In smaller cities, it can be difficult to find restaurants that serve authentic international cuisine. As soon as I got the opportunity to visit LIMS African Restaurant in Hagerstown, I knew I had to go.
Concerning the restaurant located at 17715 Virginia Ave., LIMS African Restaurant is a small, unpretentious restaurant. If you’re not looking for it, it could be easy to miss, but its heart, hospitality and flavor more than make up for its lack of flashy decor.
The restaurant specializes in a variety of African dishes, with a menu featuring staples from Ghana, Nigeria and other West African countries.
For my first visit, I decided to stick with a classic: Jollof rice with chicken. This popular rice dish has a tomato sauce and is cooked with a mixture of peppers, onions and spices. Each West African nation has its own version, but no matter where it comes from, good Jollof is always a celebration of flavor.
My plate smelled as good as it looked when it arrived. The rice was a bright reddish-orange color with a side of cabbage slaw, which added a crisp, fresh touch. The rice was served with fried chicken with a golden brown and crispy layer. The rice grains were tender and perfectly cooked, not too soft, not too hard. The tomato-based sauce had a rich flavor, with a mild spiciness that did not overpower the food. The chicken was equally as good. It was juicy and had lots of flavor. The skin was crispy while the inside stayed tender and moist.
The staff at LIMS were friendly checking in often to make sure everything was going well. I appreciated that the restaurant was not overly crowded, giving it a relaxed, laid-back vibe that made it easy to enjoy the meal. The dining area was tidy and modest, with enough African-inspired art and colors to give the space character. The restaurant was energized by the Afrobeat playlist, quietly playing in the background, which improved the overall dining experience.
