Fantastic food and excellent service! The taffy is gluten free, which is a huge plus. The owner is wonderful and very professional--she wears a mask and keeps her hair covered while cooking, which shows how much she cares about cleanliness and food safety. Everything was very clean. Highly recommend! read more

Giving this place 4 stars only because the wait for food has been too long - more than an hour - every time I have been there. Full disclosure, I haven't been there for a while. Food is excellent. read more

Love this place- we had not been here since pre-pandemic. The dining room recently reopened and we don't mind the trek to the west side. Great service and willing to assist, as all items appear to be out of regular dining options. Trust their recommendations! We had the vegetarian platter, a great way to sample all the side-mixing and matching. Our go/to is the dorowaht , similar to Mexican mole with a delicious taste profile. Tried the ribeye beef but it all honesty, the stars are the veggies. read more

Meals by Genet - Vegetarian Combination with dorowot in the center - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I loved Meals by Genet! I called a few days early to make a reservation, and my friend and I went on a Friday night for a chill dinner. The interior is older and simple, with tablecloths, candles, and some Ethiopian art on the walls. We ordered the vegetarian platter and the dorowat, and it was so so delicious. My favorite on the vegetarian platter was the Alitcha Kik, yellow split peas. The service was slightly lacking, took a while to get drink refills, but I think it was because a larger table was celebrating a birthday, so they seemed a bit preoccupied with them. Towards the end of our meal, Genet came out from the kitchen and we had the pleasure of chatting with her. Will definitely return. read more

This is our second time here and it's just so good! Food is always just so good here. Injera is delicious. Make sure to make reservations. Small and intimate. read more

Meals by Genet - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Delicious food overall and good portions. Everything from the proteins to the vegetable-based items in the vegetarian combination was delicious and excellent quality. The dorowot and the beef (that are eaten with the injera) had really great flavor and were favorites of my group. Service was also top-tier. read more

Meals by Genet - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I took my daughter here to celebrate a new job. We ordered two vegetarian sampler plates at $27 each. The waiter asked if we wanted tofu with that, and we said yes. When we got the bill, I was shocked to see that he had charged us for four (4) entrees !!!-- an extra $54 to add tofu to our plates! When we brought this up to the waiter, he didn't apologize or act as if anything was wrong, so I spoke to the owner, Genet -- and she was equally unapologetic! Her solution was for us to throw away one of the two containers of leftovers. I felt as if the waiter had been intentionally deceitful -- and when Genet backed him up, it seemed as if she was in on it, too.. (Apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?) The food was good and the atmosphere was good -- Just be careful if they ask if you want to add tofu to your plate. read more

Took the whole family here. First, Ms Genet is lovely and when I asked if the place was kid-friendly, she said "of course, I'm a grandma you know!" When we arrived, they had already set up the high chairs and Ms Genet was very friendly when we saw her in the kitchen, chatting with our kids. The food was great and in line with the two other neighboring spots at Lalibela and Messob. The vegan cookie was a standout and our kids loved it! The service from the wait staff, however, was severely lacking. First they forgot to bring out waters. Then one of the glasses of water had dirt floating at the top. Then they took forever to take our order, and even longer to bring us extra plates. Throughout our meal once the food arrived, no one checked on us and we had to repeatedly flag the waiters to get more water. It took 10 min to get our bill after flagging them down, and it had a mistake which they had to correct and that took another 10 min. Then another 5-10 min to grab our credit card. Then they brought the check with the bill to sign but forgot a pen. All in all, it took 25-30 min once we were done with our food to pay and checkout. The server apologized but it is still unacceptable at this price point. I hope the staff does better in the future. read more

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Overall wonderful experience. Food was delicious. The waiting staff was very patient with us despite my group being late. They also didn't rush to get us out even though we unknowingly stayed past closing. Can't recommend it enough! Side note: My group had a reservation but we weren't on the list when we showed. Sounds like other people had similar experiences so maybe the restaurant should consider looking into that. read more

Meals by Genet - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

High quality, lovingly crafted Ethiopian food paired with a nice ambiance and excellent service.

