Hampden Park, the home of Scottish Football, I doubt if I have set foot in that ancient arena this century. Last week, a Muriel (sic) was unveiled on the gable end of an adjacent tenement featuring Scott McTominay’s, now world famous, overhead kick, which set Scotland on the path to victory over Danmark in November last year. Consequently, Scottish fans now have to suffer the ignominy of watching the inevitable this summer, and in the middle of the night, to boot. Today, Marg drove us south to capture the above image. There is no truth in the rumour that they painted over Derek Johnstone’s glorious header against Wales, Archie Gemmill assist, at the same ground in 1978.
As we drove along Cathcart Road, it became evident that possible places for lunch were closed until this evening. Ramadan, sunset is presently around 17.45, no customers expected. Yadgar Kebab House (148 Calder St, Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP), always reliable, should be open. This is one venue which uses social media to announce any short-term closures.
At 14.30, the dining room at Yadgar was unsurprisingly empty, however, three chaps were ordering Takeaway, no questions asked. We studied the available fayre.
Aloo Gajar Peas (£6.00) was prominent, Marg claimed this. Having studied all, the Hector was not for passing on Aloo Gobi (£6.00). A single Naan (£1.80) would do us, with the customary cans of Mango Rubicon (£1.80) – oh and two Chapli!
How could Hector forget the Chapli Kebabs?
Settled mid-room, a Salad was presented with two Dips, no Black Olives today. The Chapli soon arrived, our entrée.
Chapli Kebab
Chicken pancakes minced with onions, peppers and chillies – the menu tells us. Yes, one ingredient may well be an anathema in Curry-Heute, and the Hector only ever has Chicken as a Starter, but this combination is sensational. Dipped in the Chilli Sauce, ever better. When this Sauce has been heated, better still. As I write every time I have these, proper Chicken Burgers.
The remainder of our Order was assembled as we ate. Mr. Anwar Sr. had spotted us moments before, and came over to join us. He and Marg chatted for much of the duration of our visit, Hector interjecting as and when. The joy of Marg’s presence, they chatted, the Hector ate. Shkoor, Mein Host, did the double take when he entered the premises and saw us, engrossed. Yet again, Vegetable Curry to the fore. A departure from the many kilos of Lamb devoured here over the past sixteen years.
You look puzzled – I put to Shkoor.
It was the Dessert on the table. A batch of Gajrela (£4.00) had just been made, and in keeping with the Yadgar way, a plateful had been brought to the table.
The Naan was huge, served whole, there was but a hint of Wholemeal Flour in there. With an air pocket, a la Pitta, not a risen, or puffy Naan.
It’s Naan, Shkoor, but not as we know it.
Between us, we managed all but a titbit.
Aloo Gobi
Not even a threat of Oil, as Dry as a Curry as can be created, the healthy option. Both Cauliflower and Potato had enough firmness, both packed so much Flavour. Beneath, a Minimal Masala Mash, even more Flavour.
How do you do it? – I asked Mr Anwar.
He was not for giving anything away. The secrets of Yadgar maintain.
For once, I had judged, and been given, the exact amount of food I could eat. Marg ended up leaving some, but hers would have been stone cold at the end.
*
Aloo Gajar Mutter
Possibly a larger portion, the standout here was the Oil. This was a markedly different creation. The Carrots tend to dominate in this Vegetable Curry, their comparative Sweetness, to the fore. Never before have I been able to compare the two Vegetable Dishes. Having sampled a Soupçon of the remnants, I was struck by the intensity of Flavour here, Cinnamon, a stand out. Potato may be common to both Dishes, there the similarity ends.
Marg – I happily chose a vegetable dish, but a Chapli Kebab arrived with a salad and sauces. The Chapli tastes good with lettuce, onion, cabbage, tomato and cucumber and sauce. When the Aloo Gajar arrived it was full of carrots, peas, potatoes in a rich onion based sauce. It had a great kick and was a little too spicy for me.
However, the potatoes were full of flavour and I was able to use the Naan bread to eat the other vegetables in the rich sauce.
Note, the full array of Vegetables that Marg has listed. Last time, we were here, it was before the greengrocer delivery. Today, a box was being disassembled before us. Cue one of Hector’s favourite wind-ups at Yadgar.
Shkoor, you forgot to order the tubs of Curry Sauce…
We did have a more sensible discussion about how Ramadan affects business and those who partake. It is not that long since Ramadan was in June, when the sun does not set in Glasgow until around 22.00, eighteen hours of daylight, a long time to go without food. The coming years should be less of a test. Makkah is in The Tropics, essentially twelve hours of daylight/darkness throughout the year, OK for some.
Time to share the Desi Dessert. Marg, who does not remember encountering this treat previously, now knows all abut this Carrot-based creation.
