Fufu, waakye, and spicy suya skewers are on the menu at a family-owned spot in western Minnesota. That alone made me stop scrolling.
The recipes come from Ghana, passed down through generations of one family. A wood-fired grill handles the heat, and jerk chicken and curry goat join the lineup too.
I’m particularly drawn to the story behind it. A couple from Ghana opened the place around 2018 and built it into a warm, welcoming dining room. I find it easy to appreciate a restaurant that feels like an invitation to someone’s home table.
One detail I find worth mentioning is the menu itself. Many dishes here may be brand new to first-timers, and that’s part of the fun.
A Ghanaian Family Brought Their Kitchen To Minnesota
Family recipes are the heart of The Spice Grille, and they traveled a long way to get here. The owner is a native of Ghana, and the cooking follows traditions handed down through generations.
The restaurant opened in 2017, founded by married couple Tony Andrews and Akua Hutchinson in the Moorhead Center Mall area.
That family connection still shows today. The Spice Grille is family-owned and Black-owned, and it describes itself as a warm welcome to a taste of home.
Think about what that means for a moment. Every pot of soup and every plate of rice carries memories from another continent. You’re not just eating dinner, you’re getting a peek into a family’s food story.
Small, independent restaurants like this one add real character to a community. They bring flavors that chain restaurants simply can’t copy. They also give diners a chance to support people who pour their culture into every dish.
Here’s a friendly tip for your first visit. Treat the menu like a conversation starter, not a test. A family that has cooked these recipes for years knows them better than anyone.
Asking questions is part of the experience, so go ahead and be curious.
Jollof Rice Might Start A Friendly Debate At Your Table
Few dishes spark more cheerful arguments across West Africa than jollof rice. Ghana and Nigeria have teased each other for years about who makes it best.
At The Spice Grille, jollof rice takes a starring role on the menu. It’s a tomato-based rice dish packed with seasoning, and its warm orange color makes it easy to spot.
Waakye is another rice classic worth your attention. This Ghanaian favorite combines rice and beans, and it’s a popular comfort meal back in Ghana.
Then there’s kelewele, which might become your new snack obsession. These are spicy fried plantains, seasoned for a sweet and peppery bite. Trying plantains for the first time? Kelewele is a fun place to start.
One helpful thing to know about ordering here involves how plates come together. Many entrees let you pick your main base first, then choose a protein to go with it. Keep that in mind so you get exactly the combo you’re craving.
A smart move for groups is sharing. Order jollof, waakye, and kelewele for the table. Then everyone gets a taste, and you can settle the jollof debate for yourselves.
Fufu And Soup Are Meant To Be Eaten Together
Soft, stretchy, and smooth, fufu is one of Ghana’s most famous foods. It’s a dough-like side that pairs with rich soups, and it soaks up flavor beautifully.
The Spice Grille serves fufu alongside several hearty soups. Peanut butter soup is one of them, offering a creamy, nutty base that feels cozy on a cold Minnesota night.
Egusi soup is another traditional choice. It’s made with ground melon seeds, a classic ingredient across West African kitchens.
Banku and pounded yams also appear on the menu. Each brings its own personality to the bowl. Banku is a fermented corn and cassava dough, while pounded yams are smooth and filling.
Wondering how to eat these sides? In Ghana, people often pinch off a small piece and use it to scoop up soup. It’s hands-on dining in the best way.
If that feels new, don’t worry. The Spice Grille is a great place to try something unfamiliar. The menu gives you plenty of ways to start small and explore.
Soup-and-swallow meals are known for being filling. Plan to arrive hungry, and maybe skip that big afternoon snack.
The Wood-Fired Grill Adds Caribbean Heat To The Mix
Smoke and spice make a powerful team, and the kitchen here knows it. The Spice Grille cooks with a wood-fired grill, which fits perfectly with its bold menu.
Spicy suya skewers are a highlight. Suya is a well-loved West African street food, made with grilled meat and a peppery spice rub.
The Caribbean side of the menu brings even more flavor. Jerk chicken and curry goat both appear, giving the restaurant its Afro-Caribbean personality.
The restaurant calls its style a redefined mix of Afro-Caribbean cuisine. That means you can enjoy Ghanaian staples and island favorites in a single meal. Not a bad problem to have.
Fried chicken is also available for anyone who wants something familiar. It’s a smart pick for picky eaters or younger diners easing into new flavors.
Spice lovers, take note. The restaurant is known for bold spices and slow-cooked love, so expect real flavor. If heat isn’t your thing, it never hurts to ask about milder choices.
A grilled skewer plus a Caribbean classic makes a great combo plate. Share both and compare. You might discover a whole new favorite cuisine.
Save Room For A Flaky Meat Pie
Golden, flaky, and easy to hold, meat pies are a beloved snack in Ghana. You’ll find them at parties, bakeries, and family gatherings across the country.
