Glasgow – Punjabi Ibrox – Down Memory Lane

It is Hector’s birthday, tonight’s Curry therefore had to be something – very special. Curryspondent Bill was contacted a few weeks back, I knew he would let the Chaps at Punjabi Ibrox (560 Paisley Road West, Ibrox, Glasgow, G51 1RF) know that I was coming. It is six years since Marg and Hector last dined here, in the interim Punjabi (Charing Cross) became the fourth most visited Curry House in Glasgow. This Punjabi was leased out in 2014, with that expired, Jazzy is back here as Mein Host. What about Harry, and Bill?

We were out early as the Champions League semi-final was due to kick off at 20.00,  arriving at Punjabi @18.30. The place was empty except for Jazzy sitting in his spot. He greeted us with:

We’ve got Lamb on-the-bone for you.

This was a very good start to the proceedings.

Keema Padora (£5.25) was one of the main reasons why I chose to come here, this excellent Starter has been missed. Marg claimed never to have seen one never mind had one, strange, because a well known and reliable Curry Blog gives an account of her eating half of a Keema Padora on our previous visit. Marg was caught in two minds, Keema Mattar (£8.95) or Lamb Rogan Josh (£8.95). Despite having essentially the same thing twice, Marg went for Keema Mattar with one Chapatti (£1.00). I asked for the Desi Lamb (£8.95) to have extra Methi added hoping to recreate the famed – Lamb Gurmeet – which Hector inspired at Punjabi (Charing Cross). Bread had to be the accompaniment, a Plain Paratha (£2.10) completed the food order. The Birthday Boy decided to have Strongbow, served from a can, to wash this down. No – pinta’ lager. Marg had Soda & Lime.

Complimentary Poppadoms and Spiced Onions were provided. Marg asked for Mango Chutney which arrived a few minutes later. The Mango certainly jazzed up the Poppadoms, there was a good kick from the Onions. I have not enjoyed Poppadoms so much in the UK for a while, but then I do not order them.

The Keema Padora was brought just as we finished the last pieces of Poppadom. I asked Jazzy to ensure we had a decent gap between this and the Mains else we would have been out in no time. We were here – to dine.

Keema Padora

Four blobs of Keema, rich in herbs, sat atop the quartered Poori. For once, cutting the Bread does make sense. The usual strips of Raw Onion were missing. The Poori was piping hot. The dryness of the Mince coupled with the slight sweetness from the fresh Poori works so well together. There was quite a kick from the Keema. Two of these would make a decent Main Course, at Punjabi (Charing Cross) I once had a Keema Padora accompanied by Aloo Gobi, no Main Course. That was delightful.

Marg let me have three quarters, her Mince was coming.

We had a rest, time for more Cider. The famous Punjabi canopy is still there. I counted thirty five seats at six or seven tables. The phone rang quite a few times during our visit, some came to collect Takeaways. Hari, Mein Host at Punajbi (Charing Cross), was in and out doing deliveries. People were staying in tonight, Ajax have created quite a stir.

When it felt appropriate, I asked Jazzy to bring the Mains.

Keema Mattar

This was a decidedly wetter version of the Mince which had been on the Padora. The quantity of Curry in the karahi was quite misleading, this was actually a large portion. Marg would declare defeat with around a quarter* left, lunch for Hector later this week.

Marg thoroughly enjoyed what she ate, the Spice was not too much for her, she loved the – herbs. Methi.

The solitary Chapati did not look much, it was a perfect match for what Marg ate. The Paratha was a disappointment. For the second time in a few days I have to question if this was actually a Paratha and not juts a thick Chapatti. There was no sign of Layering, and it was certainly not – Flaky. This just looked like an Oatmeal Chapatti.

Desi Lamb

Behold, this is what Hector has been missing. The ratio of Meat to Masala was ideal. The Masala was Thick, the Methi was mixed through. The Oil was collecting around the periphery of the karahi, this was just the bee’s knees.

From the first dip this had me won, in effect – Lamb Gurmeet, yet Chef Gurmeet works elsewhere Jazzy would tell me later. The richness of the Flavour was once again down to the Seasoning which was spot on. The Spice Level was not demanding yet did build as I ate. The Tender Lamb had a sense of belonging, everything here was working well together. I took my time, I have to these days. Every mouthful was savoured, this was a very impressive Curry. Hari was back on the premises, I called over to him:

I recognise this, I feel as if I’m in Charing Cross.

I found a Sucky Bone, my day was made. This Desi Lamb was everything I could possibly want in a Curry.

Marg watched me enjoy my Birthday Treat. She ordered a Milky Coffee which arrived as hot as she likes it. All was well in Glasgow this evening.

The Bill

I don’t know, I didn’t look.

The Aftermath

Jazzy came and sat with us. He confirmed that the lease here is his. Hari, in passing, told us that he is due to take over a business in Ayrshire/Renfrewshire. Hopefully he will get in touch. Bill may keep me advised.  Get well, Bill.

Jazzy told us that in recent months a sack of Onions has gone from £5.00 to £13.00. The price of Broken Cashew Nuts has also increased markedly. Jazzy let slip that their base Masala is Onions, Plum Tomatoes and Cashews, now I know. He asked me about – Afghan Curry – how it’s made and where to get it. Namkeen Karahi, cooked with Salt and Pepper only, as served at Yadgar, Namak Mandi and of course Khyber Pass.

Until today, I have kept Punjabi (Charing Cross) and The Pedlar & Spice on – Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses. and – Glasgow’s Top Rated.  I feel they now have to be separated, and despite this only being the second visit in the present era to Punjabi Ibrox, it has to be – Recommended. Hector has been dining here since the 1970s, the staff are back. This modest establishment is worth checking out. If only they opened before 16.00. But Jazzy did say when the football is on at Ibrox, they do open at lunchtimes.

Finally, before we departed, there had to be a photo of the lager font – pinta’ lager!

*Update

Marg ate more than I appreciated at the time, at least it gave the opperchancity to show what I think a – Paratha – is.  One day I’ll manage to roll out a round one.

Punjabi – Menu