SCOTLAND’S only halal gourmet burger joint was officially opened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last night. Route 66, which specialises in American-style food, is the only restaurant of its type in the country to cater for the Muslim community.

All meats used are halal, with separate grills used for beef, lamb and chicken, and all ingredients used are compliant with Islamic rules on food.

The diner is situated in Pollokshields, Glasgow, home to Scotland’s largest Muslim population.

Despite being housed in a former pub, the venue does not offer draught beers or display the alcohols on sale.

Although Muslims make up one of the country’s largest minority groups, owner Steve Gilmour said the food sector has failed to cater for their needs.

He told The National: “We have got people travelling from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and the north of England to try it because there just hasn’t been anything like this until now.

“A lot of places will have a halal option, but it will only be one chicken item.

“Here everything is on the menu. We’ve had excellent feedback from the Asian community saying it’s great to see something like this at last.”

The restaurant opened its kitchen for a soft launch in June and has since then grown popular with young people and extended families.

No pork is served and turkey rashers are substituted for bacon burger toppings in-keeping with the US-style food.

Gilmour said: “I have had some customers tell me it’s the first time they’ve eaten a gourmet beef burger, because of the problems getting halal meat.

“It’s difficult for us to get the quantity of meat we need. I have to go to three different places to source what we need because no one place does it all – there has never been a demand.”

With Route 66 open in the evenings, Gilmour plans to use the premises to create a community hub during the day and offer training courses for local youths and unemployed people in the large kitchen.

Gilmour said: “We have a beautiful big kitchen downstairs and a whole facility upstairs. We want to use the space to offer young people the chance to learn some kitchen skills and get on the job ladder and also set up a community centre to offer English classes and other opportunities.”

Javaid Ullah, community relations manager with Glasgow-based Asian radio station Awaz FM, said the restaurant provides choice for Muslim diners.

He said: “The diners we have offer mostly Asian traditional food. They might have a couple of burgers on their menu but they don’t really experiment.

“Route 66 is a good concept.”

Launching the restaurant, Sturgeon said: “I was delighted to be asked to open this new restaurant in my constituency. It’s the first halal American Diner I have come across and possibly the first in Scotland.

“I hope it’s a great success.”