Gajrela / Gajar ka Halwa
Marg – We were given a plate of Gajrela for dessert. It was grated carrot, caramelised with sugar and sultanas with curded milk for texture. Thoroughly enjoyed this sweet dish with cardamom.
Marg likes to end on a sweet note.
The Bill
£18.00 An honourable sum.
The Aftermath
The tray of Gajrela, less one portion, and the full tray of Tandoori Chicken Legs (£4.00) had to be photographed. No doubt, in three hours, Yadgar would be queued out the door, and many seats inside occupied.
Our diaries coincide less than the stars. Tonight, after considerable consultation, Curry and Drinks with Alan and Tracy were arranged on their home patch. This meant a table booked for 19.00 at 
Agreed.
Red Cabbage and a threat of Coriander was the somewhat miserly garnish. I let Marg halve the Puri.
As close to the Hector will ever get to ordering a Prawn Curry, the Patia/Chasni Masala had the anticipated Sweet & Sour Flavour. Not too Sweet, Tangy, satisfying. Marg congratulated me for suggesting this:
Tariq suggested a gap between Starters and Mains, appreciated. Behind me, two tables, eventually I had to ask how many were actually sat there. There seemed to be an endless stream of food being taken to the window tables. Our break was extended, more Cider, before Tariq relented, we could have our Curry. 
The Kulcha Naan, smothered in greenery and Sesame Seeds, was huge, thinner than one might expect, but had peripheral blisters. 
Too much greenery – was my immediate observation. This was not the – Masala with Herbs – that Alan and Hector both prefer, but the lesser – Herb and where’s me sauce? – version. Had Rocky been present, I suspect – the right stuff – would have been presented, or, has Chef Munir departed?
Alan described his evening thus:
The swirl of Cream on top gives a clue as to what follows. The Hector hopes that was Green Chilli on top also, and not slivers of the 
Europe. The 
Once again, served in a bowl topped with a Roti/Chapatti, a distinctive presentation. Syboes had been added to the Curry before the Bread topping ritual. Again, a Thick Masala, a hint of Creaminess. Unusually, a hint of Gajar featured in the Masala, Carrot can add a distinctive Flavour to a Curry. Last time, Marg insisted I would love this, tonight’s Soupçon did not sit so well on Hector’s palate, the Carrot may have offered a strong juxtaposition to what was on Hector’s plate.
Marg – Decided on the Podina Gosht, which has the bread on top of the dish. After cutting the bread lid, the dish had minimal sauce but still looked moist. I ate all the lid and loved the extremely tender lamb mixed with a masala of coriander, carrots, onion and spices. 
This, I was not expecting. Tariq made a point of breaking the surface of the Bread so that this special Biryani presentation could be captured at this unusual angle.
Dhampukht Basmati Rice – steam cooked in the oven
Potato, Cauliflower, Peas, Tarka Onion, Sweetcorn featured in the abundant, moist Rice. The – kick – from the Potato was remarkable, especially as no absorption/discolouration was visible. This array of Interesting Vegetables had me wondering why one would order a Chicken/Lamb version of this fine Dish. Whilst the Rice, had a semblance of being Pilau, or beyond, the low level of Seasoning was a hindrance. I have yet to have Biryani at 
The side portion of Bhuna Masala was suitably Thick. Fruity and Spicy, it did not seem to go with the Biryani. Having sampled this, the Masala from the Podina certainly did not work. Maybe, an old fashioned 1970s Curry Sauce is what the memory holds so dearly, and so what was really hoped for. Tonight, I had very little of the Masala. 
Whilst the volume of what sat before me impressed, it also led to inevitable defeat. Last to call a halt, I at least took comfort from the fact that nobody else had finished their Mains. 
The Bill
Today’s plan, to visit a new venue in my home town, was thwarted by a too tempting fruit scone this morning. The Hector needed the extra hour to cross the river and have any chance of 
A brimming tray stood out in the array, I had to ask.
I took a seat at Table 4 in the empty dining area, it is Ramadan.
As ever, no individual prices at 
Ali brought the food in moments, a quick reheat and the creation of my Chapatti. Hot food in a cool room. The Hector would be taking his time. 
The Chapatti was served whole, and had needless perforations. Wholemeal Flour had been used in its creation. Not my favourite – has been an oft repeated phrase in these pages in recent times, today, a step further. 
At the start of 
Some of the boneless pieces of Lamb were cut into at least two pieces. The Potato quickly became eight pieces, I had quite a plateful. Prices here are rock bottom.
My lengthy session of Curry eating continued. Meat texture dependent, some parts were more enjoyable than others. No Sucky Bones, but fingers were employed nonetheless. Had I eaten more of the Bread, there would have been a struggle to finish. Next time, a Naan, regardless of what comes before.
