Afro Deli & Grill: Minneapolis

I was staying at the Graduate Hilton hotel that is very close to this restaurant during a trip to Minneapolis in July 2025. One evening, a couple of friends and I decided to have dinner there. When we went, there was a small crowd. We immediately got a table and ordered four dishes. The food came pretty soon and were plentiful. Each dish was very tasty. Also, it was unbelievably cheap. We were very happy with our meal and would gladly go back there.

One of my favorite restaurants around campus if not my favorite... Best sweet potato fries in the world. Chicken fantastic (pictured) and chicken curry are highlights, somali steak sandwich is also great. Been here many times and it's incredibly consistent.

Affordable and good food offered here. The restaurant’s vibe is also calm and chill. The portion sizes are also big and fulfilling!

A cute and colorful spot, perfect for a quick bite! I ordered lamb gyros and French fries. I was served in five minutes and everything was hot and tasty! The pita is slightly toasted to give a little extra oomph to the gyro meat and the portion was very generous. French fries are crisp and only needed a little salt, though they did come with a spicy sauce to dip if you have stronger taste buds than my wimpy butt. Definitely worth trying more, since the baklava looks excellent.

Everyone in Minneapolis should know this spot! Diverse menu with tons of great options. The curry chicken is my personal favorite, but I haven’t had anything had. Make sure to check out the Somali Tea if going on a cold day. Service is always amazing, with a real family restaurant feel. Love to see that business has been going well for them with more locations opening!

I recently tried Afro Deli for the first time, I ordered the Gyro Jabati wrap. It costed around 13 dollars after taxes. The service was good, however it took around 6-10 minutes to recieve the food. With the meal it came with fries but there was no drink included. (There is free water though) The atmosphere was nice, seating is a little limited but the space they did have was excellent. My problem however is with the food itself, I had high expectations for Afro Deli. Ive heard about their operations for around a decade now and expected the food to be Excellent. I am also very familiar with Somali Cuisine. The fries were great but the wrap its self had a few key problems which greatly impacted the experience, and I am not a picky eater at all. Unfortunately, the wrap was overfilled with Tzatiki sauce which blinded all other aspects of the wrap, also the rice was dry. The Jabati itself was great condition and the gyro meat was great too. The given sauce container which I think was a spicy mayo was good too. Overall the food I got here was better than most places but it did not meet my expectations. Every other aspect was expected and tolerated.

Had the Steak dinner and a Sambusa (Could have eaten 3) Delicious!!! Absolutely amazing experience.

A great on-campus spot when you need something quick and affordable. The space is pretty small so you'll have to squeeze if you are bringing a crowd. I ALWAYS rave about their chicken fantastic and sweet potato fries, both are my absolute go-to's and I find myself craving them frequently. Highly recommend for the amazing food and quick service

Stopped In on a break at the university of m location. It was packed in there and smelled so good! I ordered the three Sambusas it came with a spicy green sauce. The grilled chicken sandwich was so good juicy and nice flavor on focaccia I'd go back again maybe just at a less busy time

Big fan of the afro deli definitely worth the stop everything from the chicken fantastic to sambusas to the chicken wings can't go wrong.

Great food, fast service, and a can't-miss place! I came here for lunch during a weekday and it's a popular spot! I'm so impressed by the gentleman that took our order- he didn't need to give us a number or anything, he just remembered every person's face and brought them their order. We ordered the chapati wrap and Somali steak sandwich. Both were flavorful and excellent. Fries were the right amount of crispy. We'll be back!

The gyro was awesome, staff was friendly, and the place had a really good atmosphere. Would love to come back and try more of their options.

I'll start with the food first. I ordered the chicken curry, chapati wrap ( it came with a salad) and the vegetable sambusa. The Chicken curry perfectly seasoned with super tender. It was was very good. The Chicken chapati wrap was absolutely delicious and the vegetable sambusa was also delicious. The only thing that I didn't like about this meal was the salad wasn't that great. The service was top notch and the prices are actually very good. I hope I'm able to come back here again on Friday before I fly back home on Saturday. I would like to take some of the vegetables sambusas back home.

This place came highly recommended by the local team. We had a very large catering order with multiple timed deliveries. They nailed it! Food was great, delivered on time, and everyone loved it. Ordering was also easy despite the large group orders. Great job!!

