"Irvine has flashier dining options, but Vishnu, located in an industrial park near the 405 and 55 interchange, has become a staple for its weekday Indian lunch buffet. Hyderabad native Ram Kadiyala has been filling steam tables since 2013, naming Vishnu for a Hindu god that works to balance good and evil. The offerings are served cafeteria, but servers still bring water and bread to tables beneath two versions of Edward Hopper’s painting “Nighthawks,” including one starring Simpsons characters. Depending on the day, highlights might include butter chicken, roasted baby eggplants in peanut sauce, or okra curry. Meals also come with complementary naan, lacy dosas, vegetable rice, chutneys, cooling raita, and sweet rice pudding with raisins." - Eater Staff, Joshua Lurie
