Mama Africa now serves West African food at 700 Locust St. The new location gives the longtime caterer and farmers market vendor its first permanent restaurant.
By Hola Iowa
Mama Africa has opened its first permanent restaurant in downtown Des Moines. The menu brings jollof rice, cassava leaf greens, plantains and other West African dishes to Local Bites.
The restaurant opened Saturday, Aug. 1, on the lower level of the Greater Des Moines Partnership building. Its address is 700 Locust St. Regular hours run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Mama Africa joins several locally owned restaurants inside Local Bites. In addition, diners can enter the food hall through the downtown Des Moines skywalk system.
Mama Africa serves jollof rice, plantains and cassava leaf greens
The menu centers on West African cuisine. Depending on the day, customers may find jollof rice, fried plantains, goat meat, cassava leaf greens, chicken wings and savory meat pies.
Other dishes have included cheesy stuffed plantains and stir-fried plantains. Mama Africa also makes its own MAPS pepper sauce. Meanwhile, a build-your-own bowl lets diners choose from the available meats, rice, vegetables and sauces.
However, the selection may change from one service to another. Customers can check current menus, special evening hours and catering details on Mama Africa’s official Facebook page.
A catering business grows into a downtown restaurant
Chef and owner Ventica Woods began selling meals from her home in 2020. At first, she prepared food for a small group of customers. Her first orders sold out.
Over time, the business grew through catering, weddings, festivals and pop-up events. Mama Africa also became a regular vendor at the Downtown Farmers’ Market.
Woods is originally from Liberia. She later settled in Des Moines after fleeing the country’s civil war. For Woods, cooking offered a connection to home and eventually became the foundation of her Iowa business.
Now, the restaurant gives customers a place to find Mama Africa’s food during the workweek. They no longer have to wait for a market, festival or catered event. Still, Woods plans to continue catering and serving customers at the Downtown Farmers’ Market.
Mama Africa operates inside Local Bites at 700 Locust St. The food hall sits next to the Des Moines Marriott Downtown. Diners can enter from the building’s lower level or use the downtown skywalk system.
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