Mogadishu Somali Restaurant

Mogadishu offers simple, home cooked Somali comfort food at a good price. It is not fine dining, nor is it anything other than the Somali equivalent of a hot dog stand, but it does a fine job of filling its niche for hungry and thrifty customers. Mogadishu restaurant offers huge portions, good variety, and a reasonable price.

I happened upon Mogadishu one year ago, because it is across the street from Zaiqa, which I had patronized off and on for the past fifteen years. (It's a few doors down from Big and Little's.) Many of Mogadishu's patrons are cab drivers, but that is almost the only similarity between Zaiqa and Mogadishu. The latter is very small, it is much lighter and brighter,  it has neither a prayer room nor a parking lot, and the list of differences goes on.

The restaurant has limited seating, and fifteen customers would make it seem filled beyond capacity. Whenever I come, I am greeted warmly and made to feel as comfortable as possible, given that I am the only non-Somali. My very first time there I asked for recommendations, but that turned out to be unnecessary, as the reader will soon see.

This is the way that customers order food. For a flat fee, let's say $9.00, which was the price one year ago, you get to fill a large platter with any selection of entrees and starches you choose. It is like a buffet in that regard, the difference being that it is not self-serve. Coffee is included. An order of Somali bread, which, apparently, is eaten with honey, can be had for $1.00 apiece. I myself am not a fan of the bread.

Different entrees, side dishes and starches are available at different times of the day, as they are produced in the kitchen. For me, a typical plate would be rice, fish, beef with vegetables, okra, tandoori chicken, beans, and a side salad. Others might choose fufu (Mogadishu makes it with farina) or noodles (regular spaghetti noodles). Goat is another entree that is frequently available. Aside from the okra and the beans that I already mentioned, a braised cabbage based dish and dish based upon greens are dishes that I have seen. There is no dessert, as such.

The entire steam table offering --- possibly Somali cuisine in general, about which I have no idea --- is prepared in nutritious fashion, with hardly any added oil, or other cooking fats. Between the meats and fish, the two or three vegetables and the rice, fufu or noodles, a meal at Mogadishu is well balanced, although excessively large.

The restaurant is only mildly interesting as a hangout spot for Westerners. Every now and then, Al-Jezeera - English is on TV, and last year I watched a few World Cup matches there. If you don't want to stay in the restaurant, you can always take your food in a carryout container and eat in nearby Bughouse Square.

In summary, if you are looking for a balanced, nutritious meal, big portions, and a variety of flavors, all at a cheap price, give Mogadishu a try.

9-4-11 Update: In case Yelpers don't already realize this, the Orleans Street area is a bit sketchy from the evening onwards. Cab drivers, whose occupation requires them to carry large amounts of cash, are susceptible to assault, apparently in neighborhood hangouts as well as in their cabs. The following story is an incident from last year:

<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Farchive.chicagobreakingnews.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fcabbie-critically-hurt-in-near-north-shooting.html&s=4d6d57180ac1cd0a44f334e3c4ef4715f642ed78d1b727db714baa3b4edd1250" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://archive.chicagobr…</a>

Because both Zaiqa and Mogadishu patrons are predominantly cab drivers, I have updated my review to make Mogadishu suitable for lunch visits only, not for dinner.
--- wys

Filled with taxi drivers and lively conversations in multiple languages, this place is a rare gem. I stumbled upon it on a business trip. Serving really amazing, home cooked Somali food at reasonable prices. No menu, no frills, seats only 14 or so people in a cramped area. I'd give it 3 stars for value plus another star for really great service from a staff that clearly cares and another star because it is such a unique experience.

I would NOT recommend this as a place for a date... rather a great place to go if you really want authentic food from an exotic place.

P.S. Probably the easiest place in the city to catch a cab. ; )