I'll start by saying this, if you've ever left less than a five star review on this restaurant. You really don't understand hospitality and culture. You're met with a warm greeting, not just numbers connected to your reservation. They will write down your name and place it on the table and refer to you by name. Now my girlfriend was really excited about this restaurant, I'm wary around some cuisines because spices and flavors take me some accustomed to but I was up for an adventure. My girlfriend recommended that we take the owners suggestion, I said that was fine as long as it was mild in spice and it had protein. We told her, she said alright, I will bring you the beef, lamb and two poultry's. Then I chimed in as she was leaving "is there anyway we can get an appetizer of your suggestion?" "No appetizer, it will be enough food" Never in my life have I ever been denied ordering an appetizer let alone anything off the menu, so I knew I was in for a trip. Here comes the food. Holy shit. A beautiful smorgasbord of protein, their special bread, and sauce. She walked me through how to grab it. God the flavor melts in your mouth. You couldn't beat it with a stick. So then we came to the end, I ask her Maya? How the hell did you end up down here? She tells us this incredible story about how when she was a professor in France, she opened up an international school in the U.S for her children and many other children. When her kids joined the military, they would return to Colorado Springs to enjoy her homecooking and would always bring friends! Her children said, "open up your own restaurant" 19 years later. She's still killing the game. We invited her to our wedding, I've got so many questions for her, I just want to know everything about her. Highly recommended. Get the baklava. Make sure you go hungry. read more

Short story. Great food, service very lacking. Server was nice, but had to repeat several times what we wanted. Was a little impatient n a tad rude despite having a nice smile. If you can not take it personal and get pass it, the food is very good. We had 2 of the meat dishes, a chicken and a beef. Chicken was supposed to be thigh, but was changed without letting us know. Salad had 2 main veg also missing without knowing before getting it. Not sure what to say, service is less than great. I would still come back read more

Uchenna - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

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From the moment we stepped into Uchenna on a Saturday evening, we felt like we were coming home. We had a reservation right when they opened at 5pm, and from the very start, the warmth and hospitality were unforgettable. We didn't just feel welcomed--we felt like family. We ordered the mixed plate with lamb, chicken, and beef, and every bite told a story of care, time, and love. The plate also came with a tender chicken leg, a perfectly cooked boiled egg, and lentils that were rich and comforting. Everything was incredibly flavorful and satisfying--made with a depth that can only come from food prepared with heart. The experience of using injera to scoop up every bite made the meal feel interactive and even more personal. We took our time and stayed for about 90 minutes, just soaking in the atmosphere and the kindness. And the desserts! We shared a flourless chocolate cake and the baklava--both divine. Paired with strong Ethiopian coffee, it was the perfect ending. The rose lemonade was out of this world, and the orange blossom tea was beautifully fragrant and calming. By the end, our stomachs were full--but even more so, our hearts were. Dining at Uchenna was more than a meal--it was an experience, a memory, and a connection. We can't wait to return. read more

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I'm in Colorado Springs 2x a year for work! Personally it's hard for me to eat out because it's the same thing different place.... BUT BUT!! This joint right here! The flavors, service and atmosphere are on point. I try my best to come here 3x before I leave. Mom and daughter dynamic duo LETS GO!! read more

Uchenna - Family platter for 4 - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Terrible customer service, they open and closed whenever they want to, when I called to try to order food from them they told me they're not in market and I could not order food. I asked aren't you a restaurant she said yes and I said OK I'm confused. I don't understand why I can't order food and she hung up on me. Not a very good restaurant or customer service. Don't really understand why they're in business. read more

The customer service was really great. Even in a room full of people, we felt like we were the only ones there being taken care of. The food is good and reheats well. read more

