In a compact corner of Stoughton’s Main Street lies the old-fashioned African Mediterranean restaurant, Ben’s. Since opening just a month ago, the restaurant has attracted many first-time customers.
Flowing with LED lights and a vibrant bar, Norse Starians Grace Greenwald, Bode Jensen, and Andrea Becerra could not resist joining in on the lively atmosphere and indulging in the flavors of African Mediterranean cuisine.
“The atmosphere was super cool, and very informational because there were posters all over the place about African culture and organizations,” Greenwald said.
Once the group was seated, they were given menus and water, meaning it was time for food decisions to be made.
After a few discussions, Greenwald decided on the coconut chicken curry. Jensen chose the goat masala, and Becerra picked the beef masala.
The place soon was jam-packed and loud as many people came in, all eager to try out the new restaurant. The food took a decent wait, but it was well worth the wait when it finally arrived.
Each dish ordered contains rice, bread, and lentil salad. All are served on rectangular plates, but it took some work to be neat with limited space. However, the flavors of all of those combined were tasty.
“The dish was paired beautifully with the sides. There were a lot of bones, but if you eat carefully, you’ll be fine,” Jensen said
Becerra admits that the combinations of the sides were delights. The way it was cooked was on point, leaving no room for disappointment. The tajin added on the top of the salad elevated the dish overall. Although the rice portions were a little small, everything was still enjoyable.
“My favorite part of the dish was everything! The rice, chicken, and bread were delish. The only thing I disliked was the side salad made up of beans, cucumbers, hot peppers, and some sauce. It just wasn’t my thing,” Greenwald said.
While the three enjoyed the last bites of their meals, they looked at the place again and noticed the small coffee table.
“My favorite part about the place was the smell of rich coffee. Ben, [the owner], has his own coffee, and the bags for sale are delicious,” Jensen said
The place welcomes its customers with a sense of cultural immersion from Tanzania. It is a very warm and cozy spot for dining in and enlarging the diversity of your foods.
“It was pretty loud, though, with the music […] and tons of other customers in a small space,” Greenwald said. “I was happy with the service, especially considering it is a new restaurant.”
After the three had paid and left the deserved tip, they tidied up the area. Each person paid an overall $20 for their dish.
All members were satisfied and happy after trying one of Stoughton’s newest restaurants.
Overall, everyone enjoyed a good Saturday evening. The Norse Starians have decided to give Ben’s a rating of 4/5.