Amma’s Kitchen — Restaurant in Edison

We went banana leaves food today. 2 Adults and 1 Kid-9 years. We have waited for nearly 25 minutes. They have asked to pay 68$ (Above 8 years kid also they are charging with adult rate). Based on outside board, Food Rate should be 56$ ( 2 Veg *18 $) + 1 Non Veg - 20 $. May be 4$ may be state tax. But not sure why they have asked to pay 8$ more. If it is a tip, we should be allowed to select amount. Since they have not given a bill, we do not know the 12$ split like How much for Tax and How much is for Tip.

The Banana leaf serving food location is look like temporary arrangement. Tables and Chairs are made up of steels and plastic like any Indian wedding marriage hall food serving place including wash basin. Few food items are look like payasam, butter milk, Rasam and sweet. Sambar, Veg Biriyani is average. Chicken Britain is average.

But Food Serve is pathetic. 3 people asked us and we told them 2 veg and Non Veg. But still they did not convey properly. They have served 2 veg Briyani. and missed to serve non veg briyani. When we asked couple of times. The finally served non veg and stating the reason as they have assumed it is for veg briyani. We have asked minimum 2 times to serve a item (like if we need Rasam, Minimum we need to ask twice and if we need Ratish, We need to asked 2 times, then only it will be served. When we asked first time, They will always see, They will get. Unfortunately the item will not be served. We need to ask and remind once again. Then only it will be served. They will serve Vada only if we asked) We could see more than 5 people for serving. But the way they organized and working is pathetic. Ghee roast was with too much oil including Non Veg items. We have gone to Amma’s kitchen 2 times in the past 6 months before. Those experiences were reasonably good. But this time experience was too Bad. After paying 68$ - My kid could not consume not even 50% of his usual consumption. Based on my previous experience, We went with great expectation today. But felt really bad due to cost is high, food quality is average and serving is too pathetic. After paying 68$, You have to ask minimum twice for something to be served in your plate like a begger. Unless until, if they have not improved food quality and serving customer experience, my opinion, They will tend to loose...

Myself (non-veg) and my vegetarian friend went in for a buffet on a Sunday. Abundant options for non veg. Omelette, egg curry, chicken curry, goat curry, fish curry, fish fry, chicken fry, chicken biryani, goat biryani. Everything tasted really good.

Biryani were made using jeera samba rice. South Indians may know a bit more about this, tastes better, I'm a fan of it. Parotta with chicken curry was great.

My friend enjoyed all veggie options such as medu vadai, veg biryani, parotta with veg kurma etc. Many items on his side of buffet (yes, veg and non veg buffet were kept apart) as well. Even the desserts options were about right.

Final touch was the steaming tea and coffee options - we both choose one and had a nice chat, walking out after great lunch with these beverages.

Definitely worth it. South Indians who prefer buffet options must visit this place for a good food experience.

Update - Banana leaf lunch was a very bad experience as the people who served had no clue what items to serve in what order and quantity. The whole experience was brutally destroyed by non-indians. Can't blame them as they don't know the culture. 3 servings of biryani was what they started with. Did not keep fish fry. Not even dosai, though they has a dosa master waiting for any orders. Most of the menu items were not even known to us as they did not serve. They assumed that customers will ask what they need, and they must simply serve.

Regular alacarte menu items tasted good. Will recommend goat biryani and chicken pepper fry.

Second update: Tried again for a banana leaf thalai being served by Venki. He took real nice care of all customers in a Friday afternoon, by serving right portions in right order. Venki also recommended us to try many dosa varieties along with the thaali. This experience made a difference on the nice and tasty food. Chicken biryani, Goat biryani, chicken curry, mutton curry, fish curry, prawns masala, ghee podu dosa, kesari, buttermilk were all very good. Correct spice and salt levels. Appetizers like chicken 65 and fish fry were average (like any other restaurant). Friendly staff. Warm smiles. Good food and good service. Will visit with family and...

Worst service.. Owner of this place, keep track of the customer service.

They have two locations..

I went to 1st place to order idly, dosa, there the boy said, we are busy here sir, it takes time about 30 mins for ToGo. He suggested to go the 2nd place which is 2 mins away. I said thanks for letting me know, I went to 2nd place.

In the second store Person who is standing to take orders, using phone - playing games or chatting - doesn't matter to me. He says, no sir, we dnt have idly and dosa that you asking for, since this is dinner time. He says we dnt serve those items. I ordered parota with kurma.

My family wants to eat idly and dosa, so I called to their 1st location from where I just left, to place order making up my mind to wait. They took my order and said 20 mins.

I drove to 1st place and waited 20 mins in car, went inside to collect my order. The boy says, I dnt have your order sir, I told my name and number, he pulls up orders in phone and says, sir this order being made in the 2nd place where you just came from(2nd place).

I told the guy, I just left from the 2nd location that you sent me, he says we dnt serve idly and dosa for dinner time, so picked up parota and ordered to your location f9r idly and dosa. Now you saying, I need to go to that 2nd place to collect my order food where the person says NO to me when I am there in person.

I do not understand, why they say no when I was there in person to order and take phone order on the 1st location number to pick up in 2nd location.

I told myself, let my family eat something else for today, I am not picking up food from there.

After I left, they are calling me to pick up food... sorry, I am on...