We had a fantastic dinner at Meals by Genet. I read a few of the recent reviews and was a bit concerned but our experience was fantastic. The wait staff was very attentive and hospitable and Genet herself came out to check on us. One thing to note is that there are only 2 seatings and reservations are required. Many disappointed people were turned away while we were there. I've always wanted to try the famous Ethiopian kitfo (steak tartare) but was always reluctant to order it other restaurants but our waiter explained that Genet personally minces the steak by hand so I gave it a shot and it was magnificent. The kitfo was super rich - as if it was made of fatty toro instead of beef - it was also served warm which was surprising. Ironically, the waiter suggested that we get the kitfo with the veggie combo was actually a perfect combination. I regularly eat Ethiopian food at home in the Bay Area and this was the best I've ever had. read more

Meals by Genet - Mamoshye's Special Kitfo - delicious! - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

It is with a very heavy heart that I must post this update and write a negative review of Meals By Genet. I have sent so many people to this restaurant because it is some of the best Ethiopian food around. I not only supported the restaurant long before the pandemic, but as much as I hate the waste of to-go-containers, I continued to patronize the restaurant even while the neighboring businesses offered in person dining.  I fondly remember one evening where Chef Genet came outside and offered me a free cookie while I consumed my dinner sitting on the ground. (I rode my bike there so I didn't have the comfort of a car to eat my freshly prepared food) and she wanted me to have a better dining experience.  CUT TO this weekend. After a beautiful day with my partner searching for engagement rings, we called the restaurant to see if they could squeeze us in at 6:15 since our adventures brought us down the street. We were told to come by, however, when they saw we had our service dog with us, we were no longer welcome. Trying not to lose the joy and excitement from potentially finding the perfect ring moments earlier, I politely recited the speech that I have perfected and succinctly memorized after years of companionship, with my service dog, Iris.  I informed both the host and Chef Genet that there are no federal or state legal documents, licenses, or certificates for a service dog. The ADA is a federally protected law that prevents discrimination against utilizing a service animal (among many other things). I showed them the government website supporting that fact. They did not care. So when Genet insisted that I show her a license that doesn't exist, we reached an impasse. She dug her heels in and insisted that her other customers produce these "necessary documents." She didn't seem to care that Iris and I have dined at her restaurant numerous times either. I showed her the closest thing to a legal document that exists: our paperwork for the Department of Transportation that has all of Iris's pertinent information. That wasn't sufficient either! Which is insane considering that document carries legal ramifications. The top of the form says: "Warning: It is a Federal crime to make materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements, entries, or representations knowingly and willfully on this form to secure disability accommodations provided under regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (18 U.S.C. § 1001)." She said, "I don't have time to deal with this right now." This document allows her to board a commercial Airline but it wasn't enough to satisfy a local restaurant?!? I understand that a busy Saturday night is not ideal to have this conversation, however, I informed her that these actions are against the law to which she flippantly replied, "so sue me!" I told her that I wasn't interested in that, I just wanted to eat with my family. Clearly, there is no path forward, so I left the restaurant, extremely disappointed, angry, and hurt that loyal customers were treated this way.  The biggest issue is the fact that there is no clear way for us to ever return to this establishment. How can I find this imaginary document that will allow me to bring my service dog?  On the bright side, we filled our bellies next door at my original favorite restaurant in Little Ethiopia: Rahel's. As vegans, this is ideal anyways. So many plant-based restaurants have shuttered lately, we should've initially gone to an establishment that cares about animal welfare and its patrons. To our delight, most of the tables were full and they welcomed us with open arms. Not only that, they recently added delicious plant-based meats to the menu. read more

This place is a little different from the other Ethiopian spots I've been to since they are going for the more elevated look. The plus is that the establishment doesn't smell like incense and you won't leave the place smelling like food/incense. The con is that the price is a little higher than other little Ethiopia establishments. The food was good though, although I cannot exactly tell you if this place was much better than other spots. Recommend if you're looking to get Ethiopian food in a modern feeling establishment. read more

Meals by Genet - Double Vegetarian Combination and Yebere Siga Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Bad service, overpriced and overrated! Waited over 30 min after ordering for food and the wait staff only came by once after we were already done eating to ask how it was. It was impossible to get anyone attention to ask for drink refill. Giving tourist trap vibes for white people wanting to try Ethiopian food. read more

