HATTIESBURG — People looking to try West African cuisine no longer have to leave the Pine Belt.

Jamba Jollof opened its first brick-and-mortar location in downtown Hattiesburg on Feb. 28 after previously operating as a home-based business. Following the closure of Afrishoppi Kitchen’s dine-in restaurant, Jamba Jollof is now Mississippi’s only brick-and-mortar West African restaurant.  

The opening comes as West African cuisine continues to gain visibility across the country, introducing more people to dishes and flavors rooted in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

“The community has been amazing,” co-owner Ola Oladeinde said. “Right from our first point of entry, which is … getting certified, the city of Hattiesburg has been so supportive. Workers at City Hall, up to the opening, continued to rally around us.” 

The Oladeindes said they saw an opportunity to introduce West African cuisine to the Pine Belt while highlighting the connections between Nigerian and Southern cooking.

Ola, who is from Nigeria, and Megan, a Mississippi native, said their relationship deepened through their shared love of food. Megan said learning about her husband’s cooking also helped her better understand the history behind many Southern dishes. 

“Through the way that he cooked for me,” Megan said. “I learned a lot about how my own cuisine has West African roots.” 

Those similarities extend beyond individual recipes, according to Dr. Vickie Reed, director of the Center for Black Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi.

“When we think about Southern culture and Nigerian culture, you can’t be immersed in (either) culture without food being a part of it,” Reed said. “(Both are) very family oriented.”

Reed said family gatherings centered around meals, such as Sunday dinners, have long played an important role in both cultures. She said many traditions practiced in Southern Black households today trace their roots to customs brought by enslaved Africans. 

“There maybe those connections in we do that we don’t necessarily know why we do them,” Reed said. “We just do them.” 

The Oladeindes said they hope customers to leave with an appreciation for West African food cuisine and seek out other restaurants that serve it. 

“We uplift any person, people, group or restaurant that’s doing that because it’s so necessary,” Megan said. “America is a melting pot of so many ethnicities of people.” 

Customers can choose from different menus depending on the day of the week. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday feature dishes such as egusi and fufu, jollof rice, the Naija Bowl and fried plantains. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the restaurant also serves oxtail alongside many of its regular menu items. 

Reed said introducing more cultural experiences through food can benefit the community while also supporting downtown Hattiesburg’s continued growth. 

Reed said she hopes restaurants such as Jamba Jollof continue bringing diversity to Hattiesburg while encouraging people to explore downtown and experience cuisines they may not have tried before.  

Jamba Jollof is located at 1015 Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401. The restaurant is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is closed Wednesdays.