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Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
1114-1118 U St NWWashington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor
(202) 667-8735
- Nearest Transit:
-
U Street Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
Shaw Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 2 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 3 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
420 reviews for Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The food is delish and their injera is kick ass."
(in 101 reviews)
"The lamb tibs and combination platters are amazing."
(in 26 reviews)
"Also, the honey wine was delicious with the spicy food."
(in 24 reviews)
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420 reviews in English
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Review from Pegah Y.
1/19/2012
We had a pretty awesome time at Dukem. This is the second Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to. The first one I went to was Etete, which is down the street from Dukem. I really loved Dukem as well. I enjoyed the savory food and also the varied choices. As when I went to Etete, I was quite overwhelmed with the number of choices and did not know what to order. However, we decided on getting a combination platter. I would really recommend going for the #26 combination platter, which comes with a chicken plate, a beef plate, and a veggie plate. It was a perfect amount of food for the two of us, and you certainly get full off the injera (spongey bread that you use as a utensil of sorts to eat your food)!
Service was good for the most part. At times it was very slow, though there are many waiters/waitresses there. And at one point, the waitress filled one of our waters but not the other one, even though both were empty. The service is why I am docking this place 1 star. Otherwise, the food and atmosphere are great.
The food was very savory! I loved the aromatic spices. They both smelled and tasted very good! It has been a trend for me to get the sambusa as an appetizer every time I go. We ordered the mixed veg and the spinach sambusas and split them. At only $2.50 each, they're a great deal! I just love the flavor of Ethiopian food - that perfect spiced tinge to the sauce.
What I love about this place is their live entertainment. Though we did not get to stick around for much of it (since we went there rather early and they were only just setting up around 7/7:30 PM), it's definitely a wonderful thing to have with your food, so you can get a fuller cultural experience.
We went there at around 6 PM on a weeknight and at first it seemed like it was not busy at all so we were a bit wary, but do not be fooled by that... it actually gets quite busy relatively quickly. By the time we left, at around 7:30, the place was already packed! It's a great and lively place. Prepare to have the full experience at Dukem - the perfectly aromatic and savory spices in the food and the musical experience! I would definitely love to go again. -
Review from Ray R.
1/7/2012
I will start by saying this is DC, don't expect to find a park right in front of the place or right around the corner. This is U street, busy street full of famous businesses (i.e. Ben's Chili Bowl, etc) and also happens to be surrounded by residential neighborhoods. But, if you're going to go through the hassle I'm sure you will want it to be for a place that's worth it, and this place, my friend, is that.
Dukem DC sits on a corner of the block and although it is sizeable, there are a lot of tables so on a busy night like a Saturday, it can seem crowded.
This was my second time eating Ethiopian food and this experience was even better than the first! I was happy with the variety on the menu as well as the prices but my biggest kool-aid smile came from the combination platters option..which worked for someone like me who has issues with making up her d*mn mind.
The veggie sambusa is fab, although the meat one gives the veggie a run for its money. The tibs were quite delish although I would say to do the regular as I wasn't much of a fan of the "dukem sauce." I was side-eying the Gomen Besiga as I'm African American and those of us who can cook soul food don't like collard greens being used for much else but a big ole put with a turkey neck or hamhock seasoning it, but I will say, this dish was quite creative and impressive! -
Review from Anh H.
Washington, DC
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Let's put it this way. Dukem is like PF Chang's, it's classy, it's clean, it's somewhere you can take a date, but it's a little bit removed from what Ethiopian food is really about.
That's probably not clear enough...how about this?....
Some people say that the dirtier a Chinese restaurant is the more authentic the food. Or how about this, the less Chinese people you see in a Chinese restaurant the less authentic the food. Yeah, this place of those of those; there were a ton of non-Ethiopians in this place.
I ate here a couple of times and the place was bumping like a TGIFriday's -- what with the song and dancing and traditional Ethiopian clothing. The food was good, I mean, they couldn't open multiple PF Chang's if the food was bad. But there are better places. -
Review from Roddrick F.
Washington, DC
2/5/2012
Been going here for over ten years and it is always my 1st stop if a want ethiopian food...yummy!!
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Review from Jennifer N.