Meals by Genet is in the center of Little Ethiopia on Fairfax. It isn't open for dining, but you can order meals to go at the end of the week. When you phone in your order, Genet? is so friendly and treats you like family. You are instructed to go to the back lot where you call and someone brings it to a table. It all seems like you're trying to get to Oz. Except, Fairfax is not the yellow brick road; follow the unnamed alley to the west. Doro Wat: With a giant round injera (sourdough flatbread made of fermented teff flour) as your plate, spoon some of the doro wat on top. Doro wat is a spicy chicken stew made of slow cooked onions, clarified butter, and fragrant spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin. The heat comes from berbere, a spice mix of peppers, garlic, ginger, and many others. Genet's version is mild, but the flavors commingle nicely. The chicken has been stewed so long that even the bones are falling apart. Tear off a piece of injera and scoop a bit of chicken, sauce, and the hard-boiled egg. read more

Meals by Genet - Doro Wat - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Meals by Genet in LA is hands down the best Ethiopian food I've had! After trying all of the restaurants in Little Ethiopia, this takes the win. The only con is there aren't as many walk-ins, reservations are recommended. I ordered the veggie combo with Doro Wat, and every bite was incredible. The flavors were rich and authentic, with the Doro Wat perfectly spiced and the veggies cooked to perfection. The injera was fresh and soft, tying everything together beautifully. This place is a gem--highly recommend for anyone looking for amazing Ethiopian cuisine! read more

Meals by Genet - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I made a reservation with the owner for Saturday, June 15 at 7:30pm several days in advance and I have attached a screenshot record of my call. When I arrived, I was told by a rude host I had no reservation with the restaurant, and was treated very poorly-as if I had made an error rather than the restaurant. I was so excited to dine at Meals by Genet, this would have been my first time. But after the restaurant's error combined with their terrible treatment of me as a customer amidst failing to guarantee my reservation, I will never return and recommend others do the same. read more

Meals by Genet - Phone record of restaurant reservation booking; the only way to make a rez with the restaurant (over the phone) - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We have a private event for 20 guests for our office holiday party. The entire experience from start to finish was outstanding. Chef Genet was in direct contact with me the entire time and incredibly thoughtful and about the process. We rented out the entire restaurant and all of our guests raved about the experience. The service was wonderful and the food was exceptional. We also loved the opportunity to support a female owned, immigrant owned local business with such a meaningful history and ties to the local community. I would highly recommend Meals by Genet. read more

This is the place I come when I'm craving Ethiopian food. You can taste the love here. I always get the vegetarian and add a meat or two. The best part is the injera at the bottom of all the meats and sides because it soaks up all the juices of everything in top. It's heaven ! read more

The sound insulation is worse and there is too much noise. I can't even hear what my friends at the same table are talking about. The restaurant is so dark that we can't even see what's on the dishes we ordered. I don't recommend it. The chicken for $27 only came out in two small pieces Bone-in chicken wings, plus a hard-boiled egg. This is rip-off, Very disappointed! Won't be back again. read more

Honestly, I am still wondering what the hype is with this Ethiopian location. The chef, Genet, came out to our table and she was very nice. It is impressive she cooks for everyone only between the hours of 6 pm to 9 pm when they are open, albeit for a very brief time. Maybe if she had an assistant in the kitchen the food could come out faster than 20-30 minutes. The 2 people who were acting as waiting staff weren't very good, they didn't know the menu at ALL. But they DID know to warn us to order everything at once, as it again takes forever to receive the food. They didn't understand what the different types of Ethiopian food were and were super unaware of providing utensils and napkins without being asked. I've eaten at a few places on Fairfax as I like Ethiopian- I don't think my family will be going back here however :( read more

What an incredible experience! I had never had Ethiopian food before and was very excited to try this. The food was absolutely delicious. You eat everything with your hands using this crepe-like bread called injera to scoop everything up. The doro wat is what this restaurant is known for, and it did not disappoint. The steak tips were also great and so were all the sides. The lamb was good too, but considering all the other amazing food there was on the table, I decided to fill up on the rest. The sides were all great but surprisingly, the salad was a standout. The cookie was also delicious. Already looking forward to coming back here! read more

Meals by Genet - Ria Genet 's Dorowot Yebere Siga Tibs Hirutye 's Yebegsiga Alitcha Vegetarian Combination - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This was the most amazing Ethiopian place I've ever had. Came here for my birthday and so glad we did. I HIGHLY recommend the Dorowot. It had so many complex flavors and it was like nothing else I've had. The ambience was soothing and classy and the service was very friendly and helpful read more

