Hedzole

"Hedzole is the rare fast-casual spot that feels slow and intimate, like a friend’s Sunday dinner party. Inside the Brightwood space, chef and owner Candice Mensah weaves between tables, chatting with diners, delivering bowls of jollof rice, and occasionally stepping outside to greet neighbors. The West African restaurant started as a farmers market stand and Tysons pop-up but is now a full-fledged brick and mortar, dishing out deeply flavorful and fall-apart-tender oxtail and rich spinach-agushi bowls to diners sitting on kente cloth pillows or around a black tin communal table. The space is small and fills up fast, so unless you’re cool with balancing your waakye bowl on the sidewalk, do yourself a favor and make a reservation beforehand." - Omnia Saed

"Owner/chef Candice Mensah’s roving West African venture Hedzole opened a permanent home in a small Northwest space that formerly housed Social Kitchen last year. A daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, Mensah was born in D.C., grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and ultimately left a career in healthcare tech to cook her native cuisine. She quickly amassed a loyal following at farmers markets in Northern Virginia and D.C. Longtime favorites that made their way to the city include her take on stewed oxtail over Ghanaian waakye and groundnut (peanut) soup, red red with fried plantains, and coconut or jollof rice. Customizable bowls offer lots of room for vegans, too. The space is small: Hedzole can seat 12 inside and 20 across its patio, or go the delivery route." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky

"Owner/chef Candice Mensah’s roving West African venture Hedzole opened a permanent home in a small Northwest space that formerly housed Social Kitchen last year. A daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, Mensah was born in D.C. and grew up in Alexandria, Virginia. Hedzole debuted in 2019 and quickly amassed a loyal following at farmers markets in Northern Virginia and D.C. Longtime favorites that made their way to D.C. include her take on stewed oxtail over Ghanaian waakye and groundnut (peanut) soup, red red with fried plantains, and coconut or jollof rice. Customizable bowls offer lots of room for vegans, too. Hedzole can seat 12 inside and 20 across its patio, or go the delivery route." - Tierney Plumb, Eater Staff

"Owner/chef Candice Mensah’s roving West African venture Hedzole finds a permanent home in a small Sixteenth Street Heights space." - Tierney Plumb

"Roving West African venture Hedzole will have its first-ever address to call its own in the new year. Owner/chef Candice Mensah recently secured a 667-square-foot lease in D.C. (5505 Colorado Avenue NW). Look for a late January opening in the small space that formerly housed Social Kitchen." - Tierney Plumb