Most ordered
Cheeseburger with Fries
Classic cheeseburger, melted American, with a basket of fries. Double available.
$8.00 / Double 11.00
East 12th Street, Kansas CityA Somali kitchen
A Somali kitchen
on 12th Street.
Hand-rolled jabati, suqaar over saffron basmati, slow-braised goat, sambusa fried to order — and a proper cheeseburger when you want one. Family-run, halal-friendly.
Hand-rolled jabati✦Suqaar over basmati✦Slow-braised goat✦Sambusa fried to order✦Shaah with cardamom✦Halal-friendly✦Family recipes✦Hand-rolled jabati✦Suqaar over basmati✦Slow-braised goat✦Sambusa fried to order✦Shaah with cardamom✦Halal-friendly✦Family recipes✦Hand-rolled jabati✦Suqaar over basmati✦Slow-braised goat✦Sambusa fried to order✦Shaah with cardamom✦Halal-friendly✦Family recipes✦
Cunto Soomaali · Somali Food
The flavors of the Horn, made by hand.
Somali cooking is a meeting of trade winds — Arab, Indian, Italian, and African traditions stewed together over generations. You taste it in our bariis iskukaris, the saffron-yellow rice perfumed with cardamom, cumin, and clove. In the suqaar, quick-fried beef or chicken with peppers and onions. In baasto, the herby tomato pasta inherited from Mogadishu's old cafés.
Our owner, Mohamed Awo, brought these recipes from home and built a kitchen around them on East 12th. We make jabati on the flat-top, fold sambusa by hand, we braise goat the traditional way. The cheeseburger is here too — Kansas City asked, and we listened.
Mahadsanid — thank you for eating with us.
Hilib Ari · Goat
Full menu →Slow-braised goat.
Braised low and slow, served over saffron basmati or tomato-herb pasta. Available every day.
Value plate
2pc Grilled Chicken Leg Quarter with Fries
Marinated overnight, grilled to a deep char, served with fries.
$7.00
Sambusa · A must
Folded by hand, fried to order.
Crisp triangular pastries stuffed with seasoned beef or chicken. We fold them by hand and fry them when you order — that's why the shell shatters the way it should.
$2a piece · beef or chicken
A small glossary
Words you'll see on the menu.
- Jabati /jah-BAH-tee/
- Soft, hand-rolled flatbread cooked on the flat-top. Cousin to chapati.
- Suqaar /suh-KAR/
- Bite-sized beef or chicken sautéed fast with peppers, onions, and spice.
- Bariis /bah-REES/
- Saffron-yellow rice perfumed with cardamom, cumin, and clove.
- Baasto /BAHS-toh/
- Somali tomato-and-herb pasta — a legacy of Italian Mogadishu.
- Sambusa /sahm-BOO-sah/
- Triangular fried pastry with spiced beef or lentils inside.
- Shaah /shah/
- Cardamom-and-clove black tea, the way Somali homes pour it.
- Nafago /nah-FAH-go/
- Crispy savory Somali doughnut, light and addictive.
- Buur /boor/
- Soft fried bread, perfect for tearing and dipping.
- Mashmash /MAHSH-mahsh/
- Sweet fried dough — the after-dinner one.
Cooked to order
Nothing waits
Your plate is built when you ask for it. Expect a few minutes — it's worth it.
Halal-friendly
Our community
Sourced and prepared with the traditions of our community in mind.
Family-run
Real people
Mohamed Awo is in the kitchen. The recipes belong to his family.
★★★★★
Words from the regulars
"
One of my favorite local spots. Always delicious, generously portioned, and the staff are the kindest.
"
The owner is the sweetest person ever. Traditional Somali food with a great mix of American options. Worth the visit.
"
The goat over rice is something else. Bring a friend, order sambusa too.
Hungry yet?
Order online for carryout or delivery. Open Monday through Saturday, 11am – 6pm. Closed Sunday.
