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Ras Kassa's Ethiopia Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Our philosophy is based on a genuine desire to please the people who walk in the door. Everything on the menu is fresh and hot-off-the-grill. The… read more »
88 reviews for Ras Kassa's Ethiopia Restaurant
Review Highlights
"I'm dreaming about those red lentils today."
(in 5 reviews)
"They also have a great lunch buffet."
(in 9 reviews)
"...The flavors are amazing as is the Injera (ethiopian bread."
(in 11 reviews)
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88 reviews in English
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Review from Paige H.
Littleton, CO
12/31/2011
Ras Kassa's is one of my staples in Boulder! This Boulder gem is tucked away. in a humble little building. When you walk in you are greeted by the most wonderful staff, who always give you a warm smile and a "I'm so happy to see you!" attitude. You feel like you are right at home and just joined a family for dinner.
The food is amazing, so simple yet the combinations of spices, variety of food and injera is just delicious. I usually get the Vegetarian Combo so I can taste a little bit of everything. It is $14 but you get about $20 of food, with endless injera. Sooooo good I love this place. I take everyone who is willing to try something new here. Everyone afterwards raved about how good it was, how fun the experience was and that they can't wait to take their friends! -
Review from Hollie W.
8/18/2011
The patio was awesome so sit there if you can. We weren't given a choice but it was super pleasant. The spices were different from other Ethiopian restaurants i have been to and i was picking up a lot of ginger in something (in a good way). A cute as peach pie hostess sat us and i gather as a tradition of this restaurant fed me my first bite of the veggie platter but not my boyfriend. It was really unexpected and cute. I don't know if i would have appreciated this though if it were anybody else but that sweet and motherly woman. Was far more pricey than any Denver place but i suppose that sort of comes along with Boulder territory. Over all, the food was good, hostess was unforgettable, and patio ruled. I prefer the Denver Ethiopian restaurant food but if your in Boulder, there is no other choice :)
Side note: Some other reviews mentioned an issue getting food to go and we had no problem getting a box for what was left over, which is almost just as good after spices and flavors have soaked into the bread. yummmm. -
Review from Ace T.
Denver, CO
1/30/2012
Very tasty food, high prices-small portions, not good if you have an infant with you.
The food was very good, we especially liked the chicken, lamb, the fish and the Honey Wine (delicious!). The fish in particular was outstanding - wish I could get the recipe! However the special for 2 people ($40) was quite skimpy on the portions. I was rather disappointed when my wife and I had to share one skinny chicken leg and a boiled egg. Same with the small fish filet and the six 1/4 inch sized lamb pieces. The honey wine sells for $6/glass, which means the food cost $28 for the 2 person platter. Quite honestly, the food was good, but not $14/person good.
Also, we have an 8 month old baby and were not happy that they only had one high chair in the building (which of course another baby was already using). We were left having to eat with one hand while holding the baby with the other arm all night.
So if you like great tasting Ethiopian food this is a great place and the host/servers were friendly. I had to remove a star in the rating for the price-to-portions size ratio and not catering well to those with infants. -
Review from Daniel B.
Livermore, CA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Eh. Good, not great Ethiopian. Would I eat here again? Maybe, just to give it another shot. But there's so many other great places in Boulder, it won't be very high on my list to get back to. I do love eating with my hands though... probably a little bit of the Spartan warrior in me
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Review from Jim H.
Rochester, NH
1/11/2012
You can't go wrong here. Reasonable prices and tasty food. You've got to love food like this, will certainly go back when I am in town again.
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Review from Jason B.
Brooklyn, NY
11/28/2011 1 photo
Came here for lunch with friends. Had the lunch buffet and the coffee ceremony. Everything was delicious and the woman working there was funny and warm. Will definitely come back when I'm in the area.
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Review from Abigail K.
Chicago, IL
4/22/2011
Go to this place to eat in. Do NOT do carry out. For some reason they just don't cater to this idea. They want to make additional charges for substitutions and the person on the phone was highly incompetent. Two times I have tried to place a carry out order and two times it has failed. The one time they said they didn't have enough time to make the food and the second time when I went to get the food, it was not prepared and the owner said that they wouldn't make it because there were too many substitutions. "Substitutions" I might add that I've eaten in the restaurant multiple times. Ummm perhaps they should have called me before I waited 40 minutes to go get my food only to find that it had not been prepared.
