Gojo Ethiopian Cafe and Restaurant

It was Saturday late afternoon, and the plan was clear. First we'll go to the Dog and Cat Shoppe on Bransford Avenue, then we'll go over to the Russian to pick up my beloved German bread and then we'll eat Ethiopian (no, it's not an empty plate - if you feel bad about that joke and want to make up for it, check out the link to the United Nation's World Food Programme or WFP where you can help feed hungry children).

If you haven't been at the Cat Shoppe, please go. It's a must-see, cute little shop filled with all things cats like and you like about cats in addition to kittens you can adopt right from the store. Be aware though, the smell of the cat litter could ruin your appetite. That's why we - my husband Ricky and I - decided to check out the Curious Heart Emporium, at 2832 Bransford Ave. Niiiiice and fuuuun! Call it an eclectic gift shop. In any case, it hit the spot, and my hubby was so nice to get me a sloppy, brown hat (I promise, you'd like it if you saw it on me -mostly because it covers half of my face).

I'll write about the Russian grocery store on Thompson Lane another time.

Let's go straight to Gojo now.
I carry this tiny little notebook with me now so that I can jot down a few things to remember. Gojo is at 415 Thompson Lane, close to Nolensville Road. It is located in an unobtrusive, little shack of a building. The ambience, we judged at a sober 5 (out of 10 points, with one being the worst and 10 the highest). But the food, we definitely gave a high ranking.

We ordered Yesga Sambussa for an appetizer. "It's a pastry shell filled with ground beef, onion, jalapeno, herbs, and spices, then pan fried and served hot," according to Gojo's Website. The picture on the Website is much nicer than what actually came on our plate. The four shells were just placed on a simple table without any decorations or garnishing. But, we liked them, and that's the important thing.

Then we ordered the main dish. Well, if you know me, you understand that I am not a gourmet chef or even a food critic. I eat what is placed in front of me. Plus, I don't really have the experience to distinguish between different table manners in other countries, even though I'm a foreigner.

In any case, Gojo's food is served in a tray-like plate on top of a rolled out flat bread that looks like suede and feels like velvet. What you do is take a roll of the bread, break it in pieces with you hand and then wrap the dish in the bread. Yes, you heard me correctly, you eat by hand (which will limit whom you will take to dinner at Gojo's, I'm sure).

The average price per dish is $10-$12. I tried the Beef Tips after being warned if I go with the Awaze Tibs I may not be able to handle the hotness of the dish. The beef was done well - a little too well, but the spices were excellent. I can only recommend it and would give it an eight out of ten.

Ricky picked the lamb."Tender pieces of lamb simmered in mild sauce and seasoned with fresh ginger, garlic and tumeric." I have this thing about lamb (at least let that animal grow up before you eat it) and didn't taste it. But Ricky said it was excellent and he would order it again.

He drank iced tea. Be aware, the sweet tea is spicy. It's unusual, but worth trying.

Gojo is predestined for an out of town dinner party you want to entertain. Since the dishes are presented in one plate, it's easy to try each other's entrees and share. We definitely decided to return for the lunch buffet, which is $8.99 and is offered Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. By the way, the service was extremely friendly and accommodated us immediately when we asked to change tables.

Doggy Bag Revue

You may not know yet, but we have a pack of rescued dogs at home. They are definitely more gourmet than I am, and thus, deserve a say about the doggy bag food I bring home.

This one here is Tyson, the Wise (or "Wisdomful" as he likes to call himself). Here is Tyson's Doggy Bag Revue:

The beef is really on the leathery side, but the spices are good. The lamb is bettah. I definitely liked the lamb bones. I probably am going to order myself a New Zealand lamb to raise. We have proper space and they don't live long anyway.

Four and a half wags for Gojo (out of five).