Tima African Restaurant

I'm not very experienced with west African cuisine but I'm an open-minded eater. I'll start with customer service. I ordered online from their website. The website menu shows that there are certain things that are available on the menu every day, and other items, including Jollof rice, that are only available on certain days. However, on the actual online ordering menu, it shows everything. So when ordering you need to be sure that what you want is actually available that day. That said, when I placed an order for a menu item that was not actually available today. My phone rang almost immediately, and when I answered, it was the restaurant telling me that they did not have that item today and suggesting a similar replacement. The woman I spoke to was very kind, courteous, and apologetic, and we were able to update my order quickly and easily. I'm leaving this issue out of my rating, but just be mindful of ordering online. I ordered the white jollof rice with lamb. The rice is not actually white. It's more of a brown color, but a major contrast from the more traditional red jollof rice. It is sort of a broken rice, like you might find in some Asian cuisine and I t's more of a dry rice dish, but not in a bad way. It was very tasty. The lamb was tender and came with a boiled egg, some sautéed onions and a few other vegetables on top. When I picked up my food, I was asked if I wanted spicy. I thought they were asking if I had ordered it with extra spice, so I said it doesn't matter. He went to the back and came back with a small container of what ultimately reminds me of a very spicy, but smooth type chili paste. It was quite hot and also had some deep flavorful smoky notes. While I did not eat in the restaurant. I can say that it was very clean, spacious brightly colored and had a cheery atmosphere. The staff was very nice and offered samples to some people who were at the register trying to figure out what they wanted to eat. I would absolutely recommend trying Tima if you're over in East Charlotte or if you wanted to make a special trip. I think it would be worth your while.

Excellent food and service. Reminded me of my time in Senegal. The Dibi was absolutely delicious, as was the Ginger Juice. The music playing was great as well. I'll definitely return when I'm back in Charlotte

Best food in town I had Thieboudienne: Senegalese Jollof Rice And Fish with Hibiscus Juice 10/10 and for $25 it was worth it!

There are already a number of West African restaurants in Charlotte, and Tima's food has some similarities to the food at Samoha, Royal African Cuisine, etc. But Tima's food is also quite different, since Tima serves dishes from Francophone countries like Mali and Senegal. I've been there twice now and have tried the ceebu jen (or thieboudienne in French spelling) and the peanut butter soup. I was very impressed with both. The food isn't quite as spicy as at other West African restaurants, but it does come with a very spicy hot sauce. Be sure to ask which dishes are available, because the menu seems to rotate daily, and only part of the menu might be available on any given day. Note that there are two African restaurants in this same strip mall, so be sure not to confuse them. The other is Enat Ethiopian Restaurant, which serves completely different food.

I would give them like a high 3/ low 4. For one reason and one reason only, but this is a big reason. The flavors are great, but for the price that we are paying especially with a five dollar upcharge for fu fu instead of rice, THEY DO NOT GIVE ENOUGH MEAT IN THEIR SOUPS. Each soup comes with lamb and turkey, but you only get two small pieces and if you ask for more meat, they will give you bone instead of more meat.

Very good food and the people are friendly and helpful. Yuca rice and lamb was delicious and the salad was super good.