however I got there later in the evening so I will let that slide. Well done Mama Osa, E Ku įse read more

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I can't believe this place is still open. I like Nigerian food and thought I would try a different Nigerian restaurant with my family. It was the WORST experience ever. The service was awful, the food was sitting over in boxes on the floor to name just a few things including the roaches. I was so embarrassed that I had selected them to try. We ended up leaving and went across the street to Sonic, which is NOT what I drove to the other side of town for. However, we were so hungry at that point, we just had to grab something. read more

A Beth lowkey place but they were very helpful since it was my first time there. Their jallof of rice was delicious. Big portions

Terrible they give you very old meat " they give you very little stew and the stew is always old from days ago just reheated they only give you good fresh food if your African they are very very rude here food is very very bad customer service is terrible they rush you when you order read more

Service is not the best but the food is amazingly rich and full of flavor. Ordered through Door Dash, menu is limited on DD but everything is delicious. read more

This place is good Nigerian food. Classic cabby haunt so the atmosphere was as expected. The vegetable and stew sauce here were really excellent. Great plantains. The spinach in the egusi and the pounded yam were good. However the meat in my egusi was not as good as I'd hoped. The goat was a little too tough but still flavorful. The beef and fish were pretty good but the vegetables and jollof rice were definitely the highlight of the meal. Great meatpies also, surprisingly. I'd suggest this as an option for Nigerian food, especially if you like jollof rice. read more

Hands down the best Nigerian food in Chicago; almost tastes as if Ma made it herself. We ate the peppa soup, which was particularly spicy. Be forewarned, if you don't like spicy food, clearly communicate that to the waiter. Also the Jallof rice was delicious and flavorful. Lastly, the eba and stew is a MUST have. Definitely check out this restaurant if you are interested in authentic, delicious Nigerian Cuisine. read more

Mama Osas African Restaurant - Tilapia, jallof rice and plantain. - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had their egusi with eba and found it to be really good! The ladies take their time to cook the food and what you get definitely won't disappoint! It's not a fancy, pretty restaurant but the food is worth coming back for. read more

Mama Osas African Restaurant - Egusi with goat - delicious! - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ordered some to go food from this restaurant after a disappointing experience with Inyanze bloat restaurant. The egusi, the okra and mix sauces I got with fufu and the fried plantains were to die for. We really enjoyed the food and we're glad we found this place. I don't know the dine in place experience but the take out was great read more

This place is horrible!! I ordered food to go and it totaled 12 dollars, well the lady accidentally charged me 112 dollars. She had no idea how to void my transaction and after 30 minutes I still didn't have my refund. She then proceeded to call the manager who had to drive to the restaurant, which was another 10 minutes. When the guy got there he refused to apologize or give me any sort of free meal or side for my trouble. He was rude and it seemed like this entire situation was such a hassle for him, well let me tell you, it was a hassle waiting for 45 minutes and getting my 100 dollars back in my account. read more

I had the eba and fish stew. My boyfriend had eba with fish and goat stew. The food was good we'll seasoned. I do wish there was more sauce in the stew. The eba was good. We also had the tolapia with pepper. read more

Horrible experience. Were very impatient and rude. Told me to sit down when I walked to the door to visit the neighborhood while they prepared my food. Tried to lie and say the price on the menu was incorrect and make me pay $5 extra then what the menu displayed. Said, "that price is for the old restaurant". Well fix the damn price!!!!! Why is that my problem?? THEY ARE THIEVES, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! They wouldn't even give me a receipt or silverware when I asked for it. A one star is being generous. read more

Amazingly fresh and delicious Nigerian food! The vegetables are green, the fish, succulent. The place is very clean. The food is however hot you'd like her to make it. Also, the prices are good. I think this is the best NIgerian food in Chicago. read more