It's closer to my apartment in downtown Minneapolis. Not one of my favorites just cus I am an African and the food is a little too Americanized for me. However, not bad if you're just looking for a quick lunch. Very convenient location if your close to downtown Minneapolis

Delicious food, but also unaccomodating staff. One of the menu items, the veggie stew, is served over rice, but it is not indicated on the menu. When we were served the food, we immediately asked for it to be remade without rice (due to a food insensitivity). Unfortunately, the FOH staff declined our request, stating that it was "too slow" and it'll "waste the food". She suggested we eat around the rice. In the end, all she could offer us to to scoop out the veggies into a different bowl and serve that. However, there were still grains of rice in the dish. The rest of the food was delicious with great portions, but I would hesitate to say that our visit was allergen or food modification-friendly.

Even though the website says the store closes at nine on Sundays they decided to close at seven today. We were told to hurry up and pick up our order before they closed so we rushed. As soon as we get there, we were made to stand outside for five minutes while workers starred at us, while continuing doing their jobs instead of acknowledging that we are waiting at the door. Bad customer service and incorrect information.

Soooo good. The servings are gigantic! The flavors blend so well together. And the sauce! You won't regret trying this place out if you hadn't already. From the rice to the gyro, everything was perfectly cooked. Using a chappati as a form of wrap is genius, I've never had it that way before.

I went because the Yelp reviews were solid, but came away disappointed. Food quality was good, but the portion was embarrassing. I got the Somali steak sandwich and it had one little tiny piece of steak on it, for $10. I could've eaten three of those. And although it's good, definitely not great. Service was fine. Ambiance is a college vibe being so close to campus. Maybe I'd try another dish to see if portions were better, but probably a pass for me.

Great food and friendly staff! I am glad to support locally owned restaurants that deliver great good. The sambosa is amazing and the dipping sauce for it is great. Is it hard to pick a favorite they are all good. The veggie platter gives me some favorites like pita, hummus, and sambosa.

Will I be coming here again? Was the food tasty? Was I full after eating half? YES YES and YES. DELICIOUS, affordable, and huge portions! When I went, it was also really busy but I only waited ~5 minutes for my food. I don't know what the heck is in that red sauce BUT IT IS FREAKING DELICIOUS. Better than Chick-fil-a, Canes, and In-n-Out sauce! It is liquid gold. I got the Gopher Lamb Gyros ($8) and it was super tasty and huge! The veggies on top were fresh, the fries were super crispy, the yogurt sauce was the perfect tangy-ness, and the lamb gyro was too-die-for. I would say the most popular items are the Gopher Lamb Gyros, Somali Steak Sandwich, Steak Chapati Wrap, and the Sambusas! I will definitely be back to get all the Sambusas. They have a deal where you get 3 for $6.

Love love loved it! I got a large Afrosteak dinner with beef sambusas and it was just sooo tasty and hearty. I was in the mood for something quick but wholesome and did a quick search for food nearby. These guys popped up and knowing I could get a rice platter with some sort of meat just made me very happy. I made the online order and I sure did grub when I got home. I really enjoyed the veggies and meat portions that was used in preparing my order. A heartfelt yes, every time!

Awesome chapatis! Nice staff. Quick service. Good food and sauces were top notch. Cool mural on the wall!

We thought we would try this because of seeing it in the news 5/2 & 5/3 for winning an award. We to the location by the U. I ordered the Somali steak sandwich with fries and my husband got the chicken chapati wrap with fries. Totally forgot to take a picture but the food looks like the pictures in the restaurant! The fries and the creole dipping sauce are yummy We appreciated not seeing food already "ready". So we felt like the food was fresher. Great taste. Lots of flavor and seasoning. The steak was tender to chew. We would go back again. May I add, the parking isn't the greatest. To me it's more for foot traffic and students on campus. If you can find parking and walk a little, you should.

The combination of Mediterranean, Red Sea and the iconic Somali cuisine with Italian influences drives me absolutely my favorite place I go to, the gophers lamb,shawarma,Sambusa and spicy food l can smell it or feel it from long distance,the service is very charismatic, friendly kind of I ever met, really its such pleasure place that if you never been to go there

Went to a 70th Birthday party this weekend and Afro Deli catered! It was so amazing and can't wait to order for my own parties in the near future! I've been telling all my friends... some of them already knew about the absolute awesomeness and some had no idea! Wondering what the spicy green side is called?! Yumzzzzz 100% fabulous.

