I was planning to go to Russell St Deli after a stop at Eastern Market and the line was an hour long. This place was next door and empty and I love Ethiopian food, so it was a no brainer. It was seriously one of the best lunch experiences of my life - the lunch buffet was great, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me was on the speakers, and the guys working there were super nice. When I was done with my meal, I saw the same people STILL waiting in line for their BLTs. The food is as good as Blue Nile, but half the price. It's a great Downtown-ish vegan choice and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Breanna M.
Great for large groups. If you are there with a +1, get one of each combo. This even works with three people. It's a lot of food and you get unlimited injera! I've had Ethiopian food in many states and this is one of the best. It seems dingy from the outside, but inside the friendly service and delicious food really liven the place up!
(5)
Joan R.
The cabbage and carrots dish is my all-time favorite, but I like everything I've had, which is everything on the lunch buffet. It includes tilapia (fish), two chicken dishes, a lentils dish, a greens dish, and other dishes. This is my favorite restaurant! I love the flavor of the spices they use. And the bread is great. Friendly staff, too.
(5)
Juewon K.
I've had lots of Ethiopian food in the US (in LA, NYC, DC, etc...) and I've gotta say this is hands down my favorite. Sharp yet comforting flavors made with deep integrity by passionate cooks who are overwhelmingly thrilled to share their culture. For any foodies, this place is a MUST GO. Taste of Ethiopia is a hidden gem. Everything is good. But by far the most impressive is the Kitfo, which is essentially the most flavorful and tender beef tartare you will ever experience. I myself have commuted over 3 hours to eat at this place and usually leave with a week's worth of food to hold me over. It's seriously that good.
(5)
Cynthia P.
Went for late lunch (2pm) to find that only a small, tired-looking buffet was offered. Posted hours said lunch was served only to 1:30, so we still hoped we could order from the menu. Less than enthusiastic waiter said we'd have to come back at dinner time to order from the menu. Not convenient for us. Wish there was more of a choice for lunch.
(2)
Jennifer G.
Great dinner with the family!! We will eating there again. Soon! Kids loved it. Who can resist eating dinner with your hands. They both gave it two thumbs up. If you are looking for a ethnic restaurant I highly recommend Taste of Ethiopia. The dishes were flavorful and hearty without being heavy, greasy or salty. I've been looking for something other than Indian, Middle Eastern, or Thai for dinner and now I have my answer. Yea!! As far as the comments about the service being slow, I would say this place is not Fast Food. It takes time to prepare a quality meal. I would rather wait a little longer for the delicious meal we received than have some overcooked slop from a steam table rushed out in 30 seconds. The dining room does not have TVs, and how nice is it to have time to reconnect with family and friends while enjoying great meal. I'm looking forward to having meals here with my friends who eat Halal, are Gluten intolerant or are Vegetarian. There is something for everyone! It was worth 30 minute drive from home. Now I'm trying to plan shopping trips to be near there at lunch time. (Shhh..don't tell the family)
(5)
A B.
Simplicity is this establishment's best feature. Nice, hearty, delicious, unpretentious Ethiopian food. The server was friendly and gave us enough information to help us choose. (It was our first time trying Ethiopian food. We ordered a lentil dish and a chicken dish. Both were very nice!
(4)
Bill B.
As an adventurous vegetarian, I have long loved Ethopian food. I first tried it at The Blue Nile in Detroit over 20 years ago. I later visited a couple of similar restaurants in Toronto. I went to Taste of Ethopia today because it is near where I work and I read the other good Yelp reviews. Although this is not the best Ethopian food I've had, much of it was quite good. The spicy red lentil sauce, not usually my favorite, was done very well here. The cabbage, carrots and potatoes combination and ground peas dish were also tasty. The salad was fully of dark lettuce and had a yummy sesame oil dressing. On the down side, the collard greens, usually what I crave, were OK but not as luscious as I'm used to. The spongy injera bread, though it had an interesting brown color and was gluten free, lacked some of the substance that I enjoy. Perhaps some of my disappointment was due to the dishes being part of a lunch buffet. I would like to return for dinner to see if my opinion improves. Even if it doesn't, though, I will return to Taste of Ethopia for a good rendition of the dishes I've grown to love.
(4)
Alex M.
TOE is awesome! It was our first Ethiopian experience, and a great one at that. We got the Siga Wot and Awaze Tibs, and both were really flavorful and tasty! Eating with injera is a really sweet experience, and I'm sorta tempted to stop using forks at home...... We ended the meal with coffee and tea, and it was perfect. She brought out incense ('cause who drinks coffee without incense?!) and I about died. :) Service was a little slow and our appetizer was forgotten, but I'm glad she never brought it out because the portions were enough to fill us up completely!! Go here the next time you're craving a different and delicious dining experience!
(5)
Anna D.
My first time at the restaurant. First impression: nothing glamorous, was there at 6 pm on Thursday and there was no one dining which was a little surprising. The lady in the kitchen saw me coming in and came out right away to greet me and offered to choose a table. She was super friendly and spent some time talking to me and also took my food order. My server was also polite and friendly and delivered the food promptly and checked on me after I got the food. I ordered vegetarian combination and it was tasty but not the best I've ever had. Also had hot Shai (Ethiopian tea). Was my first time ordering it. Judging from the description it was supposed to be a mixture of herbs and dried fruit but it didn't taste like it, didn't taste like tea at all but hot water sweetened with honey. Perhaps, it's just not what I expected. Bottom line: great friendly service, good reasonably priced food.
(4)
Binnan O.
Ordered: Meat combo + green beans and red lentil sides, and lamb tibbs Ambiance: Nice small set up with painted walls and decorations to set a African mood, but definitely with a dinner vibe given the darker colors and dimmer lighting. Service was OK. The waitress was nice whenever she checked on us but wasn't the most attentive or good at prioritizing multiple tasks. Food was predictably slow coming to the table which is par for Ethiopian. I did appreciate the warm towels for cleaning your hands though, always a refreshing treat! Food: The meat combo platter + another dish was the right amount to feed 2 hungry people. The combo had 2 chicken "stew" dishes, a beef dish, and 2 vege sides. The stews aren't really liquidy stews but really just refers to how they cook it. My favorite was the chicken stew with potatoes, very savory and hearty. The second was a drumstick which tasted very similar to mexican mole. Each dish had unique and bold flavors which were very enjoyable however I had one large complaint which was meat texture. Half of our dishes had very dry but tender meats, usually a result of excessive boiling of the meat intitially before it was lowered to a simmer. I wouldn't expect this to be a regular thing as someone likely forgot to tend the stove when they prepared everything that day. Overall I enjoyed the flavors offered by this place and would give it another shot as the dry meat could've been a fluke that day.
(3)
Liz K.
NEED to try this! I'm a frequent customer! The service is great and they're so nice and welcoming. They have excellent dishes and a wide selection. They will explain dishes to you and answer any question imaginable. Truly love this place!
(5)
Karen G.
I first discovered Ethiopian Food in a delicious little place up in Lansing. When we moved to this area, I was thrilled to find we had a similar place close by! We love coming out here for dinner when we're in the mood for something a little different. If you're new to Ethiopian, they have a wonderful 2-3 person sampler plate that gives you a taste of a variety of dishes. We enjoy the vegetarian plate which is full of a variety of soft textured foods eaten with your hands using a special sour crepe like bread. The waitresses always willing to help us choose our meals and were happy to give recommendations and suggestions. Special thanks to the young lady who correctly indicated we had ordered WAY too much food for our group and suggested what turned out to be almost the perfect sized order! Food wise, they get a 5 of 5 stars. The decor is nice and relaxing, but beware that service is very laid back. It is set up for a leisurely dinner with lots of talking. If you are in a hurry, this isn't the place for you! The often time very slow dinner service is the only reason they don't get a 5 of 5 stars! Still... I strongly feel it has always been worth the wait.
(4)
Laura D.
The service was excellent and so was the food. Our server was super nice. We had the restaurant all to ourselves basically because we came in kind of late on a week day. She was very helpful with the menu choices and the kitfo was amazing. I'm coming back for sure.
(4)
Neil F.
Not great food as many people have commented before. Service was very slow. The waitresses never checks to see how you are doing. I recommend blue nile over this place any day
(2)
Christine M.
My husband and I try to hit all the Ethiopian places everywhere we go, and I'm originally from Michigan, so on a recent visit home, we finally tried Taste of Ethiopia. We were eating with a group of 6 at an odd time (2:30PM), so I called first to make sure they were open. A man answered the phone, said they were, and off we went. As others have mentioned, it's in a strip mall, so it can be somewhat difficult to find (I also blame the location on the fact that I had no idea the restaurant even existed until recently...and they've been there 9 years!). Upon arrival, we found that we had just missed the lunch buffet (knew nothing about it) and because the owner/cook wasn't there, our options would be limited until she got in at 3. The girl serving us couldn't have been nicer when she explained it, but I never quite figured out if they really were open at that time we arrived or not. We ordered 2 vegetarian platters and a meat stew that she said she could handle. The veggie platters were amazing. The stew was mediocre. But I usually prefer the veggie dishes at Ethiopian places anyway. The green beans, in particular, were delicious, as were the usual suspects (Misir Wat, Alicha Wat, etc.) Later, when the owner arrived, we ordered more food, including Shiro (my favorite Ethiopian dish--Taste of Ethiopia's had a different flavor than most, but one that I truly enjoyed), mild chicken (for my aunt--not sure the menu name--just asked for something mild), and lamb tibs. All were amazing! And the owner could not have been more kind to us. We got the coffee service, discussed how the restaurant makes their own injera (which is authentic here and actually made with teff!), and spoke about our respective backgrounds (shout out to Vancouver and their many Ethiopian restaurants--miss you!) and love for Ethiopian food. She was very kind with all of my crazy family, many of whom don't eat Ethiopian on the regular. Overall, the food was great, and, as much as the Blue Nile holds a special place in my heart (our wedding dinner was held there!), I think the food here is actually better, especially, as I said, the injera, and they don't make you pay per person (no all you can eat), but the portions here were quite large. I really wanted to give this a 4.5 for the mediocre stew and the confusion about what we could order and when, but I bumped it to 5 stars because it was truly a lovely experience eating at Taste of Ethiopia. Chat with the owner if you can; it's always a pleasure to not just eat the food at an Ethiopian restaurant but really savor the hospitality.
(5)
Lisa D.
If you're vegetarian or gluten free, you'll be very happy here! First of all, the bread is completely gluten free. It's made from teff, without wheat, which Blue Nile adds to save money, making their food inauthentic. Injera bread is thin, bubbly, and has a sourdough like flavor, which accents the food perfectly. You eat with the bread rather than with utensils, so it's very important. There's an extensive vegetarian menu, and all of it is good. My daughter hates carrots, but she loves the green bean and carrot dish. We enjoy the lentil dish, and really any of the dishes she makes. Even the salad had an amazing dressing. The awazi tibs and derek tibs are our favorite dishes. One is made with chunks of beef very like filet mignon, and the other had a spicy, flavorful sauce. I've also had the goat, and it's flavorful as well. The tea is phenomenal. I love tea, and we actually bought a jar of their tea to take home. Their coffee is also flavorful and exceptional. Ethiopia is where coffee is from, and it shows. Their fried plantain dessert is not to be missed. It's just a fried plantain with honey sauce and ice cream, but like everything else here, it's delicious. The only issue here is service. This is a family restaurant, and no one is a professional waiter. Further, America is unique in the world in its need to rush through eating. In Ethiopia, it's expected that you want to linger through dinner. Expect to wait for your food. There's typically only one waiter. In any case, you'll love the food. It had a depth of flavor not found in most cuisines. If mom is cooking, you'll get the best meal you've ever had. The atmosphere is simple, with the tv playing Ethiopian videos, and pictures of ethiopia on the walls. It's in a shopping mall, and atmosphere isn't their song point. But the food will have you coming back again and again.
(5)
Matt Y.
This restaurant is a classic case of one of those gems hidden away in a bland strip mall. Great food, very warm, friendly service. I always take family and friends who are visiting from out of town here and have never been disappointed. The vegetarian combo is terrific.
(5)
Hakim B.
Love this place. Been going there for a few years now. The owners are great people and very friendly. I always get the same thing and eat it to the last drop. The potatoes and sambosa and derek tibs! Not a vegetarian but I enjoy the veggie platter as well.
(5)
Tony H.
Healthily natural gluten free food that's full of flavor and home cooked goodness. The service and simple ambiance far exceeds any other Ethiopian restaurant in Metro Detroit. It's really all about the quality of the ingredients and the authenticity of the food and mainly the natural goodness... Will be back for sure.
(5)
Melissa P.
Went here on a whim with the boy--our first time trying Ethiopian food. So glad that we decided to be adventurous! The food was amazing and the service impeccable. I had the vegetarian combo and the boy went with the meaty meat lovers combo. We both were very happy. We will definitely be back!
(5)
David B.
I've eaten here several times and have also gone to the Eastern Market location back when it was open. After my most recent trip, I won't be going back. My SO warned me that the meat dishes here were not fresh (and tasted "off"), but since I only eat the vegetarian dishes I continued to go on my own occasionally even after her warning. On my most recent trip, I watched a woman in the back use a power drill to mix food with a 5 gallon bucket on the floor. This was right near the back door, which was wide open. The overall vibe concerns me as to whether these folks are following proper food handling procedures. To top it off, the last few times I've gone to this place (weeks and months apart) it has been fairly empty during the lunch buffet time slot, which is a red flag for any restaurant. Eat here at your own risk.
(1)
Superkat S.
Great Ethio restaurant in the burbs. I was here on business this week and ate here twice. The owner was so wonderful and they have terrific Ethiopian beer. If you've never tried Ethiopian food, it's delicious. The service is friendly and fast. Hope to come back to the area some day and will definitely eat there again!
(5)
Meredith E.
Empty restaurants scare me. I should have run the other way before entering this place. When the waitress finally arrived, she took it upon herself to order for us. I had planned to order the vegetarian platter. But the waitress ordered us the meat and vegetable. The portions were small and the taste was just ok. The waitress demanded we take our leftovers home. She took the entire plate of various leftover portions and piled them into a small to go box, mixing everything together. Then waitress informed us we were REQUIRED to tip (Duh). Then COLLECTED the tip while we were still sitting at the table. How rude! Next time I am in the mood for Ethiopian, I will definitively wait 2 hours for a seat at Blue Nile than get awful food and poor service here.
(2)
Blake I.
Enjoyed the lunch buffet during a Wednesday afternoon visit. The lentils and cabbage were out of sight. The only disappointment were the greens but there were plenty of other options that were well done to overlook that. I struggled to find vegetarian/vegan meals in Detroit and was glad this restaurant was open and available. The young man working had only been there one month but he was attentive, and friendly which is all that matters. Hopefully, more people will discover this place and keep the friendly staff busy. I would certainly return.
(5)
o o.
This place rocks -- even Stevie Wonder loves it -- checkout the website. This is the first Ethiopian food i have had since my move from SF and I was not disappointed! I got the Yetsome Beye' ainetu or veggie combo for $11.75. I am still thinking about how good it was. You pick out five dishes from a total six veggie dishes. I ordered split lentils, split peas with ginger, garlic, and turmeric, steam veggies, collard greans with jalapeos, and green beans and carrots. All the veggies were fresh with a nice subtle flavor, not too over powering. The only criticism was that the green beans and carrots were good but a little oily. Atmosphere is nice for a strip mall joint. Owners are nice. I will become a regular. Closed Friday.
