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Awash
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
6322 N Broadway St(between Sheridan Rd & Rosemont Ave)
Chicago, IL 60660
Neighborhood: Edgewater
(773) 274-0784
- Nearest Transit:
-
Granville (Red Line)
Loyola (Red Line)
Thorndale (Red Line)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Awash
14 reviews in English
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Review from Joanna T.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 2/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The star rating remains the same, but I just wanted to share how our friends felt after we dragged them here after weeks of planning to show the Ethiopian food. Maybe this review will take my other review out of the filtered ones, because damn it, I want my review to be seen and by now I'm sure they know that I'm not a spambot.
We arrived at around 6 pm on a Saturday, and the place was practically empty which instilled some fear in our friends right away but we just told them it's never actually packed to the brim there. We brought a case of beer with us, and the corkage fee was $5 which is very reasonable. We started ordering and since me and my husband were the only ones who knew what to order, I picked out five dishes for us in order to get them acquainted with the cuisine. My friend looked at me funny and later said he was wondering why I'm ordering so much and when does he get his turn. After explaining how stuff works, we waited for the food to arrive. The look at my other friend's face was priceless when the injera came out with only the small vegetable sides on the very edges of the bread. She thought that was all we were going to get, but soon recovered after seeing the dishes the server started pouring out onto the injera.
And then we ate and it was amazing, and they were so happy. Their happiness was way beyond anything I've ever seen people experience and I have to say it made me so happy to be able to introduce them to this food. We will definitely be back with them, as they already started craving the food again.Listed in: Omnomnomnom
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/18/2011
Consistently amazing. Ever since we've visited the very first time back in March, we've been coming… Read more »
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Review from Nick M.
There is something about, or in Ethiopian cuisine that just slows the world around me down. Then again, maybe it's just me who slows. Next thing I know when asked about the food I go with a... Food... Good.
I love Ethiopian so I find it strange that most Ethiopian restaurants are dead around 6/7 at night. Whenever I go there is maybe two other tables. Do people not get how good this food is?! Or am I eating dinner at a strange time?! Either way I drove by to see empty table at all times of the day. I mean come on people, if you like Indian, it's fairly similar. You have your meats, vegetables, sauces, and bread. Spices and flavors are different but if you have a palate for Indian you should for Ethiopian. Plus it's more fun, you get to eat with your hands!
As for Awash, the service is excellent and the food is some of the best I've had. Service is slow but it is not because they are being mean, you're supposed to take you time and relax. We tend to want to be in and out, but it doesn't work like that here or any Ethiopian restaurant matter of fact. Actually, I thought the service was a bit faster then most places. Regardless of speed the service here was super friendly. The food is so good I almost want to say it's the best Ethiopian I had so far. Everything was cooked perfectly, you got strong flavor with every bite, and the serving size was nice. It's really hard to compare but the flavors here just seemed so much stronger then most places. I think more "research" is needed to make this decision, anyone want to join me??Listed in: Edgewater
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Review from Amanda G.
3/13/2012
I can't believe that I have lived in the A-ville/Edgewater area for the past seven years and never experienced Awash. Talk about true Ethiopian experience!
As we walked in, we were greeted by incense burning and several locals talking about their day. We were greeted quickly by the hostess/waitress and were sat immediately.
We decided on the lentil samosas (a food item very similar) for an appetizer and had the vegetarian dinner for two. The lentil appetizer was very tasty and the three dipping sauces were great! As for the dinner?!? Double yummy!! Each vegetarian item was extremely fresh and varied in spiciness. We could not stop eating; and physically had to hit our "pause" button, so we would not get too stuffed.
The waitress was always in arm's length if we needed anything, but was not overpowering.
We ended up chilling here for almost two hours on a chilly February evening and enjoyed relaxing for the time at Awash.
I am so glad I finally experienced a dining adventure here and could see myself eating here again! -
Review from Sabrina M.
IL
12/29/2011
Ate here on a voucher from the now-defunct Buy With Me Chicago. My friend and I decided to go for early dinner and...it was quite interesting.