Afro is considered one of the best restaurants on campus and that's very accurate. A unique combination of foods from different cultures and healthy portions makes it a classic. The service is fast and always kind. I love the Somali steak sandwich, but hard to go wrong here! Always always make sure you ask for the sauce that comes with the fries, it's so addictive to put on everything!

Everything in my order was amazing!! I ordered two sambusas (a veggie and a chicken) and the chicken curry. As a note, the sambusas aren't spicy but the sauce they give you is made the mistake of dipping way too much so they were FIREY but the flavor in them was amazing so I hope to order them again. The chicken curry was SO GOOD. I had no idea what to expect. It's almost sweet? And the veggies are cooked to perfection, they're so soft. I was hesitant because I don't like eggplants very much but it was so worth it. My order was via delivery with DoorDash so I'm not sure of their Covid policies inside the restaurant but the food was awesome and I will definitely order from them again.

I got the chicken yassa salad. Meat was very flavorful and was given a good amount of veggies. The salad itself was overdressed which led to a puddle at the bottom of the bowl and soggy lettuce which was disappointing though.

Came down to try out Afro Deli for the Yelp YES event for yelp elites and to support "take out" during COVID-19, which entailed calling ahead, masking up and social distancing while picking up and paying for the food. And the food was worth it!!! We got the chicken Sambusa with a regular side of fries (plenty for two) and the chicken Fantastic. I have to say it was all very nice. The fries had nice seasoning and comes with a dipping sauce. The chicken fantastic, which was certainly fantastic, had a nice creamy sauce to go with the chicken, rice and veggies. The Sambusa was soooo good, next time I'm getting several more, one wasn't enough, it had chicken, chopped peppers and onions in it. I look forward to coming back and trying their other menu items, as everything looks amazing!!

I won't mince words, my experience at Afro Deli was wonderful! The food was so, so good. I ordered the Chicken Fantastic and a chicken sambusa. The Chicken Fantastic was a healthy portion of chicken, veggies, and rice, a delicious and filling meal just on its own! The sauce was creamy and flavorful and paired well with the rice. The sambusa was jam-packed with chicken and veggies and deep fried to crisp perfection. I snuck a couple bites of my boyfriend's Somali steak sandwich, and that is definitely going to be the next thing I order from Afro Deli. Perfectly grilled bread, deliciously seasoned steak, and fresh veggie toppings. The fries came with creole sauce which was amazing. We tried dipping the sandwich in it and it tasted great! The restaurant was clean and bright and current masking and social distancing protocols are being followed. Staff were friendly and sociable, great service. Dine-in is not open but you can wait in the restaurant to pick up your food. As this is on the University of Minnesota campus, parking is pretty iffy so be prepared for that if you're driving. Overall great experience and I can't wait to try more of what Afro Deli has to offer!

I prefer this Afro Deli location to the one in St Paul because they are generous with their proteins and always include a side of that delicious sauce (not sure what it's called but it's pure heaven) with the Steak Chapati wrap. There is truly nothing like Afro Deli. The food is so rich in flavor and so unique, the entrees come with a ton of food--I end up taking half home for a meal the next day, and super affordable. The service and atmosphere is minimal but the staff are friendly and the food comes out fairly quick. There are days that I get an Afro Deli craving and nothing else will suffice until I stop in. Unique aroma and flavors, true cultural comfort food that hits the spot every time. Heads up: both locations are consistently packed around lunch time.

The flavors, smells, and atmosphere make a person feel like they're in the heart of Mogadishu - transplanted in Gopherville Minnesota. Sambusas are worth their weight in gold, brilliantly perfect. Gyros, falafel, curry, wings, salads and everything else - so so good!! I would recommend eating here everyday.

It was just okay. The meat in the lamb gyros was over-done. Edible, not tough, but it was borderline dry. The fries have this 'crisp' coating which I can't stand. The yoghurt sauce lacked spices. The black tea was good. Clearly a white-bread joint meant to please students. I won't be rushing back. There are certainly better Somali cafés around the area.

