Joloff

"Joloff opened on Fulton Street in Clinton Hill in 1995. Nearly two decades later, it moved to Bed-Stuy, where it’s been ever since. If you’re wondering how the family-run place has managed to endure, it may have something to do with the warm service, vibrant interior, or the way that, when served alongside a pool of lamb mafe, their chewy jollof rice draws in all the flavors of the peanut-based stew. Their Senegalese classics are hearty and comforting, perfect for a casual meal when you want to feel like you’re eating in someone’s home. Food Rundown photo credit: Bryan Kim Mafe Yapp Joloff’s mafe is thick and smooth, with rivers of oil running throughout and chunks of tender bone-in lamb (although you can also get it with fish or chicken). It’s fantastic on its own, but the stew reaches its full potential when paired with a fluffy mound of joloff rice. Yassa Ganar Another highlight, Joloff’s yassa ganar involves hefty chunks of chicken coated in a sour sauce with thick ribbons of onion. If you want something lighter than the mafe, it’s a great choice." - Bryan Kim

"Joloff refers to a historic West African tribe (usually spelled jollof) and its recipe for cooking rice. It’s also the name of one of the city’s oldest Senegalese restaurants, founded in 1995 by the Diagne family. Appetizers include fataya jeun (mackerel turnovers), boulettes djeun (fish balls), and nem legumes — spring rolls brought to Dakar by Vietnamese refugees in the 1950s. Main courses include dibi (lamb chops) and yassa (chicken with mustard-flavored onions)." - Robert Sietsema

"Joloff is one of the best restaurants in Bed-Stuy, which is a pretty meaningful statement, seeing as how Bed-Stuy is full of great food. It’s a great place to sit across from a date and have a quiet conversation while you eat some mafe ganar over a pile of fluffy jollof - and the good news is, you can still get their food delivered to your home. You can also still make conversation with a date at home, and if you need some tips as to what you can talk about, start with how much you miss hanging out at Joloff. And don’t forget to order some fried yuca for the table or ottoman or whatever you’re eating on." - bryan kim

"If you’re looking for a spot to eat mafe yapp, dibbi, and beignets while hanging out with a friend or two in Bed-Stuy, check out Joloff. The mural-covered restaurant sits on the quieter end of Bedford Avenue just south of Fulton Street with a big sidewalk patio, and we can’t think of a better place to people-watch in the neighborhood when its nice out. You can’t go wrong with any of the lamb dishes on the menu here, and don’t forget to order some fried yuca on the side." - Nikko Duren

"Referring to a predominant and historic Senegalese tribe, Joloff has been feeding Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy West African fare in a homely setting for the last 24 years. Lamb is all over the menu, but if you like it simply grilled, the chops called dibi are the right thing for you. The bone-in lamb, with the bone serving as a convenient handle, is smothered in sauteed onions laced with mustard and black pepper, which is a perfect sharp foil to the delicate lamb taste. A salad vinaigrette and polished rice complete the plate." - Robert Sietsema