Washington, DC
Updated - 1/8/2012
In the two years that I've lived in DC, I'm convinced this place has gotten worse - the portions are significantly smaller, the place seems dingier every time we go there; the food is very hit-or-miss (see previous review about the very long, gross hair in my food; last night our chicken was served at a very cold temperature for no particular reason; once we ordered sambusas and the insides were frozen; other times we've had good- but not remarkable- meals) and the service is terrible. What really gets me about Dukem, though, is that it draws all these crowds when there are far, far better places in DC - of course, Ethiopic is a hike from U Street, but it's about a million times better than Dukem. Even Etete and Little Ethiopia, right in the neighborhood, are better than Dukem. New Year's resolution: I'm not going back here.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/27/2011
Clearly Dukem is a fan favorite - we went on a Sunday night, and despite the fact that the… Read more »
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Review from R D.
Seattle, WA
1/24/2012
Hipster venue, quick service, and packed. Order #26 - you can split it amongst 4 people - and have a St George beer!
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Review from Samantha B.
Annandale, VA
11/13/2011
I could start this review out with a joke, but I will refrain. Okay so I am giving this place four stars. I am not a huge fan of Ethiopian food, but my friend recommended that we have dinner here so I decided to give it another whirl. We went on a Friday night and were able to make and change the reservation. Good thing we made the reservation because this place was packed.
The service was super quick. Our actual entrees came before the appetizer. So in eating order, the appetizer was delicious. I had the chicken sambusa. The sambusa was pretty large in size and it was around $3.50. The pastry was a little thin, but flaky, buttery and fresh. The chicken was mixed with seasoning. The chicken can be described as pulled and cut up into little pieces. You barely knew you were eating chicken. Since the chicken was so finely cut, the seasoning was overpowering and in my opinion a little spicy for my tastes. My friend ordered the spinach sambusa. One thing that I found irritating was that they were out of spinach and they just gave her a mixed vegetable sambusa without even asking. Pretty presumptuous if you ask me.
However, I did use it for dipping with the potato stew which was fantastic. The potato stew was chunks of potato served in a beef sauce, think a thick gravy, which was heavily seasoned. And it was a little pricey for the amount that was served to me.
Our waitress was courteous, very nice, and changed out our money. I did not really realize this, but a lot of restaurants do not allow this or they make you wait at the bar. I would not go here again just because I am not a big fan of the cuisine, but I would definitely recommend this to the more adventurous diner or someone who really enjoys Ethiopian food. -
Review from Sami R.
Corona, CA
11/20/2011
Came here Nov 5 on a recommendation from our tour guide. I was thoroughly disappointed and still am disgusted thinking of the food that was in my stomach. Let me clarify that I am NOT a picky eater either. I was willing to give it a chance cause everyone says you should have Ethiopian food in DC. I ordered a dish that was a chicken stew with a hard boiled egg. It came out and the waitress plopped it onto my plate and it was literally cold - (i.e. slightly warm but overall COLD). I wondered if this was how it is traditionally supposed to be served, I still don't know the answer. It didn't taste good either. Anyway I ate more than half of it because I was so hungry but man do I regret it. I will never try Ethiopian food again, unfortunately this place ruined it for me.
On a side note, the staff was also stand-offish and not helpful at all in introducing us to the food/culture. -
Review from Philippa L.
Washington, DC
12/6/2011
I picked this as my birthday-dinner restaurant - a high honor- because an Ethiopian cab driver gave it his own personal recommendation. Dukem did not disappoint.
We ordered one Doro Wat and the portion size was enough to satisfy both of us even though we came hungry. It was deliciously flavored - a great zing without being over-poweringly spicy - and the injera was perfect. The Tej was delicous and, if you're a fan of sweet wine, its a great complement to the spicy food.
We visited Dukem on a Wednesday and were plesantly surprised when a live band and dancers put on a rather impressive show.
The only thing that takes away from a perfect 5 star rating - the restaurant was packed when we arrived and we were seated at the only open table - a rather awkward table that seemed to be in the middle of everything. The meal would have been perfect had I not had to move my chair everytime someone wanted to walk by.
Of course, I highly recommend that you pay Dukem a visit yourself. An awkward table can't take away from the tasty-ness of the food. -
Review from Wayne K.
