Cherylynn N.
Yelp
I'm pretty much down to try anything...within reason (no furries).
But, damn...
I was not prepared for Dulet.
It was first time seeing Dulet on the menu and as an offal lover, I wanted to try it.
It's beef tripe, liver, and ground beef...
But, I didn't know it was served entirely raw.
First thought, "Ohhh sh*eeeet".
I legit thought my ( l ) cheeks would be hugging the porcelain throne for the rest of the weekend.
I was fine but yea be forewarned, maybe request it cooked a teeny bit if you're scurred. I was.
Making my rounds through the various Ethiopian restaurants in the South Bay and next up, Selam!
They've been open for over 15 years but pretty under the radar compared to their competitors with less than 100 reviews. We were the only non-Ethiopian customers so it seemed promising.
They're open for takeout, delivery, indoor dining (handful of tables), and outdoor dining (7-8 tables).
Staff wears masks.
M E N U
Breakfast and all-day Ethiopian menu. You can mix 'n match items and combos are available (best value!).
Regular and gluten-free injera available. Beer and honey wine available.
With rising food costs and inflation, Selam is HELLA cheap. Literally, ordered enough for 5 people and it was only $51 pre-tip.
F O O D
***Food spread: https://bit.ly/3vb2EHW
* Doro Wot: Spicy chicken stew w/ bone-in drumstick, hardboiled egg ($15.99)
***Available on Saturdays only.
***Add extra hardboiled egg (+$1).
Doro wot is my fav Ethiopian dish and this one was decent. Other Ethiopian restaurants usually only give you one drumstick but Selam gives you two. The chicken was tender and easily pulled off the bone with a piece of injera in hand. This is just a preference, I prefer a more saucy doro wot (this more like chicken with stewed onions). Also, it was not as richly spiced and spicy with berbere spices as I expected it to be.
* 1/2 and 1/2 Meat Lover ($13.99)
--Kitfo, raw: Ethiopian beef tartare w/ aiyb
Proper soft texture with a buttery mouthfeel but light in spices (no side of mitmita). The aiyb (Ethiopian cottage cheese) was mild and not overly salty which I appreciate.
--Dulet, raw: Beef tripe, liver, and lean ground beef
***Menu states lamb tripe but it's beef tripe.
I love tripe and liver but this was not my jam. The dulet had a gristly texture and needed more spices to mask the gamey, barnyard funk. Would be down to try it again elsewhere though.
* Vegetarian & Vegan Combo - Shiro: chickpea stew, misir wot: split red lentils, kik wot: yellow split peas, gomen: collard greens, and atakilt wat: cabbage, potatoes, and carrots ($13.99)
Usually, I find that the veggie/vegan dishes outshine the meat dishes at Ethiopian restaurants but it seems were given the Americanized version.
My fav was the misir wot which packed the most flavor but the spices and heat were very tamed for the entire combo (the gomen and atakilt wat were bland). The textures were on-point though and the lentil dishes were deliciously creamy with a bite.
A basket of injera (Ethiopian fermented flatbread) is provided with every entrée, though not enough for the leftovers. The injera was soft and spongey with a subtle tang.
S E R V I C E
All business. Order inside, they'll bring your food out, and go inside to pay. No check-ins.
Arrived around 11 am and food took over 40 minutes (one of three tables). Def more of a place for a leisurely meal.
A M B I A N C E
Hole-in-the wall in a dated plaza next door to Grocery Outlet.
P A R K I N G
Plenty of easy free parking in the plaza.
Overall, Selam serves great value Ethiopian fare with huge portions. The spices/flavors were too toned down for me though but you can't beat the prices.
Maybe you have to specify, "I want it LIT on both ends, please!"