One of the benefits of new immigrant groups in an area is the arrival of good new cuisines. Steve and I have made an effort to find Somalian food in St. Cloud, eating at two small restaurants, and a few weeks ago Steve found this Ethiopian “deli” in a convenient store in St. Cloud.
There used to be an excellent gyros place in this spot. Steve’s daughter’s boyfriend, Chris, referred us to it. It closed down, but Steve stopped to see if anything had filled the space. It’s not a place you would find on your own. Sure, there’s a banner saying “we serve hot food,” but that’s vague enough to mean hot dogs on rollers and burritos in a microwave.
The convenient store stocks Fanta in bottles, to complete the African atmosphere, and some very spicy looking chips with a name I didn’t recognize. And no Smartfood popcorn (in case you were wondering).
One thing you learn right away about these places is that the menu is meaningless. You can order goat, but you will get beef. You can order the platter, but it won’t look like the platter in the photo. Best just to say, “Can you make us a platter for three?” and see what comes. The proprietor told us: “I have tibs, and I will make you some special dishes.”
We asked the proprietor about his ethnicity– this area has more Somali, and he does not look like the “typical” Ethiopian I’ve met here, in Chicago, and in New York. He said he is Oromo, the largest ethnic group, followed closely by the Amhara. He said other things, political things about war and independence, which were hard to follow. Of course, it is war that brings any ethnic groups from anywhere to our shores. This man worked in maintenance for St. Paul public schools for 30 years before “retiring” here to run this restaurant with his wife– open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Next time we will ask for more of the vegetarian dishes and a little less tibs. They were excellent, but the bean/dal dishes were even better– fewer peppers and perfectly spiced. They make the injera (bread used to eat the food) on site, and it was fresh.
The platter was listed at $15.99, and we were happily charged $24 for the three of us. We left full and happy for $8/each. And we’ll be back.
Susan, My life is pretty much about hanging with and cooking for and living with people from abroad, so I love this post! I love the unexpected location of the deli and your loving appreciation of the food and the confusing conversation that so often happens. I am grateful for the many groups of East Africans in Minnesota. They bring a forthright frankness we badly need. Bravo!
Hi Susan
You are an adventurer!!
Everything….your writing, your health, your surroundings, family, cooking…Life is an amazing adventure and you are going for it, embracing it, exploring…
Thank you for sharing yourself
So grateful
Love
Kathy
Thanks, Reva! I’m glad you understand about the confusing conversations. I’m pretty sure I was understanding the WORDS he was saying, but even after coming home and looking up some history of Ethiopia, it didn’t make sense! LOL
Thank you, Kathy! I’ve always been a believer that all you need to do is leave your front door to have an adventure!
The world is coming to St. Cloud before the wall is built! Glad you are making the most of it. (By the way I went to high school to St. Cloud, but the one near Paris. 🙂 You are always wetting our appetite…
I didn’t know that, Jean-Claude! Then you also pronounce it differently than we do! Did you celebrate the feast September 7 the way we do here? Nice connection! Yes, the world has come to St. Cloud. I hope we do a good job of welcoming it (we have mixed results so far…)