The Glasgow Times is on the hunt for the best takeaway lunch spot in the city. We are looking for your recommendations across the city centre, North Glasgow, East End, Southside and West End, and will be judging food based on Value for Money, Taste, Atmosphere, Service and Variety.
Within five minutes of entering Ting Thai Caravan on West Nile Street I'm handed a fragrant bag filled with my lunch order.
Just five minutes. In a bustling city centre restaurant at 1pm on a sunny afternoon.
Ting Thai is quick, cool, and incredibly well-priced. That's why I've ventured down to test it out in our quest for Glasgow's Best Lunch.
The restaurant offers a Sun Up menu from 12pm to 5pm with dishes priced from around £5 (small box) to around £8 for a main dish.
Several tables are occupied by diners and a small group of fellow takeaway customers are huddled near the sizzling open kitchen.
I would usually go for a chicken pad Thai (£7.80) but I'm feeling something a little more bright on this summery day.
The gai cha plu, a small box with marinated grilled chicken, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and coconut milk sounds good.
I order a side of jasmine rice and yam pak gaad dong (fresh chili pickled veg) to go with it.
The staff are friendly and efficient. I can see two chefs working at speed in the open kitchen, with firing woks spreading the savoury scent of cooking throughout the venue.
Back at the office, I pile a bowl high with rice, the chicken dish, and pickled veggies.
The gai cha plu is swimming in sweet, garlicky, perfectly spiced coconut broth. The citrusy notes of lemongrass, lime leaf, and coriander cut through the creamy sauce for an incredibly balanced dish.
The chicken is a bit overcooked, but I'm willing to overlook this because it's priced so well.
Ting Thai is the kind of restaurant that proves good quality, thought-out menu items can be done fast and well - and if you can nail that you're on to a winner.
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What's the verdict?
Value for Money: 5/5 – My lunch cost £10.20 for three dishes, but I could have done without the chilli pickled veg (£3.20). The gai cha plu (£4.60) and the Thai jasmine rice (£2.40) would have been more than enough.
Taste: 4/5 – Complex, balanced - a really bright fresh and semi-healthy way to fuel up in the afternoon.
Atmosphere: 5/5 – Trendy music, a quick kitchen, and a half-filled restaurant in the middle of the day. I'm a fan of the minimal interior and no-nonsense approach to eating street-style food in a restaurant setting.
Service: 5/5 – Staff are lovely, quick, and accommodating.
Variety: 5/5 – There are dozens of options to choose from with gluten free and vegan options.
Overall score: 24/25
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