Be aware that the restaurant strictly enforces a policy of one entree per person and doesn't allow sharing of plates. You can see previous reviews also mentioning this. I am not Ethiopian but having eaten at other Ethiopian restaurants it's also extremely strange for an Ethiopian restaurant to forbid family style eating and not even allow you to share food with other people. My party asked if it would be ok to order two entrees to share amongst the four of us because we were not hungry enough to order four entire entrees. The restaurant refused and stated that every diner must order their own entree and would not allow us to order only two. They stated this is because they work long hours and they need diners to order one entree per person to make more money to account for this, This was extremely strange because there was only one other party in the entire restaurant. We were not taking up a table that would've gone to a party that might've ordered more food. They would rather make no money off of us than allow us to order two entrees to share. Entrees were about $20 each and they wanted to make $80 off of us but would rather make $0 than $40?? It makes no sense. They told us to either order four entrees or we could leave so we chose to leave and eat at another establishment instead. read more

My youngest son and I were on the first leg of our eight national park tour of the west. We drove from Chicago to Arvada Colorado; our initial base camp, then the following day we visited Great Sand Dunes National Park in Mosca. Heading home after hiking for five hours in 96 degree August Rocky Mtn. heat and sand, I asked Petar about looking for a place to stop on our way back to Denver. He located Uchenna Ethiopian Restaurant in Colorado Springs. At first glance I wasn't so sure about the place. It's tucked into the corner of a strip mall with minimal signage to let you know, you've arrived. Once in the restaurant it's small but welcoming with a lot of ethnic Ethiopian artwork and traditional table cloths and napkins. The atmosphere Is more like coming home than being a guest in a restaurant. Maja came to our table to take our order and offer some direction about what meal would be best for two hungry men. Petar had the Yebere Wat (beef tenderloin), while I enjoyed the Yebeg Alecha (lamb). Petar asked for silverware, but instructed by Maya that you use the Injera (crepe like Ethiopian flat bread) instead. Not any different than you might. sopp up a stew or yummy rue. I chose to have mine spicy. I've read of others that thought their meals were really spicy. I like spicy... REALLY SPICY, although I felt the lamb was balanced and not all that spicy. That said, we both really enjoyed the meals which were filling and delicious. I've had great Ethiopian meals back home in Chicago, but this was unique and better than many others. I wish I had the foresight to take photo's before, although you can now see how tasty the meals were by how I cleaned the dish wear of my meal, LOL. What's the best part of Uchenna? The food definitely shines. However it's Maya with her charm and willingness to share conversation about stories of her homeland and family that make our visit more than simply a great meal. She is engaging to know your story as much as sharing hers. As I mentioned earlier, it's like coming home to spend time talking with your Mom and having a phenominal meal as much as a memorable visit. Now if there were a sofa available in a shady corner, after that meal to stretch out and enjoy being full and feeling good! read more

Uchenna - The Sweet Tea was really refreshing... after hours hiking in the high desert. - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

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One of my favorite local ethnic food restaurants, and I'm far from alone. Not easy to find, but worth the hunt in every way.

We have tried to go there 3 times when they were supposedly open. Closed all 3 times. Tried to call them to make a reservation and didn't get an answer or a call back. read more

Absolutely delicious food! The woman who served us was very sweet and happy to help us. I'll def be back if they'll have us!!!

One of my favorite favorite food surprises was the first time I tried Ethiopian food. When I found out there was an exceptionally good Ethiopian restaurant in the area, I had to give it a try. Tonight, to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend, we decided we had to have Ethiopian. I chose the meat and vegetables combo with lamb. Everything was so good! The injera was light and spongy, with just a hint of tang. The lamb was tender and juicy. Just fantastic. The sides were also spot on. So delicious. The place itself is so warm and cozy and inviting. The lady who greeted us, seated us, and served us was so sweet and kind. She took time with each table of guests to answer their questions and make everyone feel welcome. We all enjoyed the complete experience immensely, and we will be back. read more

Uchenna - Meat and vegetables combo (with lamb) - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Coming to Uchenna is like going to your mom's house for the comfort meal of your childhood. I've come to Uchenna for years now, and even though I no longer live in state, it is still a regular go-to when I am back in town. I recently visited again to celebrate a dear friend's birthday and Maya was as sweet as always, ensuring we had all we needed, making us feel at home and happily fed! The food here is spectacular and worth stepping out of your comfort zone for if you've never had Ethiopian. We enjoyed the mixed platter and left completely satisfied - I just wish my stomach was larger! If you're wondering about Uchenna, I say absolutely go for the food, but stay for the family. PRO TIP: Always call to make a reservation! read more

It's a little hard to get a reservation, but that's because they're fantastic. The gorgeous space, the incredible food, and the sweetest server make this worth the difficulty. read more

Amazing home cooked food with unique flavors. Lots of vegetarian options. Huge portions.