The Spice Grille includes meat pie on its menu. It’s a handy option when you want a smaller bite or something to round out a bigger order.
Meat pies also make a great bridge for cautious eaters. A pastry filled with savory meat feels familiar, even if the seasoning brings something new.
Not everyone in your group eats meat? The restaurant is known for offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. That makes planning a mixed group dinner much easier.
Here’s a simple strategy for ordering. Start with a meat pie or kelewele while you study the rest of the menu. Snacks buy you time, and they keep everyone happy.
Pickup and delivery are also available. That means a meat pie could join your movie night at home. Still, the full dining room experience is worth trying at least once.
Small bites often tell you a lot about a kitchen. A carefully made pastry shows patience and pride. It’s a tasty first impression.
Expect A Dining Room With A Touch Of Class
Classy and comfortable rarely go together this smoothly. The Spice Grille aims for a classy atmosphere with a warm and inviting feel.
That mix makes the space flexible. The restaurant works well for intimate dinners, and it also suits lively gatherings with friends or family.
Date night? Birthday dinner? Casual lunch with coworkers? The room can handle all three without feeling out of place.
The restaurant describes itself as a wonderful environment for exploring flavors and spices. That’s a nice way to frame a meal. You’re encouraged to slow down and enjoy discovering something new.
Comfort extends beyond the decor too. The Spice Grille is kid-friendly and LGBTQ+-friendly, so many kinds of diners can feel at ease. WiFi is available for guests as well.
Warm weather brings another perk. Outdoor seating is offered, which is a welcome treat during Minnesota’s short but sweet summer months.
Consider the setting part of the meal, not just the backdrop. A good room makes food taste even better. Here, the vibe and the flavors work as partners, and that balance makes a visit feel special without feeling stuffy.
Finding It Is Easier Than Pronouncing Waakye
Downtown Moorhead holds this flavorful surprise. The Spice Grille lists its address as 28 Center Mall Ave, Moorhead, MN 56560.
Moorhead sits right across the Red River from Fargo, North Dakota. That makes the restaurant an easy stop for folks on both sides of the state line.
Travelers passing through the Fargo-Moorhead area should take note. A quick detour could mean swapping a fast-food burger for jollof rice. That’s an upgrade most road trips deserve.
Timing matters a little here. Hours can shift, so checking the current schedule before you go is a smart habit. Nobody wants to arrive hungry to a locked door.
Planning a weekend in western Minnesota? Pair dinner with a stroll around downtown Moorhead or a walk near the river. A full belly makes a riverside walk feel extra relaxing.
Pronunciation tip: waakye sounds roughly like waa-chay. Now you can order with confidence.
Your Next Party Could Taste Like Accra
Party planners, this one’s for you. The Spice Grille offers catering, which opens the door to some seriously memorable events.
Imagine replacing the usual sandwich tray with jollof rice and spicy plantains. Okay, no imagining required. Catering makes that swap possible.
Graduation parties, office lunches, and family reunions all benefit from food with personality. Ghanaian and Afro-Caribbean dishes give guests something to talk about besides the weather.
Reservations are also accepted at the restaurant. That’s handy for birthdays, anniversaries, or any night when you’re bringing a crowd. Calling ahead takes stress off your plans.
Group meals suit this kind of cooking beautifully. Many West African dishes are made for sharing, with big pots and plenty to go around.
A few planning ideas can help. Mix rice dishes, grilled meats, and a vegetarian option to please different tastes. Add kelewele as a crowd-friendly snack that disappears fast.
For guests new to the cuisine, a short label on each tray helps a lot. People love knowing what they’re trying. It turns the buffet table into a mini food adventure, and everyone leaves a little more curious.
First-Timers Can Relax And Ask Questions
New menus can feel a little intimidating. Words like banku, egusi, and suya might send you straight to your phone for help.
Good news, though. The Spice Grille is a family-owned place built around sharing its culture, and asking questions fits right in.
Start by telling your server what you usually enjoy. Like rice dishes? Jollof or waakye could be your match. Prefer something smoky?
Look toward the grill.
Love soup? Peanut butter soup with fufu is a classic Ghanaian pairing. Want something Caribbean? Jerk chicken or curry goat brings that island flair.
Spice levels matter too, so mention your comfort zone. Bold flavor is a big part of the menu. A quick heads-up helps you enjoy every bite without reaching for three glasses of water.
Families with kids can feel welcome here. The restaurant is kid-friendly, and fried chicken offers a familiar choice for younger eaters.
The best approach is simple. Order one familiar dish and one adventurous dish. You’ll have a safe bet plus a fun discovery.
Who knows? This little Minnesota spot might turn you into a lifelong fan of Ghanaian cooking.
