Location:

1365 Gerrard Street East, Toronto

Cost: $50 for 2 or 3

www.lahoretikkahouse.com

I've been to Lahore Tikka House numerous times.

The restaurant that always seems to be in a state of construction...and serving what feels like practically take-out, under make-shift portables.

You check off what you want from the paper menu, receive a number and with plastic cutlery, paper cups and plates at the ready, you wait....

Wait for the goodness to arrive.

For the unmistakable tune of juicy sizzle on a hot pan.

Lahori Chicken kebabs

The delectable mouth-wateringChicken biryani. A greasy fave.

Instead of the butter chicken they recommended we try the chicken tikka masala 'cause it's spicier. Agreed!

The sizzling King Fish is glorious!

Don't forget to wash it all down with an Indian staple of Thumbs Up. Why is pop always so much better in a bottle?

And although they've been times when we've been left waiting for our dishes a lot longer than at previous visits and even had to re-order (!), for the most part, the service is quite efficient and friendly and doesn't seem to have been interrupted by the renovations that appear to still be underway...

Lahore Tikka is definitely a greasy spoon ladle with a (depending how cast-iron your stomach is) almost-guarantee, but it brings you as close to authentic India as can do. Let's hope they don't lose the cosy atsmophere with the faux-imperial scheme they seem to be coming up with.