Incredible food, incredible service. You won't find anything like this anywhere else in town.

It was love at first bite. Maybe it was obsession at first bite? Idk, but the food packed a serious punch of flavor that left me wanting more. The injera was tangy in the best way. It offset the richness from the lentils. I got the vegetarian plate. Every option was as tasty as the next. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so it felt a bit more intimate. I also got a hibiscus tea. Everything as a whole left me feeling so warm and full on a cold November evening. I was so happy, I legitimately forgot to take pictures. Will update on my next trip. read more

Disregard as soon as I walked in. I stood there for several minutes, walked to the host stand and was told I could not be served 2 hours before closing. Save your money and go somewhere better. read more

What a wonderful place! The decor is beautiful, the service is sweet and friendly, and the food is wonderful. I had this it Uchenna many years ago and enjoyed it so I took my husband back today for lunch. The hostess (who was also the waitress and possibly the proprietor) greeted me and seated us immediately, then gave us a few minutes to look out for the menu. We started off with Injera Fitfit which was an appetizer of Injera bread with spices, onions, cilantro, tomatoes and more. It was delicious! She served it to us with small plates and forks, then later asked if we wanted to use the forks for our main meal. We both chose to keep our forks, despite knowing how to use the Injera bread as a utensil. We both ordered ice tea, not knowing that it was orange blossom infused and sweetened. I liked it but my husband drank water instead because he does not like sweetened drinks. For our entrées, we chose the Misser Alecha (Split red lentils with ginger, 12 spices, garlic, onions, and olive oil) and the Atakilt (Cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, and 3 spices) to share; we love to try different foods. Both dishes came with a large rolled up piece of Injera which was sliced into rolls (see pictures). Both choices were very tasty. My husband especially enjoyed the fact that it was not salted much at all. (I told myself to bring a little salt for myself next time :-)) I also wanted to try their hot sauce and it was brought with the admonition that it was extremely, extremely hot and to use sparingly. I tried just a drip on a piece of Injera before scooping up some of the entrées, and she were right! It was very spicy but also very tasty. The hostess/waitress/proprietor(?) was so sweet and caring. She came by multiple times to be sure we were enjoying our meal and was very happy that we cleaned our plates! Can't wait to come back and try some of the meat dishes next time. read more

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I felt like I was at my Grandma's house. Mya was fantastic, the food was spot on. Go spend time with this kind woman and the wonderful food. read more

Echoing most other reviews: Uchenna is my FAVORITE restaurant!!! 1. I get my birthday dinner here 2. The owner is a wonderful woman who cooks love into every dish, along with the most amazing spices and fresh ingredients 3. I just love Ethiopian food anyway, and Uchenna is the best and only source in this area As noted, she's only open for take-out, and SHE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT NOW! If you are between a few options, please please please order dinner from Uchenna. The many fans (including me) really want to see this restaurant succeed through this tough time. You will be glad you tried it! read more

I just love this little place. Whether you are familiar with Ethiopian food or not, you gotta try it! As of this review, they are only open for takeout; but don't let that deter you! Portions are large, food is ready quickly and man, is it so delicious, and so healthy. When you call in to order, you give your credit card info up front, and when you go to pick up your order, you call again and the owner will bring your food out to you. They are being extra cautious; and probably have to operate this way to stay open currently. I don't know for sure, but I really think it's just this little older lady doing everything herself. Your dollar goes an extra long way to support this little local business. Their Injera is totally Gluten Free and they have MANY vegan options, making this place good for groups with varied dietary restrictions. I always order the vegetarian platter, spicy. I don't find it too spicy myself, just perfect. I bet she can make it extra spicy if you ask! My favorite is the red lentils. Next time you're debating on what to get for takeout, highly recommend giving this a try! read more