10/23/2011
I went to Dukem around 5 years ago and I was very unimpressed with this place. However, when I went here last night, it looks like they really made a lot of improvements from when I first went there. Not only was the place completely renovated, but the food was excellent.
I went on a Saturday night and it was really crowded. We had to wait 30 minutes, but we got a great seat outside under some heat lamps. We ordered three different dishes. One with beef, one with lamb, and another vegetarian. Overall, the food was very good and it filled all of us up. The service was responsive and there was a very relaxed vibe.
I will definitely come again. The only downside was that it was kind of expensive. We each paid a little over $20. That's not horrible, but it's not exactly cheap either. -
Review from Andrew C.
Washington, DC
11/7/2011 2 photos
Visit Date: 08.19.2010
When I first had Ethiopian food, I thought it was pretty good and interesting. This being my second time around, I didn't feel it was as satisfying as my first experience, yet it was still good nonetheless. Had the 3 person combo with meat, veggies, cheese, and of course injera (the bread). -
Review from Nick B.
9/28/2011
My hometown doesn't have an Ethiopian restaurant, but I got hooked on the stuff while I lived in Toronto, so I sought out recommendations from some locals when I was in DC this weekend, and Dukem was everyone said was the best one.
I can see why.
First thing: when a server goes out of her way to tell you you've ordered too much, that's good service, and so I was in a good mood. The menu is a little difficult to navigate so it was great to take her advice. I was with a party of four and we wound up with a perfect assortment of options including accommodating a vegetarian.
My favourite way to experience Ethiopian food is off a mesob and with all the traditions, coffee and all - Dukem doesn't do that - but the food and friendly people make it all work. I will definitely be back next time I'm in DC. -
Review from Gray K.
Arlington, VA
12/18/2011
Totally disappointed in this place. I love Ethiopian food and I've tried lots of Ethiopian restaurants in DC. This one was the most expensive, and probably the worst food. I can only evaluate the vegetarian selections, but they were thoroughly mediocre.
Definitely not the best Ethiopian food in DC. -
Review from Mike S.
Madison, WI
10/14/2011
I heard about the quality Ethiopian restaurants in the U Street area, so my colleague and I decided to hit this place up. I lived in DC for a summer several years ago and never ventured to the U St. Corridor, which I found to be a diverse and energetic area.
I wish I can rate this restaurant by food and service separately because they were very different experiences.
I had Ethiopian food only once previously, so certainly not an expert. Shared a combo with a colleague that included sambusas, beef tibs, lamb wot, and minchet abesh (ground beef dish). It was fun to be able to try a variety of flavors and dishes and their injura was quite good. And they had several Ethiopian beers on the menu as well.
Not very good service though....the waitress knew very little if any English so it was fruitless to get suggestions and ask questions about the food.
Overall very good food but poor service. 2.5/5.0 rating -
Review from Melissa W.
Washington, DC
9/14/2011
I have tried about 6 Ethiopian restaurants in DC and I thought from all the interviews I've conducted on the subject, that Dukem would prove the king of them all...and yet, EVEN after giving it a couple tries, I don't think it earns the title.
The place has its charm: indoor and outdoor seating, live concerts during dinner weekly, and small tables squished side by side to create a slightly awkward but always fun rowdiness.
BUT, the food just isn't that good. I use Steak Special Tibbs at the (creme brulee of Ethiopian food), in other words, I try this at every Ethiopian restaurant and that way compare across the same dish. I have to say here the steak didn't have great cuts, the tomatoe salad was not super fresh, and the injera (another mark of the quality of an Ethiopian's offerings) was old-tasting and rubbery.
When it comes to eating Ethiopian food, I will stick to Zenebech, just down the street from Dukem and has the BEST injera in town, and Meskerem, in Adams Morgan, where I am a regular and cannot get away from their Alicha Wot Lamb! -
Review from Carrie W.
Washington, DC
12/6/2011
The food at Dukem is ALWAYS fantastic and I used to come here every time I wanted Ethiopian, but recently they've stopped taking multiple credit cards (even 2) on one table without haggling. No one likes swipe fees, but this practice is both inconvenient and annoying for patrons-- they might as well be cash-only. Raise prices by a quarter if it's seriously damaging profits (which I doubt is an issue at Dukem-- the place is always packed).
