Nandos is overrated.

19Nick68 · 15-08-2016, 17:24

Only been a few times, usually work things. I was never really wowed by it but the last time I went with my wife I really liked it. Maybe it was the company or I was just in the mood for Nando's.

It's alright but I wouldn't go out of my way.

darkjedimaster · 15-08-2016, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Ozzy

Wagamamas was mentioned earlier on in the thread. That is the one place out all these sort of "restaurants" (Nando's, Chimichanga etc) that I think is actually decent. However, I recently discovered that their Chicken Katsu Curry has 1,200 calories, which I think is absolutely crazy!!

Yes that is crazy, I love that dish however I prefer the one at Yo ! Sushi as the quantity & quality was better value for money, also the one at Yo ! Sushi is only 560 Calories, so a lot better all round.

BinaryDad · 15-08-2016, 19:10

When I moved to Sydney, there was a small Nando's franchise across the street from where I worked in Brighton le Sands. It was just a small place with about 12 tables, and the guy who owned it seemed to be there all of the time.

Because I had just moved there, I ended up eating there quite a bit, especially at the weekends as where I lived was just a 20 minute walk way. No matter when I went, the food was immaculately prepared, regardless of my menu choice. I have surprisingly happy memories of eating there and later sitting out on the beach (a two minute walk) watching the storms out in the Tasmin Sea.

But no other Nando's has ever come close to the quality of the food served there. No matter where I've been in the UK (or other parts of Australia) the food has always been a bit lacking. I still *like* eating at Nando's, but it's just not the same as that small franchise restaurant.

trevvytrev21 · 15-08-2016, 19:52

I've had some minging Nandos in some places and quite nice ones in other branches. They charge full service prices but have tills and you get your own cutlery. The price should reflect that.

LostFool · 15-08-2016, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Ozzy

Wagamamas was mentioned earlier on in the thread. That is the one place out all these sort of "restaurants" (Nando's, Chimichanga etc) that I think is actually decent. However, I recently discovered that their Chicken Katsu Curry has 1,200 calories, which I think is absolutely crazy!!

I like Wagamama too. Good quick service and I've never had a bad meal in one of their restaurants.

The Katsu is very nice but it's a bit of a diet-buster though.

Lucy_James · 15-08-2016, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostFool

I like Wagamama too. Good quick service and I've never had a bad meal in one of their restaurants.

The Katsu is very nice but it's a bit of a diet-buster though.

yes! but i only have it as a once a month treat..i have the teppanyaki its around 6/700cal or the chicken chilli ramen about 500cal.

Espresso · 15-08-2016, 20:42

I've been to a Nandos once, can't say I was particularly impressed. It wasn't terrible, just nothing special.
The rip off KFC chicken place in my town does nicer chicken and better chips.

jaycee331 · 15-08-2016, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyyleer

Nando's is the best thing since sliced bread. I get it at least three times a week. Just seeing this thread has made me crave it, so I just ordered one

Getting Nando's takeaway is so easy. Peri peri chips, extra hot chicken mmmmmmm.

This is the thing though - it's all about the dressings and sauces. Very superficial. Take them away and you're left with a grilled chicken burger/wrap and fries that you could get from a KFC or decent kebab shop for half the price.

I find McD's is just the same. I love a Big Mac as much as the next guy. But try a chunk of the beef by itself and it's dry as a bone with a taste that's not overly pleasant. But bang some bm sauce on and it covers it up completely!

Don't get me wrong, I like Nando's. It's tasty. It's fast. Extra hot every time! Going tomorrow

But I don't kid myself that it's anything more than a nicely presented takeaway on a plate. So I like it, but also agree with the OP that it is hopelessly overrated.

I hope you enjoyed your take out

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, that was the light bulb moment for me when you see it for what it really is once it's deconstructed in takeaway form. I paid something like £12 for a frigging chicken burger n chips to go!

LostFool · 15-08-2016, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy_James

yes! but i only have it as a once a month treat..i have the teppanyaki its around 6/700cal or the chicken chilli ramen about 500cal.

I only go to Wagamama a few times a year but it's always a safe choice when travelling to a city you don't know well. There's one in Heathrow Terminal 5 which I often go to before a flight because it's far better than the food onboard.