First, we couldn't even tell if the joint was open. It was dark. Not even dimly lit in an ambiance kind of way. Just...sorta dark and uninviting. During our entire 90+ minute dinner, we were the only two patrons.
We got a meat sampler & a veggie sampler and it was pretty good. A few things though: the beef was very chewy. Not tender like I'm accustomed to when dining Ethiopian... And then there was the injera bread: it was bone cold. It's supposed to at least come out of the back warm. Ours was cold.
Overall, the food itself was decent -- much more spicy than I'm used to from Ethiopian Diamond. The chickpeas, chicken and spicy lentils were special standouts.
We also loved the Ethiopian tea but were surprised that we were charged for two very small pots as opposed to them just giving us a refill.
I'm glad I had the voucher to try it but I'm not sure I'd go back. Dollar for dollar and dish for dish I prefer Ethiopian Diamond -- better overall experience, better value and, frankly, better service. -
Review from Angel L.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 6/6/2011
So...
I just visited Awash again two days ago. :) :) :)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I just issued a review, but its good food so read the review below to get a full feel of what I think of the place, then read this update, and *cartman voice* RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH! :P
I do wish they would put up a sign that says either 'seat yourself' or 'please wait to be seated' and I may talk with the owner about it next time I go, however anyone whose been here knows that you basically just walk in and sit down :)
However this time when I did, I saw that the tables were all decorated with glasses and napkins folded just so! It looked wonderful! I was also greeted by a new waitress! She was super attentive throughout the meal, bringing us extra napkins and extra injera (spongy flat bread) for our meal (which happened to be miser wat--spiced, seasoned lentils--the best I've had at anywhere!) without having to ask for it. It is very clear that the owner has taken note of customer needs and is catering to them. (Seems so simple, but so many businesses fail at this) BRAVO AWASH! When the owner stopped by the table, I made a note to tell her how great of a waitress her new hire was!
I also had the pleasure of having wonder Ethiopian music playing peacefully in the background while I dined. :)
It is very rare that I give out five stars, but this place deserves it!
In closing I amend my review by saying:
GREAT service, GREAT atmosphere, GREAT food! GO EAT--NOW!
Happy dining to you!Listed in: Rub-a-dub-dub, Vegan Grub!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/2/2011
Did I mention that love being vegan and living in Chicago having so many Ethiopian restaurants to… Read more »
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Review from Donna M.
Chicago, IL
1/8/2012
I'm a long-time fan of Ethiopian Diamond, lured away to other Ethiopian restaurants only by the occasional Groupon-type deal. In the past, I've returned, content to call ED my longstanding favorite. Now, I'm not so sure.
Thanks to the extra purchasing power of our voucher, the husband and I split the pricier of the two veggie platters on the menu. Off the top of my head, this is probably the seventh or eighth Ethiopian restaurant near and far where we've tried the veg sampler over the last few years. Haven't had a bad one yet, but this one? Total and complete standout. Nine unique dishes in total! Lots of the usual dishes, all done to perfection, and some welcome new (to me) ones too, including the most amazing creamed chickpea (but nothing at all like hummus) concoction in the center.
It's hard to describe variations on spiced lentils and the like while actually making them sound interesting, but suffice to say this was the tastiest and most diverse platter of Ethiopian I have tried. The spicing here really stands out and overall, this particular sampler is well worth the extra few bucks over the basic platter at other places.
We were one of only two couples there on a Friday night, so I'm hoping this place stays in business. If it does, I think we might just be driving an extra half mile up Broadway to get our Ethiopian fix from now on. -
Review from James W.
Chicago, IL
2/9/2011
Awash is a new Ethiopian restaurant on Broadway between Rosemont and Devon. I had the pleasure of eating there earlier today.
First-rate hospitality seems to be a standard feature of Ethiopian places. Awash is no exception. The service was great and I was also treated to a couple of complimentary beverages. One of these, I believe, was tej, or honey wine. Another was based on some combination of barley and corn. (Please pardon my ignorance.)