My husband and I dined here over the summer. I forgot to write a review until I went to Iyanze and was so disappointed by it. I remembered how much I loved the fish and rice entree at Osa's. I don't love having bones and a head on my fish, but damn that fish was tasty, fresh and seasoned so well. The sauce it was in was so great. The rice had a nice flavor, but I didn't like that they used frozen veggies. Real veggies are so cheap so why use frozen? The bread was amazing. They bake their own bread. It's a hole in the wall. I believe it was Osa who was working that day. She was very helpful explaining all the dishes and the menu. There are pictures of entrees too that are helpful. The bad thing with the rice is there was some kind of meat in it that couldn't be omitted. I just picked it out. I sacrificed my ethics and picked out the meat. That's how tasty the rice was! I wish my hubby loved fish as much as I do so we could go back. Even he liked the fish and he's more of a burger and chicken guy. It's cute because you see Osa's family in there. It's a small, family owned business. The doorway to the kitchen is open. You can see the cooks making bread and cooking. It's great to see lots of the food is made from scratch. I'd definitely go here instead of Iyanze any day. read more

My boyfriend and I stopped in here to try Nigerian food for the first time - We picked up a menu and scanned it a bit, not really knowing what anything was, but the owner came and was very kind and patient with us explaining what dishes would go good together and what everything was made of. We decided on two dishes, both were delicious! The dine-in experience was very clean, not too fancy so great to stop in any time. I'm not sure how it compares to other Nigerian places because I'm not as familiar with the cuisine, but it was delicious! That on top of the friendly service gives this place 5 stars from me. read more

Fail!!! The food was barely edible.The meat was dry as hell and looked like it had been sitting out for a while OR SOMETHING.Like I said,BARELY EDIBLE.I've had worst though.The pounded yam was ok.Im not African so I guess it was ok.Not my cup of tea but HEY!!!!! To each his own.I cant comment on the pounded yam because its nor eaten in my culture but others can eat what they prefer.So Im sticking to the 3 different meats I had.Like I said,just dry as hell and old looking.Didnt care for it AT ALL.Service was good though.My server was friendly and attentive.So based on the service,jacking them up to two stars.I mean,why the hell is the meat so old looking and dry like that?????? read more

Wow!!! This banga soup is lit!!!!! Best in Chicago!!! This is really home away from home. Great sevice guys!!

Awful. Not consistent. I asked for one dish and they gave me something totally different as if I didn't know the difference or what I wanted. I am American but know my African food and it was horrible. Never get the Okra Stew or Jollof Rice. read more

This is a little space with an owner with a big heart. Eating at the restaurant felt like being at your friendly neighborhood West African Cheers. Everyone knew each other, were enjoying their meals. We went on a Friday night, there was a mix of west africans and non-west africans. I got egusi stew, which I love. I don't know if it was that I was American, but it wasn't as spicy as some places, but the ingredients were fresh. The owner, Espy talked to us and gave us meat pies to go. They also have ginger candy that tasted like an authentic, strong ginger beer. I will try their jollof rice next time. read more

I am in love with Mama Osa's. Some may question the capability of a small restaurant like this to give great tasting food, but it surely does. When I went this past weekend, I ordered Egusi soup and pounded yam. They asked if I wanted an assortment of meats, and I ordered chicken and beef, which was very tasty, and well cooked. This is a place you can go to eat alone or with family and friends, Nigerian or not, and feel right at home with the traditional customs that gave me a home cooked feeling, taste, and not far from my house. I wish I could eat Mama Osa's everyday, it's so good. Of the West African cuisine in the city, this is my favorite. Five stars! read more

This was the worst meal!! We were literally yelled at because we asked too many question. The workers here are extremely rude and we did not enjoy the food compared to other places I've been on the East Coast and even in Chicago.. Ugh! read more

This is the fourth Nigerian restaurant in Chicago that Ive tried and it is my favorite:) i ordered the Jollof Rice with Fried Fish. The fish was so good and tasty:) The Jollof rice wasn't as spicy as I wanted it but it was good also! The prices were reasonable. You get so much food! I would recommend doing take out here. There is plenty of parking in the front which is also a plus! read more