Great low-key spot for somali cuisine in the old town area. The staff were super friendly, and lots of the patrons seemed to be regulars. I split a meal with the friend, we got the chicken dinner and two samosas. The portions were great and we were both satisfied. Rice was delicious, the yellow split peas were great as well, and the chicken hit the spot. The samosas were just okay, I enjoyed them but would probably get something else next time. We got milk tea which wasn't too strong so it was fine to drink at night. Overall, it was a nice spot. I would really love to come back and try the lunch menu sometime! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - chicken dinner - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We love to eat where the "locals" eat. Great service and we were warmly treated. The space is a simple kitchenette feeling with everything basic but serviceable. read more

After visiting Mogadishu Restaurant, I'm officially a Somali food fan. Everything I tried was so uniquely delicious, with a blend of spices and ingredients I've never had before. Highly recommend if you want to give your taste buds a treat. Some favorite dishes of mine are the kay kay and chicken suqaar. A nice accompaniment to both is their tea (available with or without milk), which is self-serve. The people that work here were also super friendly and patient with me while I took in the menu. Ambience was that of a casual hole in the wall, which is exactly my kind of place. I've been back once so far and definitely have plans to go back! read more

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Spaghetti banged. Food was buffet style because so the service was fast and friendly. Super cozy lil hole in the wall. Feels like home is calling from somewhere I've never been. read more

This place is wonderful Delicious food prepared fresh always Very clean Friendly staff Aisha Hassan Abdul Everyone is excellent and friendly and nice people. I will always come here even though I drive far away it's worth it. read more

We had a large party of six, three of which were kids, and they were able to accommodate us almost instantly with incredible veggies rice, chicken, steak, and salmon. Everyone was filled, and the wrap up with the tea was absolutely delightful! All plates were clean! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Awesome experience and incredibly friendly staff. The food was priced reasonably and delicious and I had plenty left over to take home.

"Somali beeen weey sheegta laakin been maku maah maahdo" is a famous Somali proverb which means Somalis may lie but they never lie with proverbs. - The crepe/bread with honey was great. I was the only gringo in the place with lots of Somali chatter, and they made me feel welcome. read more

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A hole-in-a-wall restaurant that serves Somali food. I noticed that the time to get the food was very fast since it's served cafeteria style. The chicken with rice was good, and so did the sweet bread. read more

They sent me meat when I ordered veg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big mistake, steer clear read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great "hole in the wall" Somali restaurant where the food is authentic and of great value. This is run by four Somali friends who are very helpful in explaining the food options. The food is fresh and tasty. read more

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My favorite meal of our global eats in Chicago tour! Staff were extremely warm and accommodating. Explain to them our trip was about having different food experiences different flavor profiles and ingredients etc that we couldn't get at home. We were guided on dishes to select. I want to live closer than 5 hours to this place to be honest. It was such a great culinary experience. It's a very small place very utilitarian just five tables crammed into a small space It's a little crowded to order at the counter. It is a spot for Somali cab drivers. They were all very polite and friendly. Really enjoy the fact that you could have so many different flavors going on. You're giving up a nana what you do not eat by peeling the banana and taking bites of it but rather you incorporate little bits of banana with your other food. On the table are squeeze jars of honey, olive oil, green chili and red chili sauce. Order the chai tea. It's self-serve they have tea without the milk and tea with the milk. They have a sweet mildly sweet bread malawah #41 as well as a more savory enjera, #39. They also have a more Indian style chapati which we did not get. We had breakfast here. We had the #5 goat breakfast. First time either one of us had goat. Very good. Had a okra along with other vegetables really nice flavor profile. Then we were able to have variations on it by eating it with the bread and using any combination of the honey olive oil green or red chili sauce and also including little bites of banana or not and including pouring your chai tea over it or not. Just so many flavor opportunities. We also had the number three with chicken. Again all the variations of flavor combinations using the sauces and the chai tea and banana. It was just a fun interesting engaging way to eat. And it was delicious. I polished off the meal using some of the malawah to wrap up remaining banana drizzle with honey in the dash of my chai tea for a delicious breakfast dessert. If I lived in Chicago I'd be here probably once a week. The owners were very warm and kind and helpful. He even directed us to the fact that there were six Somali restaurants about an hour and a half away from us in Columbus Ohio. Yay. read more

