Ordered this place on DoorDash, as someone who loves Somalian food, chapati and beef saqaar the fact that I could enjoy it at home made my mouth begin to water. We ordered the fried fish and halal beef dinner plate and both were really tasty. The food tastes homey and flavorful. Ask for extra green sauce. They had a really interesting red spicy sauce which I can't quite put my finger on it was a chili, Fish sauce mixed with a jam of sorts. Can't speak for the ambiance but know I will continue to order this place and that you should too. read more

I go to Denver for business a few times a year. Every time I go, I will drop by Mandeeq on my way from the airport to my hotel. I love their goat meat and lamb dishes. The prices are extremely reasonable but the food is super delicious. The folks are very friendly and kind. read more

Love love love!! It's a MUST EAT and a place that definitely deserves more recognition! Every dish was so GOOD and FULL OF FLAVOR. I really enjoyed the fried fish of the day, chicken tikka, chicken shawarma, goat, lamb shank, and the rice was so memorable. Every bite was giving me the happy food dance! There were some language challenges with the server, but the chef came out, and he was so kind and friendly. We were very excited and couldn't wait to try all of the dishes after ordering. This East African and halal restaurant has had multiple owners and the current ownership has done an incredible job with the menu. It is very simple with wonderful signature dishes but all of the dishes are a must order. We enjoyed every single one, but the fried fish of the day and moist and flavorful chicken definitely stood out and had an amazing green chili sauce served with it. The hot sauce was a light green colored chili sauce was such a great compliment to each dish and totally elevated the burst of flavor. I think it's the basbaas hot sauce. So good! I could eat it on everything! Another note was that the chicken dishes were so moist and perfectly cooked. Most of the meat dishes fell off the bone. I really hope to go back with friends so they can explain and share more details about some of the amazing halal dishes that we had. I'm not so sure what was in the "veggie" soup but it was so yummy and I would go there just for coffee, the soup and a sambusa for a quick lunch or snack. The spices and flavors were incredible! The chef shared that there were lots of different types of veggies in the soup, but it definitely had some sort of flavor of lamb or goat in addition to the amazing veggies and spices. After leaving we also stopped at the Mandeeq Cafe for some STRONG and bold coffee. I have been to the restaurant over the years and one of the best features about the restaurant is that there are so many elements of Chinese design and decor throughout the space. Prior to being a destination halal restaurant in a diverse corridor it was a Chinese restaurant for a very long time. I love enjoying the African delicious entrées from Mandeeq and looking at the ceiling tiles with lots of Asian influence. Makes my heart happy that this incredible restaurant exists and occupies a space with elements of Asian decor too. The restaurant is definitely a no-frills and could use some upgrades, but that's part of the charm. I also love that it's a very busy community space and you see lots of different members of the community going in for lunch or a snack or even just a quick coffee. Another note is that sometimes there is a language barrier, but the service and staff is just so incredibly friendly and kind. Be patient, open minded and kind. Please be respectful of the halal restaurant and enjoy the amazing cuisine that Mandeeq has been serving our global community since 2008. read more

Great food Somali style but poor customer service. I have visited several times and you have to call in advance to make sure they haven't run out of certain dishes. The food is a solid 5 stars but customer service needs serious help. read more

Somali food is well seasoned and they are masters in preparation of goat. Great food with appropriate portions and price. Focus on the food and not on the ambience and you will leave feeling very satisfied. Favorite: goat and lamb dishes and of course the Sambusa. Lots of native Somalians dine here. Service is courteous. Will be back, inshallah ! read more

Sketchy as hell. Disgusting place. Loud people yelling at us. Took them 30 min to even get us water. Don't ever use your card got up charged had to pay 60 dollar for 3 meals. Horrible place don't give them business. read more

