Hazel Thomas

Students can order Ghanaian food at blackstargrill.com and pick up at 1902 NW 24th Ave.

Although Portland has a variety of West African eateries, there is a shortage of Ghanaian catering. As a solution, Enoch Aggrey, originally from Ghana, started Black Star Grill in 2017 to share his wife’s cooking with the world.

“The food was just so good. It has to be shared,” said Aggrey. “I took it upon myself to make that happen.” 

Black Star Grill serves a variety of bowls, baskets and sides that feature recurring ingredients of chicken, jollof rice and plantains. Prices range from $5 to $16. Black Star Grill does not yet have a sit-down restaurant, but they have a mobile food truck as well as a nearby house where customers can pick up orders. 

Their delivery service worked well during the COVID era, but at the time, their building was not yet open.

“As we were getting ready to move into this space, COVID hit,” said Aggrey. “We ended up getting the food truck so we were actually driving around during COVID.”

Although COVID was a struggle, Aggrey said there have been many highlights throughout the journey.

“The highlight is actually seeing it come to life. Seeing people try it and love it,” said Aggrey. 

Being the only Ghanaian restaurant in Portland also adds significance to the existence of Black Star Grill. 

“This is not the typical diet here, so introducing more people and bringing more people in, you know, it’s been helpful,” said Aggrey. 

Senior Minntah Haefker tried Black Star Grill as her first experience with Ghanaian food.

“I’m glad I tried it because now I know what Ghanaian food tastes like,” said Haefker.

Haefker was a fan of the chicken wings and they reminded her of other international food.

“If there was more spice it would be like Indian,” said Haefker. 

Aggrey encourages Lincoln students to try Black Star Grill.

“It’s something different, a lot of [Lincoln students] probably have never tried it before,” said Aggrey. “It’s right here, it’s good and it’s worth a try.”