Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Recently we held an event for a few dozen people so needed catering. We knew of Tesfa restaurant for years and watched their growth so wanted to support them further by having them cater our food. We ordered about half a dozen dishes because it was pricier compared to other Ethiopian restaurants so we figured they would be of much better quality. But we were wrong.

Doro wot is the main attraction of any Ethiopian ceremony so it’s the basis for judging everything else. What we got was just unacceptably bad. It’s what you would get if you described what doro wot tastes like to someone who has never had an Ethiopian food and told them to make it. It’s fine when you do that to feed those who have no frame of reference. And now I understand that Ethiopians are not the target customer for the restaurant. Here’s what was wrong with it:

1. the gravy was very light in onions. Doro wot is an onion gravy curry so you can’t skimp on onions.

2. the gravy was light brown-colored. When doro wot is slow cooked for hours (as it should), the color turns deep red, almost burgundy. Ours tasted pretty oniony. You shouldn’t taste the onion if it’s cooked properly.

3. there was no seasoning besides the pepper. This one is unforgivable.

4. it was very oily. Cheap vegetable oil and clarified Ethiopian butter taste drastically different. The butter is what makes it very savory and just full of so many flavors because of how it’s clarified. This didn’t have any butter. The doro wot tasted watery.

5. The eggs were pretty eggy. You’re supposed to score or slit all the eggs and let them simmer in the doro wot so they get infused with the flavor of the curry. Our eggs weren’t slit. It was pretty obvious they were added at the end after being boiled separately.

6. The meat was pretty chewy and white (see the picture). This is just unheard of. In doro wot, the meat falls off the bones and is smothered in the gravy that you can’t tell it’s chicken. The one we got was simply boiled in the curry and when you bit into it was just completely white meat.

7. The cheese was so bland and tasted like margarine. This was one of the easiest dishes to make. You simply have to boil the milk and separate the fat with an acid. But you’re supposed to filter it at the right time.

8. The injera was tiny. Typically injera is 16 inches long. The ones they sent us were 12 inches (see the picture) like a tortilla.

I could keep going but the point is they failed badly on the most important dish of all. To give them some credit, the kitfo was decent and it’s the one people ate instead. We ended up dumping all of the doro wot because it wasn’t worth storing.

I’m saying all these not out of malice but because I honestly want them to do better. I hope they keep expanding and find more success. Their target customers are not Ethiopians. I get that. Even though the people who do eat it have no frame of reference and would go on to leave glowing reviews, the restaurant should do better when it comes to catering. They should put more effort and have people who know what they’re doing...

This was my first time eating Ethiopian food and I have to say that I absolutely loved the experience as well as the taste. As I had no idea what to order, I blindly chose what I thought sounded good and got confirmation that I didn't do too bad when the waiter said that those were some of his favorites. As soon as the food came out, my curiosity was piqued. I had expected food with a denser consistency, such as bite size chicken and meat pieces, but what I saw before me had the consistency of chili. Immediately I wondered whether each item served would be able to really convey a different, unique flavor or if it was all going to taste alike. Well, surprisingly each one was completely and absolutely different. What flavor! The best part is that while there were some with really strong flavors, others were mild and worked almost as a palette cleanser. In addition, I really enjoyed the soft, spongy like pancake food ( I am sorry, I have no idea what it is called) that was served under and alongside of the other items. This worked a lot like a tortilla or naan, in the sense that you use it to scoop up what you like to eat. I thought that both the texture and the flavor complimented the other foods perfectly. In particular, I would like to applaud the spiciness of the food. Many times either restaurants who claim to have spicy food don't, or they have a really spicy sauce that completely obscures the taste of the base ingredients. Neither was the case with this particular restaurant. The spiciness added flavor, it did not detract from it. Once we were done eating, we were served this delicious, homemade tea that instantly refreshed and cleansed our taste buds. I inquired about the tea and was told that it was a secret recipe and that it was a tradition for the grandmother to serve that tea to guests after every meal.

If you are in the area, want to explore new flavors and want to support a wonderful restaurant owned by a small family, I highly...

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of visiting Tefsa, a fantastic Ethiopian restaurant nestled just off the Wilson stop in Uptown Chicago, Illinois. As I made my way to the restaurant, I couldn't help but be captivated by the stunning scenery that surrounded me - the towering high-rise apartment buildings, the bustling shops brimming with life, and the energetic ambiance that permeated the area. As I stepped into the restaurant, I was warmly welcomed by the gracious owner, who led me to a cozy table where I was presented with a delightful selection of beverages - a choice between refreshing water or a cup of tea. The attention to detail and thoughtful service only added to the already inviting atmosphere, setting the stage for a truly enjoyable dining experience. Furthermore, as I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but be enchanted by the delightful melodies of the traditional Ethiopian music that filled the air, transporting me to a world of vibrant culture and rich history. The lively rhythm of the beat and the infectious lyrics proved to be irresistibly catchy, compelling me to bop my head along in time with the music - a sensation that brought back fond memories of the reggae tunes my father and I would enjoy on occasion. Upon perusing the menu, my eyes were immediately drawn to the tantalizing dish known as Zil Zil Tib - a true staple of Ethiopian cuisine. Having learned about the importance of Tib in Ethiopian culture from the video in class, I knew without a doubt that this was the dish for me. As I savored each and every bite, I was absolutely floored by the delectable flavors that enveloped my taste buds. The mouth-watering bread complemented the sumptuous toppings that adorned the platter, creating a perfect symphony of flavors that left me craving more. From the impeccable food to the inviting atmosphere, my experience at Tefsa was simply unforgettable, and I can hardly wait to return in the near future for another round of...