Thetownend.com

Have had a flier through for Papadoms in Bridge Street - anyone had anything from there?

And if not, any recommendations for the best takeaway curry house with Priory Vale in their catchment?

Curry Cottage on Rodbourne Road. Best curry in Swindon.

*Takeaway

they do takeaway

I think Axs has subtly identified a better curry house in the 'eat in' as opposed to takeaway department :D

I think he's saying its the best takeaway in swindon

My house. I take orders over the phone.

Telephone number?

848288

The "Abbey Meads Indian" which is is St Andrews Ridge (go figure) is good.  They will also deliver for free if your order is over £10

I went quite a bit when it was Ashoka (think it's only recently changed), haven't been there since it changed name but it certainly used to be very very nice!  The menu doesn't seem to have changed a great deal, they still do a range of salmon curry dishes which were my personal favourites!

curry cottage for a delivery-takeaway.curry garden for an eat in

I'm off to the curry garden tonight. Yum.

sinbads in rodbourne is ace

Thanks all. That should keep me going for a while....  ;)

ghandis regent circus

yay - Ghandi's - I think I had more curries from them in the 90's than hot dinners

Gandhi.  Or have they spelt it wrong, too?

tonight i picked up a curry from stratton sinbads as i was in the area.now it was ok but my curry and the others for family were virtually the same.infact hardly any difference at all, even though they were meant to be different dishes.

i'll be sticking to curry cottage.

I assumed there was a more modern thread than this on takeaway curry, but this'll do.

Last night I went to order from my normal, fairly average, takeaway and they couldn't provide one of the dishes so was forced to use one I've not used before, Raka Poshi. Fuck me was it the best tkeaway curry I've ever had and by some distance. Everything tasted super fresh and the keema naan had lamb in it that wasn't red, and that tasted like lamb. It was gorgeous.

If anyone likes their curry and has not ordered from here, try this place. It's superb.

I'm still looking for a decent alternative to Curry Cottage, I've seen Raka Poshi on Just Eat before but not tried them so I'll give them a go next time.

Is just eat ok to use? Is it secure?

Totally 100% secure to use just eat. Used it many a time and never had any problems...

Yup its very good and secure.

I've been using Just Eat for a few years now. Never had a problem with them.

And you just order and pay online?

Yep. Although some places will allow you too pay upon delivery too, if that's what you'd prefer.

Just Eat is a fucking lifesaver what with the population of takeaway establishments down here in shitty Croydon

We're trying raka poshi tonight, so if it's no good I'll hunt you down Barry.

Not exactly Egon Ronay style.

Let us know what you think. Quite like curry cottage but its good to try somewhere new if its good.
 

I'm hoping it is, because a mate seemed to think it wasn't very good. Perhaps they're inconsistent, because my eating partner and I raved about it. I'm even getting another from them tonight! :)

Took an hour to get here, but was enjoyable. Quite greasy, the garlic naan bred wasn't the best.

Nice but not as good as our usual curry place in rodbourne.

Moan moan fucking moan ;)

I'm like an old woman...

Had curry in Spice of Bengal in Calne tonight
Really is a dream

I'm trying jack spice tonight

"Hey boy" they shout - "have you got any money?"
And I said - "I've a little money and a take away curry,
I'm on my way home to my wife.
She'll be lining up the cutlery,
You know she's expecting me
Polishing the glasses and pulling out the cork

I hope this is of some assistance.

Only if you are down in the tube station at midnight.

Read this last night and tried a takeaway. Not bad. Still prefer Aby's.

Tandoori Nights, Gorse Hill.

Avoid The Original Stratton Tandoori. Average food (if they manage to get the order right) and they've been late both times meaning its cold.

Anyone tried the other 2 on it? Lahore Balti House & Taj Mahal.

The best one on just eat in Swindon is Bhaji's in Greenmeadow imo.

Not available to sn6, sadly.

Curry cottage? Not on just eat but my fav by a mile

The Khyber is the best for me, just polished off a curry from there absolutely delicious.

Anyone tried that new one up on Shaw Ridge (Miah's), I think it does takeaway?

Not tried it myself but I've heard it's awful

Taj Mahal is on there? I've always had a decent curry eating in or take away but they never used to deliver

Oh, OK  ta :(

I swear that location is some kind of food temple of doom. Nothing lasts long there.

Yep. Will give them a try next time I fancy a curry.

On the contrary to nochee, I went in there a couple of days after it opened, and it was very good. We went into the restaurant section rather than the buffet. Of course, the second trip will be the key to things.

The curries aren't as hot as other places so you may need to ask for extra spice if you like it that way. They're really tasty though.

I'm a huge fan of Ghandi Tandoori (now on Just Eat) - their dhansak is delicious.

not takeaway but went to biplops in wood street the other week on a sunday and didnt realise it but they do a buffet all you can eat for £9 its not masses of options but enough and the starters/ currys are awesome in there.

I had a lovely curry tonight.  Its probably not worth you all travelling to North Wales for though.

I hope that is of some help.

Not really, I've yet to find anything worth travelling to North Wales for :)

Touché

I think that is where most of the missing cats round our way end up, or Shaw Kebab.

The best one round here for miles is Peatmoor, think its the Bombay Lounge, they do charity nights with STFC from time to time too

They do a great curry in there.

Another one that I have heard is good, but not tried, is a curry house in Highworth. Can't remember the name though

Yes they do, and its quite a pleasant walk/stagger back to Shaw.

Probably this lot, very clean there from what i remember!

http://www.tamarindswindon.co.uk/

That's the one. It's a shame they are stuck out in the middle of nowhere.  ;)

Yes, although with Highworth being the hive of activity that it is you could always go to, er, Co-op, whilst you are there, assuming Tesco have not yet gobbled that up

Had a sit down meal in Jack spice tonight.12 quid each. Have had better but was very  decent. Great value for an eat in

I've followed this thread with a bit of interest, so I had a couple of deliveries from Curry Cottage that were very good. I must try Peatmoor or another to compare.