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Phenomenal is the best word to describe this restaurant. Don't let it's 'hole-in-the-wall' exterior look deter you by any means. They are so authentic and absolutely delicious. I was thrilled to find this hidden gem! Their portion sizing is so generous at a great price! They're also on food delivery apps. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - a variety of food items - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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BEWARE. I ordered carry-out from here using Toast and when I went to pick up the order they told me they didn't have *any* of the food (!). They had already confirmed the order online, however (!!). I asked them to cancel the order and they said they couldn't do it. I told them they MUST do it, because they confirmed the order already. They shrugged and said they would cancel it. Spoiler alert: they didn't cancel it, so they stole $24 from me over Toast, charging me for food I never received. I'm now on hold with my bank disputing their theft. read more

I'm not 100% sure which dish I got, but I believe it's the chicken suqaar. Trying Somali food for the first time, I asked the server for a recommendation and told him I liked chicken. So he grabbed a plate and spooned loads of food onto it. The space is tight, but at 12:30pm on a weekday there was one table open. It was a cold, winter day when I learned about this comfort food I never knew I needed. I loved the mixture of soupy rice and beans, savory chicken, and steamed vegetables that all came together to soothe and warm my heart. This was great meal after a workout too. Highly recommend! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Chicken suqaar - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really wanted to love this place but it was just ok. Their Rice & Pasta Salmon Combo was pretty good. I had to add a good amount of hot sauce, salt, and pepper, but I ate the entire giant dish and was happy about it. Ha-ha! Their Chai was DELICIOUS. Unfortunately, the veggie bowl was just ok and the Kay Kay with Veggies was awful. My husband took one bite and pawned it off on me; I took one bite and threw it in the trash. If they should tone down the portion sizes just slightly and turn up the flavor, we'd be having some good grub. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Rice & Pasta Salmon Combo - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely delicious, affordable, and generous portions of Somali food. Came by on a Sunday afternoon with a couple friends and ordered at the counter. I got the Kay Kay with Beef lunch which came loaded with bread, beef, vegetables, and seasoning. A pretty huge, flavorful platter. There's not much space inside, but we ate at a booth--think it's mostly takeout and delivery, but either way, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Kay Kay with Beef - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've never had Somalian food before and I can definitely say this won't be my last time. The restaurant is small and likely does mostly takeout, but I was lucky enough to snab a table. A friends and I split the beef k-Kay and the goat enjara. The goat was extremely tender and succulent. The beef k-Kay was a great stir fry and super flavorful. The samosas were a delicious mixture and would have been perfect if they were a bit hotter but there is a microwave to heat them up. Don't forget to try out the Somalian tea! I recommend the one with milk if you don't have a sweet tooth. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Goat enjara plate - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Fascinating new (to me) cuisine to check out: it's prepared a bit differently than what I'm used to, but that's what I enjoyed. I'm always a sucker for lamb or goat so I got the goat. It was several pieces all braised in an interesting and very citrusy brine of some kind. Quite interesting: goat and lamb tend to be drowned in heavy sauces (which I also love!) but the fact that this is so different made it really appealing. As for presentation it's quite basic. I felt a little out of place there; folks dining in seemed to all be known to the business and people working there. I also really enjoyed the multicultural vibe; that term gets thrown around a lot this is where you really feel it. Like 10 people came in while I was there and all ordered in different languages. It's good food and an opportunity to appreciate something about this city you'll often miss; not only different cultures but all of them really right there with each other bonding over the way there's difference in cuisine with lots of commonality due to cultural contact, etc. over time. read more

I was starving and walking in downtown. I found this restaurant! Yup! How about something different? I love the food takes my to different countries! The owner is very friendly! The food is clean, healthy and delicious! The price is good! Wow! I wish this place is close to my home! read more

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Visited in a Saturday. I've been charged fraudulently every day since. Do not use your credit card here. I would not recommend. read more

This is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with 4 small tables and (as far as I could tell) no working restroom for customers. The food was OK but not exceptional: injera was soggy, mixed vegetables were overcooked and bland in flavor, cabbage was ok, hot sauce was good, none of the food was warm enough. Everything seemed to come out of a heating tray, as opposed to being cooked after our order was placed. My friends and I shared the Enjera plate and Grilled Salmon plate and some samosas for lunch. The "salmon" was not salmon, but some white fish (server was not able to tell us what it was), served on spaghetti. Our table was not cleaned well. read more

A new favorite restaurant! Outstanding food and amazing quantity. The Malawah is delicious and the chicken legs are delicious -a mouthful of flavors. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Never had Somali before but found this place on a list of black owned businesses on the north side. Was very impressed -- highly recommend! Food was very unique -- kind of like an Ethiopian / Indian food fusion. I really really liked the kay kay chicken dish - basically chicken and spices and pita bread. The lamb and chicken rice dishes reminded me of biryani. The milk tea was very much like Indian chai tea as well. There was a bunch on the menu and it was a bit overwhelming to order online since I had never heard of anything before! It looks like there's a more extensive menu for dine in so I definitely want to go back to try it! read more

5 star because I dont want to hurt them. But yuck! Very sweet staff. Kind. But the food was horrible. Spaghetti at a Somali place?

