Diwali is a compelling reminder that big-plate spots don't have to prioritize quantity over quality—surely, both can coexist. The Outer Mission South Indian restaurant serves portions large enough to guarantee leftovers, for mostly less than $20 a plate. But, bang-for-your-buck aside, the food is great. Vijayawada chicken biryani comes in a silver goblet with fluffy basmati rice hiding a seemingly endless supply of slightly tingly, blazing red chicken, and dosas have a chewy interior while staying sturdy enough to pile on sambar and chutney. Sure, the onion pakora comes out over-breaded, but even small misses don’t distract much from the experience. Come for a quiet meal when you want to focus on food and not much else. The dining room never quite fills up and most tables are meant for two people, so keep it in mind for a date night that ends with you and your partner horizontal on the couch.