Stepping onto the brick path on Z-Street is like taking a stroll down Dorothyβs yellow brick road in the land of Oz, leading you on a culinary journey.
Your journey is guided by the sweet faces of giant, metal giraffes and the luscious, sage green plants that surround you as you pop in and out of each of the three unique buildings on the path.Β
You could easily believe youβve left Tucson far behind, in fact, you might feel that youβve found yourself on the other side of the world.
For years, the Gebremariam family has been working hard to turn a chunk of Broadway Boulevard into Z-Street, an Afro-centric entertainment and dining district that marginalized communities can call home.
Laura Vargas works on her laptop as she sits inside Zedamo Coffee & Tea, 2719 E. Broadway. The new coffee shop is part of Z-Street, which includes Zemamβs Ethiopian Cuisine and Zeraiβs International Bar. International coffee is the focus of the cafe.
It all started back in 1993. After coming to the US in the early 1980s as an Ethiopian refugee, Amanuel Gebremariam announced to his family his plans to start a restaurant.
βMy dad opened the restaurant when I was in third grade and nobody knew anything about Ethiopian food,β Amanuelβs middle child, Lucas, said.
Zemamβs, located at 2731 E. Broadway, started out with just five tables in a small room. Over the years, those five tables continued to multiply and the room got bigger, with many flocking to the Ethiopian spot for their flavorful cuisine.
Through COVID-19 and the Broadway construction, Zemamβs continued to be a staple for many. The delicious meals and warm hospitality had the community hooked.
A pair of cyclists make their way to Zeraisβ under the gaze of one of the giraffe sculptures adorning the outdoor rec and dining area for Z-Street.
With decades of service under their belt, the family began plans to expand Zemamβs into an international experience, much like International Square in Washington D.C.
They took their idea to Rio Nuevo in 2021 and met with Chairman Fletcher McCusker, hoping he would help them make their vision a reality.
βWe wanted it to be a place that's not Fourth Avenue, not downtown,β Lucas said. βA place where any age and demographic are welcome.β
With Rio Nuevoβs help, Z-Street began to take shape.
Naia Mesaliic, left, and Trinity Showalter finish up their meal, as theyβre out for dinner at Zemamβs, one of the three establishments that make up Z-Street.
First up, of course, was Zemamβs. The restaurant was able to open back up on Broadway after the construction. Not much has changed from the early days. Even at 72 years old, youβll still see Amanuel cooking in the kitchen and talking amiably with customers.
βHeβs been here for 30 years and he's got customers that he's known for 20 years,β Lucas said. βHe has customers that met here, that got married and now he knows their kids. People love to see him here, he'll never retire.β
If youβre unfamiliar with Ethiopian food, Lucas describes it as a healthy, delicious meal that is packed with flavor. Garlic, turmeric, fenigreek, cumin and paprika are common seasonings used in their dishes.
In their spicy meals, they use berbere, a fermented hot sauce that adds the perfect kick to anything itβs on.
Each dish is served on top of injera, a traditional bread that resembles a tangy tortilla. With your right hand, you tear off a piece of injera and scoop up your veggies and meat and pop it in your mouth. Itβs customary for you to always eat with your right hand for sanitary reasons.
βIf you eat with your left hand nobody would want to eat with you,β Lucas said.
For many, their veggies are the star of the show. Even for those who may not love vegetables, one taste of their red lentils and youβll become a believer.
βI tell people, if you donβt like them, your taste buds are broken,β Lucas said.
I knew my life had changed when my veggie and meat sampler was placed in front of me, piled with roasted cauliflower, red lentils and doro wat (a spicy chicken dish slowly cooked on the bone in berbere sauce) and of course, the injera.
I tore off a piece and dug in, taking a big bite of the spicy red lentils. My eyes widened as the flavorful spice danced in my mouth, everything about it was perfect. The roasted cauliflower was just as good and served as a great way to cool my tastebuds down after devouring all the spicy lentils.
No surprise, the doro wat also blew me away. It was so rich and juicy, practically falling off the bone as I scooped some up. The spices and savory flavors mixed with the sourness of the injera was a match made in heaven. I was hooked and I couldnβt stop until there was nothing left for me to eat.