All of this being said. If you want to eat in and you don't mind paying somewhat high prices for Ethiopian food I would highly recommend it. The food is delicious. It's the only ethnic place in boulder that is truly authentic. I moved here from Chicago which is a mecca of delicious ethnic food and have been grossly underwhelmed by what Boulder has to offer. Anyway, If it weren't for the terrible phone service I have received I would give this place 5 stars. :( :(
Again, just don't do carry out. You'll be sadly disappointed. :( :( -
Review from Coyote O.
Broomfield, CO
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Last weekend, for a friend's birthday, we went to Ras Kassa's for dinner. We made reservations in advance for our party of eleven. Actually, we made them for nine, and showed up with eleven - and I'm glad we did!
They have a special "passport" deal for parties of ten or more, where you pay a flat fee per person, and they regale you with samples of all the best the kitchen has to offer.
First, upon walking in, I'd have to describe the environment as warm, inviting, and cozy. The host made us feel sincerely welcome - truly hospitable, not like the forced fake-smile of a chain restaurant.
As you're seated, It feels more like you're visiting family friends, with a hint of being at a tropical resort. The tables are low, so the feeling is more that you are sitting in a group of friends, rather than feeling separated from them across a huge western-style table.
There is an aroma, immediately upon walking in, not just of the food cooking, but very tasteful spices or incense. I normally loathe incense, scented candles, or that sort of thing, but this really enhanced the atmosphere.
There are quite a few beverage selections, including a decent wine list - and the honey wines were well-received. Next time, I'll definitely want to try the traditionally-served ethiopian coffee, but this time, since our party was so large, I went with a positively excellent spiced tea. Hot tea was served in really cute individual teapots that kept the tea warm throughout the meal.
A sipped a little of a friend's mango juice - normally that sort of thing is sickeningly sweet, but this was superb and refreshing.
We ordered the combination passport, containing both vegetarian items and carnivore food.
And oh the food!
It's hard for me to even pick out a single item as my favorite. Everything was so incredibly good that it just blended together in my brain, until I could hardly speak.
The injera - the heart and soul of Ethiopian food, was amazing. I think I could have eaten myself silly on the bread alone. Whenever we ran low, a server would appear, as if by magic, with more.
Forgive me for not naming the individual dishes - I was so overcome with eating that I didn't, at the time, make note.
The veggies:
There were several lentil dishes - and even though I normally dislike green lentils, I kept going back for more of theirs! There was a shredded carrot dish that I think I ate most of. The beet dish was not only tasty, it was surprising and unusual - the texture of the beets was more like a sweet potato. I also consumed large quantities of a sweet squash, which was so good, I dreamed about squash that night! Finally, there was a nice salad in the center, which included little slices of sweet lemons.
The meats:
I can't say which of these I enjoyed more - there was a superior lamb dish, similar to a curry, spiced and cooked to perfection. There was a large fillet of fish, cooked so that it was seared almost crispy on the outside, while tender and juicy within. There was a dish containing tiny cubes of chicken, spices, onions - also wonderful. There was a beef dish as well, that was beyond amazing.
The friend whose birthday it was asked for, and got, a small order of kitfo. This is a spicy dish made with raw beef, and ordinarily, you must let them know a day in advance that you wish to have some. Theirs was sublime. A lot of places won't serve it, or will only serve it to people they have gotten to know, because often, Americans will order it, then get creeped out by it being raw. I'm sure not! It's delicious!
For dessert, there was coconut ice cream on the outside of the dish, and in the middle, a dense chocolate covered tart. the whole thing was covered with a perfect sauce made from fresh raspberries. Everyone raved about the ice cream especially. For me, I think it had to be the finest dessert I've had. Five-star restaurants would be lucky to produce that sauce alone!
The staff were very attentive without being intrusive, and our host came by several times to see that we were happy and enjoying everything.
This is definitely food to enjoy with friends and family. There is something incredibly visceral, extremely intimate, eating with one's hands, from the same dish as everyone else. It really makes everyone feel very connected, and I found myself paying close attention not just to what I was enjoying, but what everyone else was.