No menu, no problem. When you walk into Mogadishu, you can't help but wonder-- am I in the right place? Hole in the wall restaurant without a menu or any set prices...but that doesn't stop this place from being pretty great. I came in here to grab a box of takeout, and the man at the front just asked me if I wanted some of everything. Sounds great, I said. After he served me a heaping box full of food, He charged me $11 on the dot (they take card!) and that was that. The food is good! Healthy but flavorful. But the portions are insane-- 1 takeout box is probably enough for 2, 3 meals. Check this place out some time! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food is great. Because the restaurant was overly crowded with men. I wanted to know if there's a seating area for ladies. And because this is a Somali restaurant (which they normally do). They said yes, and took us to a storage room next to the bathrooms. I only gave 3 stars, because of the food. They could do better though. I was traveling through the state with my sisters, if you are a lady who wants private sitting, this place is not for you. If you want good Somali/African food. I recommend you take your food to go. read more

Simply amazing culturally and food-wise. When I first stepped into this restaurant, it really gave me a homely warm first generation immigrant feeling. The nostalgia from mom-pop shops growing up in Toronto hit me hard. The staff here is superb, and gave us extra drinks and food! This whole plate if food for 3 people costed $45 even with a 25% tip! We had leftovers as well. Amazing place and highly recommend compared to the other overpriced "authentic" cuisines of Chicago. One of my highlights so far of 2022 visiting places! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Mixed Plate Vegetables - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Huge portions ! The lunch I got today will definitely last a couple days. Loved the spicy rice and the chicken legs were fresh with a good cilantro flavor. Service is as friendly. I'll be back! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Chicken legs & beef samosa - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went here with a friend after seeing some of the amazing reviews, it was my first time trying Somalian food so I was ready to try whatever they recommended. The restaurant is small with a family-owned feel; you order and pay at the counter, sit down anywhere that's open, and wait till they bring out your food. The cashier told us a couple of the more popular items so we decided on the chicken leg and rice plate, and the k-kay (that's actually how they spell it and how it's pronounced!) with chicken. The chicken legs were sort of fried with a nice crusty skin, not crunchy like a Popeyes fried chicken but crisp with a bit of a nice chew. The meat was flavorful and tender, not dry at all, there was no sauce but the seasoning was good enough to eat on its own. The rice and veggies, however, were pretty basic, and everything could've been served a bit warmer. The k-kay was a mixture of one of their well-seasoned meats, veggies, chopped up bits of chapati (a sort of buttery flatbread), and some sauce with spices I can't quite put my finger on. It was served warm and I think was a bit more flavorful than the chicken platter; while it wasn't completely homogenous, it could've used a bit more texture because the chicken, bread, and veggies all seemed to mix and get to a similar consistency which made it a little more boring to finish by the end of the plate. While it wasn't as amazing and flawless as the reviews make it seem, I enjoyed the food here and the no-frills, down-to-earth atmosphere of the restaurant. Their menu isn't that extensive and consists of some different meats with sides of rice or spaghetti, but I would be down to come back and try maybe their fish or beef options. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Chicken leg platter - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'll be sure to return. I had this bookmarked for so long so we finally had take out for dinner. It is small and gets packed with diners and to go orders. There are only 3 booths that seat 4 people and maybe 2 bar seats and it doesnt have much room to walk around to the counter when there are a lot of people. Though it's small, people seem to dine like a cafeteria mostly...they may offer you a seat next to them to squeeze in. Take out is the still the way to go. I had trouble figuring out what I wanted and i kept pointing to other peoples delicious abundant and asking the cashier/server what they ordered. We got the lamb shank over a bed of briyani rice with various vegetable sides...I asked for extra veggies and the guy was nice about it. Lamb shank came dry with no gravy which would be nicer if it did to go with the tasty simple veggie briyani. I picked the the bone clean! Also tried the injera with chicken. It came with the sides of veggies some and lentils and gravy/chutney thing which was amazing. I need to ask for more that next time. Didnt realize Somalian food is too similar to Indians...but less spicy. It was nice to people of all kinds of backgrounds venture out for this delicious takeout! read more

