Spice up your lunch hour in downtown Louisville

$7.95 all you can eat buffet, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (?)

If you work downtown and are looking for something a little different for lunch, then head to Abyssinia Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine Restaurant and Bar on 554 S. 5th street for something that'll spice up your day.  I went here recently and it's a nice break from my weekday sandwich routine.

Starting at 11 a.m. (I think it ends at 2 p.m.), Abyssinia offers a lunch buffet for $7.95.  All you can eat Ethiopian food includes salads, injera, a variety of vegetable dishes, meats, lentil, beans and rice.  I'm not sure what all I ate, but the beauty of the buffet is that you can try a little bit of everything and come back for more of the things you do like.  Drinks and cookies are also included. The rib tips in spicy berere sauce were my favorite, lots of spices and flavor (dark brown in color).  The carrots and green beans were tender and rocked my world.

If you've never had Ethiopian foods before, this is the perfect time to try it.  For an authentic Ethiopian dining experience, try to use the injera (a spongy brownish flat bread, a little sour), to pick up the food instead of the fork.

Best part, there's plenty of meter parking all around the restaurant, so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the food instead of looking for a parking spot.