Meals by Genet - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The food was delightful. Our waiter made suggestions and we said "that sounds good." The service was very attentive. We always had our drinks and water taken care of, and were asked several times if we were enjoying the food. We had the vegetable platter with crispy tofu in the center of the injera (because I'm vegetarian) and we also had a spicy beef dish and a chicken stew thing. The amount the waiter had suggested was just right for us to be filled and happy. The ambiance was pleasant. We parked 50 feet from the front door on the street, and walked around a block or two before dinner and again after dinner. read more

Really tasty, like your auntie prepared a home cooked meal. Very little grease and not overly seasoned, the veggie combo was outstanding and the chicken tibs added were a punched up delight. I'd definitely recommend this spot if you're ok with Carey away. read more

Meals by Genet - Veggie combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ethiopian cuisine has a long history in Los Angeles. I remember my first taste of injera (the fermented, spongy flatbread at the center of Ethiopian cuisine) back in the '80's. Ethiopia was experiencing a famine at the time and many Angelenos expressed surprise at tasting such a complex and richly flavored cuisine. I became a fan. Meals by Genet emerged as the shining Ethiopian star, the go-to resturant in the area known as Little Ethiopia on Fairfax, after Jonathan Gold made it a regular on his 101. That's why I tried it the first time, several years ago. But the reason I came back with my fellow dining enthusiasts was the deliciousness of the dishes. Since Ethiopian dining practices focus on the communal (as do many other cultures), all dishes are meant to be shared and are served on a large injera. Tear off a piece of injera, add a morsel of the delicious chicken/lamb/vegetable dish of your choice, and enjoy. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu; it's all fantastic. Service was wonderful; I remembered our server Sean from my last visit and was struck by his dedication and knowledge of Ethiopian cuisine. He added a delightful and humorous touch to our dining experience. Reservations are essential; no online reservation portal is available at this writing. Call and leave a message of their answering machine and someone will call you back. Congratulations on a well-deserved Michelin Bib Gourmand, just the latest in many honors for Chef Genet. read more

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First review of 2020 (I know - bad Yelper) Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand List Jonathan Gold's 101 Best Restaurants 2019 James Beard Award Semifinalist Featured on Jonathan Gold's City of Gold It's how I ate on Valentine's Day (yesterday) Before the meal, I took a driving tour of the area while looking for parking. There are spots in back (alley) - tandem parking however, get there early and know the spots are tight in case you're worried about dings. If you drive around the area looking for street parking - READ THE SIGNS. Permit required for some areas. I parked down on Packard and walked a block and a half. Need and needed the exercise. :-) Moving on ... Make reservations. At least that's my advice. Unsure if it was busy because it was Valentine's Day, or a typical Friday - but there were people waiting inside and outside - some for their takeout, but also for tables. Our party started off with the Foul (pronounced fool). Mix up the ingredients, spread it on the pita bread and enjoy. Don't wait too long taking pics because you don't want it to cool down. Order a nice Chianti and enjoy it like my buddy Hannibal. We also shared a bottle of Honey Wine. $9 a glass so just go for the bottle. I like how it pairs with the ingredients of Ethiopian food and at 12.5% ABV, I wanted more than a glass to kick off the holiday weekend. For the main course: Idil's Vegetarian Combination Hirutye's Yebegsiga Alitcha Yebere Siga Tibs Chicken Tibs And lots of Injera! Eat with your hands. Use a knife and fork. You're paying for it so eat it how you wish. Here's a tip though - Injera is brought to each person, but eat the Injera off the platter with the juices or residue from the servings already soaked in. I won't go into the foods because words won't do Genet's meals any justice. Just know that Service was excellent. The meal was excellent. The company was excellent and my experience was ... excellent. read more

