Brooklyn Suya

Generally speaking, fast-casual bowls are about as exciting as the transcript of a filibuster. But the Nigerian food at Brooklyn Suya is different. This is a tiny spot on Franklin Avenue with a few stools and just enough room behind the counter for a single employee, a rice cooker, a cash register, and an oven full of incredible smoked and grilled meats. Each bowl comes with your choice of protein (we like chicken or steak), a rice or kale base, add-ons (plantains are essential), and spice level (even the mild level is intense). Unfortunately, this place only does pickup and delivery orders — but you can find it on most delivery apps.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Dane Isaac

Chicken Suya Bowl

These loaded bowls come with roasted chicken marinated in suya seasoning — a dried spice made with ground cayenne pepper, peanuts, salt, and a few other unique (and secret) ingredients. We typically like ours with a rice-and-kale base, plantains, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onions, and avocado. The mild suya spice level is ideal for us, but you can also go for medium or spicy.