Welsh-lad · 16-08-2016, 00:38

Never been. Friends have said it's like KFC with knives and forks.

confuddled · 16-08-2016, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welsh-lad

Never been. Friends have said it's like KFC with knives and forks.

no, it's really not.

San Fran Sara · 16-08-2016, 04:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy_James

I love saying "cheeky nandos" for the simple reason that it annoys some people so much

the foods usually hot and tasty its not a premium place to eat but its healthier than mcdonalds or kfc.

Yes it's cheeky because they gave us food poisoning, dry undercooked chicken with a rancid peri peri glob masqueradING as sauce, between us we spent the best part of the week with our arsed on the pan and heads in the sink.

Not a pleasant experience and we would not got back ever again.

San Fran Sara · 16-08-2016, 04:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welsh-lad

Never been. Friends have said it's like KFC with knives and forks.

And a night in casualty thrown in for free.

Jambo_c · 16-08-2016, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostFool

I only go to Wagamama a few times a year but it's always a safe choice when travelling to a city you don't know well. There's one in Heathrow Terminal 5 which I often go to before a flight because it's far better than the food onboard.

To be fair, pretty much anything would be better than all the in-flight meals I've ever had! I really dislike McDonald's food but would rather eat there than an in-flight meal! I can't ever recall having a nice one, they all seem to comprise of something rubbery, something sloppy and something unidentifiable. Or it's some kind of sandwich on the driest bread known to man.

As I said earlier, I think in this day and age with the amount of info available online you no longer really need a "safe" option in a unknown city, it's pretty easy to find good food.

Elvisfan4eva · 16-08-2016, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jambo_c

To be fair, pretty much anything would be better than all the in-flight meals I've ever had!

To my dismay, my other half won't eat anything they serve on a plane and it's daft as it's included in the air fare. Just takes snacks to eat. Just refuses every meal they offer.

Elvisfan4eva · 16-08-2016, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycee331

This is the thing though - it's all about the dressings and sauces. Very superficial. Take them away and you're left with a grilled chicken burger/wrap and fries that you could get from a KFC or decent kebab shop for half the price.

You can buy the sauces from supermarkets. Saw the perinnaise one yesterday, £1.99, the one that Nandos gives you in small plastic pots.

BlueEyedMrsP · 16-08-2016, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvisfan4eva

To my dismay, my other half won't eat anything they serve on a plane and it's daft as it's included in the air fare. Just takes snacks to eat. Just refuses every meal they offer.

A little off-topic but many airlines don't serve free meals anymore, unless your flight is over a certain length. They offer snacks but meals have to be purchased separately. Maybe a cost-saving thing or could be that a lot of food was wasted by people who would accept the meal and then not eat it.

CRTHD · 16-08-2016, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueEyedMrsP

Some people are afraid to try something new. My mom is one of those people who sticks to the tried and true establishments, even though the food isn't great.

Ah yes, you can't beat Little Chef!

CRTHD · 16-08-2016, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyyleer

Nando's is the best thing since sliced bread. I get it at least three times a week. Just seeing this thread has made me crave it, so I just ordered one

Getting Nando's takeaway is so easy. Peri peri chips, extra hot chicken mmmmmmm.

EDIT: OP Nando's is definitely NOT overrated.

Franchisee?

CRTHD · 16-08-2016, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by BinaryDad

When I moved to Sydney, there was a small Nando's franchise across the street from where I worked in Brighton le Sands. It was just a small place with about 12 tables, and the guy who owned it seemed to be there all of the time.

Because I had just moved there, I ended up eating there quite a bit, especially at the weekends as where I lived was just a 20 minute walk way. No matter when I went, the food was immaculately prepared, regardless of my menu choice. I have surprisingly happy memories of eating there and later sitting out on the beach (a two minute walk) watching the storms out in the Tasmin Sea.

But no other Nando's has ever come close to the quality of the food served there. No matter where I've been in the UK (or other parts of Australia) the food has always been a bit lacking. I still *like* eating at Nando's, but it's just not the same as that small franchise restaurant.

Interestingly it seem Nandos don't franchise in the UK (so I don't now what the business model is - directly employed by some sort of central HQ? But they do offer then in Os.