Not only was it fun, and beyond delicious, there was something both earthy and spiritual about eating this way.
At the end of the meal, I felt, quite literally, intoxicated. I'm not sure I could have driven home, and I didn't drink!
It's strange to find myself saying such a thing, but here it goes - and I told our host and anyone else who would listen, this:
Ras Kassa's not only fed me the best Ethiopian meal I've ever had, they may very well have fed me the best _meal_ I've ever eaten. I've eaten a lot of amazing food, but never have I been moved as much as I was by Ras Kassa's. -
Review from Victoria K.
Laguna Niguel, CA
12/1/2010
I went here while on vacation in CO and LOVED this place! It is sooo authentic!! ALL the food is absolutely delicious!!
I recommend getting a mixture of the meat and veggies... and make sure you like who you're eating with because you sit at small little tables and share food!
Also, make sure to order the honey wine - Teg! It's quite tasty.
If you're a low carb eater like me.. you should as for a fork... even though they'll tell you that's not tradition.. You have to eat everything by hand with sponge bread and sometimes I just want more meat and veggies and I don't want as much bread! -
Review from Tony S.
Durango, CO
5/28/2011
Really great! Awesome food and very attentive service.
It was a bit windy, so opted to sit inside. The inside decor is basic, but feels authentic. On the recommendation of some people we asked directions from during the bike ride to Ras Kassa's, we ordered the Passport Special to share for $40, which included:
* One meal combo (we ordered spicy vegetarian)
* Hummus Appetizer
* Two glasses of honeywine
Everything was tasty. And the spicy red lentils and sweet potato were fabulous! fyi - that was a ton of food for us. The spongy Injira bread definitely expands in your tummy. The service was quick and efficient.
We would definitely recommend Ras Kassa's. -
Review from Jennifer S.
Boulder, CO
12/15/2010
My husband and I loooved this place. I've only had a few experiences with Ethiopian food, but this was definitely the best that I've had. The interior is really neat and cozy. Our server was really friendly and enthusiastic about explaining the different items on the menu. Order less food than you think you can eat! Most of the dishes are meant to be shared and the portion sizes reflect that.
Oh oh, and they also have honey wine. I love honey wine!
I would definitely take people from out of town with more adventurous palettes to this place. I can't wait to go back. It's too bad the construction on 30th is blocking the entrance. I hope it's not hurting their business!Listed in: When I get the hongries in…
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Review from Jennifer B.
Denton, TX
3/30/2011
This place was a blast!
We had never had Ethiopian, and I honestly had no idea what to expect. Make sure you go hungry! We ordered the dinner for two, and it was all great. There were lentils, and spinach, chicken stew, beef stew, potatoes and so much more.
After telling the waiter we had never had Ethiopian before, he demonstrated, taking a piece of the injera (sourdough flatbread), pinching in a couple of the different items, then tried to feed it to me! It made us laugh way too hard.
I vote best place for a first date. -
Review from Tony D.
Denver, CO
6/8/2011
Great food and a wonderful atmosphere.
Make sure to get a seat by the river on the back patio, and don't forget to try the honey wine!
The service was fast and friendly and I'm definitely going back. -
Review from xandy b.
Boulder, CO
8/5/2011
what a great experience! the back patio, tucked away and private, overlooking the creek, on an early and hot summer saturday night, was magical. it was a refreshing break after a long week.
the staff (owners?) really cared about their food, and you. yes, service was a bit slow, however, we appreciated and welcomed the relaxed change of pace. and I always find it worthwhile to wait when the quality and ambiance is excellent, which it was. i would not go here if I was in a hurry, it wouldn't be fair to the experience.
we ordered the haystack cheese appetizer and knew we were at the start of a good evening. they made a not-too-sweet good-sized pineapple mojito with lots of fresh mint. the steak with mango rocked (don't order 'spicy' unless you are very sure of yourself), and the samplers are the way to go if you want to get a taste of a lot of their menu choices. the lentils were the best I've had, and the carrot/beet mix had some intriguing yummy flavors going on. we didn't get to try the coffee service at the end, but we saw someone else's, and we'll be having that next time.
oh, and did I mention that the prices were completely reasonable? and clean bathrooms. I will be back, many more times! -
Review from FX H.