Uchenna - Injera, Vegetarian Platter (beer not from here!) - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ethiopian food holds a very special place for my family so we make it a point to grab one when I travel. So we go to Uchenna. Ok, firstly, let's get one thing out of the way. This isn't a business. This is a home. Come here to feel, hear, and taste the amazing Ethiopian cuisine. Mama Maya is an angel. She truly is. The food is delicious, and the portions are just right. We were lucky to have gone at a time when there was no one else, so we had Mama Maya to ourselves. Her stories were enchanting, and together with the food, the experience was just spectacular. So, if you're in the area, experience this for yourself. Thank me later. Oh yes, call and make a reservation. If you don't, you may find the place closed. That's how it is here. I'm coming back again and again again. read more

Refused to sit us despite empty restaurant. We were told we need reservations. No way to make reservations online. Hostess had terrible attitude. Not family friendly. read more

the food here is fabulous!!! the staff are so kind and friendly! I highly recommend it!!!

Incredibly tasty food, great atmosphere, and very friendly. 1st time trying Ethiopian food so I didn't know what to expect but it was so flavorful and delicious I want to try other dishes. read more

Uchenna - Beef Wat - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

What an experience!!! We had never had Ethiopian food before. Maya, a sweet Ethiopian woman greeted us when we came in. She explained the menu and asked if we had any restrictions. She told us that she would put together a platter for us. Everything on the platter was delicious! Interesting and very yummy flavors in every bite. We ate our food using injera, rather than utensils. The injera is tortilla like but, somewhat spongy. It absorbed the sauces and was delicious. The prices were very reasonable. We will definitely return read more

My first time having Ethiopian... wow. Such unique flavors. We cleared the plate. Not a bad thing on the menu. The restaurant was very intimate and felt like you were in her home having dinner with them. Couldn't recommend more. read more

Uchenna - Family platter of meat with fava bean dish and collards - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

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The food was incredible, and the service was even better. You can tell the team pours themselves into serving their customers, as every bite was flawless. read more

I didn't even get as far as tasting the food! I called to ask about the menu and the lady who answered was abominably RUDE! I tried calling back to talk to the manager or chef or someone who would be more professional and no one picked up. I'm done! I'm truly hoping to actually get as far as TRYING THE FOOD and updating this to a better review one day! read more

We never tasted the food so want to be clear on that. We drove for an hour to come to this restaurant. The restaurant closed at 8 pm and we were here at 6.30 pm. The tables were all full and one table was done with their food and soon to get up. But the hostess told us they weren't taking any more customers. I have never seen such poor customer service turning away some customers 1.5 hours before closing time when tables were free. Please beware if you plan to go here. read more

Would have loved to find out if the food was any good, especially since ethei4 injera is gluten free, but their store hour/setup are absurd. If you want to dine-in you need to make a reservation to have them open the restaurant specifically for you, 24 hours in advance. We made reservations for 1:30, 24 hours in advance. After driving in 30 minutes we were unfortunately 10 minutes late, after trying to find parking, which is very very sparse. When we got there the doors were still locked, and one of the ladies walked past us, looked at us, and kept walking. After calling, the lady who answered knew nothing of our reservation, until she asked someone else, who then informed the person we were on the phone with the our reservation was for 1:30pm, and she wasn't staying open past 2pm for our reservation, so there was no time for us to eat and to come back some other day. So, even if we had been right on time, we'd have been kicked out after 30 minutes.... This has definitely been a first, especially after we tried coming in 2 days ago, driving 30 minutes in at that time as well,only to then find out about the odd hours and setup, that is not reflected on Yelp or Google for open times. read more