Mrs and daughter are in manchester at a dance comp,son round his girlfriends, so i'm getting a curry in. trying aby's for a change as they seem well rated on just eat. Will update results later

Trying out Taza for the first time tonight. It's not in Swindon so I won't bother letting you know what it's like.

always been a fan mate!

It's pretty good. But then I remember you saying Bhaji's is good (which I thought was one of the worst curries I've had) so I think they're all perhaps a touch inconsistent or better at certain times of the day/week than others.

Just finished(for now) and I'd agree with pretty good.

Portion sizes are very generous. My vindaloo was loaded with chicken and well spiced(quite a thick sauce compared to what i'm used to but that wasn't a minus) Best part of the meal easily.

My tikka starter didn't look or taste like it had been cooked in a tandoori oven and was not very good although by no means dreadful. Minus points for not being cooked traditionally and being a bit soggy.
Also the veg rice had frozen chopped mixed veg in it rather than the fresh varied veg Curry Cottage use and what i'm used to. Was still nice though and again loads of it.

Delivered in good time and i couldn't finish it off in one go so will return to it later.
Nice but still looking for something to top Curry Cottage.

Bazza,aint had a bhaji's for 2-3 years. Gone downhill?

I am getting a Lalbagh delivered a little later.

For me its the best in Swindon.....they never overdo the actual curry spice and the Saracens Special is to die for....with mushroom rice and some sag aloo and Bombey potato.

Anyone use the curry place in rodbourne?
Nearly went for that one and have heard they are good.

Yep a while ago....not bad at all though i am no curry expert.

Just looked them up and suprisingly to me they have been there twenty odd years now

Yep all the time. Best takeaway curry in Swindon in my opinion and got 5 stars in health and hygiene awards. So that helps!

Don't know to be honest. I've eaten from there 3 times, but hadn't for a while until a week or so ago and it was still as bad as I remember it. Could just be a consistency thing, or just the way the do certain dishes. Their Dhansak, has a chemical like taste, a bit like you get with supermarket curry. I've also had a vindaloo which was the same.

I've heard others say it's good, so I'll just presume it's a spot of bad luck on my part. I won't use them again though.

lahore in vic road, heard good things about it and ordered over the weekend..very very impressed

Heard good things about lahore in Manchester Road as well.

Got another one from Aby's last night,this time for 3 of us and i tried different things this time. I thought it was bloody lovely to be honest but the mrs thought her Balti wasn't as good as she's used to. Daughter rated her bhuna and again the portions were very generous.
Delivered in 35 mins too.

After trying a few from Curry Cottage I decided to give Aby's a go as well. The curry was excellent, big portions and they put more sauce in which I like. The mushroom rice was superb although I think Curry cottage make a better nan.

I'll definitely be trying a few more from Aby's.

Have not seen a good one on that road ever

Have you tried the 2 for the price of one offers?

Ancient Raj in Cricklade. I still can't find anywhere in Swindon that matches it. Including all you have mentioned. It has a SN postcode and It's worth the 15 min drive.

Not a takeaway, but I'm going to The Palm, between Marlborough and Hungerford tonight. I'm quite looking forward to what's supposed to be a superb curry.

I found this curry club website

http://www.blunsdoncurryclub.co.uk/reviewsindex.html

I'm sure most of them do takeaways and maybe deliveries as well. The Abbey Meads Indian gets some good scores, although it's called the Neighbourhood Indian on there?

Fuck that shit. We. Have our own curry club right here

Definitely :) Just a few names on there I haven't heard of. richtheref rates Abbey Meads, has anyone tried the Gurkha Village?

Curry place will be the next new one for me. Set meal price and selections look good via just eat

I want to change my opinion of MIAH over west Swindon. It is amazing. Best curry I have ever had.

It's good and probably the one we use the most.  The owner even knows our names and sends us a Christmas Card each year!

Still need to try it there. Heard good things.

i haven't, but i keep meaning to!

Have heard its superb, not tried myself though.

Ghandis at regent circus is fantastic takeaway.

I gave Abbey Meads Indian a ring last night and they said they don't deliver to Shaw as it's too far away. wtf?

OK then, crossed them off my list and got straight on the phone to Aby's. This time I got a Biryani and it was excellent.

<Bump>

3 years on, I finally got round to trying Gurkha Village. Well, that was a disappointment. Back to Taw Hill for me unless.. Curry Cottage still good?

Curry cottage still wins for me
Been hearing good things about Bombay lounge lately .aint tried them yet myself.

Lalbagh in Rodbourne is very good.

Delivery service - don't know how far they go

Tried that place up by the cimema in Shaw. Miah? Very good but the high a la carte price means it's going to be an occasional treat. Must try the buffet there to see if it is as good

Had a superb curry delivered from Aby's this weekend. Any updates on other places, new or old?

Got fed up with Curry Cottage taking ages to deliver so have been using Gandhi's lately. Their set meals are great value and it had always been delivered in quick time.

I've done similar recently arriba - move because of wait times.

For the most part Raka Poshi delivered great curry, but recently the delivery times were never less than 1 hour and the last straw was when it was over 2 hours... Yeah, thanks, I love eating curry at nearly 22:00 when I ordered it at 19:30.

I've now used Abbey Meads Indian Restaurant & Takeaway twice. The curry is lovely and delivery was 30-45 mins, as expected. 

And Bhaji's, a place you recommended once, that I said had gone down hill, I tried them again recently and the curry was very, very nice. Amusingly the Bhaji's were freezing cold inside and inedible though.

Jack Spice is quality. They've got some really interesting and tasty house specials.

Never had one from raka poshi. Reviews seem mixed from awful to wonderful but they seem to be busy.
Never been in abbey meads and aint used bhaji's for at least 3 years now.

