Renowned for its mouthwatering West African dishes, Udo’s African Food Store has served the Twin Cities since 2010. After finding it difficult to keep a job while two of their children were in and out of the hospital with sickle cell anemia, Michael Udo and his wife Margaret decided to become their own bosses and open Udo’s, which sells authentic food and spices of West African origin.
Because of an East Metro Main Street grant, Udo’s African Food Store was able to expand and move to a brand new location in Saint Paul. This exciting expansion ensures not only a larger store area, but also an additional restaurant space. Read about our exciting grand opening in 2024 here.
“We are not only going to be expanding our grocery store - we are actually going to be cooking the product we are selling!” says Michael.
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The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation awarded grants to 42 nonprofit organizations and businesses through the East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
➡️ Read more about Udo’s expansion and check out more East Metro Main Street project highlights in our impact report
Our vision is to become a hub for the St. Paul community to get fresh local produce, specialty grocery items, and authentic dishes from West Africa without traveling far or paying a premium. Whether our customers are looking for access to their favorite foods from their home country or are trying West African cuisine for the first time, we hope to serve as their one-stop shop.
Visit our restaurant and grocery store to experience traditional recipes, fresh ingredients, and great hospitality.
Udo's African Restaurant is a vibrant culinary haven that offers a genuine taste of West Africa, serving up authentic dishes that transport diners. With a cozy atmosphere and a carefully curated selection of dishes, Udo's not only feeds the body but also nourishes the soul with rich flavors and traditions.