At the OG Mama Lu's, the jumbo-sized dumplings are reliably great - Review - Los Angeles - The Infatuation
"There are two Mama Lu’s on Garfield Avenue, about three blocks apart. Why? No one really knows. Some say it’s the fallout of an ownership feud, others claim the two are completely unrelated. But most locals will just shrug and point you to this one (the original). It’s slightly older and the more chaotic of the two, with big, round tables, complimentary tea, and placemats covered in a bunch of CPA ads. There are plenty of banquet hall-esque Chinese restaurants in the SGV that look like this, but Mama Lu’s remains a reliable go-to, especially when you need to feed a small crowd and don’t want to spend a fortune. Every dish at Mama Lu’s is absurdly jumbo-sized. Rice cakes are piled on a plate fit for an office party, and the dumplings are so big they could double as stress balls. And yet, everything is also wildly affordable—especially if you come in a big group. Even the smallest tables here are built for four, so it’s pretty much mandatory that you corral your friends and maybe ask a few of your cousins if they’re free, too. Like the rainbow-colored Christmas tree by the entrance that stays up year-round, this original clearly isn’t going anywhere. Food Rundown Shanghai Rice Cake These stir-fried rice cakes in glossy brown sauce come on a plate the size of a steering wheel are a reliable order. They’re basically beef chow fun but with chewy ovals instead of noodles, which means more satisfying chew. photo credit: Cathy Park Fried Pork Bun Each of these golden, glistening fried buns is large enough to be used in a slow-pitch softball game, but the dough’s on the dry side—and there’s a bit too much of it. photo credit: Cathy Park Juicy Pork Dumplings Oversized and nicely pleated, these soup dumplings check all the usual boxes and are indeed pretty juicy. Just eat them quickly, or the wrappers will stiffen. photo credit: Cathy Park Beef Wrap A tight spiral of scallion pancake and sliced beef that we wish came with more crispy pancake. The beef is well-seasoned and generously packed, so it’s still worth ordering. But be careful when you grab a piece so it doesn’t unravel like a roll of toilet paper. photo credit: Cathy Park Spicy Wontons w/ Pork & Shrimp This dish shows up on countless Chinese restaurant menus, but Mama Lu’s might make our favorite version. The wontons are plump and silky, soaking in chili oil with a bright cilantro flavor that tastes like someone steeped the leaves in the sauce. photo credit: Cathy Park" - Cathy Park
