Best Ethiopian-Texas Fusion Restaurants in Dallas: Berbere-Spiced, Brisket-Blended, Injera Platters

Dallas’ culinary landscape thrives on bold innovation, and nowhere is this more evident than in its groundbreaking Ethiopian-Texas fusion cuisine. Imagine smoky, slow-cooked brisket kissed with fiery berbere spice, or tender collard greens simmered with Texas-sized chunks of beef—a perfect marriage of East African tradition and Lone Star flair. This guide spotlights the Best Ethiopian-Texas Fusion Restaurants in Dallas, uncovering the pioneering eateries that are redefining local dining by combining the best of Ethiopian flavors—where injera meets aromatic spices—with the robust, hearty comfort of Texas barbecue. Whether you’re drawn to communal dining experiences or crave a culinary adventure that bridges two vibrant cultures, these restaurants offer an unforgettable fusion feast that honors tradition while boldly innovating for today’s discerning palate.

Must-Visit: Best Ethiopian-Texas Fusion Restaurants in Dallas – A Cross-Cultural Celebration

1. Smoke ‘N Ash BBQ

• Specialty: Tex-Ethiopian Platter (smoked brisket with awaze sauce, doro wat made with smoked chicken, and injera nachos).

• Highlights:

  • Founded by Fasicka and Patrick Hicks, this Arlington gem blends Patrick’s Texas BBQ roots with Fasicka’s Ethiopian heritage. Their journey began in a food truck and evolved into a Michelin-recognized sensation in 2024.

  • Must-try dishes include Rib Tip Tibs (smoked rib tips seasoned with Ethiopian spices) and Gomen (collard greens stewed with beef, a crowd favorite).

  • Don’t miss the Berbere-Spiced Pecan Texas Sheet Cake, a dessert that epitomizes their fusion philosophy.

• Innovation: Ethiopian sambusas stuffed with smoked brisket or lentils, and smoked meats rubbed with berbere—a spice blend shipped directly from Fasicka’s sister in Addis Ababa.

• Location: 5904 S. Cooper St, Arlington, TX (just south of Dallas).

2. Mesob & Smoke

Specialty: Ethio-Tex Brisket Kitfo (smoked brisket tossed in mitmita spice, served with house-made injera chips).Highlights:

• Founded by Chef Alemayehu "Alex" Mekonnen, a third-generation pitmaster from Austin who married Ethiopian spices with Central Texas BBQ techniques.

• Must-try: Jalapeño-Tinga Tibs (spicy beef sautéed with jalapeños and Ethiopian korerima) and Injera Cornbread (a hybrid of Southern cornbread and fermented teff).

• Innovation: "BBQ Coffee Rub" for ribs—blending Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee with brown sugar and berbere.

• Location: Deep Ellum, Dallas.

3. Addis-Q

Specialty: Fusion Feast Platter (layers of smoked goat leg, jalapeño-infused shiro, and collard green slaw on a giant injera).Highlights:

• Run by siblings Tasha and Solomon Bekele, combining Solomon’s BBQ competition background with Tasha’s Addis Ababa-inspired recipes.

• Must-try: Awaze Pulled Pork Tacos (soft tortillas filled with pulled pork marinated in awaze sauce, topped with Ethiopian slaw).

• Innovation: Tej Margaritas (Ethiopian honey wine blended with Texas limeade).

• Location: Bishop Arts District, Dallas.

4. Horn & Hoof

Specialty: Smoked Doro Wat (smoked chicken drumsticks in a fiery berbere sauce, served with jalapeño-cheddar injera).Highlights:

• A collaboration between Ethiopian chef Selamawit Gebre and Texan pitmaster Jake Ramirez.

• Must-try: BBQ Lentil Sambusas (stuffed with smoked brisket and lentils) and Spiced Pecan Coffee Ceremony (a fusion of Ethiopian coffee rituals with Texas pecan roasts).

• Innovation: Berbere Dry-Aged Beef Ribs aged for 45 days and rubbed with berbere.

• Location: Trinity Groves, Dallas.

5. Injera Pit

Specialty: Tex-Ethio Breakfast Bowl (scrambled eggs with niter kibbeh butter, smoked brisket hash, and jalapeño-infused fitfit).Highlights:

• A food truck turned brick-and-mortar spot, famous for its fusion brunch.

• Must-try: Injera Benedict (poached eggs on injera with smoked turkey leg “ham” and berbere hollandaise).

• Innovation: Tequila-Tej Cocktails (blending Ethiopian honey wine with Texas silver tequila).

• Location: Lower Greenville, Dallas.

Must-Try Dishes

• Smoked Meats: Brisket and pork ribs infused with berbere or awaze (a spicy Ethiopian marinade).

• Fusion Staples: Injera nachos topped with brisket, chickpea puree, and crumbled Ethiopian cheese.

• Vegetarian Delights: Shiro (chickpea stew) and lentil sambusas, perfect for plant-based diners.

• Desserts: Texas sheet cake with berbere-spiced pecans—a sweet-and-spicy finale.

Dining Experiences

Communal & Adventurous

• Family-Style Feasts: Share platters of smoked meats and Ethiopian stews, all eaten with hands using injera as your utensil.

• Weekend Vibes: Lines out the door on Saturdays, with airport travelers and locals alike flocking for the "crazy good" rosemary-cardamom pork ribs.

Quick Bites

• Lunch Specials: Opt for a 2- or 3-meat plate with traditional BBQ sides or Ethiopian greens.

• Goldbelly Nationwide Shipping: Can’t visit Dallas? Order their smoked meats and spice blends online.

Why Ethiopian-Texas Fusion Thrives in Dallas

1. Cultural Synergy: Both cuisines emphasize communal dining and hands-on eating—think BBQ trays and shared injera platters.

2. Spice Innovation: Berbere (Ethiopia’s signature blend of chilies, fenugreek, and ginger) elevates smoked meats, while Texas techniques add depth to Ethiopian stews.

3. Community Roots: Dallas’ growing Ethiopian population (50,000+ in North Texas) fuels demand for authentic yet inventive flavors. Smoke ‘N Ash plans a Plano location in mid-2025 to cater to this community.

   
   

Explore More African Flavors in Dallas

• Traditional Ethiopian:

  • Desta Ethiopian Restaurant: Dive into kitfo (spiced raw beef) and doro wat in a cozy setting.

  • Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant: Upscale dining with tej (honey wine) and elaborate coffee ceremonies.

• Pan-African Gems: Try Nigerian jollof rice at Buka Hut or Moroccan tagines at Casablanca Café.

The Future of Fusion

Smoke ‘N Ash’s upcoming cookbook (2026) and Plano expansion signal a growing trend. As Patrick Hicks says, “It’s about consistency and love—making every plate the best thing on the table”.

Join the Conversation!Have you tried Ethiopian-Texas fusion? Share your favorite injera-and-brisket pairings or tag your Smoke ‘N Ash foodie moments below!