My partner recently offered our spare parking space to a guy he’d seen struggling to find parking for the day. Well, as we all know, one good turn deserves another and as the motorist was the manager from our local Nando’s, he provided complimentary vouchers.
“Nando’s”:https://www.nandos.co.uk/eat/restaurants/walthamstow opened a fairly big branch in Walthamstow over a year ago, but we’d never visited as it always appeared overrun by children. However, we bit the bullet for a late lunch and found it surprisingly quiet considering it was the school holidays. I also got the impression that they were trying hard to seat family groups in a separate area.
Having asked what our voucher entitled us to, it was up to the till to order and pay. This should have been a simple process but the couple in front having ordered, decided to pay separately by credit card, requiring the order to be repeated and re-entered and as the guy had a voucher on his phone, a long number had to be read out.
The food didn’t take long to arrive. Our combo meals (£10.85 each) were the two chicken dishes which were off the bone: four thighs, skin on and chicken breast butterfly. For the Nando’s unitiated, you chose from a range of five spices on the ‘Peri-ometer’ ranging from very hot to mild. I’d gone for hot and lemon and herb and both were excellent as which the succulent chicken.
With each main we were entitled to two ‘regular sides’ and chose fries, salad, spicy rice and garlic bread. Whilst all were good, some offered better value for money – a generous portion of chips versus a skimpy salad.
Although the food is delivered to table, you help yourself to cutlery, additional plates, serviettes and their huge range of condiments – all the five spices in dressing format, vinegar, ketchup etc.
Although we could also have had ‘bottomless cups’ of soft drinks, we plumped for a bottle of wine which we paid for but at £12.95 you can’t complain.
Whilst Nando’s is noted for Peri Peri chicken it comes in a variety of ways: flame grilled, burgers and wraps. However, there is beef on the “menu”:https://www.nandos.co.uk/eat/menu menu, salads and a good range of vegetarian options.
Two things on the menu caught my eye. The first, ten wings, cooked in the range of ‘Peri-ometer spices’ which is described as ‘wing roulette’ which sounded fun. The second, was a special: chicken livers and crispy Portuguese roll described as ‘you haven’t lived until you’ve tried these’.
Whilst I’m not sure I’ve been converted to Nando’s, it was better than anticipated and Roy’s now keeping his eye open to see if the manager wants to park again.
