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Excellent food! It was my first time trying Ehiopian food, but I loved it! The food was wonderfully spiced without being too salty. I had the Vegan platter and we ordered a side order of a chicken dish. There was two of us and we definately could not finish what we ordered!
They should really consider slapping some paint on the walls and making it a little chic-er...because the decore should match the food...amazing! :)
When i was eating there, I was having a blast and I really liked the food, the service, and the presentation.
When I left I swore I'd be back.
I've not been back since and I think the reason is that, in retrospect, nothing on the menu seems especially memorable. All of the dishes are tasty and exotic, but I get the feeling that many people are rating it highly because they tried something a little bit daring and (surprise!) came out having had a fine meal--so that it is as much about surviving the experience as relishing it.
Make no mistake, you'll be treated spendidly here and you'll probably discover a few new taste buds you never knew you had. But on the whole, Ethiopian cuisine cannot hold a candle to Middle Eastern, Indian, Italian, Mexican, etc. A fine diversion, but (cringe!) nothing special.
I do hope it stays in town and does well, however. It's one of those places that I am very glad is here.
First visit - Wow. The food here ranks among the best in the bay area. The red lentils are especially tasty, as is the spinach/kale dish. The bread could be a touch more sour, and the potatoes should be cut smaller, but other than that it was wonderful.
Second visit - several notches lower. The food was OK, but not the dreamy goodness of the first visit.
Somehow I have to find out which cook is the good one.....
To say that Lucy's Lair is the best Ethiopian restaurant in town is misleading, because it is the ONLY Ethiopian restaurant in town. However if there were another Ethiopian restaurant in town, they would be hard pressed to be any better than Lucy's Lair.
There are not many places where I can say that I like just about every item on the menu, but Lucy's Lair is on the short list of places that can claim that honor. In the many times I have gone there, I have yet to have a bad meal.
The service is always good, the waitstaff are always pleasant, albeit a little quiet. The food quantity is good, I always leave being EXTREMELY full, and most importantly the food is DELICIOUS.
If you are afraid to try Ethiopian food, don't be. It really is a unique type of food, and you would be hard pressed to find any other type of cuisine that comes close.
I've eaten here a couple of times and both the meat and vegetarian dishes/sides have been very tasty and they're generous with the injera. The prices are fair and there's also a good choice of Ethiopian beers.
I'm not too crazy about the atmosphere as it's mostly decorated the same way it was when the place was Choices, but that's not going to keep me from going back.
Lucy's Lair has vegan options, so that's awesome. it's kind of out there for most fresno residents, even a few miles from where i live and we're in north fresno.
this is the third ethiopian place i've been to (1 in seattle, 1 in LA). The food at Lucy'a Lair was good, but the atmosphere and decor weren't as nice as the other places.
We got two vegan options, and in our experience, there's usually plenty of food and 2 people can often split one platter. We asked the server (who I think was the owner) and he said the platter was only for one person. So we ordered two, and it was tons of food, and we probably could have split one platter, thereby saving a good chunk of cash.
The place is somewhat pricey ($12.95 for the vegan platter), but it is a lot of food and I guess it's comparable to other restaurants I've been to. But we could have saved by splitting a platter.
The atmosphere and decor could have been better; i thought i saw a review that said there were a big bone motif and there were bones on the walls and stuff---maybe i didn't read that at all and made it up, but i was expecting hominid fossils and artifacts. i mean there was a bone in the text on the menu and the door and a few decorative items around, but not what i was hoping for.
also, the dining set-up wasn't as traditional as the place in LA. The traditional woven-material table (and seats closer to the ground) with neat patterns and this cool lid was displayed in various forms in the restaurant, but weren't for eating as in the LA restaurant.
but overall, the food was good, and the servers were friendly.
oh and they made us bring take-out menus home to give to friends, so if anyone has a question about the menu, i'd be happy to give information from it.
Ethiopian food is my very favorite food, and I was thrilled when after 12 years here in Fresno, I learned there is an Ethiopian restaurant here! (We've actually made trips to the Bay Area, on some flimsy premise, just so we can get some Ethiopian food. Serious!)
So, my husband and I and another couple went to Lucy's Lair last night, and it did not disappoint--it was wonderful! I would like to go back again today if I could.