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Africa, second largest continent after Asia, contains diverse peoples, languages, cultures, histories, and by fossil records, the origin of human beings. Ethiopia reflects Africa having 80 ethnic groups each w/ its own language; religions include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Baha'i, Native religions; the discovery of AL288-1, better known as Lucy, Australopithecus afarensis, a hominid, dating back 3.2 million years ago.     Ethiopia hosts about 70% of Africa's mountains in an area about the combined size of France & Spain so much of the country is a highland. Addis Ababa, the capital, is 7726 feet above sea level, making it the 4th highest national capital city in the world. All this high elevation makes it ideal to grow "Teff, an ancient, small grain, unique to Ethiopia. 100 gram of cooked teff provides 101 calories, and is a rich source of protein, dietary fiber, manganese, containing moderate amounts of thiamine, phosphorus, iron,  magnesium, zinc. Healthful fiber content in teff is also higher than in most other cereals."  Meals by Genet is in the heart of Little Ethiopia along South Fairfax in another highly diverse metropolis, Los Angeles. Dining room is small, but there is an atmosphere of quiet elegance accentuated by Ethiopian objets d'art. The kitchen, which you can peer into, is immaculate as Chef de Cuisine Genet Agonafer presides w/ calm reassurance & benevolence like a culinary Bodhisattva. Many of the happy, helpful, cheerful servers told us they have been working at Genet for years which is telling proof that Chef Agonafer is loving & ethical in her treatment of people as well as the food that she creates. She is antithetical to the many Prima Donna, "celebrity" chefs in L.A. who care only about their fortune & fame. Congratulations on being honored Bib Gourmet by Guide MIchelin, in Jonathan Gold's L.A. TImes 101, The Best Chef West: The 2019 James Beard Award SemiFinalists. We went on Valentine's Day which is as crowded as Mothers' Day. The waiters carried on w/  aplomb, but I didn't have the heart to have them repeat names & descriptions of the many different dishes since they were extremely busy so I can only give a general impression of the foods presented. Warning:  Ethiopian cuisine is customarily communal dining from a large single plate called Gebeta . You use your hands to eat. Scoop up food by taking a sheet of Injera made from Teff grain, a puffy, sour fermented bread much like the Indian Idli. "The fermentation process breaks down the starches so that they are more readily metabolized by the body." 1)  Idil's Vegetarian Combination comes in a Gebeta already lined w/ injera bread which becomes infused w/ the juices of whatever rests on top. I like eating this more flavourful bread than using the "virgin" Injera which tends to be monotonal.  Selected Meat dishes: a) Doro Wot: Chicken Stew...herbed & spiced like a complex Mexican Mole or Indian Curry. Sweet, fruity, sweet hot spices, subliminally gritty, piquant, lightly smoky, *Niter kibbeh. Meaty, brothy, viscous. Pieces of chicken cooked to release flavours into the Wot which takes 8 hours to prepare & two days to simmer slowly to meld & reduce. Very strong tasting w/ a long lIngering finish that contrasts excellently w/  the sour, bland Injera. There are occasional shards of chicken bones to look out for. b) Hirutye's Yebegsiga Alitcha: Garlicky lamb stew that sings w/ still funky, earthy garlic tones in a thickened sauce. Be careful of hard bones still in this lush stew.  c) Yebere Siga Tibs: Well done, chewy sautéed beef in onions, mild green chiles, *Niter kibbeh which is clarified butter, but unlike the Indian Ghee, Niter is possibly infused w/ "besobela known as Ethiopian sacred basil, koseret,  fenugreek, cumin, coriander, turmeric, Ethiopian cardamom (korarima), cinnamon, or nutmeg".   Vegetable Side Orders: a) Whole Red Lentis w/ al dente, garlicky sauce. b) Alitcha Kik: Puréed split Yellow Peas c) Shiro: Puréed split Orange Peas d) Red beets cooked in its own juice. e)  Azifa: Green Lentils w/ Ethiopian mustard f) Tikil Gomen: Cabbage & Carrot g) Souf Fitfit: Sunflower w/ Jalapeño, onion, olive oil, lemon juice. h) Ethiopian Salad  i) Timatim Fitfit: Tomatoes, Jalapeño, red onion, olive oil, lemon juice j) Atkilt: Potato, green beans, carrots onions  k) Gomen: Collard greens Suggestion: If you have left overs, take the left over food & flavoured Injera home. Add cut up tomatoes, onion, etc. Eat it cold. It makes a delightful salad that tastes, to me, even better than at the restaurant.  It's one less meal to prepare & more ecofriendly as well as saving money for a higher goal. Also, bring your own plastic containers to cut down on waste. read more

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Delicious food--we had the vegetarian platter--and wonderfully friendly service! Parking is not easy in the neighborhood, but luckily when we arrived there was a space in back of the restaurant. read more

This is the kind of resturant where the whole staff care about what they are doing. As a result, the atmosphere is welcoming, the vibes cozy, and the food delicious. It's a perfect spot for a lingering date night. The best part of the night was when Chef Genet herself brought out her famous Dorowat for our party. It's earthy and deeply flavorful, a real treat. The vegetable dishes were my favorites, they all tasted very fresh and bright. A few words of caution, finding parking in the area can be tricky. The space is a little dark and echoy, so guests with vision or hearing problems may struggle. read more