(4)
Vic D.
Business has closed.
(1)
Elizabeth H.
Decided to check this place out since I have been getting bored with standard vegetarian fare. When i entered, there was a family of four eating and a man who came by himself and then me. The manager (?) Mahski greeted me and I was able to sit anywhere. I let her know that it was my first time and she said that it would be good for me. That made me happy. She then took the man's order and went back for what seemed a while before she brought out a menu and water for me. I overheard her say to the man she knew what he wanted since he was a regular and she decided to make ALL of his order before she came to take mine. He then ordered a raw juice then I placed my order of vegetarian sambosa (per menu; delicately fried pastry filled with potatoes, carrots, and peas) and V1: Yemisir We't (per menu; red lentil sauce, split lentils simmered in berbere, garlic, ginger, and other blend of Ethiopian spices). I proceeded to wait...and wait...and wait when finally the man's raw juice and my sambosa were brought out. Prior to my appetizer being brought out, I was given a warm towel to wash my hands. Reminded me of the time I spent in Japan as that is the custom. Anywho...OMG. There are only 2 pcs but I could eat like 8 of those plus eat a bowl of the spicy dipping sauce that comes with it. Nice and hot and flaky, each bite has filling unlike some stuffed pastry where the middle is full and then the edges have nothing. YUM-O. After an additional wait, my lentils came out and it looked amazing and came with a side of lettuce topped with sesame oil. I was about to ask for utensils when i remembered that i am to eat with my hands. Why not? I am not sure if this is supposed to be a hot dish, but it was lukewarm so i guess that's ok? Despite not being sure about the temperature, it was good. Wish there was that same spicy heat that came with the sambosa sauce cause I was anticipating it but was disappointed it never came. I think i mistook the red lentils for being cooked in heat. Nevertheless, I am not a huge fan of regular lentils but these were good and the injera that comes with it is like sourdough bread. I could eat that hot with some melted butter ALL DAY. Was given another warm towel after eating. I will probably go back just for the sambosa and possibly try another vegetarian dish. I will make sure to bring a book just in case. Probably would have given it 4 stars if the service was quicker. Wouldn't and don't have a problem recommending people to give it a try.
(3)
Leslie C.
This place has great food at a really great price. The buffet is about half the price of Blue Nile so you don't feel you have to eat your weight to get your money's worth. The food is flavorful and authentic - includes a few Jamaican influences like peas (kidney beans) & rice and fried plantains. Don't come in here expecting it to be a 5-star joint. It's basically an Ethiopian diner. It's also locally owned so I always feel the rule "take all you want but eat all you take" is in full effect. Tips: Go around lunch time on the weekends. As the crowds wind down, so does the food. Cons: There's usually someone who comes in and hates on the buffet then walks out. I always get mad because they just can't appreciate what this place is. 4 stars because of the limited hours. Bottom line: best deal in town for great Ethiopian food
(4)
Nikki C.
I stopped in here for a vegetable juice. It's a small place with ads on their front window that boasts their food, famous bread and juices. The food (dine in or carry out) is all buffet at a flat price - $12. The food sounded tasty, but I didn't indulge. I'll have to come back to try the food.. I did have a juice. I had the 5-Alive, which consisted of carrots, beets, apple, ginger and celery. It sounded good in theory, but tasted absolutely awful. I drank most of it because it was $4.50 and I was getting hearty servings of vegetables. But I would not ever get anything with ginger or beet in it again. Just saying. There is a $5 minimum for credit card purchases, so I asked if he could up my bill of $4.50 to $5 so I could use my cc. He gave me their spongey bread - which had no taste, which I'm assuming is supposed to be eaten with the food or better yet, is the utensil for the food, but it was the savior in my juice drinking challenge. So, anyway... I'd go back to try the food. I'm curious. I'd even choose a different juice blend. That was my bad on the choice I made this particular day.
(3)
Lou D.
I visited Detroit last month for the first time and did my homework re spots to eat. I'm a super picky veggie and love Ethiopian. My boyfriend is unpicky and digs food. Period. We went with his parents and everyone was super happy and impressed with the food. Veryvery yum. After go a few doors down to Mootown Creamery for ice cream. The owner is cool and the place is pretty and the ice cream is YUM.
(4)
Sarah R.
My mom brought my a carry out from the buffet today. I am only able to work my way through half of it on one sitting. Cabbage, greens, red & yellow lentils, and curry chicken. Mom said it didn't look good, but you Ethiopian aficionados know that looks do not mean much. Yum!!!! All of it is very good. It isn't very spicy, but I have to remember I'm not in the south anymore & people up here aren't crazy about SPICY food. I will definitely return!! $10 for essentially two meals is a great deal. I can't speak to the decor or the state of the bathroom or the service (although my mom did say the waitress was attentive and made sure that my mom filled the container). I cannot wait until mom's trip to southfield next friday. I am excited to have good ethiopian on a regular basis!
(5)
Caitlin S.
Best Ethiopian food in the area! This place is really a gem. Tucked away in a strip mall off Southfield Rd, they have the best injera and lentils, and a good selection of meat dishes, including raw, for those who are interested. The Ethiopian coffee is a must...they roast the beans fresh daily. The service is very friendly, too.
(5)
Jennie S.
I went with my family to Taste of Ethiopia for dinner tonight because we bought a Groupon for it. Soooo disappointing! I've been to Blue Nile before and their food is MUCH better. Even though they're way more expensive than Taste of Ethiopia (TOE, for short, ha), their food and the entire experience was just better. First, there was no air conditioning in the restaurant. Not a huge deal, but with 80% humidity here, it was mildly unpleasant. However, the door was propped open and the restaurant is located in a strip mall, so cigarette smoke was wafting inside the restaurant. Sicknasty. It took 30 minutes for the appetizers to come. We ordered the sambosas ($3 for two small ones) and those were good - they came with a VERY spicy dipping sauce. It took 50 minutes for our entrees to come out.When our entrees finally showed up, we were surprised to find that the menu was completely inaccurate. My parents ordered the meat combination platter ($13.75), which was supposed to include 1 portion of lamb, 1 portion of chicken, and 1 portion of beef. Instead, they got 2 portions of dry chicken and 1 portion of dry beef. Apparently the restaurant does not even serve lamb, and according to the waitress, the owner hasn't been serving lamb for a long time. But it's still on the menu! Why didn't they tell us this when we ordered, though. I ordered the vegetarian platter ($11.75), and you get to pick 5 out of 7 items. The waitress had me tell her the 2 items I didn't want. When it came out, it contained the two dishes that I did NOT order and was missing the other two. They combined the vegetarian and meat dishes on one large platter, even though we ordered them separately. Half of my vegetarian dishes were soaked in the meat juice that had spilled over. The injera was also weird - compared to Blue Nile's, this bread was sort of brown, it had more of a sourdough flavor, and it was cold. The restaurant was understaffed. Only one waitress was there to take care of the entire room, she was having a difficult time keeping up with dirty tables and filling water glasses (we had to ask the customers behind us if we could have some water from the pitcher she left on their table), and people who walked in to wait for a table had to stand around for 10 minutes before even being GREETED. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
(1)
J. M.
Groupon helped us to venture out to try this new cuisine. I found it interesting but glad that I wasn't paying full price. The food was satisfying and the service was ok. Our server did make a few suggestions which were helpful and our waters remained full at all times. The food however did not sit well with me. I found myself spending the rest of the evening with an upset stomach and would not race back there anytime soon....
(3)
Rose M.
Out of this world wonderful food, and the women who owns the place is such a sweetheart. They roast their coffee beans in house and she'll bring them out still sizzling for everyone to see and smell. Totally adorable. Taste of Ethiopia is also the only Ethiopian restaurant in the area that uses tef in their bread rather than wheat, which makes all the difference in the world texture wise and taste. Get the veggie combo, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Andrew K.
I was in a desperate mood to get out of the house on a Saturday night and found myself driving along Southfield road in search of somewhere to eat. When i finally stopped, i was in a plaza with about a half dozen food establishments. Big Boy (tempting but no) and Subway to name just two. I walked around and weighed the options. I was about to do some serious dietary damage at Big Boy... But wait! Maybe there was some other way of preventing this? I spotted Taste of Ethiopia and knew better sense had prevailed. I was greeted warmly at the door and led to a table in the far corner of the restaurant. The waitress (a kind faced server) brought me my menu and a tall glass of water. After a few minutes of waffling between dishes, i settled on a fried sombosa pastry (stuffed with potatoes, carrots and other spices) and a vegetarian dish with cooked tomatoes, onions, green beans and collard greens. The restaurant is understated, colorful and clean to hang out in. On this particular evening, it was quiet with only a few customers dropping in to pick up their orders to go. I spotted two women enjoying dinner together on the far side of the restaurant sipping their teas and talking excitedly about what they were eating. Although it's a modest sized establishment, each dish is prepared intimately with patience and cautious detail. I waited about 10 minutes before i was brought the sombosa (freshly made and very hot) and another 15 for my main dish. When dinner was served, i eagerly dug in. To say the food was "delicious" would be robbing it of its full effect. Not only was the food delicious, it was flavorful, beautiful to look at and well executed. I had no choice but to eat it all. When i finished, the waitress brought the bill to my table. She was patient and let me sit and enjoy my food without interruption. When i was finally ready, i paid for my meal (debit/credit/cash are all accepted) and said my goodbyes. My overall impression of this place was positive and it seemed the kind of environment i would happily bring friends or family to. Please pay them a visit. I'm sure they'd be glad to treat you just as well as they treated me.
(5)
Dea A.
I went in with a friend the other day because we both really enjoyed our experiences at Blue Nile. They serve a buffet from 11a-3pm during the weekdays, and then a totally different menu on Saturday/Sunday to cater to the Eastern Market crowd. Alright, so, what went wrong? 1. The buffet is NOT all you can it, it is STRICTLY one plate only. Granted, they give you big plates, but what if you don't know what you like and wanted to go back for more? 2. The food was cold. I mean, if the health inspector came in... there's NO way this place would stay open until they fixed their buffet server!! (My friend and I basically had an entire conversation around what kinds of bacteria were having a field day. We can't help it, we're med students, it's what we do.) 3. Cold food aside, they don't even make their food here -- it comes from the Southfield restaurant. The whole make it somewhere else, cool down, heat back up is a dangerous combination for food poisoning. 4. The food was not good. Bland, under seasoned, the meat isn't tender but chewy, just over all blah. 5. They serve you water in these cheap plastic cups. And then they bring you iced tea, in a plastic up (but with a lid!) and no ice. What? 6. The spongy bread is brought to you, once again, cold. 7. Seriously cheap feeling restaurant with cafe tables instead of normal sized restaurant tables. I will never set foot into this restaurant again. Not until I see piping hot fresh food.
(1)
Randy G.
There are two Ethiopian restaurants in the Detroit area, Taste of Ethiopia and the Blue Nile. I will not eat or waste my money at Blue Nile. However, Taste of Ethiopia in Southfield, I can send all the time there. The lady that owns it is Muski (I know I'm misspelling her name, sorry), but she is a wonderful women. If you want to eat at an authentic Ethiopian restaurant that's a mom-and-pops place, this is it. The decor is very simple and basic, but the food is made with love. They will explain everything on the menu if you've never been to an Ethiopian place before. One of the largest differences between Blue Nile and Taste of Ethiopia is the bread and prices. The bread at the Blue Nile has ZERO flavor and is only utilitarian, basically to fill you up and pick up your food. However, at Taste of Ethiopia, the bread is flavored to a sourdough bread flavor, so you actually want to eat it. Taste of Ethiopia is also much cheaper than Blue Nile. Blue Nile is over priced for what they give you. I have found all their dishes to be excellent here, but some stand out and others do not. The only dish I've tried that doesn't stand out is the lamb and the collard greens. Everything else is memorable. My favorites are the red lentils and the potatoes. If you're really daring, you can try some of the raw beef dishes she has. It certainly had flavors I've never had before. Lastly, don't forget to save room for the plantain dessert. Fantastic! Taste of Ethiopia is locally owned
(4)
Carlito A.
I discovered this place by happenstance a couple months ago and returned last week to have a taste. When I got there, the lunch buffet was just ending but the lady (owner?) kept it going even for the patrons that arrived after me. Charming in its own way, I got the feeling the restaurant was frequented by many regulars and friendly people. The buffet was good as far as buffets go. I'll probably return to order off the menu. Great place to eat by yourself.
(4)
Kal T.
By far this is the best Ethiopian food I've ever tried. I was in Detroit to visit friends, and after a visit we wanted to eat dinner and one of my friend who lives in there mentioned about the best food he had and he wants us to try it. We drove for about 20 minutes and got into this plaza. As soon as we got in, we were greeted with a warm welcome (I believe it was the owner) and got our seats for 5. We ordered 3 dishes for 5 of us, and it was a perfect size. All three dishes were excellent and it looks great. This is what I call an exotic food. Everyone agreed about the decision of our friend. Indeed the best food! I've tried Ethiopian food before and the taste and flavor of the food wasn't near to Taste of Ethiopia. Great food at a good price and an excellent service. I can't wait till I go back to Southfield to have their food again.
(5)
Charlie B.
Had a not so great experience... Walked in around 3pm on a Saturday. Buffet looked picked over. Another couple who came in right after us asked if they would be refilling items and the server said he had to check with the cook. There were no forks, just knives. (the container where the forks are stored was empty). The other couple asked for forks and the server went to get them. In the meantime, we had no bread, no napkins, no water and no silverware. We walked out, leaving our untouched slim pickings on the table. Heard it went out of business. Not disappointed with that at all.
(1)
Lori K.
CLOSED - This restaurant is closed. Updated 6/29/12 We loved this place. Ethiopian Food Buffet Style, $10 per person. They bring you the spongey bread too...so no sharing with others, which made me like this better than the traditional way Ethiopian is served in Restaurants, everything on the bread and you have to rip if off with your group of friends - which I never liked. The spices on the chicken curries, jerk chicken, spicy potato were phenomenal. The lentil peas, tilapia, it was all very good. We were in and out very quickly, you get full fast. This place is there if Supino and Russell Street are out of control like they were this Saturday.. Highly recommend to people who are VERY hungry, and want to try something different. Tasty. Perfect for those Saturdays at Eastern Market, very friendly customer service.
(5)
Michael S.
Home Cookin' takes time so come here with some level of patience established in your mind. We like to get carryout from here and sometimes eat in. In this area, this is our best bet for dinner without having to drive out to Royal Oak. There's nothing else along Southfield Rd. The sambosas come out really hot and are spicy. The lentils are flavorful and fun to eat. The ribs are chewy. The bread is fun to make into shapes. It tastes like sourdough.
(4)
Rac C.
