Mataheko-
144-07 Jamaica Ave Jamaica,
NY 11435
Jamaica
On an exceptionally cold night in Jamaica, Queens, my sister Shauna, my nephew and I decided to brave the polar weather and embark on a quest for culture. We had intended on finding a Nigerian restaurant as a way of beginning our African branch, but alas, none were to be found. Instead, we discovered Mataheko, an eat-in(?) that said that it offered Ghanian food and some dishes from a few similar cultures. As we stepped inside, we were welcomed only with a small, rather dark space and questioning stares by two teens who seemed to be helping each other with their homework. About half a minute later, we were greeted by a young, friendly-looking lady who told us to sit wherever we wanted (our only choice being another table next to the homework people).
It was then that we were put to the First Patience Test: Getting to Order. Our waitress walked in and out of the nearby kitchen doors over and over, each time saying "I'm sorry, I'll be right back". During the last time she did this she handed us menus and tended to others who came in behind us while we looked for what we wanted to try. We had all had adventure in mind and were willing to try one of the many interestingly-named dishes (many of which included some sort of starch, specifically eddo). So, within a few minutes we were able to state what we wanted.
However, all was not as it seems as since "it was so late (8:00 PM) we might be out of certain things. I'll have to check with the (only) cook." Turns out a vast majority of the menu was not available, including the appetizers, smoothies (that they didn't sell anymore) fried rice, and even the meal that looked good on our neighbor's plate. Given a few more minutes to decide from what was left on the menu, my nephew and I begrudgingly decided to play it safe and order chicken with jaloff rice. My sister ordered a Peanut Soup with Meat that was to be served with Foo Foo. We all feared to ask for anything "extra" for drinks so my nephew and I ordered Sprite and a Malta. While my sister ordered a bottle of Palm wine.
This was the Second Patience Test. It felt as though the cook had to make the entire meal, including all the sauces and spices and things herself without any help. Even though this was so she still found a way to pop her head out and say hello to the others sitting around us. Many minutes later the food arrived. It looked and smelled good and by that point our mouths and stomachs cried out for food. Once the plates were on our table we dug right in.
The rice was the toast of the night. It was full of flavor and well received. The Chicken was served in a dark, spicy, tomato-based sauce. It too was good, for what it was. We were told that it was the last serving and we could tell. We struggled to find any real "meat" on the bones. Nonetheless, we ate what we could and it made do.
The Peanut Soup was served with pieces of turkey, beef and goat meat. It was rich and spicy with a smooth finish. It was served with foo foo, a steamed dough made with plantains. The foo foo was bland and sticky. We were told that it was meant to be broken up and eaten with the spicy soup.
My sister sipped some of the Palm Wine, which she seemed to like then we paid the bill and ventured out in to the cold, still, in search of food. We scratched our foodie itch with sweets from Dunkin Donuts and Chicken over Rice from the Halaal food truck on Sutphin Blvd. For this trip we give Mataheko a D.
