Akbar's Restaurant 73-83 Liverpool Road, Salford M3 4NQ

"First time at Akbar's today and I was very impressed! The food is very reasonably priced and the portion sizes cannot be grumbled at. Also, the giant "family naan" is a must have and definitely worth it - very tasty as well. The "Big un" challenge is very tasty and you get a lot of food for just under £15, definitely worth it! The food was very tasty and enjoyable, service was also quick and staff were friendly and helpful. Menu was quite extensive as well and has lots of options, vegans go elsewhere because none of your fake plant meat stuff is served here. Would definitely return. One bad thing I'd say is the size of the main eating area, it does seem to be rather cramped and the tables aren't that big either, because it's cramped there's basically people walking past your table the entire time, not the end of the world but when you're sat near a family of loud kids that decide to run around and knock into your table it does get annoying!"

"Where to start. Booked a table for 19:30, if your reservation gets confirmed you don't then expect to be waiting in like for another 25 minutes for a table to become available? The setting is so noisy you can't hear people at your table speak and the staff can't hear your order. Since the last time it has become EVEN MORE cramped if that is possible, if dining with multiple people there simply isn't enough space on the table for your food. The food I was quite disappointed with as it was very average, however I would recommend the masala fish starter but that's the only compliment they'll get for this review. If you are adamant on going take your time and go to the Bradford establishment, this one will just cause you frustration."

"Came here with my 2 friends on a Wednesday around 6.30pm and were quickly seated without any waiting. It was the first time I'd been to Akbar's for over 10 years so was really looking forward to visiting again I decided to try the "Chef's Challenge 1" (see picture) which consisted of a meat feast Balti, portion of pilau rice and a gigantic naan. My friends went for the usual starters and main meal. If I completed the challenge then I would get a certificate and a dessert "of my choice". I received my food shortly after, the main dish was average at best with it just being a mixture of minced meat, lamb, chicken, and potato just thrown together and made into something that was too salty and lacking in taste. The pilau rice was bland with no pieces of meat or any sort salaan to top it off to give it some flavour. On the other hand the naan was tasty and very lite. I completed the challenge in around 20 mins and according to the challenge rules I should've been asked which dessert I wanted for my reward but this didn't happen and I was just brought 2 scoops of ice-cream which was probably the cheapest dessert on the menu. Overall very disappointed with both the quality of food and the service received, I expected better from a well-known restaurant which I had enjoyed visiting 10 years earlier."

"Well that was my first visit to this branch. I have been to the one in Glasgow. 1) Booking and ridiculous rule: I almost decided to walk out at the entrance. We booked a table and the staff wouldn’t let us enter until everyone was there. Explained to him that we will place an order even for missing persons and if they don’t arrive its on us but they wouldn’t listen. Finally, a lady came and sorted us out. Seats and space: The seating and tables were extremely tight. Our dishes couldn’t even fit. This was very disappointing. Had to play musical chair with dishes as they couldn’t fit. Very tight room to eat freely. This is probably because they have tried to squeeze in more people and didn’t realize about providing enough room for people to eat with comfort. Food: Bbq: The bbq was excellent and it was well cooked and nice juicy taste. We really liked it. Karahi and curry: The curry dishes were too spicy and didn’t like them as all one could taste is chilly and spice. Had to order yogurt twice to eat. Staff: The service staff was friendly and decent. Iftar platter: The iftar fruit platter was extremely disappointing. Excepted a little more from the management. Rather than just concentrating on saving money should have presented it better and nobody asked them to give it for free."

"The food here is ok, although spicier (in my view) than some other smaller curry houses for a similar type of dish (e.g. garlic chicken balti). What let down the rating was one of the dishes on our order didn't turn up till nearly the end of our meal, despite us chasing. You could argue the waiter missed it/didn't hear us but my friend had ordered a sweet curry and the waiter checked before leaving the table that this was ok. This makes me think he clearly did hear us and somehow the chef didn't get said order. A service charge was then added which we didn't pay as the overall service was poor on this occasion"