Great Ethiopian in an informal atmosphere written by davidannis
Last visited this restaurant on June 19, 2008

I've had Ethiopian food in Washington DC, Ann Arbor, Detroit, San Francisco and this measures up to the best. Authentic- they use real teff for the Injira not just plain flour. A wide variety of both vegetarian and meat dishes, reasonably priced. I'd recomend teh chicken breast strips or the beef in spicy chick pea sauce highly.

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Cure for the common cold written by hdayringer
Last visited this restaurant on May 11, 2007

If I feel like I might be getting the sniffles I go in and have a pinto bean or lentil spicy special on bread. The spice kicks the cold right out of me. I said something about it and was told that the spice is given to children, stirred into a warm glass of water, when they are coming down with a cold. It is a time tested remedy from Ethiopia.

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Not your mama's lima beans! written by lafolle
Last visited this restaurant on August 05, 2006

I love the vegetarian combo so much that I can't even try the meat options unless a friend is ordering them! The lima beans are to die for... and I really never thought I would say that! There is a great 'greens' mix that comes with the veggie items and the salad is wonderful, too. The bread took me by surprise at first because there's a slight vinegar taste to it, but now I LOVE it. I actually crave the food!

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Great for lunch written by anonymous
Last visited this restaurant on January 17, 2006

We took a party of about 20 people and ordered large plates for 2-3 people, who share the various entrees on the plate. Our group of 3 order the vegetarian plate for 2 -- it was more than enough food. The food is great and service fast. It was also very inexpensive -- each meal w/the soda on tap, cost about $6/person! Compared to my experience in the Ethiopean restaurant in Ann Arbor, this is a bargain and the food similar. The people who own it are from Ethiopia, so it's authentic -- it's a unique culinary experience!! I highly recommend giving it a try.

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Great vegetarian options written by fabulouscass
Last visited this restaurant on January 05, 2006

Altu's is one of the most vegetarian friendly places in the area. The food is consistently good and the service always friendly. The spicy lentils alone are worth the trip.

The ambience is very comfortable and low key, and there are often families with small children, college students, etc. The musical performances make for a good change from the East Lansing bar scene.

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ethiopian treat written by hank
Last visited this restaurant on July 21, 2005

Altu's has expanded from three small tables to basket tables and nicer decor. Altu has done a terrific job of maintaining quality while serving many more people in the store. She and her help are friendly and helpful,and if you like spicy food that goes down hot but settles wonderfully, try her Wednesday evening special chicken dish (or almost any item on the menu). Some vegetarian main courses, and a variety of African dishes. Makes one feel as though one is genuinely in a cosmopolitan University Town. Very reasonably priced. Folkish and low key music on some Saturday nights.

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Family Restaurant written by labovit1
Last visited this restaurant on July 06, 2005

The vegetarian selections are yummy, and several selections are very spicy. The bread is a spongy pancake that you use in place of silverware to scoop up your food. The staff are friendly and it's easy to become a regular. I'm addicted to their spicy peas and greens and it has become my regular "comfort food" stop.

Most of the vegetarian selections are a flavorful bean paste (like the texture of soft refried beans) but the meat dishes are more like a stew.

It's really fun to go in a group. You can get a "feast" that will let you try a variety of foods and everyone can share a feast.

Be warned, they are closed on Mondays.

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Good food... written by cfusion
Last visited this restaurant on January 16, 2005

They have a pretty creative eating scheme where you are supposed to eat with your hands .... this works out great.

However, the food, while good, was not extremely special.

Much different than what you'd normally get everyday though -- and for that, I'd recommend going at least once.

I have heard this food is also excellent for those vegetarians among us.

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