We all had the vegan dinner, and we got three dinners for the four of us (they put everything on one tray). That was plenty-- no one was hungry, but honestly, since this is my favorite food in the world and we hadn't eaten all day, we probably could have eaten all four.
We tried all the vegan dishes on the menu, except for the cracked wheat, which our friends had tried before and hadn't enjoyed. We loved EVERY dish we got--my favorites were the red lentils, the greens, the cold lentil salad with onions, and the cabbage and potato dish. My husband really liked the green beans and carrots. Everything is so flavorful that YES, you really do walk away thinking about how intensely delicious the CARROTS are--how often does that happen?
I agree with everything that has been said about the friendly and helpful service. All of us were experienced Ethiopian-food-eaters, so we knew what we wanted, but if I had been a newbie, I would have felt completely comfortable asking questions.
A few notes--some of the dishes are not as spicy-hot as I have had at other places. For instance, usually the red lentils is a very spicy dish. I'm guessing that the heat was removed in order to appeal to more people?--nothing we ate last night qualified in my mind as even remotely hot--however, it was extremely flavorful, delicious, and satisfied my Ethiopian food cravings 100%.
I agree with the person who mentioned that they didn't enjoy getting one can of soda when they ordered soda, I prefer getting a refill if I want one. Small point. It would not stop me from having dinner there, heh.
The injera bread was good, but it seemed a little different from what I've had elsewhere. Whereas injera is usually the color of white bread, this was the color of wheat bread, and tasted a little more "wheat-like". Still delicious. Our friends mentioned that the owners actually use some wheat in their injera bread, in addition to the traditional grain from which it is usually made (called teff). It was a bit different, bit didn't take away from my enjoyment of the food. Someone with a wheat allergy might want to know that it has wheat in it, though.
I agree with what other reviewers said about the location being not-so-convenient. I never would have gone up that way except for the Ethiopian food. BUT...it is sooooo worth the trip. I would like to see these lovely people and their wonderful restaurant succeed. Last night --a Saturday night--it seemed a little quiet.
Go, you won't be disappointed!
To be honest, I did not expect to find an Ethiopian restaurant in Fresno and I was pleasantly surprised to find Lucy's Lair. This place is great, a true ethnic experience in the Central Valley. I've had the Yebeg Wot, Siga Tibs, Kitfo, Azifa, and Shiro Wot. All were delicious, with my favorite being the Yebeg Wot, which is very flavorful. Of notable surprise is the selection of Ethiopian beer, of which all were very good. There are a limited number of tables, so a reservation may be a smart move. What's interesting however, is the location of this restaurant. It's in a largely residential area northeast of Fresno. Honestly, if they moved the restaurant to a more commercial district, such as River Park, Fig Garden, etc. I think they would do much better. That being said, I've been here twice and will go back again.
It's always hard to figure out where to eat when our vegan daughter comes to town. This is definitely NOT a vegan sort of town so when I hear of places that do vegan food, I keep it in mind. After reading about Lucy's on Yelp, I knew just where we would go when she was again in town.
The location is terrible...unless you live north of Shepherd. There is this tiny little strip mall on the corner of Maple and Behymer that you could easily miss, and Lucy's is tucked at the end, facing Behymer.
The food is very good, both vegan and carnivore. My husband and I shared a communal plate (giant platter) of beef and chicken that was so tasty with all the spices. Our daughter had the vegan choices and was pleased with the tastes and textures. Her least fav was the cabbage and potatoes, but I liked it as a contrast to the heat of the meat.
Be forewarned, this is NOT AMERICAN restaurant. Serving sizes are normal, not humongous. And you do eat with your fingers. My one complaint there is that they did not offer hot, steaming towels when we were finished as I have had in other places where it's "hands on."
Another reason for minus one star, the coffee maker was awaiting repair so we did not get to try their coffee. The hot tea, however, was delightfully spicy. Just right for a cold winter's night.
Oh, it's SO nice to see vegan food finding a niche in the valley! AND I have to say that the vegan choices seemed so much better than the meat option that my parents got.
