Love this place and the flavor, best Ethiopian Food in San Diego County. Order black injera for gluten free people so you can get 100% teff injera. I have been going here for years and every time I bring friends everyone is so pleased. Grateful for this gem! Their store is amazing as well! You can buy injera and other herbs/spices as well! Cant wait to go here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mal Barkie
The food was always excellent, very delicious and huge portions. The injera here is the best in San Diego and the tibs are off the charts delicious. The prices are super reasonable. Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in San Diego but also arguably one of the best. Walking through the market to the restaurant in the back was our favorite. We moved and we will miss them!!
Wouldn’t recommend. Okay Ethiopian food and definitely overpriced
Jannet L.
Always craving Ethiopian food since we don't have it back home and was excited to try someplace new for lunch. I didn't read all the reviews just chose based on number of stars and what was open and closest. The place seemed like a very local neighborhood type place with friends hanging out, grocery store in the back. The proprietor was very friendly and responsive and kind. He seemed like a lovely person. The experience is very relaxed, not super professional. So we didn't have napkins until I got up to ask for some after having eaten and messy fingers, water is plastic water bottles from the store, gotta get up to ask for things bc the proprietor is behind the register. It's definitely got a bodega vibe and very casual atmosphere, not so much a restaurant. Food came out quickly. Got the meat combo and veg combo. VERY generous with the amount of injera given. Always my fave is the cabbage and carrots, cooked really nicely here with some nice bite left on the cabbage. The other dishes were fine. Perhaps my bad for not reading the reviews about the vibe and my experience was fine. Just not exactly a restaurant experience.
danshakuimo
First time eating Ethiopian food! The owner is very nice like other reviewers have said. Idk how this compares to other Ethiopian food but I got the Meat Combo as recommended; It's great with its own distinct flavor, and the restaurant has its own distinct smell.Make sure you remember to bring either an empty stomach or multiple stomachs, because I went alone and had eaten breakfast and got full way too fast.And if you just happen to need beer, ingredients, oil for your car, detergent, or an Ethiopian Bible (and other Ethiopian literature), this place has you covered.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian (I believe it's Vegan too) Ethiopian cuisine has been developed over the millennia as fasting food according to their Orthodox Christian faith. While I did not try it this time, they have many options to choose from.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Teff Enjera, Meat Combo
Arthur Starodynov
Great food! Amazing family run service! Great atmosphere! What more can you ask for? Highly recommend to anyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taylor M.
I've never visited the restaurant itself, but my boyfriend and I always order through DoorDash! We get the Vegetarian plate with extra Injera each time, and it NEVER disappoints! Ethiopian food that always hits the spot I'll definitely be a customer for life!
steve smythe
The food is amazing. I've had Ethiopian food all over the US, including family meals with friends. This place did not fail at all. They have two types of injera, and I got the "darker" one with more tiff. It was awesome. The meat was very fresh, and the vegetarian plate looked awesome as but usually does.Service: it's a mom and pop type operation and all the good that comes with that. You get the typical warm personal attention as many Ethiopian restaurants, as if you're at their home and dining table.Atmosphere: its also a store in the other half. It's not going to win any Michelin stars anytime soon but I felt at home there as any of my favorite restaurants.Lunch was fast and friendly. I hope to be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Awash TIBS, Vegetarian Combo
Marisa
We’ve tried lots of Ethiopian food with success but unfortunately this fell short. The spare ribs were so burnt it was hard to eat them. The miser wot and sambusa filling weren’t fresh either, tasted as though they’ve been reheated for days. Aside from this it took 30 mins to have order taken and another 50 mins to finally receive the food. The veggie combo wasnt bad. All in all for $90 not sure it was worth it.
Feels very authentic. When a restaurant doubles as a grocery store and 80% of the folks inside aren't speaking English, you know the food's gonna be amazing. This place hits all the right notes!
Joe S.
