I love Fufu Restaurant - Davenport — Restaurant in Davenport

I live in Cedar Rapids, but have been coming to this restaurant every time I'm in Davenport for years. Sometimes I have made the trip just for this, as it was the closest Ethiopian restaurant I could find to home.

Yesterday was my first time eating here since they changed from Taste of Ethiopia to I Love Fufu. The service and atmosphere were great and now they offer many different types of African fare. The view of the river is also lovely. However, I noticed that the Ethiopian food I ordered, which was the same six vegetarian dishes I always get, was missing whatever it is that makes Ethiopian so delicious. I have eaten at many different Ethiopian restaurants in my life, so I know it wasn't some ingredient that only Taste of Ethiopia used.

I mentioned to the server (/owner?) that something seemed to be missing. I really appreciated that she was open to feedback. With some discussion, we figured out that it was likely the niter kibbeh (spiced butter). She said they don't use the butter because so many of their customers are vegan, which I think is very considerate. I am also vegan, but had chosen not to look too deeply into what flavorings are used in non-meat Ethiopian dishes, because I could not handle never eating them again. Willful, blissful ignorance on my part.

When I got home, I Googled and found several recipes for vegan niter kibbeh. I made some and added it to the extra food I had ordered to-go. This was definitely the missing component!

I really hope the owners at I Love Fufu will condsider making and using vegan niter kibbeh, as it is the crucial ingredient that makes Ethiopian food so delicious. Please let me know if you do, and I will happily return whenever I am in Davenport!

I see that there is also a location in Iowa City, which is much closer to me, so I'd probably visit there often as well, if they are using vegan...

As an African American knowing authentic African food, the staff service provided was an 8.5.

I ordered oxail plate and fufu and egusi soup ox tails plate taste is a Keith Lee 6.5 but overall plate a 3.5 because based on the price, I was hoping for tinder ox tails and a bigger portion of ox. as for my fufu and egusi I'll have to give it a 4 unfortunately my fufu was a lil undercooked however the tastes wasn't bad I wish it was cooked a lil longer and everyone makes there egusi different I prefer mine more soupy and with a lot of meat and spinach there egusi is not soupy but the lamb meat tastes good everything well seasoned that being said fufu is a 1 for me and egusi is a 3 the tastes for this meal is a 5.5 but the meal overall is a 4. The tastes are definitely there. I think all yall need is a lil more authenticity, and this will be...

My wife and I decided to try a new restaurant, and while the waitress was friendly, the food left much to be desired. I ordered the chicken wings and fries appetizer, but it arrived without fries and with a hair in the ranch sauce, which was quite off-putting. My wife had the stuffed grape leaves, which she found tasty but a bit too salty. For our main courses, she enjoyed the ox tail meal, which she said was good. I opted for the steak tacos, expecting them to come with red onions, jalapeños, and a spicy kick as described on the menu. Instead, I received decent steak with just a few red onion slivers, topped with romaine lettuce, white onion, and bell peppers. The tacos were bland and didn't match the menu description. Overall, the food was fresh and edible, but the discrepancies between the menu and what was served were...