For the vegan option, they have a list of about 10 different items, and you can choose 4, and they come out on this HUGE plate, on top of a type of flat bread. I loved the lentil and the chickpea items - they were my favorite. Spicy! Mmmmmmm..... :) Very yummy and healthy. Another great reason to head back down to Fresno for a visit. :)
An Ethiopian workmate gave me the heads up that this restaurant was coming, and now that it's here, I'm not disappointed. In our group, five adults ordered two vegan plates and two meat dishes. With the injera (flat bread), we had enough food to fill up everyone, and a large togo box. The quality of the food is as good or better than an other Ethiopian restaurant I've been to (mostly S.F.). Be warned, the owners value quality over expediancy, and the foods that it makes a difference, are made fresh. This can take some time. I'd consider ordering ahead if you're in a rush, or just don't want to wait +45 mins for your food. I think you can ask what will be quick and bypass the wait, but I'm not sure.
I really going to push this restaurant with my pals. It truely deserves the attention, and Fresno can surely use the variety. IMHO, if you like Indian food, you'll probably will love this food.
**UPDATE: I've been told that Lucy's Lair is now offering a lunch buffet to speed up that midday feeding.
We went for lunch on Monday, Thanksgiving week, and not surprising, since it Lucy's is in a residential neighborhood, we were the only customers.
We were greeted with friendly service and ordered two of the Vegan Delights so we could sample most of the selections. You get four items, and that would allow us to get eight of the nine listed on the menu. However, we were given each item on the menu, and a couple that weren't so that we could fully sample what the restaurant had to offer. This was unexpected and cool.
We were told we could have forks if we liked, but Ethiopian food is traditionally eaten with fingers and for the full experience, we chose that method. A couple of items are difficult to eat that way and a bit messy. If you are sharing as we did, make sure you go with someone who has clean hands and you are not squeamish about.
The food was delightful and flavorful. We very much enjoyed most items. It didn't look like a lot of food at the start, but we found that in spite of the great taste, we could not finish it all. We talked about it and may on our next visit share one vegan delight, and get a couple of yogurt sides. Yes, we will definitely eat here again.
The restaurant is a former Italian deli, so not much it looks or comfort, which makes me want to only give 4 stars, but there is the oh so good food and friendliness.
A buddy and I decided to eat at Lucy's Lair last night after hearing about its existence here and, after a thoroughly delightful dining experience, I can unreservedly give it my whole-hearted recommendation. Until now, I had only been able to try Ethiopian food in the Bay Area and in and around Los Angeles (hopefully I'll be able to try it in Ethiopia sometime) and Lucy's is at least on par with any of these establishments, and far surpasses them in many ways.
I asked our server (who turned out to also be the owner) to recommend the spiciest dish on the menu, which ended up being the chicken doro wat, and it was delicious. Spicy is relative, and while it doesn't hold a candle to Laotian or Thai cuisine (as far as hotness goes), the flavor was excellent. The vegetables were cooked and seasoned to perfection as well.
Speaking of which, as a guest observed above, the vegan selections are quite varied and featured prominently on the menu. Speaking as a non-vegan, I appreciate having a healthier option as long as the flavor and texture aren't too bland, and what I tried more than satisfied.
We also sampled the gamut of Ethiopian beers they had in stock, and I would buy any of the three I tried if I saw them for sale at BevMo or Trader Joe's. Apparently they're having some trouble getting the imported mead or honey wine, though, which was disappointing. I've always wanted to try it.
The food is served on a communal platter, and is eaten sans utensils. Instead, the injara flat bread is used to grab the food. It may take a bit of getting used to for some, but it's a lot of fun with a family or group of friends. My friend and I debated whether or not this makes Lucy's a suitable place for a first date. He thinks not, as it might be a little informal (and potentially messy) for a date when you would normally want to create the best impression possible, but I maintain that it would serve as a great litmus test. You would know if the chick (or dude) is "down" right from the start. If she's squeamish or timid here, I don't think that would bode well for things to come.
Finally, the owners were absolutely delightful. They were friendly, generous, and one could tell how proud they are of their new establishment.
And they have every right to be. Go eat at Lucy's, and take a group of friends.
