Mannaweenta is an Ethiopian/Eritrean Restaurant located at 1055 Gaines School Rd. on the east side of Athens within walking distance of Cedar Shoals High School. All the food at Mannaweenta is served with either rice or injera, an Ethiopian bread made of teff flour, a plant native to the region. Photo courtesy of Edsel Little.
By COLES EHLERS – Staff Writer
Mannaweenta Ethiopian/Eritrean Restaurant is located between Quality Dry Cleaners and Orient Mart in a small strip mall on the East Side of Athens and is a great place to get authentic Ethiopian cuisine with its tasty cuisine and great service.
From the outside, Mannaweenta Ethiopian/Eritrean Restaurant is hidden by a dry cleaner and a specialty grocery store, but this restaurant is a hidden treasure. The restaurant began as a food stand at the West Broad Farmers Market until food stand owner Haregu Bahtu decided to turn it into a restaurant located on the east side.
When the customer walks into Mannaweenta, aromas of meats and vegetables cooking waft in from the kitchen. The welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and customers give the place a homey feel, similar to going to a close relative’s house.
The menu is set up so the customer chooses injera or rice and then chooses which meat and vegetable dishes they want to add on top. The choices range from kei wot (spicy beef and onions) to gomen wot (collards cooked with jalapeño peppers).
Yebeg tibb (lamb with green peppers and tomatoes) is a tender and rich dish, full of flavor. The vegetarian options are also very good, with vegetables sauteed to perfection and spiced authentically.
The food arrives with silverware, but it is traditional to eat the fillings by picking up small amounts with pieces of the spongy bread that arrives with the meal. The bread is soft and soaks up the sauce and juice from the meat and vegetables. The portions are generous and customers can get a quality large meal for around $12.
Mannaweenta is a complete package with low prices, delicious food, friendly service and a homey atmosphere. It is a perfect environment for anyone willing to broaden their food horizons.
