Go West: Le Baobab
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
To avoid disappointment when heading to Le Baobab, it's important to keep in mind that not all their dishes are served every day.
- 5353 Woodland Ave., 215-729-1074, baobabphilly.com
- hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. daily
- Recommended dishes: Poulet braise, whole fish, bissap
To avoid disappointment when heading to Le Baobab, a Woodland Avenue spot featuring plates from Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, it’s important to keep in mind that not all their dishes are served every day. This is clearly stated at the top of the menu. So, take a seat, order a ginger juice or a bottle of bissap (a deep-magenta-colored, sweetened hibiscus drink) and ask, “What’s good today?”
You’ll be directed to plates of poulet braise, a cut-up half chicken that’s certainly more grilled than braised and topped with that same sweetly vinegared dice of onions served at Le Bercail. It comes with sugary fried plantains and an innocuous-looking housemade hot sauce consisting of slow-cooked jalapeños with garlic and spices that creates a seriously slow burn.
