Safari Express

While I really enjoy seeing the camel burger on the menu I found it be tasty but really lean and the texture of cube steak but less chewy. The guy who took my order didn’t really understand that I didn’t want lettuce and tomato or onions as English may have not been his first language. Well I wrote it down on the receipt for him and still it came out wrong. Glad to see exotic meats here but if they can’t get a simple burger order right when paying around 12 bucks I’m good on not coming back. If you despise red onions your not going to eat them on your burger.

I have read great things about this place, so was really looking forward to it!
Sadly for us, though, when we ordered the camel burger, we were told they sold out. So we ordered the goat meat, and were told they sold out, so we ordered the last Sambusa that was sitting there. After she informed us of the cost, she said «oh, you are having one? I thought you wanted three». No. so she asked «Do you want your money back?» um, yes.
We asked for a knife and was told that they sold out. Hmm; sounds like they had a busy morning! I suppose I would have been more sympathetic if the two girls that were busy visiting… I mean working there, were concerned, but they didn’t seem to be. So why should I? Too bad for me, I guess!

I’m a Canadian, but please keep on reading anyway. I only ever come down to Minneapolis during the Spring and the Fall. In the Spring of 2014, I had heard about this place and their camel burger offerings, and I was stoked to go try it out. However — and still to this day — they insist they’re open at 10a.m.: they are not. 11a.m.
So, I missed out going in the Spring, because it was near the end of my trip at the time and we weren’t able to wait around, because we had other things to do too.
Now I would have given this place 5 stars, but it’s a year later, and the schedule hasn’t been corrected. I don’t know if that’s because they never go on Unilocal anymore or what, but that’s a loss of a star right there.
When I went back to Minneapolis this past Fall, I was determined by hook or by crook to try that goddamn camel burger of theirs! Nothing was going to stop me this time! So was it worth the wait? I think so. It was very nice, and the pineapple was a delight. I would like to try more camel meat dishes in the future, from these guys or wherever.

One of several gem restaurants at Midtown Global Market. Must try dishes if you love Spicy foods are the Chicken Suggar, Spicy Rice and Mango Curry Chicken– very mild spice. Also recommend the Sambusa and Somali tea a must.

Definitely give this a try. The Sambusas are wonderful, whatever that little bucket of green sauce is, makes it for me! I can never have enough of it. My only problem is that periodically if i have an early lunch 11 – 11:15 a.m., they are not always open right away. On the bright side of that, you know the food is going to be fresh when they do open. Staff is always very friendly, sometimes the food is a little too greasy for me (when i dont’ have Sambusas) If you like spicy get the spicy rice! Chicken Fantastik is my favorite! YUM!

Are you feeling culinarily adventurous???
If so, do not pass go, do not earn $ 200, head right to Safari Express and order the camel burger. Yes, the camel burger.
It’s super lean and very tasty.
Served with a slice of pineapple, I highly recommend it.
Don’t be skurred!

Midtown Global Market with the kiddo. Couldn’t decide what to get but as I walked up he gave me a sample of the daily special. DELICIOUS. I don’t even know what it was but chicken, peppers, onions, in some kind of sauce, with spicy rice and bread. Great deal, great service.

The sambusas are a must– some of the best in the city. For someone who appreciates onion but doesn’t like it overwhelming every dish, these sambusas are perfect.
I usually get an order of Chicken Fantastic or Chicken Suqqar, and consistently find that they are spiced well and delicious– served with plenty of saffron rice. And if you’re at Global Market for a quick lunch, try the yummy saffron soup!

Not sure why Unilocal lists it as closed on Sunday, it’s most definitely open!
After a night of drinking and dancing, I woke up at noon, severely needing some remedy for my hangover. Being indecisive, I figured Midtown Global Market’s the perfect place so I can get my burger, curry and anything my belly desires.
FOOD: When I saw that Safari Express sells Camel Burger, I was quick to go in line to grab this monster of a meal. For $ 8.95, you get a freshly made camel burger (topped with cheese, slice of pineapple, some special sauce, and what I thought was a fried egg), plus fries and a drink. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND. This was a party in my mouth and then some. I was debating on this or Matt’s Bar for a Juicy Lucy but was 100% satisfied with my decision. This burger was a 5 in my book.
I also got the beef sambusas at Safari express ($ 1.99 for 2). These were a bit softer in texture than the usually more crisp sambusas at the Safari Restaurant, but I take it is probably because they have a serving table where it has been for a while. However, it was still so good, would still give it a 4.5.
SERVICE: I came around lunchtime so I waited about 10 minutes for my food but the server was awesome. I shared with him some of my eggplant fries I got from Sonora Grill and he gave me some recommendations for next time.
PARKING: There is a parking lot across the market for $ 0.50 per hour. Otherwise street parking was nearly impossible today.
Overall, I will be coming back to this place to try their roasted goat.

The food was great!
I tried the roasted goat (with spicy rice) that they said they only serve on Fridays and weekends.
The goat was very, very good! And this is coming from a white dude that hasn’t ever tried goat before. Despite my worries about it tasting «gamey», it was great. I even liked the rice. (And I normally don’t like rice too much.)
The customer service was good too. The staff were all very friendly and had their act together.
Next time, I’ll try the camel.
–Daddy Maxx Retro

I love to try new foods when I travel, so naturally, camel burger caught my eye. The camel burger was good — like a lean buffalo burger (smothered with cheese and a pineapple slice).
But this 5 star review is awarded for the soup. The chicken saffron soup had a creamy red broth with amazing spices. It was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. No exaggeration. If I ever do come back to Minneapolis, I’m stopping here for another cup of soup.

