Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant
| Address: | 145 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145, USA |
| Phone: | +1 617-628-9300 |
| Site: | fasikarestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–11PM 2–11PM 2–11PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 13
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Doug Raybeck
I entered the restaurant and noted an Ethiopian family enjoying their dinner. I asked how the food was and was told I would find it very good indeed. It was very good indeed ... actually excellent, and among the best Ethiopian food I have had in four large cities. We began with Ayeb Bé-Gomen, homemade cottage cheese mixed with fine chopped collared greens,herbs and spices. Eaten with injera, this was an excellent start, not too heavy and very tasty. When it came to the main dishes we presented our server with something of a challenge. My daughter is a vegetarian, my wife allergic to beef, and I am a born-again carnivore. We settled on the Fasika Combo (For Two) with a choice of any four Vegetables and three Non-Vegetarian dishes. I had kitfo, an Ethiopian take on beef tartar seasoned with mitmita (a very hot blend of spices) and (at my request) mixed with some chopped raw onion. My wife ordered Yé-Beg Wot, lamb cubes stewed with onions,Jalapeno peppers and other spices, and my daughter made up the remainder out of vegetable dishes. I tried the lamb and found it to be slow cooked, and wonderfully seasoned. The vegetables were also very tasty, especially the split lentils cooked in a berbere sauce (another traditional spicy pepper combination). The service deserves special mention. Given our particularities, my raw beef arrived in a separate bowl placed nowhere near my wife while her lamb was on the main platter but over a plate hidden under the injera so that it was contained. By the way, that dinner for two was plenty for the three of us and then some. After receiving the bill, I rechecked it as my wife had had wine and I beer, and the total seemed too little! I went over to the Ethiopian family and expressed my pleasure at the food and service, only to discover that I was addressing Befekadu Defar, the manager/owner. I have eaten at three other Ethiopian Restaurants in the Boston area and this one is quite simply the best. It also beats restaurants in Chicago and San Francisco and ties with one in Washington, DC. When (not if) you go, do sit at the traditional tables and chairs. You will understand when you see them.
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Christopher Villatoro
I spent three years in Ethiopian as a Peace Corps Volunteer and after trying most Ethiopian restaurants in Boston Fasika is by far my favorite. The food is flavorful, spicy, and delicious. This is not a place to grab a quick meal. The food can take up to 45 minutes before it is severed - so bring someone you would enjoy having a conversation with. If this is your first time going to an Ethiopian restaurant, the staff is friendly and can help you navigate the menu. For a first timer would recommend the bayenetu (a vegetarian combo plate) and zil-zil tibs (think a mix of steak tips and fajitas but better than both) or if your vegetarian go for the bayenetu and tagabino (ground up chickpea stew). After that there are plenty of other great dishes like the lamb tibs, doro wat (spicy chicken stew) or kitfo (raw beef), if you are into that sort of thing.
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Josh Trubow
I participated in the East Somerville Food Festival and was lucky enough to try the food from Fasika Etheopian Restaurant. I volunteered serving a chicken with vegetable entree, with slightly spicy lentils. The food came with a spongy bread made of teff flour (gluten free), and everything is eaten with your hands. I had a great time at Fasika and will return soon to try some of the other food items on their menu. The chicken I had was moist and the vegetables were full of flavor. The lentils added a nice spicy to the dish and I was happy to try something new.
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Regina Mccarthy
A solid 4-star experience. The best Ethiopian food that Ive ever had. We ordered the lamb tibs, the special kitfo, and the veggie special. The lamb and the kitfo were great, but the veggies were off the chart delicious. The injeera was perfect. Slightly sour, light, and spongy. The service was perfect. Our waiter was helpful, attentive, friendly, and let us know that we could buy honey wine from across the street at Red Sea Grocery to have with our dinner. Highly recommended. We will be back!
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Beth Weinman
This is our favorite Ethiopian place, so far, out of all the TN, MN, and CA Ethiopian places. Really great food, for a variety of palates (Im vegetarian, my husband likes meat and likes food mild, and my friend likes spicy dishes). We shared one huge platter with veggies, meat, and break, and it was in a nutshell, the best food weve all had in a long while. Were definitely going back, and Im bringing more people!
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Tyler Cummings
What an incredible restaurant! This Yedoro Tibs was some of the best chicken I may have ever had. My significant other had the Fasika Special, which is spicy beef, and it was equally amazing! I would also recommend the Ethiopian tea, its similar to a chai tea without the milk (very delicious!) The servers were very friendly and inviting, the atmosphere was awesome, and the prices were incredible!!!
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TSEDEKE MENTASE
ብዙ ይቀራል። ሁለት ቀን ገብቼ ነበረ ግን ብዙም የሚያረካ ነገር አላየሁትም ። አስተናጋጅ የላቸውም ፣ ወንበሮቹ ብዙ ለመቀመጥ የሚመቹ አይደለም። ሐበሻ ስለሆንኩ በቅናት አይደለም ይህን የሚፅፈው። ደካማ ጎናችሁን እንድታስከክሉ ነው። በርቱ!
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Harley Epstein
Worst dining experience of my life waitress took all orders except mine had to call her back to take order she brought food to everyone else and never brought mine and never came back to the table to see of everything was ok when everyone else was done someone finally came to see if everything was ok and we asked for our waitress who didnt offer even an apology for her mistake.
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Alex Mottern
My first time trying ethiopian food, and one of the main reasons I wanted to try the East Broadway Foodie Crawl! I loved the spices on the lentils, but not really the bread. Not sure if its always a bit gummy, but Id try Fasika and Ethiopian food in general again! I believe the owner was plating up the bread and he seemed super happy to have so many people trying his food.
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Lisa Mancini
This little hidden gem down on the Eastside of Somerville has the most authentic of Ethiopian cuisine. The decor leaves something to be desired, however the food is why your are there and it never disappoints. Vegan and vegetarian friendly, bring your friends and dive into the vegetable curry. HIghly recommend the veggie combo and make sure to include the ethiopian salad!
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Nathaniel Gopen
Went here the other night for a food event so I didnt get to try much, but what I did try was a chicken and vegetable dish and the lentils which were both delicious. The space is nice, it could use some updating, but the owners were very nice and accommodating. There is a small bar section which is a good place to grab some food and drinks. Ill come back to try a full meal.
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A Private User
We only went to the bar, we didnt eat there, so I cant attest to the food. But the drinks were good and cheap, and it had a nice atmosphere. There was a good selection, as well. The bartender was not very knowledgeable with drinks, but was friendly and open to suggestion. We even taught her how to make a few drinks that night.
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Daniel Watson
I rarely EVER write a review, normally I only put stars. This was so amazing I have to write it up. The food was slow to come, but SO WORTH THE WAIT! It was amazingly delicious! Sit at the seating you dont understand and roll with it! It will all become clear and you will be AMAZED!