Broomfield, CO
8/28/2011
Good friendly service, fast but food need to be cook longer so the taste/ seasoning can absorb into the meat...Taste food with meat is not strong otherwise their food will be good.
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Review from Renu D.
Eat with your hands without any silverware.
Enjoy some honey wines.
Sit by the creek on a warm day and enjoy the jingle from the stream.
Take your time to enjoy the delicately balanced spices.
Eat the Injera bread.
Share the food ;) even if you don't want to.
Its a fun, friendly place, that serves good Ethiopian food. While its not the best, its good for a weekend out with family and friends. -
Review from Brian K.
12/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Fabulous! Ethiopian is some of my favorite food! I was in Boulder for a sort of holiday, but in any case, I wanted good food for sure. Found Ras Kassa's here in Yelp, was really excited to find Ethiopian in Boulder. I've eaten at perhaps 4-5 other Ethiopian restaurants and I'd place this one in the top two.
Let's just say that there's little doubt in my mind that some TLC went into making the recipe for the food here! Generous supply of injera - they saw that we were blasting through our supply, so they brought more as we inhaled (stuffed) the food.
At other restaurants, they simply gave me a plate of injera with my (two) dishes poured onto it. That was satisfying enough. But here, they gave my two entrees plus small portions of perhaps 3-4 other items - a pea/lentil, injera salad and shredded carrots. So much food!
I agree with other reviews - arrive hungry, try to eat your plate down to the plate! Highly recommended - I visited Boulder for four nights and ate dinner here for two of them!Listed in: Boulder List
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Review from Martha L.
Austin, TX
7/25/2011
Great first experience eating Ethiopian food. Nice outdoor seating on the creek with a breeze. We ordered the two vegetarian platters and the mushroom entree. I enjoyed the family style meal and the older lady who walks around smiling and refilling injera. I was sad I missed her famous feeding of first time guests.
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Review from Tara E.
Denver, CO
8/24/2010
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ras Kassa's! I've been there a handful of times and it never disappoints. The food is absolutely amazing. I am not a fan of beef or lamb, so I always eat vegetarian here, and the flavor does not suffer on their vegetarian offerings like it tends to in some other types of cuisine. I have not had one single thing here that did not blow my hair back. An added bonus is that they use high quality, fresh and in many cases, organic ingredients. And to top it all off, the ambiance is wonderful, and quite romantic (eating with your fingers is sexy!).
If you love Ethiopian cuisine, or are in the mood to try something new, Ras Kassa's will not disappoint! -
Review from Mandy G.
5/24/2010
Really enjoyed this place. Eating with your hands is fun! Though I will say I loved parts of our "feast" platter so much I would have been happy with a fork so the bread didn't take up stomach space!
We had the combination platter which included 2 drinks, a huge platter of food, and dessert. It was the perfect introduction to Ethiopian food for me. I loved it! The major stand outs were the lamb stew and the red lentils. I had a hard time leaving some on the platter for K. When we go back I'll probably just order those items because they were that good. Surprise of the night was when K discovered a hard boiled egg in this spicy sauce that sounded just weird to me but after a little coaxing I tried it and wished there had been more!
I really can't wait to go back. I'm dreaming about those red lentils today. -
Review from SARA S.
Portland, OR
11/1/2010 1 photo
My only words of advice: ARRIVE HUNGRY.
This was my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant.
We arrived about 45 minutes before closing time, (which I normally would not have done, but it was my last night in town), and they were more than happy to serve us!
The vegan menu options were plentiful, and everything sounded good.
Each option "feeds one person" -one very hungry person.
My friend & I ordered 1 thing each and were quickly served an overwhelmingly large plate of food.
Everything was delicious! Though by the time we reached our intake limits, it hardly appeared as though anything was taken from the serving plate!
Excellent food, excellent service, excellent atmosphere. -
Review from A J.
Boulder, CO
6/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Excellent food with plenty of vegetarian options. Dinner seems to better than the lunch buffet. The staff seemed stoned at times, but are always friendly. Their spicy tea is a great way to end a great heavy meal.
