Yassa African Restaurant: User Reviews

Excellent in every way! ...
By HRHTLM from Chicago, IL, July 18, 2007

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Excellent in every way! The staff was polite, engaging and eager to share the cultural treasures with us. To name a few of the wonders: Couscous, plantains, lamb stewed with tomatoes and peanut butter, grilled chicken, cabbage and the unreal grilled Tilapia.

Yassa is a very laid-back...
By Rebecca from Chicago, IL, July 14, 2007

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Yassa is a very laid-back and friendly place where you can eat for $10.00, bring your own wine and pay no corkage fee. In fact, if you have a smaller appetite, 2 people could share a meal. I went to Yassa twice last week and tried the Dibi Chicken with plantain and the Yassa Chicken with white rice. Both were wonderfully seasoned and most delicious. The Yassa is more of a baked chicken (you get 1/2 chicken) and the Dibi (also 1/2 chicken, but cut up into smaller pieces) is chargrilled. The Dibi chicken takes quite a while to prepare, so be ready to wait. My daughter had the Thiebou Djeun, a whole fish served with highly seasoned rice. She loved it, but I think it is an acquired taste. (She spent 5 months in Senegal and knew what to expect). If there are 2 people in your party, one can order rice and the other plantain. You get enough of each to share.

We drove to this spot...
By Luaunna from Franklin Park, Il, June 11, 2007

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We drove to this spot from the North Side and it was worth the trip. Food was very good, I had the chicken yassa and a companion had the braised lamb, he indicated that his dish was fabulous. For four of us with appetizers our bill was only $63.00. Service was very attentive, although it took awhile to get our check, but since my group was enjoying our meal and company we didn't mind. Take a road trip to Yassa.

Wow! Where to start, everything...
By Chanika from Chicago, IL, June 9, 2007

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Wow! Where to start, everything we have ordered was amazing. Very full of flavor and cooked to perfection. We went with a group of people and were able to try almost everything on the menu. From the wide array of dishes we did not have one that was not superb. It's a small quaint restaurant owned by a family that sure knows how to make you feel welcome and makes sure you understand everything on the menu and enjoy everything fully. It did not feel like dining at a restaurant but rather at a friends house. Everybody should check it out.

I am a fan of...
By CBG from Chicago, IL, April 30, 2007

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I am a fan of African food and anything spicy. My friends and I drove far to try out their food. Really good food. Not so spicy, couscous was cooked well the lamb was amazing. Serving is enough to fill you up. If you are thinking of starting to explore African food, this is the perfect place to eat as the food is not so spicy. Service was a little slow. But the food mad up for it!!! Price is very affordable. I paid $10 for my meal!

Very good food, full of...
By Jaime from Chicago, IL, April 6, 2007

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Very good food, full of flavors. We loved the Yassa Fish with the tomato chutney. Go with a group because everything is family style. I will definitely return!

What a joke, we saw...
By ST from winnetka, il, March 31, 2007

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What a joke, we saw this place featured on check please and decided to give it a try. The show stated the service was slow and we were prepared for slower than average service. We were directed to a table never severved for anything - water - an open up our byob wine, no attention at all - the server went to one table of the 15 in the whole place and said they were out of most dishes -this was at 6:30 on a Sat. night- the people at the table next to us got one of the two orders and no silverware for twenty minutes for that half filled order. We like to try new and different places and will take the time to get there - this place is not worth a walk across the street -very bad.

Yassa's is off the beaten...
By Mrjustice from Chicago, IL, February 12, 2007

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Yassa's is off the beaten track, but well worth the adventure. Atmosphere reminds me of a little local 'Island dive'. Staff is very friendly & helpful. Food is wonderful & HUGE portions. And, talk about bang for the buck - most entrees $10 (served on a large oval platter - filled by your multi-portion entree, choice of side dish - recommend Plantans or Dojolluf rice, plus salsa. We enjoyed grilled Lamb Chops (actually, arm chops - but tasty), and the Dibi Chicken (a dozen small pieces of grilled chicken). Also, recommend Chicken Brochette a/k/a shishkabob - 3 large skewers. Also, a dish called "soupa' something (not soup) - an interesting combo dish of stewed lamb & crab over white rice. We also had appetizer called Fataya - like a fish empanada (very crisp, tasty & served with a spicy/soury brown sauce). BYOB, but they also offer tasty combo fruit drinks. Can't wait to go back.

Yassa is a great family...
By Erica from Chicago, IL, January 15, 2007

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Yassa is a great family run restaurant where they make you feel right at home. We went with a large group and they were more than accommodating . The portions are huge and it was a fabulous first experience with Senegalese food. Everyone should try Yassa! I will definitely be back.