I probably shouldn’t even review Diana’s. I’ve sampled very little of their extensive menu. I’ve never had their Soujok pizza or the mushroom steak with fries and mixed vegetables. Instead, my forays have been limited to their sandwiches, and principally the meat shawarma.
A Forgettable Evening at the Usually Solid B. First
I had been to B. First Restaurant at the corner of 13th Street and Payne Ave a few times before. A sign denoting specialties covering the cuisines of seemingly half the population of the world – India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh – beckoned. On previous visits, I ate mutton biriyani, shrimp fried rice, butter chicken, paleek paneer, and other standard Indian fare. The portion sizes shamed Mama Susu, and everything tasted pretty good.
At Mama Susu’s, Generous Portions are the Norm
From my handful of visits to Mama Susu’s, I’ve not had an unpleasant meal, but the sense of satisfaction I’ve detected in my dining companions has always eclipsed any pleasure that I’ve been able to derive.