Ayda Ethiopian Restaurant
24940 Redlands Blvd.
Loma Linda, CA
909-799-6700

I was driving home from a two-day stint in Idyllwild with my boyfriend and his teenage daughter, we were tired, we were cranky, and we were starving. After doing some searching on my phone, we got off the 10 freeway to grab a bite. As we were on our way to the location I had found, we drove by a strip mall that had a very simple business front that made me sit up at attention and say, “Guys, change of plans. We are totally eating there.”

For those not in the know, Ethiopian food is fantastic. If it hadn’t been for a good friend who enlightened me a few years ago, I, too, would still be in the dark. But I have seen the light, honey, and nothing is brighter than Ethiopian cuisine.

Ethiopian food is a sensory experience. The food is served on a platter of a special bread called injera. It looks like a circular ACE bandage and tastes like a fluffy sourdough. The stewed vegetables and meats are placed on top of a piece of this amazing bread along with a few extra pieces and it’s on. Rip off a piece of bread and scoop up some perfection.

Being that I was relatively well acquainted with this style of food, I decided to order the Vegetarian Delight.  It consisted of two types of lentils, collard greens, cabbage, green beans, fresh salad, tomato marinated injera, potato salad, split peas and a hard boiled egg set right in the middle of some flavorful sauce.

Each with seasoned differently, each had a different texture, and each made me want to cry it was so good. Even my very picky teenage homegirl was stuffing her face. In no time, the three of us were stuffed, but without that nasty heaviness that some meals cause. I felt good, sated, happy.

It’s been a few weeks since we have last ventured into the cute little spot, and I have yet to try the traditional Ethiopian coffee that has it’s own small area at the front of the restaurant.

I’m so happy this little spot caught my eye. And I promise I will return.