I have eaten here about 5 or 6 times. While the restaurant is rather inconspicuous it is in my opinion the best restaurant in all of San Diego! I know that's a big claim but I am blown away by the flavor of every dish. They are always healthy dishes and from a kitchen full of moms it's all made with love at such reasonable prices. Every time I go I get something different because they just don't miss!!!
777WorstBallerEver
Best Ethiopian Restaurant in San Diego in my opinion. The veggie combo and Doro wut never
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera, Vegetarian Combo
Haylee Jane Monteiro
First time trying Ethiopian food and it was delicious!Husband and I attempt to try a new cuisine every month, and glad we came across this place.Large potion size too!2 sides and 1 entree were enough for both of us (and we're both big eaters)Awash Special Tibs - this was delicious! Really perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, lovely curry (right amount of spicy and didn't seem too oily even though it had butter).Injera - so soft and so fluffy and flavorful! And really big too! Husband enjoyed it plain as well!Tikil Gomen (cabbage side dish) - this had a lot of flavor, but also too much butter. Nice dish overall.Gomen (collard greens side dish) - this was soso. Decent flavor, but had a bit of pungent taste to it for some reason. Probably won't recommend it.Red paste that was on the ribs was nice. Very strong flavor so I wouldn't recommend having too much per bite.
Haylee M.
First time trying Ethiopian food and it was delicious! Husband and I attempt to try a new cuisine every month, and glad we came across this place. Large potion size too! 2 sides and 1 entree were enough for both of us (and we're both big eaters) Awash Special Tibs - this was delicious! Really perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, lovely curry (right amount of spicy and didn't seem too oily even though it had butter). Injera - so soft and so fluffy and flavorful! And really big too! Husband enjoyed it plain as well! Tikil Gomen (cabbage side dish) - this had a lot of flavor, but also too much butter. Nice dish overall. Gomen (collard greens side dish) - this was soso. Decent flavor, but had a bit of pungent taste to it for some reason. Probably won't recommend it. Red paste that was on the ribs was nice. Very strong flavor so I wouldn't recommend having too much per bite.
Love this place and the flavor, best Ethiopian Food in San Diego County. Order black injera for gluten free people so you can get 100% teff injera. I have been going here for years and every time I bring friends everyone is so pleased. Grateful for this gem! Their store is amazing as well! You can buy injera and other herbs/spices as well! Cant wait to go here again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was always excellent, very delicious and huge portions. The injera here is the best in San Diego and the tibs are off the charts delicious. The prices are super reasonable. Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in San Diego but also arguably one of the best. Walking through the market to the restaurant in the back was our favorite. We moved and we will miss them!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera, Meat Combo, Miser Wot, Fish, Awash TIBS, Awash Special TIBS, Gomen Collard Greens, Vegetarian Combo
My favorite Ethiopia food in town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wouldn’t recommend. Okay Ethiopian food and definitely overpriced
Always craving Ethiopian food since we don't have it back home and was excited to try someplace new for lunch. I didn't read all the reviews just chose based on number of stars and what was open and closest. The place seemed like a very local neighborhood type place with friends hanging out, grocery store in the back. The proprietor was very friendly and responsive and kind. He seemed like a lovely person. The experience is very relaxed, not super professional. So we didn't have napkins until I got up to ask for some after having eaten and messy fingers, water is plastic water bottles from the store, gotta get up to ask for things bc the proprietor is behind the register. It's definitely got a bodega vibe and very casual atmosphere, not so much a restaurant. Food came out quickly. Got the meat combo and veg combo. VERY generous with the amount of injera given. Always my fave is the cabbage and carrots, cooked really nicely here with some nice bite left on the cabbage. The other dishes were fine. Perhaps my bad for not reading the reviews about the vibe and my experience was fine. Just not exactly a restaurant experience.
