I was craving Ethiopian food and knew that while I was in Minneapolis I had to have it (since…read morethere's a decent Ethiopian presence here). Honestly with so many good options it was difficult to pick a place, but we ended up picking based on what was conveniently on the way from the markets to our hotel, and Agelgil had awesome reviews. We stepped into a very authentic-seeming restaurant space. There was a lot of seating, some cool, colorful lighting, and a warm fireplace. There were several locals dining in (we looked like the only tourists). The menu was pretty extensive. I knew I wanted variety so I debated between the Veggie & Meat Combo vs. Agelgil (pretty much meat only combo). We asked our server for her recommendation. She mentioned that the latter had way more meat and food in general (for only $10 more). Since we were super hungry, we went with that one (the Agelgil; serving 3-4). The portions were indeed very generous. The food came out so quickly and tasted delicious. There was so much flavor in the meat. Everything was amazing, including the Injera. We had enough leftovers for another full meal the next day. That said, the Agelgil only had one veggie and one lentil option on the platter. I wished there was more to balance out the heaviness of so much meat. Next time I'm in Minneapolis, I would definitely order the Veggie & Meat Combo (which I hear many other reviewers mentioning). The service was friendly and helpful. The ambiance is pretty casual. I definitely recommend trying Agelgil and I'm looking forward to being back!

Wow! This is food is tremendously flavorful and fresh!!! I got a take order of the Doro Wot and…read moreDoro Firfir I sampled a little of both of them and I really couldn't stop eating! The spices in both dishes are phenomenal. I ordered too heavy on the Enjera bread, I ordered extra for each entree wayyyy too much lol but I'll definitely eat it for sure! Most definitely a place worth trying. Happy Yelping

Hole in the wall E African restaurant. I stopped by here since it was a quick 10 min away from work…read moreon my way home. There is construction actively going on due to the new train station with denser housing and businesses being built, so be aware when you drive in. The establishment is not a vibe, it's an American dream in the making. The building is rustic as food is filling. The staff was brisk in taking orders and the environment is lively. Some places to sit, but more of a take out kinda place. I ordered a Sambusa and Goat Meat plate with rice. I'm still new to E African cuisine, so my reviews is more biased with my background versus experience. Sambusa; fried patty filled with meat which I'm gonna assume is beef? It has a nice spicy kick to it, but is drier than my preference. Nice and crispy. Goat Meat with Rice; the star of my dinner and my favorite of the 2. It comes with a salad which is forgettable. The real appeal is the tender goat atop the rice. The rice soaks up the juice and is so flavorful. The goat has bones, so can be annoying to some diners, but allows for a richer flavor. It appears to be pressure cooked finished off with a tomato and onion stir-fry, the crunch of the onions pairs well with the tenderness of the goat. Fun place to pick up food to eat at home if you're tired of cooking. Would stop by and try the other dishes.

I love it Somali food in general yes the portions are huge but I'm Somali and it's really common to…read morehave portions that huge the hot sauce is really good for the average person it's really spicy but I have Somali blood in me I can handle it I love Sam USA but putting fish in it and not making it spicy should be illegal if you're vegetarian almost everything has meat in it but overall it's amazing

I have been going here for over five yeand just realize I never reviewed it. I love this place it's…read morenice to clean, the food is on point, the service is quick and pleasant, very nice place to go and the food, it's authentic

A no-nonsense Ethiopian restaurant in Columbia Heights, near Minneapolis border…read more Service was minimal the night we visited. I ordered the vegetarian combo and it was lovely to look at and super tasty. My companion ordered a meat dish- I did not get the name. She really enjoyed the seasoning but the meat was mixed with injera- almost too much, because it was also sitting on top of injera and has injera on side. If you are in this part of the Twin Cities, I would highly recommend this for getting your Ethiopian fix. As a Saint Paulite, however, we have so many outstanding Ethiopian restaurants I am not sure I would make the trip.

I may have found my new favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the Twin Cities. AND, they have gluten…read morefree injera!! I had the Awazee Tibs with lamb. Great flavors. I don't want to leave without mentioning the wonderful service. The wait staff was extremely helpful and friendly.

My go-to Ethiopian catering spot in the Twin Cities and I finally had a chance to eat here in…read moreperson. Huge plus is the dietary accommodations. I ate here with someone who needed gluten free options & they make GF injera here so was perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed the Super Veggie Sampler. I saw someone mention getting the Ethiopian coffee or tea and I didn't want too much caffeine so opted for the tea but was a little disappointed that it didn't come in a cool tea pot I saw in other Yelp photos. It was ok tasting after putting some sugar in but I would pass on the tea next time. The server was nice and there were enough tables for a late lunch on a Thursday but it felt a little humid inside. The food is so good that I can overlook the other things. Def come check out this neighborhood gem.