The food at Etete is just as good, and they won't hassle you about splitting the check. -
Review from Angie B.
Pomona, CA
9/5/2011
I was not feeling this place at all. I had heard fantastic things about how great the Ethiopian food was at Dukem. So, i was excited to give it a try. Unfortunately, I was pretty let down. The vegetarian sampler and fish were just ok. Nothing to write home about. The service was terrible. The staff seemed unfriendly and unapproachable. The staff was more interested in interacting with each other than serving the customers.
Also, the restaurant definitely needs to be spruced up. The place is dark and pretty grimy. The restroom was dirty and the wall air conditioner was leaking onto the floor, so the carpet had puddles of water.
Don't get me wrong, I've eaten at my fair share of raunchy restaurants, but at least the service and the food usually make up for the unappealing aesthetics. Here, not so much. -
Review from Jenn Q.
Washington, DC
11/2/2011
Washington City Paper has it right; this is about as good as it gets for Ethiopian in DC. I go whenever I get the chance; particularly when we have guests in town who have never had Ethiopian before.
Their vegetarian combos are always a little different every time I've been, but never disappoint and the injera is delish. The waitstaff is lovely; attentive but not overwhelmingly so, and even when it's crowded, we've always managed to score a table that's just enough out of the way.
Will be back again. And again. And again.... -
Review from Lisa I.
Beverly Hills, CA
10/12/2011
I've only been here once, but coming from LA where there are also lots for Ethiopian restaurants - I was impressed. From what I noticed, this place doesn't get cracking until after 11pm, when the live music starts. The awaze tibbs were tasty and the service was friendly. The bar was lively, everyone looked like they were having a good time on a Sunday night.
I'd absolutely recommend this place if you are new to the area and/ or Ethiopian cuisine. -
Review from P Z.
San Francisco, CA
10/7/2011
I have had two extremely varying experiences with Dukem, leaving me completely unsure how to review them.
The first time I went, I thought their food was amazing. I was there with a large group, and we ordered a bunch of dishes including the vegetable platter. The flavors were amazing and there was so much food I had no idea what to do with it.
The second time I went was for lunch, and I was on my own. I ordered the chicken tibs for $14, and got just that. A plate of injera, the chicken tibs, a tiny scoop of salad, and nothing else. No vegetables. Nothing. After paying $18 with tip for lunch, I left hungry.
I'd go back, but only with a big group to make it affordable. -
Review from Eric O.
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service is quite slow
Food's not bad but there's better
Wash your hands first please!Listed in: Haikus
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Review from Meghan D.
Shrewsbury, MA
11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant.... and I am impressed. My friend insisted on this place as THE place to go in dc for food... and I obliged. I let him order and insisted on my glass of wine. If you have never had Ethiopian food before you will observe it like me... the "bread" looks like a pancake meets a crepe... We got Dukem Combo 4 (beef tibs, lamb wot, minchet abesh, and the veggie and meat combo...) my pref lended itself to the lamb and the beef tibs. I enjoyed the potato and carrot of the cabbage vegetable portion... however overlooked the tomatoes happily in exchange for the potatoes. The photos are great descriptors of the food. If you are in the mood for something different this is your best choice in the area for Ethiopian. Try the beef tibs definitely.
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Review from Christopher W.
Oakland, CA
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place was solid. The first night I went, it had been transformed into a Habesha dance club. :(
So, I tried it again a few afternoons later for lunch, and the food was legit. I started with the veggie sambusas, which were pretty tasty. Then, I had the vegetarian combo, which was on par with the best Ethiopian I've had. The food was nicely spiced, and the portions were adequate.
But, the best thing about this place was the service. The server was the best server I've ever had, hands down. She was polite, helpful, fast, yet not a burden (i.e., hovering). Man, if it was just rating service, I'd give this place 5 stars. -
Review from Schuyler W.
Suitland, MD
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I could have made this stuff at home with the exception of the injera which i tentatively prodded at and could only consume with pieces of lamb swallowing it. This place is always packed for some reason and incredibly loud. Whatever you do do not get a table in the middle- you will be knocked and tripped over all night. If you want to talk to your dinner party or get good service, go somewhere else.
