In a Facebook post late last month, Simba Ugandan Restaurant announced both its closure (effective June 30) and its plans to relocate. Thanking its patrons, the post said in part, “we would not have made it this far without you and we pray that you will continue to enjoy Simba foods in the future. The team will take a much needed break as we work through the process of opening a new location.” A subsequent post said more details would be announced closer to opening.
Owner and chef Christine Mukulu Sseremba, who hails from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, first appeared at St. Louis’ food festivals, including Festival of Nations, serving traditional items, such sumbusas and fried chicken wraps.
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In 2015, Sseremba opened Olive Green International Cuisine in Jeffrey Plaza. After several years, she moved to a more visible location a block east (the former Taqueria La Monarca location at 8531 Olive) and rebranded it as Simba Ugandan Restaurant.
Simba introduced some locals to the wonders of goat curry and others to pork ribs with unfamiliar spice notes, enjoying some critical notoriety in the process.
But as redevelopment plans continue to evolve along Olive Boulevard, east of I-170, business owners are now considering whether to stay, relocate, or close. Simba’s decision to relocate could be similar to the stories of other area restaurants in the coming months.
