Kalakutah Republic Grill

Unlike the other two African restaurants I have reviewed in Indiana, Kalakutah’s food was okay.
I ordered pounded yam with Egusi and Shaki (Tripe) and Pomo (cow meat).
I enjoyed it.
I did have some unique taste.
I think the melon seeds (Egusi) was roasted.
I also tasted my husband’s order, which was Ofada rice (local rice) with Ayamase.
That was a disappointment.
After trying it for the first time from another restaurant yesterday and liking it, today’s at Kalakutah’s was nothing to write home about. Pros:- - The restaurant is somewhat spacious.
There was a nice lounge/sitting area. - Overall, the food was okay.
The Pounded yam and Egusi was 4.5 out of 5 but Ofada rice was a 1 out of 5 for me.
They could also do better with the meat portioning.
I understand that they allow you an option of up to two varieties and any addition would be an additional cost.
So, the options for meat were 1) Goat meat, 2) Cow meat, 3) Tripe (Shaki), and 4) Fish, I believe.
Anyway, I ordered cow skin and tripe and literally got one of each 😊.
It could have been cut in smaller pieces or something so it does not look so rigid. - They were setting up what looks like an outside seating area with Suya (Nigerian-styled grilled meat) but I never got to taste it 😞 Cons:- - The service was mediocre for me.
Though I personally did not have a bad service, I observed the hostess rolling her eyes as my friend, who was before me, placed her order.
But it was not as bad as another friend who called me when I stepped out for a few minutes to tell me that the hostess was snappy and very irritable.
I appears that this hostess may have been a little high.
Such an individual should not be in the restaurant business and certainly not in the frontline for customer service. - Not all the tables were stable. - The bathrooms are the worst among all restaurants I have been to.
Aside from being dirty, which is typical of public restrooms in general, one of the bathrooms was missing the cover of the toilet tank, another had an exposed outlet that was connected to the dryer.
Though they both had a baby changing station, it was not inviting at all.
The bathrooms were simply a disaster.
I’m curious how they even became like that in the first place.😬 I’m noticing this pattern among Nigerian restaurants and it’s a pity.
I think you can make a ton more money if you took the time out to maintain the restaurant.
It will market itself to not only Nigerians or other Africans but to other ethnic groups willing to have a taste of Africa.
It will also be nice to do table service.

Absolutely love this place.
Arrived a little after 10am and it didn’t take long to realize that I was about to eat like it was Thanksgiving.
The food was delicious and the spicy sauce they give you on the side is perfect so you can make it as spicy as you want it.
The young lady up front was patient with me and really nice.
I will definitely make an hour trip to eat here again and again.
Keep up the good work!

Owner response

Everyone was super nice when I walked in! They let me try a few different items that they have ready to go every day and I ended up getting way more than I came for but everything was delicious! If you like spicy, you have to try the Ayamase!

Owner response