Messob Ethiopian Restaurant, a long-standing establishment, has been a cornerstone of Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles since 1985, dedicated to sharing authentic Ethiopian cuisine with locals and visitors alike. Under the leadership of brothers Berhanu and Getahun, Messob continues to uphold its commitment to quality and freshness, welcoming guests to enjoy a communal dining experience that reflects the spirit of Ethiopian culture. The restaurant invites patrons to gather, share, and savor its diverse menu in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
In addition to its Los Angeles location, Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant also has a location in Montclair, NJ, where it is a favorite for both vegans & meat lovers with its authentic Ethiopian food. The friendly staff and warm decor makes Mesob the perfect place to relax with family and friends. All of the foods are prepared with imported Ethiopian spices prepared daily. Our Injera, a delicious sourdough Ethiopian flat bread that you wrap your food with, makes Mesob a favorite with kids, where it’s a treat to “eat with your hands.” (but we also have silverware, if you prefer!).
A Taste of Tradition
Messob Ethiopian Restaurant offers a casual dining experience where guests can enjoy traditional vegan and meat stews. Embracing the Ethiopian tradition of gursha, diners are encouraged to hand-feed their companions, adding an intimate touch to the meal. The restaurant's interior is often bustling with groups gathered around woven mesob baskets, families sharing combination platters, and couples savoring delectable sambussa.
Why You Should Go
- Experience traditional Ethiopian dining with spicy stews eaten by hand
- Enjoy a variety of vegan and meat-centric dishes including lamb stew and collard greens
- Participate in the Ethiopian tradition of Gursha - hand-feeding your companions
Menu Highlights and Popular Items
The ordering strategy at Messob goes like this: get a combo platter. Combo A tends to be more meat-centric dishes and combo B is entirely vegetarian. But if you’re rolling deep or with people who are excited to eat everything, you should be getting the Super Messob Exclusive. What sounds like a fiery TV tell-all is actually a massive plate of ten or so different dishes from across the menu all hanging out on a huge layer of injera. And when you’re eating it all with your hands, sitting around a giant table drinking Ethiopian beer with your friends, it’s like you never left home in the first place.
Food Rundown
Super Messob Exclusive
This massive plate comes with nine dishes from all sections of the menu ranging from collards to spicy lamb stew, and it’s fantastic. The plate itself will take up the entirety of your table, which is great because you’re eating with your hands and plates are irrelevant.
Read also: Ethiopian Cuisine: Philadelphia Guide
Sambussa
Crispy, crunchy, and enough to feed two people.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Messob Ethiopian Restaurant offers a mix of opinions from customers, with some praising the friendly service and delicious food while others mention slow service but still recommend the place. Customers appreciate the homemade injera bread and unique items like sambussa. Despite varying wait times, many patrons find the food to be worth it at this cozy spot in Little Ethiopia. The restaurant is known for its flavorful dishes like Siga Wot (beef stew) and vegetarian options, as well as accommodating large groups with generous portions.
Here are some snippets of what customers are saying:
- "The food was DELICIOUS! The serving sizes were generous, we ordered 3 meals for our family of 4 where everyone walked out full and happy. The room is beautifully decorated and has a nice atmosphere. Definitely coming back again tomorrow. One of good memories from LA 😊"
- "Having been to other Ethiopian restaurants on the street we thought that this place did not measure up against the other places in taste. However the service was great and so was the quality of food."
- "I was very upset coming here 😒 we ordered samosa and they served every one before us that came after us the cost of 2 tej was $24 and the food portion is very small 😑 and we wanted to leave and only pay for the drinks the lady wouldn't let us. The guy owner does favoritism for the people he knows 🙄 and neglects his other customers. Very unprofessional Ethiopian house. They got are stuff wrong still didn't offer any discounts other places to go around there don't waste your time here."
- "Friendly service and good food. haven't had Ethiopian in a long while. dark and moody, like the other spaces along the street."
- "Delicious food, just great tasting dishes if you like Ethiopian. We can with a large group, so it was a lengthy wait before they took our order, and a longer wait before the food arrived (~1hr)."
Additional Information
Here's a summary of key information about Messob Ethiopian Restaurant in Montclair, NJ:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Dining Style | Casual Elegant |
| Cuisines | Ethiopian, African, Vegetarian / Vegan |
| Hours of Operation | Lunch: Tuesday - Sunday: 11:30am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Sunday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm |
| Payment Options | AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa |
| Executive Chef | Akberet Mengistu |
| Catering | Off premise and special catering available |
| Parking Details | Street Parking |
| Additional Features | Banquet, BYO Liquor, BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access |
Know Before You Go:
Read also: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
- Try ordering the super Messob exclusive for a sampling of various entrees
- Consider sharing dishes as portions are generous even for small groups
- Be patient with service as it can be slow but rewarding in terms of flavor
How to make injera starter/ersho naturally without yeast
Read also: A Taste of Ethiopia in South Carolina
