Food Corner: Dukem Ethiopian Resturant

The Ethiopian Embassy estimates there are about 200,000 Ethiopian people living in the District. According to this estimate, the D.C. area contains the largest number of Ethiopian people outside of the country itself. And with them came their culture, family and their food.

There are five Ethiopian restaurants in the U Street corridor alone. There are even more in the Adams Morgan area, at one time the place where  a successful Ethiopian could start a restaurant.

At 1114-1118 U St NW is Dukem Ethiopian restaurant. Dukem has been reviewed by the Zagat Best of D.C. 2011 list and was voted best Ethiopian restaurant by Washington City Paper Readers Poll 2008-201l.

Before the recognition, Dukem began as a tiny carryout restaurant owned and ran by husband Tefera Zewdie and his wife. He manned the front, while she cooked the food, making them a cornerstone of U Street. Many of the customers they received were from their home country.

As the years went by, they received more business and bought out the liquor store next door and made their carryout with an actual restaurant. A few years later, they took their restaurant all the way to the corner, complete with outdoor patio and grill.

The newest addition to the restaurant is their second floor VIP room, complete with full bar and a flat screen TV. Management has recently opened up a Dukem 2, in Baltimore that offers the same items as the Dukem on U Street.

The restaurant itself is quite spacious and welcoming. Upon entering, it's easy to forget that this place is on U-Street. The low lighting and tables that line the walls are in intimate coves, perfect for a date.

The wait staff is relaxed and friendly, wearing traditional dresses made of loose fitting printed cloth. The large bar in the middle of the room, with elaborate wood detail and backlighting, is seen right before the stage—where international artists come to perform for their Ethiopian fans abroad. The outdoor patio is for al fresco dining.

After many loyal patrons and a booming business, the Dukem management is proud to discuss their secret to success. The manager of Dukem, Kinfe Cherkoes, was asked what made his restaurant better than the others:

 "They know the food is always the same," he said.  "Consistency is most important." People appreciate having consistent experiences, especially if they are pleasant, he added.

 Cherkoes stressed the importance of customer service. He said they need to know that what they are ordering will be as good as it was the time before.

As for deciding to open the restaurant in Adams Morgan, Cherkoes said there was no plan. Cherkoes said Adams Morgan was the best place at the time for opening Ethiopian restaurants.

The owners took the chance and succeeded. He also said there has been better reception from the predominately African-American population in the Shaw area.

 Cherkoes said the way a community feels about a restaurant is key.

But Shaw residents and Ethiopian food lovers frequent this restaurant to get authentic Ethiopian food. The most popular dish in Dukem is the Special Dukem Tips, which come in beef and lamb. Ethiopian food is generally eaten with your hands and the dishes are made to share. Cherkoes said that the food gathers everyone together.