YKO Chicken BBQ

As the name suggests, the specialty of this restaurant is chicken, which they braise and rub with spices before grilling it with wood charcoal for a distinct flavour — and a delicious aroma you can smell from the street. But the family business also offers a range of other foods, from tilapia to kwanga (fermented and cooked cassava), which are traditional to the Ivory Coast. « The goal was to introduce Ivorian dishes to the community, » says owner Salimata Sanogo. She credits her brother-in-law with the original idea, and the family operated another restaurant on Charlotte Street before moving to their current McArthur location in 2010.

« Vanier is multicultural, and I love its peace and safety, » she says, « Vanier supports us a lot.« 

The restaurant uses halal meat and lets customers pick the level of spiciness they want, making it a welcoming experience. They also make their own ginger juice, with lemon juice for extra zest.

Try the cuisine of the Côte d’Ivoire at 375 McArthur Avenue!