Sepelas African restaurant is now open in the plaza behind Walgreen’s at Five Points in Urbana. The new restaurant serves a Congolese menu of grilled proteins in addition to sides of rice, plantains, kwanga, fufu, fries, and beignets.
I stopped by Sepelas for lunch. Of the protein options (goat, chicken, steak, pork, and fish), I ordered the grilled pork ($9.99) and grilled chicken ($9.99) with a side of plantains ($4.99).
Served on a golden platter by Chez Maman Ketty, the lunch looked beautiful. The order of chicken had two drumsticks covered in a delicious, oily sauce with peppers and onion. The chicken had a great smokiness, and the skin was coated in flavorful seasonings. Topped with the same sauce, the pork was a little fattier than I expected, but the grilled meat tasted good. I really loved the chopped plantains; the edges were slightly crisp and so yummy.
While I was eating my lunch, the chef brought out a bowl holding a half-spoonful of red sauce.
She warned me that it was spicy, and it was! It was wonderfully, painfully hot. Just a drop was enough to sting.
The restaurant is owned and operated by the same owners as Ashar African Market located just a few storefronts (and one La Mixetca) down from the new restaurant. Here’s the menu.
At this time, Sepelas is cash only, and the manager said he hopes to accept credit card payments soon.
For more information, check out the restaurant’s website.
Sepelas African Restaurant
510 N Cunningham Ave
Suite 8
Urbana
M-Sa 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Su 3 to 10 p.m.
