**** Safari Grill has closed
According to The Somali Family Service, San Diego has the second largest Somali Population in the country! Reading various websites puts the population in San Diego somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000. And I've heard the little stretch of University Avenue from Fairmont to 54th Street called "Little Mogadishu" by several folks. I have been fascinated by one little restaurant which I've passed many, many times. And on this day, the Missus was in the mood for something different ("how about something good for a change"). So we headed off to this little strip mall (what else?),on the corner of 50th street. Right next to Mini Ha Ha Market, and a Vietnamese Jeweler is Safari Grill.
And for us, it doesn't get much more different than Somali Cuisine. And yes, the window does say Mediterranean Cuisine. After looking for the menu, which doesn't exist, we determined that all items are listed by photos on the wall, and several "new" items are printed on the paper stapled to the "Please Pay Here" sign, probably a total of 11 in all. Needless to say, we walked in, and drew a bit of attention……
In case you thought you'd be getting anything resembling Ethiopian Injera here, you'd be out of luck.... I think. Somali's have a version called Canjeero, which is served as a breakfast dish. Here, at least on the menu, it is your meat (and let's just ignore the Gyro's ok), and either rice or pasta, spaghetti which they call baasto. The young man manning the counter, took our order, and we had a seat. I'd say this place was pretty darn clean, and we watched the staff constantly washing their hands.
Soon enough, this arrived at our table:
The water was great…but the banana? When we asked, the young man told us that bananas are often eaten with stews and meats. Like I say you constantly learn new things all the time.
I ordered one of the new dishes, the Stewed Goat Shoulder.
I loved the salad, which was very fresh, and was studded with tons of onions. The goat was very mild and on the dry side. The sauce on the side, which I can only describe as a garlicky chutney was really good.
What caught me off guard was the amount of rice:
At first I thought it was for both the Missus and I. But about five seconds later, the Missus's own plate of rice arrived.
We enjoyed the fluffy basmati rice, which had just enough spices to add character, without masking the flavor of the rice.
The Missus had ordered the Stewed Lamb.
The lamb was excellent, moist, tender, with a decent gamey flavor. The spices heigthened the flavors. And though the meat portions look small we were only able to finish half our meat and rice. I'd gladly have this again, unless I get waylaid. As we left the little restaurant had filled up with Somali men (I'm wondering if women don't eat in restaurants, a cultural thing?), and one of them was eating stewed chicken legs on rice that looked really good. Oh yes, the price? A total of $20…..not bad at all….
The service was very nice, the restaurant clean, and the Missus said the bananas did help to cleanse Her palate a bit. And we were taken a bit out of our comfort zone for a bit. What's not to like?
Safari Grill
4990 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
Hi Kirk,
Love new and interesting places. I’m gonna try this place soon. I have never had the cuisine before.
It really looks delish.
very cool post kirk! i’ve read somewhere that somalis eat bananas with their meals. what a huge amount of rice, which looked pretty good.
i think it’s good to be out of your comfort zone once in a while. what better way to learn about other exciting ethnic cuisines. were you and your wife the only Asians there?
what an interesting place, looked delicious!
The bananas and water caught me off guard as well! I think this post has inspired me to eat bananas more often with savory foods!
You always surprise me with the unusual restaurants you manage to unearth! I was expecting something like Ethiopian too, but I’m glad it’s quite different.
You do know I drove right by here yesterday…and had this mental post it note to come back this weekend…
Hi Michael – Not much variety, but pretty good food….at least the lamb.
Hi CC – We were the only non-Somali folks there…..
Hi Kat – Yes, it was interesting.
Hi PE – Gotta keep that potassium level up!
Hi WC – This one had been on the list for a while. It was different, but there were similarities…….
Hi Cathy – Worth a try if you like lamb…and the chicken legs looked good.
Hey Kirk, I like the name, it sets the tone nicely! As usual, your post now has me looking around for new cuisine…
Hi FH – Yes, I guess it does set the tone…..
What a great discovery! I think I’ll have to look for Somali in OC. Surely there must be some restaurants here too!
Thanks! I just got done eating, but now I am hungry again from your post
I love trying different interpretations of lamb, looks like I have another one to try. Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone is the way to go
Hi Elmo – If it’s down here. you must have a few in the OC!
Hi Chris – Check them out.
Hi MA – Yes, sometimes it’s really nice to get out there…. I’ve got a whole list of lamb dishes if you’d like to try them.
Hi Kirk, another great post about another restaurant that’s in my neck of the woods that I didn’t know about. I’d love to see your list of lamb dishes. I love to cook, and I’m always on the lookout for new things to try. Do you know of the English cook Nigella Lawson? She’s had a couple shows on thefoodnetwork. she had an excellent recipe for lamb shoulder with mint and pomegranate seeds. Really great combo.
Hi Stephen – I should do wall to wall lamb post one of these days. I’ve seen a few of Nigella’s shows.
some random 411:
That strip mall has become a community center of sorts. During the warmer months, the male patrons will socialize outside, under the overhang. The restaurant space was completely rebuilt a couple of years ago after it fell victim to arson.
Hi Toisan – Thanks for the info….BTW, have you eaten at Safari Grill?
Hi Kirk. I haven’t eaten there yet. I just collect their rent. But after looking at your pics and reading about it, I think the next time I’m there I will order a meal.
Hi Toisan – We thought the lamb was pretty good….the “chicken legs” (drumsticks) looked good as well. I’d love to hear what you thought of the food!
this is so amazing to me as a Somali person to have someone other then Somali people go to that restaurant lol. my dad goes there everyday to socialize and yes it is a cultural thing. it’s mostly men hanging out at those restaurants. I’m glad you liked it.
Hi Nia – Thanks for taking the time out to comment. We find that we can learn so much about other cultures through food…. plus we like to eat! That rice was really good.
Haven’t tried Safari Grill, but love Taste of Africa and African Spice–both wonderful Somali restaurants within 2-3 miles of S Grill. Will check it out–love the lamb and goat, LOVE the green hot sauce which one needs the banana to cool it down. (Mash banana up with meat/rice/pasta/hot sauce and YYYYUUUUMMMM
Hi LE – I’ve been to Taste of Africa, I just need to get around posting on the place.
wow! looking thta rice & lamb really make me hungry.hmmmmm, i will definitaly try when am in SD nest year…far away now as am middle of Safari:)
thanks man..
Hi Nura – I hope you enjoy this little restaurant.