A new Ethiopian restaurant named Café Desta has opened at 758 S. Stone Ave, and we’ve already heard that the food here is as good—if not better—than that at Tucson’s other, highly regarded Ethiopian restaurant, Zemams Ethiopian Cuisine.

Brooke and Telahoun Molla, who own Café Lalibela in Tempe, opened the restaurant about a week ago, and they say the response has been incredible. Beth Molla, Brooke’s sister, said many customers are already coming back for seconds, due in no small part to the samples employees have been handing out to familiarize people with the unique cuisine.

Beth Molla says Ethiopian food can be judged by the quality of the injera, or the sourdough-ish bread the food is served on. She says Café Desta’s injera is the best she or the owners have ever tried. The chef from the other restaurant in Tempe—which has been in operation for 19 years—said the same.

On the menu: Spicy lamb, beef and other dishes. There’s also an expansive vegetarian selection, and a bring-your-own beer and wine policy.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily

Prices: $6.25 to $13.75.

Call 622-2615 for more information.

This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2010.

4 replies on “New Ethiopian Restaurant Opens Downtown”

  1. Desta’s food, service, and ambiance is excellent, but what strikingly distinguishes it from its sister Ethiopian restaurant in Tucson is the use of Teff as the base of its Injira. Teff is an ancient, Ethiopian-domesticated grass with very small seeds. It contains exceptionally high protein for a grain, and other valuable nutrients as well. It is also very tasty, yet few Americans know about it (to their loss). Anyway, 3 cheers for Desta’s, and three cheers for Teff!

  3. I live in the neighborhood and have eaten here several times. Vegetarians take note: About half of the menu is veggie-friendly. And the food is delicious! Also, give the special iced tea a try.

  4. Food was OK but service was not: slow, rude, unhelpful and not the least bit apologetic about it. BTW, this was not some wayward employee serving us… this was the owner!

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