The most highly-lauded Ethiopian restaurant in Little Ethiopia and for good reason! The flavors here are just above and beyond. We ordered the chicken tibs ($22) and Idil's vegetarian combo ($24). For the chicken tibs, the onions and green chiles really enhanced the delicious Ethiopian butter sauce. The chicken was very succulent and perfectly cooked. I was licking all the butter off my fingers and loving it lol. Just wish the portion size was larger... they have smaller portions here than other restaurants. I liked the wider variety in the veggie combo here! The shiro (orange split peas) and beets were the highlights (wish there was more of the beets!) Lastly, you can't review an Ethiopian restaurant and not mention the injera bread! It's so fresh and sour, just how I like it. Highly recommend Meals by Genet! She likes to come around and greet the diners too. So sweet. read more

Meals by Genet - Chicken Tibs and Vegetarian Combination - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My boyfriend and I came here for dinner at 8:30 on a Friday night and this place was packed! We walked in and had to wait a bit before being seated but the meal was well worth it! Our waiter was kind and explained different things from the menu and we went with the vegetarian platter and the chicken dorowat. Both dishes were delicious and more than enough for the two of us and we had leftovers for the next day. Wish we had some more of certain sides like the azifa and beet salad. Will definitely come back next time we're in LA! Place is BYOB and reservations are highly recommended. read more

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Continually amazed by Genet's cooking. Though I never had the chance to dine-in, the pickup process is pretty smooth if you call ahead in time (suggested one hour or more before your pickup time on weekends). Meals by Genet is NOT CHEAP but always worth it in my opinion. I tried Messob and Lalibela nearby and prefer Genet's food by far. My favorites are: - Veggie combo: I love the fresh salad and the misir wot, though they're all great! - Chicken Dorowat: A must! Sooo flavorful and unique! The beef ribs: ribeye cooked nicely, very moist. The takeout could use some extra injera in the servings but all around I think all the rewards and hype around meals by Genet are well worth it! Will be going back to this place for all my Ethiopian food cravings! read more

Meals by Genet - Veggie combo, dorowat, beef tibs, and extra side salad - Ethiopian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I went there in September and still think about it like it was yesterday. Truly a special meal and a unique experience as Genet is the only chef and comes out to say hello while you're eating. If you don't eat meat, the tofu tibs are to die for. Highly recommend! read more

Great service, great food!! Almost gave up on Ethiopian food but this saved the day. Veggie combo was great, so many unique but delicious flavors. If you eat meat, it goes great with a stewed meat - we got dorowot (spicy chicken with a boiled egg) and the seanye (finely ground beef in a pepper sauce) They only do carry out - the waiter was very patient and helpful. Loved his suggestions. Will be back!! read more

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This place made one of those Jonathan Gold's 101 lists one year and I finally went, and it's quickly become one of my favorite spots in the city. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm hospitality and a cozy atmosphere that made me feel right at home. The menu offers a variety of Ethiopian dishes, all of which are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and bursting with flavor. I started with the sambusas, which were perfectly crispy on the outside and filled with savory beef and vegetables on the inside. For my entree, I tried the Doro Wot, a spicy chicken stew served with injera, a traditional Ethiopian bread. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the sauce had just the right amount of heat. What really sets Meals by Genet apart, though, is the attention to detail and care that goes into each dish. The owner, Genet, personally oversees the preparation of every meal, and you can taste the love and passion that she puts into her cooking. The decor is also a highlight of the restaurant, with colorful Ethiopian artwork and textiles adorning the walls. The ambiance is cozy and intimate, making it the perfect spot for a date night or special occasion. I cannot recommend this place enough! It's so so so good! All the flavors blend so well together and it's fun to share a meal with (or if you're hungry enough have the whole thing yourself). I'm excited to go back soon! read more

We came here on Saturday night with a 730 reservation and right off the bat I was not impressed. Very crowded couldn't even sit straight because my chair was against somebody else's, extremely loud and to top it off it took nearly 30 to 45 minutes to get a menu, an hour to get a glass of water and we sat there for 2 1/2 hours before the food came out. We expressed our concerns and that we were unhappy, and the waiter consistently kept telling us the food is being made, the food is being plated and an hour later it still has not come out. They didn't offer a piece of bread on the table while we waited. I implied it maybe three times and they still insisted it was worth the wait. I will never recommend this place to anyone nor will I ever come back. And by the way, they did not do one thing for us not even remove a charge, or provide a free dessert, nothing. read more

