This story is part of our “Local Tables” series, where we explore the best restaurants Toledo has to offer. We dive into not just the food, but the people, passion, and stories behind them. Each feature reveals how local restaurants and cafeés bring our community and campus together, one meal at a time. Cover image by Caeley Powell for Juice House.
Tucked on the west side of downtown Toledo is an exciting new, East African-inspired cafeé called Jamii. Its name comes from the Swahili meaning for “community,” and defines perfectly what the cafe embodies as a space where people are brought together through food as a means of sharing culture. Inspired by his own experiences with how food has shaped his life, the owner, Tom Otieno, brings to Toledo a powerful story of pursuing his passion for community as an immigrant from Kenya.
Otieno’s connection to food began ties back to his mother who taught him how to make certain dishes. One item on Jamii’s menu that particularly resonates with Otieno is the Rolex, a sandwich wrapped in traditional chapati.
“Chapati is one of those foods that takes time to make, and it reminds me of my mom,” Otieno said.
In 2010, Otiento immigrated to the United States to earn his master’s degree at the University of Toledo. When his mother became sick the following year, he left school to help care for his family. Although she passed away before his culinary business began years later, her legacy lives on in his creative dishes, the welcoming atmosphere and the very essence of “jamii.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Otieno launched his first food venture, an East African food truck called Jikoni, which means “kitchen” in Swahili. Since then, Jikoni’s presence in Toledo and beyond has grown into a powerful dream. His goal of owning a physical space where people could gather took shape after experimenting with the mobility of the food truck.
“One thing that I do enjoy about the food truck is I can go to people,” Otieno said.
Jikoni’s travels from one event to another have allowed Otieno to meet all kinds of people and share stories of his life along the way.
“People want to hear about your story,” he said.
Located in the Toledo Innovation Center, Jamii gives him the opportunity to bring connection back into people’s busy lives, by creating a space that feels like home.
“We rush food in America,” he said. “We eat in our cars, we’re always in a hurry, we never get to enjoy food.”
Looking ahead, Otieno has many creative ideas on how he can use the cafe’s space to bring people together in more ways than sipping coffee, such as through hosting cooking classes, food truck collaborations and supper clubs where guests can sit down to enjoy a meal together.
“Kenya is … if you make a meal, you make a meal with the idea of I’m gonna feed my family, but also I’m expecting guests. So, it’s a very big, very big portions, and it’s all family-style … very sharable. So, I feel like I’m going to bring that back to people where I make this big plate and you pass [it] around,” he said.
Through Jamii, Otieno’s creating more than just meals; he’s building bridges between people and cultures.
“For me, sharing my food, even on very slow days, if I can make someone who’s never had my food before [love it and enjoy] it, to me, that’s the difference that I make,” Otieno said.
Review of Jamii
House Chai
With a custom blend of spices tied to its Kenyan roots, the house chai was surprisingly refreshing with stronger notes of ginger, while still embodying the warm cozy nature of this classic drink. For chai lovers, it’s a unique and pleasing flavor worth trying.
Latte de Olla
The latte de olla, sipped hot, was lightly sweet, earthy and comforting. Made with Jamii’s house blend espresso, a hint of cinnamon and piloncillo, it’s the kind of drink that fits any season. If you’re someone who usually avoids overly sweet drinks, you can appreciate how well-balanced this beverage is with just the right touch of sweetness.
The Sammie
Unwrapping the foil revealed a beautifully swirled croissant layered with a flavorful remoulade sauce. Packed between the light pastry is a large fried egg folded in cheddar cheese and topped with a mixture of greens. The detail in flavor and presentation of Jamii’s breakfast Sammie shows the craft they put into all of their dishes.
The Rolex
Wrapped in homemade chapati, this menu item is a must-try. Stuffed with cabbage, green onions, tomatoes and eggs, the flavors were cohesive and fresh, perfectly complemented by a side of pili pili sauce for dipping that added a subtle heat. Misleading by its simple presentation, the dish turned out to be surprisingly hearty, a filling and flavorful breakfast option.
Follow Jamii on Instagram to stay up-to-date with their menu and upcoming events.