Grilled fish returns to Mogadishu Barracks’ tasty menu
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- Category: Around and about
- Written by Amina Alhassan
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Inside Mogadishu Barracks used to be like a market place where one could find various fish sellers numbering about fifty in a wide circle with bars full of assorted drinks facing them and fish lovers hovering around looking for a pick.
“Anytime I am in Abuja, this is the best place I know that I can get spicy grilled fish and a cool drink to go along with it. Once I heard it was reopened, I did not miss the opportunity to hang out here once again. The serenity is also something different from the other fish joints. Though it has not picked up fully, it is gradually regaining its glory,” said Mike Okorie.
Some of the fish sellers that Weekly Trust spoke to said they were just patching up business as activities have not really picked up since the opening of the place after the bomb blast.
“The business here has not really picked up. I would say people have not really known that it has been opened or the strict security now is what has made people to stay away. But we still thank God as we still make sales but not as much as we used to. Now we just try and make small quantity so that we do not have left-overs which might count as loss for us since most people prefer freshly grilled fish. But all hope is not lost; this place has made a mark for itself as the best place to get grilled fish in the capital city,” says Madam Paulina Odoh.
She explained that presently, on a normal day, she grills about 15 to 25 fish or more if the demand for packaged ones popularly known as take away is high. She says a medium size fish sells for at least N500 and a big one sells for at least N1000 or more. In addition to these tantalizing spicy grilled fish, there are also fried chips and chicken with red hot sauce and pepper soup which Weekly Trust learnt is a latest addition to the menu available in Mogadishu Barracks. They all vary in prices.
Today, besides the aroma that fills the air and the irresistible sight of the succulent grilled fish, there is also entertaining music making the environment more relaxing for customers. The presence of hawkers can also be noticed as they go about with their wares looking for potential buyers. “This place used to be very busy before the bomb blast and we made good sales most times but it is not yet like those days because people have not really started coming in their droves to enjoy themselves. But it is still better than nothing. I sell Musical CDs and I make nothing less than N3000 on a good day now. But we would also want to appeal to the barrack authorities to please relax the timing for closure as it is sort of affecting our business here also,” said Timmy Johnson.
“I come here every Friday and Saturday and I was glad to know that it has reopened. It was terrible after the blast as I could not find any other place like here. For me, it is money well spent here any time any day” said an excited customer who preferred to remain anonymous.
With some eager consumers savouring the succulent fish with their hands while cooling off with chilled drinks, despite the tight security there, Mogadishu Barracks’ grilled fish remain the ones to beat in the Federal Capital city of Abuja.
Grilled fish returns to Mogadishu Barracks’ tasty menu
Category: Around and about Written by Amina Alhassan Hits: 880
The mere mention of grilled fish makes one’s taste buds come alive. The mention of grilled fish in Abuja immediately propels one’s mind to Abacha Barracks now called Mogadishu Barracks where fresh fish is grilled to tasty perfection. A trip to this once jam-packed relaxation spot showed that the once busy Mogadishu Barracks is still a shadow of its old self as activities have not really picked up since the New Year’s Eve bomb blast.Inside Mogadishu Barracks used to be like a market place where one could find various fish sellers numbering about fifty in a wide circle with bars full of assorted drinks facing them and fish lovers hovering around looking for a pick.
“Anytime I am in Abuja, this is the best place I know that I can get spicy grilled fish and a cool drink to go along with it. Once I heard it was reopened, I did not miss the opportunity to hang out here once again. The serenity is also something different from the other fish joints. Though it has not picked up fully, it is gradually regaining its glory,” said Mike Okorie.
Some of the fish sellers that Weekly Trust spoke to said they were just patching up business as activities have not really picked up since the opening of the place after the bomb blast.
“The business here has not really picked up. I would say people have not really known that it has been opened or the strict security now is what has made people to stay away. But we still thank God as we still make sales but not as much as we used to. Now we just try and make small quantity so that we do not have left-overs which might count as loss for us since most people prefer freshly grilled fish. But all hope is not lost; this place has made a mark for itself as the best place to get grilled fish in the capital city,” says Madam Paulina Odoh.
She explained that presently, on a normal day, she grills about 15 to 25 fish or more if the demand for packaged ones popularly known as take away is high. She says a medium size fish sells for at least N500 and a big one sells for at least N1000 or more. In addition to these tantalizing spicy grilled fish, there are also fried chips and chicken with red hot sauce and pepper soup which Weekly Trust learnt is a latest addition to the menu available in Mogadishu Barracks. They all vary in prices.
Today, besides the aroma that fills the air and the irresistible sight of the succulent grilled fish, there is also entertaining music making the environment more relaxing for customers. The presence of hawkers can also be noticed as they go about with their wares looking for potential buyers. “This place used to be very busy before the bomb blast and we made good sales most times but it is not yet like those days because people have not really started coming in their droves to enjoy themselves. But it is still better than nothing. I sell Musical CDs and I make nothing less than N3000 on a good day now. But we would also want to appeal to the barrack authorities to please relax the timing for closure as it is sort of affecting our business here also,” said Timmy Johnson.
“I come here every Friday and Saturday and I was glad to know that it has reopened. It was terrible after the blast as I could not find any other place like here. For me, it is money well spent here any time any day” said an excited customer who preferred to remain anonymous.
With some eager consumers savouring the succulent fish with their hands while cooling off with chilled drinks, despite the tight security there, Mogadishu Barracks’ grilled fish remain the ones to beat in the Federal Capital city of Abuja.