Heaton's Tandoori — Restaurant in Stockport

05/11/15

We all have our favourite curry house. For those who live around ‘The Moor’ it’s generally a toss-up between The Kushroom Koly and the Heatons Tandoori. We’ve always favoured the latter, not just because of the friendliness of the staff but also because of the impeccable standard of the food. Tucked away on Shaw Road, it’s an unprepossessing-looking establishment, but take a walk in that direction any day of the week and you’ll notice that one restaurant is nearly always busy – and that’s the Heatons Tandoori. It’s not exactly a Johnny come lately either. It’s been in its current location for 25 years

We start (naturally) with some poppadoms, served with bowls of mango chutney, raita, chopped onions and (always my favourite) lime pickle, which is hot and sweet and sour all at the same time. We also have a portion of tandoori lamb chops, which we choose to share, because the main courses here are always on the generous side. The chops come piping hot from the clay oven, nestling on some freshly chopped salad. They are perfectly cooked, spicy, juicy and featuring those lovely charred edges that are such a delight. The bones are quickly stripped of every morsel of flesh.

The main courses are also note perfect – a chicken dansak which is gloriously thick with lentils and a king prawn balti, deliciously spiced and featuring large chewy tiger prawns. We have these with a portion of boiled rice and a couple of huge nan breads, a plain one for me and a peshwari for Susan. The Heatons’ nan breads are rather splendid things, light as feathers and the size of zeppelins, they’re perfect to tear apart and dip into your sauces.

Because there’s never any hope of polishing off those gigantic portions, we ask for the remains to be bagged up, something the staff here are always happy to do, and we head for home, knowing that there’s a whole other delicious meal to be conjured from what’s in the bag. Susan is given a chrysanthemum on the way out, an enduring tradition which we’ve never really quite understood, but it matters not. Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to Indian food and we’ve never been disappointed by a meal at the Heatons.

Get down there and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.

4.5 stars

Philip...

I have being visiting the Heatons Tandoori since in my twenties and i have just turned 50 so went to celebrate with friends. The restaurant, food and staff has changed little over this time and still remains a top notch Indian restaurant to this day with the same head chef and owner Abi. Their service and quality is unrivalled and prices great value too. The Kulchi lamb slow cooked speciality dish is one of the best Indian dished i have tasted here, albeit a bit too much food for 4 people, the doggy bag was massive! but great to take home, i would reckon it would feed min 6 people. Great value dish. I like to think i am a methi gosht connoisseur and this dish served at the Heatons Tandoori is exactly how it should be cooked. Spot on imo. I would like to make a special thank you to Abi for the great night i had for my 50th celebratory meal, you made us feel very special and welcome yet again. Also can i request that the staff chicken curry you gave me be put on the menu, one of the best authetic curries i have ever tasted with a real great kick of fresh green chilli. Wow! Or at the very least give me the recipe and cooking instructions! Dont change guys - one of my fave restaurants. Cheers...

The waiter there was really rude to my wife. We have been regular diners for 20 years there twice a month but will not visit again. When we arrived there was a deal on ,starter ,main dessert for a reduced price. My wife simply asked lf it was possible to have 2 starters instead of a starter and a main. This would have cost less but if they had said no it would not have been an issue. The waiter who has never been friendly compared to the other stared straight at my wife and said no is such a condescending rude tone it shocked me. The owner who is always lovely and personable was not there and it's sad that this waiter is damaging his business. I am writing this so he can read it.My good friend had a similar experience with the same waiter a year ago so this is not a one off. The rude waiter has what looks to be a hairpiece so will not be hard to recognise...