This Somali eatery located in an Aurora strip-mall offers a peek into a rare (for Denver) culinary dimension. Maandeeq is a word used particularly in Somaliland (the semi-autonomous region in the north of Somalia) for a type of female camel, and the restaurant serves as a meeting-point for expatriates from Somalia, Somaliland and Djibouti. Eagle-eyed visitors will notice that the space was formerly occupied by the Empress of China restaurant, and to that end, the current owners have kept many of the internal accoutrements, right down to the bottles of soy sauce on each table. There is no menu at Maandeeq - they serve what they have available each day. If you come by early in the morning (beginning at about 10 am) you may be able to partake in a meal of Suqaar (sliced beef cooked with onions and peppers) served with Canjeero (a pancake-like bread which is indeed vaguely similar to the Injera of Ethiopia and the Taita of Eritrea). At lunch and dinner times, the choices become quite a bit more varied and, in addition to Suqaar, may include Hilib Ari (succulent roasted goat), thin-pounded marinated beef steak, or a vividly yellow rendition of the Middle Eastern favorite, Chicken Shawarma. Lunch and dinner meals come with a choice of accompaniments. For example, Bariis is a cardamom and clove-kissed rice pilaf. Or how about Baasto (spaghetti with tomato sauce, a nod to the former Italian presence in much of Somalia)? Jabati/Sabayad (a chewy flatbread which hints at Somali cuisine's South Asian influence) is another possibility, or even Ugali [Soor] and Sukuma, a dish originating across the border in Kenya and consisting of white cornmeal porridge and a puree of leafy greens. I have tried each dish listed above and can personally vouch for its toothsomeness (I know that's not really a word, but humor me, OK?). All meals come with a banana (Moos) which is meant to be mixed in with your meal (per Somali custom) and a peppery soup called Maraq, and for a dollar extra you can try the soothing, comforting spiced tea called Shaah. Other possible beverages include mango (Cambe) and guava (Seytuun) juices, or Vimto (the English mixed-berry soda which is *very* popular in much of East Africa and across the Middle East as a whole). Most Somalis are devout Muslims and do not drink alcohol - thus Maandeeq does not have a liquor license. Please do not ask. In Somali, the word Beer in fact means Liver. I (or as the folks at Maandeeq know me, "that weird white guy who shows up from time to time") highly recommend Maandeeq to those who are seeking something a little different in the culinary canon. read more

Great food and large portions, Somalian cuisine. Sambusa is delicious (ask for the hot chili sauce) The goat and tandoori Chicken are fantastic, so was the soup of the day. read more

I like to try different ethnic restaurants and found Maandeeq on Yelp. It is Somali instead of Ethopian. When I walked into the place, it seemed kind of odd as the decorations on the wall were all Chinese. Anyway, a sign said seat yourself so I sat down and there was a colorful menu on every table. The funny thing was the menu had pictures but no price list. A waiter came by to take my order, he was quite friendly. I ordered the fish of the day lunch and a chai. A couple minutes later a small bowl of lentil soup and a banana were brought to my table. I was not quite sure what to make of the banana. The fish of the day was fried tilapia with a red sauce on top, a side salad and plate of basmati rice. The food was okay. The lentil soup was a little watery. The fish was slightly overcooked and therefore a little dry and the sauce also made it a a bit less crispy. The rice was good and tasted kind of similar to Indian spices. Anyway, all that including the chai was exactly $12, quite a good deal. This restaurant must be authentic because all the customers except me were African although I cannot say if they were from Somali. read more

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Ver unsatisfied. I went this place today and I did not get what I wanted to get instead they gave me what they wanted. I went there to get a lunch for my family so I wanted to get three dish of rice two of them with goat meat and one with fish, and they said I can't have two goats. it's not like they run out of the meat, but they don't want to give it to the customers and I think that's not right. I think customers should have the right to choose what they want. The guy there didn't even give me a drink and he said if I want the drink I should pay for it eve though, it's free to so people. overall, my experience was not good and I hope to not go there again! read more

Solid, delicious, plentiful food for pretty good price! Dining experience here is like being transported to a bustling Somali market side eatery that may, at one point, have been a Chinese restaurant. Euphemisms aside, the food here is freaking delish! Have I had better Somali/Italian food? Yes, but that place is in another state so I'm pretty darn happy with this place. The food is fairly authentic which means spaghetti here is not going to be anything like your canned/jarred stuff. That really a surprise? Somali food, as I know it, is a unique blend of Indian, Mediterranean & oddly enough, Italian flavors & gosh darn it, it works! Give it a go! As for a poor review that remarked on one demographic of patrons here, omg, this is 2017, embrace the beauty of it & the fact that what you observed means the food is authentic. I hope you go back often until you become a part of the community. Peace, love & good eatin' read more

Maandeeq East African Cafe - Goat w rice & chicken shawarma w spaghetti, winning! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aurora, Colorado

This place now has menus! If you're looking for exciting well-spiced food in an elegant Chinese dragon themed space, look no further. The food is very good here. Go with a group and get one of everything to share. Tender goat, lamb, chicken and delicious biriyani type rice, for lack of descriptive words on my part. I love their chai. The best part of the meal is the fresh green hot sauce that is brought to the table. I have been here several times and the food never disappoints. The other night I tried sambusas here for the first time; fresh fried and so tasty! Sambusas are similar to the Indian samosa, but with a choice of chicken, beef, lamb or fish. Amazing prices too. read more

