Merkato Restaurant

01/03/09

Favorably Impressed - Will Return!

by Mamite at Citysearch

It was our first time eating Ethiopian food and we were somewhat apprehensive lest we got something too spicey for our taste. The waitress was warm and friendly and very helpful in her recommendations. We ordered a fish plate with injera and an assortment of veggies. The fish was a trout, cooked whole, and absolutely delicious. Nothing on the veggie assortment was too spicy for our pallet. Bottom line, we loved the whole experience - the food was great and we ate every bit of it. We did order only one fish plate with veggies, but we ordered 'extra veggies' at the advice of the waitress. It was more than enough for two people. The price was very reasonable. With two sodas and tax, the meal came to approximately $22.00.

We hope we will be able to vist the Mercato on our next trip to Los Angeles.

• Pros: Casual, friendly Atmosphere. Terrific Food! Fun to eat with your hands.
• Cons: None

03/27/08

Horrible

by Momo3000 at Citysearch

I got the #6 last night and it was terrible. Chewy, poor quality, weird tasting meat (supposedly beef). I took 3 bites and threw it away. Maybe I am a spoiled American but I don't see how any human could find that edible.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Bad food

03/11/08

best ethiopian food on fairfax

by soxog at Citysearch

delicious, friendly and welcoming. i have eaten here many times and have never been disappointed. a fun scene and the best ethiopian food in little ethiopia. i have sent all of my friends there and they have all loved it. and don't be scared...the waitstaff is very eager to recommend and help you decipher the menu. SO GREAT!

02/06/08

Very inexpensive, large portions, delicious food, great vegi options

by adamgator at Citysearch

We've been here a few times and have never been disappointed. Located on Fairfax in ?Little Ethiopia,? just south of the San Vicente/Olympic/Fairfax intersection. Plenty of street parking. Food is very inexpensive ($6 for a large vegetarian sampler that feeds the two of us just fine). The sampler comes with a wide range of 5-7 different dishes ? all very flavorful and totally different. Food is served traditionally on the spongy bread, no utensils. They are generous with extra bread for dipping. The meat entrees look good, but I?m a vegetarian. We typically get 1 sampler and if we still have room, we order a side ($2) of our favorite for that day. The tough part is deciding which is our favorite dish ? they?re all so good! The sambusa and pan fried bread with spices are also excellent, if you have room! Decor inside is interesting ? range from tables to more traditional floor/pillow sitting. Sometimes there is strong incense burning inside. Outdoor seating available so you can bring a pet. Overall, it is very cheep ? rarely does our bill exceed $10. Great flavors, big portions, large variety. Service can be a little slow at lunch. We've been for Ethiopian in DC when we lived in Maryland and have spent $60-$100 dollars for food that is not half as good as Merkato for $6!

• Pros: VERY inexpensive, good vegi options, large portions, big variety, delicious food
• Cons: Service can be slow, street parking only (but that's LA for you)

11/27/07

A true Ethiopian experience. Injera is made with teff.

by jarti at Citysearch

Ethiopian food is rather an addiction for me from my years in east Africa. For a true Ethiopian experience, Merkato fits the bill at an affordable price. Others have complained about slow albeit friendly service but Merkato must be working to improve. Our server was friendly but also prompt and came by often to see if we needed anything. Our food (for 6 people) arrived before I had finished browsing the small market section. Our special requests were granted with real hospitality. The doro wott had two pieces of chicken and was just the right heat (considering we had children. with us. Most of us would have preferred enough spice for a good sweat.) . We were able to buy injera to bring home at a reasonable cost. On the down side, the tibs were a bit burned. Parking was not a problem at 2 in the afternoon on a weekday. If this place were close to where we live, we would eat at the Merkato a couple times a week.

• Pros: great food, good price, friendly service

11/14/07

Great place for Ethiopian newbies

by jhoolko at Citysearch

My trip to Merkato was my second venture into the world of Ethiopian cuisine. I was skeptical, because my first experience elsewhere on Fairfax had been somewhat lackluster. But Merkato was a pleasant surprise. The injera (flat bread) that I had feared would be overly-sour, was pleasant and cool. The yebeg sega wot was like a slightly more exotic beef stew, and the yedoro tibs matched well with the diced peppers and tomatoes it was served with. We also had a lentil sambusa (they were out of the beef) which was flaky and substantial, and the hot pepper appetizer which was SUPER spicy. My only regret is that we didn't order the zil zil tibs; the next table ordered it and it came out piping hot and smelling absolutely delicious. I would also recommend the honey wine, though be ready for it to taste very sweet--It reminded me of apple juice, sweetened with honey.

As far as service goes, things were very very slow in coming out, but it did give us ample time to enjoy each course, though the waitresses were friendly when they did come around.

Overall, definitely recommended, especially to anyone who wants to try Ethiopian cuisine for the first time (the pictures on the menu are a big help!).

• Pros: Great food, pictures on the menu
• Cons: Slow service

Take a walk on the wild side at this longstanding Little Ethiopia dining den.

by Mar Yvette at Citysearch

In Short
Just beyond the sunwashed entrance of this well-known Little Ethiopia spot lies a moody, dimly lit restaurant conjuring up an East African opium den. Incense wafts through the long vertical hall, saturating every inch of space. Locals coolly look over their shoulders, grazed by low-hanging silks. Intricately embroidered parasols hang upside down from the ceiling while tribal art and Ethiopian artifacts line the dingy walls. Exotic music rushes in from the adjacent shop as unhurried servers tarry with steaming plates of wat (traditional stews) and tibs (sauteed veggies or meat).

11/05/07

Best Ethiopian in LA!

by hersnowboard at Citysearch

The first time I ever even tried Ethiopian was at Merkato's for my sister's birthday. I didn't expect to like it but I ended up loving it. I've probably been back more than my sister (and she's loves it there). Anyways, service can be slow but staff is always very nice. They've increased the price in the last couple years that I've been going but it's not that bad...yet. Our favorite is the Derek Tibbs -- can't go wrong with that choice!

• Pros: Reasonably priced, great food and ambience
• Cons: Street parking only, slow service at times

12/23/06

Best Ethiopian on Fairfax.

by bette1stl at Citysearch

All of the Ethiopian restaurants on Faitfax between Whitworth and Olympic are great. Merkato, however, is the best. When I was a little (obnoxious) kid, I liked to balance the conical table tops on my head and run around. Now I come for the tasty food and low prices. It's best and most economical the get the vegetarian and/or meat combinations ($4.99 and $6.99 pp, respectively). Get one of each per every two people. Everything's good, and the Yebeg Alicha is the best! Also try the beers, the honey wine and the coffee (strong, similar to Turkish, and served with a pungent incense, which makes the environment all the more enjoyable and tent-like). The market next door is excellent as well, and sells some great Ethiopian essentials like spices, and the best Ethiopian cookbook in this country.

11/21/06

Ethiopian Food = Yum

by devilishxangel at Citysearch

If you're up for some super spicy food, served up with some super sour bread, this is the place to go. The food is really good though the service was lacking. Because I went on a weekday, Merkato was pretty empty. There were a few other patrons there but my friends and I took up the bulk of the restaurant. The thing that you MUST try is the Ethiopian honey wine. It's soooooo good!

• Pros: Great food, yummy wine!
• Cons: Traffic on Fairfax and not much parking