Dearborn isn't the only place to find great halal food and New Center's colorful new Afro-Caribbean joint YumVillage is perhaps the most recent proof. After years of effort, affable chef Godwin Ihentuge finally dropped anchor on his popular food truck with a brick-and-mortar outpost serving up Caribbean jerk chicken, West African jollof rice and plenty of other flavor-packed bowls from across the African diaspora. The jerk chicken, in particular, is among the best offered in all of metro Detroit, featuring all-thigh meat slicked black like an oil spill radiating with Scotch bonnet heat and spices.

Today, Senegalese restaurant Maty’s on Detroit’s west side and Yum Village, the Afro-Caribbean joint just steps away from Baobab Fare, have garnered attention for bringing West African influence to the city. Still, Baobab offers a unique perspective that had not yet crossed city lines. Until now, Ethiopian eateries in Ferndale and Windsor were the closest options for city dwellers to get a taste of East African cuisine and its wonderfully eclectic foods influenced by the Middle East, India, and Europe.

African print table runners and large windows overlooking Woodward Avenue add light and color to this New Center restaurant on Woodward Avenue and Milwaukee Street. Casual, homey and staffed by a cheerful and friendly crew, this restaurant allows diners to order online or at kiosks. Godwin Ihentuge’s Nigerian heritage translates into a menu of hot bowls, stews, sandwiches and salads that meld West African and Caribbean flavors.

Godwin Ihentuge, the chef and owner, expanded his food truck business to this brick-and-mortar location on Woodward Avenue in Detroit's New Center neighborhood in 2019. Ihentuge's Yum Village, owned by a Nigerian and an African American, serves Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Among the specialties are jollof rice, jerk chicken, maafe peanut stew, and Suya pepper seasoned fried chicken.

YumVillage pop-up and food truck serves West African and Caribbean food like jollof rice and jerk chicken. Until it’s food truck season again, find chef Godwin Ihentuge cooking monthly dinners at Colors Restaurant the last Thursday of each month. Burundi restaurant Baobab Fare is readying to open in West Village after winning a $10,000 grant from Comerica Hatch Detroit.

Yum Village promises a flavor-packed, chef-prepared menu of West African and Caribbean dishes. This affordable spot on Detroit’s north end also makes its own fresh juice. Photo credit: IVY Kitchen & Cocktails, Central Kitchen & Bar, Dime Store, Louisiana Creole Gumbo Sloppy Chops and The Block, all courtesy of Facebook.

6500 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202Vegan-friendly Afro-Caribbean dishes that are sure to delight your taste buds. Don’t miss the Just Plants bowl filled with sweet plantains, ginger curry chickpeas, and yam stew served on a bed of coconut turmeric rice.

I went with a friend and we got the peanut stew, bean stew and rice, akasa, and the fufu. It was my first time having fufu I loved it!!. Tastes similar to mashed potatoes, next time I go I’ll get that with the peanut stew, they went together so well.

YumVillage: Located in New Center, this fast-casual eatery is led by chef and owner Godwin Ihentuge. He dishes out Afro-Caribbean favorites like charred and spicy Jerk chicken and Maafe rice, allowing customers to build their own custom bowl.

Yum Village in Detroit’s north end is full of Caribbean and West African dishes like jerk chicken, maafe, jollof rice, suya fried chicken, smoked pepper fries, and several vegetarian options.

And for your Caribbean cuisine-fix, Yum Village and Norma G’s are two stand-outs that have been highly celebrated in the community for their fresh ingredients and eclectic menus.