I have to say, I wasn't prepared for the atmosphere of this place when I walked in for the first time. We decided to eat here because one of my friends was really craving goat (very random). For whatever reason, this place came up early in our search. Before I even got out of my car to go into the restaurant, I witnessed a few young people standing outside of the restaurant around a black town car. As I was parking, one of the boys/men got into the car and sped off. I'm normally a pretty fast driver, but even for me this seemed dangerous. Not a minute later, that same car sped right back into the spot it was parked (blocking other cars and not a real parking spot) in front of the restaurant. I made my way in where I met up with some friends. The table they originally sat us at was a booth right in front of the register. One booth seat had a giant hole in it where the seat cover was ripped and there was no padding. I think we looked really uncomfortable because someone came out and offered us a different table in what looked like the main dining area. As we walked through the restaurant, I realized that the patrons that come here seem to be VERY regular and from a single demographic. My friends and I got a lot of stares and I did feel a little uncomfortable. Once we sat down, I looked over the menu and ended up ordering the chicken shwarma with a side of rice. One of my friends ordered the goat with a side of spaghetti (kinda random? I'd say so). The person who took our order was VERY nice, but he really pushed that spaghetti on my friend. When he brought out our food, my friend's "side" of spaghetti was the biggest plate of spaghetti I've ever seen. We were pretty convinced that they made too much for the day and needed to get rid of it. The goat dish was pretty good, and surprisingly the spaghetti wasn't bad. While it wasn't exactly like the spaghetti with tomato sauce that I'm used to at Italian restaurants, it was a close cousin. My side of rice was also very good. It was seasoned pretty well and had a little bit of sweetness to it that I really enjoyed. The worst part of everything was the chicken shwarma. I'm not sure if Mediterranean shwarma and East African shwarma are supposed to be the same thing, but what I experienced was not the same. The chicken was in super thin strips, which dried it out. The seasoning was also a little off; more tangy that what I usually enjoy. And most of my plate was bell peppers and onions. A couple friends ordered sandwiches and they got a lot more bread than they bargained for. If you do come here, I would recommend the goat and definitely get the chai tea. The chai is super authentic and really good. The only reason I'd probably come back is for some chai tea TO GO. read more

I liked the great traditional food they have with amazing service. It is place which reminds me home and it is my favourite in Montreal.

What an interesting place! No alcohol, good chai, only white person in there, amazing food!

This place is definitely one of the most underrated restaurants in the area. Went there today for the first time, and before leaving the restaurant, I was already looking forward to my next visit! Ordered the goat and lamb lunch dishes and both were delicious. The spiced chai is really good also, as mentioned in other reviews. On top of it all, the prices are very reasonable. In other words, this place is now part of the rotation. read more

Maandeeq East African Cafe - Goat dish (taken after attacking it first!) Plates apparently included from former Chinese restaurant at that location. Adds to the charm. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aurora, Colorado

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We tried it out the other day. We were in the area waiting for tires at Costco. When you walk in you can tell its an old Chinese restaurant. The staff was nice and friendly, but didn't speak a lot of English. The menu doesn't have prices, but it's about $11 per meal. It starts with a banana and some really good soup. All of the meals also come with a huge plate of rice. I got the chicken Shwarma which was quite tasty. It was a lot of food though and I probably could have just split a meal with someone. All in all it was a pretty good experience. read more

I was excited to try African cuisine at this place. Yelp reviews seemed to indicate I would not be disappointed. I was not turned off by the strip mall storefront location of the place. Neither was I turned off by the restaurant layout, unkempt look of the tables and booths and an entire room of overturned chairs on top of tables. My boyfriend and I seated ourselves (I was the only woman in the entire place) at a booth, whose seats were entirely too far away from the table to be comfortable. A man approached us and practically threw a single menu in front of us both, turned around and left. No greeting, no welcome, no "What would you like to drink?". Ignoring the bad service, I picked up the menu, which was a folded, laminated single page menu. The menu itself felt dirty and grimy when in hand. There are only a few dishes on the menu in several meat variations. Combined with the atmosphere and the service, nothing looked appetizing. We got up and left within 3 minutes of sitting down. I would never recommend this place to anyone. Drive a little bit down the street and experience great food, service and atmosphere at Hacienda Camino Real. read more

The chai tea is amazing! Also really enjoyed the fish! The flavors are unique and delicious and the prices are very reasonable!

The food is great! The atmosphere is bizarre. Make sure you get there before 8:00 on Friday night because they were out of almost everything. We had chicken legs, chicken stew, rice, and milk tea(which is chai tea). I will definitely come back, and I might try breakfast. read more

I randomly found this place after a visit to Lowe's in the shopping center next door. I walked in and immediately was reminded of the little restaurants that I would sometimes come across in parts of Kenya and Tanzania during my travels a few years ago (never been to Ethiopia or Somalia, though I think that is what this restaurant's ethnic focus is on). So that means, every single customer was a man; some spoke English, others not. My guess would be that every single customer was either from Ethiopia or Somalia, which made me even more confident with the whole experience and the food I was about to order. You can tell the crowd was a little thrown off with a white women in business causal clothing being there, but nobody stared or made me feel uncomfortable. The owner/cashier there helped guide me in an order that would satisfy my lunch craving....ended up getting a fried fish sandwich that was wrapped in a deliciously thick Chapatti, served with a green salsa. Also came with a small bowl of soup and a bottle of water, all for $8. I was very satisfied. read more

Maandeeq East African Cafe - Fried fish Wrap (in Chapatti) for Lunch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aurora, Colorado