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Hady’s Restaurant International Cuisine is a popular Senegalese and West African restaurant located in downtown Raleigh.
Our menu includes authentic West African Appetizers, Main Dishes, Sides, Desserts, and Drinks.
We offer Chicken and Beef Patties, Chicken Livers/ Gizzards, and Fish and Beef Fataya. Our patrons love many of our main dishes, including Jollof Rice with Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Yassa Chicken, and Red Tomato with Chicken.
Order our popular sides, including Plantains, Fufu, Couscous, and Collard Greens. We also offer mouth-watering Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake, and more. Finally, we offer authentic Ginger, Tamarind, Hibiscus, and other nutritious beverages.
Relaxed locale whipping up African & international offerings in simple surrounds, plus delivery.
Salem Soni
It pains me to do this because I do want to see small business succeed because often poor service by untrained staff tends to be downfall.
Let me just say that this place seems to have a lot of high reviews because most people order and take out food from this restaurant, but our experience was a dine-in one. We drove 45 minutes (from another city) to specifically come eat in this place because it came highly recommended by a friend.
I was a slightly surprised because we were the only people in the entire restaurant. Simply my wife and I. This was around 7:30 PM. Even though I was a little taken back by it; I also understood that this could be normal for a niche restaurant (focused on African cuisine).
Granted that some order clients came sporadically to pick up some takeout orders, the gentleman that was both our hostess and waiter was quite rude. Mind you; we are the ONLY guests in this restaurant. Mind you it’s our first time here, and we want to be guided about the menu and choices. But the young man seemed so impatient and just ready to clock out.
We explicitly told the waiter that we didn’t want spicy food, and wanted options that were non-spicy or mild. Guess what? The food came spicy. After a back and forth with waiter; he went to go get to the chef. The chef came out and started questioning how “sensitive” our palettes and taste buds were because to him the food was not spicy.
Honestly, I was furious at this point. I just ate half of the food that they gave me, but my wife insisted on getting a different dish. But the option she go instead was a dry fish with white rice. No sauce, vegetables, or anything else.
In the end, she took one bit of the fish and we were too mad to continue eating at this place. So we paid $64 for what we got and left. This was an extremely disappointing experience, and I will never be back here.
I’m still giving this place 2-star rating instead of one because the decor and ambiance was nice. The menu options were clearly labeled and visually appealing. The bathrooms were also fairly clean. And there sufficient parking out front. But the staff and service were just so bad.
If the owner(s) ever read this review; I would strongly suggest improving the staff. Because I think you are trying to do something good, but most likely your staff don’t care about your restaurant as much as you do.
… moreaerial antiquina
AMAZING place to enjoy international cuisine! I have been here multiple times and I continue to go back. Plantain Fufu and Egusi with Goat is to die for! I wish I lived closer but it is worth the hour drive every time. I have told multiple people about this place, they have went and LOVED IT! I wish I could eat their Egusi every day. Get the fried plantains also you will NOT be disappointed they are so sweet! The girl who works in there is very nice she has been my server every time and does a wonderful job. The guy who is sometimes sitting at the register (might be owner or Manager Very tall guy) he is very nice and wonderful to hold a conversation with. They are so kind there and their smiles and friendly ways make you want to come back even though the food is enough to make your mouth water to just think about it
… moreL
Honestly the best food I’ve had in NC so far. The food is real, that sounds silly but it’s true. A seasoned world traveler and from me, this is very authentic and real food for your body. While I was eating I was already planning my next trip because the food was so good. So flavorful. It wasn’t spicy. It was well cooked. The meat fell off the bone. The rice was amazing and not salty at all. I love here. It reminds me of my friends home cooking and I will def be making a trip once a week here.
Come and take a seat. Give it a try. It needs more recognition for its authenticity.
… morenrgriffi6565
WOW THAT JERK CHICKEN MEAL WAS GOOD! Jerk chicken was spiced so nice. I feel like collards can be hit or miss, but here they were delicious! The plantains were good. We also got the BBQ wings and they were subtle, with a perfect crispy skin. They do bring you bottled water so it might be wise to bring your bottle if that’s all you plan on drinking, but it’s certainly worth visiting.