I canNOT say enough about Afro Deli! I have used them for catering events, and the food has always received rave reviews. And, I have to admit that I must go here once a week for my sambusa fix. The manager - Alex - is AMAZING! Please try it - you will not be disappointed!!

Afro Deli is an African-Mediterranean-American fusion institution in the Twin Cities. The food is always fresh, affordable, accessible, and made with love. My heart goes out to anyone who doesn't have fast-casual Somali food nearby! I most recently visited with COVID-19 guidelines. I pre-ordered online and grabbed it to enjoy a picnic at a campus park. The service was quick and friendly, and there was hand sanitizer galore. We got all 3 sambusas, Samoli Steak sandwich, fries, and AfroGreen House Salad. The sandwich features "thin-sliced beef sauteed with African spices" -- so flavorful! The focaccia is pressed so it doesn't feel like you're eating all bread. My partner declared it one of the best sandwiches he's had in the Twin Cities so far! The fries are PERFECT, I believe they're battered and the housemade creole sauce is a treasure. The salad was the most reasonably priced and freshest veggie salad I've had in a very long time. And OF COURSE all of the sambusa were fantastic (veggie, chicken, beef), with the beef being my very favorite, especially paired with their bright hot sauce (which I eat by the spoonful). #supportblackownedbusinesses #blackownedbusiness

Afro Deli is a go-to restaurant for me! Normally I'd go to the St Paul location but during the pandemic, this Minneapolis location is much closer to me now that I'm working from home. THE FOOD My usual pick of entrees are the Afro Steak Dinner & Chicken Fantastic. I like the mix of 2 very different flavors (one creamy & one not). Both are flavorful. A must-get is their sambusas. Crispy outside, flavorful inside. I prefer their beef filling but their vegetarian ones are good too. Sambusas come with a green chili hot sauce which you can request even if you don't order the appetizer. PROTIP is to put the green sauce on everything! The fried plantains are candied without being too sweet & have a nice crispy outside as well. The one thing that was just ok were the regular fries. If you get fries, get the sweet potato ones! You can actually taste the sweet potato and those were a hit in my household. THE EXPERIENCE Afro Deli's online ordering from their website is super slick. Once I submitted my order, a message said it would be done in 15 mins but it was a good decision to go over there at the 25 min mark. They were putting my order together when I was there so I maybe waited 5 mins. If it's during meal time, just err on going 10 mins later. The employee working the cashier was super friendly, chatted a bit with each customer while busily bagging-up our orders. The only downside is that you're in Dinkytown so have to find & pay for street parking. It's 75 cents for 15 mins. SAFETY Their COVID-19-related precautions include hand sanitizer stations & all their employees wear masks. They have many signs saying to stay 6-feet apart from each other (which customers followed) & that you need to wear a mask inside the restaurant. They also have a designated door to exit so folks are flowing in one direction through the space. OVERALL So glad to see that Afro Deli is continuing to do business during these hard times for local businesses. Not only that, but they are also doing a lot of community service and making meals for kids who were hurting from not having school lunches. Let's continue to support this Black-owned business and the St Paul location as well. When you order from Afro Deli, you can be rest assured that you're also giving to a community-oriented business. Rooting for you Afro Deli!

I had a Yelp event that allowed me to try a vegetable fantastic and veggie sambusa. I can't say that I would have tried this place otherwise, and I know I won't again - it's not for me. I also got a vegetable Keke and I have no regrets! It was very unique but much too spicy for me, although I loved all the veggies. There is a whole lot of cheese and sauce on the veggie fantastic so I didn't get to try it but my husband said it was not really anything special. I did enjoy the sambusas! Soft breading and tasty lentils and veggies inside. They have a decent COVID protocol going and they are busy! Be prepared to be budged in front of as you try to awkwardly social distance. The employee that took my order over the phone was helpful about dietary restrictions

This is one of my favorite takeaway spots in MN!!! Super flavorful (it's been really rough living among bland Minnesotan palates), and a great bang for your buck. My go-to is the falafel chapati wrap and sweet potato fries, and I could seriously stretch this to 3 meals. The wraps are super packed, they don't skimp on anything. You will seriously geta piece of falafel in every bite. I also love their basbas sauce! It's super fresh and bright and goes well with the warmer flavors of the Somali-fusion food they serve. Despite being a small business facing the difficulties of Covid-19, they continue to give back to the community (eg. free meals for kids during lockdown). Flavorful food with a side of social justice? I am totally in.

