Jamal’s

I don’t know which Jamal’s the dissenter of the 12^th Feb 2011 went to, as we visited the restaurant on the 24^th Feb. When we went in the place was quite empty and from experience that isn’t always a good sign. however we should not have worried we were attended promptly by polite helpful staff who took our food and drinks order. Whilst we waited the place filled up rapidly. on the next table to us were a group of ‘loud’ students. The last time I checked this behaviour was know as enjoying yourself. We were not forgotten and the courses came to us in good time. The food was excellent as was the service. Thoroughly enjoyed the night if anything the atmosphere of the other customers made the evening. We would recommend this restaurant to anyone and will definitely go again when we return to Oxford

We went to Jamals for a nice quiet evening but we ended up having a very stressful, horrible time because of a large group of loud, rowdy students. When we arrived the waiters were attentive, but as soon as the students came in we may as well have disappeared. They extended the students’ table so that they were practically dovetailing our own. We had to ask to order drinks and food because they were so busy attending to this large party that they practically forgotten us. Then we had to listen to round after round of screeching, clapping, cheering, and toasting. When I asked the waiter to tell them to keep it down (a reasonable request) especially as other diners in the restaurant were very irritated by the noise, he told the manager who looked nervously at me and then did nothing at all. We had to tell the students ourselves to be quiet though were completely ignored. We decided after our meal to walk out at which point the waiter ran over with our bill. I told him I was absolutely disgusted by how we had been treated and told him he needs to give us a discount. He went to his manager and told me he could take £6 off the total bill. I told him that we wouldn’t pay it and that either they take at least 15% off or I would speak to the manager personally. He said there was nothing he could do because they were students. I told him our night had been ruined and that I wanted to speak to the manager. The manager would not come over (not even to apologise) and we were finally offered a larger discount which we paid and left. The fact is, as soon as a large party of students walked in they were only interested in the money they would get from them (even though they all brought their own alcohol in). They were not interested in the experience of the other diners at all. It was the worst evening I have ever had in a restaurant and would warn people not to go there. From reading similar reviews on this website, it will be interesting to see how well they do in the vacations when all the students have gone home and no one else will want to eat there.

Another excellent Indian restaurant in Oxford. I was on foot and it seemed that I walked forever to get there, as it is a ways from the center. The food was excellent and I have no complaints at all, but it is just a tiny notch below Aziz. The neighborhood is a bit more modest and the ambiance is not quite as nice. But if you end up here, or set out to end up here, you will not be disappointed. I usually get the chicken tikka masala and it is excellent every time.

This place is massive and cheap. I used to come here all the time when I first came to Oxford, and the food was consistently OK.
The last few times I’ve been, the food has been extremely poor, the wine disguting, the service slow and rude.
They’ve clearly decided the best way to make money is by concentrating on cramming as many large groups of drunken university sports teams in as possible. That’s all well and good, but I’m not in a university sports team.
I’m probably drunk though.
As there’s two superior indian restaurants within 1 minutes walk of this place, I can’t see myself coming back.

Most of the early reviews seem to have got this off to a ‘T’: based on my one experience, the food in this classical Indian Tandoori restaurant was perfectly decent, and reasonably priced: best value are the mixed-​dish Thalis, especially the veggie one at £9.95. They will also tone the spicing up or down if you ask, which is a nice touch.
On our visit, there was a large party there (a male hockey team) who were thankfully placed in a separate room: we could here them in the distance but they didn’t disturb us. But it is a large restaurant, so maybe not so good for a quiet or romantic meal.
The staff were somewhat over attentive — I think we were served vy five different waiters — but the service was efficient. Two courses with drinks and tip came to about £15, which isn’t bad for Oxford, although it is a little off the beaten track for those staying in the centre.

The quality of this restaurant swings more than the moods of the drunken students that constitute the majority of its evening clientele. I have had absolutely delicious meals here with great service and a pleasant atmosphere, and I have been served undercooked gristle marinaded in its own fat whilst being ushered out the door as quickly as possible.
When the food is good, the only disappointment is the décor (think the cheesiest of curry house chic, then add a few more wall murals and statues of Ganesha). But at its worst, the food can be the least of your worries. Don’t come to this restaurant if you dislike to hear shouting, singing and swearing over the saag aloo. Depending on the night, it can get pretty boisterous, with huge parties of students getting drunk on their own booze (it’s BYOB) and we all know how that can end.
I will put my hands up and say that on occasion, as a student, I have been present when the whole group of us have run out the door (after paying the bill) as it all got a bit too much for one of our party and the evening played out in reverse, possibly a little too publicly.
So in conclusion, not a dating restaurant. I would suggest perhaps the Sunday buffet or early evening or even a takeaway. Or you could rock up with your 20 most drunken friends and have a great time at the expense of everyone else.

Those who say the quality of Jamal’s yo-​yos are spot on: I’ve had experiences here that range from feeling like I was in a top drawer curry house, to wondering if they’d just microwaved a particularly bad supermarket own-​brand curry in the kitchen.
The reality is that any evening in Jamal’s ends up being coloured by who else is in. If you’re part of one of the big groups they encourage with their ‘bring your own’ policy and readiness to accept huge bookings then it’s no doubt a good laugh; but if you’re a small group stuck on a table between a sports team on one side and a 21^st birthday party on the other, you’re probably not going to have a great time.
To be fair, it doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not, and on the whole serves passable Indian cuisine which isn’t exactly inspired, but isn’t so costly that you’d expect it to be.
Probably only worth a visit if you’re part of a group looking for an easy Indian option, or fancy a late night feed after an evening in Jericho’s pubs.

I’ve been here a few times for take out in the last 4 months as I live very close, trying something different each time. But each time I’ve been strangely dissatisfied. I don’t like ‘blow your head off’ hot curries but I at least want to taste the chillies. For the first few times I went no matter what I chose it didn’t have any kick. The most recently I had the king prawn madras, which did pack a punch but wasn’t that tasty. The staff are always very nice, and the portions are huge, but quite expensive. I am sure I’ll go back but am seriously considering driving to Cowley road for take out next time (!!).

This restaurant boasts an award winning chef! And when one tries the great Indian dishes it is obvious why. This is above standard food. Its rare for me to be able to say that.
I had the Thali set menu. Each spice tasted well balanced and not too dominant over the other flavours.
On Sundays is the special banquet. From noon to 2.30pm choose any starter, any one main dish, any one side dish, rice & nan for £9.95! Bargain.
They cater for special occasions, party bookings and accommodate 150 people.
There is free home takeaway, minimum order £15.

This place is quite popular, but I feel that it’s overrated. I visited this place with a big group of mates some time ago, and haven’t gone back since.
There are better bring your own booze Indians, most of them more central than this one which is out in Jericho. I remember many dishes, including my rice, coming out the same shade of orange and being quite sloppy and unpleasant.
The staff don’t mind you coming in big groups, but I know of other places that are much more grateful for your custom. Overall, a bit mediocre.

Jamals does good, honest Indian food but with quick service and a very high tolerance for big groups of people. It’s the typical place for sports teams, clubs and big birthday parties and is especially popular for its bring your own bottle policy. The food is nothing surprising but has a good range of spiciness, from very mild to suicidally hot. The staff aren’t overly friendly but provide prompt, efficient service, and let’s be honest, you don’t really pay much attention when in a big group. They’re very accommodating for putting tables together and last-​minute booking changes. It’s a very popular place, so well worth booking. Sometimes it feels like they’re quite keen for you to get out when you’ve finished your meal, which can spoil the atmosphere a bit, but that’s soon forgotten and you’ll find yourself returning time and time again.