Altu's Ethiopian Cuisine

Reviews

• AD

  Ashley Dodson

  4 days ago
  1.0
  I don’t even know where to start , because this business should be ashamed of themselves. I have been in the customer service management industry for over 25 years and I never in my life have witnessed such poor customer service, lack of compassion and communication, poor management, and simply lack of respect for a customer. My Friend was ordering from them around 4 to 5 times a week, spending roughly $30-$40 each time and driving 40 minutes there and back to pick it up. Almost every time he would go pick up his order the staff was rude and the portions they would give him for certain items was literally a couple bites worth. There were several times items would be missing from his order, even though he already paid for everything and they would argue with him when he would tell them things were missing or when he was unhappy with the quality and portions of the food. They treated him so poorly and I witnessed this on several occasions. He continued to go back because there’s not many options for African food in the area. Well the last time I went in there for him to pick it up, because he was not happy with the service. When I went in there I was so disgusted with how I was treated. First, I was told my order would be ready at 2:11 pm. I got there on time and my order wasn’t ready. I kept trying to get the servers attention and she kept yelling hold on hold on. Finally after telling her my order she brought it out and then She rolled her eyes shoving the box towards me and said here look I opened it up, and of course half the order was missing. So I told her that was incorrect and that we wanted the correct order, but then she told me there was no order for me or payment. She was literally yelling at me telling me she could not help me and that this was it and they were having issues with their systems, there was nothing she could do about it. I asked to speak to a manager, and she went to the back kitchen and added a couple more bites of cabbage and said here you go. I continued to explain to her that I was still unhappy because my order was not correct and I had already spent almost $40 on this food and didn’t have what I paid for. After walking away numerous times, rolling her eyes, huffing and puffing every time she finally contacted the owner and spoke to him in a different language so I couldn’t hear what she was saying, and then she said I don’t have proof you paid and tried to charge me again. I had my friend send proof via receipt through text message so they could see that we paid for it but keep in mind our order was supposed to be ready at 2:11 PM. It was now after 3 o’clock. Finally, the owner looked up in the system and found our order and they gave me the correct items and we were told the next time we come in we could get an order for free, because we waited so long dealt with so many issues. So naturally, the next day, my Friend went in there to get his replacement order, and once they handed him the food he ended up leaving, after thanking them. The owner then chased him outside and said he still needed to pay even though it was supposed to be a make up order. So of course my friend said no I was told I was getting a remake order due to all the trouble I had and waiting over an hour for a cold order that was made incorrectly. This was not what we were told, and my friend was not going to pay again for an order that was being remade. The owner then stated he was banned and no longer welcomed back at the restaurant. The owner also claimed he was rude and harassing staff which is completely false cause I went in to pick up myself. Like I said I’ve been an operations director for over 25 years, I would never treat a customer this way and if one of my employees did they would be fired. The owner should be worried about retraining staff and trying to work out a fair resolution with his customer peacefully. My friend just wanted good food and good service instead he was treated horribly, and kicked out for doing nothing wrong. This business should be ashamed of this behavior, I’ll let everyone know.
• PP

  Paul

  Aug 14, 2026
  5.0
  Chatted up the owner after eating some of the most delicious food I've ever had, and he was a very pleasant person. The staff was very nice and the atmosphere was great. I can't wait to go back
• RR

  Relly Rell

  Aug 14, 2026
  1.0
  The food was decent, but its been several times they have run out of a certain items i have ordered then and replace with something i do not eat without letting me know they run out. One of the staff was very rude. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Ive tried several ethiopian restaurants both in lansing 3 in grand rapids 1 in indiana and one in ann arbor and the lansing location is the worst. I would recommend little africa in grand rapids if you want a great experience and food made with love!
• JH

  Jake Hall

  Aug 12, 2026
  5.0
  Haven't been back here in a few years, and by God it is still the best. Everything i travel, to New Orleans, to DC, anywhere, and I always ensure I find an Ethopian place. And while im no expert on either Ethopian cuisine or food critic stuff, it remains the best Ethopian, and best food, ive ever had. - Signed, A loyal returning customer of over 10 years whos only disappointment is he cant eat more.
• DT

  Dr. Linda Lee Tarver

  Aug 7, 2026
  5.0
  Aleah was phenomenal. She was very prompt and courteous and kind. She waited until I figured out what I wanted and offered me options that I might like. This is a great place to eat and to enjoy the culture the music and the ambiance. I'm a lover of lima beans and they don't make them anywhere else in Lansing Michigan other than Altus. Great taste great seasoning great atmosphere and great service.

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