I have never been to an Ethiopian place before so it was very strange, but I did like the new experience. You eat everything with your hands here and you are given hot towels to wipe your hands before chowing down. I ended up ordering a few things so I'd get a good idea of the food... I ordered the vegetarian combo and my favorite was the the red lentils, the cabbage and carrots and the split peas. I ordered beef and chicken tibs and I liked the chicken, not so much the beef. The beef was not very tender or flavorful for me. The African Diamond and mojito drinks were great. The diamond made me feel like I should have been drinking it on the beach somewhere lol It was that good. Oh and for desert I ordered their caramel plantain with ice cream, it was great. The waitress here was very nice and explained everything to me on the menu. Excellent service. I will be returning to try their lunch buffet.
(3)
Jonny P.
I've been addicted to injera for a very long time. After moving it was a priority to find a way to feed my fix. I first met Meski at the satalite location in Eastern Market after I had ventured to another Ethiopian Restaurant that wasn't really good. I've visited the Southfield location for take out on numerous occasions and also come in for the lunch buffet. I've been to Ethiopean restaurants in D.C., The Bay Area, Toronto & Chicago (of course). The food @ Taste of Ethiopia is up there with the best of them. The staff is very friendly and of course having the buffet would be an easy way to try something new. Hope you'll stop in and tell them Jonny sent you...
(4)
Joshua B.
So I was a little concerned after reading the older reviews, however since Eastern Market is walking distance from the office, I wanted to try it out. Boy am I glad I did! Walking in I was a bit hesitant. The restaurant is tiny, and the furnishings spartan, but the gentleman operating the front greeted us warmly and quickly had the spongy bread and drinks at our table before we could sit down. The food service is entirely buffet. The buffet appears small, but I think that's because I'm trained to think about buffets as having salads, desserts, soups, etc. (which aren't part of the experience here) in addition to the main course. As this is a main-course-only kind of place, the options for a meal are more than sufficient. There were two types of rice, two types of lentil preparations, spicy potatoes, plantains, collared greens, cabbage stew, mixed veggies, etc. There were also several meat and fish choices for omnivores. All of the dishes I tried were outstanding, flavorful, and appropriately spicy. Only constructive feedback is to update the buffet to have space to set down your plate while serving, and to use roll-open covers instead of the lift-and-shift kind. There is really nowhere to put the covers except on top of other covers, and this is all kind of awkward while holding your plate. I'm so glad to have discovered this place, and plan to lunch here at least once every couple weeks. It's also a very rare vegan- and vegetarian-friendly option downtown.
(4)
Jackson R.
I went there with family for my birthday. It was my first time eating at Taste of Ethiopia, but not my first time having Ethiopian food. The food was really great, definitely tied with my other favorite, Bete-Lucas (in Portland, OR) for their food. The salad was amazing. I think there was a little sesame oil or something in the dressing which was what made it even better than salad i've had at Ethiopian places before (which is already so good to me). I got the vegetarian combo, which was amazing. My family members all got meat stuff, but I didn't really try their stuff since I'm vegetarian. They all loved it though and I know that's saying something since i don't think any of them thought they would like Ethiopian food (or had had it before and didn't think they liked it). We also got some vegetarian sambosas, which were delicious. the sauce they send out with it to dip into is really spicy, probably too spicy for most people, but if you can handle spice, the sauce had really great flavor. I had cupcakes waiting at home since it was my birthday, so i didn't try any dessert, but they had a dessert with plantains and caramel that sounded great (i love plantains). Their Ethiopian iced tea was so good too. My gramma couldn't stop talking about it and asked where she could get it and they sell it there (so she bought some) The service was also great. The waiter was the son of the folks who run the place and he was very friendly. He spent a lot of time talking to the different people eating there, but it was more because he was so friendly and easy to talk to that everyone wanted to talk to him (my gramma asked him lots of questions about Ethiopia (where he was born) and the restaurant and his family and everything. my gramma is very friendly. i love her). This made it so the service was a little slow, but it was such a friendly and fun environment that it didn't feel like we were being ignored, it just felt very relaxed. I have never been to the other Ethiopian place in the area that I know of, so I can't compare, but I would definitely go to Taste of Ethiopia again next time I want Ethiopian food
(5)
Jeffrey A.
I worked until 8:30 tonight, and just thought at the last minute about stopping by here on my way home. This was my second visit. Since it was just after 9:00 (they close at 10 PM on Fridays), the crowd was light. I started with Tea (Shai), which tasted strongly of cinnamon and other flavors. Delicious. Then, I had a salad, but unfortunately I don't recall what they called it. There are 2 salads on the menu, one on the top, the other is a few entries down, both under appetizers. The top one is the TICKET! Jalapeno peppers, red onions, tomatoes, and more -- I was surprised that they wrapped it in Ethiopian bread (a pleasant surprise). The waitress told me that I was the first person to order this (at least with her) in 2 months. When I go to an ethnic restaurant, I like to generally order "off the beaten path", so this made me feel great. Well, that, and it really tasted great! I also had the toasted bread (again, I forget what they call the interesting bread that they make), which was deliciously spicy. Finally, my entree was a red lentil dish. Damn it, I have such a poor memory. I do recall it is listed as "V1" (as in, Vegetarian-1) on the menu. The moral of the story is that each and every item I ordered tonight was excellent, and the service (although a bit slow), was excellent. Many visits back every few minutes for refills, asking how everything was, and the like. I can't believe I waited this long to come back! Great food...great place.
(4)
Rahul S.
I can't believe this was only my fourth time having Ethiopian food. The flavors are always fantastic and the people serving you are almost without exception really friendly. I went here on a Friday night and found that it was a reasonably small place, about 12 odd tables if I remember correctly. It was about half full at the time. Pros - - The injera was great. My first experience with injera was not the best. It was overly sour and overpowered the flavors of the meat and vegetables. The injera here was perfect for my palate. (For those of you well versed in Indian food, another reason I love the injera is that it reminds me of the dosa a.k.a. the Indian crepe.) - The food overall was good. We ordered the meat combination and the vegetarian combination. The 'Siga we't' (beef stew) was probably my favorite dish on the menu. Perfectly cooked, perfectly spiced. Just fantastic. My favorite thing on the vegetarian side of the fence was the 'Yemisir we't' (Red lentils). Again, the flavor was outstanding. As an Indian who's grown up eating well cooked meats and lentils these dishes had me craving for more. - They bring you hot, hand towels before and after your meals. You're going to be digging into the food with your hands so you need 'em clean. - Value for money - We walked out having spent about $35 and a had a decent sized to-go box with us. Cons - - We ordered a spicy lamb dish (Awaze Tibs) that was I quite excited about. It turned out to be a disappointment. While I'm not a connoisseur of Ethiopian food, I do love my lamb tender. The lamb was a little hard and just not as flavorful as I'd expected it to be. - The service while very friendly did leave a bit to be desired. There was a younger boy who was quite attentive and brought us our waters, hand towels etc. When he went on break though it took us a while to get anything. Considering it wasn't crowded at all and I could see two of the staff talking to each other the whole time, it left a little to be desired. - Food took a while to get to us. Considering I wasn't in a rush I can't complain but I would think twice before coming with a larger group of people. All in all, a good experience but I did enjoy the food at Blue Nile better. Then again it's also more expensive. I've been wavering between 3 and 4 stars but I'm going to stick with 3 for now. If the service improves the next time I'm there I'll up this to a four. Happy nomming!
(3)
Tiredof u.
Love this place. The injera (dipping bread) is gluten free & the servers are very educated on allergens in general. Lots of vegan choices, too.
(5)
Kendra L.
Let me start by saying I am a fan of the Blue Nile. I was looking forward to eating at Taste of Ethiopia all day! I LOVE Ethiopian food! The restaurant is small and boring, but like another reviewer said, it's the food you go for. I was slightly bothered that after being in there for over 10 minutes I had to ask to order a drink for me and kids. That's not too cool where there were only 2 other tables that had people. After ordering the drinks we waited, and waited. I finally got up, with glasses in hand, and got my kids some water from the bathroom. They saw me walking out of the bathroom with full glasses and STILL didn't say anthing...or bring our drinks!!! The food was ok. Just ok. I think the HORRIBLE service left too bad of a taste in my mouth. I will NEVER go there again.
(2)
Eric P.
I went here for the first time last night, on the recommendations of so many friends and Yelpers. I've been to Blue Nile a few times before, so I'm no stranger to Ethiopian food in general, and I had a rough idea of what to expect. What I got, however, was fairly different. Because it was our first time there, the waitress (proprietor maybe?) went ahead and gave us all seven of the vegetarian options, as opposed to the normal six given when sharing. The first major thing I noticed about the food was the injera - rather than the white self-rising flour used at Blue Nile, ToE uses teff, the more traditional choice. It's also healthier, and gives the bread its own unique taste and texture, as opposed to an essentially flavorless bread meant to help fill you up (the sooner you stop eating at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, the better). ToE is also NOT all-you-can-eat, unlike Blue Nile. However, the seven selections plus the injera was more than enough to completely fill up two of us. And the food itself was leaps and bounds above Blue Nile - rather than a selection of marginally different combinations of lentils and greens, Taste of Ethiopia's choices were vibrantly unique and flavorful (green beans ftw). Aesthetically, Blue Nile does have the upper hand, but I preferred the ambiance of Taste of Ethiopia.
(5)
Kara H.
I just had lunch at Taste of Ethiopia's Eastern Market restaurant, despite my trepidations based on Dea A's review, but I'm glad I did! It seems that they've improved a lot of things (service was quick, and the buffet was all you can eat, not just limited to one plate, plus the food was warm). I love Ethiopian food, and the combination of a buffet & Ethiopian makes me want to move in. The buffet had almost everything you would find on the regular menu, and I thought the food was just as good. Plus, I love the spongey bread! So I am happy to report that this location is just as delicious and inexpensive as the Southfield restaurant!
(4)
Ramon B.
I eat there often, maybe once a month & I always order the VEGGIE COMBO sometimes with VEGGIE SAMBOSAS, if ordering just for me being that I'm VEGAN. I love it & crave the taste of Ethiopian food which is uniquely seasoned...& the injera bread is a flavor/texture that is new & enjoyable to me as well. I HIGHLY recommend these dishes & this place!...
(5)
Lorna D.
Tasty food, friendly and attentive servers, of which there were two for a packed house! Some kind of banquet was going on, and I was so impressed that they took such good care of this huge party without the booths and tables ever feeling the least bit neglected. I had a great time here with a dear pal and the food was very tasty as well...nicely spiced as it should be. The blended drinks are delicious, though at $4.50, too expensive. Speaking of value, they seriously need to increase portion sizes for what they charge. My friend and I both got the veggie sampler plate, and I was a bit taken aback when she put down one plate for the two of us with small dollops of five options. Though it was delicious, if all I get is one plate for $12 please make it mine, or increase the portions of each! I've also been with the bf and his meat sampler was not enough to fill him up while there, let alone leftovers. The friendly people who waited on us almost make up for this...I hate to nitpick but I gotta be honest-next time I hanker for Ethiopian, I'll go back to the Nile-more value for similar tasting food and comfier ambiance.
(3)
Lizzy B.
Low prices, huge portions and the nicest service ever! I decided to try Taste of Ethiopia based on some other Yelp reviews; I usually go to Blue Nile (Ferndale and Ann Arbor locations). I came with a couple friends and two of us ordered the vegetarian combo. For less than $12, you get your choice of 5 of 7 listed choices (various lentil, cabbage and bean dishes). Since 2 of us were ordering this together, we got to pick 6 of the 7 vegetarian dishes, served together on a giant plate. Much to our surprise, we actually got all 7! There was so much food, we couldn't finish *any* of the portions. And I really tried hard, because it was delicious. The downside is that the restaurant isn't much to look at, and I was a little concerned at how empty it was. On a Wednesday night at 7:30, we were the only ones in there. The music was a little annoying. The restaurant is in a strip mall, and it feels that way on the inside, too. This restaurant doesn't have a nice ambiance like Blue Nile. We did, however, have the nicest server ever. One of my friends had never had Ethiopian food before, so she had lots of questions. Our server was kind and helpful, she kept refilling our injera, and seemed so happy that we enjoyed the food. I also loved that I was *stuffed* and even had leftovers for less than $12, before tax and tip. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Laura P.
One word...Shiro! Try it, you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Lola D.
I have not had homemade Ethiopian food, but have had other African mama's food. Based on this sort of relevant experience, I judge that Taste of Ethiopia serves authentic food. It is well prepared and well portioned. Excellent taste of exotic spices and well balanced with different meats. The coffee is as fresh and unique as you could ever want. Friendly service, prompt, well priced menu and pleasant atmosphere to experience a different culture. If eating with your hands freaks you out, than stay away, but remember that you are missing good, hearty food.
(5)
Karen C.
Food was good. We tried the vegetarian and the meat sampler. We loved the red lentil dish. The beef stew was really good too. Everything else was ok. The mojito was delicious. For the price and type of food you get, I wouldn't come here without the groupon.
(3)
Aubrey T.
WATCH OUT! Stopped in for the lunch buffet a few minutes before 2:00 pm. The buffet warming units were off because the buffet was ending minutes later. My friend and I were asked if we were there for the buffet. Our response was yes if the food was still warm. We were assured that it was. We enjoyed the buffet for the most part, although it was not as good as we have had there in the past and not exactly warm. The rub was that we were over charged by the guy who waited on us. When I questioned him as to why we were charged $10.00 per person rather than the posted $8.95, he stated because it was now after 2:00 pm! I requested a refund of the overcharge which I eventually received, however the guy became rude and the discussion became heated and vulgar. I will never step foot in this average at best restaurant again and caution all to watch your check for creative charges if you decide to eat at the Taste of Ethiopia.
(2)
Kelly P.
i am very torn on how many stars to give this restaurant. for FOOD i would give 4 stars - the food was pretty fantastic. but for everything else, i'd give 1 star - or less.... when i walked into this restaurant i was actually kind of grossed out and really unsure of where to sit as even the "clean" tables did not look so clean to me (i know this makes me sound uptight and i'm really not!! but most of the tables did not look clean at all!) i finally choose the one table that didn't look too scary - but the table cloth was covered with fuzz and everything kind of felt sticky. in addition, the restaurant uses fluorescent lighting and is painted with red and yellow (for the ketchup and mustard look??) if you're looking for a place with ambiance this is not where to go! i had purchased a living social coupon so decided to stick it out, but if i hadn't had that i probably would have left. there was only one server - who was quite pleasant but obviously overworked. it took about 10 minutes for her to get to our table - she was helpful with the menu choices and helped us figure out what we should order. my dinner partner had to get her attention from across the room to order a glass of wine though - which was a warm white - not very tasty to drink warm white wine and believe me, i'll drink anything! when the food came out - after quite a wait it was delicious and enjoyable. overall, if you're JUST going for some inexpensive ethiopian food you'll find it here. the food is just as good as the blue nile. but there is definitely some serious lack of cleanliness and atmosphere.
(2)
Joshua L.
We visited Tate of Ethiopia because we purchased a Groupon. The place is pretty small, but quaint. The service was incredibly slow, however, the waitress did explain they were short staffed that particular evening. She definitely had her work cut out for her because the place was pretty busy. This was my first experience with Ethiopian, so I can't really comment on authenticity. I can say the food was fresh and tasted pretty good (it's also pretty inexpensive). I'd go back for sure.
