Bites Nearby: Messob Taste of Ethiopia

For those unfamiliar with the food of Ethiopia, you are in for a treat. This country on Africa's northeast coast has over 80 ethnic groups and thus is bound to have a rich diversity from which to choose, and Messob does not disappoint.

A big sign outside calls the food healthy and exotic, and promotes the daily $7.99 lunch special, featuring lamb, beef, chicken and assorted vegetables. Appetizers include the popular Sambusa, a large fried dumpling containing curried beef or spicy chicken. There's a vegetarian one too, with lentils, onions, peppers and herbs. Delicious. 

For main dishes, I recommend the fish, described on the menu as "fried tilapia fillet dredged in breadcrumbs and seasoned with Ethiopian spices served with rice and two vegetables." Braver souls should try the whole tilapia, served nice and crispy with a potato salad. I like the latter.

Under meat entrees, you'll see the word "tibs" a lot. These are small cuts of beef or lamb prepared with spices and herbs in various combinations. The best one is Clay Pot Tibs ($17.99) which is served in a traditional heated pot and is made with a special blend of house spices. It comes with salad or vegetables.

If there's a group of you, go for the Messob Special ($45.99) which feeds at least five people. It's a veritable feast that includes four types of meat and vegetables and the ubiquitous injera bread, used for eating with your fingers. 

There is also Kitfo ($12.99), tender minced beef seasoned with butter and spices and served with a cheese called ayb (cheese).

Ethiopia's biggest export is coffee, and you can find some wonderful ones here. There are desserts too, such as Plantain Sucre and Backlava.

Owner Samson Abate told me that he wants to do his own take on barbeque starting next summer, and soon will have live music from his homeland. "There's still a lot to do," he said. 

But what, you may ask, does the word Messob mean? It's a large round basket that is sewn in the shape of a table and is used for everyone to sit around and share food. Messob's website says: "Food and community are really important in Ethiopia. Most dishes take a lot of time and care to prepare which makes them all the richer when shared with the ones you love."

Messob Taste of Ethiopia is located at 3662 Chamblee Tucker Road in Chamblee, near the Embry Hills shopping center. It is open Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun 1 p.m.-11 p.m. Phone: 770-938-5992.