African Palace — Restaurant in Missouri

New owners lack professionalism I can’t believe they actually got me out of character. I will never come here again and I will be letting all my Nigerian and Jamaican friends and family know what happened. I paid $64.00 for 3 meals And only received 2.( I received my egusi, my Joloff rice and non-spicy wings but i did not receive my yam porridge or spicy wings? I called them to notify them of the issue and they discovered they did in-fact forget my order. I went to pick it up because my husband said he didn’t feel like driving back out there as we only ordered due to him being in the area and he didn’t want to take that trip. When i arrived they offered to make a new one meal. Which i thought was nice but when they brought my order I told them they were still missing my spicy wings. I showed the waitress my receipt and she went to tell the cook and apologized. I waited an additional 15 minutes only to be told I was already given my order. I explained to the cook who stated she was the owner that I wouldn’t travel 30 minutes to lie about food I never received. She then proceeds to say ur receipt say you live in Maryland heights that’s only 10 minutes away (since when is Maryland heights 10 mins from West Florissant) she then shamed my husband by stating he should have checked it before leaving . Reluctantly I agreed he should have checked but he didn’t as he’s use to the previous owners always getting our orders right so yea his fault for trusting u. The owner then stated she personally cooked non spicy wings and put it in the bag…and I agreed. As it was ordered specifically for my kids. I told her to check the receipt again so she looked and say see it say non spicy wings. I told her once again look at the receipt look under the yam porridge what do it say? Another order of wings but the words spicy next to it. I ordered spicy wings to go with my porridge. she looked again and was surprised by her mistake instead of apologizing she storms off. I asked the waitress what’s going on is she about to make it and the waitress stated the owner stated she will not cook it due to me yelling. I explained any person would be frustrated and yes I raised my voice but I was Still respectful to her. I continuously referred to her as Ma’ and she was the one being difficult. It was cold in there, it was late. No one had on their mask so I was aggravated and ready to go. I had already been sitting and waiting at-least 30 minutes if not more. Since the lady refused to make my spicy wings I requested a refund that she refused. My husband then asked me to come home & he will handle it &when he drove there they again refused to give our $ back or the food they kept Saying Larry is the only one who can do refunds and he will be here in 20 min my husband then had to raise hell because they continued to refuse refund and food. Finally some guy stepped in which I believe was the dj and helped rectify the situation the cook/owner then went to cook the wings per my Spouse but he was so annoyed that he trashed the food in their face & placed it in the garbage and told them It’s not about the $ it’s the principle and I agree. I approached them pleasantly over the phone and in person it was only when I was accused of stealing basically that things went left. I know some people Try to get over but this was not the case they had a poor case in judgement my whole Demeanor was elegant, innocent & calm. You could tell from my looks and the way I spoke that I was genuine. I came here all the time and even celebrated every birthday here but 2022 they will not get another dime from me, my friends or family. Bad customer service spread fast and this placed dropped the ball big time! I suggest going to house of Jollof or Ofure palace. Less of an headache. New owners take a business etiquette class or something and if u keep the older woman around u will lose more business. I told the waitress this would hv never happened if Koffi was still around the old owner and she agreed lol I will be...

STAY AWAY IF YOU ARE USE TO THE AMERICAN WAY OF DOING BUSINESS...AKA WHATEVER PRICES YOU SEE ON THE MENU YOUR HANDED IS WHAT IS ON YOUR RECIEPT TO PAY. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN TOLD PAY OVER $80 FOR A MEAL I KNOW COST LESS THAN $50. SIMPLY STAY AWAY I BEG IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO START PROBLEMS WITH OWNER AND MANAGEMENT. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE...A RESTAURANT THAT DISPLAYS THEIR REAL PRICES AND EXPECTS ONLY THAT WHICH IS DISPLAYED ON THEIR MENU'S 🤦🏾‍♀️. I told the owner/Manager " this is really unprofessional, you know that right?" And He got offended ASAP. I KNOW ITS BECAUSE I WAS A WOMAN TELLING HIM THE TRUTH; IT STUNG WORSE THAN IF I WAS A AFRICAN GHANAIAN MAN SAYING IT TO HIM. "THE Owner said don't pay because the server didn't explain the prices to us. But that's not the server RESPONSIBLY 🙄 that's you the ower/manager Ghanaian Sir! FIX IT ASAP BEFORE OPENING UP! PERIOD. There I am trying to ask the question "when will you have your menu with the correct prices on it?" And the "Owner/Manager saids "your causing a scene! I just gave you the food!" AFTER ME INSISTING TO PAY THE PRICES I SAW ON THE MENU THAT HAD PRICES ON IT. AND HIM REFUSING TO TALK TO ME LIKE A HUMAN BEING RESPECTFULLY IMSTEAD OF DISMISSING ME. I AGREED 👍🏾 🤝 💯 I SAID " YOU RIGHT ✅️ 😒 IM NOT PAYING FOR THIS FOOD." AND ME AND MY FAMILY LEFT ...TO NEVER EVER COME BACK AGAIN. AND CAN YOU IMAGINE IM FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA VISITING. THE OWNER/MAMNGER ACTED LIKE RULES AND LAWS FOR PUBLISHING PRICES DID NOT 🙄 APPLY TO HIM ALSO. TELLING ME "IVE GONE ONTO PLENTY OF PLACES WHERE THERE ARE NO PRICES PRINTED ON THE MENU." WHERE IS THAT I ASK?" "ALL OVER THE WORLD." HE SAIDS. CHILD IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET ANGRY, UPSET, TREATED DISRESPECTFULLY ESPECIALLY MY WOMEN...JUST SIMPLY DO NOT COME HERE TO EAT!!!!! I BEG!!!! RESPECT 🙏🏾 YOURSELVES AND GO ELSE WERE....WERE YOU WILL BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND NOT LIED TO, JUST TO BE MADE TO FEEL YPUR THE ONE WRONG AMD OIT OF ORDER WHEN YOU SPEAK UP FOR...

My overall experience, I'll say is 4 stars. Things I liked about the place: I placed an order to go and it was made and brought out in a timely manner. The bar tender was sweet and made me feel welcome. She also made sure I knew what I was getting in my order and then my #vegitarian dish was full and complete. I also, enjoyed the tennis game playing on TV. It was a nice alternative to the news, I didn't like watching the news, it has a tendency to be mostly bad reports. There is so much more happiness in the world then there is sad and I never want my food to be sad.

3 things that can improve my experience: Brighten up the place in the day time and dem as it gets closer to dinner times. I am sure there was some beautiful art on the wall I didn't really see because it was so dark. The staff overall should smile when a guest walks in. The guest should be greeted with a warm African welcome. Provide a spice warning on foods that may have some heat to it.

Above all my food tasted good. It was well seasoned and warm. There was an unfamiliar under taste I wasn't used to in the blackened peas (which was called beans here) and spinach melon seed mix (pic attached. It's the item in the top right). The spinach melon seed dish and the roasted red pepper sauce were both spicy and I wasn't ready for it. I asked if anything was spicy and I was told no. The mixed veggies, although tasty were the pre frozen mix, I would have preferred a fresh veggie mix.

All that said, I do plan to introduce my husband to this place, as well as my in laws. I am hoping these improvements can be made before our next visit. Otherwise, I'll have to continue to order to go, I prefer eating in the light and enjoying the ambiance when I'm eating at...