Adulis — Restaurant in Houston

I debated for quite some time about whether to write this, especially since I recently left a glowing 5-star review. But after my most recent experience, I can honestly say I will never return—nor will I recommend this place to anyone.

To start, there was only one person working, and while I could clearly see she was overwhelmed trying to manage everything on her own (which I was patient and understanding about), the service was disappointing from the beginning. We were not offered anything to drink, and when I eventually asked for water, another staff member who had just arrived handed me water —without mentioning that it would cost $2.00. Charging for water without informing guests is simply unacceptable.

Then came the tea: a basic grocery store tea bag served for $3.00. Between water and tea for two, it came to $10—completely absurd.

But the final straw—the moment I knew I would never return—was watching the lady pack my injera with her bare hands right in front of me. I was disgusted. She had been touching her phone, various surfaces, and then handled my food without even attempting to wash her hands. I stayed calm because by then, I was just ready to leave. We had already eaten, so there was no point in making a scene.

To top it all off, they tried to overcharge me. When I pointed out the menu prices, she claimed the menu hadn’t been updated in two years—which is simply not true. I’ve been here before and the prices were consistent. Instead of just apologizing and making it right, she casually removed the tea from the bill to make up the difference. The lack of transparency and the attempt to casually overcharge was honestly insulting.

Unfortunately, the food—though always delicious—ended up in the trash. I simply couldn’t bring myself to eat something I watched being handled so carelessly and unsanitarily.

At the end of the day, no matter how good the food is, it means nothing without basic hygiene, integrity, and respect for your customers. I’m truly disappointed and...

We had an incredible dining experience at Adulis! We were looking for authentic Eritrean/Ethiopian food, and this place truly delivered. We ordered the vegetarian Ades and the Tesbhi Ades, both traditional lentil stews that are a staple of the Eritrean highland tribe's cuisine. The flavors were phenomenal—deep, comforting, and a true taste of a Eritrean home.

It's fascinating to learn about the cultural differences and connections between Eritrea and Ethiopia. For instance, the savory lentil stew known as 'ades' in Eritrea is commonly referred to as 'miser wat' in Ethiopia. These dishes, while similar, carry their own unique history and preparation methods within each culture.

The heart of Adulis is the family that runs it. We had the pleasure of meeting Merrick, a co-founder who runs the front of the house with his father, Hagos. The incredible food is all thanks to his mother, Berhana, the head chef who makes fresh injera daily. The injera was perfect—spongy, slightly sour, and the ideal utensil for scooping up every last bit of the delicious stew.

This family business is a testament to their dedication to sharing their culture through food. They were so welcoming and friendly, taking the time to explain the dishes and ensuring we had a wonderful time.

Their commitment to using high-quality, fresh ingredients is evident in every bite, and the prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality you receive. Adulis is more than just a restaurant; it's a warm, inviting space that celebrates the rich traditions of Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine. We can't...

I didn't eat here because when I walked in, the entire restaurant/ bar turned to look at me and continued staring- making me feel clearly unwelcome- until I left.

In response to Adulis's (non) reply (below): This is not about social anxiety- I am far from socially anxious and have written 100s of reviews- both positive and negative- all factual. This is about no one greeting me for over 3 minutes in a restaurant with fewer than 10 patrons. This is about how is felt to me, a customer who drove all the way across town in the rain to Blue Nile (where I was greeted warmly upon entry) and had a wonderful dinner after being made to feel unwelcome at your restaurant. Rather than trying to blame me, you could take a step back from your defensiveness and look at it my review for what it was- an opportunity. This was an opportunity for you to take a look at how it feels to not be you, or a regular patron in your restaurant, and to walk into your restaurant. I did. I was not greeted. All of your patrons stared at me for the eternity it took for me to leave. I felt unwelcome. I felt like I was being told my business was not wanted. You may have wonderful food. It may also me terrible. I don't know, and based on your reply, I never will. That's too bad.

Maybe Adulis will take this as an opportunity to improve the restaurant. Maybe they won't. All I can be sure of is that I was not made to feel welcome and I left...