![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BBS1-1.jpeg\")
Pictured from left: Jamecar Killen, Carol Gbanjah, Daniel Killen and Jane Gbanjah.\u00a0 Credit: Carol\u2019s African Restaurant<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tCarol’s African Restaurant, a family-owned West African restaurant in Brooklyn Park named in honor of Jamecar Killen’s mother Carol Gbanjah, opened its doors May 9 after nearly a decade of catering and two years of renovation work.<\/p>\n
Contributing writer Aamira Redd profiles Carol’s African Restaurant, a new family-owned West African restaurant in Brooklyn Park owned by Daniel and Jamecar Killen and named in honor of Jamecar’s mother Carol Gbanjah, which held its grand opening May 9 after nearly a decade of catering and two years of extensive renovations.<\/p>\n
Pictured from left: Jamecar Killen, Carol Gbanjah, Daniel Killen and Jane Gbanjah.\u00a0 Credit: Carol\u2019s African Restaurant<\/p>\n
A new family-owned restaurant serving authentic West African cuisine has opened in Brooklyn Park. Carol\u2019s African Restaurant, which held its grand opening May 9, is the result of nearly a decade of hard work, family collaboration and a passion for sharing West African food with the Twin Cities. The restaurant is owned by Daniel and Jamecar Killen and named in honor of Jamecar\u2019s mother, Carol Gbanjah, whose cooking helped inspire the business.<\/p>\n
Before opening a brick-and-mortar location, the family operated a catering business beginning around 2017. Jamecar, her mother Carol Gbanjah and her sister Jane Gbanjah catered birthdays, weddings, baby showers and other events throughout the Twin Cities, developing a loyal following along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dream of this business was birthed by my wife, her mother, and her sister,\u201d Daniel said. \u201cPeople loved the food, people loved them, and how they represented themselves in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
As demand grew, the family began searching for a permanent location where they could serve customers year-round. Finding the right space was a priority. They wanted somewhere connected to the community that had supported them for years. When they found an available commercial space in Brooklyn Park, Daniel said he immediately knew it was the right fit.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BBS2.jpeg\")
Credit: Carol\u2019s African Restaurant<\/p>\n
Transforming the empty shell into a fully functioning restaurant required a significant investment of time and resources. The space needed extensive renovations, including new plumbing, electrical work, ventilation systems and kitchen infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took us two years to get everything ready,\u201d Daniel said. \u201cThere were challenges, frustrations, and setbacks along the way, but our resilience carried us through.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Carol\u2019s African Restaurant specializes in Liberian cuisine, the menu also reflects flavors and traditions shared across West Africa. The family carefully selected dishes that introduce customers to the region\u2019s food while remaining approachable for first-time visitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to promote an authentic experience,\u201d Daniel said. \u201cBut we also want to connect with the diverse world we live in and make the food inviting for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The grand opening drew more than 200 people, many of them longtime customers and supporters built through years of catering and community involvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 90 percent of the faces that came that day were familiar faces,\u201d Daniel said.<\/p>\n
Both Daniel and Jamecar have deep roots in the community. Daniel, a former collegiate soccer player and Minnesota Mr. Soccer recipient, is well known throughout the local sports community. Jamecar\u2019s years of catering community events built lasting relationships with customers across the Twin Cities. The family also became known for their hospitality. Community members would regularly gather at their home for meals, with dozens of guests attending cookouts and celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt some point, people would call us and come to our house on a Saturday just to eat,\u201d Daniel said. \u201cWe\u2019d have 40 or 50 people at our house enjoying food together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite his role in helping launch the restaurant, Daniel is quick to credit Jamecar, Carol and Jane as the driving force behind the business.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re the ones making sure the food meets expectations and that customers leave satisfied,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Jamecar was not available for comment.<\/p>\n