The Hunger Tamer — Restaurant in Laurel

Ordered online and picked it up yesterday 3/18. We've never had Ghanaian food so wanted to try a nice variety. I arrived to pick up with my two small kids in tow, a 5yo and a newly 2yo. Everyone was welcoming and I even got to enjoy a bit of conversation with a group of ladies that were seated in the restaurant. Everyone was genuinely nice and I enjoyed the pick-up experience. The food was correct and neatly packaged. That said, as it's my first time, I have nothing to compare it to...but I give 5 stars all around! To go down the list of what we tried: Pounded yam, Jollof, and red stew were fairly safe. I understand that those are relatively standard fare and if you're used to the food, there will probably be no surprises. Egusi with goat was pretty tasty. I forgot that the description mentioned fish so was a bit surprised by the slight fish taste I noticed until I remembered. Spice level was fine and while the 5yo didn't care for it, the 2yo asked for more and that's a win! The goat was not gamey at all, held the flavors from the dish nicely, and was tender enough to separate from the bone easily but still had a nice bite/mouthfeel. I'm not a fan of mushy goat so this texture was perfect! I wound up eating the leftovers for breakfast, this morning. Beef kebab stick - unfortunately, we didn't get to try this one as I dropped it in the grass at home :( looked like it has dry/rub-style seasoning on the outside and had a pleasant aroma. I'm not a super fan of dry seasoning as it's a texture thing for me- so while I wouldn't re-order, I'm sure it's lovely :) Croaker fish (4 pcs) - this was my favorite meat! this fish was cooked to absolute perfection! the texture, the smell, the taste. Slight spice but not spicy. Both kids absolutely devoured this! It came with two sauces on the side. I really enjoyed the tomato-based sauce that came with it for the heat factor, but my favorite was the oily pepper sauce. It had a very nice flavor and comfortable heat. The 5yo tried both sauces (I warned him!) and of course, they were too spicy for him but he did say that if they weren't so spicy he would eat them because he liked the flavor of both.

We will...

After searching for a West African restaurant in the area, I decided to visit Hunger Tamer (Okumkom LLC). Before going, I asked fellow Ghanaians about their experiences, and unfortunately, the reviews were mixed, with some warning me about the poor service and inconsistent food quality. Many people in the community refer to her as a foolish rude women but her husband is the opposite. (I was told) Despite this, I wanted to form my own opinion.

Regrettably, my experience mirrored many of the negative reviews. From the moment I entered, it became apparent that customer service is not Chef Sonia’s priority. She was not warm, welcoming, or professional. My first visit was particularly revealing as I witnessed an incident that left me questioning her approach to business.

A customer who had been waiting alongside me for over an hour—after being promised his food in 15 minutes—was finally told his meal was ready. As he attempted to pay, Chef Sonia instructed the cashier to prioritize someone who had just walked in. Understandably, the customer was frustrated and politely expressed his discontent, only to be dismissed rudely. He left without his meal, and while the cook went after him, Chef Sonia remained inside making unpleasant remarks.

It was disheartening to witness such disregard for her customers. The situation underscored a lack of respect and professionalism that no business should tolerate. It is particularly disappointing given Chef Sonia’s claims of being inspired by her grandmother’s legacy; respect and kindness should be at the core of her service, yet they seem entirely absent.

In addition to the poor service, the food quality and preparation lacked attention to detail. While I appreciate the cultural connection and effort in the cuisine, the overall experience fell far below expectations.

I cannot recommend this restaurant and will not be patronizing it again. For a business to thrive, treating customers with respect and maintaining consistent service is essential. Unfortunately, Hunger Tamer has failed on...

5 STARS all around!

This was my first time ordering from The Hunger Tamer, and it surely won’t be my last. I highly recommend it to everyone in the DMV—not just Ghanaians or Africans. The food is absolutely delicious and a fantastic representation of African cuisine.

The dishes were well-balanced—not too salty or oily. The pineapple ginger drink was refreshing, the jollof rice was perfectly cooked, and the jerk chicken was amazing—tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. I’m very picky about my fried plantains (lol), but these were perfect—not too oily or mushy, just the right texture.

Last but not least, the banana cream pie was rich and creamy, yet light and airy—not overly sweet or heavy.

Ms. Akonnor, the owner and head chef, pays close attention to detail and presentation. She is highly professional, which, unfortunately, can be hard to find in some African-owned establishments. She truly takes pride in her work, values her customers, and provides hands-on, personalized service.

All in all, I will definitely be back! If you're looking for amazing food, great drinks, and top-tier customer service, The Hunger Tamer is the...