Sista Sandra’s – Restaurant Review
By: Areka
Areka@excapethematrix.com

     All five senses are stimulated one at a time at Sista Sandra’s.  Trust me; you’re there long enough to recognize them all.  I actually had another place in mind to review but on my way down Reisterstown Road, I noticed a well-lit, clean looking carryout/restaurant.  I had to make a U-turn and find out what that place was. I assumed with the name Sista Sandra that it would be some sort of soul food on the menu, and I was right.

 "My nose was fumigated with the sweetness of the candied yams and the seasoning from the fried chicken."

    Confused about the parking situation, I parked in front of a neighboring liquor store even though there was a sign that said parking in the rear.  I walked right into the best sound system ever.  The music sounded as if a live jazz band was playing somewhere in that restaurant, but that simply couldn’t be with the modest size that this establishment carries.  The décor was deep dark red, grey and black, with hints of yellow were found in the perfectly placed lighting fixtures.  There’s a menu placed on the back wall for everyone to read or you can just pick up the brochure-sized menu to go.  It didn’t take me long to pick out my entrée.  For $12 I got five jumbo wings (and they do mean jumbo) and two sides.  I’m thinking, ‘these are some real sit down restaurant prices, but what the heck, I’m here and hungry.’ 

 "All five senses are stimulated one at a time at Sista Sandra’s."

It was very neat and clean, which also helped me to stay and find out if the “Best of Baltimore 2007”sign would read true.  While I waited for my dinner (which took over a half hour), I read a very helpful article about the establishment.  I didn’t think it would be possible to ask too many questions since everyone was in “busy bee” mode with their traditional head wraps that Muslims wear.  After reading the article and finding out that the owner was indeed Muslim, I felt bad for assuming that “Sista” would automatically mean soul food and not part of a religion.  It also made sense because the woman who took my order said “Thank you, sister” when I was done placing my order.  Her saying that was like the icing on the cake for customer service and making me feel welcomed.  I didn’t even have my meal but I already felt that I would come back.  After almost forty-five minutes of trying to “name that tune,” re-reading the menu and wondering why they didn’t have a website with such a swanky atmosphere, my meal was finally done.  My nose was fumigated with the sweetness of the candied yams and the seasoning from the fried chicken.  I didn’t have time to sit and eat since by then it getting late.   While rushing out I did remember they had specialty sodas from Africa on the menu that I was dying to try.  But I’m not known for patience, so after forty-five minutes of waiting, the specialty soda was left behind.  Good thing I’m in the same zip code as Sandra’s because driving with that enticing smell would have been difficult. I dove into my entrée as if I hadn’t eaten all day.  It was well worth the wait.  I have no complaints.  The only problem was there was no special soda to top it off.  Before this review gets too long, I have to say this is a northwest Baltimore treat.  The address is 6212 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, located a few lights from the Reisterstown Road Plaza.  It is definitely a swanky jazz inspired but Muslim run hotspot that is worth the wait!