Lakewood, Colorado, offers a diverse culinary landscape, with Ethiopian cuisine holding a special place. This article explores the vibrant Ethiopian food scene in Lakewood, highlighting key restaurants and the stories behind them.
Konjo: From Food Truck to Beloved Restaurant
Konjo began as a modest catering company before launching a food truck, with one simple goal: to share Ethiopian flavors with the community. In 2015, the food truck introduced Denver to Injera and robust spice blends. By late 2019, that food truck evolved into Denver’s first fast-casual Ethiopian restaurant on the West side-now a beloved spot in Edgewater Public Market.
The recipes originate from mothers’ kitchens, passed down through generations. Today, Konjo is expanding into Denver’s downtown Milk Market in June 2025. Community support quickly transformed that venture into a brick-and-mortar opening in November 2019 inside of Edgewater Public Market.
The Story of Fetien Gebre-Michael
As the oldest daughter of 12 siblings, Fetien Gebre-Michael has always felt very comfortable in the kitchen. “My mom would say, ‘Make them something,’ so I was constantly cooking for a little army, quite literally,” she says. It’s hardly a surprise then that now, with her business partner Yoseph Assefa, Gebre-Michael owns and runs not one but three businesses: Konjo Catering; the Ethiopian Food Truck; and Konjo Ethiopian Food at Edgewater Public Market.
Fetien Gebre-Michael's family immigrated from Ethiopia by way of Israel. There was a war going on in Ethiopia in the 1970s and her parents and two oldest brothers fled, claiming asylum in Jerusalem. Fetien and one of her brothers were born there, and they came to the United States as refugees when she was three years old. They settled in Lakewood because her parents had some friends there.
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Even from the beginning, it was a hustle for her parents, who were always pushing to make sure they had better opportunities than what they had. Her father worked 15 hours every day to support all of them; he started Freedom Cabs, had a liquor store at one point, and a few other businesses. They always told their children: “Be the best you can be, and don’t worry about what people think about you; you know how great you are.”
Fetien graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She also started out with Konjo Promotions in about 2007, hosting a weekly reggae night called Club Afrik and selling food there, too. She incorporated and registered Konjo Catering in 2014, but she was cooking out of her home kitchen for friends and family long before that.
Fetien and her partner Yoseph launched the truck in 2015. When they were thinking about their first restaurant, they realized that they should go fast-casual; they could fill that niche for healthy, fast Ethiopian food. They tried to get into Avanti Food & Beverage but it has a huge wait list. Yoseph stumbled onto Edgewater through a friend who also has a truck, pushing until he could get them a spot. There was a vegan concept that dropped out at the last minute and they scooped it up.
Challenges and Triumphs
When it came to starting the truck, there were no issues with race. But when it came to being around other food trucks, being in that community, they just weren’t as open. There would be times there would be friction, but they’re just fun-loving people.
Fetien hopes people will continue to think about how Black people are treated. A lot of Black businesses are mom-and-pop type businesses, and they’re scared to take out bank loans because there are such high interest rates for their group of people. She also really liked how 303 Magazine pushed their list of Black-owned businesses back in June. We also had an influx of people who came to support us at Edgewater because of the list, which was beautiful.
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At Edgewater, their sales dropped 80 percent as soon as the pandemic hit. But they’ve been hustling, expanding the menu at Edgewater, and keeping the truck out Thursday through Sunday. Every Sunday, they’re parked at Whittier Cafe, which is great; the owner is Fetien's cousin.
They have a social media presence and good marketing, and their Black community always supports them. They’ll share their posts and order their food, tell their friends-that’s what keeps them going.
African Grill and Bar: A Taste of Africa in Lakewood
The African Grill and Bar, located in Lakewood, Colorado, offers a delightful experience of African cuisine. This restaurant provides a range of African dishes and drinks, creating a unique culinary experience.
They are closed on Sundays. The African Grill and Bar is located at Lakewood. Whenever you find yourself in Colorado, please visit African Grill and Bar and ask for Osei's best cocktails. One of the fascinating cocktails you will find is the ''Old African Cocktail".
Visiting African Grill and Bar
African Grill and Bar is open from 12:00 pm to 09:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. The restaurant also caters to special requests, accommodating dietary concerns and providing information about upcoming events.
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They feature monthly specials and encourage customers to support their cause by donating to Africa, which will enable them to meet their goals and improve the conditions of African children.
Other Ethiopian Food Delivery Options in Denver
For those looking to enjoy Ethiopian food from the comfort of their homes, Postmates offers delivery services in Denver. You can find various Ethiopian food spots available for delivery, with options for different times of the day.
Postmates helps you find the best places for Ethiopian Food delivery in Denver. Payment is easy on Postmates, as it’s handled entirely through your Postmates account so there’s no need for cash or change.
10 Best Ethiopian Foods: A Must Try (2019)
Here's a summary of Ethiopian restaurants mentioned in the article:
| Restaurant | Location | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Konjo Ethiopian Food | Edgewater Public Market | Fast-casual Ethiopian cuisine |
| African Grill and Bar | Lakewood, Colorado | Diverse African dishes and cocktails |
