Mama Calabar

I went to Mama Calabar yesterday and I was deeply disappointed with the service this was my first experience and I went based on reviews given to me years ago. The wait for the food was over 2hrs by which time I had lost my appetite. The food was nice but not worth the wait.
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Khandie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Saturday, September 15, 2007

Went to the resturant for my cousins birthday, there was a party of twenty. We arrived just after 9pm. Food did not start arriving until after 11:30pm and when it did finally arrive it came in dribs and drabs and some of it was cold.

I order Stock Fish, Fried Yam and Efo riro, my dish was vey nice but because it arrived so late I could not eat much. My friend ordered Jollof Rice and Chicken. The Jollof Rice was over cooked and very dissapointing.

For years I have wanted to vsit the resturant and if the truth be told it does not live up to the hype. The manageress was very abusive towards her staff, which I found very uncomfortable. There was one waiter trying to serve twenty of us, despite the fact that there was several other waiters just standing around doing NOTHING. Errors were made, but I would not blame the waiter. He was very helpful and tried his best.

My experience is not a positive one unfortunately and I cannot recommend the resturant to anyone. African resturants are no longer as exclusive as they once were 10 years ago, so nobody has to tolerate that kind of service. Also foud the prices to be higher in comparison to other African Resturants. I would not have minded paying extra if the service was good.

There are so many good african resturants in London, my advice would be to avoid this one.
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Tyra
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, September 15, 2007

My husband and I took my Nigerian father-in-law here for lunch. We were very impressed with the service, despite what other reviewers on here have found, and the food was excellent- and very authentic so I am told!
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Beth
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Saturday, September 01, 2007

What's all this!?

I am a Nigerian and a veteran patron of bukas the length and breadth of Africa. Indeed, the buka experience is something that I crave wherever I travel and something that I have missed in the UK, where the closest facsimile might be a fish-and-chip shop or a "greasy spoon".

So, let the very volume of reviews for Mama Calabar, this most excellent of indigenous eating establishments (despite it's location), speak for the sheer authenticity of the atmosphere, not to mention the food.

I found the range, quality and diversity of Mama Calabar's menu to be excellent, and I have always thoroughly enjoyed my many visits.

And, is it true that waiting times are interminable? Of course it is - but who's in a hurry? It just ensures that your appetite is suitably honed and your taste-buds suitably piqued, for the experience to follow.
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Monu
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 31, 2007

I have been to Mama Calabar on mumerous occasions and i have to say the service is appalling, the food is very mediocre not worth the money at all, the staff are surly, rude and just plain annoying. The decor is the only nice thing about the place. I have vowed never to go there again!!!!
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Kese
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Thursday, February 01, 2007

I went to Mama Calabar for the 1st time last week Saturday and sorry to use this language - it was CRAP. The food was brought after one hour in bits and pieces. Everything was cold, it was a waste of time and a waste of my money. I will NEVER recommend it to anyone.
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Alexandra Cole
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Absolutely appalling service!! This was my first time at Mama Calabar and we waited over one hour for our food to arrive!! We were served by a very surly and unfriendly waitress. The wait was definitely not worth it... the food was cold and extremely bland.

I certainly would not advise anyone wasting their time or money dining at this very unpleasant establishment.
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Angela
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Saturday, August 19, 2006

I have eaten at Mama Calabar on numerous occassions and must say the food is rather tasty and every inch worth the price! The staff are friendly andthe owners are hands on in making patrons feel like "family" so THUMBS UP to Mama Calabar. I cant wait to visit the new location next time i'm in England!
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Jackie Hutchins
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 06, 2006

I love Mama Calabar food, I think she cooks really well, for someone in Europe, however,I have tasted better food in other Nigerian restaurants.. Like Sandayos in Burnt Oak Opposite Tesco, they might not have the glamour of Mama Calabar, but this lady's food is very edible, just like back home in Africa.. I stopped going to Mama Calabar, because I find her too pricey, a rip off....

One thing I also notice in Mama Calabar, is that her staff always look dirty, they talk to you with your food in their hands, that is just yucky.. Anywho, that is my own opinion...
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Cindy Megun
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Saturday, April 22, 2006

I've been a regular at Mama Calabar for a few years now and can honestly say that the food has always been fantastic. The service is very very slow (an hour on one occassion!), but I've learned to call ahead with my order. They're also quite expensive compared to other Nigerian restaurants. They've recently moved to a new location near Wembley Stadium. The new restaurant is in an office block, which is quite disconcerting, but once inside the restaurant, I forgot about the strange surroundings as the decor is really nice. They've also created a bar area with comfy sofas if you just want to have a quiet drink and a few nibbles. The food remains the key thing anyway. Definitely recommended.
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Ifeoma
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, April 13, 2006