I can't remember the name of my main dish (d'oh), but it was chickpeas in a sauce that definitely smelled like the berebere spice mix. It came with several sides in a sort of salad.
Befitting an Ethiopian place, the portions were generous. Unless your name is Takahashi / Chestnut, you should probably plan on making this your only meal of the day.
It's accessible via the #36 bus or the Red Line (Loyola / Granville). Snow aside, it should be easy to park nearby. -
Review from Jeff M.
Chicago, IL
8/20/2011
went there on KGB coupon deal. Everything was excellent. Tea was really yummy. Ordered vege plate and bunch of meats plate. Nothing bad to say........server was nice too.
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Review from Tom B.
Chicago, IL
11/27/2011
First, this review has only to do with customer service and nothing to do with the food or any other aspect of this establishment. Second, we do sometimes wait until the last minute to use pre-paid coupons, in this case a kgbdeals voucher that expired today, 11/27. Of the many dozens of vouchers we have purchased from various sources I would guess that 6-10 of those have been used on their expiration dates. Until today, that was never an issue.
Before we had even sat down at Awash the server asked us if we had a kgbdeal. We said that we did, assuming she needed to see it. Instead she informed us that it was invalid as of midnight this morning.
After our 45 minute bus ride we frankly were floored, and I mentioned that I would be writing this review. At that point the server said she would "call" the manager. A few minutes later the server said the manager was "coming". We waited several more minutes but decided to leave when the manager had still not appeared. I personally believe that good management empowers its line staff to make these kind of decisions. Fortunately we had a very nice dinner later, back in our own neighborhood. -
Review from Patrick B.
Chicago, IL
6/2/2011
Our second trip to Awash was an impulse after a tough day at work. We started to forget what we had liked about it as we waited more than half an hour for our vegetarian combination. But we could hear the chopping and cooking while we waited and when the food arrived, Wow!
We've eaten at plenty of Ethiopian places but this one has the most creative and varied foods. The tray had about eight small dishes on it, including some bright green (not overcooked) spinach with jalapeños, the usual yemisir wat and shiro dishes, gomen (collards), a lentil salad, a great lightly-dressed green salad with tomatoes, cold beets (not too sweet), and a dish we'd never had before that tasted like tahini but, we were told, was made of flax seeds. Good injera, too.
So don't go if you're in a big hurry. But go, and enjoy the great food. -
Review from Mahlet G.
Chicago, IL
6/2/2011
Loved this restaurant! I'm very excited to have finally found an Ethiopian restaurant with great service!
As an Ethiopian and an Ethiopian food aficionado, I can declare with full confidence that the food at Awash was amazing!! So far I've been to this restaurant about 7/8 times and the best dishes, in my opinion, are the doro wot/spicy chicken sauce and the kitfo (minced meat with spicy butter served raw/cooked, do try the raw atleast once)
The owner is a wonderfully warm hostess who makes the whole experience that much more exciting. I even got complimentary Ethiopian tea with my meal! And who doesn't love free stuff!
Authenticity of food: A+
Service/ Efficiency: A
Atmosphere (wonderful Ethiopian crafted wooden chairs and beautiful Ethiopian art): A+
Ambiance: Generally quite with a few guests and wonderful for an intimate conversation/date/family get togethers
Price: very fair, about $11 for a single dish that is actually plenty for 2. -
Review from Paco R.
Chicago, IL
4/20/2011
Absolutely amazing Ethiopian Restaurant right in Edgewater! It just opened two months ago. The prices, food, and service were all excellent. I'll be coming back for sure.
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Review from Peter L.
Chicago, IL
7/27/2011
Wonderful new restaurant on Broadway St. I think they've only been open for 6 mos now. Great authentic ethiopian food in a peaceful atmosphere. Will definitely be back again!
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Review from madam t.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 9/6/2011
the service & food were excellent again .. they are yummy!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/30/2011
the service is excellent .. plenty of street parking .. nice neighborhood, across from loyola… Read more »
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