I have been wanting to write this review for awhile now and it is finally here! Meals by Genet always felt like one of those secret LA gems nobody knows about even though is not so secret, especially since Jonathan Gold wrote a rave review years ago! I have been recommending Meals by Genet to people for several years now (non-LA locals, tourists) and most everyone had not heard of it let alone tried Ethiopian food.
Meals By Genet is by far my favorite Ethiopian spot in LA. Dining there is a special experience and it all has to due with one woman, Genet. Originally from Ethiopia she moved to California in the 80’s to provide a better life for her son. She started out as a waitressing and as fate would have it, ended up opening up Meals by Genet in 2000. You can still find her cooking every night at the restaurant with some much joy. You can even say hello when you walk by the kitchen.
Genet cares so much for her family. She is even closed a few days of the week to spend more of her time being a grandmother. She is an exceptional woman and if you ever get the chance to chat with her when she’s not too busy cooking up her delicious dishes you are in a for a treat!
Located on Fairfax amongst many other Ethiopian restaurants, her place feels like a little hole in the wall but is still incredibly charming, cozy and candlelit!
Not only does she offer some of the best traditional Ethiopian meat dishes, she also offers a ton of vegan dishes and a gluten-free injera. Injera is similar to a crepe but thicker and usually made from teff ( a very nutritious grain). I always get their Vegetarian combination plate, which is also vegan. I sub the gluten free injera with an extra one on the side and usually some extra salad or a few sides of veggies. All the vegetable dishes on the combo plate are delicious, some a little spicier than others and they all blend together perfectly. You can also enjoy Genets without the spice if you don’t care for spicy food, just request the salad without the jalapeño and ask what veggie sides are mild. All her other main meat dishes are cooked in Ethiopian butter (aka ghee) which can be a very healing if you can tolerate dairy.
As an authentic Ethiopian meal, you eat everything with your hands. Everything you order is placed on a piece of the injera. Then you can use a side order of injera to break into pieces to use to grab the veggies. The bottom piece is also delicious to start eating once you’ve made your way through the food because it has all that added flavor seeped into it. I personally love the experience of eating with my hands which makes it all the more rememberable.
Not only is this one of my favorite restaurants in LA but I consider it to be one of the favorite vegan spots as well given all the options! This is a lovely spot for a date night or with a group of friends since there is something for everyone. I hope you guys enjoy Genet’s as much as I do!
Let me know if you check it out!
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