A nice place to stop for lunch, in the middle of Midtown’s Global Market. There looked to be a good variety of flavourful dishes, but I couldn’t pass up the camel burger. Very tasty, I’d recommend it strongly. The staff were all very friendly, to boot.

My wife and I finally made a trip to the Midtown Global Market and while we were there we of course had to try that camel burger I mentioned in my review about their main restaurant. So, Safari Express was the first place we went to! «We’ll take one camel burger and 2 Sambuza’s.» and the response back from the gentleman behind the counter was, «Would you like some of our homemade hot sauce?» «Yes please!» Their hot sauce is a green sauce made in house with a ton of delicious flavor and a must have with anything you eat at Safari’s. We ate our Sambuza’s while we waited for our camel burger to be done and these things are by far the best appetizer my wife and I have ever had. What makes it’s so amazing? Get to Safari Express, try just one and hold back the temptation of wanting to order more. I bet you can’t!
Out came our camel burger and the first thing I wanted to do was try just the burger itself and nothing else. I looked at my wife with this look on my face like I had just died and gone to food heaven. The gentleman behind the counter asked us if we wanted ketchup for our meal and I’m sure glad that I never once dipped my burger in ketchup. Instead, I was putting the green hot sauce all over my burger and enjoying it even more. Hands down the BEST burger I’ve ever had and it was made of camel! Another great addition to this trip, the owner Sade had walked in, came over and asked how our food was and we of course told him our thoughts. I also asked him if he remembered my wife and I and his response, «Yes, yes! Are you going to write another great blog about the camel burger?» My response, «You bet we are!»

GO NOW. DO NOT READ THIS ANY FURTHER. GO NOW.
I spent 2 days in Minneapolis trying to find a place to eat camel. Not fucking with you here. Ever since I spoke to an Über driver and he told me about the Somalian penchant for dining on camel, I said «I’m not going to Mogadishu anytime soon… I’m getting me some camel before I leave.»
I went EVERYWHERE in the city. From malls where it was this guy, and all Somalians, to restaurants, to food courts… I saw it all. And the only place that ended up having camel was Safari Express. That alone made it a worthwhile trip. Plus, it’s in the Midtown Global Market which is a cool place to explore.
But enough about me. Let’s talk about you. And how you need to go and try their camel burger. More delicious than you would imagine, and something you can tell your kids about.

Good spicy lamb curry and samosa-​style puffs (sorry, I can’t recall the name!) I didn’t try the camel burger, as I was in a rush, but my friends who did said it was more for the novelty than any special tastes.
Friendly folks work the counter, and unique offerings make this place a quality lunch spot if you’re in the area.

Who likes Sambusas? I do I do.
So you’ve been to the MGM right? But, you haven’t tried Safari Express right? Just like I thought.
Please do yourself a favor and head over there. The soups are delicious, the Sambusas are great and overall, the menu looks great. Don’t be afraid to sample as the staff is more than willing to satisfy your taste buds with a quick 1 – 2.
Before I forget, make sure and pair you meal with tea or mango juice. Yum!

like the rest of the places in GLOBAL MARKET, SAFARI EXPRESS is a nasty, dirty stall with sad offerings aging like B-​movie actresses at a slow slimmer on the steam table — and yet i gave them three stars …
seven-​year old WYATT, my foodie adventurer, spotted CAMEL ON A STICK on their menu board and dragged me their direction. staring gloomily at their steam table offerings, i was more than a little relieved when they told him they only had CAMEL for festivals.
but nine-​year old JULIANA was intrigued by the SAMBUSAS (east AFRICAN SAMOSAS — browned ground meat, onions and spices wrapped in egg roll wrappers and deep fried) and had to give them a try (hot and freshly cooked to order) along with some spicy, mint chutney for dipping. i thought the layer on layer of wrapper weighed them down but she liked them well enough to have another round.
while we were waiting, the wife-​unit, JODI, sampled a thimble-​sized portion of SAFFRON SOUP. that tiny taste was enough to entice her into a cup and it was really very good — rich (guessing coconut milk based) and spicy (curry).
if you’re okay with a little heat (okay, quite a bit of heat) and you’re already at the market, try the SAFFRON SOUP. it’s pretty, darn good.

The food
Chicken ke’key– this is with handmade pasta. It’s awesome, spicy, creamy, fresh cilantro, just an amazing fusion of east and west.
Beef tibbs– rain check, no injera
Mogadishu app– homemade sambusa was so delish, hummus standard, didn’t identify the basbaas though
Prices are excellent. And open 24 hours on the weekend. Not sure why this isn’t a bigger post night out grub shack

I absolutely love this place. I have never made a bad choice here.
Chicken wrap is delicious. All entrees are delicious. Sambusa’s are delicious. Mango juice. Chicken soup.
Every person working here has been really nice as well, and they always give out samples.

The global market is one of my favorite food destinations in Minneapolis and Safari Express is a prime example of why I keep coming back.
The Safari Express menu is full of fast, fresh East African foods. The curries and rice are very popular here and always a great option, but my absolute favorite is not on the menu. If you like spicy foods at all, the Saffron Soup is… is… get the Saffron Soup! Paired with a Sambusa or 2 it makes a great lunch. The green sauce that comes with the Sambusas also has a great spicy kick.
Great food here