Smokey hair but oh so worth it! (Nandos)

Member Name: MrsLim

Product:	Nandos
Date:	02/06/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great tasting chicken

Disadvantages: Smoke gets everywhere - get your own cutlery and plate!

I must have been to at least 10 different Nandos in the past 10 years! My god, my first date with my husband over 10 years ago was at Hounslow Nandos! This great portu-anglo institution is now well ingrained into our hearts and minds.

Decor:
All the decor of the Nando restaurants are the same - green and red in colour with wooden benches, open kitchen behind the counters.

Service:
When Nandos first started out it was very different - I would describe their "service" or lack of, a cross between MacDs and a normal restuarant! You have to wait to be seated, told your table number, given a chicken on a stick (when you visit, you'll know what I mean) to remind you of said number, join the queue at the counters to place your order (remembering to tell them your table number or you can simply point at the table if you've forgotten) and sit back down, waiting for your food to be brought to you. Meanwhile, I recommend you go grab the plates (yes, you have to grab your own but it stops at that and you wont be required to do any washing up!), cutlery, napkins and your bottomless drinks! Re: bottomless drinks - if you're wondering, yes I have been cheeky enough to just order the one drink to share between me and my husband. It doesn't say anywhere that this is not allowed so if you're feeling no shame, go for it!

Lastly, you need to grab the table sauces. This ranges from ketchup to their various peri-peri sauces (including hot, medium, garlic and lemon and herb).

Food:
This is all about chicken - I'm not even sure whether there are any veggie options but chicken lovers beware, Nando's humour takes some getting use to. There "jokes" on the menus and around the restaurant can cause even the meat eater to do a double take.

There are a variety of burgers, chicken in pittas, wings and quarter/half/whole chickens but I personally go for their meal deal which usually consists of a whole chicken, 2 large sides. You can order your chicken to various degrees of hotless from Lemon & Hebr or Mango & Lime to Extra Hot - I have stopped at Medium and don't dare venture beyond but I have heard that extra hot is REALLY hot!

The chicken is grilled behind the counter and the rest of the order is put together in the kitchen behind the scenes. Sides includes chips, spicy rice (my personal favourite) and coleslaw. All very yummy! I also tend to order some olives on the side. One thing I have noticed is that with the sides and the olives, you tend to get more if you are ordering a takeaway. I think the takeaway tubs are slightly bigger.

A great place to dine out on a Friday evening or just before you go and see a film. Because of it's cheap nature though, expect the hoodies and the large families with screaming kids. But if you can cope with that, than you'll find you'll be going back for more chicken in about a week's time. Also, if you are dining in, I recommend you not wear your best clothes which need dry cleaning. As the grill is on the outside behind the counters, the smoke gets everywhere - your clothes and hair. You'll be smelling it for days at home if you're not careful!

Summary: No such thing as service but you're really there for the food!