(4)
Jean P.
This was my first time eating Ethiopian food, so I'm glad that we came during the lunch buffet & had a chance to try many things. I'm VERY glad I didn't commit to one item, because some of the things I thought would be mild were very spicy and vice versa! Everything was yummy and interesting, particularly the weird stretchy bread made from teff (which was weird to me, if you're normally into Ethiopian food it probably doesn't seem weird at all). The only thing I didn't like was the tilapia - I didn't realize it was even possible to overcook tilapia to the point of making it into fish jerky. But there were so many other yummy things to eat that having just one thing I didn't like was a pretty good score. Overall the food was easily 4 or 4.5 stars, but the service was a solid 2. When we showed up, the server greeted us and was very enthusiastic about the teff bread, but didn't explain much about the rest of the food (even though she asked if it was our first visit and we told her it was our first time eating Ethiopian ever). Since the buffet was out and we didn't get menus, we just assumed the buffet was the only option. When we finished, we tried several times to flag her down for a bill, but were unsuccessful. My husband went into the back (where she was) and asked her for the bill, showing her that we had a Groupon. She mumbled something about that covering it and went further into the back. We went back to the table & waited a bit longer, but she never returned and the bill never materialized. To this day, I have no idea how much the lunch buffet costs! Eventually we just left the Groupon on the table with a few dollars for tip (which we guessed at, since we didn't know the cost of the meal). Overall my takeaway was: I would definitely try Ethiopian food again, but probably not TOE. There's an awesome Chinese buffet right across the parking lot from them that is always calling my name much louder!
(3)
Bernard G.
Sadly, I can't recommend Taste of Ethiopia after two visits. Their food is good. Probably not quite as good / spicy as The Blue Nile (I've gone many times), but solid and a good $5-7 cheaper / dish than The Blue Nile (although NOT all-you-can-eat). However, as the recent reviews have noted, the service simply is woefully insufficient. Both times, ToE was understaffed, with too few servers for what ended up being a sizable crowd. This most recent visit saw two different couples get up and leave with disgust after getting no attention from a server after 10-20 minutes. In addition, on both occasions, not just one but several menu items were no longer available. Until there's a drastic change in management / service, we won't be back.
(2)
Susan L.
We ate at this restaurant shortly after it opened. The vegetarian combo was delicious & filling, the prices were very reasonable, and the service was very friendly & attentive.
(4)
Jill B.
I am also an adventurous vegetarian. I like flavorful food and it just doesn't get any more flavorful than Taste of Ethiopia. I am also gluten free and they are the only one's with gluten free Ingera. I always get the vegetarian combo when I eat there. My favorites are the green beans, cabbage, and split peas. The women that run the place always go above and beyond to provide great food and service.
(5)
Christine R.
I need to be perfectly honest and say that this is the first time I have tried something strongly recommended by Yelpers and been totally disappointed. I really wanted to love Ethiopian food, but quite honestly, I just didn't "get" it. I am hoping to eventually give it another chance at another restaurant. I don't want to write off the entire fare, but Taste of Ethiopia left me wanting something much different. There was nothing special about the restaurant. The service was friendly, but slow, and the location, drab interior and constant draft just didn't do it for me. Maybe it was the combination of spices, or perhaps it was just too built up..... whatever it was, we won't be back.
(2)
Nic B.
Pretty damn authentic as far as I can tell. Get the veggi combo :)
(4)
Theresa U.
My first time to try Ethiopian food! Taste of Ethiopia is located in a shopping strip in Southfield. Not the most quaint of places, but don't be fooled by the façade. Here serves up some mean Ethiopian dishes! I could tell by the cheesy poster board/sharpie sign in the front window, this place is quality. 'no saturated fats!' 'food was never pre-frozen!' 'healthy alternative!' I was in a party of 6 and they had only 1 table large enough to fit us. The inside food aromas were so wonderful, just like home cookin. There was only 1 waitress. But she was only dealing with three tables. We had ordered our food and it was a wait for it to come out. Our waitress gave us hot towels to wipe our hand with. I never ate without utensils at a restaurant. So, this was a fun experience for me. Their culture was all about sharing. Sharing is caring! We finally got our food. I ordered the veggie combo and bf ordered the beef dish. The veggie combo was an assortment of 5 dishes you can pick. Definitaly enough food for two. Only $11.75! After stuffing ourselves, we ordered the special home ground Ethiopian coffee. It is served in tiny little mugs with burning frankincense to stimulate our senses. They put hard work into their coffee and I very much appreciated it. Will be coming here again! Yummmmmm!
(4)
Kim L.
Went there with my son & his girlfriend for lunch. My son & I have been to Blue Nile a lot, his girlfriend had no experience with Ethiopian food. Lunch is an all you can eat buffet with several choices, including items not available at Blue Nile (such as spiced fish and some kind of delicious green bean & carrot or sweet potato). The buffet was $10 which is reasonable, but can still be pricey for lunch for 3 people (since I was paying!). I used a restaurant.com certificate for $10 off, so that made it better. The food was good, we all enjoyed it, and we all had our favorites. I'm a big fan of the red lentils and the stewed beef, my son had second helpings of the lamb, his gf liked the greens and lentils and we all liked the green beans. But really, it all tasted good. The atmosphere is a bit utilitarian, so it's not much of a destination place and I wouldn't go for dinner unless it was carryout. We were heading over to the DIA and decided to eat here first. Our waiter was nice and prompt - his job was to bring the injera and water and clear the plates when you go for seconds (or thirds). It gets 3 stars because of the type of restaurant - storefront with no character, and I think the price could be a bit lower, perhaps $7-8 per person, but the food was good.
(3)
Lisa T.
I had only had Ethiopian once (in Chicago) and could not wait to try it again (love love love savory foods!). My husband bought me a Groupon for the Southfield location for Taste of Ethiopia, so I took my friend with me to dinner on a Wednesday night. The location was a bit obscure and the restaurant itself is in a strip-mall (which you can tell while inside), but the food was great. We got a platter with lamb, chicken, lentils, cabbage and beef, everything was delicious, hot and the meat was tender. The bread was great and the salad note worthy. What will bring me back was the service; the waitress was friendly and helpful and I believe the owner greeted us at the door. Where they went above and beyond was when the Groupon wouldn't pull up correctly on my friend's Palm Pre. The owner's son came out with his iPhone and tried several different ways of obtaining the discount and finally waited for my husband to e mail him the discount code from my Groupon account at my home computer. They closed at 10, but the owner's son sat with us until almost 10 30pm with a great attitude and saw us out with a smile. *the information lists that there is no alcohol at this location, but they have since obtained a liquor license. they now have beer, wine and mixed drinks.
(4)
Kelly F.
Taste of Ethiopia is located in a strip mall between 12 and 13 mile on Southfield - off to the side. The space is small but pleasant. The food - and that's the thing, isn't it? The food is excellent. The injera is the best I've had since a place called the Abyssinia closed on Jefferson 15 or so years ago. It had the right texture and the slightly sour taste not too dissimilar to good sourdough bread. I enjoyed everything I ordered - beef stew with bere bere, red lentils, greens, cabbage and carrots - it was all excellent. The owner chatted and was very friendly. To sum it up: The food was excellent, the service pleasant, the portions generous and the price very reasonable. I will be eating here again soon.
(4)
Mike R.
I didn't even know about this place until I found it on Yelp. It's hidden behind the Big Boy on Southfield Rd. I've never been to Ethiopia, so I can't comment on the food's authenticity, but it held up well to the other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to in Los Angeles. The decorum was a little on the generic side, but I thought the food was a good value.
(4)
Enam D.
Excellent food, friendly service :) Will definitely keep going back!
(4)
S B.
I love to try new foods and this was new for me. I found the food to be interesting in it's flavors, and the whole eating experience was an eye-opener. The food is expensive, even with the Groupon, the service very slow, but the waiter was very pleasant. I enjoyed the experience though. The group I went with were all hungry after we left, so we went to a fast-food restaurant afterwards.
(3)
andrew s.
Loved it! Drove up from Toledo for a concert & went a little further so we could have some Ethiopian food. Unlike Blue Nile, this place lets you order off the menu. The sambosas are delicious & crispy. The injera is perfect--and they sell it to take home, too! We tried a variety of dishes, and they were all great. Our favorites were the red lentils & green beans...yes, I said green beans. We almost didn't order them, but then they turned out to be delicious. The highlight of the evening by a long shot, though, was the coffee ceremony. The owner brought out the beans as they were roasting for my approval. The aroma hung in the air and gave me a heady near-buzz. Then she returned with a tray of frankincense, sugar, and cream, and presented me with the strongest, most fragrant & delightful Ethiopian coffee I have ever tasted. Go out of your way to eat here. Just watch out that you go when they're open. The hours she told me were not the hours that were on the website, and no one seems to answer the phone. Perhaps this is part of the excitement of visiting...you're not sure if they'll be open. :)
(5)
Weegee P.
This restaurant is awesome! Their Teff bread is gluten free and packed with fiber and calcium, AND it's delicious. We started off with some Guava juice and a coffee - which was amazing. The beans were roasted and ground with cinnamon on the spot - it had a great flavor, very clovey. Then we split the vegetarian platter. It was perfect. We got to choose 5 out of 7 vegetarian dishes to try. There is no silverware, so the inerja bread comes in handy to scoop up the food. We ended our meal with some friend plantains, homemade carmel and vanilla ice cream. It was so good! My only word of advice is to make sure you have plenty of time when you go here for dinner. It's a place to relax and enjoy the ambience - if you're in a rush, go somewhere else.
(5)
Cammy W.
Really liked this place! The food is amazing and the service is super attentive. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Dorcas S.
I have not experienced Ethiopian food before. I have nothing to compare it to, however my taste buds says this place is good. I dropped by for lunch. I was curious about the menu. However it was a lunch buffett, great! I thought to myself I can try a little of everything. Lentils (yellow and green), cabbage, green beans, plantains, fish, chicken, rice. The food was pretty good. The staff was very friendly and helpful
(5)
Jessica M.
Everything I have had here has been phenomenal. The Gomen is my go-to dish. The taste, quality, purity of ingredients (traditional nutritious teff is used for the injera, not the substitute wheat as with some other Ethiopian restaurants), hospitality, and genuine goodness to be had here recommends a Taste of Ethiopia as the premier of Ethiopian cuisine in the Metro detroit area. P.S: The restaurant IS open on Mondays regardless of yelp listing it as closed.
(5)
Ken F.
We've been to a good number of Ethiopian places in Chicago, Grand Rapids, and the Detroit area. The quality of the dishes here at Taste of Ethiopia makes it rank in our top two of all we've tried. The flavors are diverse and interesting. The meat dishes are really good - tender, nicely flavorful, and better than any similar I've tried. I'll add my two cents on their only competitor in this area, the Blue Nile. Their crazy method of pricing, which forces everyone at the table to order the full monte even if they're not that hungry, will keep me away until they change it. You can't even bring home what you've left on your tray. No such tricks here. You order what you want, and bring home what you can't eat. So - Great food. Friendly staff. Clean, bright dining area. A winner!
(4)
K U.
Just AMAZING! So nice and so real!!!!!!
(5)
Rose A.
I had high hopes for this restaurant especially after reading other reviews. Sadly to say I was very disappointed. Very small portions, If you order a dinner with chicken, lamb or beef that's all you get and very little of it. For a family of four our bill came to sixty some dollars and we left hungry :(
(2)
Sheri K.
I go here for the lunch buffet. It is great for vegetarians and people with wheat issues. The food is excellent! I'd give it five stars if the service wasn't so slow. You'd think for a buffet they could get it together. I often have to ask for the teff bread to be brought out and they sometimes forget your drink orders. The food is worth it though.
(3)
Allie J.
What an amazing little gem! The owner was so friendly and gave me the run-down on the food/proper way to eat with the injera (Ethiopian bread) since it was my first time at an Ethiopian place. I had the vegetarian combo, which was enough food for two in my opinion. It's not the nicest looking place, but the food is worth the visit!
(4)
Jillian K.
We were there on a Tuesday night and had the place to ourselves for a while. No matter what, it seems like Ethiopian food takes a little while to prepare but it's completely worth it. We had meat eaters, vegetarians, a child and someone with Celiac Disease and all of us could happily eat there - which doesn't happen too often. The food is so tasty, the staff is so helpful and the hot tea is amazing!
(5)
Rajthilak M.
The meat combination along veggies was very well made and ideal for two people to share. Very authentic and family run . The host was super friendly .
(5)
Pasha A.
As good as any ethopian I have eaten... Much better and more authentic then blue Nile.
(5)
Saleh M.
It Sucked. Horrible service, decent food. Left hungry and I couldn't get myself to leave a tip. Maybe it was the party of eight but still at least keep the cups filled,
(1)
Ms.Brie C.
I found the dishes to be flavorful and filling. I split one of the veggie dishes with my friend which made Taste of Ethiopia highly affordable. It's a nice place to visit with friends. Be forewarned though that it's got a bit of a romantic atmosphere.
(4)
Nat H.
Food was tasty but way, way overpriced for the portions. I ordered a $9 sharo (spicy pea) dinner to receive about 1/2 cup total. When I brought it to the attention of the waitress, she explained the peas soaked up the water and agreed to charge me half price. They didn't have what we ordered and instead of telling us, they substituted another dish! Not a great experience..never gonna leave "The Blue Nile" again.
(2)
E W.
Peace! I have been frequenting Taste of Ethiopia for about 4 years now. I go almost weekly. Meski, the owner, is amazing. She's incredibly warm and goes out of her way to make sure that diners have a wonderful experience. I've visited Ethiopian restaurants all over the country, and Taste of Ethiopia is one of my absolute favorites! The food is great--- her fosolia wet (green beans) is the best I've ever tasted! She's also added fried plantains to the menu, so you can't go wrong! :o) I highly recommend the vegetarian combo. This is a great place to have a date...great place to take your children (my son who's in kindergarten loves it!)....also a great place for a business lunch. I do all three there regularly! Also a nice place to meet a group of friends (I enjoy celebrating my birthday there). Again, you definitely want to stop by. Oh yeah, and definitely have some shai (tea) with dinner and a mango smoothie with lunch! Enjoy!
(5)
Sanjeev T.
Had the sambusa and the Doro Wat on April 12th 2001. Great food and excellent service. Very satisfied. Since I am travelling on the job and my company pays for the food, I am planning to go there twice a week and feast out. Yum
(5)
Dillon T.
If you are looking for something very different and a unique meal in the Detroit area, I would suggest giving this authentic mom & pop resturant a try. Bottom line is, the food is very good and worth it. The service was very slow and the waitress (who I assume is the owner or part of the ownership group) explained that they were short staffed that evening. We were a bit surprised by the un-written rule of limited sharing (meaning, we were told everyone needs to order a separte meal - could have been the Groupon we had and un-written/fine print). We tried 2 appetizers and they were both great along with the veggie combo and 2 sides - all good (lamb was a little chewy for my taste). It took a long time to get the specialty drinks; so I suggest a glass of wine or a beer. The prices were pretty good - less than Blue Nile, but the atmosphere is very different - causal, diner style venue - nothing fancy. I would say, bring your patience and an appetite from something unique and go with it. We plan on checking out the lunch buffet.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Suzanne V.
