Pan Africa Grill – was this just a fluke?

[Sue]

I’ve been hearing some amazing things about Pan Africa Grill. I bought a Groupon and realized it was expiring in a week, so we went this past Sunday and was looking forward to it.

We were seated fairly promptly in the back room, where a class was going on. Apparently they have ethiopian cooking classes on Sunday nights. It took a while for someone to approach us and bring us water and answer our questions about the menu – never having had this type of food before. After waiting quite a while again, they finally came to take our order. The waitress explained that the injera (bread) was out and had to be brought in from somewhere outside the restaurant – she thought it would be there in 10-15 minutes, but no guarantees. I told her I didn’t want to wait for the injera, so since I was ordering a veggie combo (which came with injera), could they just bring it with rice instead? She said yes, she would make that substitution so there would be no delay.

So we waited. And waited. And waited. With empty water glasses and no one to check up on us. The smell of the cooking class was delightful, and we noticed while waiting that there was a tremendous amount of activity with the staff going between the class and the kitchen, and seemingly ignoring everyone who was actually eating in the restaurant. The women at the table next to us (with small child) finally called over a waitress and explained that they had been waiting over an hour for their food and their child was restless. This was when they were told that the injera was out and they were waiting for it. The woman was angry and said it was the whole reason she came, so she was not going to wait anymore. It was at this point that I realized we’d been waiting nearly 45 minutes now for our food. In this same timeframe, two men sat on the other side of us, looked at a menu, waited a considerable amount of time, and when no one approached them for an order, they walked out as well.

At about the 1 hour mark the waitress told us the injera finally came in and food should be out soon. Still took another 10 minutes. When it arrived, my husband’s rice was cold, as was the carrot dish in my combo. Never having eaten this cuisine before, we wondered if it was supposed to be like that.

A woman we hadn’t seen before came over to the table while we were eating and apologized for the delay and hoped we were enjoying our food. We asked her if the rice/carrots were supposed to be cold (no, and she seemed surprised). I asked if she was a manager or owner, and she said her son was the owner. We told her about our experience of waiting for the injera when we thought they were substituting it, and how we were surprised at how long everything was taking. But that we’d definitely come back and try it again.

While eating, a waitress came over with a large plate of food. We explained it wasn’t ours, and it turned out that it was for the table of women that had left half an hour ago – they told the waitress to cancel their order, but apparently the kitchen missed that. So they took it back.

We never saw another waitress come to our table again for the duration of our meal. Empty water glasses again. My husband had to finally get up and find a waitress to get our check. When the check arrived, she told us that she’d removed our appetizer and only charged us 50% of the meal. Unfortunately, since we were paying with a Groupon, the discount didn’t really affect us much. But I did appreciate that they tried to make it up to us.

When we left, we noticed 3 tables of people who had been there when we arrived. In all, we were there over 90 minutes. And because we were sitting there so long, right next to the cooking class, my coat ended up reeking of ethiopian food.

So, I really want to like this place because the food was excellent and we loved the ambiance. But is this typical service there? Is this just on Sunday nights when class is going on? It seemed as if the class took all their attention and resources. Perhaps just an off night for them? I’d love to hear if others have had a similar experience, or if this really was a fluke and we can expect better next time.

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[dhg]

The food there is very good but I haven’t been back because of a similar experience. We were seated in the back. Lesson here: NEVER BE SEATED IN THE BACK. A couple who came in just behind us got seated in the front and they had eaten and were gone when I finally went to the front to demand to know where was our food. It was literally hours, we were the last table in the back room, we were completely ignored. They came out to say, sorry, sorry but they did not reduce the bill one penny. My partner likes the place but I value my time more than that.

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[HunterG]

That is just plain crazy. You both have the patience of saints, I would have walked out far before that. And if I was made to wait more than 25 minutes for a check when there isn’t a fire in the kitchen or something, sorry, but I would have left a note on the table explaining why I walked out.

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[Al]

I have been there twice, once in front, once in back. Both areas had great service. I’m going again soon too.

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[Jiggers]

dhg…literally hours?..lol What fool waits for hours to eat? Sorry, but I find that exaggeration at its best. I believe maybe 40 minutes tops, but not hours. Hey…this is the norm in todays restaurant service. Anyways, if the wait was longer than normal, they are not going to be around much longer regardless how good the food is! You can’t have good food and sh*** service. It doesn’t work that way. I wouldn’t have waited that long. I’ve been in the business before. The fine dining five star kind. The saying goes in the SIN industry..”You are as only good as the night before.”

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[charlabob]

We’ve been there twice — once in the back and once in front. Both times we had excellent food and excellent service. And I have to say, if I waited that long I would ask to be comped.

I hope you and others give them another chance.

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[Sue]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s interesting how different peoples’ experiences have been there, and a lot of Yelp reviews also mention the wait. We’ll try it again (not on a Sunday when class is going on) and see what happens. I don’t mind waiting if I know I might wait and the food is good (like Meanders, for instance – I know not to show up there starving, and I find it worth the wait).

I figure every place has an off night from time to time. I’m more concerned with how it’s handled when pointed out. And the fact that we got an apology and a discount (rather than attitude) makes a big difference, and makes me willing to try again.

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[KBear]

I’ve only been once, but the food and service were great. Looking forward to going back, so I hope they’re getting the bugs worked out.

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[dhg]

Jiggers: literally hours. IMagine a front area jam packed, and with a large party filling the entire right side. We’re put in the back with a few tables. When I finally lose patience I walk into the front and find the large party now finishing up and vacating, as have several tables. The tables around us were vacant by the time we were served but were never cleared.

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[odroku]

Went on Tuesday night. Entered at 6:50. Back room completely empty of diners (was a cooking class, by appearances).

Long story short, by 8 p.m. we knew we had to have the food packed directly to go. We eventually received it shortly after 8:15.

For our trouble, we were told we wouldn’t be charged for a milk our son drank.

Then, ultimately there are better options for east African-style food in town (though, admittedly, not as close to the westside).

Worst restaurant experience I’ve had since moving to Seattle.

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[JoB]

maybe cooking class night isn’t a good bet?

we went midweek a few weeks ago and had one of the better meals i have ever eaten there..

i would gladly go again.

and i want to take the class too.

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[HMC Rich]

For the longest time I couldn’t understand the funny looking shark on their sign. Then I finally figured out it was an elephant.

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[Author]

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