Jack spice i've been in the last 3 times i've had a sit down meal. Their chicken naga is lovely and the waiters are a good crack too.

I'd still say curry cottage is the best takeaway for quality but they've got more expensive,take up to 2 hours to get it to you and the portions aint the biggest. Ghandi's get my money and will until they fuck up(had about 15 from them and they aint yet)

Don't know if I've commented on this thread before, but it's Jack Spice for me every time - sit in or take away.

Anyone tried the new place on Groundwell road? Seems to be different from the norm with more authentic indian dishes apparently. Might give it a go. Anyone heard about it or eaten there?

Sounds like I should be trying Jack Spice soon by what this thread says.

What is surprising is we went and ate in the Khyber a few weeks ago. Sober. It was really very good.


Which is a fair way of looking at it to be honest. I think they're so busy they simply don't give a fuck about the customers and the food is inconsistent. The curry varies from some of the best I've had to average/poor.

I've not been their either, but a Sikh friend of mine has raved about the menu being more akin to what he has eaten back in Punjab than your standard fare. Think it's called Rangoli.

Is that the place next to pizza hut? used to be a bring your own booze fish and chip restaurant? Always looks empty when I drive past

I walk past that a lot and whenever there are people in there, they are always Asian...which I think is a good sign for an Indian restaurant. So maybe they have good food and bad marketing.

There's a place in Wanborough which is supposed to be excellent - though pricy.

In what was the Shepherds Rest.

Trying it out weekend after next

Also going to the Tapas place in Wood Street this weekend - anyone been?

Ask fB

Very good

thinking about getting a curry tonight, might give Jack Spice ago, its a toss up between that and a Kebab

Has anyone tried YE AH YA ?

heard its very expensive

Have the aubergine crisps. You will not be disappointed.

My treat today is a prawn chow mein from Wongs House in Calne. LOVELY. Proud of Town today

Couldn't get in - turned up at just gone 7 and was told we may get in by 9!!

Went to El Toro instead which was average

You should've hung around as they do have a quick turn around usually.

I'm gonna get a kebab tonight. As i cannot use Marmaris after finding a used plaster in my kebab last time from therei'm after a decent place to get one.
I've tried the rugby club since. Charlie isn't there anymore and the guys now running it all look like rapists, had filthy clothes on and it was shit to be honest.
I've also tried old town kebabs and that was shit too. Gutted marmaris did what they did as they were great until then.

Anyone know of a decent place in the don?

Probably the other side of town from you, but Caners van up at Rushy Platt (behind Dick Lovett BMW) have always served me well. Haven't had one for a while mind.

Actually, I want a kebab now. Bastard.

I rate Shaw kebab house at Shaw Village Centre (opposite the Village Inn)... always used to like Best BBQ on Vic Hill as I can walk there, but have been disappointed with the price:meat ratio recently.

I aint had one from caners for at least 4 years but they seemed ok when i did. My brother rates Shaw kebabs as he lives over west but it'd be cold by the time i get it home.
Best bbq are good but i agree they are a bit pricey for what you get.
Might go back to swindon kebabs on manny road as they used to be my one of choice. What are the ones down the bottom of town like?

No idea about the ones down town, I've not had one from those parts for about 7 or 8 years, when they used to have a van outside Walkabout.

I'm not sure that's true...

Well have a look at some point.

Swindon Kebabs delivers, usually pretty good.  Best BBQ were my kebab shop of choice on a night out.

no I just made it up.

I've always used Best for many years and never had anything other than a decent product with decent service.

Not sure what it says about me but they gave me a guided tour of the kitchens and showed me how they prepped all the food.  They used to call one of my mates Egg Burger because that was al he ever ordered.

used to go there once a week atleast back in the day. glad to hear they are still going. must be 7 years since I last had a 'bab from them

Went to best bbq. I ordered a extra large chicken doner. Was very nice but should have been bigger for £7.20. Comes wrapped in paper which is messy and is a bit of an arse too.

 :eek: That's revolting.

Not sure where in Swindon you are Arriba, but for future reference, Moredon Charcoal & Grill is very good.

Couldn't tell you what the food from Jack Spice was like as eventually cancelled the order.

Ordered by phone at 7.45 eventually got through again at 9.25 asking where my food was and 'the driver had just left with it'.

Some time later I get a call to explain that the driver had cocked up and someone else was now enjoying our food. They will re-do the order and chuck in a free bottle of wine. Apparently they can have it ready and delivered within 20-25 minutes. Given their previous record I told them to refund me and shove their cheap bottle of wine where the sun don't shine.

Had to make do with a McDonald's instead :(

Haha moments after posting that they called me to apologise further and offer 2 free mains on my next order

Jack Spice is quite nice but i have only ever eaten in there not had a takeaway.

Had a takeaway from Aby's last week. Deffo one of my favourites.

Used Ruchi's (sp) in Old Town last week, cracking Jalfrezi.

Ordered from Curry Cottage last night. I hadn't used them for a while because I thought the quality had gone downhill, but I had a 20% off deal from Hungry House so gave them another go.

It took 1hr 45mins to turn up, was cold and had stuff missing from my order. Looked like it'd been hastily thrown together as well because my Lamb Chilli Massalla was blatantly just a basic lamb curry with a few green chillies thrown in. Very poor and as I prepaid through the website there was fuck all they could do.

Gave the manager an earful and have been offered a meal on the house, but don't particularly want to order from them again. They essentially said that if I'd ordered directly instead of via Hungry House I would've received better service, which is just baffling.

All in all, shocking experience from what used to be a very good takeaway.

Conversely used curry cottage on Wednesday and it was great. Only had tandoori chicken and the Mrs a buhna. Sounds like it's got a bit hit and miss, shame.

I get the impression that if you order during the week, you'll get the service and attention that you should expect.

