Nando's PERi-PERi — Restaurant in British Columbia

First time at a Nando's but not the last:

I would come to this family owned and operated franchise location just for the amazing artwork on the wall including dozens of large glazed ceramic dishes, colourfully painted African animals and some huge original 'mixed media' paintings. The rest of the decor is deliberately rustic or Western 'antique' somehow integrated seemlessly with comfy padded leather booths.

This really surprised me because on the patio side of their plate glass windows one is led to believe it will be like other 'fast food' restaurants in a strip mall. It is not!

The food is made fast as in quickly but their kitchen layout could serve an upscale catering service—it is open to view right back to the walk-in coolers—as much as a so-called 'fast food' chain.

Chicken, roasted whole, or grilled is their special focus and I had the chicken livers and a side of fresh roasted brussel sprouts, not knowing what to expect from the liver, never having seen it on any restaurant's menu—ever. Wow! It was perfect, served in a 'medium' spicy peri-peri (they sell it bottled too). I thought the liver might have a strong or 'gamey' flavour, but it was mild, just slightly stronger than flavourful dark chicken.

I could rant on about the friendliness and solicitude of the staff, several of them owning family members, but people shouldn't take my word for. Come meet them. Busy as they are, lined up at the counter, if you dine in they still serve direct to table and make time to chat.

This restaurant obviously cares about satisfying the people they serve as much as delicious flavours.

Now if only we could get them to reveal the secret recipe for their...

There's one thing they truly need to understand here

and that's to have more respect for their customers

It seems like they're willing to burn bridges with even long time customers, just to save a little bit of money.

By not offering some level of compensation for a mistake made.

But, as any elite restauranteur or business minded person will tell you, this is a fools errand.

You save money in the short term, while burning bridges and hurting your reputation In the long term.

Losing a single customer might not seem like a big deal, but it adds up, especially if said customer would've been a valued patron for years to come.

The accumulated long term loss vs short term gain is truly otherworldly.

Yet there are managers and owners who don't seem to grasp this bigger picture and treat their customers properly

Complaints happen, they suck, but these moments ultimately make or break a business. It's the consideration of the larger picture that will result In continual, incremental net gains.

Managers and owners who handle customers with the utmost respect, are In turn respected by the larger community and that word of mouth goes a long way.

At the end of the day, we are all human and imperfect.

The restaurant / customer service does not care, however. It is cut throats and demands a standard of quality, social competency and respect for those who are ultimately paying the bills.

Much as I love India, as It harbors some of my favorite humans in existence, many business owners from this part of the world don't seem to grasp how to operate In the service Industry and unfortunately, sabotage themselves and their families with this lack...

Nando's has truly mastered the art of catering to families, and my recent visit with my children was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, ensuring that our little ones felt comfortable and entertained throughout our meal.

The children's menu offered a delightful array of options, all of which were not only delicious but also nutritious—a win-win for parents! The portions were perfect for little tummies, and the presentation was playful and appealing. My kids absolutely loved the chicken strips and the tasty sides.

What truly impressed me was the attention to detail when it came to child safety and enjoyment. The restaurant provided high chairs and booster seats, making it convenient for families with infants and toddlers. The staff even brought over coloring sheets and crayons to keep the kids occupied while we waited for our food—an incredibly thoughtful gesture.

Moreover, the ambiance was lively yet relaxed, creating a perfect environment for family bonding. It's evident that Nando's values family dining experiences, and it shows in every aspect of their service.

Overall, I can't recommend Nando's enough for families looking for a delicious meal in a family-friendly setting. Thank you to the entire team for making our visit so enjoyable. We'll definitely...