First time eating Ethiopian food! The owner is very nice like other reviewers have said. Idk how this compares to other Ethiopian food but I got the Meat Combo as recommended; It's great with its own distinct flavor, and the restaurant has its own distinct smell.Make sure you remember to bring either an empty stomach or multiple stomachs, because I went alone and had eaten breakfast and got full way too fast.And if you just happen to need beer, ingredients, oil for your car, detergent, or an Ethiopian Bible (and other Ethiopian literature), this place has you covered.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian (I believe it's Vegan too) Ethiopian cuisine has been developed over the millennia as fasting food according to their Orthodox Christian faith. While I did not try it this time, they have many options to choose from.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Teff Enjera, Meat Combo
Great food! Amazing family run service! Great atmosphere! What more can you ask for? Highly recommend to anyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've never visited the restaurant itself, but my boyfriend and I always order through DoorDash! We get the Vegetarian plate with extra Injera each time, and it NEVER disappoints! Ethiopian food that always hits the spot I'll definitely be a customer for life!
The food is amazing. I've had Ethiopian food all over the US, including family meals with friends. This place did not fail at all. They have two types of injera, and I got the "darker" one with more tiff. It was awesome. The meat was very fresh, and the vegetarian plate looked awesome as but usually does.Service: it's a mom and pop type operation and all the good that comes with that. You get the typical warm personal attention as many Ethiopian restaurants, as if you're at their home and dining table.Atmosphere: its also a store in the other half. It's not going to win any Michelin stars anytime soon but I felt at home there as any of my favorite restaurants.Lunch was fast and friendly. I hope to be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Awash TIBS, Vegetarian Combo
We’ve tried lots of Ethiopian food with success but unfortunately this fell short. The spare ribs were so burnt it was hard to eat them. The miser wot and sambusa filling weren’t fresh either, tasted as though they’ve been reheated for days. Aside from this it took 30 mins to have order taken and another 50 mins to finally receive the food. The veggie combo wasnt bad. All in all for $90 not sure it was worth it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Feels very authentic. When a restaurant doubles as a grocery store and 80% of the folks inside aren't speaking English, you know the food's gonna be amazing. This place hits all the right notes!
I have eaten here about 5 or 6 times. While the restaurant is rather inconspicuous it is in my opinion the best restaurant in all of San Diego! I know that's a big claim but I am blown away by the flavor of every dish. They are always healthy dishes and from a kitchen full of moms it's all made with love at such reasonable prices. Every time I go I get something different because they just don't miss!!!
Best Ethiopian Restaurant in San Diego in my opinion. The veggie combo and Doro wut never
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera, Vegetarian Combo
First time trying Ethiopian food and it was delicious!Husband and I attempt to try a new cuisine every month, and glad we came across this place.Large potion size too!2 sides and 1 entree were enough for both of us (and we're both big eaters)Awash Special Tibs - this was delicious! Really perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, lovely curry (right amount of spicy and didn't seem too oily even though it had butter).Injera - so soft and so fluffy and flavorful! And really big too! Husband enjoyed it plain as well!Tikil Gomen (cabbage side dish) - this had a lot of flavor, but also too much butter. Nice dish overall.Gomen (collard greens side dish) - this was soso. Decent flavor, but had a bit of pungent taste to it for some reason. Probably won't recommend it.Red paste that was on the ribs was nice. Very strong flavor so I wouldn't recommend having too much per bite.
First time trying Ethiopian food and it was delicious! Husband and I attempt to try a new cuisine every month, and glad we came across this place. Large potion size too! 2 sides and 1 entree were enough for both of us (and we're both big eaters) Awash Special Tibs - this was delicious! Really perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, lovely curry (right amount of spicy and didn't seem too oily even though it had butter). Injera - so soft and so fluffy and flavorful! And really big too! Husband enjoyed it plain as well! Tikil Gomen (cabbage side dish) - this had a lot of flavor, but also too much butter. Nice dish overall. Gomen (collard greens side dish) - this was soso. Decent flavor, but had a bit of pungent taste to it for some reason. Probably won't recommend it. Red paste that was on the ribs was nice. Very strong flavor so I wouldn't recommend having too much per bite.