… moreCeleste “Lola” Brewster
Food was fine. The fish didn’t taste seasoned, but the vegetable soup was fine. Meat in every dish except the sides and veggie soup… and prices are $16+ for the soups with a side of fufu or rice, etc. The soups aren’t soups! They are more like stews, thick hearty and flavorful. You eat them with your hands and get fufu as the side. Add on sides are $6+ and the waitress will tell you that the fufu that comes with the meal is corn based and not as good and the best is plantain based but it’s an upcharge. The upcharge was me paying full price for another side of fufu $6 and not getting the fufu it came with, I don’t think they understand how upcharges work, since there was ony a $1 between the 2 types. Ofcourse, there are no refunds so I simply asked for the fufu it would have came with as well. I got a bottle drink that cost $5. Only 1 bathroom per gender in the resturant so I waited through a few people to wash my hands before the meal so it’s a cozy place, probably seats 50 people, but it’s very nice based on the location. They have a large display upfront that shows pics of the foods and names so you know what it looks like. Waitress was nice as was every staff member I came in contact with. I wouldn’t go back as there weren’t enough options for me, but I think it’s a nice place for someone to try. Expect to pay $20ish. Definitely get the fufu if it’s your 1st time eating African cuisine.
… moreAngela Love
Great experience here. The atmosphere was perfect to soak up international music and great food. Everything was cooked fresh. The egusi soup was the perfect mix of spice and savory flavors. Jollof rice with chicken was seasoned to perfection. Mixed reviews on the fufu. It was our first time trying African cuisine so I don’t know if the fufu was prepared traditionally or not. The beef patty was a hit.
The hibiscus drink was delicious. I will try the ginger drink next time. We would definitely return for lunch or dinner.
… moreNadia Vinson
I’ve been coming here for about two years and always order the egusi soup, but today was beyond disappointing. What I was served looked nothing like egusi — it had a melted cheese appearance and tasted completely off. When I raised my concern, instead of owning up to it, the staff tried to convince me that’s how it’s supposed to be. The waitress even admitted the cook was new, but then another staff member came over and insisted the cook wasn’t new and that my dish was fine. I even showed them photos of my previous orders (from this same restaurant) as well as what egusi actually looks like, and they still denied it.
I’m not new to this place — I’ve supported them for years — but the way they handled this situation was unprofessional and dismissive. Sadly, after this experience, I won’t be returning.
Go to Gifted Hands in Durham instead !!!!
… moreMaya Tureaud
Okay so the food here is really good! I got the red tomato chicken stew, and it was amazing! The food came out hot and the portions were so generous. The chicken—fall of the bone!!! It’s so tender and you can tell this is a quality stew. I am full with food to take home and enjoy later. The atmosphere is also really nice. It’s decorated so nicely and clearly well-kept. The staff is also very friendly! I will definitely be back!
… moreAngela Noh
soooooo yummy, we got the egussi with goat and fufu + cabbage and cassava with lamb (absolutely lovedddd) + chicken gizzards and all of it was so good. would recommend trying the baobab juice that they make! delicious, thick and sweet
… moreTiara H
It was my first time visiting this restaurant the atmosphere was nice. I ordered the egusi stew with goat, but it wasn’t good. I have had egusi before many of times and made it ! So I know what it’s supposed to give. I sent it back and ordered the half buffalo wings/half jerk with Mac and cheese and chicken gizzards ! That was delicious the wings were spiced, fried, and seasoned to perfection! The Mac and cheese was macking! lol Absolutely delicious . My first time trying fried chicken gizzards it was really good it reminded me of eating fried calamari because of the chewy consistency. The only down side we had to wait a little long for our food. Ali was our server was very sweet and understanding ! Seemed a tad shy I just wanted him to be more attentive to our table. Overall I would eat here again.
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