The idea of 'rice and three' cafes is one that first came to Greater Manchester in the 1980s. It is a simple enough concept - a plate of rice topped with three different curries, usually at a very reasonable price.
Perhaps the best-known is This and That in the Northern Quarter. Formerly run by the Essa family, they eventually grew tired of the commute from Bolton and decided to sell up - instead opening two stores in their hometown.
Just like that, Rice 'n' Three was born. Since then, Boltonians have flocked to the cafes in the town centre and on Deane Road.
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I am embarrassed to admit that, despite living in Bolton practically my whole life, I have never actually been to try it. It isn't that I don't enjoy a curry, I bloody love them and I imagine the staff at Farnworth's Royal Balti House are sick of the sight of me.
I think it comes down to the fact that I've never seen curry as fast food. When I go to an Indian restaurant, I like to take my time, have a couple of sides and starters, maybe even a pint.
When it comes to getting a quick bite in the town centre, I'll often just get a pasty, grab a buttie from Odessa, or if I'm treating myself, visit Nkono in the market. But on a gorgeously sunny Thursday afternoon, I made my way to the Deane Road cafe to break my Rice 'n' Three duck.
Once inside I saw that the day's options included chicken, kheema, lamb, chana, kidney beans, cauliflower and paneer. Menu options are rotated on a daily basis but the special deals always remain the same - three veggie options with rice is the cheapest at £4.50, followed by one meat and two veg (£5.50), two meat and veg (£6) or three meats for £6.40.
Aside from the 'rice and three' options, you could also get a lamb biryani for £5. Alternatively all of the options were also available to have on their own but the best way to get the most for your money is certainly to go for three.
The restaurant is cash only and I was unprepared for this - but fortunately, the server helpfully told me that there is a free cash machine a few shops down. Money in hand, I marched back to Rice 'n' Three and paid for my lamb biryani (which I added paneer to for an extra £1.50) and also ordered chicken, kheema and paneer to take away.
Plastic spoon in hand I sat down at one of the tables in the restaurant and what happened next is a total blur. Within the space of a mere few minutes I'd wolfed down my entire plate and I can only imagine what I must have looked like to the other diners as I shovelled it into my mouth.
The meat was tender, the paneer was divine, the flavours were well balanced and the spice was not overpowering at all. For the cost, the portion was also generous, although you wouldn't know from how quickly I polished it off.
Each bite was just as delicious as the last and it appeased my hunger without leaving me feeling bloated or that I've overindulged. As I picked up my takeaway and went to leave, the server told me that they would soon be closing for five weeks due to Ramadan.
The curries travelled home surprisingly well and stayed piping hot in the foil takeaway container. I thought maybe I'd just struck lucky with the biryani but the chicken curry and the kheema both lived up to the high expectations that had been set.
Each brought with them a different texture - from the minced kheema to the saucy chunks of chicken and the soft paneer cheese. It seemed only fair that I didn't keep it all to myself as much as I wanted to, especially considering I'd already polished off a whole plate in the not too distant past. Suffice to say, it was also thoroughly enjoyed by others.
I am ashamed that it took me this long to visit and I'm definitely going to have to pop in again to get my fix before it shuts down for Ramadan.