The thing with most of these "chains" is most of them are franchises and as a consequence, are only ever as good as the staff they use.

CRTHD · 16-08-2016, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvisfan4eva

To my dismay, my other half won't eat anything they serve on a plane and it's daft as it's included in the air fare. Just takes snacks to eat. Just refuses every meal they offer.

I do eat it (as it kills some time) but in any other situation who would accept this "hospital" food?

Jambo_c · 16-08-2016, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRTHD

I do eat it (as it kills some time) but in any other situation who would accept this "hospital" food?

Same here. There's no other situation that I'd accept food like that. It's only because I'm stuck inside a metal box in the sky with not a lot else to do that I'd even entertain it. I've left it a few times though due to it just being horrible.

You definitely don't get meals as standard as much these days though, only on long haul. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't because so much was getting wasted.

Turbulence · 16-08-2016, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRTHD

Ah yes, you can't beat Little Chef!

They do a killer sausage, beans and chips.

walterwhite · 16-08-2016, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by confuddled

no, it's really not.

You're right, KFC is miles better and miles cheaper.

walterwhite · 16-08-2016, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by San Fran Sara

Yes it's cheeky because they gave us food poisoning, dry undercooked chicken with a rancid peri peri glob masqueradING as sauce, between us we spent the best part of the week with our arsed on the pan and heads in the sink.

Not a pleasant experience and we would not got back ever again.

Dry AND undercooked? How did they manage that?

15-08-2016, 17:24	#101
19Nick68 Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,468	Only been a few times, usually work things. I was never really wowed by it but the last time I went with my wife I really liked it. Maybe it was the company or I was just in the mood for Nando's. It's alright but I wouldn't go out of my way.

15-08-2016, 18:08	#102
darkjedimaster Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Deathstar Posts: 15,398	Quote: Originally Posted by Master Ozzy Wagamamas was mentioned earlier on in the thread. That is the one place out all these sort of "restaurants" (Nando's, Chimichanga etc) that I think is actually decent. However, I recently discovered that their Chicken Katsu Curry has 1,200 calories, which I think is absolutely crazy!! Yes that is crazy, I love that dish however I prefer the one at Yo ! Sushi as the quantity & quality was better value for money, also the one at Yo ! Sushi is only 560 Calories, so a lot better all round.

15-08-2016, 19:10	#103
BinaryDad Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,981	When I moved to Sydney, there was a small Nando's franchise across the street from where I worked in Brighton le Sands. It was just a small place with about 12 tables, and the guy who owned it seemed to be there all of the time. Because I had just moved there, I ended up eating there quite a bit, especially at the weekends as where I lived was just a 20 minute walk way. No matter when I went, the food was immaculately prepared, regardless of my menu choice. I have surprisingly happy memories of eating there and later sitting out on the beach (a two minute walk) watching the storms out in the Tasmin Sea. But no other Nando's has ever come close to the quality of the food served there. No matter where I've been in the UK (or other parts of Australia) the food has always been a bit lacking. I still like eating at Nando's, but it's just not the same as that small franchise restaurant.

15-08-2016, 19:52	#104
trevvytrev21 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 15,867	I've had some minging Nandos in some places and quite nice ones in other branches. They charge full service prices but have tills and you get your own cutlery. The price should reflect that.

15-08-2016, 19:58	#105
LostFool Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 59,737	Quote: Originally Posted by Master Ozzy Wagamamas was mentioned earlier on in the thread. That is the one place out all these sort of "restaurants" (Nando's, Chimichanga etc) that I think is actually decent. However, I recently discovered that their Chicken Katsu Curry has 1,200 calories, which I think is absolutely crazy!! I like Wagamama too. Good quick service and I've never had a bad meal in one of their restaurants. The Katsu is very nice but it's a bit of a diet-buster though.

15-08-2016, 20:33	#106
Lucy_James Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 1,914	Quote: Originally Posted by LostFool I like Wagamama too. Good quick service and I've never had a bad meal in one of their restaurants. The Katsu is very nice but it's a bit of a diet-buster though. yes! but i only have it as a once a month treat..i have the teppanyaki its around 6/700cal or the chicken chilli ramen about 500cal.

