80. Etete
About every third time I go to Etete, I actually get a table there. The other, not so lucky times, I end up going down the street to Dukem. Dukem is great, but just not the same. This week, I learned a very important fact which I will now share with you: if you go to Etete any time besides Saturday night, there are tables. MANY tables! Tables on the second floor! Where there apparently is room for a band! So that is today’s tip to you, dear readers, eat out on Mondays.
One reason I like Etete so much more than other Ethiopian places in the U Street locale is because the waitstaff is so friendly and helpful to those of us who did not grow up hitting Ethiopian hot spots in suburban Maryland. I always order the vegetarian sampler, which I feel is useful because it gets you all the yummy extras that spice or de-spice your dish, and then usually just hold my menu up in front of my waitress and tell her to pick something as my meat dish. She probably thinks I just can’t read, but whatever the reason I like what I get from their recommendation.
The menu is a bit overwhelming—especially for beginners. And for those who are going to be trying Ethiopian for the first time my tip is to read the descriptions of the meat carefully. Some meat dishes are served raw, as in, not cooked. At all. That can be an unwanted surprise if you’re already getting used to eating with your hands.
Our waitress recommended the derek tibs, which is beef sauteed until crispy with peppers and onions. The meat is so well cooked and intensely flavorful, with a smokey hot taste instead of a spicy hot burn-your-brain taste. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of spice on the dish, but you are left to your own devices to spice it up or down. I like it spicy, in case you are curious, which is why I always have an Ethiopian beer or five on hand to deal with my numb tongue.
All in all, I’m glad to see Etete get the respect it deserves. It is a cheap alternative to a night out, and in my opinion, a great date location. Brushing hands while you’re both going for the same bit of lentils is the going-for-the-popcorn hand brush of the future. Mark my word.