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Review from George S.
New York, NY
10/18/2008
I will never take a date here.
This has nothing to do with the food. Everything was amazing. The flavor had the perfect amount of subtleties and spices to satisfy even the most particular food critic.
And it has nothing to do with the atmosphere. It was friendly and fun - with the owner coming over to greet us and even showing my friend "how to eat" by picking up his food and shoving it into his mouth. It was wonderful and refreshing to get that kind of experience.
No - my desire to never take a date here has to do with one thing and one thing only: I am a sloppy bitch. Seriously, at one point I felt like I had more food on the table than I did in my mouth. All those years of learning to not eat with my hands came back to blast me - as I fumbled and stumbled my way through the meal. My friend? He just ate all nice and neatly like he's been doing it for years. So, while the food is great, I might have to save this place until after the girl is already in love with me. Otherwise, it might be a rude awakening for her.... -
Review from Rana S.
Boulder, CO
12/2/2009
As a 13 year Washingtonian (DC,) I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this little east African joint. I was skeptical in that, to be honest, when we brown folks see each other on the street in Boulder...we actually say hello and not just because it is a friendly town. It's just that serious, people. And I didn't know if the place would be run by Ethiopians or Eritreans (which would be acceptable though slightly different) or some hippie who spent a few months exercising a trust fund in that part of the world. If you live in Boulder, you know what I mean.
On sustenance from the motherland of us all:
Being the matriarch of the palace, there is a gorgeous older lady whose name I am sad not to have caught. She serves as teacher for folks who may not have experienced injera bread and the custom of scooping food with bread and hands vs. utensils. She chooses someone to feed this way by surprise in seemingly every party and, of course, it was me. See above.
Some people may find this strange. Personally, I like being thrown for a loop even when I know what I am sorta doing. And yes, her hands are immaculate and so are yours, hopefully. Just in case, you will get a warm towel.
Back to the food. For those who don't know, injera is a sponge-like sour-ish bread which soaks up up stew-like foods very well. Many traditional Ethiopian dishes are stew like, so this serves well. The vegetarian dishes are particularly good. There is one with collard greens that is divine. I am also partial to their spiced version of Yebeg Alecha (lamb.) The Yemeser Wot (red lentils) is done well, though a little on the bland side for me.
What I mostly like about Ethiopian dining, besides the honey wine, is the community aspect of it and that is not lost at Ras Kassa's, despite the lack of one in Boulder. Just goes to show, home is not only where the heart is, but where the belly is full and happy.
Have I had better Ethiopian? That's an emphatic yes. Do I expect I will in Colorado? While it is doubtful, I am always open to new culinary adventures... -
Review from Kat C.
Boulder, CO
10/6/2009
You have to like eating with your hands to enjoy the fun of Ethiopian food. They serve absolutely delicious stewed meats and veggies on a platter family style and your utensil is the cup of your hand and the special sour naanish like bread. All the dishes we tried were excellent. Try the sweet wine as well to help with the spiciness of the dishes.
Though the weather was a bit cold, but when it's warm, be sure to sit outside on the back patio overlooking the creek. With the lights at nice it's a lovely spot. -
Review from Amanda T.
3/25/2010
Ras Kassa's is a terrific, family run restaurant in Boulder. This place is great for groups or for a date. That said, make sure the people you are with know how to properly was their hands as they will be your utensils for the meal (they will provide silverware if you request it).
The woman who owns the place is frequently there and makes you feel like you are part of the family. She always welcomes people with a hug and will be more than happy to teach a newbie how to properly eat the food. I've never been to the buffet, however the sample platters are a great way to introduce someone who has never enjoyed the cuisine or just to share with the group you go with.
I know there are Ethiopian restaurants in Denver, but when I have a hankering for Ethiopian, I make the 30 minute drive to Boulder, meet up with my friends and enjoy.Listed in: Bursting the bubble!
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Review from Beth F.
Boulder, CO
4/13/2009
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boulder - I think because it is reminds me of a lot of my favorite places in San Francisco. I like my restaurants with a little bit of a funky charm. Sure, Pearl St is nice. Maybe too nice. Sometimes I feel like it's so sterile. Like a strange white-washed adult disney land.
