Meals By Genet
Ethiopian restaurant · Carthay ·
Ethiopian specialties, injera bread, stewed meats, bright, cozy
Ethiopian specialties, injera bread, stewed meats, bright, cozy
"A perennial favorite in Little Ethiopia, chef Genet Agonafer has had heaps of praise bestowed on her 24-year-old restaurant. Meals by Genet received a Michelin Bib Gourmand, is a James Beard Award semi-finalist, and received numerous other local accolades throughout the years. Her restaurant’s spicy doro wat is always popular, while the vegetarian combination platter is a great way to sample Agonafer’s range as a chef." - Oren Peleg
"For decades the chef Genet Agonafer has run a remarkable little spot in Little Ethiopia; her food showcases the endless variety of simple ingredients transformed by hours of cooking and gentle blending of spices. The reviewer recalls first trying Agonafer’s dishes at a food event years ago and notes that the chef nearly closed during the COVID‑19 pandemic but made a comeback with limited takeout and has since reopened the dining room on weekends as business steadied. Many dishes travel well: buttery, spicy chicken tibs and red‑tinted dorowot are enjoyed with strips of plush injera. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest" - Eater Staff
"Meals By Genet isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Little Ethiopia, it’s one of the best in the entire city. Open for takeout, you can get all of their incredible dishes to go, like a super-spicy doro wot, a fragrant chicken stew that’s marinated for 50 hours, or their vegetarian combination - a massive platter that brings together every side dish on the menu, like collard greens, split peas, green lentils, and pureed sunflower seeds, and is served with an absolute brick of sponge-y injera bread. Call (323) 938-9304 to place your order." - brant cox, kat hong
"After shifting to takeout and delivery only in 2021, the most recognizable Ethiopian restaurant in LA (thanks to the late Jonathan Gold) is back open for dinner service. The tiny, romantic dining room is open from Friday to Sunday from 6-9pm, but even a small window of time is better than no window of time when it comes to eating Meals By Genet’s peppery chicken doro wot and creamy foul. Takeout and delivery are still available from Thursday through Sunday." - brant cox
"One of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the city, Meals By Genet, has announced that they are transitioning to a takeout-only model. As reported by Stephanie Breijo at the L.A. Times, 68-year-old owner, Genet Agonafer has decided to semi-retire from the industry, and now offers takeout only, plus the occasional private event in the dining room. Call (323) 938-9304 to place an order." - kat hong