15-08-2016, 20:42	#107
Espresso Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17,127	I've been to a Nandos once, can't say I was particularly impressed. It wasn't terrible, just nothing special. The rip off KFC chicken place in my town does nicer chicken and better chips.

15-08-2016, 22:50	#108
jaycee331 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,197	Quote: Originally Posted by Tyyleer Nando's is the best thing since sliced bread. I get it at least three times a week. Just seeing this thread has made me crave it, so I just ordered one Getting Nando's takeaway is so easy. Peri peri chips, extra hot chicken mmmmmmm. This is the thing though - it's all about the dressings and sauces. Very superficial. Take them away and you're left with a grilled chicken burger/wrap and fries that you could get from a KFC or decent kebab shop for half the price. I find McD's is just the same. I love a Big Mac as much as the next guy. But try a chunk of the beef by itself and it's dry as a bone with a taste that's not overly pleasant. But bang some bm sauce on and it covers it up completely! Don't get me wrong, I like Nando's. It's tasty. It's fast. Extra hot every time! Going tomorrow But I don't kid myself that it's anything more than a nicely presented takeaway on a plate. So I like it, but also agree with the OP that it is hopelessly overrated. I hope you enjoyed your take out As I mentioned earlier in this thread, that was the light bulb moment for me when you see it for what it really is once it's deconstructed in takeaway form. I paid something like £12 for a frigging chicken burger n chips to go!

15-08-2016, 23:15	#109
LostFool Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 59,737	Quote: Originally Posted by Lucy_James yes! but i only have it as a once a month treat..i have the teppanyaki its around 6/700cal or the chicken chilli ramen about 500cal. I only go to Wagamama a few times a year but it's always a safe choice when travelling to a city you don't know well. There's one in Heathrow Terminal 5 which I often go to before a flight because it's far better than the food onboard.

16-08-2016, 00:38	#110
Welsh-lad Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mid Wales / Canolbarth Cymru Posts: 37,555	Never been. Friends have said it's like KFC with knives and forks.

16-08-2016, 00:43	#111
confuddled Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,060	Quote: Originally Posted by Welsh-lad Never been. Friends have said it's like KFC with knives and forks. no, it's really not.

16-08-2016, 04:34	#112
San Fran Sara Inactive Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 811	Quote: Originally Posted by Lucy_James I love saying "cheeky nandos" for the simple reason that it annoys some people so much the foods usually hot and tasty its not a premium place to eat but its healthier than mcdonalds or kfc. Yes it's cheeky because they gave us food poisoning, dry undercooked chicken with a rancid peri peri glob masqueradING as sauce, between us we spent the best part of the week with our arsed on the pan and heads in the sink. Not a pleasant experience and we would not got back ever again.

16-08-2016, 04:41	#113
San Fran Sara Inactive Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 811	Quote: Originally Posted by Welsh-lad Never been. Friends have said it's like KFC with knives and forks. And a night in casualty thrown in for free.

16-08-2016, 08:05	#114
Jambo_c Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3,721	Quote: Originally Posted by LostFool I only go to Wagamama a few times a year but it's always a safe choice when travelling to a city you don't know well. There's one in Heathrow Terminal 5 which I often go to before a flight because it's far better than the food onboard. To be fair, pretty much anything would be better than all the in-flight meals I've ever had! I really dislike McDonald's food but would rather eat there than an in-flight meal! I can't ever recall having a nice one, they all seem to comprise of something rubbery, something sloppy and something unidentifiable. Or it's some kind of sandwich on the driest bread known to man. As I said earlier, I think in this day and age with the amount of info available online you no longer really need a "safe" option in a unknown city, it's pretty easy to find good food.

16-08-2016, 08:53	#115
Elvisfan4eva Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,876	Quote: Originally Posted by Jambo_c To be fair, pretty much anything would be better than all the in-flight meals I've ever had! To my dismay, my other half won't eat anything they serve on a plane and it's daft as it's included in the air fare. Just takes snacks to eat. Just refuses every meal they offer.

16-08-2016, 08:55	#116
Elvisfan4eva Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,876	Quote: Originally Posted by jaycee331 This is the thing though - it's all about the dressings and sauces. Very superficial. Take them away and you're left with a grilled chicken burger/wrap and fries that you could get from a KFC or decent kebab shop for half the price. You can buy the sauces from supermarkets. Saw the perinnaise one yesterday, £1.99, the one that Nandos gives you in small plastic pots.