Things start to fill up on Taco Tuesday (Ethiopian tacos) under the soccer jerseys at Zeraiβs, one of the three establishments that make up Z-Street.
Right next door to Zemamβs, youβll find Zeraiβs International Bar, 2725 E. Broadway, a convenient go-to for an after-meal drink, or for cheering on your favorite football team. (Think Messi, not Tom Brady)
As a soccer fan, Lucas was inspired to create a spot where likeminded soccer enthusiasts could catch an early 6 a.m. Premier League game. Lucasβs love of the game also shows in the decor. Soccer jerseys hang from the ceiling, many donated by customers. The bar has a lively energy, and itβs not uncommon to see groups of friends playing a soccer tabletop game, cheering and clapping as they score goals.Β
βThere was definitely a need for a place to watch soccer, that is evident in the amount of people we get and different groups,β Lucas said.
Zeraiβs even has monthly global dance parties and different fun events like Brazilian dance classes. Some mornings, they have a childrenβs performer on their patio area so the kids can have some fun while you catch a game.Β
Of course, as youβre watching MbappΓ© score goals, youβve got to have a drink in hand for a celebratory cheers.Β
At Zerai, youβll find African spirits like African vodka and a gin made from the baobab tree, Japanese beers, Chinese beers, mezcals and tequilas from Mexico, Irish whiskey and much more.
When I stopped by for a cocktail, I decided to try their Mengestu Daiquiri. This drink was made with white rum, mango, lime and Tej, an Ethiopian honey wine. This fruity drink tasted like summer in a glass, and I enjoyed every sip of it.
Thereβs a homey feel about Zeraiβs. As I was looking around and bopping my head along to the afrobeat song playing overhead, I saw groups of friends laughing and enjoying each otherβs company.
You donβt get that on-edge feeling you may feel when your shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers in a packed bar. Youβre in a sea of friendly faces at Zeraiβs and itβs truly something special.
βI've heard multiple times from lots of people that it's a safe space,β Lucas said. βWe have a big LGBTQ community that comes to the dance party and they've commented multiple times that this is the only place we can dance and not be judged. Iβm so humbled and happy about that because everybody needs a place where they feel at home.β
Sergio Sierra, barista, takes Olivia Garciaβs order at Zedamo Coffee & Tea, 2719 E. Broadway.
Zedamo Coffee and Tea, located at 2719 E. Broadway, is the newest addition to the trio, and is a collaboration between the Gebremariam family and Savaya Coffee, offering good vibes and rich Ethiopian coffee. Zedamo, is a take on Sidamo, a province in Ethiopia that is known for their coffee.
βWhile I don't have any scientific support or evidence to say it was only growing in Ethiopia, it's one of the oldest places known to have coffee,β Amanuel said.
I stopped by Zedamo for the first time soon after they opened in May, and if thereβs one word that comes to mind, it is tranquility. As soon as I stepped in, I instantly felt at peace. The dΓ©cor inside consists of chic white chairs with trendy wavy designs, elegant arched doorways and colorful art hung around the space.
I ordered my go-to drink, an iced vanilla latte, and soon, a perfectly creamy, toffee-colored latte was handed to me. Just by the color I knew it was going to be stellar. It wasnβt too sweet or too strong, and was the perfect start to my day.
Zedamo is the place to be this time of year. You get to huddle inside in the cool, AC air while sipping on great coffee, taking in all the soothing vibes.
Once the weather gets a bit colder, Lucas said they want to start doing coffee celebrations at Zedamo. At these celebrations, they plan to roast the raw beans in front of you so you get to inhale the smoke. Then, theyβll grind the beans and pour a small-but-mighty cup of coffee for everyone, served with a side of popcorn.
Whether youβre enjoying the summer sun on their vast patio, sipping on lattes, shoveling red lentils into your mouth or cheering on your favorite club team, Z-Street has a way of making you feel like youβve struck gold.
βI want it to be a place that caters to the marginalized, that caters to the people or the places that don't get the attention that other places in the states or even in Tucson do,β Lucas said.
Thereβs no place like home, and for many- Z-Street is home.
