Karibu Grocery & Deli on Payne AV - Fantastic!
Speaking of independent local businesses, we just dined at another one and it's fantastic....another new favorite place.
We were driving down Payne Avenue, thinking about Magnolia's, Tongue in
Cheek, Brunson's, Tacqueria Marguez.........couldn't decide, so headed
another couple of blocks. That stunning red building....before you get
to Los Palmas or Yarusso's ...or the grocery
cart full of booze for cash place....Morelli's.......on the SW corner
of Payne and Minnehaha....Karibu Grocery and Deli.
Karibu - It's Family-Run
Run by a family of eight children and their mom from Somalia via Kenya, Karibu's building itself is a stunning beauty. Since one of the children is
an architect, we wondered after we left (we can't get in all the
questions in one visit...they have work to do)
if he had designed the building. A bold statement on a prominent
corner....it's surely an asset to the East Side.
When we arrived, mom and one daughter were working the kitchen. We
stared at the menu....for a very long time...trying to decide. We
focused on the East African portion of the menu for our main course and
then started working our way through the appetizers.
Karibu - What We Ordered
The Wild Veggie (really not so wild) was the top of the East African
menu....so we decided to start at the top. It's a wonderfully spiced
stewed concoction of spinach, peas, and carrot served with delicious,
perfectly-cooked Somali rice...topped with a couple
of lime slices. It's accompanied by two sauces---the even-tempered
'red' sauce and it's friend...the more assertive 'green' sauce....which
makes its presence known in every bite where you invite it in
Karibu Appetizer Choice Challenge
We worked out way down the appetizer list, as well. I opted for a
sambusa; John wanted the Viyazi Mayai (the fried mashed potato and
boiled egg ball)...but they had a big order before us and were sold
out. So, an immediate reason to plan a return visit.
The Malawax sounded good to me....and I was not wrong. Think of a
crepe sprinkled with sugar. I especially liked dipping it into the
assertive member of the sauce duo....hot, then sweet...on a tender thin
crepe-like pancake. I will have one of these on
every future visit...I'm hooked!
Karibu - Overall...great food...but it's more than just the food
Overall, we'd describe the experience as excellent!
We struck up a
conversation with a local artist who teaches after-school art classes
for local students. When he arrived, the staff immediately
said....back so soon? Good to see you again! He told them
he couldn't stay away because he was hooked on the burger. He
described it to us as a burger with lettuce and tomato (sounds average
so far)...but he continued---describing indescribable spicing and Karibu
special sauce. Yup, it will be next up on our
list...even though we're not big burger fans.
The children here have professional degrees, but mom makes sure they
each take their 'rotation' at the cafe (ah, mom power--love it!!).
Architect, school counselor, a business management guy and more in the
family.....so they each bring there own special spin
to the business.
The designated family member of the day sat down and chatted for a few
minutes...she's just graduating and in the process of taking the LSAT to
prepare for law school. She recommended the Philly cheese
steak...thinly sliced beef, grilled pepper and onions
and white cheese.....she said it's among the most popular items on the
menu.
Karibu - Options For Our Next Visit
The other East African dishes include: Suqaar (spiced steak with
garlic, green peppers and onion and roasted in a clay oven)--we've
enjoyed this at Ashama Cafe & Market on University Avenue and elsewhere, so
we'll have to do a flavor comparison in the future; Nomad's
Ari--fried goat with onion, garlic, peppers, cilantro; or Chooza
Chicken...similar ingredients also made in a clay oven. They are
accompanied by fries or rice...we recommend the rice...it was perfect.
Also on the menu are a gyro; or a safari roll--containing either a beef
or chicken kabob in a tandoori pita. The other appetizer is a
doughnut-like Mandazi, described as having a 'little bit of a sweet
taste'.
Karibu - Conclusion
It was a great visit. Clearly, the family knows the names of many kids
in the neighborhood...probably the adults, too. In that way, it was
like being at Marianne's Kitchen.....chatting with 'friends' who stopped by for
lunch. They've been working hard on this venture
since last Fall, are very welcoming, and produce excellent food.
Karibu Grocery & Deli - Hours
On the plus side, too....since we're always searching for food at odd
hours...they're open M-Sat from 9-9 and Sunday from 11:30-5.
Details:
Location: Google Maps
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaribuGroceryDeli/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karibu__?lang=en
No comments:
Post a Comment