Le Mandingue African Restaurant — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I went there the other night, Sunday, July 11, 2021 (I know what my purchase record says, but it was the Woodland Ave. location, trust me!) for dinner and was INCREDIBLY disappointed. I've been a casual customer of Le Mandinque since 2014, and honestly I am seeing them fall off into a downward spiral...

I come in and there are several disgruntled customers who had been waiting a while, but one in particular is angriest of all because he claims he called in advance, was told 15 mins., came in for his achiké and fish (prior to heading into work), and as we saw it was still not ready... (I can believe this, because it had happened to me AT LEAST twice, on two separate occasions prior to this evening.) At first the cashier wasn't too rude, but when he asked to speak with the chef/manager, a female cook comes out and gets into it with him and then lunges at him to fight! I have seen hostility here, but never like this. That was disgraceful and beyond unprofessional. She had to literally be pushed back INTO the kitchen by the younger female cashier, whom the customer then threatened to slap (for the record, the man was WRONG for that, did not do anything, but still made me uncomfortable by saying that in my proximity...). I don't know where that came from, but the younger cashier then became rude and short with the remainder of awaiting, and new customers alike (perhaps someone else should have taken her place so that she could gain her composure). Additionally, continuation of the hostile female cook could be HEARD from the kitchen. All of this was not a good look at all, nor was I still feeling too trusting about ordering at all after this ordeal. Yet, I did...

Fast forward, I've ordered my food and drink and am waiting. I paid $14 (of the $16) for Debi (seasoned lamb) and rice. I had a feeling it came a little soon and the aluminum felt barely warm, but given what had transpired, I gave them the benefit of the doubt, took my food, and rode home. I get home (less than a 10 min. ride), and my food is barely warm (I considered that it just appeared that way through the foil container, but was mistaken) the oils were solidified, there were barely any onions, it was missing the sauteéd sauce and the cup of spice. I have been getting Debi and rice more than ANY other dish (since 2014), and so I know how it is supposed to be made by Le Mandinque... My dinner was DRY, COLD, and LACKLUSTER. A WASTE of hard-earned money. It saddens me because while I want to give another chance, I honestly do not know anymore. This was like a final straw, and they may have just lost a...

The food is excellent. Customer service on the other hand lacks luster. I've patronized this establishment on many occasions where my interactions with the young lady at the register was less than sub-par. How hard is it for you to put a smile on your face and be pleasant???? I'm very much aware how stressful it is to work under extreme pressure but the blatant rudeness is way out of control. My last visit on 8/5 was the last straw. I placed my order more than a hour in advance, as I usual do to reduce the amount of time I actually have to wait when I arrive, for them to tell me they were out of half of my order which was egusi and fufu. So I drove 45 mins. to arrive for y'all to tell me y'all were out of egusi and fufu, with no empathy or apology, for the inconvenience. NO REGARD WHATSOEVER!!!!! PERHAPS even a call to let me know you were out of the product in question???? Had they called it would've saved me a trip and gas!!!!! Which we all know is not cheap. I'm fuming but went ahead paid for my food, with my credit card, minus what they were out of. After I paid for my purchase I call my husband who said "well just get the fufu" which is $6. So I went to ask the young lady to just give me the fufu too please and reached to hand her my card. This young lady had the AUDACITY to tell me the purchase had to be over $10. After all the money I spend in here on a weekly basis and the neglect, on yall part to inform me in advance that y'all didn't have half my order and your non-chalantness to let me know you're telling me I can't use my card to pay for my addt"l purchase $6.00 purchase!!!!! So you're willing to lose a GREAT customer over $4??? SERIOUSLY??!!!! I just left out LIVID!!! Cause at this point I was over the ignorance and it would've went somewhere it shouldn't have had to over $4. I usually don't give bad reviews especially for those that look like me but I spend waaaay too much money at this establishment on a weekly basis to not let y'all know DO BETTER!!! Folks spend way to much money and time at your establishment to be greeted with piss poor attitudes and exceptionally low customer service. I truly hope the manager sees this review and reaches out. I'd like to know their thought on this business practice. I gave 3 stars because the food is really good but the unkind people(Straight out rude) which are at the register LACK proper social skills in dealing with the public. I know of several people who won't patronize your business for this reason alone....

I would like to first start off by saying the food is good! I have been coming to the establishment since 2018, starting at Marshall Rd then finding Woodland Avenue in 2021because it’s closer. The customer service at Marshall Rd is absolutely more accommodating always have everything on the menu and over all better! I do have a better experience with a few people at Woodland Avenue location but one particular young lady has the worst attitude it’s like when I call and hear her voice on the phone I know not to order! How is it at 12:30/1:00pm you have no lamb/dibi no snapper fish no chicken at all, you just open everything should be fresh and ready to go for your lunch crowd where is the OWNER?! I think I’ll take the extra trip to Marshall Rd from now on they are better when it come to customer service and the food is always available! I asked could the lady in the back take the meat out the egusi because I have had it done before she automatically cut me off “we don’t do that we never do that” I told her the gentleman have asked the lady in the back before for me TWICE and she did it and it was never a problem?! I don’t eat meat I’m confused why such a big deal just take the lid off scoop the meat out add a little more egusi and give me the bowl I’m not asking to pay less I just don’t like the big pieces of meat it takes away from what I want and it’s the egusi! Marshall Rd does it and they did it two times but no lil miss no customer service skills automatically didn’t even ask had an attitude as always even when you call…y’all need to teach her this isn’t her restaurant it’s her job not to take it personal!

Update: Thursday November 14, 2024 Egusi and FuFu was AMAZING extra spicy just like I enjoy the potato greens were just ok not spicy at all could have used more flavor. Again, I wish there were Vegetarian options available for people who do not eat meat since it’s listed on the website! I think it’s sinful to sift and dump meat in trash when I can...