CONSTRUCTION at North Lake shopping centre has obscured the signage for the new Indian takeaway Tikka Tucker, but make no mistake, this buffet restaurant is worth seeking out.
The heady scent of fresh curries and hot breads hit us immediately as we entered what used to be Chooks, next to Civic Video.
I needed little encouragement from the owner Sabas to start with the freshly-made mango lassi, onion bhaji and ultra-fresh samosas.
My companion was suspicious of the whole affair, never having liked spicy food.
However, Sabas merely took this as a challenge and charmed him into sampling every meat dish.
None proved too hot to handle, with the standout being the beef vindaloo.
I had vegetables in a creamy, savoury sauce and perfectly done potatoes.
But my favourite was the tangy chickpea dish chana masala.
We chose saffron-flavoured pulao rice and biryani, but plain rice is available along with
pappadums, chapatti and various naan breads.
I went with my favourite side raita, but there’s also freshly-made mango chutney, lime pickle and mint sauce.
Sabas insisted we finish with gulab jamun, milk-powder dumplings served in sugar syrup, flavoured with clove and cardamom seeds.
“Indians believe no meal is complete without a sweet,” he said, and after these, we had to agree.
The restaurant opens every day from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm.
Lunch choices also include tandoori chicken, chicken or fish tikka, and hot or honeydew chicken wings.
All of these come with chips or salad for less than $10.
Though it was clear I could get a quick takeaway if need be, I lingered over every bite at Tikka Tucker.
Tikka Tucker
ADDRESS: 17C Marshall Road Myaree
TEL: 9329 9336
DETAILS: Phone orders, credit cards and eftpos welcome.