Absolutely amazing food. The place is small, so I recommend making a reservation. We decided to let them decide what to feed us, so I'm not sure what the dishes we ate were called, but everything was amazing. The cook, who I think is the mother of the family(?) was working alone that night, so the food took a bit longer but it was worth the wait. Three of us cleaned the 4 person family platter without a problem. She also came out to check on us at the end, and she was the sweetest lady. read more

Uchenna - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

This place is good because it is the only Ethopian around. It would not make it in Denver. Pros: - It's the only Ethopian restaurant in CO springs . - they don't always have all the menu items because she gets the food fresh everyday (this could be a con, but I appreciate the freshness) Cons: -The injera is just ok. - the gomen basega was dry - pricey for what you get. Combo plates are $17 here, same combo plate is $13 at any of the places on Colfax in Denver. - The way they do business is acquired taste - I ordered pick up 45 min before they closed for the afternoon. The owner told me I had to be there in 15 min to pick it up. I said I was 20 minutes away. Then she texted me 15 min later to say my food was ready (interesting, but OK). When I got there it was actually not ready and I waited another 5. Why text if it wasn't ready? - Another time I called just to order sides of Injera @ $3.50?! She told me it was for customers only...(yes, thats what I am trying to be?) Also odd that it's a menu item if you can't order it. So then I was going to order a dish and then sides of injera, but she hung up before I could. I'm not going to tell anyone how to run their business, but I have given this place a few tries and it's is not for me. I will get my Ethopian in Denver from now on. read more

We've been here before and food is great. We called yesterday to make a reservation for tonight. We got a 530 time and were told there were no other options. My husband and I rushed out of work so that we could be there in time and there was literally nobody in the restaurant and the doors were locked. Supposed to open at 5pm. No sign or anything. It was a Thursday night which is not one of the days that they are closed. Very frustrating read more

They're currently offering food To-Go or with table service by reservation only, which turned out to be a good thing, because the noises I made when I took my first bite of the Lamb Yebeg Alecha made me glad I was eating in the privacy of my car. HEAVEN. Every bite was an EXPLOSION of delicious flavor! The lentils were tasty, the injera had the perfect texture, and the lamb made me want to fall to my knees and thank providence for giving me tastebuds. And it was all gluten-free! Bonus: it was still just as delicious hours later when I demolished the leftovers. The portions are very generous! I wish I lived in the area so I could eat here all the time. read more

What an amazing experience I fell in love with the food and our server was the sweetest lady! Come early or make a reservation the restaurant fills up read more

Uchenna - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Caveat: The restaurant took awhile to serve us the dinners we ordered. However, I've never been in a fast Ethiopian restaurant. It's my impression that there's a lot of stews and things that take time to cook. So I recommend going with friends or family, enjoy your conversation, and don't be in a rush. Uchenna is a very small, family run restaurant that is a little hard to find. Our dinner was lovely. We had two lamb dishes (Lamb Yebeg Tibs and Lamb Yebeg Alecha) and Shiro Wat (a vegan dish). They were all wonderful. -- Have I had better Ethiopian food? Yes, I admit I have, but most of those restaurants are in the Washington DC area and none of them are closer than Denver. Next time I'm in the area, I'll be back. I really enjoyed the food and service! read more

My family and I were visiting Colorado Springs for a wedding and arranged for lunch at Uchenna. Most of us were from out of town and had never eaten here before, nor had we experienced Ethiopian food previously. The owner of the restaurant, Maya, greeted us with open arms as if welcoming her into her home. Her daughter, Nyla, took the time to explain the various items on the menu and helped us order the most delicious food in the perfect quantities! They served us the veggie combo as well as "family style" portions of the beef, lamb, and chicken. For dessert they served the most delicious baklava I've ever had!! In short, I'm considering moving to Colorado Springs just for this restaurant! read more

Uchenna - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

The aroma of spices draw you to this restaurant. Rose-water lemonade, chicken with basmati rice & lamb alecha with injera are out of the world. Maya was an awesome host. Her gesture of getting us a box of dessert for the road showed that she cared for her customers. Loved this place and will go back here when I'm in Colorado Springs again. read more

Uchenna - Lamb alecha with injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado