This spot has been on my list for ages, finally I did manage to get some takeout and was not disappointed! Decided to get the meat sampler to get a feel for Ethiopian cuisine and I liked all three meats. Two beef and one chicken. Definitely the beef was better, very rich braised beef type of dish. The injera bread is oddly addictive. Kind of spongy but with a fermented kick. Perfect to parcel up some of the meats. I also got some lentil soup, was tasty but fairly similar to Arabic lentil soup but maybe with some cabbage in it. Look forward to trying more dishes- the lamb has been highly recommended by a friend. read more

World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant - Lentil soup - Ethiopian Near Me - Windsor, Ontario

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The food was delicious! Got the meat combination plate with Injera so tried three different meats and yummy bread! Flavors are delicious- surprised to find Ethiopian fare in Canada! The server was pleasant :) Very cute atmosphere with Ethiopian elements- can definitely see the Christian influence on the nation (as it has Orthodox ties). read more

World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat combination plate with Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Windsor, Ontario

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This place does not sell good food for the price. Get ready to spend a lot of money for a disappointing meal. Instead of being traditional and having people share in large portions with lots of options on the plate, my lamb just came with the injera and a little salad. No veggies, eggs, lentils, greens or cheese on the plate like traditional Ethiopian food. For that price it was ridiculous! Plus the bathroom was disgusting, the roof is caved in and it's dirty. It's a health hazard! The water in the bathroom is also extremely hot! Like boiling water comes out of the sink so beware. We were super dissatisfied. We love Ethiopian food and came all the way from Michigan to go here and we were let down. The food I did eat wasn't bad but it wasn't anything special. read more

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Everything was absolutely delicious. Crepe thingies were light and fluffy and perfect. Fillings were flavorful and perfectly tangy. Service is awesome. Cannot say enough complimentary things about the experience read more

The older gentleman who met us at the door was exceptionally unfriendly. No "hello" or anything. We were a family of 5 and when we asked for a table for 5, he stopped, hesitated and said, "Well ok." We then saw him cheerfully greet another family that walked into the restaurant. We are unsure why he was unfriendly to us but not them. We do visually look "different," but I'd hate to assume that is a reason. He finally brought water to our table and as he was placing them, I said, "Do you have gluten free options on your menu?" He said "No, none" and started putting the glasses of water back on his tray! It was as if he did not want to serve us from the beginning! I was perplexed, as there was a seasoning listed on the menu that said "gluten free." I was surprised that he did not speak to that in response to my question. Needless to say we chose to leave the restaurant and not spend our money in such an establishment. read more

My friend wanted to "eat in Canada" and he chose this Ethiopian spot. I'm not familiar with this type of food, and found the waiter to be very helpful. It's quiet and small (on this evening anyway). We started with beef filled pastries that had a hint of spice to them. They have beer, wine, and liquor so I ordered red wine and my companion ouzo. Wanting to avoid anything super spicy I asked the waiter for some recommendations. We ended up with a beef dish served with bread and a chicken dish with rice/lettuce. The chicken dish was tasty and mild. The beef dish is traditionally served raw (grounded beef) so here they offered to do half raw/half cooked or completely cooked. I opted for the half and half. It was served with greens, bread, and spice that needed to be added lightly. Both portions were large and I wasn't able to finish. While I probably wouldn't drive to Windsor specifically for this I would definitely go back if I was visiting. read more

Great: yummy food. Service is alright. The space is a little sad and dated and usually too warm. In summer, when they open the garage-door style front of the place, things are much better. read more

World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant - Shiro fit fit - Ethiopian Near Me - Windsor, Ontario

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This was my first time trying Ethiopian food. I loved it! There were normal tables and cute wooden, elaborate chairs/tables that seats 4. I loved that. They bring you wet, warm towels prior to bringing your food to wipe your hands (even though there is a bathroom). The food takes a while to arrive because it is made to order but it is totally worth it. We got a veggie taster type plate that had 6 different vegetable bases foods in one big plate. The food was delicious and flavorful and and it was a fun experience. I would definitely return. read more

World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant - The veggie platter for 3 people. It was really filling - Ethiopian Near Me - Windsor, Ontario

A must for people looking for something different then the regular Canadian food options! I dream about it, and order takeout whenever I venture to Windsor. Food is so flavorful and delicious read more

I've never had Ethiopian food before, but having only heard good things, it's been on my list for a while. When someone recommended World Marathon, I figured it would be a good excuse to kill two birds, since I've also been meaning to explore Windsor more since my 19 year old nightclub days. Of course, there's the usual hassles of border crossing (I got belittled for not knowing my license plate number by heart), and we ended up paying ~$8 total in toll fees; but the restaurant is conveniently located just a few streets away from the tunnel. Our visit happened to coincide with some annual street festival, so Windsor was unusually packed and several of the streets (including University) were blocked off. After the initial panic of unfamiliarity, we found a nearby parking garage -- first two hours free and $1 each hour thereafter? "O Canada..." The storefront looks like some hole-in-the-wall, but the interior really does have charm. Upon entering, you have a number of "regulars" sitting at the full bar and watching TV, and through the next room, there are a number of 4-top tables of varying heights with large chairs surrounding them. The restaurant is dimly lit with Ethiopian music playing and various bric a brac adorning the walls. Everything on the menu looked tasty, and while I had a feeling that Ethiopian cuisine probably specializes in vegetarian dishes, I chose some chicken "tibs" dish (extra spicy) and my girlfriend went for a beef dish -- sorry, I can't remember the specific names. There were a number of other interesting things on the menu, such as an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, but no "tej" (honey wine) that I've heard so much about. We also ordered some Ethiopian spiced tea. Service was indeed slow, but very friendly. I am a tea fanatic, but I mainly stick to green and white. I just don't have a taste for black tea, but our spiced tea was enough to make me a believer. It had a wonderful aroma of cinnamon and clove that reminded me of everything I love about fall, and with some sugar, tasted as delicious as it smelled. Prior to the meal, they bring warm towels to wipe off your hands, which you'll be using to eat with. They then brought out another basket of what, at first glance, looked like more hand towels. Someone had told me not to get rice with my meal, and to make sure I ordered "injera" -- now I understand why. These doughy "towels" unrolled into the spongiest, most entertaining, most delicious bread I've ever had with a meal. Imagine some kind of fluffy hybrid pita bread crepe and you'll start to get the idea. The entrees came on a large plate covered with a gigantic layer of injera with salad and the food on top of it. I had a grand time tearing of spongy pieces of injera and scooping up the meal. Both of our entrees were perfectly spiced -- not masked -- with a real depth of flavors. I highly recommend getting a chicken and beef dish to contrast the complexity of the spices. My "extra spicy" meal was strong but not overpowering, and the cool salad and spongy texture of the bread did a great job of cutting the heat. The injera on the plate soaked up the flavor of whatever was sitting on it, and added an interesting texture to the scoopfuls of food. Following the meal was another round of hand towels (actual towels, not bread), and at this point I would recommend getting the spiced tea while you sit and relax. Our total came out to $26 CAN, which I felt was totally reasonable for the high quality, large portions, and unique dining experience. We spent the evening walking the closed-off streets of Windsor, enjoying the music at every corner and the general atmosphere of well-being -- something I can't remember doing in Detroit for a long time. read more

Th food was just ok. I'm used to Ethiopian food back in Atlanta. It's super flavorful. Here it was just ok. The service was decent. There was only one person handling the entire restaurant so you can imagine how hard it was to get the server to come check on us. Overall it was a good visit. I'd go back if I was in the area just to try their vegetarian options next time. read more

World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant - 3 meat combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Windsor, Ontario

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OK if you like Ethiopian food. Very reasonably priced. We ordered the big platter with chicken, spicy beef and beef tips. Others liked it. I won't get it again. It comes with spongy bread. Too weird for me. One person got a lamb and rice dish. It was very good. I'll get that next time. Service was very slow since the owner was probably cooking the meals. read more

Ok, yes, service might be a little slow BUT the wait is sooooo worth it. I tend to grab takeout more than eating in just for convenience reasons but I loveeeee the vibe here. Smell of incense and tropical Ethiopian vibes just make me feel so gooddd in there. Cutest family that owns this place, strike up a conversation with them and you won't regret it. BEST food, I always get the meat platter and veggie platter with injera, it gives you a medley of everything and it's all amazing food to scoop up with your hands. The hot towels to clean yourself up are wonderful too. read more

World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant - Takeout - Ethiopian Near Me - Windsor, Ontario

World Marathon is not just a restaurant, it's a culinary experience! I mean, you get to eat with your hands! There's something primordial about it, but worry not, the server comes by with warm lemon water and a hot towel before and after your meal so that your hands are sanitary. Regarding the food, the shiro fit-fit is a tasty appetizer of cut up injera bread, veggies and spices. The beef injera combo for two is also a tasty treat. The food is good, the service is good. The only complaint I have is the constant burning incense which can be irritating when you're trying to enjoy your meal. read more

We went here several years ago with a group and I am always bugging the boyfriend to go back when we're back in Windsor. This is very tasty Ethiopian food, which is best eaten in a group of people so that you can order a large platter with a variety of dishes to choose from. Like most Ethiopian places, you will eat with your hands and the trusty injera after your server brings you hot steamed towels to wash your hands, so don't go looking for a fork. I loved everything we had here and would go back in a second. read more

The food here is fantastic. Ethopian is a really neat and different way to enjoy a meal. Eating with your fingers and dipping injera in sauces makes you think you're never going to fill up on the stuff but, for the most part, you do feel like you've had a full meal. I am, overall, very happy with this place. As others have mentionned: the atmosphere is feeling a bit dated since he has done little to change the place over the years. Service can be tricky, sometimes, too. The wait can be a bit long. He also used to have bottomless meat and veggie dishes which costed a bit more but were worth it cause you could re-order certain things at no extra cost. We were a bit shocked when we suddenly ordered that dish one day and were told it was no longer bottomless. Same price, of course - but no longer unlimitted! Other than that, though, this place is magnificent in many ways. I enjoy the food immensely. I have loved Ethopian since I first discovered it about 2 decades back when I was living up in Ottawa. This place continues to fuel that love... read more

Service is very helpful. The space is so cool. If you have never or ever tried Ethiopian food, this is the spot you must go to. The food is incredible and the prices are perfect. Definitely thought the staff helped make this meal great. Also expect leftovers read more

I was in the mood for some Ethiopian food in Windsor and decided to try World Marathon. We got there right when it opened for dinner at 5:00 pm, so at first glance it was empty and dark, but it soon filled in. I was immediately impressed with the extensive menu and multiple combination options. We started with the yellow pea soup, which was a delicious hint of the flavors to come. After perusing the menu, we settled on the Veggie sampler and the lamb tips, all served together on one big Injera. All of the vegetable dishes were different flavors, colors, textures and tastes, but equally delicious. I especially liked the spicy eggplant, spinach, and lentils. The lamb tips were perfectly seasoned and a nice addition, although I could have definitely eaten just the veggie sampler with the extra injera on the side and been satisfied. Good to know for vegetarians! Service was slow, but the food more than made up for it...I really appreciated the wet towels before and after eating. Ambience is authentic, it feels like you could be in someone's home, with incense burning and great music in the background. It definitely takes your senses to a far away land. I will definitely be back! read more

World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie sampler and lamb tips--delicious! - Ethiopian Near Me - Windsor, Ontario

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Absolutely delicious! We had the meat combo and red lentils, both of which were fabulous. Highly recommend!

The vegetarian platter is one of my favorite dishes of all time. I always go with Tomato fit fit for appetizer - so good!! I live in Detroit but I cross the border every month or so just to eat at this place. Their beer selection isn't the best but from a food standpoint it is absolutely perfect. read more

I love eating at World Marathon. It opens at 5 for dinner, and I suggest getting there right at 5 because it is super slow on service. The vegetarian sampler is my favorite - way tastier than the meat sampler. I've never gotten anything else, and I've never been disappointed! read more

The food was good. Not amazing. They have good seasoning though. The injera was pretty great. The sambusas were alright. This place had the driest lamb tibs we've had. And they don't serve raw kitfo which was a real let down for me. The service was pretty lacking also. Overall, I don't think I'll be back to Windsor for Ethiopian food. It's not a bad place, I just have a much better option available near my house. read more

Super long wait. Food was good but I nearly passed out from hunger waiting. Got lamb with rice.

I have been coming to this restaurant since it opened, and I think it is one of the the best Ethiopian restaurants I have eaten in. I always order the same thing a meat combo for one with veggie combo for one, and tea. service is always great, and they know what I want, so never have to drop off a menu. This is, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in the city. read more

There are very few authentic Ethiopian Restaurants and the World Marathon is in my top 3. The Owners are Great people. I'm from the US and I'm at this restaurant at least 5 times throughout the year. read more

I have visited this place several dozens of times. It is absolutely the best Ethiopian food I ever had, and I have eaten Ethiopian food in many other cities, and this is the only one that never gives me heartburn; to me this is the ultimate testimony to the quality of ingredients and it's freshness. read more

Great food, something different in the sea of over priced pub food and burgers. We got the veggie platter for 1 and meat platter for 1 with some meat and veggies samosas. Plenty of food for 2-3 people. read more

Loved this place! We went to Canada just eat here as we were told how good it was. And we weren't disappointed! The food was just enough to fill you up (and delicious of course). We liked that we could chose what we wanted in a platter, which is different from other Ethiopian places where the platter comes already preset. The ambiance is great and the people who work there are actually Ethiopian. This is the real deal! read more

Very tasty. Being East Indian, I gravitate towards Ethiopian food and don't mind the spice at all. Whenever I visit a new city, I make it a point to visit the Ethiopian restaurants! Most Ethiopian restaurants have slow service, although this one is actually faster than most (but still fairly slow by North American standards). I got the vegetarian combo with injera. I loved the injera - it wasn't over-fermented like it sometimes is in other Ethiopian restaurants. All the dishes were good but I particularly loved the gomen (spinach) and the chickpeas with berbere. The Ethiopian spiced tea was good too, and not overpoweringly spiced. Vegans may want to check with the server as to which dishes contain butter. No matter whether you're a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore, this place has reasonably-priced dishes for everyone. There is a washroom in the back where I recommend you wash your hands before and after the meal (wiping your hands with towels doesn't cut it). read more

This is one restaurant I will never get sick of. Their veggie platter with injera is absolutely fantastic. You get cabbage, spinach, potatoes and carrots, yellow peas, red lentils, green lentils, and salad. Last I checked, it is vegan as well. Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant is very consistent and has never let me down. If you are looking for something with a spicy kick, try their lentil soup. The restaurant is very clean and they often have incense burning. There is something for everyone here. read more

I almost walked out this place before ordering and I am kind of glad that I didn't. It literally took about 15 to 20 minutes to get a glass of water in this place and another 20 minutes or more to place my order. During this time, I was pretty much ignored. There were a couple of Ethiopian guys watching basketball two feet away from me during this time span. I initially thought that the worked at the place, but it turns out that they were just friends of the owner. Their English was not very good, which I think made them hesistant to explain what was up with the service. Anyways, I stuck it out, figuring that the food would be good when it finally arrived. I was right. I ordered the vegetarian sampler, which comes with six different types of Ethiopian food and injera bread. (The injera bread is used to scoop up the food. Silverware is not typically used in Ethiopian restaurants.) Very tasty...so good, in fact, that I almost forgot how long I waited to try it. This place easily would have been 4 or 5 stars had the service not been so lousy. I like to think that there was some sort of issue that they were dealing with and that normally the wait is not so long. Based on that assumption, I would recommend World Marathon...but just be prepared to be in for the long haul if you do commit to it. read more

Please don't go, one of the worst place ever. we had to pay for the chicken dish which we just had one bite because the chicken was stale and smelling bad. we informed server but instead of fixing the server(who was rude) assume we have to end our dinner and handed check. very bad service and food. read more

I've never had Ethiopian food so I don't have anything to compare it to, but this place was delicious! I love it. You can tell there was a lot of different spices used in the food because it all tasted very different than what I'm used to but very good at the same time. A new experience because you sit and you eat with your hands. Will definitely try Ethiopian coffee next time as well. read more

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Windsor. The food is amazing amd very consistent. Try the veggie platter!

I have been here twice. Both times were excellent & I recommend it to anyone. This is the only Ethiopian food I have had but it makes me want to try more. read more

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE- RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL OWNER Please find yourselves other places to spend your hard earned money. I had a terrible experience at this place, me and my family went to this place after reading reviews. It turned out to be a terrible experience. After we were seated for a party of five, I took a trip to the men's room and I happened to see on my way that they are microwaving precooked food including their so called Injera bread. I asked the server about this and was not given a right answer. Few moments later an old guy with red eyes and deep voice showed up wearing a red T-shirt from the kitchen abruptly leaned over to us and told us " I have to move you guys to other table, this not the table for 5 people". I told him that there was no other table for a party of 5 and the server seated us there. He said what ever and now you guys have to move and he did not want to create a scene. At this time, I told him to be little polite to the customers and it was not our fault that we were seated on this table. He was disrespectful, rude and bullish and said I don't care, who ever you are and still wanted us to move. At that time, I realized this is not worth it and told him, I would rather not dine here and left with my family. read more