Mirch Masala (Tooting)

My friends and I have eaten here so often we don't bother to look at the menu any more. As other reviewers have mentioned, the service isn't particularly attentive, but that's mainly because Mirch Masala is constantly packed - expect to queue most nights of the week between 7 and 10 but don't let that put you off because the food is excellent - fresh, well balanced spices and distinct flavours and amazing value for money!. You will genuinely struggle to spend more than £15 a head on food and it's byo with no corkage. I've never found a dish I didn't like but would particularly recommend the grilled lamb chops and jeera chicken wings to start and the karahi king prawns and karahi mehti gosht for mains. Oh and garlic naan - always get the garlic naan!
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D Longman
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 06, 2007

I visit restaurants in Tooting regularly with my husband and kids. Curry is comfort food for us. We go for Sri Lankan or Indian and if we go for Indian, we always go to the Mirch. It reminds me of being in India. No frills, brisk service and very basic decor, but what else to do you expect for the price? We like the Tandoori Paneer as a starter. The Kaharri egg, the butter bean methi and the okra are to die for. Don't forget to give more than 10% tip because there's no corkage. The waiters are probably on minimum wage at this restaurant's prices and we don't want their children to be brought up in poverty.
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Colette Smith
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 28, 2007

Food was average if a litle oily. Staff were incredibly rude. Very disappointing considering its nreputation. Would not recommend, especially when other local restaurants are excellent
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M Beam
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 8
Friday, June 15, 2007

This is a good place to go for the atmosphere. The place is litterly packed to the rafters with people - giving you a real sense of how vibrant a community Tooting actually is (despite what you'd think looking up and down the high street). The cafe style suits the informal atmosphere. It's also really nice to be able to see the (very crowded) kitchens.

The food, in general, is good - a little oily, but nothing to complain about. I have to say that the nan i had was burnt and tastless. However, a minced chicken dish and a lamb dish made up for it. Bit of a tip - go for the plain lassai - it's 50p and tastes amazing. So good in fact that you'll be ordering your second before the waiter has left your table.

Service is a bit so-so. Maybe this can be explained by the constant stream of people - but curtesy is free!

If you want a good value cafe-style Indian meal, you couldn't do much better. However, if you want a more traditional Indian restaurant experience (i.e. waiters that look after you, the feeling that your not being rushed out the door etc and REALLY good food.), i'd suggest going round the corner to the excellent Vijaya Krishna.
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

This is a good place to go for the atmosphere. The place is litterly packed to the rafters with people - giving you a real sense of how vibrant a community Tooting actually is (despite what you'd think looking up and down the high street). The cafe style suits the informal atmosphere. It's also really nice to be able to see the (very crowded) kitchens.

The food, in general, is good - a little oily, but nothing to complain about. I have to say that the nan i had was burnt and tastless. However, a minced chicken dish and a lamb dish made up for it. Bit of a tip - go for the plain lassai - it's 50p and tastes amazing. So good in fact that you'll be ordering your second before the waiter has left your table.

Service is a bit so-so. Maybe this can be explained by the constant stream of people - but curtesy is free!

If you want a good value cafe-style Indian meal, you couldn't do much better. However, if you want a more traditional Indian restaurant experience (i.e. waiters that look after you, the feeling that your not being rushed out the door etc and REALLY good food.), i'd suggest going round the corner to the excellent Vijaya Krishna.
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

I discovered this place about 4 years ago and have been there dozens of times with and without friends. The verdict is always nearer 10/10 than the 1/10s recorded by some previous contributors. Maybe it's got something to do with what you order. I always have the tandoori dishes, lamb tikka (sensational). chicken jeera, etc. They are so good I've never been tempted to try anything else. Paratha with tarka dhal makes a tasty wettish accompaniment.
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esky
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 30, 2007

i really love ur food i always go there for a restuarent one of my top and favourite restuarent i love the food, i dont have to wait for long only about 10 mins to 20

which is good. If i had a restuarent i would love to have a restuarent like mirch masala see you soon.

im sexcy im looking for a nice man who can cook yh!!!! so next

time i come u better ask me my name xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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nabila
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, March 27, 2007

I agree with the more recent reviews - this restaurant is astounding value, delivering the tastiest authentic Indian food. It is invariably packed with Indian customers. It is a no frills restaurant - if you want linen tablecloths, silver service or obsequious waiters, go elsewhere. However, if you want a buzzing atmosphere, great value authentic food with extensive meat and vegetarian choices with garlic naan to die for, this place should be first on your list.
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David Wenham
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 07, 2007

This is one of our favourite restaurants for authentic Indian food. Don't expect silver service at these prices, but do expect freshly cooked, full-flavoured food. Try the prawn tikka and chicken and lamb kebab starters - mains are always freshly prepared to your taste and I've never had a bad dish. We've been going to MM regularly for a couple of years now and quite frankly your average Indian restaurant (esp. Akash on Northcote Road) doesn't come anywhere near the good, home-style curries you are served at Mirch Masala. Is someone trying to sabotage this fantastic find that is always full of Asian people - surely the best review?
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STL
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 12, 2007

My friends and I went there last night and all i can say is WOW! The food was absolutely gorgeous, the starters were lovely and so tasty, the mains were pretty good too. The staff arent that friendly but i wouldnt say rude. We ate until we were stuffed and the whole meal for three came to £33! i couldnt believe it! Not really the place to go on a date due to its very basic decor and bright lighting, but definately somewhere to take foodie friends - make sure you take your own bottle of wine/beer though! Dont listen to the bad reviews, the service was very quick and it was very very busy (always a good sign in restaurnats!)
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S.Whittaker
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 01, 2007