I was planning to go to Russell St Deli after a stop at Eastern Market and the line was an hour long. This place was next door and empty and I love Ethiopian food, so it was a no brainer. It was seriously one of the best lunch experiences of my life - the lunch buffet was great, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me was on the speakers, and the guys working there were super nice. When I was done with my meal, I saw the same people STILL waiting in line for their BLTs. The food is as good as Blue Nile, but half the price. It's a great Downtown-ish vegan choice and I will definitely be back!
(5)Breanna M.
Great for large groups. If you are there with a +1, get one of each combo. This even works with three people. It's a lot of food and you get unlimited injera! I've had Ethiopian food in many states and this is one of the best. It seems dingy from the outside, but inside the friendly service and delicious food really liven the place up!
(5)Joan R.
The cabbage and carrots dish is my all-time favorite, but I like everything I've had, which is everything on the lunch buffet. It includes tilapia (fish), two chicken dishes, a lentils dish, a greens dish, and other dishes. This is my favorite restaurant! I love the flavor of the spices they use. And the bread is great. Friendly staff, too.
(5)Juewon K.
I've had lots of Ethiopian food in the US (in LA, NYC, DC, etc...) and I've gotta say this is hands down my favorite. Sharp yet comforting flavors made with deep integrity by passionate cooks who are overwhelmingly thrilled to share their culture. For any foodies, this place is a MUST GO. Taste of Ethiopia is a hidden gem. Everything is good. But by far the most impressive is the Kitfo, which is essentially the most flavorful and tender beef tartare you will ever experience. I myself have commuted over 3 hours to eat at this place and usually leave with a week's worth of food to hold me over. It's seriously that good.
(5)Cynthia P.
Went for late lunch (2pm) to find that only a small, tired-looking buffet was offered. Posted hours said lunch was served only to 1:30, so we still hoped we could order from the menu. Less than enthusiastic waiter said we'd have to come back at dinner time to order from the menu. Not convenient for us. Wish there was more of a choice for lunch.
(2)Jennifer G.
Great dinner with the family!! We will eating there again. Soon! Kids loved it. Who can resist eating dinner with your hands. They both gave it two thumbs up. If you are looking for a ethnic restaurant I highly recommend Taste of Ethiopia. The dishes were flavorful and hearty without being heavy, greasy or salty. I've been looking for something other than Indian, Middle Eastern, or Thai for dinner and now I have my answer. Yea!! As far as the comments about the service being slow, I would say this place is not Fast Food. It takes time to prepare a quality meal. I would rather wait a little longer for the delicious meal we received than have some overcooked slop from a steam table rushed out in 30 seconds. The dining room does not have TVs, and how nice is it to have time to reconnect with family and friends while enjoying great meal. I'm looking forward to having meals here with my friends who eat Halal, are Gluten intolerant or are Vegetarian. There is something for everyone! It was worth 30 minute drive from home. Now I'm trying to plan shopping trips to be near there at lunch time. (Shhh..don't tell the family)
(5)A B.
Simplicity is this establishment's best feature. Nice, hearty, delicious, unpretentious Ethiopian food. The server was friendly and gave us enough information to help us choose. (It was our first time trying Ethiopian food. We ordered a lentil dish and a chicken dish. Both were very nice!
(4)Bill B.
As an adventurous vegetarian, I have long loved Ethopian food. I first tried it at The Blue Nile in Detroit over 20 years ago. I later visited a couple of similar restaurants in Toronto. I went to Taste of Ethopia today because it is near where I work and I read the other good Yelp reviews. Although this is not the best Ethopian food I've had, much of it was quite good. The spicy red lentil sauce, not usually my favorite, was done very well here. The cabbage, carrots and potatoes combination and ground peas dish were also tasty. The salad was fully of dark lettuce and had a yummy sesame oil dressing. On the down side, the collard greens, usually what I crave, were OK but not as luscious as I'm used to. The spongy injera bread, though it had an interesting brown color and was gluten free, lacked some of the substance that I enjoy. Perhaps some of my disappointment was due to the dishes being part of a lunch buffet. I would like to return for dinner to see if my opinion improves. Even if it doesn't, though, I will return to Taste of Ethopia for a good rendition of the dishes I've grown to love.
(4)Alex M.
TOE is awesome! It was our first Ethiopian experience, and a great one at that. We got the Siga Wot and Awaze Tibs, and both were really flavorful and tasty! Eating with injera is a really sweet experience, and I'm sorta tempted to stop using forks at home...... We ended the meal with coffee and tea, and it was perfect. She brought out incense ('cause who drinks coffee without incense?!) and I about died. :) Service was a little slow and our appetizer was forgotten, but I'm glad she never brought it out because the portions were enough to fill us up completely!! Go here the next time you're craving a different and delicious dining experience!
(5)Anna D.
My first time at the restaurant. First impression: nothing glamorous, was there at 6 pm on Thursday and there was no one dining which was a little surprising. The lady in the kitchen saw me coming in and came out right away to greet me and offered to choose a table. She was super friendly and spent some time talking to me and also took my food order. My server was also polite and friendly and delivered the food promptly and checked on me after I got the food. I ordered vegetarian combination and it was tasty but not the best I've ever had. Also had hot Shai (Ethiopian tea). Was my first time ordering it. Judging from the description it was supposed to be a mixture of herbs and dried fruit but it didn't taste like it, didn't taste like tea at all but hot water sweetened with honey. Perhaps, it's just not what I expected. Bottom line: great friendly service, good reasonably priced food.
(4)Binnan O.
Ordered: Meat combo + green beans and red lentil sides, and lamb tibbs Ambiance: Nice small set up with painted walls and decorations to set a African mood, but definitely with a dinner vibe given the darker colors and dimmer lighting. Service was OK. The waitress was nice whenever she checked on us but wasn't the most attentive or good at prioritizing multiple tasks. Food was predictably slow coming to the table which is par for Ethiopian. I did appreciate the warm towels for cleaning your hands though, always a refreshing treat! Food: The meat combo platter + another dish was the right amount to feed 2 hungry people. The combo had 2 chicken "stew" dishes, a beef dish, and 2 vege sides. The stews aren't really liquidy stews but really just refers to how they cook it. My favorite was the chicken stew with potatoes, very savory and hearty. The second was a drumstick which tasted very similar to mexican mole. Each dish had unique and bold flavors which were very enjoyable however I had one large complaint which was meat texture. Half of our dishes had very dry but tender meats, usually a result of excessive boiling of the meat intitially before it was lowered to a simmer. I wouldn't expect this to be a regular thing as someone likely forgot to tend the stove when they prepared everything that day. Overall I enjoyed the flavors offered by this place and would give it another shot as the dry meat could've been a fluke that day.
(3)Liz K.
NEED to try this! I'm a frequent customer! The service is great and they're so nice and welcoming. They have excellent dishes and a wide selection. They will explain dishes to you and answer any question imaginable. Truly love this place!
(5)Karen G.
I first discovered Ethiopian Food in a delicious little place up in Lansing. When we moved to this area, I was thrilled to find we had a similar place close by! We love coming out here for dinner when we're in the mood for something a little different. If you're new to Ethiopian, they have a wonderful 2-3 person sampler plate that gives you a taste of a variety of dishes. We enjoy the vegetarian plate which is full of a variety of soft textured foods eaten with your hands using a special sour crepe like bread. The waitresses always willing to help us choose our meals and were happy to give recommendations and suggestions. Special thanks to the young lady who correctly indicated we had ordered WAY too much food for our group and suggested what turned out to be almost the perfect sized order! Food wise, they get a 5 of 5 stars. The decor is nice and relaxing, but beware that service is very laid back. It is set up for a leisurely dinner with lots of talking. If you are in a hurry, this isn't the place for you! The often time very slow dinner service is the only reason they don't get a 5 of 5 stars! Still... I strongly feel it has always been worth the wait.
(4)Laura D.
The service was excellent and so was the food. Our server was super nice. We had the restaurant all to ourselves basically because we came in kind of late on a week day. She was very helpful with the menu choices and the kitfo was amazing. I'm coming back for sure.
(4)Neil F.
Not great food as many people have commented before. Service was very slow. The waitresses never checks to see how you are doing. I recommend blue nile over this place any day
(2)Christine M.
My husband and I try to hit all the Ethiopian places everywhere we go, and I'm originally from Michigan, so on a recent visit home, we finally tried Taste of Ethiopia. We were eating with a group of 6 at an odd time (2:30PM), so I called first to make sure they were open. A man answered the phone, said they were, and off we went. As others have mentioned, it's in a strip mall, so it can be somewhat difficult to find (I also blame the location on the fact that I had no idea the restaurant even existed until recently...and they've been there 9 years!). Upon arrival, we found that we had just missed the lunch buffet (knew nothing about it) and because the owner/cook wasn't there, our options would be limited until she got in at 3. The girl serving us couldn't have been nicer when she explained it, but I never quite figured out if they really were open at that time we arrived or not. We ordered 2 vegetarian platters and a meat stew that she said she could handle. The veggie platters were amazing. The stew was mediocre. But I usually prefer the veggie dishes at Ethiopian places anyway. The green beans, in particular, were delicious, as were the usual suspects (Misir Wat, Alicha Wat, etc.) Later, when the owner arrived, we ordered more food, including Shiro (my favorite Ethiopian dish--Taste of Ethiopia's had a different flavor than most, but one that I truly enjoyed), mild chicken (for my aunt--not sure the menu name--just asked for something mild), and lamb tibs. All were amazing! And the owner could not have been more kind to us. We got the coffee service, discussed how the restaurant makes their own injera (which is authentic here and actually made with teff!), and spoke about our respective backgrounds (shout out to Vancouver and their many Ethiopian restaurants--miss you!) and love for Ethiopian food. She was very kind with all of my crazy family, many of whom don't eat Ethiopian on the regular. Overall, the food was great, and, as much as the Blue Nile holds a special place in my heart (our wedding dinner was held there!), I think the food here is actually better, especially, as I said, the injera, and they don't make you pay per person (no all you can eat), but the portions here were quite large. I really wanted to give this a 4.5 for the mediocre stew and the confusion about what we could order and when, but I bumped it to 5 stars because it was truly a lovely experience eating at Taste of Ethiopia. Chat with the owner if you can; it's always a pleasure to not just eat the food at an Ethiopian restaurant but really savor the hospitality.
(5)Lisa D.
If you're vegetarian or gluten free, you'll be very happy here! First of all, the bread is completely gluten free. It's made from teff, without wheat, which Blue Nile adds to save money, making their food inauthentic. Injera bread is thin, bubbly, and has a sourdough like flavor, which accents the food perfectly. You eat with the bread rather than with utensils, so it's very important. There's an extensive vegetarian menu, and all of it is good. My daughter hates carrots, but she loves the green bean and carrot dish. We enjoy the lentil dish, and really any of the dishes she makes. Even the salad had an amazing dressing. The awazi tibs and derek tibs are our favorite dishes. One is made with chunks of beef very like filet mignon, and the other had a spicy, flavorful sauce. I've also had the goat, and it's flavorful as well. The tea is phenomenal. I love tea, and we actually bought a jar of their tea to take home. Their coffee is also flavorful and exceptional. Ethiopia is where coffee is from, and it shows. Their fried plantain dessert is not to be missed. It's just a fried plantain with honey sauce and ice cream, but like everything else here, it's delicious. The only issue here is service. This is a family restaurant, and no one is a professional waiter. Further, America is unique in the world in its need to rush through eating. In Ethiopia, it's expected that you want to linger through dinner. Expect to wait for your food. There's typically only one waiter. In any case, you'll love the food. It had a depth of flavor not found in most cuisines. If mom is cooking, you'll get the best meal you've ever had. The atmosphere is simple, with the tv playing Ethiopian videos, and pictures of ethiopia on the walls. It's in a shopping mall, and atmosphere isn't their song point. But the food will have you coming back again and again.
(5)Matt Y.
This restaurant is a classic case of one of those gems hidden away in a bland strip mall. Great food, very warm, friendly service. I always take family and friends who are visiting from out of town here and have never been disappointed. The vegetarian combo is terrific.
(5)Hakim B.
Love this place. Been going there for a few years now. The owners are great people and very friendly. I always get the same thing and eat it to the last drop. The potatoes and sambosa and derek tibs! Not a vegetarian but I enjoy the veggie platter as well.
(5)Tony H.
Healthily natural gluten free food that's full of flavor and home cooked goodness. The service and simple ambiance far exceeds any other Ethiopian restaurant in Metro Detroit. It's really all about the quality of the ingredients and the authenticity of the food and mainly the natural goodness... Will be back for sure.
(5)Melissa P.
Went here on a whim with the boy--our first time trying Ethiopian food. So glad that we decided to be adventurous! The food was amazing and the service impeccable. I had the vegetarian combo and the boy went with the meaty meat lovers combo. We both were very happy. We will definitely be back!
(5)David B.
I've eaten here several times and have also gone to the Eastern Market location back when it was open. After my most recent trip, I won't be going back. My SO warned me that the meat dishes here were not fresh (and tasted "off"), but since I only eat the vegetarian dishes I continued to go on my own occasionally even after her warning. On my most recent trip, I watched a woman in the back use a power drill to mix food with a 5 gallon bucket on the floor. This was right near the back door, which was wide open. The overall vibe concerns me as to whether these folks are following proper food handling procedures. To top it off, the last few times I've gone to this place (weeks and months apart) it has been fairly empty during the lunch buffet time slot, which is a red flag for any restaurant. Eat here at your own risk.
(1)Superkat S.
Great Ethio restaurant in the burbs. I was here on business this week and ate here twice. The owner was so wonderful and they have terrific Ethiopian beer. If you've never tried Ethiopian food, it's delicious. The service is friendly and fast. Hope to come back to the area some day and will definitely eat there again!
(5)Meredith E.
Empty restaurants scare me. I should have run the other way before entering this place. When the waitress finally arrived, she took it upon herself to order for us. I had planned to order the vegetarian platter. But the waitress ordered us the meat and vegetable. The portions were small and the taste was just ok. The waitress demanded we take our leftovers home. She took the entire plate of various leftover portions and piled them into a small to go box, mixing everything together. Then waitress informed us we were REQUIRED to tip (Duh). Then COLLECTED the tip while we were still sitting at the table. How rude! Next time I am in the mood for Ethiopian, I will definitively wait 2 hours for a seat at Blue Nile than get awful food and poor service here.
(2)Blake I.
Enjoyed the lunch buffet during a Wednesday afternoon visit. The lentils and cabbage were out of sight. The only disappointment were the greens but there were plenty of other options that were well done to overlook that. I struggled to find vegetarian/vegan meals in Detroit and was glad this restaurant was open and available. The young man working had only been there one month but he was attentive, and friendly which is all that matters. Hopefully, more people will discover this place and keep the friendly staff busy. I would certainly return.
(5)o o.
