Sheba Cafe - Ethiopian

On our way to our usual Ethiopian Diamond, we saw a sign for Sheba Cafe Ethiopian Restaurant. In the mood to try something new we decided to check it out.
Decor was simple, inviting and cozy. There is a bar at the back. There are about 12 tables with simply decorated patterned linens. Our server was the server/owner and we think chef as well. He was very sweet and attentive, but not to the point of being annoying. We ordered the vegetarian platter. Overall, I give the food a "almost very good", with Ethiopian Diamond being a "Great", and Ras Dashen being a "very good" ( but with awful service that deters me from going back). We enjoyed the spicy lentils, split peas, green beans, marinated injera/chickpea combo, mystery whilte stuff that looked like dry feta and tasted similar and the collard greens which were garlicky and held up their texture nicely. My only disappointment was the cabbage/carrot mix - it was way too mushy. Also, some of the dishes could have been a bit more spicy. The injera was outstanding, perfect texture and tangy flavor. The owner/server/chef said he had just taken over from the prevous owner. He was very gracious and sincere. I will give them another shot to fix the cabbage and kick up the dishes, as he was so passionate about his place and well, I just plain liked him and the atmosphere.
LO

Just ate here tonight. Was fabulous. All the food had the perfect texture and plenty of flavor. Great collard greens, kitfo, and lamb stew. Wonderful, pleasant surprise. Get a coupon on restaurant.com to make it even cheaper.

Address?

Sheba Cafe
5403 North Broadway Street
Chicago, IL 60640
773-878-2352

A friend and I went to Sheba Cafe several months ago, and our experience couldn't have been more different. While the food was fine (though not as good as Ras Dashen's, in my opinion), the service was rather disdainful. We were the only customers in the joint, and we appeared to have interrupted our waitress's conversation with her cohort, so perhaps that's the reason. That, coupled with the rather dreary atmosphere (we were practically sitting in the dark on the side of the room they seated us in), doesn't make me want to go back anytime soon.

I stopped in at Sheba a few weeks ago, and was very favorably impressed. Although it was a Sunday niight, all the food had a fresh-made feel, and I got to admit, I like the sourdough pancake.

If I had one disappointment (and this, very mild), I thought the meat dishes were kind of light on meat...but I believe this is the Ethiopian culinary aesthetic: meat is just one component, not the main foodstuff in any dish, and it takes an equal place among the veg, which makes a lot of sense in many ways.

I found the staff quite friendly. I was alone, so I started talking with a random customer (an Ethiopian) and the waitress about the Ethiopian language and alphabet. They put on some music with lyrics in their native language, which was very beautiful and, to my ears, exotic.

Overall, I like this place, though I must admit I don't know a lot about Ethiopian food.

Hammond

David Hammond wrote:They put on some music with lyrics in their native language, which was very beautiful and, to my ears, exotic.

I love Ethiopian music as well. For a good intro, check out the Ethiopiques series. I believe they're on Volume 21 now. Many of them are available on iTunes, and Dusty Groove on Ashland and Haddon carries them too.

I second the Ethiopiques series. They're just now leaking down through the vaguely mainstream strata(like Cambodian psychedelic rock before them). I guess that's a good thing.

Had a really satisfying dinner at Sheba Cafe last night. Bright flavors, highlighted by the most delicious doro watt I've ever had--an irresistible complex melange of onions, peppers, cinammon, cloves, and probably more that I'm missing. The gomen roll--spinach and Ethiopian feta with a touch of spiciness, rolled in injera--was a great appetizer. Veggies were fresh and flavorful too, highlighted by the mesimir watt, spicy lentils. Injera was average, a fine conduit.

Service was excellent until the closing stages of the meal when getting the check took forever. The atmosphere is nice--low lights, Ethiopian-themed artwork--except for the soccer matches shown on the TV in back. The place was pretty crowded, which surprised me because it usually looks like a ghost town inside when I walk by. I wish they would post their hours.

They are still BYO. The bill for two people (with plenty of leftovers) came to $26 before tip. A real bargain. As much as I love Ethiopian Diamond, I must say that last night's meal was the best Ethio I've had in Chicago.




*Edited to add photograph