Nigeria palace restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

The stars on this review are misleading, because there isn't really a category for my problem. I went there for Jollof Rice and Goat takeout a few weeks ago and really liked it. I remember at the time thinking that the amount of goat I got was a bit small, but the food was otherwise excellent.

Yesterday, after driving around doing errands in the morning I got the idea to get takeout on the way home. When I got home and opened it up, I found that for $27 I got a few pieces of plantain, a good mound of rice (very tasty, yes), and exactly 3 pieces of gristly, bone-in goat - see photo. After ripping away the gristle and bone this gave me 3 small bites of meat.

3 small bites.

Of course anyone who gets takeout on the regular will know that it's always prudent to check the bag before you leave. Sometimes people make honest mistakes, and sometimes you wonder how honest those mistakes are. Not sure how to categorise this one. I just can't see 3 pieces of meat being enough to qualify as a mistake. It's just not enough - for anything. Anyone can see that. What were they thinking?

Anyway, I got really pissed (anger fuelled by unrequited hunger) and called them to complain. The owners weren't there, and I ended up speaking to the woman who cashed me out (Ladee, I think her name was). She was very patient with me (apologies Ladee), but I was really really really mad. Perhaps a bit unreasonably so, but I paid good money and was left hungry. I've never been this angry at a restaurant in my life, ever. They are too far away from me to drive back, I don't have the time. To say that I was disappointed is an understatement. I WAS disappointed - very disappointed, as I was hungry, and the food is good - but beyond that I felt ripped off and disrespected.

So, the food is great, but watch the meat portions and check the bag before you leave when you...

The restaurant had a weird smell. I’m not sure if it was the products used to clean but it wasn’t pleasant. Secondly, when ordering, I inquired about items on the menu and specifically expressed my interest in wanting boiled egg with the ayamase stew. The staff said it came with it only to get my food without an egg. I asked about it and he initially said they’ll bring one out for me but then went to the back and came back saying they’re completely out of egg. Which is strange because he had originally said it was available. Then my parents and I tried the food. They got pounded yam and edikaikan and it was very subpar and disappointing. Over $100 which felt like a waste of my time and money. I really wanted my parents to have a taste of home as they came visiting but this was not it at all. I’m leaving this review so people can see an honest experience and know what to expect.

In response to the owner's comment - I do not know what vibe you speak off. Your response tells me all i need to know about your business. You clearly do not take criticism well and that's probably why your service will always remain bad. I took photos and videos . I will post a photo of their so called 'Ayamase' here. Also, when i paid the bill, the server apologized for not providing the egg. I f nothing was wrong and the vibe was so great, what was he apologizing for then?. He also asked about our experience and i blatantly told him i was unimpressed and frankly irritated by the service. I won't be shocked if the server doubles as the owner. He said he wasn't the owner and 'just a server' but i wouldn't be shocked if he doubles as the owner because if that is what you call a good...

Utter Disappointment!

I rarely write reviews, but my experience here was so outrageous I have to warn others. I walked into this restaurant expecting authentic Nigerian food and the chance to support a Black-owned business but what I got instead was a complete slap in the face.

First of all, the food average and not even authentic. It tasted a bit watered-down but we managed because of the may be friendly service.

Then came the bill. I didn’t ask for prices upfront because I assumed things would be reasonably priced based on what other African restaurants charge in the city. I was wrong. So wrong. Imagine my shock when I found out I m paying $20 plus tax for two tiny pouches of Zobo drinks that could’ve cost $4 -5 each elsewhere. A single small wrap of swallow with soup was $30, I left speechless, annoyed, and honestly embarrassed for them. Will never go there again I said.

In total, I paid $77 for small portions, weak flavors, and a below-average experience. The place lacked ambiance, comfort, and any kind of warmth or service that could’ve made up for the insane pricing. There was nothing premium about this experience not the food, not the space.

The most painful part? I wanted to love this place. I wanted to support this Black-owned business. But how can I when it feels like they’re exploiting the very community they claim to serve? At these prices and with this quality, they’re not building anything honestly This wasn’t just overpriced and it was...