Ras Kassa is off the beaten path and a little bit patched together. The people who work there are so friendly. I think it's a great place to take a date. I also had my birthday party there with 8 people. They couldn't have been nicer. I might be a bit of a masochist but I love it when the wait staff hand feeds people who have never eaten there before. Sure it's pricier than a comparable place you'd find in a big city, but that's kind of standard for Boulder. Try the lunch buffet to get a good sampling of what they have there at a cheaper price tag.Listed in: Boulder Favorites- Off Pearl…
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Review from Mona O.
Fremont, CA
6/30/2007
Scrumptious! We were starving after spending the day hiking in the Rockies, and scarfed down our food with our hands. This is a great find in Boulder.
I was a little turned off by the outside, but the inside is nicely decorated African-themed and full of happy diners. If you don't want to sit on low cushions while eating off a hand-woven basket with a circular glass tabletop, then you can choose to sit at regular tables on the relaxing back patio.
Our server was very kind. She brought over more bread with just a wave of my hand. Also, since it's been a while since I've had Ethiopian, I let her show me how to tear off a piece of the spongy bread, scoop up the veggies, and feed me my first bite. It sounds embarrassing, but it really wasn't!Listed in: Boulder and Denver
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Review from Bret O.
Fremont, CA
7/21/2007
This place was great. It was the best meal of our trip to Boulder/Golden/Denver.
We had the vegetarian combinations and we were amazingly starving. We truly inhaled this food in just a few minutes. It is fun sitting on the stools and the low tables.
The service was very attentive and helpful. A real gem in Boulder. I wish I had an Ethiopian place of this caliber in California. The vibrant colors of the different dishes is really what puts this place in a different league with other Ethiopian restaurants I have been to. The food was sexy. -
Review from Josh M.
Boulder, CO
6/11/2011
Food was very good and the service was even better. We sat on the outdoor patio next to a stream roaring with spring snowmelt, and except for the cheap plastic furniture, the ambience was nice. The portions were huge - our party of three couldn't finish half of the three entrees we ordered.
Only complaint was that we ordered three different dishes/combos, and our server failed to tell us where each dish was on the common platter. -
Review from Benjamin T.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2010
I absolutely love this place. I don't know why I had to wait until just before I left Boulder to finally check this place out. Every time I come through town I have to go to this place.
Expect a little wait for your food, but the service will be nice, especially if the lady that owns the place comes out. She's extremely friendly and sweet. The fish is DIVINE. -
Review from Cayla G.
Boulder, CO
5/17/2011
Great service! Such a cool first-date idea ;)
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Review from Annette R.
Denver, CO
12/28/2008
Yum!
This place was suggested to me by a friend who lives in Boulder, so after a day spent visiting Rocky Mountain National Forest we swung through Boulder and stopped here for dinner.
It was not even close to my first ethiopian experience but it was my boyfriends first and I did not tell him what to expect as I wanted it to be a surprise for him. So of course, the owner came out with our food and gave him the traditional first bite. This is called Gursah and it is the Ethiopian way of welcoming you, I know it seems weird and maybe a little gross to a lot of us Americans but I've always found it sweet and refreshing.
We ordered WAY too much food, as we got the feast, with both meat and vegetarian entrees, it came with appetizers drinks and dessert. I tried an ethiopian beer with my dinner and my boyfriend got a mango cocktail, both were really delicious and paired perfectly with our meal.
The food itself was fantastic, there was not a single dud on the (MASSIVE) platter. The injera came fast and freely as we needed it, dessert was delicious, definitely not the pre-made ice cream someone else got. We had a selection of mango cheesecake and coconut icecream, both of which were fantastic.
Had we not found Queen of Sheba in Denver the very next week, we would be driving up to Boulder on a very very regular basis to eat at Ras Kassas. As it is, we will make it a point to eat there whenever we can. -
Review from Vince D.
Boulder, CO
5/16/2007
Where to get a taste of Ethiopia in Boulder? Apparently in a dilapidated strip mall across from some car dealerships on 30th Street. Just around the block from a hub of activity (Whole Foods, Pearl Street, the new, may-actually-be-built-by-2500 RTD Transit Village), Ras Kassa's is a world away from typical Boulder cuisine.
