Rusholme Kebab House

 NOW CLOSED - AL SAFA is now open on these premises

03/03/10
Well, it’s back open and nothing’s changed – so we went for a look... Well actually something has changed since our last visit and that’s the disappearance of chicken shawarma from the most of the rest of Rusholme.  It’s seemingly endangered which is a real shame because, along with the kobeda, shawarma (the Arabic word for 'doner') is what Middle Eastern kebab eating is all about and unlike the ubiquitous 'elephants foot' style chippy doner it's real meat - and really tasty. Anyway – Rusholme Kebab House is one of the few remaining that do it, so we had a go.
The kebabs were sensibly served with everything separate and on hard trays (carrying all that messy stuff in just paper can be hazardous). The bread was from a clay oven and was a as good as we’ve come to expect. The heater for the meat was only turned on when we arrived so it could have been hotter – though it was moist and tasty, which was just as we wanted. Unfortunately the salad and sauces let the whole thing down –even though yoghurt based they tasted really pasty due, presumably, to too much powder being added to flavour the yoghurt.  The salad was just a bit small, limp and unimpressive. The negative elements to this place could so easily be fixed and would make a massive difference – you’d imagine that on another day a different member of staff would get it all right. Let’s hope so.
Scores out of 10
Meat 8.0
Bread 8.5
Salad/Sauces 3
Service/Setting 6.0
Average 6.4


03/02/10
Currently closed, awaiting reopening under new management.

Middle Eastern style - Wilmslow Road, Rusholme 
Rusholme Kebab House is a pretty generic Middle Eastern establishment, following the Al Quds blue-print. It’s hard to get excited about that – but it’s not bad either. The kebab was good. It was a decent lamb shish that was slightly overcooked. The service was slow, but far from terrible. The place is a bit charmless, being dark with very basic tables and chairs, but that’s no big problem.  Probably due a revisit, but it’s doubtful there will be much more to say.
Scores out of 10
Meat 8.0
Bread 8.5
Salad/Sauces 7.5
Service/Setting 6.0
Average 7.4