SUYA SUYA West African Grill — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Yesterday, my wife and I, along with a close friend, stopped by SUYA SUYA West African Grill on Fairmount Ave. This African restaurant piqued our interest, especially since my friend, who is Ghanaian, and I, as a Nigerian, were curious to see how their menu reflected West African cuisine. We didn’t know what to expect, but we were all thoroughly impressed with the food, service, and ambiance.

The service was exceptional, thanks to our server, Shekwonuchie G., who was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. He patiently guided us through the "Build a SUYA Bowl" process and even shared insights about the different ingredients and heat levels to help us tailor our meals to our tastes. His attentiveness made us feel welcomed and added to the overall experience.

The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting and modern while still reflecting elements of West African culture. The vibrant decor and subtle Afrobeat music playing in the background created a lively yet relaxing atmosphere that perfectly complemented the dining experience. It felt like a fusion of traditional and contemporary, much like the food itself.

As for the food, it was the highlight of our visit. We each decided to create our own SUYA Bowls. For our protein, we chose the Chicken Suya Bowl—thinly sliced grilled chicken marinated in Nigerian yaji (a traditional peanut spice). We loved being able to customize the level of heat and opted for medium, which added just the right kick. For our base, we picked Jollof rice, a West African staple, and were pleased to see they also offer vegan Jollof rice and Uto rice. The Suya Suya sauce we selected was flavorful and perfectly balanced, while my wife’s roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts (containing nuts) and my cabbage and onions added freshness to the bowls. For our side, we both chose the plantains, which were sweet, soft, and cooked to perfection.

A fun fact about Suya: also known as "Tsire," it is a traditional smoked spiced meat skewer originating from Nigeria and popular across West Africa. Suya is deeply rooted in Hausa culture and is traditionally prepared by Hausa men, known as 'Mai tsire.' SUYA SUYA honors this rich tradition while offering a modern twist with their customizable bowls.

Overall, SUYA SUYA West African Grill exceeded our expectations in every way. From the friendly service to the vibrant ambiance and delicious food, it was an incredible dining experience. Whether you're familiar with Suya or looking to try it for the first time, this restaurant is...

My girlfriend and I have been excited to try Nigerian food and Suya Suya did not disappoint!

Christine provided top notch customer service and made our first time having this new type of cuisine even more special by helping us choose dishes that were right for us. We both have food intolerances, and it was very reassuring to have someone helping us who knew the menu and recipes so well, in addition to being patient and friendly. It provides a peace of mind eating out that I can personally say I rarely experience. (See end of review for more info on the food intolerances)

The food was delicious! We ordered Egusi soup and fufu, a steak and chicken jollof rice bowl served with white sauce with cornbread on the side, and a beef pie. I would go back for the jollof rice alone, but we can both attest that all the dishes were amazing and there’s nothing we wouldn’t order again.

Thank you Suya Suya for the excellent customer service, friendly staff, and for the exceptional level of craft and care you put into making food.

*Food intolerances I have a gluten allergy and my girlfriend has a seafood allergy. Beef pie and cornbread - contains gluten Egusi soup- contains crayfish - seafood allergy Fufu- safe for both of us Chicken and steak jollof rice bowl - safe...

I was disappointed with my overall experience. As a first-time customer trying Nigerian cuisine, I had high hopes, but unfortunately, the food did not meet my expectations.

I ordered the chicken suya bowl with onion and cabbage. I was surprised to find that the onions and cabbage were served raw, which detracted from the overall dish. Prior to ordering, I asked to try a piece of the beef, and it was dry and lacked flavor, though it was spicy.

The plantains were the highlight of the meal, but the rest of the food was underwhelming. The suya sauce, which is a key component of the cuisine, was barely present on the dish, and I felt it needed a more to enhance the flavors.

The meat pie I ordered was also a letdown, as it was dry, doughy, and dense, with little to no flavor. Even though I requested a lower level of spiciness, the food still came across as quite spicy and lacked the flavors I would have expected.

Overall, my experience at Suya Suya West African Grill was disappointing. The food was bland and lacked the depth of flavor I had anticipated. I don't plan on returning, as this visit has not encouraged me to explore Nigerian cuisine further at this...