Assab Eritrian

I used to frequent this spot years ago when it was a Thai place (great one, I might add). Then they moved and it turned into an "Eritrean" restaurant. I don't even know where that is. I was upset my Thai place was gone, but I read the reviews on here, and decided to give it a shot. This is exactly what my wife and I ordered - a Sambusa appetizer, huge plate of their family sampler dinner, which included lamb, chicken, beef, and tuna, along with a bunch of side dishes that I'm not sure what it was, but what the heck, 2 beers and a guava juice. The total for this delicious meal was 32 bucks. We couldn't even finish it. Once in a while, my wife and I will go downtown and spend a lot of money for a fru-fru meal, but the Richmond district is where you're going to find the best deals and some of the best food in the city. Check this place out. You won't be disappointed. (p.s. I know where Eritrea is now!)

Pros: Delicious food. Very cool owner. Fast service.

Cons: none.

Posted 02/16/07

Ok, so the other night my boyfriend and I decided to go to a little Eritrean restaurant that we had driven by but assumed wasn't good because we've been disappointed at just about every Ethiopian place in town. We usually have to drive to the east bay for good Ethiopian or Eritrean food. We were both blown away by how great the food was! Everything was FRESHLY MADE!!!! Everything was DELICIOUS!!! The lentils were cooked to perfection. The Kulwa (we got chicken and beef) was perfectly spicy and tender. The injera was fresh not stale! I mean, this was the kind of place that you immediately want to get on citysearch and write about. The service was great. The only pitfal was the ambiance, but hey when you are hungry, do you really care? Honestly the place was clean and cute. Its family owned, the mom cooks, the daughter serves and the dad takes care of the business (i know this because the owner came and talked to us when I told the waitress to compliment the chef). Please try this place, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Pros: GREAT FOOD and service

Cons: ok ambience

Posted 12/06/06

Being a big fan of Ethypian/Eritrean food I find Assab the place to go to.I used to go there almost every other week when I used to live int he city.If you are looking for lots of fiber in your food and a touch of spice try Assab.My Ethyopian friends say that it is authentic.The music,the decor and the owner makes you feel the warmth of the country they come from.If you are going with a group and you don't mind sharing the food with them order tha family style menu,it's more fun.
This restaurant is on my fav list :)

Pros: almost always no waiting to be seated,very resonable prices and good food.Warm owner and waitress

Cons: Doesn't open on Sundays

Posted 11/16/06

Good and inexpensive ethiopean food. Traditional decor and traditional service. The hot sauce is delicious, too!

Pros: Food

Cons: Ambience

Posted 09/08/06

My favorite dishes are the Kitfo, served in the traditional style, raw, and the Kelwa Beggee- the spicy lamb in clarified butter. But everything they make is SO GOOD. And the whole family is quite pleasant and friendly. This is a great place to come, on your own, with a group of friends, or with a date.

Pros: DELICIOUS FLAVORFUL FOOD and WONDERFUL FRIENDLY PEOPLE

Cons: not a single con!

Posted 08/09/06

I went to Assab the other day and really enjoyed my meal. I had the lamb curry dish. Service was pretty good and the prices are faily cheap. You definitely get a lot of food though!

If you've never been to an African type restaurant, be prepared to eat with your hands. They do have utensils, but it's traditional to eat with the bread that comes with your dish. Yummy stuff!

Pros: Good food. Parking is decent.

Cons: Small restaurant.

Posted 07/06/06

My dinner here was, hands down, the best meal I have had in the city while living here for the past three years. We ordered the Kantisha, Okra, and Spinach served family style on a huge platter with Injera (the soft bubbled bread.) The Kantisha and Okra were seriously mouth wateringly amazing. The Spinach was also really good. The waitress was sweet and prompt and kind. This family owned, family run restaurant was cheap and satisfying. Be prepared to get your hands dirty!

Pros: inexpensive, great service, unique food

Cons: lacks ambience

Posted 05/13/06

Assab was one of the first restaurants I went to when I first got to SF and boy has it NOT let me down. I have come back 3 times now and it is still great. Brings back fond memories of exploring the city and its eats. Don't need the menu anymore-- our usual is #17 and 18 (my partner is the vegetarian). The service is fantasic and they love when you clean up the entire giant plate. Really good food, really good prices, and awesome people! The injera is perfect and the okra is fantastic. TRY IT!

Pros: Food, Service, Parking

Posted 05/07/06

I had never had eritrean food before this. This place is totally mellow and has a great atmosphere. The food was really good and you could tell everything was made fresh. We had a starter which was fried filled with potatoes and peas and it was similar to a samosa. Steaming hot and made to order. Shared a veggie plate of curried potatoes and veggies with the spongy bread you wrap around it. Lots of lentil dishes and lovely waitress. Family owned and food made with love. Highly recommended. For two people it was less than 20 bucks and we were so full!

Pros: Nice waitstaff, inexpensive, good food

Cons: none

Posted 05/02/06

My new discovery: Assab on Geary... GREAT food! Fresh and wonderfully prepared and served. I have been to several Eritrean and Ethopian places and this one is the BEST. Everything was VERY fresh--it took a while to get the food but it was VERY much worth the wait. I am DEFINITELY going back and am telling everyone who likes this cuisine to try Assab. Thanks! 12/2005: It's three years now that I've been going here, and it's still good as of Dec 2005. EXCELLENT SERVICE AND EXCELLENT FOOD!!! It continues: Still good in April 2006! EXCELLENT. You gotta try it!

Pros: Fresh, Flavorful, Friendly

Cons: None, Zero, Can't think of any!

Posted 04/08/06

As someone who has sampled African food in many parts of the world (including Africa) I can honestly say this is the most wonderful place I have ever been to. They have a variety of amazing dishes for vegetarians (the chickpea entree is incredible), the injera is perfection, and most importantly you are treated with that wonderful African hospitality (don't be surprised if they bring you more injera on the house so you can finish ever last bit of food on the plate). I have taken my parents here as well as a number of friends, and everyone has fallen in love with Assab. It really doesn't get any better than this.

Pros: the food, kind owner, true african dining

Cons: NONE

Posted 09/20/05

I discovered Assab over a year ago (it's in my neighborhood), and have wanted to tell people about it ever since. This family owned restaurant is a total find. The food is great, fresh, and great for sharing. The value is amazing. Now that the secret is out though, I might start having to wait for a table!

Posted 05/31/05

A TRUE find. Very low key, simple decor. The friendliest proprieter, who treated us like family. The real treat was the food. Amazing lamb, injera, and chicken, which we dug into, in true traditional eritean family eating style. The beer (harar?) is also a great light lager, went well with the rich flavors. Great veggie sides as well. And cheap, to top it off!

Posted 03/18/05