Dallas' Most Interesting Restaurants No. 44: Sheba's Ethiopian Kitchen

Leading up to our annual Best of Dallas® issue, we're counting down the 50 most interesting restaurants in Dallas. These spots bring something unique or compelling to the city's dining scene, feeding both your appetite and soul. 

Ethiopian has become one of my go-to meals in Dallas when I'm looking for cheap eats. The cuisine as a whole might give the most bang for your buck in terms of providing a filling meal and soothing your soul — this is comfort food of the highest order.

To get the most from Sheba, bring a friend and decide on one of the meat stews. Doro wat is a standard recommendation for those who are new to the cuisine, but the lamb dishes are excellent and approachable, too. If you're feeling adventurous and like your meat on the raw side of rare you might also try the kitfo. The minced meat is mixed with spiced butter and served wtih cheese and spices. Pinch a little kitfo with a piece of injera and grab a little green salad to add some brightness and crunch. It's a killer bite.

Of course, there's a lot more to dive into, which is why you brought a friend. Add the veggie sampler to get a mix of savory stewed lentils and vegetables, and ask that everything be served together on the same plate. You'll end up with a traditional meal set up for sharing and eating with your hands.

When the weather is nice, a patio provides seating with a breeze. Inside, regulars watch sports on TV, chat and wait for the evening party to begin. On weekends close to midnight a DJ plays music until the place shuts down, and since you've got to work off those carbohydrates from all of that injera you just ate, you might as well stay and dance a while.

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