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Review from David T.
Washington, DC
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Awesome experience. My friend and I shared a combination platter in which at first it looked like I thought it might not be enough, but half way through -- i was proven wrong.
The spicy chicken was really, really good! The lentils were okay, but the tomato mix and lamb was delish! Almost as good as that damn spicy chicken...yum! -
Review from Sania K.
Washington, DC
1/17/2012
Restaurant was really crowded and the tables are super close to each other- so close that it was almost like we were sitting with the people at the table next to us. The food was pretty good- didn't really know what to expect since this was my first time eating Ethiopian food. We asked the waitress for suggestions but I'm not sure if it was the language barrier or what but she wasn't very helpful. My friend and I ended up ordering two lamb dishes, both of which were pretty good but it ended up being a LOT of meat for the both of us. The overall service was fine, can't complain. After going to this, I went to Meskerem in Adam's Morgan and liked that much better. Could be that it was because I had an idea of what to order though.
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Review from Kevin C.
Washington, DC
8/11/2011
Even though I thought the food was alright, I'm going to trash this place for charging different prices than what was on the menu simply because it was "entertainment hour". For example, bottled, bland, Ethiopian beer was listed at $6 on the menu but I was charged $7. My date's wine more expensive than the menu too. I think the food was more expensive too but I'm not 100% positive.
I also found out that they have a drink minimum during this "entertainment hour" as well. For example, if you want a coke that is normally $2 you'll have to pay $6 for it . If I'm going to be faced with a drink minimum I better be getting a good lap dance. The only thing I got out of it was a bitter taste in my mouth. -
Review from Jeremy W.
Washington, DC
1/16/2012
Solid ethopian food... gets pretty busy on weekends.
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Review from Gary M.
Washington, DC
8/24/2011
Food is good.
Service sucks.
Place is kinda grubby.
Italian food is better.
Go Bears. -
Review from Simret Z.
Washington, DC
7/9/2011
Once upon a time... let's call it the mid-nineties... a humble Ethiopian carryout/convenience store opened up near the corner of 12th and U. It was not unlike other Ethiopian lunch counters save that they were inspired to add Rosemary to their Tibbs. Word of the magically spiced meat spread like wildfire amongst the cabbie community and the owner soon found that he could no longer service his rapidly growing customer base out of his tiny shop. He then leased the establishment next door (and eventually the floor above it). And thus Dukem was born.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? I'm not the first to observe that Dukem's great appeal is its consistency. As a people we're not generally inclined to write recipes down. A pinch of this and a dollop of that is usually how it goes... As such, results at restaurants tend to vary greatly depending who's in the kitchen that night or even what kind of mood she's in (and forgive me, but yes, I said "she"). The food at Dukem isn't an A+. It's a B+ to an A-. But consistently so. And I'd say that's about all one can ask for. I can confidently bring in friends who've never had Ethiopian and be assured that the grub won't reflect poorly on our culinary heritage.
Like that of any culture, Ethiopian cuisine has dishes best eaten at home (not a member of the tribe? Good reason to make an Ethiopian/Eritrean friend). After all, most Americans don't go to a restaurant to order meatloaf. To be generally avoided in restaurants are any meat, lamb or chicken-based "wat" (stew).
When in doubt, go with the Goden Tibbs - pan fried lamb or steak short ribs served with "injera" - a traditional sourdough flatbread. Think rack of lamb. For the more daring, there's Kitfo (a kind of spicy steak tartare).
They also have vegetarian platter options that come with a crisply fried whole fish.
On Wed nights there's traditional dancing, folk bands and coffee
ceremonies for a marginal increase in price.
Oh yeah, none of the above applies to Dukem's Baltimore location. Don't go there. Just don't do it.Listed in: U street Haunts
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Review from Marin G.
8/3/2011
I will write it until I'm blue in the face. YELP!, you need to separate ratings into food/taste and service. Let me elaborate. The food here was amazing. The prices could not be any cheaper. What a deal. We ordered the veggie platter with fish. We three cleaned the platter. Every dish was tasty and unique and while I can't tell you what each one was (exactly) I can tell you to just order it.
