Awash

Ethiopian food as authentic as it gets can be found at AWASH in LA. I am not going to tell you the address. You have to make that extra step and find it on your own. Why? Because the person who told me about it said not to tell too many people and she found out via an Ethiopian taxi cab driver who was reluctant to share the idea and he said not to tell too many people about it. They don't want it to become "gentrified".

When you walk in, it makes sense. First of all, the storefront has two signs that say "Awash" but the windows are covered and there's a big metal screen door. The main door is always closed and it is far from inviting. Dare to enter in and everything changes, it feels like you are in another world. Soccer on the big screen, R&B pumping through the speakers and everyone in the room is a native Ethiopian. Cold beers, smiles, old friends giving each other hugs and handshakes, it's really amazing.

The food is fantastic. That's all I need to say. Good luck finding it!