16-08-2016, 09:15	#117
BlueEyedMrsP Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 6,525	Quote: Originally Posted by Elvisfan4eva To my dismay, my other half won't eat anything they serve on a plane and it's daft as it's included in the air fare. Just takes snacks to eat. Just refuses every meal they offer. A little off-topic but many airlines don't serve free meals anymore, unless your flight is over a certain length. They offer snacks but meals have to be purchased separately. Maybe a cost-saving thing or could be that a lot of food was wasted by people who would accept the meal and then not eat it.

16-08-2016, 09:55	#118
CRTHD Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lat: 52.666; Long: -1.2833 Posts: 6,501	Quote: Originally Posted by BlueEyedMrsP Some people are afraid to try something new. My mom is one of those people who sticks to the tried and true establishments, even though the food isn't great. Ah yes, you can't beat Little Chef!

16-08-2016, 09:58	#119
CRTHD Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lat: 52.666; Long: -1.2833 Posts: 6,501	Quote: Originally Posted by Tyyleer Nando's is the best thing since sliced bread. I get it at least three times a week. Just seeing this thread has made me crave it, so I just ordered one Getting Nando's takeaway is so easy. Peri peri chips, extra hot chicken mmmmmmm. EDIT: OP Nando's is definitely NOT overrated. Franchisee?

16-08-2016, 10:04	#120
CRTHD Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lat: 52.666; Long: -1.2833 Posts: 6,501	Quote: Originally Posted by BinaryDad When I moved to Sydney, there was a small Nando's franchise across the street from where I worked in Brighton le Sands. It was just a small place with about 12 tables, and the guy who owned it seemed to be there all of the time. Because I had just moved there, I ended up eating there quite a bit, especially at the weekends as where I lived was just a 20 minute walk way. No matter when I went, the food was immaculately prepared, regardless of my menu choice. I have surprisingly happy memories of eating there and later sitting out on the beach (a two minute walk) watching the storms out in the Tasmin Sea. But no other Nando's has ever come close to the quality of the food served there. No matter where I've been in the UK (or other parts of Australia) the food has always been a bit lacking. I still like eating at Nando's, but it's just not the same as that small franchise restaurant. Interestingly it seem Nandos don't franchise in the UK (so I don't now what the business model is - directly employed by some sort of central HQ? But they do offer then in Os. The thing with most of these "chains" is most of them are franchises and as a consequence, are only ever as good as the staff they use.

DS Forums

Nandos is overrated.

16-08-2016, 10:10	#121
CRTHD Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lat: 52.666; Long: -1.2833 Posts: 6,501	Quote: Originally Posted by Elvisfan4eva To my dismay, my other half won't eat anything they serve on a plane and it's daft as it's included in the air fare. Just takes snacks to eat. Just refuses every meal they offer. I do eat it (as it kills some time) but in any other situation who would accept this "hospital" food?

16-08-2016, 10:37	#122
Jambo_c Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3,721	Quote: Originally Posted by CRTHD I do eat it (as it kills some time) but in any other situation who would accept this "hospital" food? Same here. There's no other situation that I'd accept food like that. It's only because I'm stuck inside a metal box in the sky with not a lot else to do that I'd even entertain it. I've left it a few times though due to it just being horrible. You definitely don't get meals as standard as much these days though, only on long haul. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't because so much was getting wasted.

16-08-2016, 10:43	#123
Turbulence Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Sees me at the tower Posts: 1,674	Quote: Originally Posted by CRTHD Ah yes, you can't beat Little Chef! They do a killer sausage, beans and chips.

16-08-2016, 11:51	#124
walterwhite Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 21,729	Quote: Originally Posted by confuddled no, it's really not. You're right, KFC is miles better and miles cheaper.

16-08-2016, 11:52	#125
walterwhite Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 21,729	Quote: Originally Posted by San Fran Sara Yes it's cheeky because they gave us food poisoning, dry undercooked chicken with a rancid peri peri glob masqueradING as sauce, between us we spent the best part of the week with our arsed on the pan and heads in the sink. Not a pleasant experience and we would not got back ever again. Dry AND undercooked? How did they manage that?