The person who helped me today was very nice, just not inclusive of folks with allergies/dietary restrictions. There wasn’t anyone else around so I’m assuming Lucy is the owner (her exact name spelling, I’m unsure of). Was difficult to know what was in the dishes I ordered as I got the impression of being a jerk for even asking. Luckily, my medical issues are not to the point where I can’t have a bit of dairy or gluten by mistake. Still, a frustrating experience. Plantains were amazing, the jollof rice (I chose to order without meat) was utterly dry and tasteless, and the other dish I tried I couldn’t remember. The dish was forgettable and I couldn’t finish it. I had asked if that particular dish is spicy at all (it’s a medical thing and I thought I had clarified that well enough) and it turned out to be very spicy. To the point where it seemed like a friend of mine was sneezing from it. I had asked to dine-in for the second dish, but was given a to-go container after leaving and waiting the agreed upon 45 minutes for the second dish I ordered to be made. Was a bit of a jarring experience there, but I took it in stride and went to my friend’s house to eat it.
I used to be able to enjoy spicy foods, especially the really hot and spicy stuff, but not now. Writing this long review, because I think they mean well and just don’t realize there’s real medical reasons people can’t eat certain stuff. It’s also mentally taxing and quite frankly inappropriate to go into all the reasons why. Some things should just not be discussed within the walls of a restaurant during eating time.
It would just be nice to see a little pamphlet with all ingredients or a menu that states what common allergens are present in the ingredients and/or might be present due to cross-contamination. I’m autistic and my social communication style as a white woman is not always received well as I present like an average neurotypical white woman, but I’m not. Their bathroom is super clean, was a pleasant experience. The TV blasting regional and local news was not pleasant. Overall 4/10 because of the great plantains. Those were very pleasant, but I will likely not go back for those as I can’t risk a flare-up of my medical issues for tasty plantains.
The person who helped me today was very nice, just not inclusive of folks with allergies/dietary restrictions. There wasn’t anyone else around so I’m assuming Lucy is the owner (her exact name spelling, I’m unsure of). Was difficult to know what was in the dishes I ordered as I got the impression of being a jerk for even asking. Luckily, my medical issues are not to the point where I can’t have a bit of dairy or gluten by mistake. Still, a frustrating experience. Plantains were amazing, the jollof rice (I chose to order without meat) was utterly dry and tasteless, and the other dish I tried I couldn’t remember. The dish was forgettable and I couldn’t finish it. I had asked if that particular dish is spicy at all (it’s a medical thing and I thought I had clarified that well enough) and it turned out to be very spicy. To the point where it seemed like a friend of mine was sneezing from it. I had asked to dine-in for the second dish, but was given a to-go container after leaving and waiting the agreed upon 45 minutes for the second dish I ordered to be made. Was a bit of a jarring experience there, but I took it in stride and went to my friend’s house to eat it.
I used to be able to enjoy spicy foods, especially the really hot and spicy stuff, but not now. Writing this long review, because I think they mean well and just don’t realize there’s real medical reasons people can’t eat certain stuff. It’s also mentally taxing and quite frankly inappropriate to go into all the reasons why. Some things should just not be discussed within the walls of a restaurant during eating time.
It would just be nice to see a little pamphlet with all ingredients or a menu that states what common allergens are present in the ingredients and/or might be present due to cross-contamination. I’m autistic and my social communication style as a white woman is not always received well as I present like an average neurotypical white woman, but I’m not. Their bathroom is super clean, was a pleasant experience. The TV blasting regional and local news was not pleasant. Overall 4/10 because of the great plantains. Those were very pleasant, but I will likely not go back for those as I can’t risk a flare-up of my medical issues for tasty plantains.
totosafricancuisine.com/
+18187813015
15355 Sherman Way Van Nuys, CA 91406