This place rocks -- even Stevie Wonder loves it -- checkout the website. This is the first Ethiopian food i have had since my move from SF and I was not disappointed! I got the Yetsome Beye' ainetu or veggie combo for $11.75. I am still thinking about how good it was. You pick out five dishes from a total six veggie dishes. I ordered split lentils, split peas with ginger, garlic, and turmeric, steam veggies, collard greans with jalapeos, and green beans and carrots. All the veggies were fresh with a nice subtle flavor, not too over powering. The only criticism was that the green beans and carrots were good but a little oily. Atmosphere is nice for a strip mall joint. Owners are nice. I will become a regular. Closed Friday.
(4)Vic D.
Business has closed.
(1)Elizabeth H.
Decided to check this place out since I have been getting bored with standard vegetarian fare. When i entered, there was a family of four eating and a man who came by himself and then me. The manager (?) Mahski greeted me and I was able to sit anywhere. I let her know that it was my first time and she said that it would be good for me. That made me happy. She then took the man's order and went back for what seemed a while before she brought out a menu and water for me. I overheard her say to the man she knew what he wanted since he was a regular and she decided to make ALL of his order before she came to take mine. He then ordered a raw juice then I placed my order of vegetarian sambosa (per menu; delicately fried pastry filled with potatoes, carrots, and peas) and V1: Yemisir We't (per menu; red lentil sauce, split lentils simmered in berbere, garlic, ginger, and other blend of Ethiopian spices). I proceeded to wait...and wait...and wait when finally the man's raw juice and my sambosa were brought out. Prior to my appetizer being brought out, I was given a warm towel to wash my hands. Reminded me of the time I spent in Japan as that is the custom. Anywho...OMG. There are only 2 pcs but I could eat like 8 of those plus eat a bowl of the spicy dipping sauce that comes with it. Nice and hot and flaky, each bite has filling unlike some stuffed pastry where the middle is full and then the edges have nothing. YUM-O. After an additional wait, my lentils came out and it looked amazing and came with a side of lettuce topped with sesame oil. I was about to ask for utensils when i remembered that i am to eat with my hands. Why not? I am not sure if this is supposed to be a hot dish, but it was lukewarm so i guess that's ok? Despite not being sure about the temperature, it was good. Wish there was that same spicy heat that came with the sambosa sauce cause I was anticipating it but was disappointed it never came. I think i mistook the red lentils for being cooked in heat. Nevertheless, I am not a huge fan of regular lentils but these were good and the injera that comes with it is like sourdough bread. I could eat that hot with some melted butter ALL DAY. Was given another warm towel after eating. I will probably go back just for the sambosa and possibly try another vegetarian dish. I will make sure to bring a book just in case. Probably would have given it 4 stars if the service was quicker. Wouldn't and don't have a problem recommending people to give it a try.
(3)Leslie C.
This place has great food at a really great price. The buffet is about half the price of Blue Nile so you don't feel you have to eat your weight to get your money's worth. The food is flavorful and authentic - includes a few Jamaican influences like peas (kidney beans) & rice and fried plantains. Don't come in here expecting it to be a 5-star joint. It's basically an Ethiopian diner. It's also locally owned so I always feel the rule "take all you want but eat all you take" is in full effect. Tips: Go around lunch time on the weekends. As the crowds wind down, so does the food. Cons: There's usually someone who comes in and hates on the buffet then walks out. I always get mad because they just can't appreciate what this place is. 4 stars because of the limited hours. Bottom line: best deal in town for great Ethiopian food
(4)Nikki C.
I stopped in here for a vegetable juice. It's a small place with ads on their front window that boasts their food, famous bread and juices. The food (dine in or carry out) is all buffet at a flat price - $12. The food sounded tasty, but I didn't indulge. I'll have to come back to try the food.. I did have a juice. I had the 5-Alive, which consisted of carrots, beets, apple, ginger and celery. It sounded good in theory, but tasted absolutely awful. I drank most of it because it was $4.50 and I was getting hearty servings of vegetables. But I would not ever get anything with ginger or beet in it again. Just saying. There is a $5 minimum for credit card purchases, so I asked if he could up my bill of $4.50 to $5 so I could use my cc. He gave me their spongey bread - which had no taste, which I'm assuming is supposed to be eaten with the food or better yet, is the utensil for the food, but it was the savior in my juice drinking challenge. So, anyway... I'd go back to try the food. I'm curious. I'd even choose a different juice blend. That was my bad on the choice I made this particular day.
(3)Lou D.
I visited Detroit last month for the first time and did my homework re spots to eat. I'm a super picky veggie and love Ethiopian. My boyfriend is unpicky and digs food. Period. We went with his parents and everyone was super happy and impressed with the food. Veryvery yum. After go a few doors down to Mootown Creamery for ice cream. The owner is cool and the place is pretty and the ice cream is YUM.
(4)Sarah R.
My mom brought my a carry out from the buffet today. I am only able to work my way through half of it on one sitting. Cabbage, greens, red & yellow lentils, and curry chicken. Mom said it didn't look good, but you Ethiopian aficionados know that looks do not mean much. Yum!!!! All of it is very good. It isn't very spicy, but I have to remember I'm not in the south anymore & people up here aren't crazy about SPICY food. I will definitely return!! $10 for essentially two meals is a great deal. I can't speak to the decor or the state of the bathroom or the service (although my mom did say the waitress was attentive and made sure that my mom filled the container). I cannot wait until mom's trip to southfield next friday. I am excited to have good ethiopian on a regular basis!
(5)Caitlin S.
Best Ethiopian food in the area! This place is really a gem. Tucked away in a strip mall off Southfield Rd, they have the best injera and lentils, and a good selection of meat dishes, including raw, for those who are interested. The Ethiopian coffee is a must...they roast the beans fresh daily. The service is very friendly, too.
(5)Jennie S.
I went with my family to Taste of Ethiopia for dinner tonight because we bought a Groupon for it. Soooo disappointing! I've been to Blue Nile before and their food is MUCH better. Even though they're way more expensive than Taste of Ethiopia (TOE, for short, ha), their food and the entire experience was just better. First, there was no air conditioning in the restaurant. Not a huge deal, but with 80% humidity here, it was mildly unpleasant. However, the door was propped open and the restaurant is located in a strip mall, so cigarette smoke was wafting inside the restaurant. Sicknasty. It took 30 minutes for the appetizers to come. We ordered the sambosas ($3 for two small ones) and those were good - they came with a VERY spicy dipping sauce. It took 50 minutes for our entrees to come out.When our entrees finally showed up, we were surprised to find that the menu was completely inaccurate. My parents ordered the meat combination platter ($13.75), which was supposed to include 1 portion of lamb, 1 portion of chicken, and 1 portion of beef. Instead, they got 2 portions of dry chicken and 1 portion of dry beef. Apparently the restaurant does not even serve lamb, and according to the waitress, the owner hasn't been serving lamb for a long time. But it's still on the menu! Why didn't they tell us this when we ordered, though. I ordered the vegetarian platter ($11.75), and you get to pick 5 out of 7 items. The waitress had me tell her the 2 items I didn't want. When it came out, it contained the two dishes that I did NOT order and was missing the other two. They combined the vegetarian and meat dishes on one large platter, even though we ordered them separately. Half of my vegetarian dishes were soaked in the meat juice that had spilled over. The injera was also weird - compared to Blue Nile's, this bread was sort of brown, it had more of a sourdough flavor, and it was cold. The restaurant was understaffed. Only one waitress was there to take care of the entire room, she was having a difficult time keeping up with dirty tables and filling water glasses (we had to ask the customers behind us if we could have some water from the pitcher she left on their table), and people who walked in to wait for a table had to stand around for 10 minutes before even being GREETED. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
(1)J. M.
Groupon helped us to venture out to try this new cuisine. I found it interesting but glad that I wasn't paying full price. The food was satisfying and the service was ok. Our server did make a few suggestions which were helpful and our waters remained full at all times. The food however did not sit well with me. I found myself spending the rest of the evening with an upset stomach and would not race back there anytime soon....
(3)Rose M.
Out of this world wonderful food, and the women who owns the place is such a sweetheart. They roast their coffee beans in house and she'll bring them out still sizzling for everyone to see and smell. Totally adorable. Taste of Ethiopia is also the only Ethiopian restaurant in the area that uses tef in their bread rather than wheat, which makes all the difference in the world texture wise and taste. Get the veggie combo, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Andrew K.
I was in a desperate mood to get out of the house on a Saturday night and found myself driving along Southfield road in search of somewhere to eat. When i finally stopped, i was in a plaza with about a half dozen food establishments. Big Boy (tempting but no) and Subway to name just two. I walked around and weighed the options. I was about to do some serious dietary damage at Big Boy... But wait! Maybe there was some other way of preventing this? I spotted Taste of Ethiopia and knew better sense had prevailed. I was greeted warmly at the door and led to a table in the far corner of the restaurant. The waitress (a kind faced server) brought me my menu and a tall glass of water. After a few minutes of waffling between dishes, i settled on a fried sombosa pastry (stuffed with potatoes, carrots and other spices) and a vegetarian dish with cooked tomatoes, onions, green beans and collard greens. The restaurant is understated, colorful and clean to hang out in. On this particular evening, it was quiet with only a few customers dropping in to pick up their orders to go. I spotted two women enjoying dinner together on the far side of the restaurant sipping their teas and talking excitedly about what they were eating. Although it's a modest sized establishment, each dish is prepared intimately with patience and cautious detail. I waited about 10 minutes before i was brought the sombosa (freshly made and very hot) and another 15 for my main dish. When dinner was served, i eagerly dug in. To say the food was "delicious" would be robbing it of its full effect. Not only was the food delicious, it was flavorful, beautiful to look at and well executed. I had no choice but to eat it all. When i finished, the waitress brought the bill to my table. She was patient and let me sit and enjoy my food without interruption. When i was finally ready, i paid for my meal (debit/credit/cash are all accepted) and said my goodbyes. My overall impression of this place was positive and it seemed the kind of environment i would happily bring friends or family to. Please pay them a visit. I'm sure they'd be glad to treat you just as well as they treated me.
(5)Dea A.
I went in with a friend the other day because we both really enjoyed our experiences at Blue Nile. They serve a buffet from 11a-3pm during the weekdays, and then a totally different menu on Saturday/Sunday to cater to the Eastern Market crowd. Alright, so, what went wrong? 1. The buffet is NOT all you can it, it is STRICTLY one plate only. Granted, they give you big plates, but what if you don't know what you like and wanted to go back for more? 2. The food was cold. I mean, if the health inspector came in... there's NO way this place would stay open until they fixed their buffet server!! (My friend and I basically had an entire conversation around what kinds of bacteria were having a field day. We can't help it, we're med students, it's what we do.) 3. Cold food aside, they don't even make their food here -- it comes from the Southfield restaurant. The whole make it somewhere else, cool down, heat back up is a dangerous combination for food poisoning. 4. The food was not good. Bland, under seasoned, the meat isn't tender but chewy, just over all blah. 5. They serve you water in these cheap plastic cups. And then they bring you iced tea, in a plastic up (but with a lid!) and no ice. What? 6. The spongy bread is brought to you, once again, cold. 7. Seriously cheap feeling restaurant with cafe tables instead of normal sized restaurant tables. I will never set foot into this restaurant again. Not until I see piping hot fresh food.
(1)Randy G.
There are two Ethiopian restaurants in the Detroit area, Taste of Ethiopia and the Blue Nile. I will not eat or waste my money at Blue Nile. However, Taste of Ethiopia in Southfield, I can send all the time there. The lady that owns it is Muski (I know I'm misspelling her name, sorry), but she is a wonderful women. If you want to eat at an authentic Ethiopian restaurant that's a mom-and-pops place, this is it. The decor is very simple and basic, but the food is made with love. They will explain everything on the menu if you've never been to an Ethiopian place before. One of the largest differences between Blue Nile and Taste of Ethiopia is the bread and prices. The bread at the Blue Nile has ZERO flavor and is only utilitarian, basically to fill you up and pick up your food. However, at Taste of Ethiopia, the bread is flavored to a sourdough bread flavor, so you actually want to eat it. Taste of Ethiopia is also much cheaper than Blue Nile. Blue Nile is over priced for what they give you. I have found all their dishes to be excellent here, but some stand out and others do not. The only dish I've tried that doesn't stand out is the lamb and the collard greens. Everything else is memorable. My favorites are the red lentils and the potatoes. If you're really daring, you can try some of the raw beef dishes she has. It certainly had flavors I've never had before. Lastly, don't forget to save room for the plantain dessert. Fantastic! Taste of Ethiopia is locally owned
(4)Carlito A.
I discovered this place by happenstance a couple months ago and returned last week to have a taste. When I got there, the lunch buffet was just ending but the lady (owner?) kept it going even for the patrons that arrived after me. Charming in its own way, I got the feeling the restaurant was frequented by many regulars and friendly people. The buffet was good as far as buffets go. I'll probably return to order off the menu. Great place to eat by yourself.
(4)Kal T.
By far this is the best Ethiopian food I've ever tried. I was in Detroit to visit friends, and after a visit we wanted to eat dinner and one of my friend who lives in there mentioned about the best food he had and he wants us to try it. We drove for about 20 minutes and got into this plaza. As soon as we got in, we were greeted with a warm welcome (I believe it was the owner) and got our seats for 5. We ordered 3 dishes for 5 of us, and it was a perfect size. All three dishes were excellent and it looks great. This is what I call an exotic food. Everyone agreed about the decision of our friend. Indeed the best food! I've tried Ethiopian food before and the taste and flavor of the food wasn't near to Taste of Ethiopia. Great food at a good price and an excellent service. I can't wait till I go back to Southfield to have their food again.
(5)Charlie B.
Had a not so great experience... Walked in around 3pm on a Saturday. Buffet looked picked over. Another couple who came in right after us asked if they would be refilling items and the server said he had to check with the cook. There were no forks, just knives. (the container where the forks are stored was empty). The other couple asked for forks and the server went to get them. In the meantime, we had no bread, no napkins, no water and no silverware. We walked out, leaving our untouched slim pickings on the table. Heard it went out of business. Not disappointed with that at all.
(1)Lori K.
CLOSED - This restaurant is closed. Updated 6/29/12 We loved this place. Ethiopian Food Buffet Style, $10 per person. They bring you the spongey bread too...so no sharing with others, which made me like this better than the traditional way Ethiopian is served in Restaurants, everything on the bread and you have to rip if off with your group of friends - which I never liked. The spices on the chicken curries, jerk chicken, spicy potato were phenomenal. The lentil peas, tilapia, it was all very good. We were in and out very quickly, you get full fast. This place is there if Supino and Russell Street are out of control like they were this Saturday.. Highly recommend to people who are VERY hungry, and want to try something different. Tasty. Perfect for those Saturdays at Eastern Market, very friendly customer service.
(5)Michael S.
Home Cookin' takes time so come here with some level of patience established in your mind. We like to get carryout from here and sometimes eat in. In this area, this is our best bet for dinner without having to drive out to Royal Oak. There's nothing else along Southfield Rd. The sambosas come out really hot and are spicy. The lentils are flavorful and fun to eat. The ribs are chewy. The bread is fun to make into shapes. It tastes like sourdough.
(4)Rac C.
