I have a group of friends who I dine out with once a month or so. Usually we look to try a restaurant with non-American food - an "ethnic" restaurant, if you will. This month we decided to visit a Somali restaurant to lend some support to an immigrant business. The one we picked is in the Karmel Mall in Minneapolis. The mall is a 4 story building full of Somali shops, restaurants, child care centers, professional offices like insurance agents, and even a mosque. You can google 'Karmel Mall Minneapolis' to read more about it.
The restaurant was tiny, only four or five tables. One table was curtained off, women were inside, I assume the curtain was to give them privacy. We pushed a couple of tables together for the seven of us and chatted with the waiter. Our usual thing when we go someplace like this is to ask them to put together a big platter of food that they think we would like. Everybody gets to try a little bit of everything.
While we were waiting, one of my friends said, "Maybe we should order some sambusas too.". (She loves sambusas). Voila, before we had a chance to ask the waiter, he appeared with a plate of sambusas and fry bread. We were making somewhat of a dent in that when he appeared with another plate of different kinds of fry breads, and big roasted potatoes, and some chutney type sauces.
I was already starting to feel full when he came out with the main event.
A fish platter:
Two big platters of rice pilaf:
A platter full of chicken legs and goat meat:
And a salad:
We oohed and aahed and then made our best effort to put a dent in it. Meanwhile, although they didn't have dine-in customers aside from the curtained table, they were doing a respectable takeout business and one of the takeout customers came over to chat with us. I'm guessing it's rare to see white people in the mall. She thanked us for our support, we said we were sorry for what's going on with ICE and that we love our immigrant neighbors.
Eventually we started to slow down and then the waiter appeared with a big plate of cookies. Then a plate full of some kind of gooey candy - kind of like turkish delight? It was weird looking but good. Then more cookies (by then I was kind of wanting to yell STOP!).
Finally, everyone was served a cup of delicious chai tea. Still no check, even though we had asked for it, I think. So finally we walked up to the counter and asked how much we owed. The nice older lady said, "Nothing, come back and you can pay for it next time". 😳😮🥹
Of course we weren't going to let that fly. We had no idea what the meal would have cost (we did see a menu early on but it didn't have prices) so we each chipped in $20-$30 bucks. She tried to refuse it but we insisted. More conversation with her thanking us for our support and us saying "we love you, please stay safe" etc etc.
Business is really down in the mall because people are afraid to go out. I hope our occupation ends soon and things go back to normal.
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16 comments
Glad you had such a great experience.
I have had to stop watching and listening to the news as it seems it should be renamed to what 'Donald did today' I just hope things don't get like that over here.
Yeah it's pretty grim.
Everything looks so good! Did you guys have to roll out of there? 😂
My friends wanted to walk around in the mall, and I was like “Ugh can’t I just pry myself into the car to go home?” 😂 Had to stroll with them though since I had gotten a ride with someone else.
My old stomping grounds! What a meal!
I was SO stuffed!
What a nice experience, for you AND the business!!
Yes, good feelings all around.
What a fantastic gesture about the bill. And the food looks scrummy.
Luckily none of us looks remotely like an ICE agent - I wouldn't have blamed them if they had been suspicious of us. I was blown away when she tried to comp the meal.
@smartasswoman It seems to me from probably an ignorant afar that the Somali community in Minneapolis needs friends more than money, though money always helps! If that's the case, it's very sad.
The generosity in this story stood out. The way the meal kept growing, and the warmth behind it, made an impression. We have a big Somali community here in Toronto as well, and your post reminded me how much food and hospitality are woven into the culture.
I think you're right - we had a similar experience the last time we went to a Somali restaurant, where they brought out mass quantities of food for us.
What a wonderful dining experience ... on multiple levels.
Am I being a Pollyanna to think that if some of the people who are hating on Somali immigrants were to sit down for a meal with them, they might change their mind? Probably.
@smartasswoman I would Pollyanna-ing with you cuz most xenophobia is based on ignorance.
WOW, quite a story!
I wonder how long before ICE raids that place and hauls them all off - regardless of anything else.
They have definitely paid at least one visit to the mall. I don't think it was fruitful territory because most of the Somali people who live here are naturalized citizens. I don't think that is a deterrent any more though. The latest outrage is that a few days ago, they pulled a Hmong grandpa, a citizen, out of his house wearing only his underwear, and drove him around for a few hours before bringing him back.
As best as I can tell from a few peoples' accounts, they are picking up citizens in hopes that they will rat on any undocumented people they know in exchange for being released.
@pagancountrygirl It's bad enough that they're beating people up and spraying them with tear gas, but I also have to assume nobody's going to get reimbursed for having their car window smashed or their front door kicked in. 😡
That is a good group. My favorite part would be the goat and chicken. Great that able to support t heir community
Not going to lie, it felt a little uncomfortable and awkward going into this mall where we were the only white people, but yeah I'm glad we did it.
The food looks awesome. I am glad you went there. I feel that regardless of how bad things are currently, its important to support the business from the fallout of what the government is doing to foreigners.
I was born here in the states but even though my parents have passed, they became American citizens. Yet, with all that, I actually seldom go out and I watch my surroundings. I carry my passport ID card with me but from numerous reports I have seen, ICE doesn't care. I have no one at home since I am currently living alone and I am fearful if I get stopped and they end up treating me like they do anyone who they suspect as being an illegal. I feel fear that I never felt before. I am proud to be an American citizen by being born here. I feel sad to say that I am American because of how others are acting and they call themselves Americans but don't act like decent human beings.
I wish I could tell you not to worry, but I think you’re being smart. Yes, they are picking up citizens here, detaining them for a while and then releasing them. Sometimes with no coat, no phone - I just saw a video where a volunteer was interviewed who is waiting outside the building where people are being detained in order to help them when they get released.
One of the store owners we chatted with last night showed us how she carries her passport all of the time. My friend who is a legal observer in immigration court suggested that she make a copy of the photo page and carry that instead of the actual passport. Something to think about…
@smartasswoman When I renewed my passport, I got it and a passport ID card with it.
@CallMeMrWrong69 perfect.
I once went to a restaurant where they served a trout whole, they eyes just stared up, and later, it got its revenge, i threw up dinner
I’m not a fan of being overly reminded that what I’m eating was once swimming around happily. That said, the fish was delicious. 😊