Chez Rama Restaurant Senegalese Cuisine

Easily my favorite restaurant in Columbus, OH. If you love flavor that makes your mouth water and portions that leave you satisfied, thank me now! Chez Rama has been a staple of mine for over two decades and it never disappoints! Every time I visit home from Los Angeles, it's on the top of my list of places to eat!

Their Grilled Fish Is Sooooooo Good!!! As well as the other items on the menu.. Food Prices are Very Reasonable. I've BEEN eating Neffe food a Veryy Long Time!.lol And Most of her staff are VERY PLEASANT.

The food is so delicious 😋 and the portions are huge. Paid $24 for 2 huge lamb shanks and a side of authentic jollof rice. 🌾 it’s worth the wait. They have earned my business for life

As a truck driver traveling across the country and trying many Senegalese restaurants, this one is the best by far. Never had a bad experience. Every dish is consistently delicious and satisfies my cravings for real Senegalese food. The service is always friendly and well organized. Highly recommend

Spent some time on the east side about a week ago and had the chance to order takeout from here. It was amazing and a great new experience. I’ll definitely be back

I actually had our food delivered and I was so afraid that something would be forgotten or my food would be cold, but they didn’t forget anything and this was a large order and my food was nice and warm and everything tasted amazing. I ordered the beef fatayas, salad, djollof rice (That’s how it’s spelled on their menu), plantains, beef chawarma and chicken chawarma and 3 of their homemade drinks. I would have given 5 stars but my beef in the chawarma was not as tender as I expected. I will still return and soon.

Do not order delivery cause they send you anything. I couldn't even get a refund. The rice was burnt and dry, 4 small strips cabbage, no eggplant, a thumb piece of fish, carrot and cassava. Highly disappointed. Wasted an hours worth of work I can't get back.

Loved the food. The desi lamb was delicious.

Ordered food via delivery to try Senegalese cuisine. Saka Saka had a very salty taste and lots of little bones in the cassava leaf. Lamb was tender but not very tender. Couscous was tasty. Thiakri dougoup was not for my taste, but sweet and creamy texture. Very good portions.

Tried this place with my dad and was pleasantly surprised. When we arrived there is a walk up counter to order and a small dining area off to the side. The seating in the dining area isn't great and the tables and chairs seemed a bit dirty, but it seemed like most people took their food to go. The people at the counter were very nice and explained the menu to us as it was our first time. My dad got a lamb entree and I got tilapia. We also got a mango, hibiscus, and ginger drink. They had forgotten to put our orders in and after waiting for a while we checked and they were very apologetic and gave us more drinks to apologize for the time we waited. The hibiscus was good but very sweet, the ginger was not my taste as it had a very strong and spicy ginger flavor, I was most excited about the mango but didn't end up drinking as it had a strange smell and consistency and I think it may have gone bad. When the food came out it was very delicious and they give very large portions. Everything was delicious, no complaints on the food!

So my fiancé and I absolutely love African food and when we got a chance to try Chez Rama we were 100 happy with our decision. However the meat was a little dry on my order but I'll have to try them a second time to really judge. First impression is everything 8/10.

I have been to this restaurant a couple of times in the past month. The first two times that I went here, I got the dibbi lamb with vermicelli and salad. A flavorful dish with grilled lamb with onions was a great combo. My most recent visit had me get the lamb jollof rice. It is a high demand item of the restaurant where you have to call it in early in the afternoon to get it. It was well worth the call and wait. The lamb was very tender and different from the dibbi lamb. The Jollof rice was very good with seasonings and veggies. Definitely check them out! I recommend going in the daytime or when it's light outside.

