Last time I was in San Francisco I ate at a fantastic West African place called Bissap Baobab. I fell in love with the food, and promptly forgot all about it until today.
Anyone ever been there and know of comparable places in Chicago? Or any good African restaurants?
God, I haven’t craved a certain food this bad in ages.
Mooch
How would you describe Senegalese food? I know there are “African” restaurants and one in particular called “Vee Vee” on north Broadway is good, but I’m not sure what region/s of the continent it relates to.
This place was the only African restaurant I’ve been to and happened to be Senegalese. I suppose I should have changed the title to “African Restaurants” because I’d be willing to try anything.
I’ll look up Vee Vee and check it out. Thanks!
Do it. Also Mama Desta’s is pretty good, on Clark Street north of Belmont.
But, at Vee Vee’s African Restaurant (the full name) get the goat with plantains. I had it at Taste of Chicago, (the only time I’ve gone in the last 12 years) and it was excellent.
Mooch, if you cook and would like to try a really yummy recipe to quench your taste for African fare, I can recommend Jessica Harris’s Senegalese Chicken Yassa, from her cookbook, The Africa Cookbook. My husband and I have made it a couple of times and have enjoyed it very much.
Since I live in L.A., I haven’t tried it myself, but Ofie is another West African restaurant in Chicago (and it seems to get great reviews) that you could try.
And here’s a listing of 10 African restaurants in the Chicago Area.
There’s also a place in Milwaukee that gets good reviews, and it’s not that much of a drive, particularly if you’re up for a little road trip…African Hut, 1107 n. Old World Third Street.
VeeVee’s is Nigerian. I’ve only been there once and wasn’t terribly impressed. I like all the Ethiopian places here, though; Ethio Cafe in Wrigleyville is my favorite. I don’t know any Senegalese places. Let us know if you find one!