“I was at the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley, because I love books festivals and fair food, and beer. And A Taste of Africa was the highlight of the Festival. I had checked a few tents, not impressed, and was now at the food area. I saw corn dogs, gyros, and fried calamari - all things I love - but A Taste of Africa really stood out. West African cuisine? Well I definitely can't get this anywhere. Done. [...] Thank you A Taste of Africa for introducing me to new, delicious cuisine.”
“Aaaaaamazing!!! This was definitely food for the soul and I want to have it everyday!! I discovered this place at the Berkeley Flea Market and ordered the Stewed Chicken Special. This included deep fried plantains, collard greens, rice with mixed vegetables, peanut spinach stew, black eyed peas and coconut ginger yams (YUuuuM!); a generous serving all for $13! I love spicy so he put some of his hot sauce on the side. So delicious!! Packed with flavor, each dish is delicious by itself or all mixed together. The chef's a riot and just shoots out positive energy. He pours love and passion into his cooking and you can no doubt taste it! Look forward to going back!”
“I've been eating this food from when they were at Ashby Bart and have been chasing this chef around ever since. I always get the chicken plate that comes with greens, black eyed peas, rice, and I think smashed yams with ginger. This food is Soo good. If you can tolerate spice, I recommend getting the red sauce, it's hot! For $15 you get a FULL plate, on plate usually lasts me three meals, it's a LOT of food. Try this out! It won't disappoint.”
“I recently attended the Hip Hop Green Dinner as part of Veg Fest. A Taste of Africa catered the food. Everyone had a plate of sweet yams, spinach, rice with some orange/yellow sauce, and black eyed peas. This is the first time I had ever tried West African food. It was so delicious and flavorful, blew my expectations. The entire meal was vegan and I am convinced omnivores would have not missed the absence of meat.”
“I've been blessed eating a taste of Africa for 22 years. Let me repeat 22 years!!! This food never ceases to amaze and crave my taste buds. Yams with coconut milk and ginger!?! Where else can you eat that at!? Come try a taste of Africa you will be a believer.”
“Same friendly vibe, same family affair, same great guy behind the counter. I ordered the fish plate, which came with delicious fried fish, tasty rice, and the most wonderful veggies (yams and greens)! The price is very reasonable, and they don't skimp AT ALL on the portions. As my friend and I pigged out on some of the most delicious food in the Bay Area, I thought good thoughts [...] A Bay Area gem and an East Oakland food mecca. Highly recommended.””
“My taste buds are so happy! The portions were very satisfying here, and the flavor was so savory and complex. My favorite side was probably the sweet potatoes with coconut milk and ginger...or maybe the plantains? It was all so good that I could barely stop myself from eating. Glad I had some leftovers for the next morning :) Oh, and the habanero sauce! Yum! If you don't like spicy food, you should be OK here, he preps the dishes so that you can enjoy the flavor without the pepper sauce. If you add it, you will experience a whole new depth to the dish though. I will be returning to explore the entire menu.”
“The chef's food is wonderful, and he is completely warm and charming - I felt like I was walking into his living room filled with friends.”
“The best food in Oakland is back!!! Delicious, delicious food at an amazing price, served with the biggest smile in the world.”
“I walked into this place 30 minutes before closing and the guy cooking the food greeted me with 'welcome home'. How awesome is that? The food came with a generous portion size, a $20 special plate will last me at least 2-3 meals and I'm not small. I’ve never had African food before, but this was so good it won't be the last time I partake.”
“Oh, and I would be remiss not to mention Pendar’s homemade hot sauce — “only for professionals,” he said, patting the pot affectionately before ladling me a scoop. This is some of the best hot sauce I’ve had, intensely smoky and complex — and seriously hot, lingering in the back of the throat. And no wonder: It’s made up almost entirely of habañero peppers, roasted to give it that smoky edge.”
“Not enough praise can be said for the hot sauce with a habanero base. Not for a weak palate! Hot AND tasty! Note: all dishes are served seasoned without hot spice, so this sauce added just takes the meal to another level of greatness! I applaud Malong for his excellent service, and simply, the perfect plate of comfort food.”
“...if you like the burn of strong ginger (which I do) ask for his ginger lemonade, but split it between two or you will be on a sugar high :) The brick & mortar location is closing (a shame because the decor takes you to the motherland), but it's worth the effort of stalking the mobile unit!!!”