Fresh ingredients and no chemicals are the claims from the latest takeaway in town.

BARRIE HUDSON went along to give it a try

EAT AT:

ROOSTERS PIRI PIRI,

13-14 Fleet Street, Swindon, SN1 1RQ.

Tel: 01793 491019

Open: Mon to Wed 11am to 11pm, Thur to Sat 11am to 1am, Sun 11am to 10pm. www.roosterspiripiri.com PIRI Piri is a type of pepper that gave its name to a type of cuisine, and hardly anybody here had heard of either until a few years ago.

These days restaurants and takeaways specialising in it are popping up everywhere, and the latest in Swindon is a franchise of the growing Roosters Piri Piri chain.

Based on a visit the other day, I’m pleased to report that it’s very good indeed. Even though my ever-faithful dining companion and I chose a fairly busy lunchtime for our visit, and there was no shortage of customers, our order was taken at the counter within two minutes or so and delivered to our comfortable and spotlessly clean booth a few minutes after that.

Roosters’ policy of preparing each dish to order means there is a short waiting period, but this means nobody ends up eating something cooked earlier and left to tire under a heat lamp.

Going with my habit of always trying the signature dish in any new place, I opted for a Piri Piri chicken pitta. My partner also opted for a pitta, but with Lebanese chicken. Both arrived neatly assembled on black stone platters, and were authentically-spiced and thoroughly delicious.

Just as preparing dishes on site really makes a difference, so does the lack of chemical nasties. The firm makes a big point in its publicity material of stressing its lack of MSG, hydrogenated fats and the like.

Many of us have had the experience of sitting down to some fast food, only for a pounding heart and a general feeling of unease to reproach us shortly afterwards. There is none of that at Roosters. We left feeling both satisfied and refreshed.

Our pittas would have cost £3.49 and £3.95 respectively on their own, but we opted for one of several meal deals and added a portion of crispy fries and a soft drink apiece, together with some Piri Piri mayo. Even then our bill barely topped £10.

Other items on the menu include satays starting at £1.79, burgers starting at £3.29 and grilled platters starting at £10.99. Desserts include Italian ice cream starting at £1.49.

Having eaten and paid, it was time to introduce ourselves to Swindon franchise manager and co-owner Aseef Peera.

He told us: “The whole concept is healthy eating. We’re trying to build a happy, friendly, informal atmosphere.

“It’s the kind of food you can eat on a day-to-day basis without feeling guilty.”