Mama Loyé's Café

Great food, very friendly service, comfy location with a view, all around excellent. Many of the dishes are the same African dishes that inspired southern Creole and Cajun cuisine, so they will be very familiar to some! I'm originally from the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana and the food was really nostalgic for me. So glad there's a place to get fried catfish, jambalaya, and gumbo around here. The dishes are generally more similar to creole/New Orleans style than cajun style (for example the jambalaya is red and tomato based). The fried chicken is VERY GOOD, but don't be afraid to go outside the 'comfort food comfort zone' and try something new too. For example, the kelewele (fried plantains) were really tasty.

A++ these people are splendid humans with fantastic cooking. Great vibes all around. Say bonjour!

Absolutely amazing food. We tried: chicken and waffles, fried chicken, gumbo, and lemon chicken with collards, coconut rice, and sweet plantains. The fried chicken was crispy but moist on the inside with incredible flavor. The collards where some of the best I’ve ever had, even in Charleston. I could go on. We finished with donuts and a chai brownie that was so gooey it melted in your mouth. I haven’t even mentioned the hibiscus and pineapple ginger drinks!!!! Completely worth even a several hour drive. Oh and did I mention that the owner, Akua, is an absolutely charismatic and sweet woman? We are coming here again to try every single dish we missed. So good!

Wow this is a great addition to the tompkins county food scene! Best fried chicken I've tasted locally, peanut stew, tropical Cole slaw and collard greens we're AMAZING! They have limited hours (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday I think, check to make sure), but it is worth the trip to Dryden! Oh, and be sure to try the drink! Ginger (very spicy and fresh) and especially the ginger, pineapple and hybiscus! But purple drink of all time!

The service was excellent!
The fantastic aromas from the kitchen were therapy!
The food is excellent, flavorful, and very good size portions! The vegetarian gumbo, coconut rice, and fried plantains were amazing!!
We will definitely be returning for more!
Thank You!!