We got a chance to speak with Adedotun “D” Adepoju, the owner of Tastee D’s African Restaurant?

Adedotun “D” Adepoju was born in New Jersey, spent a few years in Nigeria, grew up in Philly, and now is based in Delaware. He is an alumnus of Delaware State University and has worked in the financial sector for over 20 years, last holding the position of Vice President of Risk and Controls at JP Morgan Chase Bank, before deciding to go into entrepreneurship full-time. Cooking has been a talent given to him by the Almighty God, whilst growing up in a large family, where he is one of 10 children, the talent was discovered. He is the proud owner of Tastee D’s African Restaurant and a Transportation & Logistics company. 

What made you decide to open a restaurant in Delaware? 

I opened my first restaurant in Philadelphia on South Street back in 2008.  Though I had a passion for the restaurant and cooking, I made many mistakes. In the midst of running the restaurant, I started creating sauce recipes and packaging them.  I later decided to close the restaurant and go back into the financial sector and run the sauce packaging business part-time. Fast forward, I was still catering to my customers from my now-closed restaurant in Philadelphia along with new customers. I discovered there were not too many African restaurants in Delaware, so I used all my experience and learned from my mistakes from the first restaurant to open, what is now Tastee D’s African Restaurant. 

Briefly tell us about Tastee D’s Foods? 

Tastee D’s Foods is the umbrella company for my restaurant, Tastee D’s African Restaurant. The umbrella for my sauces, Tastee D’s Specialty Blend Sauce, and other sauces that I have created. Lastly, it’s the umbrella for the recipes or anything else food that inspires me.   

How did Tastee D’s Get Started? 

I can technically say Tastee D’s started from my mother’s kitchen, where I was using my siblings as practice for self-taught recipes.  The first meal I made in which I knew that I really had a gift for cooking was Lasagna. In 2006, I started a catering business called Blessed Hands Catering, which later became Tastee D’s Foods.  After being laid off in 2008 from a major bank, because of the Global Financial Crisis, I took a risk and used $80k I had saved up and decided to give my customers what they were asking for, which was to open up a restaurant. 

Can you tell our readers about what you think sets Tastee D’s African Restaurant apart from other local African restaurants? 

I believe what sets Tastee D’s African Restaurant apart from other African restaurants is that our food caters to different nationalities. Our menu highlights Nigerian, Liberian, and Caribbean food with a hint of Soul food. This allows our customers to explore different international cuisines right here in their backyard. What also sets us apart is that we offer Hookah with a variety of hookah flavors and hand-crafted mixed drinks.  Our spot is also known for having the best parties after hours with the hottest DJs playing the latest Afrobeats. Lastly, as the owner, I spend a good part of my day meeting my customers with a friendly smile and making sure the food they receive is Tastee and correct. 

Tell us about the “Sauces” everybody is talking about? 

In the first restaurant, most of my recipes included a blend of red pepper, tomatoes, and onions, which is the base for our Jolof Rice (a West African Rice). Our meats are cooked in this same sauce blend as well as our yams and so many of our recipes.  Customers would ask for the “RED SAUCE” on the side and this was when I realized that I was on to something. In my spare time, I started researching ways to get the sauce packaged. After 2 ½ years of researching, I partnered up with a factory near Ohio where I was able to create and package all my sauce recipes.  That’s when the sauce was birthed!  

Why do you think there are so few African restaurants in Delaware? 

I believe there are so few African restaurants in Delaware because Americans and other cultures are not fully aware of our foods. When they think of African food, they think about something exotic, but that’s not necessarily the case.  In general, people eat what they are used to or what they grew up eating.  Americans and other cultures have gotten used to Chinese food, but the original Chinese food from China, Americans would find difficult to eat.  But the Chinese have customized their foods to what Americans like or are used to. In the past, people didn’t venture out to try other cultures’ food but more recently, people are venturing out and trying other foods, such as Jamaican, Thai, and even Indian foods. 

What dish would you recommend for a first-timer at Tastee D’s? 

The dish I would recommend for a first-timer at Tastee D’s African Restaurant would fall into three categories. For a first-timer that would like to try the true taste of Nigerian food, I would recommend Egusi with Pounded Yam (FUFU) and Assorted meats, or Gbegiri and Ewedu with Assorted meats and Aamala (FUFU). For a first-timer, that’s not too adventurous, I would recommend Jolof Rice with Goat Meat and Plantains or Jolof Rice with Oxtails and Cabbage and Plantains. Lastly, for a first-timer that has tasted African food before, I would recommend Casava Leaf with White Rice and Plantains or Banga Soup (Palm Butter Soup) with FUFU or White Rice, which has become a crowd favorite.  

Do you host events or allow for venue rental? 

Tastee D’s African Restaurant, believe it or not, hosts the most lit parties in the Delaware area.  We have DJs that play on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 pm to 3 am.  We provide hookahs and a variety of mixed drinks.  We do allow venue rental for small get-togethers, but each potential renter is analyzed.

Where do you see Tastee D’s five years from now? 

Five years from now, I would like to see more branches of Tastee D’s African Restaurant, in Delaware and other states.  I am very strong on trying to simplify the processes to make our food so that we can offer Tastee D’s Franchises.   

Are there any current or upcoming projects that you are working on? 

My current project is called Oxygen Hookah Café and Lounge, located at 189 Penn Mart Shopping Center, New Castle, Delaware, 19720.  It’s a lounge where you can listen to the latest Afrobeats, Hip hop, and R&B while smoking your hookah and vibing with like-minded individuals.  The lounge features water walls and has Atlanta and Miami vibes, which is much needed in Delaware. 

What has been your greatest success in business? 

My greatest success in business, aside from the mercy and grace of God upon my life, has been the customers.  I am what I am by the grace of God! Repeat customers have kept the business standing. We are truly grateful to all our supporters. 

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know? 

I would like the readers to know that if you want to explore Africa without leaving your backyard, come to Tastee D’s!

How can someone get in contact with you … and What are the address and hours for Tastee D’s African Restaurant? 

Address: 110 Troubadour Way, Newark, DE 19702
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11:30 am to 9 pm and Sunday 3 pm to 9 pm

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