Really good spices and marinades used at this Senegalese restaurant! Be aware: Apparently, not everything on their menu is always available. At our group dinner, the lady taking our orders first pointed out a few dishes (i.e., a few stew dishes, whole chicken, etc) they did not have. Also, their lunch fixings change every day. The back side of the menu shows it, but you'd be best to ask and make sure. There is several tables for dining in. Also a large open area by the register - they have a healthy take-out business going, so the waiting space is big. I picked the Dibbi Lamb. From pics I've seen, the portions looked quite big, so I went ahead and got it in to-go containers. Good choice. The meat was very tender and flavorful. The sautéed onions were interesting - I loved the marinade the white slices were served in. The dish comes with one side, so I went with their fried sweet plantains (a personal fav, in general!). PS, that was a HUGE portion of plantains. And it was meant as the SIDE DISH! Also got their pineapple couscous appetizer. Really, the app is more like a dessert. Rich pineapple taste with the cream that's mixed into the dish. If you love pineapple, this dish has your name on it. The service was good, definitely a more relaxed vibe. Heads-up: If dinning in, when your done, head up to the counter to pay at the register. I'm imagining they have a great, lively crowd on the weekend nights, with the fantastic music that was playing while we ate.

Chez Rama is simply the best. I love the Dibi Lamb! The customer service is always top-notch, and the portions are generous. I highly recommend trying their fries; they are amazing, especially when they are fresh! My wife loves the white rices and onions that come with it. She always loves the Bissap drink that they carry! Dibi Lamb 1-5=5. Fries 1-5=5.

Wish I could give more stars for this place. All their dishes were superb and generous portions. The customer service is excellent, so friendly and caring.Don't miss out on the Dessert and drinks The Bissap is concentrated we needed to dilute it water. Very well run small family business. This will be my daughter,s favorite take out place. Thank you ladies for a wonderful lunch

I passed this place foe years and I'm mad I missed out all these years The workers are very nice the food reminds me of like barbecue but like African barbecue but anyway the food's amazing I've gone twice within the past week already. hot, fresh, and the flavors are amazing. Make sure to get a side of pepper sauce if you like spicy

Located in an unassuming strip mall on Livingston Ave, Chez Rama has been whipping up delicious Senegalese cuisine for over 10 years. Upon entering the building, you quickly gain the understanding that this will be a no-nonsense food experience. Stroll up to the counter, put in your order and sit down to be served at one of the dozen tables scattered throughout a dim light dining room. On the advice of the owner, we opted for the Whole Grilled Tilapia and 4-piece Grilled Chicken ($13/dish). Both the Chicken and Tilapia were well-seasoned and grilled perfectly. The Tilapia was marinated in what I can only describe as a sweet jerk barbeque and the chicken in a sweet citrus sauce. For side dishes, we chose the couscous & vermicelli, both which paired very well with the meats and arrived in massive bowls with their seasoned caramelized onions, a fresh tomato and egg on top. So tasty. Overall, the meal was delicious, service was friendly, portions were beyond huge and the experience unique. I'll definitely be returning again to try their discounted lunch specials!

I absolutely love the ambiance of this restaurant. Having the experience with West African dancers aided in my palette for knowing exactly what to get. Inside, the walls are covered with pictures of traditional Senegal. The staff speaking in their native tongues (either French or Wolof). And the food...rich in seasonings and flavor, made with love. No bland potato salad with raisins here! Lol. Jokes aside...come for the food; leave with the experience.

Absolute best food ever. Try the theiboudieunne (fried rice and fish) it's the national fish of Senegal. I prefer the fish one but chicken is great too! I also love soupa conja (okra stew) and really basically everything they make it good because Senegalese food is already one of the best in the world, and they know how to make it! I also highly recommend the ginger pineapple juice-- it's spicy but delicious. The bissap (hibiscus juice) is nice too, a bit minty, so add water if you like. Hands down the best restaurant in Columbus!

I eat here at least twice a week and I'm never disappointed. One of my favorite is available on the weekends called Ceebou Yap. It has lamb and chicken served on a dark broken rice with an onion sauce and it is so good. Another favorite is dibbi lamb and white rice with another one of their awesome onion sauces. I usually order takeout but your can dine in and the service is great either way. If you are ordering takeout I would order at least 20-30 minutes ahead as it gets crowded on the weekends. I've never paid more than twenty dollars to feed for people so the price point is also excellent.