The service, on the other hand, was awful. Everyone knows DC is hot in the summer. People come in off the streets after a long day of strolling/working/shopping and they are hungry. And maybe cranky. And definitely ready to be served. We walked in and they looked at us like we weren't in a restaurant, waiting to be seated. We asked politely for a table. They told us to wait at the bar. We saw one table finishing up. They sat the party that came in after us at the table. Finally we got a table. No one took our order. yada yada yada bad service.
IF you can handle it, the food will be worth it. If not, there are others. -
Review from Sarah K.
Washington, DC
11/20/2011
Eating with your hands is always better than eating with utensils. Always yummy, get some friends, a veggie combo and some lamb tibs. Wash it down with their potent honey wine. Happiness.
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Review from Takako T.
New York, NY
6/6/2011
I love this place...! nice out door seating and yummy food. Even though I saw several negative reviews about their service, the service was decent for me and had absolutely no trouble(or it may just be that I'm used to the horrible service standard in NYC? service without service?)
We ordered doro wott and vegetable plate, and some beer. The good part of this place is that the menu is relatively large and you have many options from appetizer to main dishes. Maybe, maybe, their dishes are slightly more expensive than those of the other Ethiopian restaurants, but for the ambiance, I don't mind to pay some extra.
I really recommend to get the table in the outdoor seating area during summer time. -
Review from sam w.
Haymarket, VA
9/7/2011
So I really didnt know what to expect from this place, since this was my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant. I must say, that I had the upper hand on my experience, because my group knew the people who ran this joint and they also knew exactly what to order.
What did I do? Sat back and watched as dishes covered the table, glasses of water and drinks followed afterwards and I was told that there is a process with picking up the food without silverware. hmmm, i wasnt too sure about that, being that several other people were using their hands that i really didnt know too well..but what the hell...the night was young and I dove in.
Food- well seasoned. Service- cool/polite and responsive.
Tip: go with people you know, be open to new food. ambiance- couldve been better. -
Review from Christina B.
Austin, TX
6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Damn. YUM! I had never had Ethiopian food before, which is sad, I know, but I must admit I was a little skeptical. My friend insisted upon trying it, and I'm glad I did.
Y'all probably already know that you can pick a platter of meats/vegetables, and it is served on a big spongy bread/tortilla (injera), along with a couple of pieces on the side. You use said bread utensil to pick up the delicious morsels and deliver them to your mouth. No need for forks, friends. Just wash them hands and go to work. The food didn't feel too greasy or heavy so I didn't feel bad about polishing off every last bit of it while my friend looked on in surprise/disgust/jealousy. Whatever, take your pick.
Like others say, service is slow and it isn't that cheap. Oh well, you don't really need much service after they bring you that delicious platter. Maybe the check, though... -
Review from Abi O.
El Paso, TX
6/23/2011
First time ever having Ethiopian food so I can't comment as much about the food, but it was very good! Spicier than I thought it would be, which for me is a plus.
The baklava was delicious. It's one triangle slice of it, served hot (not warm, HOT) which is something I haven't seen very often.
We went on a Wednesday night, but it was pretty full. There were performers and live music most of the time we were there. They had some great, funny, and entertaining routines. A taste of Ethiopia. :) I loved it. -
Review from Michelle K.
Arlington, VA
8/17/2011
I've been here a few times. Service isn't great, they're not super friendly. BUT the food is fantastic. I am by no means an expert on Ethiopian food, but I think it's delicious and there have never been any inconsistencies in terms of quality and taste. I've had the lamb tibs and doro wot (chicken) and a few other things I can't remember. The vegetarian sambusa is good as well - excellent with lentils inside, thought the last time I had one, the lentils were missing.
Surprisingly, they have an alcohol list too, including Ethiopian beers. -
Review from Grace H.
Washington, DC
11/16/2011
Never tried any Ethiopian Restaurant in U Street, so one Saturday night I decided to take a walk and picked this one out. This is because by comparison to other Ethiopian Restaurant at that hours (around 7 pm) it was the most busiest one. The food is tasty, and the portion was not huge like what I perceived to be American size. The service was pleasant enough, but the waitress made a mistake of my order, and is for this reason I gave it a 2 star.
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Review from Stephanie C.
