The food is very tasty and flavorful. Not a sitting area for family but the food is so good that we order our food and eat in the car. We go back any chance we get.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J Foreal
Alhamdulillah amazing food and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ruthless Rosie Nun (My Name is Nobody!)
Never gonna forget the 1st time I had their food in ocesn beach at farmers market. I am now a fan forever!
Lindsay H.
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!
Norma N (La Bronca)
Good food
Izzy F.
absolutely delicious ! the plantains and wonderful everything was amazing great location delicious food
Thuan T.
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!
Colleen C.
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.
Naima R.
They have the best African dishes. Good customer service and delicious foods Thank you. I'll be back again!
nico c.
7.5/10 A 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
Great and more than enough portion of food. Hot en Nice Somali food.
Moriah L.
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(:
Al SheikhZubeir
The best somali restaurant in San diegoThe food is amazing and the price of food is unbelievable five stars
Christina J.
I recently have started a vegan diet and I'm on the lookout for restaurants that have flavorful vegan options. Obviously! Taste of African Cuisine has many delicious vegan options. I loved the biriganya and dengu. So much flavor! I should have ordered the rice instead of the ugali. For me it has no flavor and the texture is a bit chalky. Definitely worth every penny and bite!
Lawan H.
What can I start with I haven't even been to this place and the customer service is horrible I called to see if they have something and the person on the phone was really rude I wouldn't want to eat at this place already, I don't know about you but if someone treated me like that I wouldn't wanna go eat over there. Bad service!
The food is very tasty and flavorful. Not a sitting area for family but the food is so good that we order our food and eat in the car. We go back any chance we get.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alhamdulillah amazing food and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Never gonna forget the 1st time I had their food in ocesn beach at farmers market. I am now a fan forever!
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!
Good food
absolutely delicious ! the plantains and wonderful everything was amazing great location delicious food
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!
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.
They have the best African dishes. Good customer service and delicious foods Thank you. I'll be back again!
7.5/10 A 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
Restaurantji Recommends
Great and more than enough portion of food. Hot en Nice Somali food.
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(:
The best somali restaurant in San diegoThe food is amazing and the price of food is unbelievable five stars
I recently have started a vegan diet and I'm on the lookout for restaurants that have flavorful vegan options. Obviously! Taste of African Cuisine has many delicious vegan options. I loved the biriganya and dengu. So much flavor! I should have ordered the rice instead of the ugali. For me it has no flavor and the texture is a bit chalky. Definitely worth every penny and bite!
What can I start with I haven't even been to this place and the customer service is horrible I called to see if they have something and the person on the phone was really rude I wouldn't want to eat at this place already, I don't know about you but if someone treated me like that I wouldn't wanna go eat over there. Bad service!