As established two days ago, despite their online menu suggesting otherwise, Pakistani Street Food (105 Albert Drive, Pollokshields, Glasgow G41 2 SU) does serve Curry! Hidden in plain sight – was going to be the headline banner for today’s review, how often has Hector passed this venue and not gone in to investigate? As the afternoon took an unfortunate turn, the headline banner above had to change.
Despite the continuous drizzle, all was well when Marg and Hector parked near Pakistani Street Food just on 14.15. We were greeted by one of the two men in black, who insisted on coming around the counter to show us to a table in the otherwise empty premises. Both chaps sported headset microphones, as did a differently dressed chap who sat in the far corner throughout our stay, the manager no doubt. With what mother ship they were in communication, who knows, a bit excessive in a corner cafe which once housed Banana Leaf (Southside).
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 Ambala and the much missed Karahi Palace. And – the facility – here is spacious, spotless, and everything works as it should.
Assuming the two chaps were the same ones I spoke to on Saturday, I reiterated my observation that they do not advertise that Curry is sold on these premises. The same list was recited: Lamb Curry, Chicken Curry, Paya, Nihari. Only later did I notice that – Staff Curry With 2 Roti (£10.00) is on the in-house menu (below).
For Hector, Lamb Curry, but not with the two offered Chapattis. Instead, full investigation mode was adopted, Vegetable Pilau With Raita (£7.00) would accompany. But only after I established that I was not going to be given an excess of Rice. I was assured I should manage it.
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. Kashmiri Chai (£3.50) was not to be missed.
A giraffe (sic) of tap water was secured, completing the Order.
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 Masala Fish poster on the window.
Served with Chips or a Naan – I was informed.
No: Salad, Rice, and a bowl of Masala – is how I would like it. The waiter was not for taking me on. The Hector may work on this.
Naan with Fish? Too dry. Chips? As if they would be. Fries, frozen, these are considered to be an abomination. The Hector only ever orders – Chips – when it is clear they are made from Potato, and have hopefully been peeled on the premises. Can nobody peel a Potato any more?
Sitting here, at the corner of Albert Drive, there was also time to ponder over the seemingly lack of Curry Houses on this stretch. Lahori Tawa, visited on Saturday, complementing Halal Kebab House, means there are now three. With Ambala and Desi Dhaba Chaiwala a block away on Forth Street, then the sadly underwhelming Cafe Serena and the stupendously wonderful New Cafe Reeshah, a few minutes walk to the north west, this area of Pollokshields can be seen once again as being a focal point of Desi Curry in this part of the Southside.
Two Dips were provided before the food was brought to the table on a large tray. Warm, pukka cutlery, cold plates. Marg purloined the Raita that accompanied the Rice. Enough to amuse.
Samosa
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.
Vegetable Pilau
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 allotted Salad quota.
A Euro Rice portion, however, the quantity was a fair reflection of the price. I advised the waiter at the start that some of this would become Takeaway.
Potatoes, Peas and unusually large pieces of Carrot were in the mix. The Rice had been suitably spiced, as good as a Vegetable Biryani in Hector’s book. Enough Interesting Vegetables here to overcome the relative plainness of Meat & Masala. In future I would be looking for a sharing partner if ordering this again.
Lamb Curry
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. Lamb on-the-bone, as was revealed by the presence of a singular Sucky Bone. The Hector was in a good place.
I now had a mountain of food set before me. No way would I be eating all this here. Better get started.
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.
This is good – I had to tell Marg, who is always happy to at least share the enjoyment of my Curry.
The Spice hit the palate hard, not in a ridiculous way, enough to know Chef meant business. The oh-so-important Seasoning was right up there. Brown, and as Shorva-looking as this Masala was, it had everything one might look for, despite there being no Whole Spices.
As The Masala smothered the Meat, much of it was absorbed by the abundant Rice. I realised that I would surely run out. The waiter came to ask the customary question, I planted the seed that I might ask for more Masala, later. That was the second time I mentioned additional Masala, I don’t know if he was ready for this way of thinking.
Super-soft Lamb, minimal chewing required. Maybe a bit dry, as long as there was Masala, all should be well.
I had eaten mouthfuls of the Vegetable Pilau, about four pieces of Meat, then I had to stop. Calm, patience, alas, food impaction, Esophageal Dysphagia had struck again. The curse of over enthusiastic eating. Drinking water does not help, gravity either does its job, or it doesn’t.
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.
With recovery imminent, Marg suggested I ask for my food to be reheated. Had it arrived just warm, I would have had no hesitation. The food had been served wonderfully hot, it was now cold, my fault. I was not about to take any risks, I had also lost all interest in eating, anything. The food was removed from the table and suitably packed. 90%+ of what I had started with.
I’ll have it tonight.
Marg’s Tea arrived at the end.
The Kashmir Tea arrived piping hot with the nuts sprinkled on top. I felt it was a perfect finish to my meal. Sweet, nutty, and warm.
The Bill
£25.50
The till showed my Curry as – Lamb Karahi – £10.00.
The Aftermath
As with Kabana (Manchester), one of my favourite Karahi outlets, I would ask – in what way was today’s offering a Karahi. Excellent Curry, certainly.
Apologies were given as I presented the Calling Card. I promised to return and actually eat my food on the premises. Nihari next time, but then, what might the Staff Curry be?
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 up a board in house displaying what is available.
Update
Tonight came and went, no way was I eating Curry. Maybe tomorrow.
2026 Menu
