They grew up on opposite sides of the African continent and met working at a Virginia Hardee’s, where Muhammad “Maxi” Mackalo was manager, and Njira Lugogo cooked the chicken. A few decades later, Lugogo appreciates the irony behind her family’s new business, Quickly Boba Cafe: “I’ve come full circle to cooking chicken again!” (Not full time: She’s a pulmonologist who directs Michigan Medicine’s asthma program.)
Mackalo left his supervisory job in public health and epidemiology in North Carolina after one of their twins was diagnosed with autism and apraxia of speech. The new venture, which opened September 1 in a long-vacant ice cream shop, is part of their plan to provide socialization and support for fourteen-year-old Juma.
The café offers an impressively wide menu of made-to-order food and drinks—teas, slushies with popping (non-tapioca) boba, marinated popcorn chicken, rice bowls, and mochi waffles among them. Regular customers include workers from the Commons at Sauk Trail and students from Saline High School, where the twins are in ninth grade.
Both accomplished gymnasts, they’re among a cohort of young employees learning not only food service but life lessons. “No matter your workplace, you’re going to work with people that are different from you,” says Lugogo. “They have different thoughts, ideas, workstyles, opinions. Being able to navigate that is important.”
Quickly Boba Cafe, 1329 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. (734) 977–2124. Mon. 3–8 p.m., Tues.–Sun. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. quicklybobacafesaline.com