If you order on a weekend, you'll get no service whatsoever and a rashly thrown together curry.

They did tell me that when I claim my free meal I should do it during the week. Don't seem to be able to cope with demand at the weekend, yet don't turn away orders.

Big Ruchi's fan, living in Old Town, it's my curry house of choice.

Curry cottage have always taken ages to deliver when busy. I ditched them last year as the portions were getting smaller and waited 2 hours with no courtesy call from them.
Use ghandis now and they are quick and their set meals are great value. Good sized portions too.

Spice up on vic hill is meant to be very very good.

i got the hairy bikers curry cook book for Christmas which ive cooked a few curries from and they are very close to restaurant curries. much better that the jar stuff if you have best part of 1 1/2 hours

This reminds me, I forgot to say what happened to me last week.

I went onto Just Eat and ordered a curry at 19:00 as I thought it might mean I get to eat at a reasonable hour. I ordered from Curry Cottage as I'd never used them before and it said expected delivery was 19:45. Feeling quite pleased I went and watched TV.

At about 19:45 Just Eat called and said curry Cottage can't deliver to my neck of the woods so they'll refund me.

I then went and ordered a dominos and was done and dusted by 20:30 or so. Then at about 22:00 I get a knock on the door. It's Curry Cottage with my fucking curry! I explained I'd been refunded (as you said you couldn't deliver to me) and 3 hours is unacceptable.

They let me keep the curry and buggered off. I tasted the curry, and as it was awful (and free), I chucked it in the bin.

Sounds like theyve gone right down the shitter. I didn't used to mind the wait as the food was worth it. Seems it aint anymore.

I beginning to think it's much of a muchness on a Saturday. I think they're all overrun and simply fall over at demand.

I used a curry house on St Andrew's Ridge for a while (I forget the name) and the first few times they were about 45 mins, then they just feel off a cliff, like the rest.

I use a take away in Moredon, the curry is lush particularly the garlic chilli chicken tikka masala.

I'm not telling anybody which one it is though as I don't want the quality and service to go down hill  ;)

Never had a bad curry from The Lalbagh in Rodbourne.

Always first class

i am well fancy and get the mrs to drive me to jewel in the crown, then drive me back.
never had a bad curry from there and i'm yet to have a curry that compares in this country

As it happens, we used Curry Cottage 3 Saturdays back, and it was a massive order too (4 extremely hungover, and therefore extremely hungry lads) and it was spot on. Luck of the draw I suppose.

Bay Leaf is quality.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but Spice in Old Town would be my choice. (few doors down from the Vic on Victoria Road) they makes the best authentic curry dishes i've had in Swindon.

Mrs is the same - wont have a curry from anywhere else

Just had a take away from Gandhi for the 1st time. OK but no more or less. They were quick though and got the order 100% right. Better than my experience of the Curry Cottage a few weeks ago that was fucking awful. Food was shit, which given the portions were tiny was not a bad thing, they also forgot some of the order.

Bilash in Carterton is amazing.  Not much help to anyone but I just had yet another brilliant meal from there

I found a metal wire in mine tonight. Not impressed.

They sent me a brand new order free of charge though

Not that anyone will go there but that was Cafe le Raj in Chipping Norton

Always the Lalbagh for me.

So tans i supposed when they removed the wire you ended up with a wireless :-[ :-[

about 5 posts up from this one

The spice of bengal in calne is good.

Reading this is giving me vindaloo cravings. Deffo having one tonight

I mixed a vindaloo and a phall the other day, lethal combo but so addictive

(http://i58.tinypic.com/262r04y.jpg)

Was tasty.

This. Had a few from there in recent months and been good each time.

Is that one of your molars on the end?

My recent curry experiences (only one takeaway mind):

Aby's - never the most amazing curry, but it's consistently decent whenever I've been there. Unfortunately the naga curry I ordered just had very little heat to it but I suspect the staff didn't make it so hot because I'd had a skinful.

The Khyber - Having been disappointed with the lack of heat in aforementioned curry and the fact that a girl in our group ordered a vindaloo, I thought I would try the phal. It was as should be expected and was a trial to finish but at the same time satisfying. I'd go vindaloo maximum from there next time, maybe even back to madras. I've only ever eaten there rarely, but it's always been decent.

Miah - Ordered for collection as I live nearby. The mains I ordered were saag gosht and chicken vindaloo. Possibly the oiliest curries I have ever had. It was a shame because the meat was cooked very well otherwise. I was very disappointed given the ok-to-very good reviews I've seen and heard.


I want to try The Burj (outside Wanborough) every time I drive past. May give that a go soon.

Tried the Burj a couple of months ago for a sitty down.

Food was great and not the standard dishes you would expect from a traditional curry house.

The price was on the high side, though.

Our party of six had a bill approaching £200 (inc. drinks)

Tried Curry Cottage for delivery last week on one of the more quiet evenings... arrived quick enough with complimentary poppadoms and dips, but mine tasted of nothing, and the missus' lamb korai turned up as a lamb korma (ordered online, so no loss in translation). Couldn't be bothered with calling them up and getting it changed, but won't use them again.

Tried Naga kitchen tonight. Was decent.

Everything I hear about the Burj is that the food is excellent but it is expensive (but worth it). They have Groupon offers from time to time, and had one this past week.

There's a new(ish) curry house opposite the new Morrisons in town.

Now, this is a proper Indian - not Bangladeshi - restaurant. The dishes are completely different to the usual offerings.

when I went it was full of 'local' Asian customers eating with their hands - so not many white faces which I take as a good sign as to the quality of the food. Prices very competitive, too.

Can't for the life of me remember the name, though!

rangoli next to pizza hut or chennai dosa next to rudis?

Dosa - worth  a visit

Naga Kitchen is definitely my favourite. Consistently good.

If you go to Chennai Dosa I recommend Masala Dosa a wonderful crispy pancake with a dry potato curry filling and some delicious sides. There is a One in Reading but for quality the one in Swindon wins hands down.

Yes I am Indian but no I don't own any shares in it.

when did Miah close in Shaw ridge?

will have to try dosa.

Not curry but I had chilli shack last night and it was the absolute tits

as that the one in town next to Greggs?

Nah the one at the top of Vic Hill

oh OK, will try it out when the chance arises

I love a good curry but have never even tried to cook one as I'm sure it wouldn't be as good as from an Indian restaurant.  That was until husband and I went to York last year.  A friend had tipped us off about the shop Rafi's Spicebox there.  They assemble a pack of spices to make the particular curry you want at your preferred heat and all you need to do is add meat (or veg or fish) and water.  Easiest thing in the world and absolutely delicious!  They do all the nan breads, poppadoms, etc, as well.  And, better still, they have a fantastic mail order service.  Check 'em out: www.spicebox.co.uk.  If you use the code U1A6MG4, you'll get 10% off your first order with them.

I realise this looks like an ad for them but it really isn't - just a recommendation from a delighted customer spreading the word.  BTW, their balti mix is fantastic!  One tip though... make the curry the day before you want to eat it and let all the flavours infuse overnight - even better!

I lived in Suffolk in the early 90s and if this is an off shoot of the Rafi's Spicebox that was in Sudbury back then, then I can fully endorse the comments above. If they do mail order, I shall be becoming a customer!!

Thanks for the tip Rafi.

Likewise, thanks for the tip Mrs Brown. I just bought some. P&P is pretty pricey, so I'll see how the curry stacks up.

quite like the spice entice kits which pre prep required spices and provide recipe.

similar thing I suppose

Jewel In Crown still comes out top for me. Portion sizes are not exactly generous compared with some, but the taste and quality is very, very good.

The Khyber run them a very close second.

Has it's advantages being the son of an Anglo Indian when it comes to making a curry. With that comes the attitude of when eating out I am often to critical and look at what is presented with the attitude of could I have done better at home.... Mind you I apply that to non Indian food as well.

Bare in mind what constitutes for High St. curry (all of them no matter how authentic they claim to be) is a metamorphosis of what my father, his generation, forefathers and indigenous Indians actually eat in their home land. In other words what passes for curry has been anglicised to cater for our pallets over about 6-7 decades.

The Taj Mahal on the corner of Victoria Road, Groundwell Road, Princess St was the first in Swindon to my Knowledge and my dad would cycle from Walcot to get a take away, this is before we had a phone. I'm sure he set out the day before....

Honestly guys, making a curry is piss easy. If you want want a recipe for a basic home style curry let me know and I'll post one on here.

Will take you up on that offer
The mrs makes her own and arent that that bad am sure she would relish having a crack at your recipe

 :nod:

Isn't Walcot to the end of Groundwell Road only about half a mile?  ???

Nah, that's posh Walcot. The real Walcot starts the other side of QD. Marlowe Ave is even further, which is of course where the old chap cycled from!!!!!!!!!!

That in turn is not as far as India, where he came from originally, just to clarify!!!!!!!

 Yep, that's Walcot East...Walcot West is the other side of Queen's Drive

For you my friend.

This recipe is for two, clearly double up for more diners. Top tip, as with all curries, stews, casseroles etc. Cook the day before and warm through the day of eating.

Chicken: two breast fillets or four thighs.
Lamb: 3/4lb use shoulder
Beef: 3/4lb use cheap stewing steak. The better the cut (chuck or braising) the less cooking. Remember it's peasant cooking not haut cuisine...
Vegetables: whatever you like, again you don't want to overlook as this will turn to mush. You can add vegetables to the above dishes but near the end of the required cooking time.

4 tablespoons veg oil
1 large onion finely chopped or slices
2 cloves garlic
1/4 inch sq piece of fresh ginger finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon coriander powder
Pinch turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder
1 teaspoon paprika powder
2 tomatoes chopped
Salt to taste
Chopped coriander leaves to garnish.

Heat oil in pan add onion and sauté gently until golden brown (it's a tough one to do but worth it if you can) though don't burn them and if you don't get the desired finish just lob them in anyway. It says to fry the spices in a set way, I just chuck them all in to the onions and fry for five mins or so add 200 ml of water and simmer for ten mins, add tomatoes.

Set aside and brown your meat of choice gently. Add them to the sauce and simmer for an hour for chicken and up to two hours for the lamb or beef but no more.

Leave to cool and stand overnight. Warm through. Serve with rice or Nan's.

You'll notice NO chillies...I add my own you can do the same as you see fit in either powder form, freshly sliced (the BOOM comes from the seeds BTW) or dried crushed ones, again the seeds within will give you after burn.

I just love coconut milk so I tend to add a bit more chilli and temper it with coconut milk and just reduce the liquor until rich and yummy. I also don't use fresh tomatoes, two-three tins of chopped tomatoes is my preferred method.

You'll find this book a good resource depending on your level of culinary expertise and how enthusiastic you are.

50 great curries of India by Camellia Panjabi ISBN 1-85626-546-3

Enjoy

Cheers, will have a crack at that in the week.

Oh, and It's the membrane in the chillies that hold the heat, not the seeds

fuck off I'm 1/4 paki, I should know  :D

Actually on the subject of chillies and their power based on the scoville scale, my dad's uncle died from liver failure many years ago. Apparently he'd eat handfuls or some ridiculous amount of chilies with most meals and these ones were the small and thin type that blow your face off. I suppose you'd become immune to them at some point but they did him in eventually.

Thanks for the recipe
She is actually making 2 at the mo for tomorrow so will let you know how get on with yours  :nod:

I'm ordering a curry tonight. After having a long period of inconsistent and frankly terrible curries, I've now found Rafu's to offer consistently good curry and deliver in good time. Think someone mentioned Jack Spice as well, they've likewise been good and my faith in takeaway curry has been restored.

Nick Bamosomi, the Rafi's in York is indeed an offshoot of the one in Sudbury.  Their mail order service is second-to-none and you already know about how great their products are.  Don't forget to use the discount code U1A6MG4 for 10% off your first order.

Barry Scott, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!  Once you've placed your first order, they'll start sending you discount vouchers for future ones that usually cancel out the cost of the postage.

Batch, yes, sounds similar.  The cooking instructions are printed on each pack.  The delightful thing is that they are so easy that you don't need to do much.  Put the mix in a pan with some water and simmer for about 10 minutes, add the meat, simmer until the meat is cooked.  My kind of cooking!  I think each pack creates a serving for around six people.

The similarly named Rafu's Indian restaurant in Highworth also does delicious eat-in or takeaway curries and is always worth a visit.  Never been disappointed with a curry from there.

Cheers Mrs Brown.
In the meantime, I'm going to give the recipe above a go...

Just noticed a typo in the ingredients and amended, nothing major.

Home style Lamb Ruby tonight with a vegetarian one from Mr. Pukka himself.

I know its a bit out of the way and unlikely to deliver to swindon. But i went to the Ancient Raj in cricklade last week and it was fantastic. Great flavour and huge portions. Must have easily been 2 big chicken breasts in mine.

I've heard great things about them from fellow curry fans. I'm still using Aby's for delivery but will try anywhere someone recommends, when I get a chance to go out. Cheers and keep your reviews coming chaps.

Mmmmmm - big breasts!

You're a bit of a foody chubbs, aren't you!?   :)

My favourite curry place. Not a big fan of any in Ciren and as the missus used to live in Cricklade, I went and never looked back!

Delicious!

Thanks for the tip.

Went to the Curry Cottage by default yesterday. Was quite tasty but my lamb tikka madras had a bit much sauce not enough meat .

Just a tubby bastard who loves his food. :-)

Went to spice on Vic hill for a sit-in on Saturday night...3 of us had different curries but all same colour...won't be going back

In newquay at the moment and had a curry from the Maharajah.

Fuck me i dont think ive ever seen portions so big!

Barry Scott, how was the Rafi's Spicebox curry experience?

They started poorly, but the last one was fair to decent. I think when you follow the instructions to the letter they're a bit watery, low on flavour and mild. So the first few required additions to bring them properly to life, namely curry powder, garlic and chilli.

The problem, I think, is that all the ones I had specified 1KG of ingredients, so the last one I made I halved the water and halved the meat/veg and it worked pretty well. It was far from takeaway standard, and still required extra chillies and garlic, but fairly decent and had a good flavour.

And I was pleased they required salt. It implied they'd not gone overboard with salt, which I suppose was unexpected.

I will buy again and experiment further in the coming months.

Anybody had the trots recently? All these got 0 for hygiene. O, that must equate to serving raw rat.. Have a feeling one or two on here have been mentioned before.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/13498697.Hygiene_inspectors_give_14_food_outlets_a_ZERO_rating/?ref=mr&lp=1

There is nothing more satisfying that cooking your own curry and it being fucking amazing. The down side is its very time consuming.
I have the hairy bikers curry cook book and the ones i have done from there would give restaurants a run for their money.

Anyone been to the Gulshan in Shrivenham?

Biplob. Best in Swindon.

I left Swindon approximately 15 years ago.

I've yet to find a curry that is even close as good as a Swindon curry.

Gave me the shits last time i was there, Tasted great at the time but the morning after was rough....

The Coconut in Bromham is very nice for any TEFers out this way.
Slightly more gourmet than your usual Indian- very attentive staff, food was lovely and they have a very extensive cocktail menu!  :girlchat:

Off on a bit of a tangent, but I used a Pataks curry sauce today bought in from the UK.

I wasn't expecting much considering it was from a jar, but neither was I expecting what was quite possible the worst curry I have ever tasted. I though it would be OK at least, but no. It was bland. BLAND. How the fuck could somebody make a bland curry? How is that even possible? I ended up throwing it away.

Keep clear, it's awful.

on a non takeaway curry front:went to the Raj in Chippenham. stale pops and a naga chicken curry with no heat.

finally tried jewel in the crown last week, thought that was very good.

I use them cos I'm lazy, the Madras one is nice enough

It's the Madras one that I tried. Never again.

Oooh, that's just round the corner from the missus... I'll have to try it

You have a Bromham misses??? Yeah take her on a date it's decent

Sort of... Caen Hill area

Yep - 7 years for me, lived in Manchester for 5 and Cardiff for the last 2, had loads of places recommended to me during that time but I'm still yet to find a curry that beats a Curry Cottage jalfrezi.

I know its a bit stereotypical but the best curry ive had out of swindon is from Birmingham. I have no idea what it was called, and i wouldnt have a clue where it was if i wanted to find it again (it was my stag weekend) but i do remember it being phenomenal.

Back in the day when I used to go to most away games, a trip oop north always coincided with a visit to the Warwick Tandoori on the way home.

Always good tucker there.

Spent this afternoon making and evening eating  a chicken Makhani. So good with some added chilies :-)

Not a takeaway, but any recommendations for a curry house in old town. Eat in, but not biplob, or what ever it's called.

Always found Ruchi and Mela good.

Spice

I second Ruchi

Thought i'd resurect this thread rather than start a new one.

Was juts looking at Ruchi on trip adviser. Looks just the ticket for tonight's spread.

Not had a bad one from Tandoori Flames.

Dilkush is pretty good as well.

Could be tough to eat though, what with all those razor blades in your gullet. Have they caught the masked assailant yet?

:-)

Well, i tried ice cream and that didn't help so time to burn them out.

I hope they are less painful coming out than going in but the idea of defecating razor blades brings tears to my eyes unless the curry is so hot as to melt them.

Jack spice. Take away or eat in best by a mile for me at the moment

Getting a curry takeout tomorrow for the first time in ages. Can't fucking wait.

Any recent recommendations?

Ruchi still decent?

The Khyber is my go to place and is consistently good. Mind you I've not had a takeaway since lockdown.

Was disappointed in Ruchi last time I had it about a year ago.

Khyber and Bhajis are good but Biplob down wood street is my personal favourite

Eat in Mela, take out/delivery Jack Spice are my current recommendations. Mela for me is unbeatable in Swindon although it's not the cheapest.

Eaten in Mela a couple of times, it's a little dearer but definitely worth it

not been to Mela for a while, but I concur it was good!

I've been making myself curries a lot recently from scratch.
Very pleased with the results and you can tailor the spice and heat to your liking.

When i have more time and space that will be me, i used to make a mean butter chicken.

I use this recipe as a base, and add a bit more chilli, a bit of tomato puree for richness and a squeeze of honey for a bit of sweet. It's delicious.

https://www.hairybikers.com/recipes/view/chicken-jalfrezi

Why was it mean? Did you not put any chicken in it?  ;D

I know it's not exactly Swindon but the Gulshan Brasserie in Shrivenham is probably the best of them all INMHO

Got takeout from Khyber and was spot on. Really good.

My 15yr old nephew is at the "too big for his boots" stage and was saying how he can take spicy food, so i told him we'd share a vindaloo. I said share because i'd never had one either and whilst it was really fucking hot, it was really nice but probably at the very top of my heat threshold. My nephew managed 2 bites and tapped out. That'll teach him!

Just made the jalfrezi recipe above, but added six birdseye chillies.
Was delicious, and fucking spicy!

I love spicy food, but it gives me hiccups, which is annoying.

I love that Chili's are basically great illusionists.

This is my go to curry recipe... it takes a while, but it's bloody good:  http://www.curryfrenzy.com/curry/recipes/Lamb-Tikka-Dhansak.html

I live in Reading - there is an amazing Hyderabadi restaurant in town that has reverted to vacuum packed local home deliveries over the past few months - they are starting nationwide deliveries very soon - highly recommended.  https://www.clayskitchen.co.uk/

1. No "my boy" of your own then? Unlike some on here.

2. Getting one over on a teenage lad is really big. Or maybe you are a teenager yourself? Please advise.

3. I hope that on a Mumbai City forum there is a thread about take-away food where people are bigging up how good their egg, chips & beans recipes are.

1. What business is it of yours whether Chubbs has a child or not?

2. It's his nephew, there is some context. It's not like he's smashed the face in of some random kid on the street. The second part; incredibly rich, coming from yourself.

3. There likely is. But it is mostly a discussion regarding the best way to cook Potato Waffles and Smiley Faces.

Remember, don;t feed the troll, not even really spicey curry.

Although point 3 did make me smile as it reminded me of Goodness Gracious Me and going out for an English, I hope that was the point.  Vindaloo is English anyway.

I thought it was Goan/Portuguese?

The word is, the use of the curry is very English.  Essentially the version we call Vindaloo is a unique curry specifically created for Curry Houses in Britain.

I’ve had a vindaloo in Goa and it’s on the milder side from memory but was delicious.

I’ve never had a vindaloo in the UK, not sure I’d ever bother.

I learned recently that a lot of Indians are amused that we call it nan bread.

Nan is the Indian word for bread. When we ask for nan bread, we're asking for bread bread.

I thought bread was roti in Hindi

Forgot to say they make them as spicy as they should be! I've embarrassed myself with a phaal in there before and warned others.....never again and a curry isn't about bravado or kudos to spice (Methi is probably my favourite).

Thanks buddy, but not necessary.

I'm so confused by his response though. Brilliant.

Love a Methi Gosht but then I love lamb infused with fragrances and a medium ish heat. Along with a citron based rice, raita and a glass of lassi. Boom. Ya got me!

Would love to go and have a 'proper' Methi in India or Pakistan and using goat meat too. Although I would also love a vegetarian version too as the flavour and aroma would still tickle the taste buds.

Did you sing Vindaloo though?
That’s the important questions.

Curries in India are very different to here, less heat and more spice and flavour. I'm lucky enough to have eaten curries in Bangalore, Delhi, Kerala and Mumbai and all so tasty. (and no Delhi Belly either). The place in Mumbai was on the less sulubrius side and we were a bit wary, but to have some of the finest food on the planet for less than £1 or so, how can you go wrong?

nope definitely portuguese modified by Goans. Pork Vindaloo mmmmm with vinegar. You thinking of tikka masalla?

I get vindaloos here. Made by Indians.

Yes, the original Vindaloo comes from Portuguese, then transferred to Goa, then back to Europe.  The Vindaloo everyone in England knows and talks about is not that.  It's an offshoot specifically designed for the curry houses, hence the heat.  Like when the UK loves Spaghetti Bolagnese as if it is a thing - the reality being it's a sort of made-up thing using Italian influences, where they use the region to describe the sauce.

I've honestly never had a good curry at the Khyber. The last time I ate there, a year or so ago, I returned it because it was so bland. A lot of people seem to swear by it, but I've been consistently underwhelmed. My curryhouse of choice is Biplob. Also really rated Naga Kitchen, but that could be because my friend's old man owned it and I always got extra bits and bobs as a result, but definitely sad thats gone

I've always found the Khyber a reasonable curry house but never anything special. Was great for a late drink back in the day and the food's always been pretty good if not any wow factor. I didn't rate Ruchi's at all which others seem to like. I found the food below par, to the point I'd not go back there.
I miss Tiffin's. Used to lunch there every week. Their methi was as good as any I've had anywhere else.

You can't beat an all you can eat curry. 

I assume that buffet restaurants will have to adapt their business model for the foreseeable future.  Around 90 per cent of patrons appear to consider it acceptable to lick their fingers immediately before picking up the communal spoon and slopping the curry goodness onto their plate.

And yet I've never had a curry from Rushi that I consider anything less than better than average. Horses for courses

'Anything less than better than average'=I liked it, by the way

Yeah I think you're right there. The salad bars in supermarkets have gone for that reason too. Tiffin's went prior to that though. Sky high rates saw them off apparently. Same Morrisons.

I understand. Maybe an off day but ours was poor when we ate there. I'll be sticking with Mela or jewel in the crown when eating out for now.

As much as my wife has become a dab hand at making curries, it is nice to have a takeout or eat out from time to time, something I miss thanks to my choice of location with only 1 Indian style restaurant for 10 miles in any direction.  I've decided I like ti, but I think that is more to do with not having another option.  There is a better one about 15 miles away but the female  Manager/owner made it a bit uncomfortable as she gave her kids a right ear bashing when she turned up to cash up.  There were two other tables, one of them discussing Eastenders in thick Yorkshire accents.

Yes my man! I'm lucky enough to know several Indian & Pakistani people (either direct friends or family friends etc), and been grateful to try some of their home cooking but as you say (and have experienced, ya lucky sod :) ), to taste beautifully flavoursome food with as fresh as you can get ingredients, is a huge envy of mine. You can't really go wrong at all.

When this flying restriction is a little more developed and people can figure out how to get to places safely again, I fully intend on visiting fragrance rich places. Turkey of course will be one of the first places, for some homemade borek. Çok hoş!

I used to work with a lady from India and she invited us to hers for a Diwali dinner. She was literally up early in the morning doing the cooking, its a labour of love for them. Again, some absolutely magnificent scran!!

We're off to Turkey in a week (lockdown permitting) Can't wait! If you decide to come to Kusadasi, give us a shout!

As long as its not Cok Pahali for you!! ;) (Don't know how to do the Turkish letters on the computer!)

So awesome and so hospitable. I know people here are welcoming etc for dinner but it isn't a patch on a lot of places (of ones I've been) and sometimes not even people you know very well. It is just a culture of making and giving to everyone.

You lucky bugger! How long are you out there for? I'm likely Güllük bound but if I manage to stay around three weeks then I'll head up there. It's about 2hrs away I think?

Haha çok pahalı indeed! Pricing in Güllük seems very reasonable. Best time to be going now in some respect. Getting around 8/9tL to the £1 but it's been on the rise so by the time you go you could well get close to 10tL  :pint: :pint: :pint:

Oh and RE: Foreign letters. There are a few shortcuts when switching to International (INTL) keyboard but sometimes I use the Unicode for it but I only know some of them off hand. Usually just a case of trial and error on some with AltGr + letter. "y" on the INTL when using AltGr will produce "ü" and "p" wil do the same when wanting to produce "ö"  :)

Tiffins was the equivalent of a supermarket ready meal curry when I went. For the price it was 'value for money' but if rather pay a bit more for a proper curry.

Tiffins in Taunton was ok.  Very good for quantity over quality.

Tiffins in Kidlington is epic

I think this thread is a prime example of why you should take things how you find them.

Went for a Sunday carvery a couple of weeks ago,  still have as much as you like but everything is scooped onto the plate by the guy who serves the meat.  Don't touch anything but the plate,  Common sense I suppose but not something I would have thought about before seeing it.

Since changed branding/ownership - now called the Bengal Square ? Only had one takeaway from there - a little meh, perhaps an off night, thinking maybe I should try it again... Hmm.

Everybody deserves a second chance, don't they ? :nod:

We’ve only booked a one way flight and hoping to be there for 4 weeks minimum. My work for the rest of the year will be working from home anyway so as long as the Internet is ok (it was before we left last year anyway) I should be ok. I’ll also take my mandatory 2 weeks holiday also I think.

The fx rate is 1 v 9.12 TL which is the highest I think I’ve ever seen!! I’m sure the prices will have been put up but even if beers are 20 TL that’s still good in my eyes :)

I had to look it up but Güllük is north of Bodrum and as you say a couple of hours, give me a shout if you decide to rattle up on a Dolmus!! :)

I'll message you instead of taking up the curry thread  :)

Will eat-in curries be cheaper than take-away from seated establishments which take part in the government's initiative* to aid the hospitality sector in August?

*Half pints of alcohol not included.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18619488.swindons-best-independent-takeaways---agree/      (https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18619488.swindons-best-independent-takeaways---agree/) QED

I have the day off tomorrow. Taking the family out for a slap up lunch courtesy of the 'eat out...' scheme.  Yes I will forego the half of ale. May go for a full pint of cola.

Bump!

Somebody a while ago, it may have been Arriba, posted about a curry cook book that came with all the spices and I can’t find the post.
Can anyone help?

Biplop?

The Mrs bought me this as a birthday present. It’s really great you get a cookbook spice tins and spices.  Only made 5 of the recipes so far but haven’t been disappointed with any yet.

The Spicery Curry Legend Cookbook Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1999719425/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_653XGZB65GR1ZWJHCTEZ

Misty Ricardo is what the book is mate. I have both of them

https://mistyricardo.com/

Yeah Misty Ricardo is the author. The books are great. Available on Amazon. I'm making superb food and keeps getting better. You can get a starter kit with spices from spicyjoes.co.uk with the books like I did. There have been instances of it not being delivered, especially around Christmas time from there but that seems to have settled down now. You can get the ingredients easily enough without the starter pack though in world food aisles in the big supermarkets and Asian shops.

Thank you chaps - just ordered.
Look forward to the outcome.

I'd advise you follow the recipes as closely as possible a the results are incredible. The only thing I do differently is to use pre prepared garlic and ginger paste rather than make my own.