I think I’ve got a taste for this blogging lark again. I’ve also got a taste for takeaways so here we go again to quote Stakka Bo.

Taste Box, 8 Wisemore, Walsall.

Takeaway opposite Tesco that I have walked past thousands of times but never been in. It recently changed its name but I can’t think what it used to be called. A proper blogger would go on Google Maps and use the year selector to check, and yes I could have done that. But I also had the option to go on You Tube instead and pick Cathy Dennis videos. Which I did and I’m now enjoying. “Too many walls have been built in between us….”. Alright Cathy love, leave the negative stuff to me.

Anyway upon arrival I could’ve eaten southern fried scabby oss due to having my dinner at work an hour early and being in no hurry on my amble in the sun from the Manor along the canal into town. Inside it’s not as big as it looks from outside although a good portion of the place is hidden behind a wall of pizza boxes, which if any bigger it may have required planning permission. Actually I wonder if Cathy Dennis was standing behind it. She thinks too many walls…..

They do an all day collection only pizza offer, but and I’ll say this quietly because it will cause outrage but I didn’t fancy that particular dish. I opted for the fish burger and fries. “Do you want sauce?” “Do you have tartare?”. “No. Garlic mayo?” “Oh, go on”. This was £4, 50p dearer than on the menu but I couldn’t be arsed to argue. If anything it should have been cheaper than the menu as turned down the salad that came as standard. Food was ok. Standard really. Glad I finally ticked it off though.

Charleys. 93 Ablewell Street, Walsall.

Located in what was the long standing Rooster Hut just down from the Trough. I don’;’t usually like to take full frontal pictures of places in case the staff see me. On this occaion I was feeling brave and one did. A man came marching out. “Are you taking a picture?” he demanded. “Yes” I confirmed cheerfully. “It’s my first visit and I like to keep a record of where I’ve been”. Second time I’ve had to use that lie and I’m starting to get good at it.

I ordered the spicy chicken fillet burger (no salad, but mayo and cheese slice) meal which was £5. I studied the menu whilst waiting. One pizza is called fully loaded which is listed as “a bit of everything”. No thank you. I wouldn’t want my pizza to be that busy plus everything means good stuff but also baddies like mushrooms, pineapple and god forbid one of the staff has accidentally brought a cauliflower into work with them. No George, I just like pizza that I know in advance what’s on it. They also do donner meat. chips and cheese which I’ve never seen on a menu before. I’m having that one night on the way home.

My food was served in a cool paper bag by a friendly member of staff who confirmed my order then asked what drink I required. “Pepsi Max please”. “Pepsi?” he checked. “No, Pepsi Max”. He handed me a can of Pepsi. No use to me because of the sugar content. I again couldn’t be arsed. so I shoved it in my pocket.

The seating that was in Rooster Hut is no more so I ate whist leaning up against the wall of Flans, attracting envious glances from passengers on the 934 that stopped at the red light. Food was ok but I’m hoping for more from the cheesy donner next time. I left the unopened can of Pepsi on a table in Wetherspoons hoping it would find a good home.

Saleems, 8 West Bromwich Road, Walsall.

If you’re of a certain age this was the legendary Sang Kee or more commonly known as Mr Yip’s back in the day. Sorely missed by all who frequented it. It’s now just a generic takeaway doing all the standard fayre.

I’ve not used this place for ages. It used to be a port of call on the way home from the Walsall match either post Fullbrook or pre White Lion (occasionally both). With those now both closed I do my immediate post match drinking in the Bescot Bar then either taxi home or into town so I don’t pass it any more.

I perused the menu then went for large fish and chips with a scallop. It came to £5. Very reasonable. I didn’t realise I was getting 2 fish for my money. Absolute bargain. He asked if I wanted sauce. I hadn’t considered that but opted for curry sauce. “It’s not ready” he said “It’ll be 5 minutes”. This threw me. I’m used to having to wait for chips to be cooked but not curry sauce. England v Fiji in the Rugby World Cup wasn’t far off starting so I declined. Maybe when I’m Mayor of this great town I’ll have a bit more influence but at the moment I couldn’t foresee an announcement ringing out at the ground “we’ve had to delay kick off because a little bald twat in Walsall is waiting for curry sauce”.

The drink fridge was completely empty so no Pepsi mix up this time. Really good visit this, and it was nice to finally go there sober. If they start doing battered chips I’d become a regular and house prises in the vicinity would increase sharply

Dixy Chicken, 38 Freer Street, Walsall.

Opened in the last week of September, I’d been meaning to tick this off since but a combination of things including being a bit late for a train and Storm Babet had thwarted me but I finally went there, for Sunday dinner last week.

There were no other customers as I walked in and the lady serving was straight up “what can I get you?”. “Er, I’m not sure yet”. So I perused the screens, which had 25 meal options, sides and pizzas while she stared at me, which wasn’t at all unnerving. Thankfully another customer arrived which diverted her attention leaving me to continue looking. I was up to option 6 at this point.

Eventually I ordered the Chicken Supreme Burger with no lettuce, the latter vital point being confirmed. As it was Sunday dinner and I’d had a cheap weekend I opted for a side of bbq chicken wings. This came to £10.08.

Seating is available so I opted to eat in. There was no background music which I was happy enough with. The unit is bright and feels nice to sit in. I took a window seat so I could people watch the randoms walking up Freer Street.

The food arrived quickly. Sachet of mayo and a pot of sauce were included. Mayo went on fries and it was dive in time. There was an issue with the burger. It had no hash brown on it, not the end of the world. If they’d missed the chicken off I’d have had the place up but it did have lettuce on. I scrapped the lettuce off, which also cost me most of the mayo. Oh if only I still had that sachet. Yes I could have gone up the counter and asked for another one and I’m a big believer in if you don’t ask, you don’t get but on the flip side I’m firmly in the don’t ask camp as I’m not a fan of talking to people.

The chicken wings were great, smothered in bbq sauce gloriously messy to eat. The burger was nice to be fair. On the tray was a note thanking me for my purchase and support of a local business, which was a nice touch.

Nice visit this, and I’ll go back. The last Dixy Chicken in Walsall Town Centre on Bradford Street didn’t last long so I wish these all the best.

That’s it for this edition, I was going to review somewhere yesterday morning but rain and lethargy put paid to that. Thanks as always for reading.