MLK Cafe — Restaurant in Oakland

I've had lunch at MLK Cafe in the past and thoroughly enjoyed the food. My friend and I ordered our dishes by menu number so the young server would not get confused. However, it didn't help, because she brought us 1/2 wrong main dishes. About 15 min. later she brought the spinach dish my friend wanted and we liked. The fried potatoes and shrimp appetizer were edible. The potato and cabbage dish was very bland. The injera under our food was dry, and we were both disappointed that neither of the main dishes were saturated with juices from the food so that we could truly "sop" up the liquid with injera as we have done in other Ethiopian restaurants. The music was very loud (we are Seniors and it was hard to talk). Despite my above comments, I am impressed that the restaurant is still standing strong, I hope, in the community despite the pandemic. Kudos...

A Culturally Rich Spot with Some Room for Improvement

This East African Eritrean restaurant stands out for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community. The people around are kind and culturally warm — it really feels like a family space, which reflects Eritrean values.

The location is nice, and they occasionally host jazz and piano bar nights, which add a creative and relaxed vibe. However, one issue I noticed is the kitchen setup. When food is being prepared, the smell travels into the open dining area, which affects the comfort of the space.

If the owners improve the layout and refresh the overall vibe, this restaurant could become a top spot for cultural gatherings...

I invited a colleague of mine to this place. A female cook was blowing her nose, without washing her hands, and returned to cooking. When we brought this to the attention of the cashier, he pointed us out and relayed the message. She laughed loudly and stated, "I'm cooking for myself, not for you." As if it's OK to be in a commercial kitchen and not wash your hands after waste is on them. Hmmm.

Our takeout orders weren't complete. My guest noticed hers before we left. I didn't notice mine until after I returned home. I've apologized to my guest for having suggested this place to dine. Snotty fingers and paid-for missing food is not my idea of a great...