Taj Mahal (66 Dumbarton Rd., Duntocher, Clydebank G81 6HE), a Cafe and Indian Takeaway, so says the blurb on their Takeaway Menu. A Cafe? Hector had a mental image of a Curry Cafe with prepared Dishes on display. Allegedly open early morning serving a British Breakfast, at least some sit-in facility was anticipated.
Arriving around 19.00 this evening, I was therefore disappointed to establish that Taj Mahal is only a Takeaway. A bench, which I and other customers used whilst we waited for our Orders, did have one table at the far end. However, with packaging piled up, I doubt if anyone sits here on a regular basis. Cafe Reeshah this was not.
I waded through the Menu, Pizza, Kebabs, Burgers, then finally two pages devoted to Indian Cuisine. I liked the – Any Half Curry & Rice (£4.95) – and wonder how this works. Such is the size of a typical – Glasgow Takeaway – this could mean only having to order one Main Course if ordering for two. 
Next were the – Chef’s Specialities. Too many Dishes had – Peppers, Mixed Peppers, Capsicum. Bhoona – appeared on the list either by name or description, there was hope, a Thick Masala may be available. Lamb Punjabi Masala (£6.00) spicy, tasty bhoona-ish sauce with peppers plus Special Rice (£3.00) cooked in mushrooms, onions and peas – was Hector’s choice. As ever, I asked for no Peppers to be included in either the Main Course or the Rice. This was duly noted.
The Bill
£9.50. So, an extra 50p for withholding the Capsicum?
I sat on the bench, it was cosy as we became three. I watched various Pizza Orders leave the premises. £9.95 for an XL – 14” Pizza looks like good value. The Full Bhoona, a Pizza, took me back to Pizza Hut in Agra, India.
It took a decent fifteen minutes for my Order, the short drive back along the Boulevard meant the Curry and Rice were still Hot enough to eat back at Hector’s House.
Taking a plateful of Rice, I still had enough for later, this could easily have done two. I counted out ten pieces of Meat, then took enough Masala to create an elegant sufficiency.
The Masala was decidedly – Red – Clydebank Curry Red. Why do they all do this? At least the Masala had a reasonably Thick consistency, not too – Soupy – therefore. With Mushrooms, Onions and Peas there was enough Diversity on the plate, pieces of Sliced Green Chillies were also a welcomed sight, extra Bite.
The lack of Seasoning was immediately apparent, at least there was a sense of Spice. The hoped for – Blast of Flavour – never emerged. Whilst the Lamb was suitably Tender, it was not giving out much Flavour other than Meatiness. From somewhere, there was a hint of the ubiquitous – Clydebank Curry Taste. This may or may not be what the people want, it most certainly is what we get.
If Taj Mahal is on one’s doorstep then it’s fine. New Kismet Tandoori (Glasgow) remains my favoured Takeaway in the Clydebank area. Mr. Tasty in Whitecrook is the only Clydebank Takeaway I have not visited. I note they won an Award recently, perhaps next time.