Savor Suya Beef Skewers, Jollof Rice, and More West African Cuisine at ChòpnBlọk | Eater Houston

"Born as a fast-casual stall in the Post Market food hall and now a full-service, Michelin Gourmand restaurant bursting with energy, this Nigerian American chef-owner Ope Amosu project gives West African flavors their proper due. The Polo Club Suya ($16)—tender beef skewers dusted with yaji peanut-pepper spice sourced from Nigeria—is succulent and genuinely spicy, mirroring the version served at the legendary Lagos Polo Club. The chips & dip ($14) riff on a Texan classic by swapping tortillas for crisp, lightly salted plantains and pairing them with guacamole, queso, or salsa with velvety, savory stewed Liberian greens; a ChòpnBlọk visit without an order of this appetizer is incomplete. Well-portioned bowls are the calling card, and the golden bowl ($22.50)—smoky jollof jambalaya, curry, chicken, yaji vegetables, and stewed plantains—hits smoky, sweet, and spicy all at once. To drink, the manyaritas ($14) reimagine the margarita; order the tamarind for an earthy depth of flavor. The Montrose dining room is lively, loud, colorful, and well-lit, with Afrobeats pulsing and a party feel, and as a full-service space it better reflects the Michelin-caliber food; it’s busy thanks to word of mouth and accolades, so book a reservation." - H. Drew Blackburn