With traditional, woven Ethiopian baskets posing as tables and small pieces of bread in place of silverware, Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine, 1312 Michigan Ave., brings traditional Ethiopian culture to the Lansing area.

“I wanted to make sure people who come in get the real, traditional experience,” Tadesse said.

Altu’s does keep silverware for newcomers who are uncomfortable eating the traditional Ethiopian way, but most repeat customers prefer to use their hands, Tadesse said.

Forestry junior C.J. Oppenlander has frequented Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine since high school.

“I started eating at Altu’s in 1996 and I have been coming back ever since,” Oppenlander said. “They have great service and a comfortable family feeling. They remember you, too. I hadn’t been in for two years, and they remembered my order.”

Lynn Hershberger, who works as a booking agent at Altu’s, schedules musical acts to perform at the restaurant Saturday nights.

While Hershberger started as a customer, she became involved with the restaurant after becoming friends with Tadesse nine years ago.

“I used to come in around 2 p.m. when it was slow,” Hershberger said. “Altaye felt inclined to talk to me because there were no other customers around.”

Hershberger said her favorite dishes at the restaurant used to be meat platters, but ever since she became a vegetarian, she regularly orders lima beans.

“There are a lot of vegetarians that come in here,” she said. “They love it because they have so much to choose from.”