Taste of African Cuisine

Very interesting food and very reasonably priced. Sometimes African cuisine (I have visited countries in West Africa) can be very spicy but this was nice and mild with a hot condiment for those who like it spicier. (This was Somali cuisine, so East African.) There is no "menu" but there are some different things ready to go that they've prepared for that day that you can pick from. Because there were several of us they just made a large platter, and do mean very large plate of rice and pasta. It was excellent! Then we had a large platter, and again, it was very generous, of different meats all cooked with traditional spices. We had chicken, lamb and tilapia. I don't usually like fish in restaurants but the tilapia was truly wonderful! We could not eat it all! Took home lots and lots of left-overs. The meal was also accompanied by a banana. We also had a salad to start and water for the beverage. No need for a menu. This has all the earmarks of a neighborhood gathering place and it was clear that locals treated the place like a home away from home. We were made to feel very welcome and even though the service was a bit slow we didn't mind because we were here more to socialize amongst ourselves (3 friends who get together for lunch and try new places a couple of times a month). If you are looking for something different and like to explore really genuine foods from other countries (less 'Americanized') then this is a good place to try. Be aware, however, this is the original hole-in-the-wall. Literally. You can see photos others have posted. Do NOT let that deter you, or you will miss out on the experience. We had a great time!

Foood was amazing. My girlfriend and I wanted to try something different so we found this place. Kinda run down, hole in the wall. They don't have a menu. You just tell the chef what kinda meat you want and he'll cook you up something good. Chef was really nice and recommended some dishes. I eventually went with the goat dish.. 10/10. Would definitely come back

Great for date nights the food is excellent but not many options for kids this is great for adults kids not recommended

I've been coming here off and on since we found their booth at the Hillcrest market many years ago. I always wonder after I finish a meal there why I don't go more often. I think we just get hungry late. The food is delicious, full of flavor, easy to order, the staff courteous and black owned. The serving size is huge and made to order. We had the sambusas and curry chicken, coconut rice, greens, plantains, sweet jerk chicken and beef. All so tasty! We even had their ginger juice, one turmeric and the other hibiscus. It was delightful.

I love this place! It's located right in the middle of the SDSU campus; however it does have a small parking lot that is shared with the other nearby businesses. When I walked in, we were immediately served. The workers were so friendly and since it was my first time here they let me sample everything before I chose what to get! I got the spicy chicken and mixed vegetables! I tried some of my friend's beans and I will definitely be getting those next time(: The worker was so nice and also included some eggplant and plantains in my dish so that I could try it! I'm not a huge eggplant fan, but I still really liked the eggplant! I also LOVED the plantains they were crispy on the outside but warm and moist inside. A great place with great service, workers, and food! Will definitely come again(:

They're currently remodeling the front so we weren't sure at first if they were a caterer only or had sit down and/or takeout, but oh, my goodness, was I glad that we inquired inside! We were ushered to a table like friends and then personally suggested some of the specialties of the house. My seven-year-old chose fish and I had grilled chicken. Both came with amazingly spiced rice and salad on the side. I'd share a picture but we devoured it too fast so there's nothing to show except happy, full bellies! With food and service like this, we'll definitely be back! Thank you!

I've been ordering to-go from this local spot for the past year but it wasn't until last night when I got the chance to dine-in and write this place a proper review. It's been long overdue. Here we go.Taste of African Cuisine is as hole in the wall as it gets. I've never seen anything quite like it in the US. RC's review described it perfectly: "the most 'unpretentious' place I have ever eaten at in recent memory! I thought I had entered an auto repair facility." I'm totally onboard at this point. The ordering/pickup area is a literal hole in the wall. It's more like a wide slit, but you get the gist.There's no menu, so it's wise to ask the chef what he's cooking up today. He's been cooking up the finest Somali recipes for over two and a half decades, so he really knows his stuff. I'm not even 25 years old, let alone my measly cooking "skills." I'm entrusting my tastebuds to the chef. Life is like a box of chocolates, you know? You never know what you're gonna get.I go with rice and chicken and my brother and sister opt for rice and fried tilapia. Everything was ready surprisingly fast. Only 5-10 minutes I think.The portions are HUGE. Definitely worth $15 per plate. Plenty of rice and meat to match. The side salad complements the dish with carrots, red onion slices, and lettuce. A cup of boiled potatoes in tomato soup accompanied our dishes as well. The colors are vibrant. The taste is delectable. The chicken is done just how I like it and isn't overcooked and dry. The fried tilapia wasn't anything to write home about, but was delicious regardless. We loved it so much, finding leftover food on our plates would have been like trying to find a needle in a haystack.That's the good news. Now the not-so-good news: the area around the restaurant looks a bit questionable which might make people queasy. The asphalt is jacked up, the signs on all the businesses are old--Taste of African Cuisine went without a sign for I don't know how long. They just put up a new sign a few months ago,--and maneuvering into the parking lot can be tricky. The inside of the restaurant has a faint stale cigarette smoke smell. It reminds me of an inexpensive motel. If you can get past that, then this restaurant is for you.I'm giving Taste of African Cuisine a solid 5/5 for food and a 3/5 for dine-in. Averages out to 4/5. The rice dishes are top-notch. There's no question about that. However, the ambience isn't everybody's cup of tea. I have to be honest about that. Colleen, I'm sorry your first impression of the restaurant drove you away, but give to-go a try! The food is a real treat.If you're down for an adventure, this is the place to be. Colina Park is just around the corner, so take a walk around and see what else City Heights has to offer!

Delicious! First time trying African cuisine and I will be returning. Thanks for sharing with the community!

Would you eat here? We got all dressed up and were excited to enjoy some African cuisine. Here's what we saw when we arrived. Needless to say we found another restaurant.

7.5/10A good local spot, nothing more. I drove about half an hour to this place and I can't say it was worth it.I liked the quaint and intimate feel that was further enhanced by the Somali men playing cards out front, but the service definitely could've been better (although the food came out in around five minutes).I ordered the goat, which came with a mountain (four cups or so) of bariis iskukaris (Somali-style rice), some green onion and half a lemon. I also asked for some Basbaas (Somali hot sauce) and liked the little bit of kick that it added.All this equaled out to $15, which would be reasonable for the portion, but I felt that there was just too much bone and not enough meat in the portion of goat.That being said, if you're looking for a truly authentic restaurant that serves its community first, this is the spot. I'd understand a commute of maybe 15 minutes or so but more than that wouldn't be worth it.Ramadan Mubarak