Nando's
1 Princesshay, Exeter EX1 1GE
01392 436080
www.nandos.co.uk
The mere mention of the word Nando's is all your need to conjure up the memory of the taste of its legendary flame-grilled peri-peri chicken.
What makes it so great is being marinated for at least 24 hours. Nando's speciality is chicken dishes with either lemon and herb, medium, hot, extra hot or extra, extra hot peri-peri marinades.
The company now has around 1,000 outlets in 30 countries on five continents, and is renowned as being a South African casual dining restaurant with a Portuguese/ Mozambiquan theme.
What?
Starters cost from £3.10 and include options such as houmous with peri-peri drizzle, served with strips of warm pitta, priced £3.45. Mains cost from £5.70 and include peri-peri chicken dishes; burgers; pittas, wraps; platters to share, and specials. Desserts include strawberries and cream gelado, Nando's twist on ice-cream, £2.95. Vegetarian options and a children's menu is also available.
When?
Open Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 10.30pm, and Sunday 10.30am to 9.30pm.
Extras?
Nando's has a loyalty card scheme and also an online takeaway service.
Tried and tested verdict:
Don't ask how I've managed it for so long, but until this year I had never tried out the Nando's eating experience.
My first visit was a Saturday afternoon and the long queue of people leading from its door was a good sign that it must be food worth waiting for.
Luckily we had pre-booked and were shown our snug booth table where we picked our choices from the menu before going up to order.
Our feast began with appetisers of spicy mixed olives, £3.35, and peri-peri nuts, £3.10. Both were perfectly spiced and were the perfect light starter for the generous portions that awaited us.
Our mains dishes included half a chicken with two sides, £9.95; a beanie burger in a pitta with two sides, £8.95, and two children's meals, £5.25.
Each meal was hearty, filling and cooked to perfection. The peri-ometer choice of flavours meant you could go as mild or as a hot as you dared, although the children still struggled a little with the heat of their marinade described as plain(ish). Luckily there was plenty of fresh water close to hand!
While our children cooled down with their frozen yoghurt we somehow managed to squeeze in carrot cake which was moist and delicious, £4.15, and a naughty but nice caramel cheesecake with double cream, £4.15.
The Nando's experience surpassed by expectations in terms of both the quality of the food and choice available. It was cooked quickly and the staff were very welcoming and friendly which all contributed to a relaxing family meal out.
By Anita Merritt
