In just three years, Taste of Ethiopia Restaurant & Caf has made what owner Woinee Mariam considers an extended family made up of customers; an appearance on the Cooking Channel's "Eden Eats," and a place in the Pflugerville community.

Mariam's dream of opening a restaurant began when she was 17 years old but was put on hold after she became a mother of three. On October 8, 2008, she opened Taste of Ethiopia, which serves authentic Ethiopian recipes straight from her mother's kitchen.

"I knew what Ethiopians liked, so I wanted to do that for Americans. They need to know exactly what we eat: beef, vegetables—all kinds of fresh vegetables, lamb, goat, chicken," Mariam said. "Once you walk in here, you're in my house."

Taste of Ethiopia Restaurant & Cafe, 1100 Grand Avenue Parkway, 251-4053, www.tasteofethiopiaaustin.com

Open daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.