I have never been to an Ethiopian place before so it was very strange, but I did like the new experience. You eat everything with your hands here and you are given hot towels to wipe your hands before chowing down. I ended up ordering a few things so I'd get a good idea of the food... I ordered the vegetarian combo and my favorite was the the red lentils, the cabbage and carrots and the split peas. I ordered beef and chicken tibs and I liked the chicken, not so much the beef. The beef was not very tender or flavorful for me. The African Diamond and mojito drinks were great. The diamond made me feel like I should have been drinking it on the beach somewhere lol It was that good. Oh and for desert I ordered their caramel plantain with ice cream, it was great. The waitress here was very nice and explained everything to me on the menu. Excellent service. I will be returning to try their lunch buffet.
(3)Jonny P.
I've been addicted to injera for a very long time. After moving it was a priority to find a way to feed my fix. I first met Meski at the satalite location in Eastern Market after I had ventured to another Ethiopian Restaurant that wasn't really good. I've visited the Southfield location for take out on numerous occasions and also come in for the lunch buffet. I've been to Ethiopean restaurants in D.C., The Bay Area, Toronto & Chicago (of course). The food @ Taste of Ethiopia is up there with the best of them. The staff is very friendly and of course having the buffet would be an easy way to try something new. Hope you'll stop in and tell them Jonny sent you...
(4)Joshua B.
So I was a little concerned after reading the older reviews, however since Eastern Market is walking distance from the office, I wanted to try it out. Boy am I glad I did! Walking in I was a bit hesitant. The restaurant is tiny, and the furnishings spartan, but the gentleman operating the front greeted us warmly and quickly had the spongy bread and drinks at our table before we could sit down. The food service is entirely buffet. The buffet appears small, but I think that's because I'm trained to think about buffets as having salads, desserts, soups, etc. (which aren't part of the experience here) in addition to the main course. As this is a main-course-only kind of place, the options for a meal are more than sufficient. There were two types of rice, two types of lentil preparations, spicy potatoes, plantains, collared greens, cabbage stew, mixed veggies, etc. There were also several meat and fish choices for omnivores. All of the dishes I tried were outstanding, flavorful, and appropriately spicy. Only constructive feedback is to update the buffet to have space to set down your plate while serving, and to use roll-open covers instead of the lift-and-shift kind. There is really nowhere to put the covers except on top of other covers, and this is all kind of awkward while holding your plate. I'm so glad to have discovered this place, and plan to lunch here at least once every couple weeks. It's also a very rare vegan- and vegetarian-friendly option downtown.
(4)Jackson R.
I went there with family for my birthday. It was my first time eating at Taste of Ethiopia, but not my first time having Ethiopian food. The food was really great, definitely tied with my other favorite, Bete-Lucas (in Portland, OR) for their food. The salad was amazing. I think there was a little sesame oil or something in the dressing which was what made it even better than salad i've had at Ethiopian places before (which is already so good to me). I got the vegetarian combo, which was amazing. My family members all got meat stuff, but I didn't really try their stuff since I'm vegetarian. They all loved it though and I know that's saying something since i don't think any of them thought they would like Ethiopian food (or had had it before and didn't think they liked it). We also got some vegetarian sambosas, which were delicious. the sauce they send out with it to dip into is really spicy, probably too spicy for most people, but if you can handle spice, the sauce had really great flavor. I had cupcakes waiting at home since it was my birthday, so i didn't try any dessert, but they had a dessert with plantains and caramel that sounded great (i love plantains). Their Ethiopian iced tea was so good too. My gramma couldn't stop talking about it and asked where she could get it and they sell it there (so she bought some) The service was also great. The waiter was the son of the folks who run the place and he was very friendly. He spent a lot of time talking to the different people eating there, but it was more because he was so friendly and easy to talk to that everyone wanted to talk to him (my gramma asked him lots of questions about Ethiopia (where he was born) and the restaurant and his family and everything. my gramma is very friendly. i love her). This made it so the service was a little slow, but it was such a friendly and fun environment that it didn't feel like we were being ignored, it just felt very relaxed. I have never been to the other Ethiopian place in the area that I know of, so I can't compare, but I would definitely go to Taste of Ethiopia again next time I want Ethiopian food
(5)Jeffrey A.
I worked until 8:30 tonight, and just thought at the last minute about stopping by here on my way home. This was my second visit. Since it was just after 9:00 (they close at 10 PM on Fridays), the crowd was light. I started with Tea (Shai), which tasted strongly of cinnamon and other flavors. Delicious. Then, I had a salad, but unfortunately I don't recall what they called it. There are 2 salads on the menu, one on the top, the other is a few entries down, both under appetizers. The top one is the TICKET! Jalapeno peppers, red onions, tomatoes, and more -- I was surprised that they wrapped it in Ethiopian bread (a pleasant surprise). The waitress told me that I was the first person to order this (at least with her) in 2 months. When I go to an ethnic restaurant, I like to generally order "off the beaten path", so this made me feel great. Well, that, and it really tasted great! I also had the toasted bread (again, I forget what they call the interesting bread that they make), which was deliciously spicy. Finally, my entree was a red lentil dish. Damn it, I have such a poor memory. I do recall it is listed as "V1" (as in, Vegetarian-1) on the menu. The moral of the story is that each and every item I ordered tonight was excellent, and the service (although a bit slow), was excellent. Many visits back every few minutes for refills, asking how everything was, and the like. I can't believe I waited this long to come back! Great food...great place.
(4)Rahul S.
I can't believe this was only my fourth time having Ethiopian food. The flavors are always fantastic and the people serving you are almost without exception really friendly. I went here on a Friday night and found that it was a reasonably small place, about 12 odd tables if I remember correctly. It was about half full at the time. Pros - - The injera was great. My first experience with injera was not the best. It was overly sour and overpowered the flavors of the meat and vegetables. The injera here was perfect for my palate. (For those of you well versed in Indian food, another reason I love the injera is that it reminds me of the dosa a.k.a. the Indian crepe.) - The food overall was good. We ordered the meat combination and the vegetarian combination. The 'Siga we't' (beef stew) was probably my favorite dish on the menu. Perfectly cooked, perfectly spiced. Just fantastic. My favorite thing on the vegetarian side of the fence was the 'Yemisir we't' (Red lentils). Again, the flavor was outstanding. As an Indian who's grown up eating well cooked meats and lentils these dishes had me craving for more. - They bring you hot, hand towels before and after your meals. You're going to be digging into the food with your hands so you need 'em clean. - Value for money - We walked out having spent about $35 and a had a decent sized to-go box with us. Cons - - We ordered a spicy lamb dish (Awaze Tibs) that was I quite excited about. It turned out to be a disappointment. While I'm not a connoisseur of Ethiopian food, I do love my lamb tender. The lamb was a little hard and just not as flavorful as I'd expected it to be. - The service while very friendly did leave a bit to be desired. There was a younger boy who was quite attentive and brought us our waters, hand towels etc. When he went on break though it took us a while to get anything. Considering it wasn't crowded at all and I could see two of the staff talking to each other the whole time, it left a little to be desired. - Food took a while to get to us. Considering I wasn't in a rush I can't complain but I would think twice before coming with a larger group of people. All in all, a good experience but I did enjoy the food at Blue Nile better. Then again it's also more expensive. I've been wavering between 3 and 4 stars but I'm going to stick with 3 for now. If the service improves the next time I'm there I'll up this to a four. Happy nomming!
(3)Tiredof u.
Love this place. The injera (dipping bread) is gluten free & the servers are very educated on allergens in general. Lots of vegan choices, too.
(5)Kendra L.
Let me start by saying I am a fan of the Blue Nile. I was looking forward to eating at Taste of Ethiopia all day! I LOVE Ethiopian food! The restaurant is small and boring, but like another reviewer said, it's the food you go for. I was slightly bothered that after being in there for over 10 minutes I had to ask to order a drink for me and kids. That's not too cool where there were only 2 other tables that had people. After ordering the drinks we waited, and waited. I finally got up, with glasses in hand, and got my kids some water from the bathroom. They saw me walking out of the bathroom with full glasses and STILL didn't say anthing...or bring our drinks!!! The food was ok. Just ok. I think the HORRIBLE service left too bad of a taste in my mouth. I will NEVER go there again.
(2)Eric P.
I went here for the first time last night, on the recommendations of so many friends and Yelpers. I've been to Blue Nile a few times before, so I'm no stranger to Ethiopian food in general, and I had a rough idea of what to expect. What I got, however, was fairly different. Because it was our first time there, the waitress (proprietor maybe?) went ahead and gave us all seven of the vegetarian options, as opposed to the normal six given when sharing. The first major thing I noticed about the food was the injera - rather than the white self-rising flour used at Blue Nile, ToE uses teff, the more traditional choice. It's also healthier, and gives the bread its own unique taste and texture, as opposed to an essentially flavorless bread meant to help fill you up (the sooner you stop eating at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, the better). ToE is also NOT all-you-can-eat, unlike Blue Nile. However, the seven selections plus the injera was more than enough to completely fill up two of us. And the food itself was leaps and bounds above Blue Nile - rather than a selection of marginally different combinations of lentils and greens, Taste of Ethiopia's choices were vibrantly unique and flavorful (green beans ftw). Aesthetically, Blue Nile does have the upper hand, but I preferred the ambiance of Taste of Ethiopia.
(5)Kara H.
I just had lunch at Taste of Ethiopia's Eastern Market restaurant, despite my trepidations based on Dea A's review, but I'm glad I did! It seems that they've improved a lot of things (service was quick, and the buffet was all you can eat, not just limited to one plate, plus the food was warm). I love Ethiopian food, and the combination of a buffet & Ethiopian makes me want to move in. The buffet had almost everything you would find on the regular menu, and I thought the food was just as good. Plus, I love the spongey bread! So I am happy to report that this location is just as delicious and inexpensive as the Southfield restaurant!
(4)Ramon B.
I eat there often, maybe once a month & I always order the VEGGIE COMBO sometimes with VEGGIE SAMBOSAS, if ordering just for me being that I'm VEGAN. I love it & crave the taste of Ethiopian food which is uniquely seasoned...& the injera bread is a flavor/texture that is new & enjoyable to me as well. I HIGHLY recommend these dishes & this place!...
(5)Lorna D.
Tasty food, friendly and attentive servers, of which there were two for a packed house! Some kind of banquet was going on, and I was so impressed that they took such good care of this huge party without the booths and tables ever feeling the least bit neglected. I had a great time here with a dear pal and the food was very tasty as well...nicely spiced as it should be. The blended drinks are delicious, though at $4.50, too expensive. Speaking of value, they seriously need to increase portion sizes for what they charge. My friend and I both got the veggie sampler plate, and I was a bit taken aback when she put down one plate for the two of us with small dollops of five options. Though it was delicious, if all I get is one plate for $12 please make it mine, or increase the portions of each! I've also been with the bf and his meat sampler was not enough to fill him up while there, let alone leftovers. The friendly people who waited on us almost make up for this...I hate to nitpick but I gotta be honest-next time I hanker for Ethiopian, I'll go back to the Nile-more value for similar tasting food and comfier ambiance.
(3)Lizzy B.
Low prices, huge portions and the nicest service ever! I decided to try Taste of Ethiopia based on some other Yelp reviews; I usually go to Blue Nile (Ferndale and Ann Arbor locations). I came with a couple friends and two of us ordered the vegetarian combo. For less than $12, you get your choice of 5 of 7 listed choices (various lentil, cabbage and bean dishes). Since 2 of us were ordering this together, we got to pick 6 of the 7 vegetarian dishes, served together on a giant plate. Much to our surprise, we actually got all 7! There was so much food, we couldn't finish *any* of the portions. And I really tried hard, because it was delicious. The downside is that the restaurant isn't much to look at, and I was a little concerned at how empty it was. On a Wednesday night at 7:30, we were the only ones in there. The music was a little annoying. The restaurant is in a strip mall, and it feels that way on the inside, too. This restaurant doesn't have a nice ambiance like Blue Nile. We did, however, have the nicest server ever. One of my friends had never had Ethiopian food before, so she had lots of questions. Our server was kind and helpful, she kept refilling our injera, and seemed so happy that we enjoyed the food. I also loved that I was *stuffed* and even had leftovers for less than $12, before tax and tip. I will definitely be back.
(4)Laura P.
One word...Shiro! Try it, you will not be disappointed.
(4)Lola D.
I have not had homemade Ethiopian food, but have had other African mama's food. Based on this sort of relevant experience, I judge that Taste of Ethiopia serves authentic food. It is well prepared and well portioned. Excellent taste of exotic spices and well balanced with different meats. The coffee is as fresh and unique as you could ever want. Friendly service, prompt, well priced menu and pleasant atmosphere to experience a different culture. If eating with your hands freaks you out, than stay away, but remember that you are missing good, hearty food.
(5)Karen C.
Food was good. We tried the vegetarian and the meat sampler. We loved the red lentil dish. The beef stew was really good too. Everything else was ok. The mojito was delicious. For the price and type of food you get, I wouldn't come here without the groupon.
(3)Aubrey T.
WATCH OUT! Stopped in for the lunch buffet a few minutes before 2:00 pm. The buffet warming units were off because the buffet was ending minutes later. My friend and I were asked if we were there for the buffet. Our response was yes if the food was still warm. We were assured that it was. We enjoyed the buffet for the most part, although it was not as good as we have had there in the past and not exactly warm. The rub was that we were over charged by the guy who waited on us. When I questioned him as to why we were charged $10.00 per person rather than the posted $8.95, he stated because it was now after 2:00 pm! I requested a refund of the overcharge which I eventually received, however the guy became rude and the discussion became heated and vulgar. I will never step foot in this average at best restaurant again and caution all to watch your check for creative charges if you decide to eat at the Taste of Ethiopia.
(2)Kelly P.
i am very torn on how many stars to give this restaurant. for FOOD i would give 4 stars - the food was pretty fantastic. but for everything else, i'd give 1 star - or less.... when i walked into this restaurant i was actually kind of grossed out and really unsure of where to sit as even the "clean" tables did not look so clean to me (i know this makes me sound uptight and i'm really not!! but most of the tables did not look clean at all!) i finally choose the one table that didn't look too scary - but the table cloth was covered with fuzz and everything kind of felt sticky. in addition, the restaurant uses fluorescent lighting and is painted with red and yellow (for the ketchup and mustard look??) if you're looking for a place with ambiance this is not where to go! i had purchased a living social coupon so decided to stick it out, but if i hadn't had that i probably would have left. there was only one server - who was quite pleasant but obviously overworked. it took about 10 minutes for her to get to our table - she was helpful with the menu choices and helped us figure out what we should order. my dinner partner had to get her attention from across the room to order a glass of wine though - which was a warm white - not very tasty to drink warm white wine and believe me, i'll drink anything! when the food came out - after quite a wait it was delicious and enjoyable. overall, if you're JUST going for some inexpensive ethiopian food you'll find it here. the food is just as good as the blue nile. but there is definitely some serious lack of cleanliness and atmosphere.
(2)Joshua L.
We visited Tate of Ethiopia because we purchased a Groupon. The place is pretty small, but quaint. The service was incredibly slow, however, the waitress did explain they were short staffed that particular evening. She definitely had her work cut out for her because the place was pretty busy. This was my first experience with Ethiopian, so I can't really comment on authenticity. I can say the food was fresh and tasted pretty good (it's also pretty inexpensive). I'd go back for sure.