Stopped here on the way to catch a flight home. A wonderful family owned restaurant. The seating…read morewas very American, I was hoping for more traditional basket tables and stools...but never the less clean and bright location. We were the only patrons at the time so service was good and fast. We ordered a variety platter of meat and veggies. The food was amazing. The beef top had great flavor and the chicken was tinder. Overall, this was a great experience. I do wish they carried Ethiopian honey wine, but they did have some good Ethiopian beer!

This is a nice family owned place, food always comes out hot and fresh but it certainly takes a…read morewhile so cut out at least 90 minutes for your visit. We got the Meat Combo Plater which had 4 different dishes included, all very tasty (see photo for description)! But I was left wanting a little more spice/heat. The menu say this player would feed 2 but I have a smaller appetite so I think it could easily feed 3 or 4. Also when you're ready to pay, you go up to the counter and wait for a person to appear to ring you up (which can be confusing if you've never been there before).

The wife and I spent our date night at Ertale. The restaurant has a warm and cozy feel that makes…read moreit easy to relax and enjoy the evening without feeling rushed. We shared Kikil (slow braised bone in lamb) and Firfir (pieces of injera soaked with seasoned sauce and beef) both dishes a definition of comfort food. What stood out just as much as the food was how genuinely welcoming everyone was. They made us feel right at home from the time we arrived until we left. Whether you're introducing someone to Ethiopian cuisine or planning a special night out, Ertale is a place. We'll definitely be back with the kiddos soon.

Visited Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant on a freezing cold night--Dec 31st--after heading downtown…read morefor the New Year's fireworks. It was on our way, and we decided to try something new, which turned out to be a great decision. I ordered the vegetarian platter, which came with multiple sides, and each one had a distinct, unique flavor. The food felt hearty yet healthy, and the injera was incredibly soft and flavorful, easily one of the highlights of the meal. I personally would've enjoyed a bit more spice, but that's just a preference. Overall, this is a wonderful spot with comforting food, great flavors, and a welcoming experience. Would definitely return!

We've enjoyed this restaurant in the past, which is why this most recent experience was so…read moredisappointing. It feels like the focus has shifted much more toward the buffet, and the takeout experience has suffered as a result. The online ordering process was confusing because the only pickup times available were 4 PM or 6 PM. We would've loved to eat at 5 PM, as that's usually when we get takeout orders when we eat out. We chose the 4 PM slot, but when I arrived 5 minutes early...the order was already sitting out waiting. That immediately raised concerns about how long it had been sitting there. When I got home, some of the food was much cooler than expected for freshly prepared takeout, which only added to those concerns. I ended up needing to reheat several items as I was afraid from a food safety perspective. The pickup experience itself was also awkward. I stood waiting at the front for about 30 seconds while employees were nearby, but nobody acknowledged me. Eventually someone yelled "hello" from literally across the restaurant. After I responded and said I was there for a pickup order, there was very little communication. They looked at me confused. The employee then walked away and eventually returned with my order. The interaction felt confusing and unwelcoming. I was also disappointed by the portion sizes, especially considering current menu prices. On top of that, there is an additional service fee for online orders, which makes the value feel even worse. Overall, this visit left us feeling like the restaurant isn't prioritizing its takeout customers the way it used to. Between the confusing pickup process, concerns about how long the food sat before pickup, smaller portions, and added fees, were hesitant to order takeout here again. It's sad, because if you look at my previous reviews of this place, I use to enjoy it.

You can wait quite a while to be greeted or once seated, it can take some time before anyone…read morearrives to greet you and take your order, small staff so you have to be patient but it's worth it. They do a high volume of take out so those can take precedence over your order at times depending on time of day but the food generally overall is good. Overall, the menu options are good and savory however, the buffet which is a big push here does not offer a lot of variety at times and depending on the time of day, some of the dishes are missing or empty. Also, depending on the dish it can be really salty so be sure to ask for no additional salt to be added if ordering off menu. The Naan is very good as is the Dosa which are HUGE and delish!

Love the food, everything is so great and the injera bread is always perfect. This is one of the…read morebest restaurants I've been to since I've been in Minnesota. It hard to find good food for a good price here.

Such delicious food, generous portions, and at a super reasonable price! Will definitely be coming…read moreback :)