Authentic and delicious. Very friendly staff. We had an event and our time was limited. The restaurant accommodated us by letting us pre order and it was all ready when we arrived. We'll definitely be back. read more

Had a wonderful girls night here with the first Friday of January. One of my friends who had already been here recommend this place and it did not disappoint. Even with having a reservation (i highly recommend making one...don't just come here or these will be a longgggg wait), we had to wait 10 min or so for a table to open up. This place was PACKED! It's small so it fills easily, but there was also a line out the door for guests who didn't mind waiting for the food. The chef, Genet, is a sweet woman who makes sure her guests are taken care of. She stops by our table a few times and even helped my friend find a parking spot. Such a kind person. The waiters were also quite charming and friendly as well. Great service! We ordered the stewed lamb (very tasty), the trout, veggie platter, the tofu tibs and the Dorowot (highly recommended by the server, but not our favorite dish as it had a lot of bones). We also got a bottle of wine as well. The food was a bit pricey, but this restaurant is considered to be fine dining so it made sense. I will gladly return. read more

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Congratulations to Chef Genet Agonafer of Meals by Genet: Awarded a 2019 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand from the MICHELIN Guide California; 2019 James Beard Award Semifinalist; Ranked #60 on Jonathan Gold's 2017 101 Best Restaurants and featured on Jonathan Gold's 2015 City of Gold (Documentary). Dear Chef Agonafer: Thank you to you and your sweet staff for such a lovely Valentine's Day dinner. This was my very first time here as well as having Ethiopian food and I absolutely loved it! The love that you pour into your cooking speaks volumes. Excellent food, service and hospitality! Also, it was really wonderful getting to meet you and thank you again, for the photo-op! Special Thanks to Elite Yelper Isobel L., for reserving and organizing our Party of 5 Valentine's/Galetine's/Yelpentine's Day Dinner, yay! Parking: Street metered parking along Fairfax Avenue and/or residential parking (watch for signs). There's also parking in the back of the restaurant. However, it's tiny and tandem style parking. Our Party of 5 got the suggested ordering style: Vegetarian Combo + Three Types of Meats. We also got an appetizer. Drinks: Chilled water for all. I drank a $4 Unsweetened Iced Tea served with assorted sugars on the side, while some of my friends enjoyed a $35 Bottle of Honey Wine. Another friend also got a $4 Hot Tea on the side. Appetizer: $16 Foul "pronounced Ful" (Fava beans, red onions, green chili, sour cream with Ethiopian butter or olive oil). Served with sliced pita bread and a side of red chili powder. Mix up the contents and enjoy! So flavorful, creamy and rich in protein and fiber. Served with Injera (spongy Ethiopian flatbread). Everyone gets their own huge Injera! You tear off a piece and eat with your veggies and proteins. It's communal sharing, don't forget to wash your hands, lol! $24 Idil's Vegetarian Combo: Huge communal portion for sharing!!! A lot of the veggies were spicy and so I mainly ate the red and yellow lentils, which were super creamy and delicious. $24 Hirutye's Yebegsiga Alitcha: Savory lamb meat stewed in garlic, yes! My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE and A MUST GET! My mouth is starting to water again just thinking about it! $22 Yebere Siga Tibs: Generous, delicious and hearty chunks of chopped beef sautéed in onions, green chiles and Ethiopian butter. $27 Ria Genet's Dorowot: Spicy chicken stewed in red pepper sauce with Ethiopian butter. The Infamous Dish! However, I wasn't a fan because of the sauce's spiciness. Also, you have to be careful when eating this, the chicken is not deboned. Desserts: We also tried a $6 (thick and chocolaty) Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie and a $7 (ultra-smooth and creamy) Cheesecake drizzled over chocolate sauce. Both were delightful and a perfect way to end the meal. Possible Celebrity Sighting: Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers making his way out. We missed him, but got to meet the Ultimate Rockstar, Chef Agonafer herself!!!! Service: The three servers working that night were sweet, professional and super busy! Nonetheless, they were awesome and the food and drinks came out in stellar time! Ambience and Décor: Tiny space, but definitely romantic and intimate. The one unisex restroom is clean, nicely maintained and well-stocked. Overall, our Valentine's/Galetine's/Yelpentine's Day Dinner was a smashing hit! Looking forward to coming back here again. Thank you again to Chef Agonafer and Staff! Until next time! read more

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