Jarra's Ethiopian Restaurant

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1435 Se Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214

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(503) 230-8990
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Jarra's Ethiopian Restaurant - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 15 )
( 4 )
( 5 )
( 3 )
( 11 )

Best

I have been going to this restaurant for over 20 years. They are consistent with good service and good food. It is a different experience, probably like being in Ethopia. It is...

Worst

First, the very chatty server gets tiresome. The food certainly is good, but all turns to one big much because of the way the different dishes are arranged. Don't request that t...

Best Ethinic dinning in PDX, Great customer service 7/16/2006

Jarras Restaurant is the lone star in Portland, OR. Since our return from the Horn of Africa decades a go, it was only this Restaurant that gave us the opportunity to enjoy the hot, tasty and zesty Ethnic food. My have family has been served by this hard working hospitable family. They have also kept us up dated about the current situation in Ethiopia. Years back they hosted a fund raising event to send money for ever starving Ethiopians. We donated reasonable amount of money. Pros: Welcoming family env'nt, easy acess, professional Cons: Closed on Sunday's and some Mon more
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A Disappointment 7/8/2006

The biggest disappointment was that their injera is made with white wheat flour and baking powder, rather than the usual (and far more appetizing) sourdough teff. The food was too greasy, the service was slow and somewhat rude, and everything was far more expensive than it should have been, considering the quality. Go to Blue Nile instead. Cons: Bad food, bad service, expensive more
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We will never go back 4/9/2006

We were charged full price for our meal, despite the fact that they brought us the wrong food (when we brought it to the attention of the server that the food wasn't right, he said that he was sorry and they would adjust the price due to the error. He didn't mention that the price would be the same AND he didn't offer to bring us the right food). The food at Queen of Sheba on MLK is much tastier, and the service at Horn of Africa is 1000 times better. I would try either of these before suffering through a Jarra's experience. Pros: Good Location Cons: Poor Service, Expensive, Long Waits more
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First timers with Ethiopian 3/25/2006

So I didn't realize it was finger food; eating cottage cheese with my fingers was a new experience! The lamb really was delicious but over all I still have to rate the food we ordered as good/average-not exceptional. I do recommend the experience. Would not recommend this spicy of food for kids. Pros: good food, very filling, good drinks Cons: small parking lot, needs make over more
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c'mon get your fingers dirty and enjoy! 12/26/2005

The best food I have ever had! People concerned with getting their fingers dirty may need to cruze by a fast food joint they obivously dont know the first thing about enjoying REAL food. I love and crave Jarras Ethopian daily! Dig in and try something new you wont be able to wait until your next visit! Everything on the menu is wonderful beyond belief and if you LOVE SPICY you have to visit, Dont forget great food takes time so if you are anxious and fussy please dont go while I am their! They also serve VEGETARIAN dishes! Escape from your pizza & burger lifestyle, be patient and the best food you have ever ate with your hands will be on your table, skip the booze save your tastebuds for the ethopian iced tea while you eat spicy yummy food with your fingers! Pros: GREAT FOOD, SLOW COOKED WITH CARE, FRIENDLY, FRIENDLY,F Cons: the WORTH IT wait more
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User review by jencarroll 10/31/2005

The food was good and spicy and the service was very friendly. more
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For PC Hipsters only 10/16/2005

If you want to spend $15 on a plate of (albeit exotically spiced) baby food which you eat with your hands from pancakes that have the texture of foam rubber whilst retaining the appearance of a CT scan of your brain, then this is the place for you. Also beware the cocktails which are more expensive than printed on the menu, because ""the menu is very old."" A good place for hipsters to embarass exceptionally wealthy parents. more
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Go for HAPPY HOUR 6/21/2005

My girlfriend and I live close to Jarra's, but were apprehensive to go in as there are hardly any cars in their lot. However, yesterday I noticed a ""Happy Hour"" sign for the lounge, located under the resteraunt. The lounge offers a limited menu, but from 4-6 all the dishes which are normaly $7-$8 are half off and most of the drinks (we had beer) are about $1 off. The food was spicy, but tasty. The lounge felt like a cool basement pub and there was no smoking except ina back room. So if you want to check out the food, go during the happy hour and get it super cheap. Pros: Ambiance, Cheap eats more
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Amazing food 5/3/2005

I ate at this spot last week. Wow, I thought it was amazing. The whole experience was great. Had a nice conversation with the owners. One is the cook, the other the server. My boyfriend and I both had meat dishes, Beef and Lamb. I give this place 2 thumbs up! Pros: service, food, parking Cons: decoration, loud tv, bright more
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The oldest and WORST Ethiopian food in Portland 2/24/2005

