Chika Market and TVF Cuisine

This is an African market in Bolingbrook that I happened upon while in the area for a meeting. The first thing I noticed was the strong smell of dried fish permeating the entire store. If you are looking for whole dried fish, this is the place for you. They have cassava flour, shelves full of palm oil, and other products from Africa and the Caribbean. There were little pouches of ground up dried fish that I assume are used for flavoring. I'm not aware if there are other African markets in this area but it's a nice option outside of the city.

Chika Market
522 E Boughton Rd
Bolingbrook, IL 60440-2181


Also, two doors down is a newly opened African restaurant. There was a sign in the window that said they had lunch specials. Unfortunately, they were closed even though the signage indicated that they should be open. I hope to return and report back.

TVF African Cuisine
528 East Boughton Road,
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

I finally was able to catch TVF on an open day(better to call first, the posted hours are more like suggestions). TVF specialized in Nigerian dishes. I enjoyed a great lunch special of jollof rice and fish. The fish was fried to perfection and the crispy skins were flavorful. It was topped with a delicious spicy red sauce different from the one in the rice I think. The rice was cooked perfectly in a spicy tomato sauce. I love spicy food and this was definitely nice and spicy(one tissue will do). The lady couldn't have been sweeter than a Nigerian auntie. The food is prepared to order and it seems to be more of a carry out or catering type of place. The decor is an interesting hodgepodge of John Deere salt and pepper shakers, two random tables, some clothes and dvd's in various glass cases, and grandma wallpaper. I will definitely be back to try some other lunch specials.