Yassa African Restaurant

Reviews

• Jessica A.

  star star star star star 2 June 2026

  The food was very flavorful and bountiful in portion size! I've never had Senegalese food so I'm not sure how to rate it against other Senegalese food; however, the flavors are a mix of Indian and Chinese food.
  
  As long as you go with the expectation of waiting for your food, it's good!
  
  Baobab drink is also very unique. It has that Yakult flavor - sweet and tangy? Either way, pretty good. It's very thick.
  
  If you're looking for another food type to try similar to rice and couscous, try the atieke! It compliments that Yassa chicken and the curries very nicely. The flavor is just slight (very slightly) tart which helps balance the salty spicy of the other marinades. Trust me, worth a try.

• Sam R.

  star star star star star_border 31 May 2026

  My first time with Senegalese food and I was not disappointed. I think the food at Yassa was slightly better than what I've had of other West African cuisines (Ghanaian and Guinean, so far). On the second Saturday of every month, they have live music, and we ended up here on that night. What a fun time! The guy with the trumpet was so good, although it was a little jarring when they were warming up and the regular music was still playing...noise overload, LOL!
  
  I ordered the thiou curry, which seemed upon a quick Google search to be an iconic Senegalese dish. My friends had chicken yassa, which I had already tried at one of the other West African places I've been. Theirs came out several minutes before mine, but they were busy and the service was good.
  
  The curry was very tasty. It's one of those nice, warm yellow curries. For my side I got fried plantains (can never go wrong with these puppies) and djolof rice. It doesn't come with two sides, but the guy wanted me to do half and half because he said I would need rice for my curry. Glad I got both, because the rice was good. I had djolof at another restaurant and liked it there a bit more, but this was still good. My only comment on the curry is that it is quite difficult to eat since the chicken is still on the bone, so you really can't eat it like a stew or anything. I'm sure cooking it in the curry on the bone is what makes it so good, but it would be easier to eat if it was cubed or shredded.
  
  My friends enjoyed their chicken yassa as well. I tried it and it was alright, I liked my dish more but the yassa was definitely not bad, especially considering it's their namesake. We also ordered a salmon fataya, which is basically like an empanada. I'm not a huge salmon fan, but honestly, this was pretty good.
  
  I'm sure the place is a lot calmer and less busy on weeknights, but the added fanfare of the live music made this a really fun experience and I would definitely recommend it.

• Tara Lynn O.

  star star star star star_border 27 May 2026

  We stopped in here after biking down lake shore as we heard a lot about it! It's very casual with picnic like tables. We started with the fresh juice - the ginger one was very intense and not subtle. It was good to try but may be heard to drink the entire glass. With most lunches you get to choose one side. I tried the couscous which was a little bland but very good. It tasted good with the sauce from the chicken! The chicken was delicious I tried the kabob one that did not have a bone. Soo good! Yassa chicken had a bone in and also good.
  
  Would recommend to stop by! Service was a little slow to get food but staff was really friendly.

• Maronda H.

  star star star star star 23 May 2026

  My first time trying African Food and I can say that I'm quite impressed. I want to thank my Yelp Bud Liang for treating me out to Yassa. I'm a very picky eater and really don't like stepping out of my food comfortable zone. But now that I have tried Yassa. I'm convinced to step out more and try other foods. I'm still trying to gather up words to describe this place. Instant hospitality the moment you step foot inside this restaurant. Warm polite smiling faces. The manager Israel and his staff was super attentive and made sure my first time visiting was superb.
  
  Yassa is a Senegalese restaurant located on Chicago's Southside. A unique and cozy setting to enjoy a nice lunch or dinner with friends. I really liked the colorful theme and beautiful décor. There is plenty of free  parking along the side street of the restaurant.  
  
  Food Rating: I give this rating a total of 5 stars alone. I ordered the Yassa Chicken that was marinated in onion, garlic, lemon and this awesome mustard sauce. My sides were steamed cabbage with carrots and a order of Djolof rice. Delicious unique flavorful spices. Lots of  tasty combinations of herbs and spices blended in together.
  
  I truly recommend this place. It was a treat for me to get out and try something new and different. The ambience, food and service of this place deserves to be recommend to others.  Place order online.
  Yassa even has a deal on Groupon.  Live Jazz Band 2nd Saturday of each month from 7:30PM until 9:30 (BYOB)

• Diana G.

  star star star star star_border 14 May 2026

  Been here twice for lunch. 1st time, the young lady wasn't too friendly or attentive and took awhile to take our orders. After we were done, it took her awhile to get our to go box and check.
  
  2nd time was better. The man was friendlier and a bit more attentive. Though it took a bit for him to come get a to go box and check.
  
  Nem (Egg roll) and Fataya (Salmon Patty) - Good, but be careful of the Fataya, I thought it had quite of heat to them.
  
  We tried the Yassa Lamb, Yassa Chicken & Dibi Chicken - All of the entrees are good and flavorful. I'm a fan of the Djolof Rice.
  
  The food does take a bit of time to come out, but I definitely think it's worth it as it's cooked to order.