Excellent new dining experience. The owners are warm and genuinely care. We were assisted in ordering since this was our first time having Ethiopian cuisine, The food is very flavorful and there was more injera(flat bread ) than what I could finish. My wife ordered the vegan plate in which you can choose the items to be served and I was adventurous and had Kitfo( Ethiopian Steak tar tare, Oh so good. Also excellent value, were talking dinner for my wife and I with our two year old with a glass of wine for 30.00 plus tip
last night, my wife and i, along with two friends went to lucy's lair for dinner. we called ahead to check the hours, and they're open until 9. this was good, because i was running late and we didn't make it until about 8:15. for three of us this was our first experience with ethiopian food, and the fourth has had ethiopian up in the bay area.
we were quickly seated, but there was a good size crowd when we came in, i'm guessing about 15 other patrons. a few others came in after us.
we perused the menu, and decided to order a meat dish and the vegan delite. for the meat dish, we went with the chicken. i wish i had written down the names of what we had for the vegan dish. the waiter encourage us to order 3 dishes (rather than 2), and we figured he knew what he was talking about. and, two of us are big dudes, so maybe he figured we were big eaters. we probably could have gone with 2 dishes for the four of us, because we ended up taking home a good bit.
anyway, back to the food. i know we had a split chickpea dish that i really liked. we also had a spicy lentil that tasted rather nice. my wife's favorite was a cabbage and potato dish. finally, our veggies were rounded out with green beans w/carrots. i really enjoyed the carrots from that part.
overall, it was good. i think we could have skipped the meat dish. not that it wasn't good, but the other dishes just were more interesting to me, and i'm a meat eating sort of guy. also, in getting the veggie dish, we ordered two of each thing. next time, i'd go with a little more variation and experience more of the menu. but what we had was good.
although we didn't have the coffee ceremony, someone else did while we were there, and so we were treated to the aroma of the ceremony. lovely. next time i think i'll have to shell out the $ for it.
for drinks, we two of us a had a beer (one light, one medium), one had a glass of the mead, and one soda. these were nice. the beer had a nice, semi-sweet taste to it.
finally, the service was great. all of the staff that talked to us was friendly and helpful. and, we timidly asked what lucy referred to. we, and by we i mean my wife, had a theory that it referred to lucy, the first human found. but, how to ask that in a delicate manner. so, we asked what lucy referred to, the waiter asked to guess, and she nailed it. then he explained some of the different elements of the decor.
the only drawback for me was that the place is so far out there. but really, a fifteen minute drive isn't bad at all. i just wish the restaurant was in my neighborhood, i'd be likely to walk over frequently. as it is, it'll have to be a special trip. but, with drinks, the whole meal was only $46 + tip, which is not bad for 4 people eating a good meal.
Lucy's is only the 2nd Ethiopian restaurant that I've tried. Sorry, but this one comes in 2nd place. I agree w/ the other Yelpers that the food is tasty. We ordered one of the chicken items, along w/ the vegetarian variety. Since it came on one big platter, it looked like a lot of food, but had it been served on two separate plates, it would have looked pretty sad. The chicken dish was two small drumsticks w/ a boiled egg served in a flavorful sauce, along w/ a dollup of yogurt and a garnish of salad. I thought $13 was a bit high for that. The vegetarian meal allows one to choose four items, each about a 1/2 cup serving. Again, $13 for low cost items such as lentils, potatoes, bulgar and spinach is pretty expensive. I guess the rent is pretty high on that side of town. The prices on the menu that are pictured on the original review have gone up quite a bit. The vegetarian and meat dishes are both $12.95, not the $9.95 and $10.95 shown. The $3.50 beer is now $5.00, the $1.50 chai tea is $2.00.
What a delight this place is. We stopped here for dinner on our way to Death Valley from Yosemite.
It is a small family-run place in the middle of suburban Fresno. The long ride to this place is worth it when you taste the food. The Ethiopian light and dark beer, Ethiopian chai teas are all great ways to begin your meal. I had their vegan plate and it was delicious.
I would have risked trying the Ethiopian Coffee - even though it was expensive at $19 - if they did not threaten to hold an elaborate coffee ceremony. :-)
I wish they had desserts. At the end of my meal I was thirsting for more yummy food.
I definitely plan to make Lucy's Lair a pit stop during my trips into the Sierra Nevadas from the Bay Area.
Very bland food. Not a great setting.
this place is really, really good. less greasy and better presentation than some of the bay area ethiopian restaurants i've been to (although i love those places too). the $9.95 vegan delight feeds two people easily ... we ordered it for three and should have gotten more. they also have a nice selection of ethiopian beers and other drinks.
Fresno, CA
Category: Vegetarian
Fresno, CA
Category: Middle Eastern
Fresno, CA
Category: Family Practice
Fresno, CA
Category: Chinese
Fresno, CA
Category: Restaurants
