Comments on: Dining: Addis Ababa

By: Hungry

Hungry — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:02:09 +0000

While I do agree that the service can be mediocre, it has not been enough of an issue to keep me away. My only real complaint regarding the whole experience is that the injera is almost always bland and flavorless. I’ve always felt injera should have a moderate to strong sourdough tang to it. Here more often than not, it tastes more like “wonderbread”.

By: Pauly

Pauly — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:59:29 +0000

I love me some Ethiopian food but the service here is very slow. I usually bring in a bottle of water with me, knowing full well that i will not get more than one glass, ever, even when I ask for it. The food’s kind of good though.

By: Julie L

Julie L — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:23:30 +0000

I’ve been there 3 times and each time, everyone ordered a different type of sambosa (lentil, veggie, or meat, I believe). They have never gotten more than 1 out of 4 sambosa’s correct (pretty hard when there are only 3 options). The combination platter rock. Available for parties of 2, 3, or 4.

By: Woodsider

Woodsider — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:09:13 +0000

I agree completely, it’s always about someone at least acknowledging your presence, and then periodically stopping by to say that it will be a little longer before the food comes out. It’s when you are ignored that it gets irritating.

By: Thayer Ave

Thayer Ave — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:54:42 +0000

Got to agree with NotYourBroom; last time, we were told they were out of a certain brand of beer, only to watch the couple who sat down later at the table next to us order and receive the same beer. Speed isn’t always the issue–it’s more a matter of getting someone to respond.

The food and the atmosphere are so good that we always go back, but we always adjust our expectations first!

By: NotYourBroom

NotYourBroom — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:51:14 +0000

I wouldn’t mind the slowness if they were otherwise good servers. I have never gotten my drink there, no matter how many times I order one, and ask repeatedly for it to be brought. Everytime, they mess up our order, and then it’s impossible to even find someone to fix it, and then you finally find someone who will promise to bring the right order, but you never see that person again. And then they bring out the bill, and it charges for the drink you didn’t receive and the order that was incorrect and never fixed.

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:39:57 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Woodsider.

As part of my research, I always take note of when my order is taken, and when the food arrives at the table (or in Addis Ababa’s case, the basket).

During this particular visit, it took roughly 10 minutes for the entrees to arrive. It took less time for the appetizer.

By: Woodsider

Woodsider — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 02:02:35 +0000

I agree, the service is very slow there BUT (and this is a big but)…could it be that our American expectations/perspective are the “problem”?

If you go to Spain, Greece, Italy, Israel…and probably Ethiopia (though that’s one I haven’t been to) the service is much slower and less rushed than here. There, you are expected to linger…to enjoy the company of others…and to relax and stay as long as you want. No one rushes you or expects you to leave until you are ready.

The American business model says: get them their drinks, hurry with the appetizers, bring them the entree, offer desert, bring the check and get them OUT so you can seat the next group at the table. We’ve become so accustomed to this type of “service” that we now think this is the way it is always supposed to be.

Of course, I did get pretty hungry waiting at Addis Ababa.

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:25:16 +0000

Guess I caught the servers on a good day.

By: Urbannomad

Urbannomad — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:43:15 +0000

The food here is excellent; however, I will agree that the service is terrible. It’s still the Ethiopian restaurant I take everyone too, but the service turns me off more and more each time.