We love this place. The whole environment is very welcoming and the food is unbelievable. My wife and Inused to live down the street so we’d order from here all the time. When we moved about 25 minutes away, we tried all the other Ethiopian spots closer to where we live now and we still make the drive here whenever we can to get the food. Top notch. We love the owner and she knows our order by heart now; fish goulash and gored gored with an extra side of mit mita.
However, in the last year, something has been happening at the restaurant that is concerning and makes us worried that things are going to keep going south. When the owner isn’t there, the service is really poor. One night, my wife and I made the drive there because all she was craving was the fish goulash which is the same dish she’s been ordering for several years. When we got there, a waitress told us “We don’t serve that anymore” which was bizarre because it’s a very commonly ordered Ethiopian dish. My wife was disappointed but she ordered something else since we were already there. When we returned a few weeks later, the owner was there and we asked her why she dropped fish goulash from the menu to which she replied “Of course we still serve that. Who told you we don’t?” So…that was very strange. Why would a waitress just say they didn’t have that? Maybe the crew in the back didn’t feel like making it or the waitress was feeling like giving us a hard time. I don’t know.
And recently, they’ve stopped taking to-go orders over the phone. That’s a huge disappointment because, often times, I ordered food to pickup on my way to work at nights and I’d just pick it up and head on my way with some damn good food. But now, they are saying you have to be in the restaurant to order and then it takes about 20-30 minutes to get the food which then makes me late to my night shift. We’ve been very loyal to Dire Dawa for years but not being able to order ahead for pick up and having to make the 25 minutes drive there and then wait another 20-30 minutes for food is, unfortunately, going to probably force us to phase out our fairly regular visits to this place which is a huge bummer because their...
Read moreI recently visited Dire Dawa Ethiopian restaurant and unfortunately, the service was a complete disappointment. Although the ambiance was welcoming, the slow night following Valentine’s Day didn't justify the complete lack of attention I received from the server. I sat there for 15 minutes before anyone approached me and when I finally asked for water, it took 25 minutes for the server to even acknowledge my request.
The server even walked in and out of the kitchen multiple times, completely ignoring my presence. To make matters worse, she then proceeded to sit and chat with regular customers while I sat there thirsty and ignored.
When I finally confronted the server about her lack of service, she tried to apologize and make excuses. This level of incompetence and disrespect towards customers is unacceptable.
It is clear that the restaurant lacks basic training and protocols for their servers. If you cannot handle taking orders and serving customers, please consider allowing customers to order through the QR code and have a self-service water stand.
As a customer, I found this experience to be extremely frustrating and disrespectful. I will not be returning to this restaurant and I cannot recommend it to anyone who values good service. If these issues are not addressed, I can only imagine that the business will not last long. Dire Dawa Ethiopian restaurant needs to prioritize customer service and make necessary changes to their protocols to improve their...
Read moreDire Dawa Ethiopian Restaurant has quickly become my favorite spot for dinner, especially since it's conveniently located near my workplace. I often swing by on my way home to pick up my usual to-go order: the beef tibs and the vegetarian combo. The food is consistently hot, fresh, and absolutely delicious. The generous portions ensure I always have enough for several satisfying meals.
What truly sets Dire Dawa apart, however, are the owners. They are incredibly personable, welcoming each customer with genuine warmth. They naturally make you feel like part of their family, and it's clear they take immense pride in the food they prepare and serve.
The atmosphere in the restaurant is soothing and calm, providing a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the day. The place is always spotless, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience.
If you're looking for an outstanding Ethiopian restaurant, I highly recommend Dire Dawa. It's more than just a place to eat; it's a place where you feel valued...
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