(4)Jean P.
This was my first time eating Ethiopian food, so I'm glad that we came during the lunch buffet & had a chance to try many things. I'm VERY glad I didn't commit to one item, because some of the things I thought would be mild were very spicy and vice versa! Everything was yummy and interesting, particularly the weird stretchy bread made from teff (which was weird to me, if you're normally into Ethiopian food it probably doesn't seem weird at all). The only thing I didn't like was the tilapia - I didn't realize it was even possible to overcook tilapia to the point of making it into fish jerky. But there were so many other yummy things to eat that having just one thing I didn't like was a pretty good score. Overall the food was easily 4 or 4.5 stars, but the service was a solid 2. When we showed up, the server greeted us and was very enthusiastic about the teff bread, but didn't explain much about the rest of the food (even though she asked if it was our first visit and we told her it was our first time eating Ethiopian ever). Since the buffet was out and we didn't get menus, we just assumed the buffet was the only option. When we finished, we tried several times to flag her down for a bill, but were unsuccessful. My husband went into the back (where she was) and asked her for the bill, showing her that we had a Groupon. She mumbled something about that covering it and went further into the back. We went back to the table & waited a bit longer, but she never returned and the bill never materialized. To this day, I have no idea how much the lunch buffet costs! Eventually we just left the Groupon on the table with a few dollars for tip (which we guessed at, since we didn't know the cost of the meal). Overall my takeaway was: I would definitely try Ethiopian food again, but probably not TOE. There's an awesome Chinese buffet right across the parking lot from them that is always calling my name much louder!
(3)Bernard G.
Sadly, I can't recommend Taste of Ethiopia after two visits. Their food is good. Probably not quite as good / spicy as The Blue Nile (I've gone many times), but solid and a good $5-7 cheaper / dish than The Blue Nile (although NOT all-you-can-eat). However, as the recent reviews have noted, the service simply is woefully insufficient. Both times, ToE was understaffed, with too few servers for what ended up being a sizable crowd. This most recent visit saw two different couples get up and leave with disgust after getting no attention from a server after 10-20 minutes. In addition, on both occasions, not just one but several menu items were no longer available. Until there's a drastic change in management / service, we won't be back.
(2)Susan L.
We ate at this restaurant shortly after it opened. The vegetarian combo was delicious & filling, the prices were very reasonable, and the service was very friendly & attentive.
(4)Jill B.
I am also an adventurous vegetarian. I like flavorful food and it just doesn't get any more flavorful than Taste of Ethiopia. I am also gluten free and they are the only one's with gluten free Ingera. I always get the vegetarian combo when I eat there. My favorites are the green beans, cabbage, and split peas. The women that run the place always go above and beyond to provide great food and service.
(5)Christine R.
I need to be perfectly honest and say that this is the first time I have tried something strongly recommended by Yelpers and been totally disappointed. I really wanted to love Ethiopian food, but quite honestly, I just didn't "get" it. I am hoping to eventually give it another chance at another restaurant. I don't want to write off the entire fare, but Taste of Ethiopia left me wanting something much different. There was nothing special about the restaurant. The service was friendly, but slow, and the location, drab interior and constant draft just didn't do it for me. Maybe it was the combination of spices, or perhaps it was just too built up..... whatever it was, we won't be back.
(2)Nic B.
Pretty damn authentic as far as I can tell. Get the veggi combo :)
(4)Theresa U.
My first time to try Ethiopian food! Taste of Ethiopia is located in a shopping strip in Southfield. Not the most quaint of places, but don't be fooled by the façade. Here serves up some mean Ethiopian dishes! I could tell by the cheesy poster board/sharpie sign in the front window, this place is quality. 'no saturated fats!' 'food was never pre-frozen!' 'healthy alternative!' I was in a party of 6 and they had only 1 table large enough to fit us. The inside food aromas were so wonderful, just like home cookin. There was only 1 waitress. But she was only dealing with three tables. We had ordered our food and it was a wait for it to come out. Our waitress gave us hot towels to wipe our hand with. I never ate without utensils at a restaurant. So, this was a fun experience for me. Their culture was all about sharing. Sharing is caring! We finally got our food. I ordered the veggie combo and bf ordered the beef dish. The veggie combo was an assortment of 5 dishes you can pick. Definitaly enough food for two. Only $11.75! After stuffing ourselves, we ordered the special home ground Ethiopian coffee. It is served in tiny little mugs with burning frankincense to stimulate our senses. They put hard work into their coffee and I very much appreciated it. Will be coming here again! Yummmmmm!
(4)Kim L.
Went there with my son & his girlfriend for lunch. My son & I have been to Blue Nile a lot, his girlfriend had no experience with Ethiopian food. Lunch is an all you can eat buffet with several choices, including items not available at Blue Nile (such as spiced fish and some kind of delicious green bean & carrot or sweet potato). The buffet was $10 which is reasonable, but can still be pricey for lunch for 3 people (since I was paying!). I used a restaurant.com certificate for $10 off, so that made it better. The food was good, we all enjoyed it, and we all had our favorites. I'm a big fan of the red lentils and the stewed beef, my son had second helpings of the lamb, his gf liked the greens and lentils and we all liked the green beans. But really, it all tasted good. The atmosphere is a bit utilitarian, so it's not much of a destination place and I wouldn't go for dinner unless it was carryout. We were heading over to the DIA and decided to eat here first. Our waiter was nice and prompt - his job was to bring the injera and water and clear the plates when you go for seconds (or thirds). It gets 3 stars because of the type of restaurant - storefront with no character, and I think the price could be a bit lower, perhaps $7-8 per person, but the food was good.
(3)Lisa T.
I had only had Ethiopian once (in Chicago) and could not wait to try it again (love love love savory foods!). My husband bought me a Groupon for the Southfield location for Taste of Ethiopia, so I took my friend with me to dinner on a Wednesday night. The location was a bit obscure and the restaurant itself is in a strip-mall (which you can tell while inside), but the food was great. We got a platter with lamb, chicken, lentils, cabbage and beef, everything was delicious, hot and the meat was tender. The bread was great and the salad note worthy. What will bring me back was the service; the waitress was friendly and helpful and I believe the owner greeted us at the door. Where they went above and beyond was when the Groupon wouldn't pull up correctly on my friend's Palm Pre. The owner's son came out with his iPhone and tried several different ways of obtaining the discount and finally waited for my husband to e mail him the discount code from my Groupon account at my home computer. They closed at 10, but the owner's son sat with us until almost 10 30pm with a great attitude and saw us out with a smile. *the information lists that there is no alcohol at this location, but they have since obtained a liquor license. they now have beer, wine and mixed drinks.
(4)Kelly F.
Taste of Ethiopia is located in a strip mall between 12 and 13 mile on Southfield - off to the side. The space is small but pleasant. The food - and that's the thing, isn't it? The food is excellent. The injera is the best I've had since a place called the Abyssinia closed on Jefferson 15 or so years ago. It had the right texture and the slightly sour taste not too dissimilar to good sourdough bread. I enjoyed everything I ordered - beef stew with bere bere, red lentils, greens, cabbage and carrots - it was all excellent. The owner chatted and was very friendly. To sum it up: The food was excellent, the service pleasant, the portions generous and the price very reasonable. I will be eating here again soon.
(4)Mike R.
I didn't even know about this place until I found it on Yelp. It's hidden behind the Big Boy on Southfield Rd. I've never been to Ethiopia, so I can't comment on the food's authenticity, but it held up well to the other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to in Los Angeles. The decorum was a little on the generic side, but I thought the food was a good value.
(4)Enam D.
Excellent food, friendly service :) Will definitely keep going back!
(4)S B.
I love to try new foods and this was new for me. I found the food to be interesting in it's flavors, and the whole eating experience was an eye-opener. The food is expensive, even with the Groupon, the service very slow, but the waiter was very pleasant. I enjoyed the experience though. The group I went with were all hungry after we left, so we went to a fast-food restaurant afterwards.
(3)andrew s.
Loved it! Drove up from Toledo for a concert & went a little further so we could have some Ethiopian food. Unlike Blue Nile, this place lets you order off the menu. The sambosas are delicious & crispy. The injera is perfect--and they sell it to take home, too! We tried a variety of dishes, and they were all great. Our favorites were the red lentils & green beans...yes, I said green beans. We almost didn't order them, but then they turned out to be delicious. The highlight of the evening by a long shot, though, was the coffee ceremony. The owner brought out the beans as they were roasting for my approval. The aroma hung in the air and gave me a heady near-buzz. Then she returned with a tray of frankincense, sugar, and cream, and presented me with the strongest, most fragrant & delightful Ethiopian coffee I have ever tasted. Go out of your way to eat here. Just watch out that you go when they're open. The hours she told me were not the hours that were on the website, and no one seems to answer the phone. Perhaps this is part of the excitement of visiting...you're not sure if they'll be open. :)
(5)Weegee P.
This restaurant is awesome! Their Teff bread is gluten free and packed with fiber and calcium, AND it's delicious. We started off with some Guava juice and a coffee - which was amazing. The beans were roasted and ground with cinnamon on the spot - it had a great flavor, very clovey. Then we split the vegetarian platter. It was perfect. We got to choose 5 out of 7 vegetarian dishes to try. There is no silverware, so the inerja bread comes in handy to scoop up the food. We ended our meal with some friend plantains, homemade carmel and vanilla ice cream. It was so good! My only word of advice is to make sure you have plenty of time when you go here for dinner. It's a place to relax and enjoy the ambience - if you're in a rush, go somewhere else.
(5)Cammy W.
Really liked this place! The food is amazing and the service is super attentive. Would definitely go back!
(5)Dorcas S.
I have not experienced Ethiopian food before. I have nothing to compare it to, however my taste buds says this place is good. I dropped by for lunch. I was curious about the menu. However it was a lunch buffett, great! I thought to myself I can try a little of everything. Lentils (yellow and green), cabbage, green beans, plantains, fish, chicken, rice. The food was pretty good. The staff was very friendly and helpful
(5)Jessica M.
Everything I have had here has been phenomenal. The Gomen is my go-to dish. The taste, quality, purity of ingredients (traditional nutritious teff is used for the injera, not the substitute wheat as with some other Ethiopian restaurants), hospitality, and genuine goodness to be had here recommends a Taste of Ethiopia as the premier of Ethiopian cuisine in the Metro detroit area. P.S: The restaurant IS open on Mondays regardless of yelp listing it as closed.
(5)Ken F.
We've been to a good number of Ethiopian places in Chicago, Grand Rapids, and the Detroit area. The quality of the dishes here at Taste of Ethiopia makes it rank in our top two of all we've tried. The flavors are diverse and interesting. The meat dishes are really good - tender, nicely flavorful, and better than any similar I've tried. I'll add my two cents on their only competitor in this area, the Blue Nile. Their crazy method of pricing, which forces everyone at the table to order the full monte even if they're not that hungry, will keep me away until they change it. You can't even bring home what you've left on your tray. No such tricks here. You order what you want, and bring home what you can't eat. So - Great food. Friendly staff. Clean, bright dining area. A winner!
(4)K U.
Just AMAZING! So nice and so real!!!!!!
(5)Rose A.
I had high hopes for this restaurant especially after reading other reviews. Sadly to say I was very disappointed. Very small portions, If you order a dinner with chicken, lamb or beef that's all you get and very little of it. For a family of four our bill came to sixty some dollars and we left hungry :(
(2)Sheri K.
I go here for the lunch buffet. It is great for vegetarians and people with wheat issues. The food is excellent! I'd give it five stars if the service wasn't so slow. You'd think for a buffet they could get it together. I often have to ask for the teff bread to be brought out and they sometimes forget your drink orders. The food is worth it though.
(3)Allie J.
What an amazing little gem! The owner was so friendly and gave me the run-down on the food/proper way to eat with the injera (Ethiopian bread) since it was my first time at an Ethiopian place. I had the vegetarian combo, which was enough food for two in my opinion. It's not the nicest looking place, but the food is worth the visit!
(4)Jillian K.
We were there on a Tuesday night and had the place to ourselves for a while. No matter what, it seems like Ethiopian food takes a little while to prepare but it's completely worth it. We had meat eaters, vegetarians, a child and someone with Celiac Disease and all of us could happily eat there - which doesn't happen too often. The food is so tasty, the staff is so helpful and the hot tea is amazing!
(5)Rajthilak M.
The meat combination along veggies was very well made and ideal for two people to share. Very authentic and family run . The host was super friendly .
(5)Pasha A.
As good as any ethopian I have eaten... Much better and more authentic then blue Nile.
(5)Saleh M.
It Sucked. Horrible service, decent food. Left hungry and I couldn't get myself to leave a tip. Maybe it was the party of eight but still at least keep the cups filled,
(1)Ms.Brie C.
I found the dishes to be flavorful and filling. I split one of the veggie dishes with my friend which made Taste of Ethiopia highly affordable. It's a nice place to visit with friends. Be forewarned though that it's got a bit of a romantic atmosphere.
(4)Nat H.
Food was tasty but way, way overpriced for the portions. I ordered a $9 sharo (spicy pea) dinner to receive about 1/2 cup total. When I brought it to the attention of the waitress, she explained the peas soaked up the water and agreed to charge me half price. They didn't have what we ordered and instead of telling us, they substituted another dish! Not a great experience..never gonna leave "The Blue Nile" again.
(2)E W.
Peace! I have been frequenting Taste of Ethiopia for about 4 years now. I go almost weekly. Meski, the owner, is amazing. She's incredibly warm and goes out of her way to make sure that diners have a wonderful experience. I've visited Ethiopian restaurants all over the country, and Taste of Ethiopia is one of my absolute favorites! The food is great--- her fosolia wet (green beans) is the best I've ever tasted! She's also added fried plantains to the menu, so you can't go wrong! :o) I highly recommend the vegetarian combo. This is a great place to have a date...great place to take your children (my son who's in kindergarten loves it!)....also a great place for a business lunch. I do all three there regularly! Also a nice place to meet a group of friends (I enjoy celebrating my birthday there). Again, you definitely want to stop by. Oh yeah, and definitely have some shai (tea) with dinner and a mango smoothie with lunch! Enjoy!
(5)Sanjeev T.
Had the sambusa and the Doro Wat on April 12th 2001. Great food and excellent service. Very satisfied. Since I am travelling on the job and my company pays for the food, I am planning to go there twice a week and feast out. Yum
(5)Dillon T.
If you are looking for something very different and a unique meal in the Detroit area, I would suggest giving this authentic mom & pop resturant a try. Bottom line is, the food is very good and worth it. The service was very slow and the waitress (who I assume is the owner or part of the ownership group) explained that they were short staffed that evening. We were a bit surprised by the un-written rule of limited sharing (meaning, we were told everyone needs to order a separte meal - could have been the Groupon we had and un-written/fine print). We tried 2 appetizers and they were both great along with the veggie combo and 2 sides - all good (lamb was a little chewy for my taste). It took a long time to get the specialty drinks; so I suggest a glass of wine or a beer. The prices were pretty good - less than Blue Nile, but the atmosphere is very different - causal, diner style venue - nothing fancy. I would say, bring your patience and an appetite from something unique and go with it. We plan on checking out the lunch buffet.
(4)