This definitely isn't the place typical yelpers go, which is the only way I can explain the lack of reviews. It's 4 star for what it is, and you have to go in with the right expectations. The food is a clear 5 out of 5. The Chicken fell off the bone, the blend of spices was unique, and it was comparable to any Short North restaurant. The service is a 5 out of 5. Everyone there was incredibly nice, helpful in explaining the menu, and suggested some great food. The ambiance / atmosphere - 2 out of 5. This was the least important aspect to me at the time. Half their restaurant was in the dark, and they had a kid running around and playing with toys. Don't get me wrong, he was a cute kid, but not what you expect when going out to eat. The price was ridiculously low at under 10 dollars for enough food with chicken for 2 people. I even wanted to give them a tip at the end of the meal, but they ran my card and didn't even give me the chance. I had no cash, but I'm sure I'll be back. You should check it out too!

I ordered the Monday lunch special with fish to go. The food was OK, it was not served hot but lukewarm. Very nice service but need to step up the food quality. I will try again and hopefully receive better results.

Me gusta mucho es un sabor criollo muy bueno y sazón diferente con pollo a las brazas otra cosa

Mediocre at best. The food was seasoned well but the service and cleanliness of the restaurant spoke to the order of which it is ran and takes away from the rating. Chez Rama caters to their natives not to the general public. Owner needs to take inventory of the potential money and clientele. They have a base but it could be so much better if other aspects of business were taken into account.

My cab driver (from Cameroon) rec'd this joint, bottom line-loved it. Had the dibbi chicken, french fries, cole slaw/potato salad, with water-also got a Pepsi (no!!!! coffee or tea) Service was fast, friendly. Price was unbelievably cheap. Bathroom was a disaster, they also need a bench out front for smokers, cripples (like me) Will be back. Highly rec. this restaurant.

Absolutely love this place. Only problem is they run out of plantain so often, not to their fault though. You have to get it while they have it because it goes fast it's so good. Love love love!!!

The food here is absolutely delicious! Cons - We always order out the restaurant itself doesn't look too inviting and you definitely want to place your order at least 30 minutes before picking up. Also calling to place your order can at times be challenging due to the language differences. Now on to the good stuff - we have ordered their food too many times to count and it's always superb. The chicken is fall off the bone tender and so flavorful. The onion sauces the food comes with is outstanding. Very affordable for families, whole chicken for $15 and a very long and satisfying chawarma for only $6! Can't beat that, definitely give them a try.

Since the 1st I step foot in this restaurant, I've been addicted. Their grilled lamb and Brown rice is to die for. The staff though not they don't speak perfect English are very friendly and helpful suggesting what to try. I recommend this restaurant to anyone that is looking to try something different.

Great Senegalese food. Perfectly seasoned chicken dibi, whole fried fish, topped off with delicious sautéed onions, rice, and potato salad. When I'm dieting I'll come here and get the grilled chicken to eat with my cauliflower rice. Lol! Very large servings that will leave you with leftovers that reheat nicely the following day. Good food!

Amazing food amazing service, everything was a-1. As far as taste. One of the better African restaurants in Columbus.

I really wanted to like this place. Its family owned and run. And the family was very friendly. My side dish vermicelli was delicious but my main was very blah. I don't know if I'd try it again. Neat thing they have a rotating daily menu.

The food here surpasses anything I have ever had. Every bite is well seasoned, delicious, and very inexpensive. I fell in love with this place after eating here a year ago. And yes the people are great here. They ensure you leave there wanting to come back for more. *Tracey*

Wow. My family ordered an assortment of dishes and all of us thoroughly impressed by each! The dibi chicken and white rice with onion sauce were my personal favorites. My sister loved the dibi lamb and red rice. Great portions too, no one left hungry.

it was so good the prices are high but worth it good goat and fries the bad thing is that no chairs sometimes

The food was great and the price was awesome, I ordered the chicken or Saturday special was very impressed the portions will most certainly fill you up dc/43

Chez Rama was my first experience with eating authentic African dishes and lamb. The service was fast and courteous! The food was delicious too!

The food is great and the customer sercive is good also. Every time I go in I always try something diffrenet and I loved everything. Their Friday special with all type of sea food over rice is Awsome!