Nando’s is one of the most famous chicken restaurants in the UK. Founded in 1987 in South Africa, but with a Portuguese / Mozambiquan theme, Nando’s soon expanded to the UK in 1992, opening its first restaurant in Ealing. Since then it has grown at an exponential rate now having more than 255 restaurants in the UK. Nando’s, being true to its Portuguese / Mozambiquan heritage and South African heritage, has many pieces of native artwork on display and owns the biggest collection of South African artwork in the UK.


In the heart of Croydon there is a Nando’s hidden away. Refurbishment of the Croydon Nando’s has taken place just over a year ago and this has brought customers from afar curious about the new experiences on offer.  But a year on, what do the residents of Croydon think of this high market food chain compared to the many other possible food outlets in Croydon? I asked them.


Many people say that Nando’s is a middle class restaurant, but with relatively low prices it is very popular amongst people who want to indulge themselves with nice food but are careful of the purse strings. It is very popular amongst Whitgift Students. Sean Brewer said, “It is a good reliable restaurant where a meal is cheap and still tastes good.” With Jasdeep Gahir saying, “Good quality and tasty food that young people can afford.” Due to Nando’s relatively cheap prices for higher end food there are many teenagers who visit whenever there is a special occasion. One such boy being Alex King, “Nando’s is where I first take all my lady friends.”


However this view is not universal because when it boils down to it, all Nando’s predominantly does is serve chicken. The chicken may be diced, sliced, fried or flame grilled chicken but in the end it is still chicken and there are many people who also share this view. Rishi Patel said that, “it is overrated but fills craving” and another student said “I don’t see the crazy amount of appeal in the end it is just chicken.”


There are a many people who love Nando’s for its quality food at cheap prices but there are also many that think that it is over rated as the main food is predominantly chicken, but when compared to other chicken restaurants, it is nearly always ranked as the best; As Dana Katherine-Walton said, “You can't compare Nando's to other chicken restaurants. Their chicken is like no other.”
But, even though Nando’s is a chicken restaurant, it caters for all serving many Vegetarian dishes, with Shaan Patel saying,  “The vegetarian burgers and wraps on offer are more than satisfying and are near to perfection when paired up with one of a wide range of sides."


So that is what the people of Croydon think. Nando’s is amongst one of the best chicken restaurants, with relatively cheap prices and they cater for all, serving vegetarian dishes and halal meat. But they could maybe experiment with other forms of meat instead of just chicken.


I have never been to Nando’s; I may have to try it.