Reviews for Bala's Bistro in Memphis, TN
This little restaurant opened during Covid and managed to survive because they have amazing food! A great full menu of West... African food and some American for folks like my hubs, who had catfish. I have missed out going three previous times so I wasthrilled to final try it out. My son and I really enjoyed our first taste of Vegan domada with jollof rice. It wasn't spicy butthe little sauce you can add kicked it up so we were both happy! It tasted even better the next day!! I have to add that theyhad the best, seriously, the best vegan lemon cake!! Read more
Phenomenal - the food is out of this world good, and the service was fast and friendly. They had a long line out the door but... they worked through it quickly, and it was worth every bit of the wait. I got the Lamb Saka Saka with plantains, then honeyhibiscus juice and vegan chocolate cake. Everything was so delicious, and very reasonably priced for how much food I got. Theyalso have a ton of vegan friendly options (mains, sides, and desserts). Read more
I love this restaurant ???? every time I go the customer service is so awesome. The food is spectacular it's already done for... the kind I eat which is vegan yes I said VEGAN ???? how many lovely options ???????????????????????????????? yes even Vegansweets I will eat here everyday if my money allowed it I had some yesterday and I'm going back today I love being vegan but thisplace makes it even better it's like a vegan heaven Read more
Before I came to Bala?s Bistro, I used to think that African food consisted mainly of injera and a variety of vegetarian dishes... with the occasional meat dish paired with the whole ensemble. However, after tasting some of the food in the buffet area, I mustsay that West African cuisine is a LOT more diverse and flavorful contrary to what I originally thought of it as. For one, theseafood dish with mussels and shrimp, which is my favorite of the ones that I?ve tried so far, reminded me of a similar one thatI ate in Paris, France with my family while enjoying a high school graduation summer trip. Two, the mashed plantain dishreminded me of Japanese mochi because of its smooth, starchy, bland texture (I?d honestly would either add more salt or pepperto it or mix it with other dishes to enjoy the most out of the dish). Three, the baobab drink had the appearance of Mexicanhorchata, but the taste of starchy lychee mixed with coconut, which I liked once I gave it a chance to make it a part of mypallet, ha ha! So yeah, while West African cuisine is about as healthy as Ethiopian and Middle Eastern cuisines, it is alsojust about as flavorful and exciting as Indian and French cuisines. While I wouldn?t pay $20 or more to eat food from a buffet($9 a pound is honestly a LOT for buffet food), overall, I had a great time trying the different dishes and drinks. I loveseeing how everyone at the restaurant wants you to open up your tastebuds to new flavors. I?m especially grateful to ErynRodgers for introducing this restaurant on her ?Eryn Eats? show. I would love to come back and try more foods and drinks ifever I am back exploring the Whitehaven area during my off days. Read more
Got the fish and attieke. Asked for grilled fish but instead I got fried or whatever this is. Fish was bland. Quality of... attieke seems unfresh. They Forgot my cucumber onion relish, then I went back in just for them to give me a teaspoon of cucumberonion. Definitely not the same serving i receive previous visits. I guess that's what happened when you upgrade. Should'vestayed where they as at. Food was wayyy better there. Read more
Everything we had was amazing. I can't tell you how good these dishes re. West African cuisine with a substantial vegan menu as... well. I can't wait to go back. Read more
This was my second Time at this restaurant. The first time I went for someone else that is Vegan. We got the Vegan Quesadilla... and it was delicious. This Time I purchased the Vegan Quesadilla again and also the chicken quesadilla and the yellow rice andVegan Curry soup. Very friendly staff I will be back soon to try something different. Read more
Great food, huge portion. I got a vegan meal which was awesome and ready on time. Can't say anything about other options but I'd... recommend this place. Read more