Nandos

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:37 pm

Wasn't sure where to post this one as not entirely to do with Carvoeiro (in fact not at all really

) but is to do with Portuguese.
Namely the 'Nandos' Restaurants that have/ are springing up over parts of the UK.
Have had number one son waxing lyrical over the phone about these eateries. Hes been using them regularly and tells me the food is really nice and at good reasonable prices. He is a now a firm 'piri piri' fan..after visiting 'Nandos' at Bluewater shopping (near Dartford,Kent) and another at Basildon in Essex.
apparently you go to the till to order your meal,then take your cutlery & condiments to a table and await your dish.
Trouble is Ive looked on their website and couldnt find one for my area and I would love to try it out.
Anyone here been to 'Nandos' ? If so,have you enjoyed the experience?
(should this topic be here...chitchat..restaurants..or food

)

digger · Post by **digger** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:12 pm

We went to a place called Nando’s Frangos in Portimao about 15 years ago…… the same people aren’t they?…….muito bom……..then about 5 years later had chicken n chips in a place called nandos (crap) in Ealing High St…..are they the same people??

elle · Post by **elle** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:22 pm

I have no idea Digger! I hadnt heard of them till son mentioned them. Hes certainly been enjoying his grub there..specially the piripiri (hes very much a spicy food fella)

But then ..you are a bit of a gourmet Dig arent you? and very discerning regarding your nosh?
id like to give them a go..just to 'taste' for myself!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:26 pm

Nando's - they're an imitation 'Portuguese' style type global co. -similar to Pizza Hut being authentic Italian ?:roll: Alright if its the nearest thing to the real thing I suppose.

elle · Post by **elle** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:43 pm

Okay Guest(and I agree that you can never beat 'the real thing')..which leads me to ask..where in your opinion is the best eatery in CVO catchment area for Piri Piri?
Ive only eaten this dish in Colombos (nice breast with PP sauce) and a Galerea.. which wasnt bad..
but best I ever had was at O'Casarao in Lagoa...and I was told by someone else here ..that its still pretty good there.!

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:48 pm

Nando's is ok.

You get different strengths of "piri piri"

It's nothing compared to the real thing but it's definitely an ok substitute.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 7:57 am

We've just got a new outlet of Nandos here in Muscat which will open after Ramadan. I must give it a try.
For Frango Piri Piri we always make the pilgrimage to Rampa Restaurant on the way to Foia cos its always fab and friendly.

swingdingin · Post by **swingdingin** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:18 am

morning ellie ...!
you can buy a range of "nandos" portuguese table sauces and marinades
in any tesco`s or sainsburys now.....they taste ok , but i dont know if they`re anything to do with the restaurant chain..?
hey...how off topic am i

mike

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:40 am

Not off topic at all.
The range is indeed from the same chain.

It's portuguese food, Carvoeiro is in Portugal, there we go, we're on topic again...

elle · Post by **elle** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:15 pm

Thanks for that Mike & Thdblt....I use 'Tescos' a lot ..so Ill definitely look out for that range....
but I bet my 'piri piri' wont taste half as good as any in CVO/Algarve....need the right atmosphere dont we? and 'muito sol' of course

fatscholes · Post by **fatscholes** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:33 pm

poor relation.......the restaurant sauces are not similar at all IMHO. The hottest one is no where near as fiery or tasty then the real thing

the best i've had in Partugal is La Rampa in Foia!!

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:41 pm

Hi, we have quite a small community of Portuguese living in and arounf Chard, one of the food manufacturing companies couldn't get enough workers here in Somerset so set up a scheme to bring people over from Portugal, it is lovely as when I go shopping I hear Portuguese spoken a lot and also they have just opened a restaurant which does English and Portuguese food and all the lovely cakes.. Mmmmmm

digger · Post by **digger** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 7:20 pm

...so they close down a small chain of genuine bbq restaurants….known in Portugal as Nandos Frangos …….(to hide the evidence?)…………then open Nandos franchises in 21 countries: “inspired by our Portuguese forefathers and explorers like Vasco da Gama, who discovered the new worlds” says their USA website…..and sell you something the Portuguese wouldn’t touch…..Ha !
....while the rest of the world is getting addicted.........

suzy-chigwell · Post by **suzy-chigwell** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 1:46 am

Well Ellie I am going to Nandos in Romford,Essex on Sunday for daughters 16th Birthday meal (her choice seeing as we can't get to CVO) so I will let you know what it is like, Although I have checked out the website to look at menu and it looks good and they sell superbok and sangres and portugese wine so can't be all bad

loretta · Post by **loretta** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 11:29 am

A work colleague from South Africa told me that Nandos is actually a South African company originally from Pretoria or Jo'burg. I dont know how true that is though.