One of the highlights of my recent SharedCity tour of Ealing Road was the last stop of our walk – lunch at local favourite, Asher’s Africana Restaurant.
A minimalist’s dream and a vegetarian’s delight (especially if either is on a tight budget), Asher’s Africana is a smart spot to keep in mind for a tasty and wholesome meal on the cheap.
Yes, it’s an Indian restaurant; the “Africana” title refers to the many Gujurati immigrants who moved to London via East Africa (and largely Uganda). The menu boasts “authentic Gujarati vegetarian dishes” with such low pricing that would astound anyone perusing it except for a diehard regular.
I had the Mini Thali (£3.50) with two roti, one vegetable curry, rice and dal. It was tasty and wholesome and despite its diminutive name was ample size for a fairly filling lunch. The Gujarati Thali (£6) offers five roti two curries, rice, dal, yoghurt and papadum. For the Special Gujarati Thali (£8) add a samosa, kachori, lassie and a sweet. There’s plenty more to try as well – samosa chat, masala chips, mini spring rolls – costing between £2 and £4.
The dining area is as perfunctory a setting as it gets. And you’ll stand out if you don’t look local, but folks won’t make a scene about it. If your experience reflects mine, you’ll feel money is going to a business that appreciates the patronage and serves a healthy and quality product to its customers.
Not that I’m any sort of expert, but Asher’s felt like the real deal to me. I wish I lived a little closer; I’d be in there all the time.
Asher’s Africana Restaurant is located at 224 Ealing Road, HA0 4QL. Find out more at facebook.com/pages/Ashers-Africana/154761757877174.
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