Everyone loves a good Nandos...even vegetarians probably...

As I'm sure you're all aware, Nandos is - as the DooYoo description rightly points out - a restaurant chain specialising in chicken dishes from Portugal. Their restaurants spread up and down the country, with at least one in all major towns and cities. Having grown up in the middle of the Cotswolds, there wasn't one in my town however, so it wasn't until I came across the bright lights of Nottingham that I finally went to one, and have been going back ever since!

The menu is predominantly chicken based - varying from the obligatory chicken burgers, to having the option of quarter, half or even whole chicken dishes. There are of course vegetarian options, but I've not even thought about venturing into that side of things so unfortunately I'm not help to you in that department!

My usual weapon of choice is the Peri-Peri flame-grilled quarter chicken with two sides - this comes to around the £6 mark which is pretty cheap and you're sides can be any two from the following - chips, corn on the cob, garlic bread, spicy rice, coleslaw, mashed potato or 'macho peas'. Alternatively you can pick one 'fino' side (a posh side dish basically!) to go you're your meal - ratatouille, sweet potato mash or a mixed leaf salad are the option there. Thankfully the portions are on the generous side so don't even start feeling concerned about going home hungry still! The waiting times for food are also very impressive - being predominantly just chicken on the menu I guess it saves the 'chefs' a great deal of time messing around with different foods, when all they really need to do is grill some chicken!

As well as the Peri-Peri chickens, the burgers and pitas come with a similar serving option - they will cost anywhere between £7.50 and £10.90 (for a double burger) and one have the choice of two sides...of course you can choose just one and pay less, but when in Rome and all that!

The way Nandos from other restaurants is in it's serving policy. You are allocated a table, but then you must go up and give your order. You must decided what flavouring you want your chicken, if any, from the following - extra hot, hot, medium, mango and lime or lemon and herb. I tend to play it safe and stick with 'medium', mostly in fear than anything hotter will ruin the chicken! Thankfully you don't have to go and collect your food - that is brought over to you at least!

Appetisers are available, including nuts, olives and a houmous dip. I've tried the nuts a few times and they're delicious - it's a combination of almonds, cashews and macadamias with a Peri-Peri coating.

They have a wide selection of wines to choose from - but seeing as I can't stand the stuff I always steer clear. The soft drink option is the obvious choice, as they offer bottomless coca-cola, diet coke, Sprite or Fanta for just £1.90. Fresh fruit juices are available, along with hot drinks, beers and ciders and water...but unfortunately none of those are bottomless!

And finally there are desserts. They've recently changed their dessert menu and spruced it up a bit - they have a selection of ice-creams and sorbets for around the £2.65 mark, but now have a couple of 'bigger' desserts for £3.95. On my last visit I tried the 'choc-o-lot' cake, and my goodness, you have never tried anything so sickly in all your life. But having one of the biggest sweet tooths you could ever imagine, that didn't bother me in the slightest!

Their website - www.nandos.co.uk - has all the details you need in addition to this review - from restaurants near one, a full available menu and even career details for jobs at the company.

So if going out for a relatively cheap meal then Nandos has to be one of the best bets. It's perfect for anyone who likes chicken and easy food. Don't expect fine dining, but if you want that...then you can probably afford to eat elsewhere! For everyone else, there's Nandos.