A sign on the door promises “The Best African and Soul Food Available.” Today’s installment in our continuing series promoting Black-owned businesses is Deddeh’s Kitchen on Pine Street. Both categories seem to be well represented: They have some soul food standards like chicken and waffles, collards, corn bread, biscuit and fried chicken. And from Africa, goat meat stew, banku (fermented corn and casava) with okra, fufu, waakye (beans and rice), and peanut soup. These dishes seem to hail from a variety of West African countries, with considerable overlap.
A sign in the window also says: Available for pick-up and delivery (401) 457.5016.
The “drinks” section of the menu offers Vimto and Malta, both of which I had to look up. The first seems to be a carbonated, fruity beverage. And Malta? According to Wiki,
Malta is often described as being like a beer that has not been fermented. It is similar in color to stout (dark brown) but is slightly sweet, and is generally described as tasting like molasses. Unlike beer, ice is often added to a Malta when consumed. A popular way Africans and Americans sometimes drink malta is by mixing it with condensed or evaporated milk.
Big thanks to Dave Dadekian of Eat Drink RI for compiling his very useful Black-owned businesses list. I am learning of some of these restaurants for the first time and I will be trying them out shortly. I know I like African food . . . I made a spectacle of myself once at a Liberian wedding, going back for seconds about four times.
Monday thru Saturday: 11:30am to 8:30pm. Closed Sunday.
Deddeh’s Kitchen, 418 Pine Street, (401) 457-5016, (directions)
I love Vimto and Malta, Malta is a less maple-y root beer!