The Aftermath
Another relatively new Southside venue was the intended port of call this afternoon. However, as Marg sped across the Kingston Bridge, so the Tradeston exit was deemed to 
There was no Lamb Lahori Karahi (£11.00 / £13.00) on display. 
Alas, c
This was quite a departure from the reheat that I have come to expect. From which part of the pot had this been drawn? Way more Shorva than a recognisable Tomato-based Masala, this just needed some Potato to transform it into a classic Aloo Gosht. Karahi – as recognised 
As established two days ago
How the décor has changed since then, Pakistani Street Food, an offshoot of the Victoria Road Takeaway, is bright, ice-cream shop bright, with the same garish colour scheme formerly employed by nearby 
Assuming the two chaps were the same 
Marg was attracted to the Chatt Corner section of the menu. Lamb Samosa Chatt (£7.00) was mooted, but then the waiter and Hector simultaneously advised Marg that this would feature a smothering a Yoghurt. That makes everything soggy, Chickpeas usually feature, a better option was selected: Samos (2 Samosa + Sauce & Salad) (£5.00), much more to her liking. 
During the wait, I became captivated by the big screen showing the creation of a massive Curry, presumably somewhere in Pakistan, big enough to feed a village. If this is being shown continuously on a loop, then why is Curry not further highlighted at Pakistani Street Food. I mentioned the 
Served with Chips or a Naan – I was informed. 
Modest – might be too generous a description for this meagre – Salad. The Pickled Chilli would cross the table. The two Samosa were large, well filled from my perspective. Marg mentioned the pastry type, Puff Pastry, the Hector knows, once there was an attempt, total disaster. 
Marg: I decided to have two Lamb Samosa with sauce and salad. They arrived hot with a sprinkle of salad and two dishes of sauces. I enjoyed the filo pastry surrounding the hot mash with tiny pieces of lamb and vegetables. I used the mint, coriander sauce (Raita) with pieces of cucumber to go with the Samosas. A very tasty dish, but I was disappointed with the lack of salad.
Cucumber slices, plural, Onion and a threat of Lettuce decorated the impressive looking Pilau. I now had two Pickled Chillies! The rest crossed the table to complement Marg’s 
A large soup plate, full of a Shorva-esque Masala. Initially I wondered if this was the dreaded Soupy Curry, however, the photo shows twelve pieces of Meat protruding. Double figures was a given as I arranged the Meat on the Pilau. I counted to twenty, I still had no idea what the price of this Dish would be, £10.00 was the only clue given on the menu. If so, this was exceptionally good value. 
The Rice and Vegetables immediately impressed. Hector loves his Potato, especially when it has absorbed the Spice from its surroundings. Carrot always provides an alternative sweetness. Peas, well, we know how they taste. I could see this being a worthwhile Dish to have in its own right, maybe the Raita would provide further Diversity, never been a fan of adding cold to hot food. 
A quick spoonful of some of the retained Masala had me won. 
Super-soft Lamb, minimal chewing required. Maybe a bit dry, as long as there was Masala, all should be well. 
Today it didn’t. I have spared the reader the intervening twenty minutes of Hector’s pain, and all those present wondering why I was not eating.
Marg’s Tea arrived at the end.
Pakistani Street Food has only been here about a year, I had thought longer. A piece of advice – add Curry to the online menu and put u
Always on the look out for new venues, Curry Cafes in particular, this week, Hector became aware of Lahori Tawa (181 Albert Drive, Pollokshields, Glasgow G41 2ND). Online reviews, clearly composed by friends and family, were only days old. Lahori Tawa must have opened at some time in the past week. 
Chicken Pakora would make an appearance later, added to the display of ready Dishes. Pakora is not on the menu, so no prices can be quoted.
I took the table adjacent to the ladies. A fan heater was on the table top, no way could I tolerate this. As I switched it off and placed at my feet out of the way, so one of the ladies informed me that there was no power socket on their side. The small eating area was not cold, the heater had already done its job. 
A young waitress brought the menu, one side with illustrations of the Fayre on offer, the other with the detail. 
Just the one Naan? – asked the waitress, highlighting that Hector was having Bread with his Curry, not Curry with his Bread.
Time to relay the events of last evening. Marg and Hector went to see Moving Pictures, a Scottish – Rush – (
The Naan, needlessly halved, was a decent size. Despite the blisters, the Bread had not risen, so not the puffy, fluffy Naan one seeks. As the Bread cooled, becoming crispy in parts was unavoidable. 
Served in a handi, the Karahi contents were briefly obscured by the Toppings: Coriander, Ginger Strips and sliced Bullet Chillies. No plate was provided, I was going to eat directly from the handi anyway, but without a plate, one does not get to see the full glory of the Meat and Masala. 