This food was absolutely delicious! I got the Somali Steak Sandwich and it was so good!! It had a kick and was just amazing overall. I got two Beef Sambusas and 1 Chicken Sambusa, they were both good but my favorite was the beef one. The sauce they come with is really good and spicy.

Online ordering is a snap. I went to the restaurant by the U if M. Lots of vegetarian options. The kids had the veggie sandwiches and fries and were happy. I had the chicken curry which I enjoyed. I would have liked it a little spicier, but I don't have anything to compare it to. The food was ready when promised and they took the time to double check the ordering their own initiative before I left . There's no where to park in front of the restaurant, so plan to park before. This restaurant gets high marks from the whole family.

I'm sorry but the chapati wrap is not the real authentic chapati wrap sold at Somali restaurants in the city. Is it chapati or a burrito? Are we Mexican? Why does it with rice and, where are the veggies? Why is the meat so dry? I understand your target demographic is white students who don't know much about ethnic foods, but come on, man! Also, the curry rice bowl is overloaded with sodium, which overtakes all the other spices. I gave this place 2 chances and it still disappointed me! Do better!

This may sound funny to say about take out, but one of the best things about Afro Deli is the friendly counter service! The other best thing, of course, is the reliably awesome food. I've never had a bad meal in 8 years of enjoying this place. This was my first time visiting this particular location, and although there is no parking on the street in front, it was easy to find a spot on the next cross street. I previously frequented the St. Paul shop and former Minneapolis location, but was just as pleased with this experience. Given the pandemic, I ordered ahead of time and only popped in for a minute to quickly pick it up. The kind gentleman who took my order on the phone was friendly, and my meal was hot and ready for me upon walking in the door. Everything looked remarkably clean inside and signs clearly labeled all of the distancing protocols. Though the interaction was brief, it was a happy one. Everyone is always smiling here - even through a mask. I raced home to immediately devour this tasty meal while it was warm and fresh. The veggie sambusas were still crispy on the outside, packed with lentils on the inside. The veggie fantastic lives up to its name. Full of delicious veggies and cheesy sauce over a bed of perfectly cooked yellow basmati rice. And I still have half left for lunch tomorrow. Yummm as always!

After hearing good things we finally stopped in for lunch last week, and are glad we did. It's a great quick lunch option with a fast casual atmosphere. We did our order for takeout and enjoyed it in the park across the street (U of M location). We ordered the Keke Vegetarian, Chapati Wrap and Sambusa. The Keke Vegetarian had great flavor, and the noodles were the star of the dish. The Chapati Wrap was almost like a gyro in a burrito, and the sauce that came with the fries was the star of that dish. I preferred the veggie Sambusa over the beef as it just seemed to have more flavor, but both were good along with the spicy sauce that came with them. Portion sizes were large enough that we were able to stretch this into almost 2 full meals. Definitely will be back again and can't wait to try some other options!

Great service and staff- always make me feel welcome. Food is delicious and reasonably priced.

Pleasantly surprised by Afro Deli. Came for a late weeknight dinner. We both had the Somali Steak Sandwich (thin-sliced beef sauteed with African spices, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, onions and mayonnaise on focaccia). There were some tough cuts of steak but it was overall really tasty. It reminded me of a philly cheesesteak with some extra spices. It's not listed but there are a good amount of green bell peppers - so if you're not a fan, be sure to ask for it sans bell peppers! This place would absolutely be 4 stars from a food perspective, but I was extremely perturbed that the staff allowed homeless people to come in and pander for money. A homeless gal literally came in and went to each table to ask for money. Once she received some money, she strolled on out. That's not ok in an establishment! & seeing that they don't do anything about random people coming in and fraternizing with guests, imagine if it weren't just a homeless person but a robber or someone intending to cause harm. Scary.

Incredible food for incredible prices! The owner was going around asking how people were doing, 10/10 customer service.

