UPDATE: This establishment has since closed.

We were about halfway down the block with our container of leftovers when we heard the proprietor yelling another thanks for our patronage to us.

Though not a fancy place, In God We Trust Afrikan Restaurant beats out anything downtown in the category of warm and welcoming. It’s the kind of place where Judge Judy on the television is not annoying because it gets you talking with diners from another table, who also say goodbye when you are done with your meal.

Who wants linens and flattering lighting when you can have that?

We stopped in before catching Ragtime at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, so we did not take our sweet time to dine, though it was clear nobody would have rushed us out had we decided to occupy space for a longer while.

There is a menu, but we were invited to come look at what food was in the bins. They have fried fish, oxtail, curry goat, beef, lamb, chicken, and seafood. I ended up with a combination of fufu and a stew of black-eyed peas and greens, plus the cassava and fried plantains that I was stealing from Christopher’s plate. This was my first experience with fufu, so I can only say that I enjoyed it, but not whether or not it tastes like what I think it is supposed to taste like. It is slightly sweet, fluffy, and sticky. Fufu is traditionally eaten with one’s fingers; I was given utensils without asking.

Looking at their menu, I can see many reasons to return: Jollof style spaghetti, macaroni & cheese, kosey, banku, and everything I had already sampled. I would eat an entire meal of fried plantains if they let me, but I am guessing that they would know what is best for me and sneak other vegetables onto the plate.

They have a ginger juice that almost made my head explode from one sip — and I like natural ginger. They have milder, sweeter juices available if you can’t hack fiery beverages.

In God We Trust Afrikan Restaurant is located at 453 Washington Street. They have indoor and patio seating. They’ll deliver, but for large orders only. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-11pm, and Sunday, 10am-10pm.