Spooning some Masala on to a piece of Naan, here we go. Seasoning! Definitely on the – brave – end of the spectrum. Despite what is written in the previous paragraph, way more Flavour than anticipated. Whoever had created this had not do
Too stuffed to wipe the base of the handi, anyway, that would have meant eating more Bread, the half kilo was eventually consumed. Prior to my arrival I had considered ordering the Chicken (£12.00) equivalent, that would have contradicted everything that has come before in
The 
Albert Drive has intrigued for years. At the commencement of 
Having reviewed three new Glasgow Curry Houses in recent weeks, today it was back to 
Shkoor talked us through the ready Dishes on display. Aloo Gosht (£7.50) was the only tempting Meat Curry, but still the Hector is postponing his next intake of Lamb. I pointed to the Chapli Kebab and told Michael these were a – must have. 
The Aloo Gobi (£6.00) was the most exciting of the Vegetable options. Michael followed my lead, two portions were duly ordered. Despite the Fish Pakora (£7.00) on display being yesterday’s, I suggested we share a portion. Marg was not missing out here either. Shkoor suggested – a large portion. Salad was a given, three cans of Mango Rubicon (£1.80) completed the order. No Bread.
With the tables restored and the young chaps 
Zaytoun, a Salad with abundant Olives, always appreciated. Shkoor asked if I preferred Black or Green. Both feature in Hector’s diet. A Pizza without Black Olives ain’t a Pizza. Kalamata, beefy Green Olives, stuffed with Anchovies, could well be the ultimate. 
With the heated red Chilli Sauce accompanying, always a delight. The moderately Spiced batter, tasty Haddock, an extension of standard British Fayre. Enough for three, 
Presented on foil, had they been baked for the reheat? Essentially a Burger, ground Chicken and Spices, way better than anything actually served as a Chicken Burger at KFC, et al, 
Potato, Cauliflower and a Masala Mash topped with Coriander, quite a plateful. 
The Potatoes were also firm, again, these had absorbed Flavour from the Masala Mash. I retained 
One of the best Aloo Gobi I’ve tasted and I loved the Fish Pakora.
Potatoes, Carrots and Peas, 
Aakash asked for the second time if we required anything else. This time he listed Kashmiri Tea, Marg was not passing up on this. 
Marg had time to compose her comments:
Biryani House (
Entering 
Ahmed suggested this could take some ten minutes, I assured him there was no rush. I took the optimum seat at one of the three tables. Biryani House seats twelve. Ahmed disappeared to the rear, yet a grill/oven, microwave and some other sort of table top cooker was in the preparation area front of house. 
With somewhat garish plastic table coverings and bare walls, the décor might be described as either rustic, or unfinished. Having returned to the front of house, Ahmed got busy chopping some Coriander. 
The garnish, a slice of Lime, was the only notable stand out feature to what superficially appeared to be a simple Salad of Tomato and Cucumber. OK the Coriander, stirred through was copious. I was not prepared for the next moment – Wow!
Ahmed brought out the grill pan to show 
As I adjusted from expectation to reality, my gob had never been so smacked, when I saw the remaining three pieces of Rohu become – Curry. Hector was about to be served – The Works. The Salad 
Three substantial Rohu Steaks, with Spice clearly absorbed, sat in what looked like an Oily Shorva in parts, not quite a Masala in others. Finely chopped 
A mixture of the Oily Shorva and Rice created the second – Wow! – moment of the day. Those who would have shunned this know not what they miss. 
Breaking the firm Fish with a fork, the interior was white. So, minor penetration then. 
I’ll be back. Ahmed is keen to show off other delights, and has invited me to contact him in advance. However, remaining true to this Blog, I must establish the efficacy of his Curry menu, that means Lamb.
Back in Glasgow, for a very, very, long time, relatively speaking, time to restore the tour of the Southside Curry Cafes, 2026. After last week’s near excessive Lamb intake in Manchester, there had to be something completely different. Monday is Bateera Day at 
The portion size seemed miserable. More of a snack than a main meal. If one is particularly hungry, order two! It won’t break the bank. The Potato clearly had time to absorb the Oily Shorva, the Aubergine, presumably mushy. If this is your cup of tea, enjoy. The Hector would willingly have this as a Side and maybe have no Rice/Bread.
Marg and Hector had some Middle Eastern Bread 
The exterior 
I asked Zahir if we could pay by card. The wish was granted. 
Today, the Hector had his own 
We 
As I stood at the serving bar, so Rizwan piled on a huge portion of Rice to the plate. 
Having described the wonder that is this Curry as recently as 
With Clove to the fore, the well Seasoned Masala was complemented by the Ginger Cubes, sliced Green Chillies, and the forest of Coriander. The Spice Level was therefore – as you like it. A piece of Cinnamon Bark confirmed the – Desi – credentials. 
Today, I gave everyone the day off. But who knows, comments may arrive later.
Earlier this week, I mentioned the Spiced Onions in the bucket at the display counter. These are they, do try them.