I moved to Houston in 2002 when the Cameroonian community was still at a very nascent stage. Everyone knew everybody because we had all settled in South West Houston. During the week, it was natural for us to be consumed by our various jobs however when the weekend arrived it was time to celebrate. We all congregated at a very unique restaurant which was owned by one of us. This special place was known as the Traditional Food Restaurant. From Friday through Sunday, we met there religiously and socialized in the same manner we did in our native country Cameroon. We ate our native dishes, drank beer, and danced to the following tunes from our native land until sun down: Makossa, Bikutsi, Magabeu and bottle dance. We visited the Traditional Food Restaurant with our wives and sometimes with our children at times. It made us feel at-home.
As the years unfolded, the Cameroonian population increased rapidly, prompting the need for more Cameroonian restaurants, drinking parlors and night clubs. So, progressively, the Traditional Food Restaurant got eclipsed by new businesses, with better locations and younger, ravenous proprietors.
However, one person was brave enough to keep the Traditional Food Restaurant up and running in spite of the competition and relatively remote location. She is the one we all affectionately call “Ma Fri “. We commend her for her consistency and resilience. Our community owe it to her because she has helped make the restaurant our center of gravity in those early days and we should continue to salute her for keeping the flame burning.
She remains one of the best cooks in town and continues to serve us her amazing signature dishes that includes pourish yam, spicy tendon, and egusi . These dishes are so exquisite that you will not be able to resist the urge to come back for more after eating them.
The Traditional Food Restaurant deserves a hall of fame distinction for the instrumental role that it played to bring the Cameroon community together and keep our traditions relevant. Overall, let’s continue to elevate the dynamic contributions of this restaurant and continue to pay homage to those that work hard to keep our light shining.
Author: George Nge