Ayanle, with his Mogadishu, gives me hope for Chicago. In a dreary, cold, neglected environment like the culinary landscape of America's town of blues and segregation, here is born a small, tender, motherly home to anyone who needs a beautifully natural meal... good for our minds and our hearts. I'm back here as often as I can, catch me drinking that Somalian milk tea and eating just about everything on the menu. Much Love read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mogadishu Restaurant is an authentic Somali restaurant on the edge of Gold Coast that can be easy to miss at first glance. The dining area is quite small, with only three tables. Nevertheless, the place was super busy, with many people (presumably Somali) waiting in line to order. The food is delicious, and definitely feels more like a home-cooked meal. The prices were great for the portion they offered. I left the restaurant satisfied with a full stomach. It's not a place to take a date, but Mogadishu does not disappoint in terms of taste and value. I'll definitely be visiting again. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Got take out here, and it was a nice walk from the Mag Mile area, which in COVID era was nice to incorporate a walk into my day & not pay delivery fees - would rather give that $$$ to the restaurant :)! Staff was friendly, the food was ready & waiting for me by the door with my name on it when I got there & everything was delicious & good portions. I had never had Somalian food before, I ordered Chicken Suqaar with Bariis, a samosa & malawah. It was all great but my favorite was the malawah which I would describe similar to a sweet crepe. I will definitely be back!!! I want to try the Somali Tea Milk next trip! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Chicken Suqaar with Bariis Dinner & a Samosa - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ordered a takeout and walked there after 15 minutes. The owner recognized me as I entered, called me by name and handed over my order. Everyone in the restaurant looked like regulars, and greeted like old buddies. The food was good, the biryani rice reminded me of my home, Hyderabad. Chicken legs were okay, not too great. I liked spinach and cabbage. The portion is huge for $11, I can easily eat it for 3,4 meals. Many items on the menu look similar to Indian dishes, I should go look up India- Somalia connection ASAP. 4-star was for the great reception and good service, food is 3-star IMO, but will definitely return and try other stuff read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Chicken legs, biryani rice, cabbage and spinach - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had a delicious meal from this restaurant. The kay kay with vegetables was delicious. It reminds me of other cultures that also stir fry bread. I will order this again. The pasta and rice combo was also good, although I would get vegetables next time because the salmon was a bit dry. The portions are huge, so kudos to the owner for keeping it consistent during these times. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Bariis Rice and Pasta Salmon Combo Dinner, Kay Kay with vegetables - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Try something new and different! You'll enjoy it unless you're a Karen from Schaumburg.

The food here is definitely GOOD and definitely affordable. When we went, the place was filled with Somali regulars and was a high energy place. There's not really a menu, I just asked the guy for a plate with a little bit of everything and he did not disappoint. The sweet milk tea was TO DIE FOR. I still have dreams about that tea... There's not really a restaurant ambiance--it's more just a hole in the wall with a counter/food takeout and maybe enough seating for 6-8 people. If you are afraid of trying new and maybe more run-down places then this is not for you. But if you're adventurous and are down for a good plate of food no matter what then definitely check this place out!!! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - A yummy plate of "a little bit of everything" - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This tasty seasoned food is so good. We are happy to have the flavors of mogadishu in chicago! Good portions and excellent flavors. Perfection on a plate! read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - We ordered fish and chicken and it came with seasoned rice and veggies. So yummy! - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The moment I walked into Mogadishu Restaurant, I knew I was in for a great meal. The restaurant is cluttered, and honestly a bit of a dive - think fly tape, styrofoam cups, and bottles of ranch dressing on the tables. The cashier (owner? chef?) serves food from hot trays behind a counter, cafeteria-style. Restaurant goers speak a language I don't recognize. The cashier greeted me and asked my name. He helped me decide on something to order (I have no idea what), then invited me to help myself to some tea, which was well-spiced but a little too sweet. The food came out on a decorated plate, like you'd have in your home. I got a mountain of spiced basmati rice with lentils, shredded chicken with peppers and onions, salmon, and greens. The rice had a really interesting spice profile - earthy and slightly sweet. The lentils were warm and comforting, as were the greens. The chicken was tender and packed with flavor. The fish had a strong fried-seafood taste, though it didn't appear to be deep fried. Those squirt bottles turned out to be filled with tangy, spicy chili-garlic sauce, which went perfectly with everything. After I cleaned my plate, I grabbed a beef samosa on the way out. It was flaky and juicy and oniony and meaty and spiced and basically everything I've ever wanted. Seriously, give this place a try. read more

Mogadishu Restaurant - Rice, lentils, chicken, salmon, and greens - delicious! - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois