Forum Topic

Indian take away

I do a fair bit of Asian cooking at home but from time to time really fancy a 'pucker' tandoori or curry.Recommendations for a good take away in west Ealing or Hanwell would be most welcome.

Nigel Brooks ● 4391d52 Comments

We're blessed in Ealing for having so many good Indian takeaways and restaurants. Ealing's a great place to live.

Gerry Tan ● 4235d

Would recommend Yum Tum (Uxbridge Road), Urban Karahi (Greenford Avenue), Khushi (Boston Manor) and Montys in Northfields Avenue for a good indian.

Mary Devine ● 4235d

We use three restaurants for our Indian take aways - Laguna near the fire station on Uxbridge Road, Papaya at the end of Elers Road in Northfields and Zayka on Sth Ealing Road(near the Conservative Club), of which the latter delivers and the other two you have to collect. All three are well established(Zayka had new owners in last couple of years) and are very popular.

Gerry Tan ● 4240d

Ahh, sorry to hear that. Thanks for letting me know

Martyn Brown ● 4241d

Sadly, I found out three weeks ago and did post in this thread.Their online ordering site says 'no longer trading'.Shame.

Nigel Brooks ● 4241d

Sadly, it would appear that Shaheenas has closed down. I hope I'm wrong but the shutters have been down for a few weeks now.

Martyn Brown ● 4241d

Well it certainly isn't from the sub-continent Gerry.Glasgow have precedence in claiming this 'dh' followed by Bradford and then the 'Balti Triangle around Sparkbrook, Birmingham.Not a lover of anything with a 'radioactive' overly sweet sauce.

Nigel Brooks ● 4258d

Going slightly 'off topic', I'm was told that this popular Indian dish chicken tikka masala was actually invented in the UK in Bradford and Glasgow, rather than in the Sub Continent. It remains a favourite Indian take-away dish in Britain. Any truth in this 'urban myth' please?

Gerry Tan ● 4258d

Cheers KeithI used to really like the chilli naan at Shahena's so will give them a try.

Nigel Brooks ● 4258d

Nigel, you could do a lot worse than try Sami's Spice(Bangladeshi) in Brentford. The food is very tasty, good quality and most reasonable in price. I am sure they would deliver to Northfield Ave. If you do use them, try the chilli nan if you like bread. I have it instead of rice. I have used Sami's many times over the last couple of years since it opened and have never had a poor dish.

Keith Iddon ● 4259d

Thanks Gerry.Shahena's had been there for years.Not into south Indian that much and prefer Bengali and Nepali cuisine which is why I love Monty's on South Ealing Road but I can't go there very time.I'll start searching for a new Bengali restaurant I think.

Nigel Brooks ● 4259d

We're blessed in Ealing with many Indian take-aways - some good and some ordinary. They change every so often, but there are some long-lasting favourites. One of our old favourites is Papaya at the end of Elers Road - its actually Sri Lankan/Sth Indian.  They don't deliver - you have to collect yourself - but its worth it. Enjoy.

Gerry Tan ● 4259d

Looks like Shahena's has closed down.Their online ordering site says 'no longer trading'.Shame.

Nigel Brooks ● 4259d

Well ..... We just had a delivery from Khushi / Paras and it was damn good as usualMust admit I do think I'll give a more contempary place a whirl again soon. I did used to enjoy that one which used to be beside Jacksons in Northfields Avenue when it first opened; can't recall the name

Colin Goodman ● 4374d

Better going in though as at least that way they get the money (and you can ask for a discount) rather than 'Just Eat' getting their 11% commission.

Nigel Brooks ● 4375d

Chicken Korma, Lamb Dhansak, Chicken Shashlik.Aloo Methi, Mixed Vegetable Madras and a Dry mixed vegetable curry. Two naan, two roti.It wasn't just me eating!!!All was very pleasant although, on reflection the naan were very 'wet'; the roti however were fine.It's good, but I'm still looking for that 'something special'. I used to go the Spicy King on Castle Hill Parade(opposite the Drayton Court) when Mohammed was running the place and it was wonderful with good portions, subtle spicing and 'clean tasting' gravies. It changed hands when he moved to Suffolk and now gets a one star rating which frankly based on my two attempts to get a 'half-decent' meal there, is about right. Greasy, cloying gravies, pitiful scraps of chicken, barely warm and far, far too much use of sugar; apart from which it was lovely! :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4375d

You're right, Shahena's is in Hanwell, I meant to say Greenford Ave. They have a website, which you can google for.

Jonathan Smith ● 4375d

Nigel re.Shahena's.  What did you have?  Any comments?

Andy Horridge ● 4375d

Yep, save that it's in Hanwell, not Greenford.It's the one I tried last week following  recommendations from Andy and Martyn (thanks chaps)  here and was good.

Nigel Brooks ● 4375d

Shahena's in Greenford. Top hygiene rating, all-round excellent food, prompt delivery.  020 8840 8707

Jonathan Smith ● 4375d

Outstanding dishes from India India were - the lamb pasanda and the naan bread.  The rice was not as good as from the Kathmandu but better than many.

Tony Colliver ● 4376d

Well, we did try it again that very evening but with mixed results I'm afraid.The chicken tikka starter was the very best I have ever had - extremely tender and very flavoursome.  (they don't offer a chicken tikka starter as such but we are in the habit of sharing a main course of it as a starter.)Unfortunately, the lamb dhansak, although improved on the last time we had it, was not back to the former excellent standard.The rice was excellent but my wife's chicken tikka masala was only "okay".The next time we ordered an Indian takeaway we ordered from India India.  (Which is another restaurant which is yet to recapture the glory days of it's early years, but that's another story.)

Tony Colliver ● 4376d

Happy to report that Shahena's was excellent.Good portions, nicely spiced and fresh tasting without any of the cloying oiliness that pervades so many take away dishes. The young lady who served me told me that her father (the owner) was 'cleanliness obsessed' - fabulous and no wonder that they have a five star rating.Thanks for the recommendation.

Nigel Brooks ● 4384d

Blimey! How many newspapers do you buy Ben? :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4384d

My lovely dear newsagent is taking me out for dinner tonight! I don't know where we are going, so keep a look out for my review of my date!

Ben Owen ● 4384d

Chicken Tikka Masala is as 'Indian' as Birmingham or Glasgow both of which cities claim to have invented it.We are blessed in Ealing and Southall with wide regional variations of 'Indian' dishes from the subtle spicing of the North, the wonderful vegetarian Guajarati dishes, fish and vegetable dishes from Kerala, the European influenced dishes from Goa, the unique tastes of Sri Lanka and the hotly spiced dishes from the south.Strangely though most (something like 80% of) 'Indian' restaurants are operated by Pakistani and Bangladeshi families.

Nigel Brooks ● 4385d

What are the main distinctive types of Indian food that we might experience in take-away outlets in Ealing?  Is chicken tikka masala really an Indian dish?  I'm just curious.

Gerry Tan ● 4385d

I was tempted by Khushi as it is really local.The one star rating put me off though.

Nigel Brooks ● 4385d

KHUSHI's on Boston Manor Road the go to gaff at the moment (formerly Paras and Royal Tandoori)Quality grub and great portionsI also like PapayasStill gutted that Ealing lost The Sitar. An institution until the owner sadly passed away

Colin Goodman ● 4385d

Tony - I sympathise with your feelings about Kathmandu.A few years ago I gave a "last chance" to Jubraj, near Acton Town station.  It was fantastic and I took a visiting friend there the next week - terrible again.On questioning the staff it seemed that a temporary chef had been employed the week earlier and the regular guy was now back.Is there a polite way of finding out what chef is on duty before eating at a restaurant?

Phil Kay ● 4386d

Kathmandu was fantastic when it first opened.Freshly cooked rice that actually tasted of what it was supposed to in a nice subtle not cloying way.A lamb dhansak (my standard dish for benchmarking Indian restaurants) that was the best I have *EVER* tasted.  The subtle individual flavours that were discernible blew every other restaurant's versions of this dish that I have ever tried clean away.Sadly however, after maybe a dozen orders we suddenly had one that was so off the mark that I was moved to write to the restaurant - not to complain because the meal was still edible - but to advise the management of our disappointment after such excellent food in all the previous orders.The thing was - it suddenly lost all the subtlety (and the tenderness of the meat - did I mention the tender meat?) and reverted to the standard Indian takeaway "monotaste" of an overpowering and unsubtle sauce over tough old meat.We have tried it again once since and the food was slightly better but still nowhere near back to their original form and could have come from any run of the mill restaurant.It is so sad because the food was truly a revelation before.Currently trying to summon up the courage to give them a third and final chance...  maybe even this evening!

Tony Colliver ● 4386d

Which one - Monty's or Chutney Hut?The word 'Chutney' always drives me to think of the word 'Chunder' in the little word association game that I can never resist playing inside my head every time I drive by it.(In 1984 we lived in the flat over the predecessor of the 'Chunder Hut'.  Oh the tales I could tell...  For now - just one word: maggots!)

Tony Colliver ● 4386d

Being of Sri Lankan origin, I have a great fondness for the food having been brought up on it. I would endorse Papaya but must admit that I've lost my love of it slightly because the quality has slipped and it is pricey for what you get.For great Sri Lankan food, try the Rising Sun in Sudbury - yes I know it's a bit of a trawl but the food is amazing and cheap too!I love my curries and my "go to" at the moment is Punjabi Kitchen in Greenford (parade of shops opposite Tesco at the end). You've only got to poke your head in of an evening to see how popular it is and the important thing, the Indian community use it. Omi's in Southall is special too and well worth a visit IMO. In Hanwell, Urban Karahi for me - good quality food.

Guy Edema ● 4388d

Papaya & India India both great. Not tried Kahtmandu. Personally, Zayka on South Ealing Rd just edges it for best Indian around, but is a few quid pricier than others.

Caspar Mason ● 4388d

has anyone here been to Desi Tadka on the Uxbridge Road?it is on the Uxbridge Road, past Southall and near the roundabout with Hayes bypass, on the slip road opposite Wickes. It is the nearest you get to authentic indian - and it is very reasonable priced. They do deliveries but my charge a small fee if you live over two miles. Their menu is on the web.

Rosa Popham ● 4388d

Re. West Ealing's Mangal.  Yes, I have often eaten there, too.  1/5 is disappointing, to say the least.  The 'main course' food is prepared in the sight of the customers, but the starters appear from the back of the restaurant.  What always worried me a tad was the preparation/storage of the salad in a plastic washing-up bowl (which, hopefully, is never used for that purpose!).

Andy Horridge ● 4389d

I'm disappointed too, a favourite Turkish restaurant of ours Ealing Mangal, (also opp Daniel's and very near Persian Palace) is hygiene rated 1/5.

Gerry Tan ● 4389d

Oh, bugger it.  I've just checked the hygiene rating of my favourite Iranian restaurant - The Persian Palace, opposite (what was) Daniels Department Store.  1/5 !!  Ho, hum.

Andy Horridge ● 4389d

I've just checked Shahena's hygiene rating: 5/5.  Top marks!  That was in March 2011.  I have no reason to doubt that has changed.

Andy Horridge ● 4389d

I was going to try Barwachi until I checked its hygiene rating (one star) - not for me.

Nigel Brooks ● 4390d

Rita's is wonderful but a little too far for a takeaway.Looks like I'll be trying Shahena's as well.Thanks everyone.

Nigel Brooks ● 4390d

I can vouch for Shahena's as my wife and use them quite a lot. They do a few different curry's from the norm which are delicious. Also their food isn't too oily and nice friendly service. I'd also recommend the Chutney Hut too. Further afield, Rita's in Southall is top notch

Martyn Brown ● 4390d

Nigel, I would be interested in your opinion of the Indian food from Shahena's (a tad eccentric, their website describes themselves as a 'restaurant', but there is no seating - just take-away or delivery) in Greenford Avenue (almost under the railway bridge where Church Road and Greenford Avenue fork in the road). They have been there for many years. Although not a very prepossessing frontage (amongst the three tiny, ahem, 'shop' fronts), I have had some superb take-aways from Shahena's in the past.  I would phone (as opposed to booking on-line) 8840 8707.http://shahenas.co.uk//

Andy Horridge ● 4390d

Thank you Pat and John.

Nigel Brooks ● 4390d

India India in Northfields Avenue.  They deliver and food is always good, would recommend the Tandoori Salmon.

Pat Kingham ● 4390d

I highly recommend Kathmandu Nepalese Cuisine in Northfields. It's fairly new and having eaten there I can say I have found it to be the best local 'Indian' around.

John Bodman ● 4391d

Used once, never again. Spent a weekend in bed 'cramped-up' and I have the constitution of a concrete elephant.

Nigel Brooks ● 4391d

Cheers Ben, I'll give them a try next weekend.

Nigel Brooks ● 4391d

Spice of Hanwell is yukky. They use far to much oil. I will never go there again, but, look, this is just my opinion.My favourite is Bawarchi in Hanwell Broadway next to Lidl where the bus stop is. Handily, good parking facilities for bicycles with a bike stand right outside and for cars you could use the Lidl car park.

Ben Owen ● 4391d

Speaking of good Indian takeaways, does anyone know of a good indian takeaway in central Ealing that does a tasty mulligetawny(spelling?) soup please?

Gerry Tan ● 4391d

Friends and relatives in Hanwell rate Spice Of Hanwell at 89 Greenford Ave W7 very highly - phone for takeaway order is 8566 2225 or 8566 3337.Our favourite Indian take aways are Laguna in Culmington Rd and Papaya at end of Elers Road(Northfield Ave end). Sadly they only offer a collect takeaway service!Happy eating!

Gerry Tan ● 4391d

Montys Usha Boston Road. Good parking facilities which you will probably appreciate.http://hungryhouse.co.uk/montys-usha/info?aid75ab0d86&bid1124t2&advert={cp=Restaurants}{kw=Suburb}{rest=Monty's-Usha}{con=London-Inner}{city=Hanwell-Ealing}{pc=W7}{ad=ad_version_04}{landing_page=a}&gclid=CN6qh8TwmbwCFSvHtAod6gkA5wChutney Hut Boston Rd used to do some S.Indian recipes. Good but not used for a while.Time Hanwell had a decent European restaurant again.

George Knox ● 4391d