Makina Cafe Eritrean-Ethiopian Eatery

- 46-11 Skillman Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104

## Makina Cafe: Bringing Authentic Eritrean-Ethiopian Flavors to Sunnyside, Queens

New Yorkers are no strangers to diverse and exciting international cuisine, yet one establishment is poised to significantly elevate the dining scene in Sunnyside, Queens: **Makina Cafe Eritrean-Ethiopian Eatery**. This highly anticipated location represents the first permanent restaurant for a brand already celebrated across the city for its distinctive and authentic East African food truck experience. Makina Cafe, whose name translates to "truck" in Eritrean, Ethiopian, and Italian languages, is the brainchild of founder Eden G. Egziabher, an Eritrean-American female entrepreneur whose vision is to share the rich, vibrant culinary traditions of her heritage, often referred to as "Habesha" food, with the local community.

The concept revolves around flavorful, healthy, and authentic cooking, focusing on the core dishes that have earned the food truck a loyal following. Diners can expect the cornerstone of the cuisine: **Injera**, the sourdough-risen, soft, thin flatbread, used to scoop up slow-cooked, deeply spiced stews and vibrant vegetable side dishes. The menu is structured to offer both traditional preparations and modern, customizable options, ensuring accessibility for first-timers and satisfaction for long-time enthusiasts of East African fare.

While the transition from a highly successful food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant has generated significant excitement and anticipation among Sunnyside residents—as evidenced by the eager customer inquiries about its official opening—Makina Cafe is set to fill a unique culinary gap as one of the first Ethiopian-Eritrean restaurants in this part of Queens. The commitment to authentic ingredients like **berbere** (a fiery chili pepper blend) and **mitmita** (another traditional spice blend), along with a focus on both meat and extensive vegan/vegetarian options, promises a welcoming experience for all diets.

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## Location and Accessibility

Makina Cafe has chosen a prime spot in the heart of Sunnyside, Queens, establishing its first physical home on a well-known neighborhood avenue.

The official address is: **46-11 Skillman Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104, USA**.

This location on Skillman Avenue places it conveniently within the Sunnyside community, accessible via local transit options that serve this vibrant Queens neighborhood. For customers driving, the presence of **Paid street parking** is noted as an option. While specific accessibility features are not detailed, the business ensures convenience through its comprehensive range of service options. A key operational detail for local users is that the establishment accepts **Cash-only** payments, a useful piece of information to note before visiting. Furthermore, the restaurant is prepared for the modern New York dining scene with **Wi-Fi** available for customers.

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## Services Offered

Leveraging the lessons learned from the fast-paced, high-volume environment of NYC food trucks, Makina Cafe offers a complete suite of services designed for maximum customer convenience and flexibility.

• Dine-in Service: Provides **Seating** for customers who wish to enjoy their meal at the full-service restaurant for **Lunch** and **Dinner**.
• Remote Ordering & Delivery: Includes multiple convenient options such as **Delivery, Takeout, No-contact delivery,** and **Curbside pickup**.
• Catering: Offers **Catering** services, allowing New Yorkers to bring the unique, celebrated flavors of Eritrean-Ethiopian cuisine to private events and corporate functions.
• Planning & Reservations: Due to high expected demand for this new local eatery, **Reservations required** is a key feature, suggesting a strong focus on managed seating and a quality dine-in experience.
• Payment Convenience: Accepts **Cash-only** payments for transactions.
• Full Meal Times: Serves traditional East African dishes suitable for both **Lunch** and **Dinner**, with plans to expand the experience from the original food truck's focus.

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## Features and Highlights

Makina Cafe stands out in the New York food scene not just for its unique cuisine, but for its approach to quality, customization, and community presence.

• **Pioneering Cuisine:** Makina Cafe is recognized as the first Eritrean-Ethiopian food truck in NYC, and this new location is expected to be a significant addition as one of the only full-service establishments of its kind in Queens, filling a vital cultural niche.
• **Women-Owned and Minority-Owned Business:** The restaurant is proudly founded and operated by Eden G. Egziabher, an Eritrean-American female entrepreneur, a strong highlight for patrons who value supporting diverse local businesses.
• **Customizable Bowl Concept:** A key feature is the "Build Your Bowl" menu structure, offering flexibility with a choice of **Injera** or **Yellow Rice** as a base, main proteins like **Chicken Tibs** and **Beef Tibs**, and a selection of traditional vegetable sides such as **Misir** (Spicy Red Lentil Stew), **Gomen** (Collard Greens), and **Tikel Gomen** (Cabbage with Carrots & Potatoes), which are all noted as **Vegan** and **Gluten-Free**.
• **Signature Dishes:** The menu features traditional, slow-cooked classics, including **Doro Wot** (the national dish of Ethiopia: a flavor-packed chicken stew with berbere and a boiled egg) and **Beef Tibs Bowl** (tender cubed beef marinated with fresh rosemary, jalapeño, and spiced oil), which have consistently earned rave customer reviews for their rich, authentic flavors.
• **Unique Beverage Offerings:** Beyond standard sodas, the drink menu often features unique spice-infused sodas like **Juniper Lime** (with chamomile and elderflower) and **Turmeric Honeybush** (with orange peel and black pepper), along with traditional **Ethiopian Coffee** (hot/cold).
• **High-Profile Reputation:** Makina Cafe has already built a solid reputation through its food truck presence and catering, frequently featured at major NYC events and high-profile corporate locations, assuring customers of a proven, high-quality product.

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## Contact Information

• Address: 46-11 Skillman Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104, USA

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## What is Worth Choosing

For New York residents in Sunnyside and the wider Queens area, Makina Cafe is unequivocally worth choosing for its commitment to **authentic, healthy, and flavor-forward East African cuisine** in a dedicated, permanent setting. This is more than just a place for a meal; it is a cultural experience brought by a dedicated, local female entrepreneur. The food offers a healthy, unique alternative to the usual takeout, blending traditional techniques with a format—the customizable bowl—that works perfectly for the modern, fast-paced city lifestyle.

The menu’s deep selection of naturally vegan and gluten-free vegetable sides, alongside perfectly seasoned meat stews like Doro Wot and Tibs, means Makina Cafe caters to both health-conscious eaters and those seeking hearty, rich comfort food. By opening this new brick-and-mortar location, Makina Cafe is cementing its place as a top-tier destination for New Yorkers looking to explore genuine Eritrean and Ethiopian culinary excellence without leaving Queens. It’s an opportunity to taste the city’s best street food elevated to a full restaurant experience, offering a chance to dine in, reserve a table, and finally enjoy the long-awaited flavors that have been a mobile sensation.

Makina Cafe Eritrean-Ethiopian Eatery

46-11 Skillman Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104, USA