Ethio Beans Ethiopian Restaurant and Cafe — Restaurant in Carol Stream

This is my second time having Ethiopian food. The first time was in Chicago so I was pleased to find one in the suburbs. It’s located in a small strip mall. Parking is not a problem. When you enter, there is a restaurant along with a shop next door. Unfortunately, we did not have time to look at the shop. Service started out great. We were greeted and they sat us down. The only reason I took off one star is because the service went downhill towards the end. They took quite a bit of time before they brought us out our to go containers. Quite a bit of time meaning 10 mins or longer. I believed the other tables were also confused by this, but you have to go up to the register to see your bill and pay. They don’t bring you your bill first.

The food itself was great and that would have been 5 stars. Portions were very generous for the prices. Generally, you use your hands to eat. You tear off pieces of the injera and put food into them like a taco. We also got tea that can be shared by two people. I recommend getting either the tea or the coffee. You can really taste the spices in each sip. Unfortunately, after factoring in the faltering service, it brought it down to 4 stars.

-sambussa 5 - big pieces. Outside was crispy. That sauce has a sweet and spicy flavor. The filling inside wasn’t dry or bland. This is a good vegan dish. -lamb tebes 5 - we got the non spicy and juicy version. Highly recommend getting the juicy version. It was a well balanced meal by itself. Injera is moist and spongy. Nightshades were tasty. -shekla tibs 4.5 - I liked the presentation, it comes in a clay pot. Lots of well seasoned meat, I think it was cooked well done since it was kind of chewy. I believed the juicy version (medium rare would have been better). It has a good mix of meat and veggies along with the injera. The powder that you can sprinkle onto your food is only...

Ethio Beans Ethiopian Restaurant! Authentic Ethiopian food in Carol Stream, IL, we are fortunate to have this place just a few minutes drive from our house. We've been ordering lunch/dinner from there for the last 6 years or so, the owners are incredibly kind as they take our orders and as they present our takeouts. We absolutely love the Special Spicy Chicken curry which is Chicken curry seasoned with Blend Red Pepper and Veggie combo, which is Lentil Curry, Yellow Split Peas, Greens, Cabbage. Of course, all accompanied by famous Ethiopian flatbread called Injera (a well fermented flatbread we use to pinch and hold the food with our fingers (no need for silverware)). We recommend getting a family platter with a few different veggies and meat options so you can taste multiple dishes. Everything is delicious, from the veggie’s combo to the meat variety to the coffee...amazing!!! The location is a bit hidden in a plaza so don't miss it! Parking, no problem! If you happen to be in the Carol Stream area, we highly recommend trying Ethiopian food at Ethio Beans with a group of friends/family that want to try something new, so much fun with kids as well. It's absolutely a great social way to eat. The dishes at Ethio Beans are delicious and of course we will continue to order and eat from...

I had an amazing experience at Ethio Beans and can’t wait to go back! The food was incredibly flavorful, and the hospitality made it even better.

We started with sambussa, which came with a delicious, spiced dipping sauce (I believe it was awaze). For our main meal, we ordered two veggie combos, which included injera, misir wot (spiced lentils), alicha wot (mild stew), gomen (collard greens), and cabbage, plus a side of alicha potatoes with carrots. Every bite was perfectly seasoned and comforting, and we nearly finished the whole platter! The misir wot was especially incredible. It was all so good that I forgot to take a “before picture” of our food!

I also ordered Ambo water, and the owner was pleasantly surprised I knew about it—she smiled and said, “Ah, you know!” which made me feel like an insider. The Ethiopian coffee was another highlight—served with burning incense, it was rich, bold, and easily the best coffee I’ve ever had.

To top it off, there’s a small shop next door selling Ethiopian spices, groceries, and traditional servingware, which made the experience even more special.

If you love authentic Ethiopian food, this place is a must-visit. Whether you’re new to the cuisine or a longtime fan, Ethio Beans delivers on flavor, tradition, and warm hospitality....