28/12/2022
Genuinely saddened to hear of the death this week of Glasgow's own 'Super Ali'.
Ali Ahmed Aslam, Mr Ali to generations of Glasgow curry lovers, opened the Shish-Mahal, in Gibson Street, in 1964.
In those days, when the pubs shut at 10pm, going for a 'Ruby' was the only way to keep drinking. In its early days, the Shish even allowed customers to bring in their own 'cairry-oots'.
In 1979, to mark the restaurant's 15th birthday, Mr Ali rolled the prices back to 1964 levels, hence the huge queue.
His father, Noor Mohammed, had opened one of the city's first proper Indian restaurant, the 'Green Gates, in nearby Bank Street, in 1959.
The Shish also lays claim to inventing chicken tikka masala. When one customer complained that their chicken tikka was too dry, the enterprising chefs knocked up a sauce, using a can of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup and some curry spices.
Mr Ali served me my first curry, when I was about seven, and he also made a great fuss over my grandfather, who asked if he could eat the extra hot 'staff curry',
His smile was always broad, and, even if I hand't been in for a while, his welcome always warm.
He really is now in curry heaven, and Glasgow is the poorer for his departure. Safe travels Mr Ali...
Pic: Newsquest
