Pili Pili – 1960 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z1
Country: Tanzania
Must-try dish: AAA Beef Ribs 
Seating: It’s a takeout only operation at the moment, but there’s indoor seating available in non-pandemic times. 
The high: An excellent introduction to Tanzanian cuisine that left us wanting more. 
The low: The kebabs were disappointing. 

Mandrea Bike decided to venture to Scarborough to sample Tanzanian and East African cuisine, and it instilled an even greater desire to visit Tanzania to eat more of the delicious food but also to see the world-class sights. 

We were confidently guided through the menu by Amber, who explained all the dishes and coordinated the ideal meal for two people to taste the most authentic and beloved dishes from Tanzania. These recommendations are sure to make any diner want more of Pili Pili. All the dishes are made to order, so give the kitchen 20-45 minutes to prepare the food after calling in or making the order in person. 

Here are the highlights of the order:

• AAA Beef Short Ribs: There are roughly 12 pieces of small beef ribs covered in a light rub. They’re easy to eat, as they almost feel bite sized, and dipping them in the various sauces strongly recommended 
• Zanzibar Mix: This vibrant yellow soupy concoction is a popular street food in Tanzania. Although it might be reminiscent of a curry, it tastes nothing like that, instead it has a predominantly tangy flavour from lemons and mangoes. Pili Pili uses chickpeas, but several other recipes call for potatoes. Undoubtedly both would be tasty! 
• Beef Samosas: These come in a pack of six, and you’ll definitely want more. Samosas are a common snack in Tanzania, usually found in either beef or chicken. Pili Pili has both options, as well as a vegetarian option stuffed with root vegetables. The beef ones are the best sellers for the restaurant, and it’s no surprise since they were addicting. 

These are the sides and the sauces:

• Nylon Bhajia: These thinly sliced potatoes are a Tanzanian version of potato chips. They were a perfect vehicle to taste all the sauces and chutneys. 
• Kabab: This is not what you expect, as a kabob in other types of cuisine is something very different. The Tanzanian version looks like a small arancini ball, and has the texture of a falafel on the inside. However, there is less flavour. It’s a little dry, so use the dips. 
• Coconut Chutney: You’ll keep going back for more! It’s a mild coriander and coconut sauce. 
• Pili Pili Mayo: Pili Pili is the hot sauce in East Africa, and this one is slightly toned down because of the mayo. It’s amazing! 

The other sauces and coleslaws are good, but left less of an impact than the Coconut Coriander and the Pili Pili Mayo sauces. All the dishes seemed to have one thing in common – zest. There was an underlying zesty flavour in each item of the order that surfaced differently with each ingredient and spice. It was enhanced even further with the sauces and the chutneys because they each had their own zesty properties to combine with the food. 

If you’re looking to host a barbecue or spend a night in, Pili Pili also offers raw meats to purchase and grill in the comfort of your own home, as another option. 

Although patios are opening across Toronto, there are some restaurants that won’t have the infrastructure to have outdoor seating, so ordering takeout for a picnic or to enjoy at home is still strongly recommended to assist in keeping these restaurants afloat. 

Eat with you soon,

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)