REAL Meal at Badou

On Friday, July 28, our second REAL Meal attracted 12 eager culinary adventurers to Badou Senegalese Cuisine at 2055 W. Howard, Chicago.

Chef Badou had helpfully suggested in advance that, instead of ordering individually, he would choose for us four of his best and most representative dishes. These were: Djolof Rice: a vegetarian dish with jerk chicken on the side Mafe: a peanut butter stew with either vegetables only or with chicken (We had the vegetarian version) Yassa fish: tilapia cooked with lime, dijon, and vinegar Lentils and peas, or Badou Soul Food.

When we arrived, the table was set for us in the middle of their very modest space, but the chef had left, taking several large trays of food, for an event he was catering. This left his wife to prepare our dinner by herself.  As you might imagine, service was slow but well worth the wait. We started with an appetizer of pastries filled with a choice of meat or vegetables. The entrée dishes came out one by one, all delicious, and with mouth-watering aromas and seasonings.  The platters were piled high, and by the time we finished the third dish, we were all stuffed and decided to forego the lentils and peas and instead enjoy a conversation with our hostess, with high praise for her cooking.

The leisurely pace of the meal forced us to really savor the food and enjoy some lively and interesting talk. Most of us thought we’d be back again to try other offerings.

REAL plans to have these events on a regular basis, so watch for our next announcement.