Maybe it's my Italian heritage coming out, but I love a restaurant where bread is a utensil! Talk to me. My girlfriend just came back from NYC raving about an Ethiopian place she ate at. I may never make it out there, but I will make it back to Ras Kassa's. -
Review from Rick K.
Louisville, CO
10/10/2011
Fantastic meal, with great service, and super friendly staff. For Ethiopian newbies order the pre-planned exploration meal. It has a little bit of a bunch of different dishes, all outstanding and fun to eat. Even the Ethiopian wine was excellent, young and fruity, but good with the flavors of the food.
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Review from Morgan W.
Longmont, CO
7/7/2009
This is the best Ethiopian food I've had in Colorado. My husband and I come here on a regular basis for dinner with friends. It's a favorite stop for taking people visiting from out of town, they always have a great time there. We found out the best technique is to go in groups and do approximately 1 combination dish for every 1.5 people. We had a group of six and ordered 4 entrees and left the plate completely clean and everyone was pleasantly full. The food is always terrific. All of the vegetables are fresh and well seasoned and the meats are tender and not overwhelmed by the curry sauces. The beet and carrot salad included with the combos is cold and refreshing.
The number one thing that blows me away is actually their lemonade. The flavor is smooth, not too tart and not too sugary. I would love to know how they make it. There is evidence of cloves and cinnamon and possibly cardamom in the flavor but beyond that I cannot imagine how it's done. Their beer and alcoholic drink selection is excellent as well.
I took a leap and tried their lunch buffet one day and found it to be exceptional. The food quality is not compromised for this like many other restaurants that feature a lunch buffet, and the self-serve is a big plus if you don't have much time but don't want fast food.
My only complaint is that the service always seems overwhelmed. I've gone during different times of the day and it always takes longer than it should to get drinks, have our order taken, and get more injera bread. However, it is all well worth the waiting! -
Review from Jessica W.
Boulder, CO
6/7/2011
Yum. And--wow, that was a lot of food. Five of us ate there one night after a hike. We ordered 5 dishes (3 meat, 2 vegetarian) to share. They came out on one big platter, with little dabs of carrot salad and stir-fried greens separating the different dishes. I'm not an expert on Ethiopian cuisine, so I don't know how "authentic" the meal was, but who cares; it was tasty. The only thing I would've wanted was a bit more spice.
And the portions aren't skimpy. We could've easily gotten away with 4 dishes instead of 5; despite the hungry 22-year-old boy in our group, we just couldn't finish it all. -
Review from Matt S.
Manhattan, NY
7/15/2010
Ras Kassa's, you complete me.
A medley of amazing, exotic flavors will hit your palette and knock you off your cushioned seat. When you go to Ras Kassa's, you aren't a customer, you are family. It's an amazing environment, with amazing food. They also have a great lunch buffet.
Overall, Ras Kassa's is an amazing experience that everyone in Boulder must try at least once. -
Review from Emily M.
San Francisco, CA
10/26/2007
OK. Ras Kassa's is a hit or miss kind of place. On the hit side, the food is generally very good, the atmosphere is novel, in the summertime, the patio by the Boulder creek is really a fun place to be with the Christmassy lights.
On the miss side, the service is seriously spotty. On my last trip to Ras Kassa's, trying to pay the bill was a serious issue, with change not coming back right, and taking four or five passes from the waiter to my party was a headache and a half. A friend ordered a beer that never showed up, and it took for.ev.er. to get our dinner. It's not especially veggie friendly if some of your party are ordering meat and others want to go vegetarian, they don't specifically make sure that meat isn't mixed in with vegetables and will only bring seperate platters if you ask, and then the chances of that happening are 50/50.
Overall, a fun place, but don't go if you're feeling impatient, or have somewhere to be. -
Review from Ali M.
Boulder, CO
10/8/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Deeeeeelisoius and CHEAP lunch buffet with lots of veggie options. Wonderful staff. It was a shame there weren't more people eating here. I've heard the dinners can get quite expensive but go for lunch! It's a great alternative to Indian buffets and is very, very good!
