Jambo Cafe ABQ
African and Caribbean FoodAhmed M. Obo is founder and chef-owner of Jambo Café in Santa Fe, NM.
Originally from Lamu, an island off the coast of Kenya, Ahmed came to America in 1995, worked in restaurant kitchens in Santa Fe and New York, and opened Jambo Café in August, 2009. Popular with locals and families, foodies and tourists, Jambo and Chef Ahmed have been winning accolades and awards since the restaurant first opened. Starting in 2010, Ahmed won Santa Fe’s Souper Bowl four years in a row, competing against the best chefs in the city.
Jambo was voted #1 Best Ethnic/International Restaurant for six years running in the Santa Fe Reporter’s annual “Best of Santa Fe” competition and Best Chef in Santa Fe in 2015, 2016, and 2017. A beloved and admired member of the Santa Fe community, Chef Ahmed participates in events for Gerard’s House, Kitchen Angels, The Food Depot, Creativity for Peace, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, St. Elizabeth’s Shelter, and many more. He is an annual participant in the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta and in ArtFeast.
In 2013, Jambo Café was featured in the ‘Sammies and Stews’ episode of The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Chef Ahmed published his first cookbook, The Jambo Cafe Cookbook: Recipes and Remembrances of My Journey from Africa to America in 2016. Chef began serving his Afro-Caribe fare on the road with Jambo Hapa, the Jambo Cafe food truck in 2016 and in April of 2017 he opened another Jambo Cafe in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
2017
Accepts Reservations
Authored a Cook Book
Budget-Friendly
Corporate Catering
Family-Friendly
Farm-to-Table
Free Parking
Free Wifi
Gives Back to Community
Gluten-Free Friendly
Great for Date Night
Great for Dessert
Great for Dinner
Great for Lunch
Kids Menu
Multiple Locations
Online Store
Perfect for Events
Perfect for Large Groups
Serves Alcohol
Take Out-Friendly
Vegan-Friendly
Vegetarian-Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible