Looking for Ethiopian food in Seattle? Hail a cab, and chances are the driver can direct you to his favorite place for food from his homeland. And for most, Meskel is the choice.

The restaurant has a large terrace that’s abandoned every drive-by, but the interior has some warmth from native art. And while the staff seems initially shy, if you express some interest in the food, they’ll warm up quickly.

One of our panelists came to Meskel after learning that they offered the best kitfo (ground, raw meat in spiced butter) in the city, and he’s now an addict. Don’t forget to ask for it raw, though—that’s not the default assumption, especially for non-Ethiopians. In addition to other meats like chicken and lamb (we recommend the yebeg tibs, or lamb sautéed with onions and chiles), Meskel also offers a number of vegetarian options such as red lentils and puréed chickpeas.