Der Wiener Deewan — Restaurant in Vienna

I am a Pakistani and have lived more than half of my life in the UK. This is my first time in Vienna. My wife and I were just looking at halal options near our hotel. The thing that struck me was that the web page said it was a Pakistani restaurant. It is just that most sub-continental restaurants that I have seen and have been to in Europe advertise themselves as Indian. I just thought to be a bit nosy and check it out from the outside. I saw people sitting outside and food on their plates was looking as mouthwatering as was the smell. We went in. I saw the food, daal, saag, chicken curry, potato curry, mixed veg and ofcourse plain boiled basmati rice. I asked the service manager if this was buffet as I had noticed customers were helping themselves. I was informed that it was self service. It appeared strange and as curious as I was, we decided to have our dinner there. The food was really cooked well and taste was authentic. My wife said that this looks like home cooked as the food is fresh and it feels like we are having food at somebody's home. Then I noticed the out side banner which said "A.L.L.Y.O.U.C.A.N.E.A.T. it started making some sense to me. Nevertheless, after three good servings, I went in to pay. To my astonishment, I was informed that I could pay what I liked. Initially I though the manager was joking. Nevertheless, I thought he was being nice as he could figure out I was a Pakistani. I gave him €20 each. When were leaving, I thought we should have a photograph. I was really taken aback when I saw the remaing part of the banner on the other window which said "P.A.Y.A.S.Y.O.U.W.I.S.H". I just couldn't believe that this is actually real. It was then I looked at the reviews as I normally don't do that. I just can't believe it that in this day and age there is anyone who could actually run a business with this model. I now understand that this restaurant is over 16 years old. Believe you me, this is my first ever review hence excuse the length, but I just couldn't help writing about it. IMHO, if you are a curry lover and even if you are not, if you don't go to this place, consider you never...

For a typical 'student' experience, you truly need to try the Pakistani food. Mild in spice, not hot either, because Asians know most Europeans can't really stomach too much spice and hotness (hehe). It's got veg and non-veg choices with one dessert. If you order takeway it's more expensive. If you eat in the grungy restaurant, you pay as much as you're willing to let go of. Worth the experience. Very humble, unsophisticated, grungy little restaurant. A bit cramped and very full most of the time.

Deewan is a teeny-tiny Pakistani restaurant slash student sanctuary slash soup kitchen for people with little to no money. Something you can probably find in every nook and corner in the U.S., but more of a phenomenon on the other side of the world, which makes it a well known hotspot for every imaginable stereotype, attracting bohemians, truants (a younger me!) amateur writers and the destitute alike.

There is something to be said about food bringing different people together. Remember the saying: “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, here is another exception. Please do judge based on its appearance. Deewan promises exactly that, nothing more or less. The exterior is as grungy as its gaping inside. Workers get paid depending on how much revenue they get from their connoisseurs and the revenue depends on how much they are willing or able to pay.

Paint peeling off the ceiling, hastily scribbled “I was heres' ", love declarations and doodles painted all over the walls. Chairs made of wood, plastic or metal by turns, all in various colours that have been carelessly placed next to tables which never actually look cleaner after their last wipe-down.

But the food? Oh, dear god. If you had any objections before biting into the deliciously, spicy chicken curry, they have been muted and there is nothing but that piece of food on your fork and you alone in a room. A quiet understanding between the hunter and the (dead) prey and that all is as it should...

I went to Deewan for lunch on March 6th, 2019. I’ve been there several times before and, although oftentimes quite crowded, it usually is a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, not this time.

I had some rice with beans (soybeans I believe), potato-vegetables, and bread. As you do, I took seconds, roughly half a plate.

About 2 hours after lunch my stomach started feeling weird. At about 18:00 I began feeling dizzy and cold. Shortly after I threw up the first time, hoping it would alleviate my feeling of sickness. Above all, this happened while at work. At around 19:30 I could not bear it any longer and had to quit the office.

On my way back home, which is a 10-minute walk, I threw up again despite the attempt to channel my fading strength. Under the staring eyes of passersby I made it home where I immediately crawled into bed. The entire evening I shivered heavily and paid numerous visits to the restroom. Weak and beaten the cave under my blanket was my only remedy. I can wholeheartedly say: Rarely have I felt so miserable in my life.

This, dear reader, is called food poisoning.

Shortly past midnight I managed to fall asleep. The next day I felt much better, I had gotten rid of whatever triggered my misery. But it’s easy to tell its source, as Deewan was the only food I had consumed that day. If I could point the finger at something I would rather blame the handling of the food than the ingredients themselves. But who knows for sure.

Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate the social and inclusive nature of Deewan. But even if you paid nothing for your meal you should not accept...