Welcome to Doro Soul Food
At Doro Soul Food, we celebrate the vibrant fusion of Ethiopian and Southern flavors. Located in the heart of Washington, DC, our unique menu features expertly prepared dishes like our famous fried chicken, marinated with traditional Ethiopian spices and served with delicious sides such as collard greens and turmeric coleslaw. Each bite is an explosion of flavor, bringing warmth and soul to your dining experience. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is evident in every dish, from the tender, crispy chicken to the rich, seasoned sides. Doro Soul Food embodies a culinary journey that invites everyone to explore the heart of Ethiopian cuisine through our soul-filled offerings.
- 1819 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Hotline:
Welcome to Doro Soul Food, an intriguing culinary gem nestled in the heart of Washington, DC, at 1819 7th St NW. This unique eatery blends the rich flavors of Ethiopian cuisine with the comfort of Southern soul food, providing a dining experience that is as vibrant as it is satisfying.
Doro Soul Food stands out for its focus on chicken, particularly its Alicha Char-Grilled Doro Plate, marinated to perfection with a delightful alicha paste and accompanied by a zesty turmeric coleslaw and lime alicha crema. For those craving something more indulgent, the 8 Piece Fried Chicken Bucket is a must-try, offering a well-seasoned mix of dark and white meat that leaves your taste buds craving more.
One of the highlights of the menu is the enticing Doro Wings, available in a creative array of flavors like Citrus Berbere Honey Glaze, Dukasu Dry Rub, and the milder Alicha Char-Grilled. Each bite is a journey through Ethiopia’s exquisite spice palette, making it evident that this establishment prides itself on its culinary roots.
- Spiced Mac & Cheese pays homage to Doro’s Ethiopian influences, enriched with Doro Wot flavor.
- Collard Greens are slow-braised with smoked turkey, adding a comforting twist to standard fare.
- Turmeric Coleslaw tames the spice and adds a crunchy texture.
The atmosphere may feel like a bustling ghost kitchen—perfect for a quick takeout—but don't let that deter you. Customers have noted the swift, friendly service and the attentiveness of Chef Tadesse, who aims to introduce diners to traditional Ethiopian flavors through a modern lens.
Early reviews hail the crispy, juicy fried chicken as a standout dish, with patrons praising the seasoning that envelops each piece—a truly memorable flavor explosion. Whether you’re an Ethiopian cuisine aficionado or a first-time adventurer, Doro Soul Food promises a delicious culinary experience that stays with you long after the last bite.
So next time you find yourself near Shaw, DC, remember that Doro Soul Food is not just about a meal; it’s about a delightful expedition into flavors that harmoniously blend two rich culinary traditions. Treat yourself to a plate of their heaven in the form of fried chicken.

What i always imagined with Ethiopian fusion... so flavorful... the location is meh, they need their own place but the food do tasty

This place has the chicken. My roommate has a thing for fried chicken it seems, and this place nails fried chicken. Inside a ghost kitchen in Shaw (it's really takeout only, but there's some tables) you find some incredible fried chicken. We've gotten the chicken every time, the berbere heavy seasoning adds such a unique flavor experience. Crispy, juicy, tender chicken. Definitely worth a stop when you're in the area.

This is an interesting twist. I actually saw this place on the news . It reminds me of a Southern chicken restaurant with an Ethiopian kick. I ordered hot fried chicken ,the wings and the fries. I think this is a great way to introduce people to Ethiopian flavors. The fried chicken is delicious and I think you can also order grill or rotisserie chicken as well. Customer service was absolutely outstanding as well. The restaurant seems to be in a popup there was more than one restaurant in the facility . Note order and pick up because parking is rough over there but overall this place is worth a check out. P.s. there hot chicken is really hot when you get that spice level .

I've been wanting to try this place, so I placed a delivery order online. The order was prepared and delivered quickly! Got the half hot chicken, mac & cheese, greens and fries. All the items were fresh and hot. The chicken was good, I could've tried the extra hot one but I was being considerate of my boyfriend lol. I wanted to try their extra hot sauce but they were out. The greens were my favorite side!! Super yummy and flavorful. The mac & cheese was pretty good and I liked the seasoning on the fries. The cornbread was good, moist and had some sweetness to it. Definitely worth checking out!

This spot has been on the list for some time and after missing them on Mondays (they're closed) I was finally in the area on a Sunday-Yes! This is a Ghost Kitchen and is take-out only. In addition to Doro Soul, there is Melange Burger (also from Chef Tadesse). Unfortunately, I found out that Melange (Chef Tadesse's original restaurant) has closed (April, 22). Now for the Chicken. You have three levels of heat. We opted for Berbere (medium). Maybe Mitmita (Burna Boy-very hot) next time. Flavors were balanced and intense with Chicken cooked perfectly-tender. Doro-wot flavored Mac and Cheese was delicious! Corn Bread was on the sweeter side and we enjoyed the Mashed potatoes with Peppercorn Gravy. Dipping the Cornbread into the sauce from the chicken-oh my! Service was quick and friendly. Ordered at the counter/tablets and took about 10 minutes. Great to meet Chef Tadesse. I asked if we could get the National Bird Chicken Sandwich (from Melange) added to the menu and can't wait to see what is coming next from this talented Chef. In the meantime, don't miss his one of a kind spiced Chicken as well Melange Burger!

I was hosting people from out of town and the first meal I got for them was the best "not your average" fried chicken in DC. Pickup is pretty quick, even if you're early! I arrived 15 minutes before my scheduled pick up time and the staff was able to get the food to me shortly after. The place is conveniently located near the Shaw/Howard station so you can hop off and back on the metro in no time. Inside, they keep it simple. Order and pickup counter only. The meal was still warm when I got home. They package everything well for travel. I got us two three piece fried doro plates that comes with cornbread. I also ordered two sides: the spiced mac and cheese and the turmeric coleslaw. I loved the Ethiopian spice on the fried chicken, which was cooked perfectly. Between the dark and white meat, I acouldn't tell the difference because there wasn't a piece that was too dry! The mac and cheese was good, but I thought the coleslaw was a bit salty. For $5 per side, I wanted a larger portion size, but they still tasted good.

If you're looking for fried chicken bursting with flavor this is your spot. I got the two piece chicken that included a small piece of cornbread. It wasn't my first choice but it was all they had left. The chicken was drip drip drippin. It was perfectly cooked and nicely battered. The flavors are definitely different than your original fried chicken. Cornbread didn't do anything for me and was a bit more on the dry side, but the chicken is great.