Salford takeaway given glowing review by national food critic thanks to its 'noble' curries

Greater Manchester is home to many things, but as far as food and drink goes, one of its most enduring culinary pastimes is the humble rice and three.

It's said that the first to serve up three curries onto a bed of steaming rice was This & That in the 80s, and since then curry houses and takeaways dishing up the delicacy have filtered out from the Northern Quarter and popped up all over.

So, its not surprising that it should catch the attention not only of locals but visitors too. And on a recent trip to the region, an acclaimed food critic stopped by a Salford Grill to tuck into the speciality - and as you might expect, he was rather impressed.

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Though it opened a couple of years ago now, Observer food critic Jay Rayner was recently taken by a friend to Maida Grill House in Salford. As well as tucking into its rice-and-three options, the journalist tried its variety of smoky lamb chops, samosas and other affordable dishes at the grill.

Located at what he called the 'end of a barren-looking ribbon of Liverpool Street in Salford', its situated opposite a Holiday Inn, and near to new apartment blocks and industrial estate, and only features a small number of eat-in seats. Options at the grill include a range of daily specials including chicken rice boxes, garlic naans, chicken tikka, lamb chops and a range of vegan dishes.

Writing for The Guardian, the esteemed food writer reviewed Maida Grill House, which is named after owner Maida Kosar and her husband Hussein, and described it as 'great' thanks to its 'good' and 'cheap' food. Amongst its most affordable dishes, a portion of tarka dal will set diners back £5, while keema potato on