11/23/08

Like a Seinfeld episode.

by Kunzaito

Going to this restaurant ended up being exactly like a well-known Seinfeld episode, and can be summed up in its most quoted phrase: "Anyone can *take* a reservation! You have to *HOLD* the reservation!"

We had never been to this restaurant before, but we had a group of 10 going out for dinner and someone suggested we try Club Waziema. We called ahead and made reservations a few days prior for 7:30. We showed up about 15 minutes early and ordered drinks at the bar. The restaurant was pretty full but not packed, and no new patrons came in after our group's arrival. Around 7:45 I asked the woman behind the bar (possibly the owner?) for our table. She asked how many, and when I told her "ten" she repeated, in a very put-out tone of voice, "Ten?!" I said yes, we had a reservation for 7:30. To which she said, "Well, if you had a reservation for 7:30 you should have been here at 7:30." I replied that we had been here the whole time, drinking at her bar. Also mind, again, that no one else had come in that they should have needed to give up the reserved table regardless. Then she just gave me a dirty look and WALKED AWAY FROM ME. And did not come back. So I have no idea if the food was any good, we were repelled by the atrocious service. We ended up going across the street to Ziryab, which was excellent, and they bent over backward to accommodate our large group on short notice.

• Pros: Drink prices are reasonable.
• Cons: Some of the worst service I've had.

01/16/08

Ethiopian food like mom used to make

by mattrain

Wazeima rocks! Ethiopian food, pool table, local art and maroon velvet wallpaper are a great combination. food is healthy and is cheap, and I would eat there all the time, but the service can be painfully slow, so I go when I have time to kick back and relax. a good place to go eat by yourself and sit at the bar and chat to the bartender.

10/05/07

mmmm

by saracrown

I love this place. I guess it used to be a jazz joint back in the day. It's all about eating with your hands.

04/04/07

OK food, good people watching

by chefbum

Waziema is a divey hole-in-the-wall that apparently has cashed in on the bonanza when the Divisadero corridor revitalized through an influx of trustafarian money.

From the outside it looks like a divey Ethiopian restaurant, but inside the first thing you see is really old wallpaper and a fully stocked bar full of people.

Ethiopian food is very meat-centric and can be a bit heavy, what with the only carb relief being the thin, flat bread that comes with it. But given that, Waziema is reasonably priced for what it is, if not so downright cheap as everyone here is saying it is.

Service is very good and enthusiastic-- so much so that I thought we were in a room full of pod-people, or that our waitress had smoked some really good dope. No, apparently she is always that eager to please and accomodating.

The most interesting thing about this place, though, is the people watching. It's become hipster-central, with everyone wearing at least one or more of the following clothing items: trucker hat, trucker shirt, uncombed hair, full beard on the guys, wallet with chain, rolled up jeans, retro sneakers, etc., etc. I really wonder what everyone will be wearing there in 5 years.

11/24/06

Ethiopian food with Guinness!

by sw2k

Fantastic Ethiopian food, and two can get a pair of meat and vegetable combos to cover all points of the menu. What's more, the full bar with many, many beers on tap and a pool table in the back really set this place apart.

A homey North Panhandle secret with Ethiopian flavor.

by Contributor

In Short
A dimly lit front room is brightened by vintage red wallpaper and candles flickering atop simple tables, which host hungry (and extremely loyal) 20- and 30-something bargain hunters. The adjacent bar area is lined with padded stools and offers a dozen tap beers, honey wine and a bevy of bottled brews, like Ethiopia's Harar. There's a TV mounted above the tables, while a top-notch jukebox cranks out everything from Curtis Mayfield to Radiohead.

03/02/05

great Ethiopian food in a funky atmosphere

by chrisbu

We love this place! The food is great - incredibly cheap, healthy, huge portions, and if you actually finish they will come out and offer you more. The atmosphere is always fun, lots of locals, great music and a pool table. The Jukebox is good, there is often a sports game on TV and a local artist show in the back. Wazeima is a one of a kind!

• Pros: great food, great value, cool atmosphere

11/02/04

What more could you want

by cicero70

Great food, great drinks, great prices, great music, great atmosophere and one of the best bartenders in SF. What more could you wasnt?

09/07/04

Club Waziema

by lonsf

I've only eaten at Club Waziema once, but my first experience was exceptional. The food was delicious, the atmosphere very cool & the crowd was young & vibrant. The owners are fantastic people who understand how to harbor loyal customers with great food & great prices. A very fun place to dine.

• Pros: great food, great prices, great crowd

06/13/03

Great neighborhood joint

by ramzi

I had sushi up the block at Tsunami and the sushi chefs tell me to do try this joint. I liked their choice. Its a treat to go there. Yes a secret , not too crowdy but I would go back.