Welcome to ArkCleoRich African Kitchen, a hidden gem located at 1371 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO. This vibrant culinary haven celebrates the rich flavors and traditions of African cuisine, offering an authentic experience that transports your taste buds straight to Ghana. At ArkCleoRich, you will find a delightful selection of dishes that embrace the heart of African cooking.
Before diving into the menu, get a glimpse behind the scenes with restaurant ambassador Richard Amoah, husband of store owner Rukaya Amoah. Richard, a former hydroelectric dam engineer and active duty military personnel, helps out at the restaurant, which is Rukaya's dream. They have four children, explaining the name ArkCleoRich.
Important Note: The sign at 1371 N. Academy Blvd. overhead the entryway reads Pho Viet Bistro Seafood, not ArkCleoRich. Only the lettering in the lower windows indicates anything about African food. Once you’re inside, though, the tidy space has almost fully become an African eatery.
At ArkCleoRich, you will find a delightful selection of dishes that embrace the heart of African cooking. Here’s a glimpse into the menu:
Menu Highlights
Here are some of the popular dishes you can find at ArkCleoRich African Kitchen:
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- Appetizers:
- Goat Kebabs - $10
- Fried Shrimp with Pepper Sauce - $10
- Sides:
- Pounded Yam
- Fried Plantains
- Drinks:
- DDY's Degue African Drink - $12.99
- Malta Goya - $4.99
Main Dishes
ArkCleoRich offers a variety of main dishes, each bursting with authentic African flavors.
- Banku & Okro: $20.00
Banku is made from corn dough. Okra soup is made from okra, palm oil, and a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, onions, garlic, and peppers. Customers can choose either chicken, beef, or goat meat for protein.
- Jollof & Chicken: $20.00
Jollof rice is spiced and stewed in a flavorful tomato broth and cooked with long-grain rice for everyday celebrations. Customers can choose one of the following protein goat meat, beef, chicken, or eggs.
- Pounded Yam & Egusi Soup: $20.00
The soup takes its name from egusi or agushi the seeds that both thicken and flavor it. Egusi soup typically features meat such as beef, smoked poultry, goat, cow skin, and offal and seafood smoked dried fish or stockfish, as well as awara Nigerian tofu, mushrooms, and greens. Customers can choose one of the above proteins with the fufu and egusi.
- White Rice & Stew: $20.00
This meal is prepared using long-grain rice with special tomato sauce. Customers can choose one of the following protein goat meat, beef, chicken, or eggs.
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- Jollof Rice with Grilled or Fried Tilapia: $30.00
Savory rice dish paired with grilled or fried tilapia.
- Fufu & Chicken Soup: $20.00
The main ingredients are ginger, garlic tomatoes, onions, and well-seasoned and spiced fresh chicken. Customers can also choose one of the following meets to replace goat meat, chicken, beef, or fish
- Tuo Zaafi (TZ): $20.00
Tuo Zaafi is commonly made with maize flour or millet flour and it is soft in nature and It is normally eaten with any soup but most commonly with okrosoup.
- Attieke and Grilled Tilapia: $30.00
This baked tilapia is made using the Ghana's green pepper. Served along side attieke and onions, green and red pepper sauce
- Waakye & Shito with Chicken: $20.00
Waakye is prepared using rice and beans cooked with red sorghum leaf sheath, known as Waakye leaves, and which gives it a burgundy reddish-brown. Customers can choose either goat meat, chicken, beef, or eggs.
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- Fufu & Light Soup with Goat Meat: $25.00
Light soup is also referred to as vegetable soup. The main ingredients are ginger, garlic tomatoes, onions, well-seasoned, and spiced fresh goat meat. Customers can also choose one of the following meats to replace goat meat, chicken, beef, or fish.
- Boiled Yam or Plantain with Palava Sauce: $20.00
In Palava Sauce, the main ingredient consists of spinach, vegetables, African spices, and palm oil. Customers can choose one of the following proteins eggs, chicken, or beef.
- Rice Balls and Groundnut Soup: $20.00
The Groundnut Soup is made out of Pure Peanut / Groundnut with vegetable like tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, pepper. RiceBall is soft rice made into small balls. Customer can choose either Goat, Beef or Chicken as Protein
- Banku & Tilapia with Red & Black Pepper: $25.00
Banku is made of Corn and Cassava Dough mixed together. It’s normally eaten with Baked Tilapia, Groundnut Soup or Palmnut Soup. Customer can choose Goat, Beef or Chicken as Protein
- Banku with Groundnut Soup and Okra: $20.00
Banku is made of Corn and Cassava Dough mixed together. Groundnut Soup is made of Pure Peanut /Ground with vegetable like tomatoes, onions, ginger, peppers, garlic. Customer can choose Goat, Beef or Chicken as
- Fried Shrimp and Fried Yams: $20.00
Crispy shrimp paired with sweet yams.
- Fried Tilapia and Fried Yams with Pepper Sauce: $25.00
- Fried Tilapia and Fried Plantain s: $30.00
Tilapia paired with crispy fried plantains.
- Fried Plantain & Beans: $20.00
The bean sauce is prepared using red oil, boiled beans, a variety of vegetables, and special African spices. Customers can choose one of the following as additional protein chicken, eggs, or beef.
- Fufu & Groundnut Soup: $20.00
Fufu and groundnut soup. The groundnut soup is prepared using peanuts fresh vegetables and a variety of protein.
Here is a quick overview of some of the dishes and their prices:
| Dish | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Banku & Okro | $20.00 | Corn dough with okra soup and choice of protein. |
| Jollof & Chicken | $20.00 | Spiced rice with chicken and flavorful tomato broth. |
| Waakye & Shito with Chicken | $20.00 | Rice and beans cooked with red sorghum leaf sheath served with choice of protein. |
| Fufu & Groundnut Soup | $20.00 | Fufu served in groundnut soup with your choice of protein. |
| Jollof Rice with Grilled or Fried Tilapia | $30.00 | Savory rice dish paired with grilled or fried tilapia. |
| Attieke and Grilled Tilapia | $30.00 | Baked tilapia made using Ghana's green pepper served with attieke, onions, and pepper sauce. |
| Fried Tilapia and Fried Plantains | $30.00 | Tilapia paired with crispy fried plantains. |
AUTHENTIC GHANA JOLLOF RECIPE ( How to get the perfect Jollof rice )
Customer Experiences
Customers rave about the warm hospitality provided by owner Cleo and her husband, Richard, who brings a touch of military discipline to the kitchen after serving his country. Their passion for food and dedication to quality shine through in every dish.
One delighted customer, Tricia R., praised the restaurant, saying, "Amazing food and incredible service!" Fans of authentic African flavors will find much to love here. The Jollof Rice and Fufu have garnered special mentions from satisfied diners, many of whom insist that ArkCleoRich’s dishes remind them of home. Angelique O. noted the delightful tenderness of the goat meat, while Adwoa D. lauded the Groundnut Soup as being indistinguishable from what she enjoyed back in Ghana. Such endorsements highlight the authenticity and quality that ArkCleoRich embodies.
If you’re unsure about diving into African cuisine for the first time, fear not! Customers like Brendan M. have discovered a whole new world of flavors, thankful for the quality and care put into every meal. The inviting ambiance and friendly staff ensure that every visit feels special, whether you’re dining in or opting for takeout.
Much like at Uchenna, be prepared to wait a bit for food to arrive, as everything is cooked fresh to order. “It’s worth the wait and money” Richard insists. I don’t disagree.
