Dirty, mouldy, damp and simply just unhygienic... are some of the things that come to mind when you think of a takeaway with a poor food hygiene rating.
If I'm scrolling through Uber Eats for a quick takeout, wherever I go has to have top marks from the food inspector - and if it doesn't, I keep scrolling.
But after years of unknowingly being so narrowminded, one Oldham takeaway, that was awarded a one food hygiene rating in January, has completely opened my eyes.
On Friday, I visited Friends Restaurant, in Hathershaw, after reporting on it being slapped with the damning score.
Walking in, I was surprised by just how clean it looked, behind the bar was clean, the tables were clean - even a window cleaner came in the 20 minutes I was there.
The realisation that this place was not dirty was quite settling for me.
Having glanced at the menu I ordered its homemade chicken and lamb qozi on biryani, and a bottle of water which came to £11.20.
It came in five minutes with it having been slow cooked, presumably overnight as it was just gone 11.30am - insane of me to order a dish outside of sausage, bacon and egg in the morning I know.
The lamb, served on the bone, was tender - so much so that it fell apart on my plate with each forkful, while the sauce complimented the biriyani perfectly.
The dish was a home comfort, the chicken was delicate, soft, and the side salad was fresh and with the jalapenos, spicy.
I felt criminal leaving such good food on my plate, but I physically could not have any more - the portion size was huge, it felt like a man versus food challenge. Although admittedly, I had just eaten a sausage and black pudding barm just an hour before it.
While I don't remember every dish I've had this year, I'd argue that the Friends Restaurant served me the best food in 2024.
The food was fresh, the place was clean and the staff were friendly. I won't be listening to the verdict of any food inspector going forward, and yes - I will be returning.
Have you got a story to share? Email joe.yates@newsquest.co.uk and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @JMYjourno
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