The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
KATEGNA ETHIOPIAN CUISINE
Menu:
Abbreviated menu of Ethiopian appetizers and entrees. Bestsellers include Katenga Injera, Salmon Tibs, Vegetarian Platter, Meat Combo
Alcohol: What I ordered:
Meat Combo, Katenga Special, Vegetarian Platter, Beef and Lentil Sambusas
Dinein, takeout, delivery via Uber Eats (DoorDash coming soon)
Service options: Safety protocols:
Following COVID-19 restaurant safety guidelines; frequent sanitization; all staff wear face masks; bottled water only, other beverages served in disposable cups; Ethiopian coffee service temporarily suspended.
Address, phone:
2857 Buford Highway N.E., Brookhaven, 470-3559979
Hours:
11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily (Beginning Aug. 3: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. MondaysSaturdays)
Website:
No kategnaethiopiancuisine.com
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it easy to work with,” Desta said. Her version, she said, is not only a sturdy transport for dishes, but also harmonizes with – and accentuates – their spices.
Despite commendable food, Kategna is still just getting by. Including Desta and her two cousins, the staff count is at five.
Kategna Ethiopian Cuisine offers sambusas, savory handheld pastry pockets, filled with beef, chicken or lentils.
She has trimmed back the hours of operation to manage the slow traffic, 80% of which is takeout. She wishes she could find time away from day-today operations to apply for grants and loans or to seek working capital from another source. “I don’t even have time to do that,” she said.
Looking ahead, a traditional Ethiopian breakfast is a cultural element she wants to offer to Atlanta diners. Along with Ethiopian coffee. “I have the best coffee. We have all the traditional servingware,” she said. “We can’t do the ceremony because of the short staff. But we are ready when the time is right.”
Despite the setbacks and the waiting – be it waiting to first unlock doors, to introduce breakfast or to serve Ethiopian coffee in style – Desta remains hopeful.
“I’m not as busy as expected because of the virus. But, I want to keep going. I want to stay positive,” she said. “This was my dream for a long time. I don’t want to mess it up.”
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