The local Padang-food chain has several branches across West Sumatra and one of the busiest is on Jalan Minangkabau just off the clock tower square. The rendang here is the benchmark: dry, dark, and so slow-cooked the beef shreds at a touch. Order it with gulai cubadak (jackfruit curry) and a bowl of dendeng balado (crispy thin-sliced beef in red chilli).
Service follows the hidang ritual — a server fans out a dozen small plates in front of you, you eat what you want, and they tally up the empties at the end. Cheap, fast, and consistently good.