This is officially my new sambusa spot! The dough casing was soft and light, the beef and veggie filling was well balanced, and not too greasy. The dipping sauce was a spicy green with a kick of lime, yum! The left over dipping sauce went perfectly on top of the chicken fantastic, it was... FANTASTIC! The veggies were cooked to a perfect al'dente. My 8mo really likes the ride and bites of carrot that I was willing to share :) The staff was friendly and everyone was wearing a mask, contactless payments, and there were social distancing markers to help guide customers in the store. I was there late in the evening, close to closing time, so I can't speak to the indoor seating as it was all stacked up and being sanitized when I arrived to pick up my order. Clean and conscious! Now when I visit hubby after class on the East (eat) Bank, I know where to pick up lunch AND dinner

Have eaten Afro Deli many times and it does not disappoint! Finally reviewing after stopping in around 1:15pm during winter break. Today, I got the chicken curry and beef sambusas. There are two sizes you can select for the chicken curry, and while I selected the smaller, it was still a huge portion. I dream about the sambusas and the spicy green basbas it comes with! The food is so good and flavorful, and there are so many menu options to choose from. There are several vegetarian options as well. Staff were friendly and our food came out very fast. Because students are still on winter break, I was able to get a metered parking spot about a block away. I'd assume that metered parking might be a little more difficult to snag during the semester. There is the Washington Ave ramp nearby as well.

Pretty good for a fast casual place on campus! I've tried two dishes so far, the Chapati Wrap and the Afro Asian Chicken Suqaar. The wrap was kind of like a burrito but with totally different flavors and spices, and the chicken dish was essentially a spicy chicken fried frice with veggies. Both filled me up a lot and burned my mouth a lot, but the flavors were super robust and different from other kinds of food. Afro deli is a fun and unique place and a great option if you're seeking something different among the abundance of U of MN pizza or asian food establishments. It's also relatively spacious inside so you can count on being able to eat there even on a pretty busy night. It's definitely dense and each meal is a lot of food, so come hungry or expect to take leftovers. I would also anticipate waiting about 10 minutes for your food to be ready because the magic takes time!

Such good food! For teacher appreciation week, my employer surprised us with meals from Afro Deli. It was my first time having it. Today I visited their dinky town location, which is very close my house. I tried the Chicken Fantastic, which was so so good. And the sambusa was to die for! Will definitely visit again soon!

Food was absolutely amazing, and fast, I come here every time I visit Minneapolis. Always grab my food to-go and never have had a bad meal, 100% recommend!

I've been bringing my parents take out from Minneapolis down to their house in the suburbs once a week, and Afro Deli was by FAR their favorite of everything I've brought! They've loved every restaurant I've picked out, but Afro Deli was the best of the best. Their chicken fantastic (or veggie fantastic), curry, Somali steak sandwich, everything is a knock out. I love Afro Deli so much, and am so glad my parents now love them too. Pick up was easy and efficient, and I can't wait to order Afro Deli again - it will never disappoint.

Good portion sizes for hearty, reasonably priced food makes Afro Deli a college classic. The fries are very crunchy and are to die for and the mayo you get with it is and yummy. The quality of food is always great; I've never had a bad experience. The chicken fantastic is savory and creamy and served with rice. It is usually one of my go-tos. Today, I ordered a steak chapati and it's great when you wash it down with a coke. Afro Deli also caters for those interested. They also serve gyros, burgers, and other wraps so there's stuff even for picky eaters. Parking is hard to come by because it's located in the heart of UMN campus, but there are other locations off-campus as well.

GREAT FOOD I WISH I HAD REVIEWED IT EARLIER I HAD A WRAP WITH LAMB AND BEEF AND IT WAS WONDERFUL. The service was very nice and the lady did not hesitate to give me extra dipping sauce the fries were good and overall a great dining experience

Ordered the chicken curry and it was really good. Lots of chicken and had a nice spice level. The regular size was a large portion. I enjoyed the pops of sweetness from the raisins. I also ordered the sweet plantains but they were a bit over cooked. The plantains were a bit dry and hard but did come in a large portion.

Love this deli! I have enjoyed both the entrees and the wraps here. The Afro Steak Dinner has heat...it's spicy..so good! Shredded beef with tons of veggies in a curry sauce over basmati rice. The Chicken Fantastic is heavenly! It is in a creamy sauce that is almost like an alfredo sauce with tons of veggies and cuts of chicken breast. Very yummy! The Chapati Wraps are a burrito style wrap, but more nutty and good...I had the Chicken Chapati and it's a favorite! It's so big I had it for 3 meals! Be sure to get the Somali Sweet Spiced Tea to complement the meals! YUM!