We were led to Jarra's since it's on the Hawthorne and has been around the longest. The food was aweful (too salty and bland), the injera (bread) was white- no teff flour?- and the owner was rude (insulted a child with us)...the owner also (tried to be friendly), threw silverware at us since they left no room for scooping up the stew with your hands- as is customary. It's like they don't know how to make or serve the food. Anyone used to good Ethiopian food (I make my own at home) will hate this place. Oh, and it's really expensive. Pros: large space, somewhat friendly, good reputation Cons: salty food, rude service, expensive more
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good food, terrible service 1/28/2005

We ate there tonight, and they stuck us in the corner. They weren't too crowded, but it took them twenty minutes to take our order. The food was good, but the drinks were TERRIBLE. We both ordered alcoholic drinks. You would think they would at least create a drinkable recipie. Too sweet and too stiff all at the same time. We couldn't even get them to refill our waters. We eventually had to go up to the front and wait around some more for them to figure out our bill. If the food was cheaper, I maybe could have overlooked the horrible service, but it was expensive as well. And we barely touched our drinks. It was my first time eating ethiopian food, and it was not a good experience. Pros: good warm food, no silverware, chicken was good Cons: TERRIBLE SERVICE, not good drinks, expensive more
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Highly Recommend 10/4/2004

It's a very casual atmosphere, but clean. The staff is very friendly and quick to share stories about Ethiopian culture. This was my first taste of Ethiopian food and it did not disappoint. I found eating without silverware odd, but it fit the mood and wasn't a big deal. I had the combination plate and every bit was good. The chicken was so tender it fell off the bone, the curry-potato dish was outstanding... the whole meal was great. I will definitely go back soon and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others. Pros: good food, friendly staff more
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Memorable Restaurant of Portland 3/21/2004

Coming from Vancouver where we have plenty of excellent restaurants, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of Jarra's. Normally, I wouldn't bother reviewing a restaurant online; however, I've read some of the negative reviews and I felt I should set the record straight. The food was excellent, very tasty and VERY REASONABLY priced; spent roughly $25 for the two of us. The food can be spicey, but this is what someone with half a brain would expect. The service was prompt, respectful, and friendly - the waiter is one of the owners. All in all, a great meal that I would highly recommend to my friends. Pros: pleasant service, good prices, excellent food more
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Misguided efforts 3/25/2003

Three thimes we requested mild, mild, mild food, in part to accomodate our young children, but 3/4 of the food suggested and brought out by the owner was so spicey (I would rate it at least 3-stars) we couldn't eat it. Despite leaving barely touched trays, no offer was made to substitute something else. One chicken dish, for $10 consisted of one drumstick with sides of lentils, cottage cheese and vegetables...an incredible rip-off. After the food was delivered we were abandoned and five of us made do with three water glasses for half an hour Pros: empty, easy parking, friendly owner Cons: very poor value, very poor service, ignored needs more
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Finger-licking Good (n' Spicy)!! 11/20/2002

The food is finger-licking good (n' spicy) and the portion sizes are ample, offering great value for the money. The server/owner is very friendly. Although it was a little noisy because of a group that came in before us, overall it was a great dining experience. Be prepared to wait for a while for the food once you have ordered (I find this to be typical of all Ethiopian restaurants that I have eaten at). Pros: Great food, Friendly server, Inexpensive Cons: Slow service, limited parking, noisy more
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There's better elsewhere 11/16/2002

First, the very chatty server gets tiresome. The food certainly is good, but all turns to one big much because of the way the different dishes are arranged. Don't request that they make it too spicy - even though you can take it - since this will mask the flavors. Great way to be introduced to this wonderful cuisine, but I recommend Queen of Sheba instead. more
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excellent food in a family room setting 10/24/2002

Excellent Ethiopian food. Variety is good. Prices are cheap. Portions are large. What more can you ask for. more
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Success breads laziness 8/7/2002

Jarra's is rated high, word of mouth and in the reviews. But the experience is disappointing: -The injera (bread) is made on site- it is white instead of traditional (teff flour) brown. The important point being that they make it there and treat it like a scare commodity. Mr. Jarra shouted at us for asking for more (I have heard this from others). Food was too salty, soupy- covered all of injera. Mr Jarra brought us forks and knifes!! Insulting. Service was terrible from him and waitor and overpriced. $90 for 4. Pros: None., Seriously poor. Cons: Bad Service., Hyped Up., Over-rated. more
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Menu for Jarra's Ethiopian Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    For decades the corner of Hawthorne and 14th has been the bastion of P-town's spice scene. Exotic flavors and textures beckon loyal locals and curious neophytes, tired of the...

  • 2/21/2007 Provided by Citysearch
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  • Neighborhoods: Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program, Buckman
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