New York, NY
5/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
So, I did hear that DC has the best Ethopian food- outside of Ethopia! This would be thanks to the large Ethopian immigrant population. I was here on business and all my (Ethopian) cab drivers recommended I come here. Seems very authentic, in the middle of the bustling U St area. We sat outside because it was a nice night; didn't need a rez on Thurs at 9, and could have sit anywhere. I didn't roam inside too much but not sure if I saw the real authentic, tables, seating (drum table, sitting on the floor, that sort of thing)
In the past, I'd never been a big fan of Ethopian-coining it "tastless mush". Duken proved me wrong. I came here with my local friend, who said she was a frequenter. The key is that you can give one of their platters, get a variety of food, get full, without paying up too much. We went with the 7 veggie platter + fish (my friend raved about the fish). This was some $17 ish dollars.
I'd say that it would be hard to come here if you had a limited palette. There is no chicken or pork. You need to eat beef, lamb, or fish. Luckily, out of the three, I eat the latter. I guess you could be a veg, too.
I started off with a chicken sambusa, which is like the Indian samosa. Pretty dry, if you ask me. Got it with grounded chicken, which could have used a lot more spices. Bagh. Felt like I wasted a lot of calories of blah fried food. Was $2.75 I think.
As you may have heard, the key is the home bread, the injera. The veggie platter comes atop one of these, but they give you a separate one to grab. (It's all hands, here). This injera was REALLY good. Unlike any other I've had, not sour, perfectly spongy and risen- it was the right taste and texture. That being said, that shit rises in your stomach so don't go too crazy or you will be REALLY full (as I was, hours later). They give you free refills of this too (I think). Based on how hard it is to make (according to my cab driver, I applaud Duken for their fresh, high quality, injera. Yummy!
The veggie platter itself had: creamed cauliflower, chickpeas, cabbage, collar greens, I can't remember much else. And, the waitress doesn't really tell you what is what (though, for the most part, she was polite, and prompt) so you kind of have to guess the different color mushes. Definitely the cauliflower, chickpeas, collared greens stood out (hence why I remember them), and to be this point : I describe them as mush but they're so not! They're so flavorful; you definitely know what you're eating and the flavors are simple and purist. They don't put a lot of gunk in it so the ingredients speak for themselves. Glad this was pretty healthy.
I enjoyed the fish too. With fresh lemon squeezed over, it is really fresh. Now that I think of it, I don't even know what kind of fish it is! Pretty sure it's tiliapia- but take my word for it, it is fresh! It's fried, which also explains the tastiness. But the meat inside still remain flaky and it seems there was almost some of sweet chili sauce cooked with it, because that's exactly what it tasted like. The only downside was the plethora of bones everywhere.
A filling, traditional, tasty, cheap meal.Listed in: The Nation's Capital
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Review from Mandy G.
Evanston, IL
7/8/2011
FACT: I'm an Ethiopian Food fanatic.
- I eat Ethiopian Food about once a week.
- I seek Ethiopian Food out when I go on vacation, so I've had Ethiopian Food in at least 5 different cities in the USA (and counting).
- If I ever visit Africa, it will be to go to Ethiopia, just so I can EAT.
I'm visiting Washington DC and I lucked out and am staying a neighborhood with at least 10 Ethiopian Restaurants in a 3 block radius. This place boasts that it's the best, so I tried it first.
Dukem FOOD:
- Good. I've had better, but this is solid A-OK Ethiopian Food.
- The injera was GREAT... Probably the best I have ever had. It was not as sour as some injera can be and was very mild = AWESOME.
Dukem Atmosphere:
- OK
- Not as clean as I would like... Not dirty, per say, but it felt sort of more like a bar than a restaurant
- Wait staff was not rude, but not overly nice.
Since this is the first Ethiopian place I've tried in DC, I obviously have nothing to compare with in this city, but I've had better in Chicago, San Francisco, and New York. I would try another place before going back here a second time, especially considering that I've heard that DC is known for great Ethiopian Food. That said, it was OK, so I would not be adverse to going back, as long as I don't find a better Ethiopian place in town first.
As a side note, I liked the food better as left-overs the next day. Everything was mushed together in the take-home container and not distinctive dishes any more... funny enough, the food was really good that way.
