To not understand why nandos is so popular

[Clappingforjoy]

That really opinions please

@LaurieMarlow

I prefer table service really
I suppose for groups it makes sense but usually I just eat out with my dh. We would never go to Nando's though, just don't really like it. Don't mind Pizza Express before the cinema though and I like five guys.

It depends on what you order, if you are watching your weight you can get a nice chicken breast plus salad while the other family members get chicken and chips - and I mean a proper interesting salad not just lettuce and tomatoes.

personally think Nando's is more about men willy waving that they can eat that rather than any of the actual food.

It's not even that spicy.

I think it's just because it was new in terms of chains. There hadn't been a Portuguese chain in the UK before.

Apparently they use peanut oil for EVERYTHING. How do peanut allergy sufferers know this before they enter?
Google or phone ahead, that's what we do when we eat out with DS.
However I always assumed the giant boxes of peanut oil where their way of warning allergy sufferers that they use peanut oil. Most people with a peanut allergy can safely eat highly refined peanut oil. DS can.
They do request the actual peanuts are not taken out of the shop so when we eat with DS we sit outside and I clean the table and chairs thoroughly.

Jeez. The snobbery! It’s fine. Casual dining that’s a step above takeaway and as another person noted, quite a good option if you’re trying to avoid fast carbs (half a chicken with macho peas and quinoa). There seems to be some kind of link here with virtue and decrying fast food. It’s just a food outlet. There are worse fast options.

We like it. It works for octogenarian DM, who likes to go up and do the ordering (shout out to the super-patient Bluewater ream), DH who likes that he can customise to his hearts content and get a beer, DS who is a bit of a bland eater and me. I’ve never experienced dry chicken or sickness, although I imagine if you serve enough chicken that is a risk. I like the buzzy atmosphere and think the sweet potatoes are delish. I’m 50.

Loving the sniffy “it’s chicken and chips” comments as the ultimate middle-aged insult. That’s the sort of tone my dad used when Top of the Pops came on.

Boring tasteless food in Nando's 🙄

I'm not a fan of KFC, and have been to Nando's once. It was fine, nothing special to shout about, but it filled a hole. I've not been back because I guess it's just not on my radar as a place to get a quick bite to eat.

I think the Nandos in the UK and the Nandos here in SA must be very different. They are a South African franchise and i think, they opened up one in London, so it cannot be that awful if they are all over the UK now.

If I had a choice of any fast food type of place to eat, I would choose Nandos.

They are very well known here for their amazing advertising. If something newsworthy is happening, Nandos will have an ad out almost immediately, always brilliant.

Maybe the menus are different here, but there is a lot to choose from. We have a lot of chicken places, we Saffers like chicken But Nandos is in a far superior category to KFC, Chicken Licken and all the other chickeny places.

Never been, my kids say I'm not missing much, but DD18 does go there as (surprisingly since it is known as a chicken place) the veggie options are decent for her and her mates.

Yes re veggie options. The spicy bean burger is delish!

I like it, I always thought it was fairly good value for money to be honest. 2 meals and 2 drinks for under £20 isn’t bad. Could I afford to do it weekly? No. But monthly something of that price won’t break our bank.

We make our own nandos! Buy the salt and marinade and have it at home for a lot less than the place costs. If we want a takeaway there is a much much better piri chicken place that we go to for a lot less money.

I will just add in that the KFC here in SA is also nothing like the KFC in UK. My ds returned from a visit recently and said that he couldn't believe that when he did get some KFC, the whole paper bag was soaked with oil. I don;t know how it is different, seeing they originated in USA and i assume all the use 7 secret herbs and spices , but it isn't the same.

was in one in dublin last week. The menu said the chicken was free range and had a bit on the ingredients so it’s not the worst for the snobs saying it’s the worst quality you can get. Personally I think it’s grand. Easy when you have kids and everyone wants something different. It’s also really cheap compared to a lot of other chain restaurants but that might just be Ireland where everything is expensive.

Chicken and chips is my ultimate treat food, and at Nandos you can have it with corn on the cob! I don't go often but when I do I really enjoy it. Of course its 'just chicken and chips', what were you hoping for? A Heston Blumenthal chicken flavoured smoke ring?

Apparently they use peanut oil for EVERYTHING. How do peanut allergy sufferers know this before they enter?

PP is right - peanut oil is generally safe as long as it’s refined as the allergen (the protein) is removed. I have anaphylaxis to other nuts and sesame and avoid the oils anyway, to be safe. I wouldn’t eat peanuts just in case, but I do eat things cooked in peanut oil.

The big boxes of peanuts in Five Guys do make me nervous and are just so unnecessary - I was really shocked the first time I went into one.

We have a restaurant locally with a couple of branches called Chicken & Blues - so much better than Nando’s. I’m sure other places have similar.

Do you get the beetroot and feta salad in the UK branches? I tell you, that is food from the Gods

It’s good for what it is I.e. mid range fast food and it has more healthy options then KFC and you can sit down and eat it in a nicer environment.
You wouldn’t eat there for a special meal but it’s fine for a quick bite.

I went to Nando's after the cinema yesterday. Chicken, chips and coleslaw and a glass of wine. It was delicious.

Apparently they use peanut oil for EVERYTHING. How do peanut allergy sufferers know this before they enter?
No they don’t. They also have a very comprehensive book on allergens in all their food that they will give you before you order if you need it.
People with severe allergies don’t order food in any restaurant without asking what’s in the food, how is it cooked, how is it prepared.

It’s neither fish nor fowl. It’s not a takeaway which is very cheap and quick nor is it a proper restaurant. No proper service. Very limited menu. Poor quality boring food. Not somewhere to linger.
We went a few times when the children were at home as it was near the cinema and very on trend but they wouldn’t eat there now they’re past their teens.

I used to go there occasionally when I was (a very, very mature student) at uni. It was convenient as everyone paid for their food and drink individually removing the need for debate about how to split the bill but we could all still sit at a big table. This was particularly important as we were such a diverse group in terms of ages and incomes. I liked the food (although god knows where they find such tiny chickens, I’ve seen bigger robins) but agree that it is hugely overpriced. I recently had a fit of nostalgia and ordered a takeaway and it was about £12 for a couple of tiny chicken thighs and two sides.

Yes the big boxes seemed unnecessary to me too but as pp said perhaps it is to make people with allergies aware? And the sign on the stand does say that everything is fried in peanut oil, so why would they do that if it is a lie gamer, surely that isn't being "clear"?