African flavors spice up familiar comfort food at this Atlanta restaurant
Many of the descriptions of dishes at Nigerian restaurant Little Lagos ominously read, “Cannot be made less spicy.”
Folks who enjoy spicy food should not let that scare them off, though. The spices are used judiciously, enhancing the warm, comforting West African flavors. An excellent example is the jolloff rice and plantain with chicken stew. It’s like the dirty rice of your dreams, with a lovely depth of flavor that comes from it cooking in a tomato and pepper sauce.
Chicken drumsticks, braised to fork-tenderness, are served in a similar piquant sauce, and the starchy plantains round out a hearty meal.
Still, the rice is the star, with enough heat to ignite the sweet, tart flavors of the tomato and spice mixture. You won’t want to stop eating, but the massive portion ensures you’ll be satisfied.
Little Lagos. 3979 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta. 404-835-2465.
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About the Author
Henri Hollis is a restaurant critic and food reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covers Atlanta’s restaurants, chefs and dining culture. As part of the AJC’s Food & Dining team, he reviews new restaurants, reports on industry trends and explores metro Atlanta’s culinary scene through the neighborhoods and people that shape it.
