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Jikoni & Co, a culinary enterprise founded by Toledoans Tom and Krista Otieno, is the kind of story that’s easy to root for. After starting life as a humble food truck, Jikoni has blossomed into so much more. They have moved into the revitalized Innovation Post building at 1300 Jefferson Avenue, and have expanded their culinary operation to
include catering and cooking classes.
Their new digs have allowed them to open Jamii, a café named for the Swahili word for community. The atmosphere is elevated, yet feels lived in. It’s cavernous, yet welcoming. It exudes that je ne sais quoi that every great coffee shop needs – it invites you to grab a cup, stay a while and just enjoy a moment of peace.
A celebration of East African flavors
Like most cafés of its kind, Jamii focuses on breakfast and lunch. Open Monday through Friday 7am to 2pm (opening an hour later on Saturdays), they serve breakfast all day and lunch every day except Wednesdays and Saturdays. From the breakfast menu, the Egg Samosa Duo – stuffed with scrambled eggs, curried potatoes and onions – is an absolute slam dunk; crispy, light and flavorful. The pastries deftly straddle the line between hearty brunch staple and overly decadent. They’re truly a can’t miss.
The Rolex wrap in their house-made chapati flatbread is also excellent. It’s a lighter option than the samosa, pairing whipped eggs with an assortment of fresh vegetables.
Lunch is also an eclectic experience. The Chapati Wrap is excellent with either chicken or vegetable curry, the warm, spicy curry pairs beautifully with fresh cabbage and tangy pickled onions. The Moroccan hummus is a harmonious mixture of sweet, tangy harissa and earthy hummus. The bread crumbs dusted on top provide a welcome crunch to an often mono-textural dish. Everything, (breakfast or lunch) comes with pili pili sauce, a refreshing, East African salsa – and yogurt herb sauce – a cooling dip with notes of cilantro and cumin. Both perfectly complement everything on the menu.
A chai to die for
Arguably the star of the show at Jamii is the house chai, is a symphony of spices in perfect balance – no mean feat given that chai is often made up of domineering flavors like cardamom, black tea, cinnamon and clove. Yet, with all the finesse in Jamii’s chai, the secret ingredient may be the oat milk they use instead of cow’s milk. The nuttiness plays perfectly against the spiciness of the chai and the thick texture lends a wonderful richness to the drink. It’s a showstopper of a beverage that alone is worth the trip.
And yet, for all this great food, these enticing drinks, and yes, even the world-beating chai, the thing about Jamii is its name. The community it is building – the genial atmosphere, the love and passion Tom, Krista, and their team pour into their food. Jamii (and Jikoni & Co) is exactly what makes Toledo great, creating a truly special place to meet, share stories, and collaborate with one another.
Jamii Café. 1300 Jackson St. Mon-Fri, 7AM – 2PM; Sat 8AM – 2PM. jikoni-toledo.com/jamii
