Nando's Birmingham - Bullring — Restaurant in Birmingham

I was tempted to give more stars because the quality and taste of the food was good, however the unacceptable attitude and behaviour of some of the staff turns the review to 1 star.

I only visited the Bullring Nandos 3 times and had all bad experinces. Not sure if it's just my luck after seeing so many good reviews 🤷‍♀️ unfortuantely not enough to return since there are a few alternative Nandos within walking distance which I had better experinces.

During my first experince, I came with my mum and my nan from overseas. We let the waitress know a table for 3 and despite being first in the queue, whenever a table becomes available she let people in groups of 3's and 4's before us. It would had been more understandable if it was tables for 2's or 6's and she let groups of the particular number first to fill up tables OR if groups had booked tables in advance. When I questioned the waitress, she said we were standing by the door and thought we didn't want a table as it looks like we were about to head out. This is unacceptable since I clearly requested a table for 3 and told her we are happy to wait until a table is available. If we were standing inside the restuarant for so long, she should had asked us as a table became available. Even though there is no proof, my only suspicion is racism since my group is the only people of a particular race out of the entire restaurant including staff and guest. Also, my nan does not speak English so I had to translate in my mother tongue for her. I would had walked out and find somewhere else if it was not for my nan who travelled so far from overseas wanting to try her 1st Nandos.

2nd time visiting was during Saturday lunch time which was super busy with a long queue. I respect the staff wants customers to be efficient with their ordering/eating to get as many in and out as possible, so we all ordered our food a few minutes after looking at the menu and started eating as soon as we got our food. After around 20-30 minutes whlist eating, a waiter was rushing us and without questioning if we finished, he took away a cup with 1/5 left of tea inside, a plate with a few chips left and a small bowl with 1/2 potato mash left. We didn't finish with the cups/bowl/plates and had to tell him NOT to take away.

3rd time visiting was a minor issue since the staff forgot my friends plate of chips and she waited for more then half an hour when me & my friends all got their food. The staff were much nicer this time and sorted this by checking her order and making sure the kitchen proiritise her plate of chips.

The 3rd time was a human error which is more of an undertsanding situation, however the 1st and 2nd visits were UNACCEPTABLE. First come first serve and NOT taking away plates/cups with food/drink still left inside is common sense unless the customer confirmed they...

The food is what you'd expect for Nandos, if sometimes a bit too cold from sitting out under the warmer for a long time. My friends and I have been coming to this one for a number of years, and over the last year, the service has plummeted. Today, I was with a table of six, and there were plenty of staff in the restaurant, however, three of us waited for an hour for our food. It was not only until we said something, they first claimed the thighs we ordered were off the menu. They then changed their minds, and just began cooking them as we were at the counter, rather than closer to when we ordered. One of my friends needed to catch a train, and had to request a refund as a result, in order to make it.

The staff seem to be undertrained and uncoordinated. They all appeared to be yelling at each other rather than just speaking. I had a quiet word with the lady who was identified as the manager, and she seemed very defeated. I politely explained to her that the service was appalling and had been for some time. She apologised claimed they knew the service was bad, and that they are trying to improve, citing problems with training, and trouble getting used to their new ordering system. What support are the staff there getting, to help them improve? What has gone so fundamentally awry, that they are unable to provide adequate service with all the staff that they have? Someone needs to take accountability, and provide them with the help they need to provide a good standard of service, in what is clearly a very...

After a bad experience at another location, I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing atmosphere and friendly staff at this location.

Wish every time out for a meal could be this good.

Will recommend!

UPDATE!

After attending last week with someone I was disappointed to find things have changed.

Staff were all huddled in little groups chatting.

One girl behind the counter actually dropped our food on the floor while fussing around one of her friends who she was trying to give a personal and preferential treatment to.

Then she picked up our food and tried to slip it behind counter... Presumably to pass back out to us and at this point I intervened!

Spoke to manager who was useless and left horrified.

Logged a complaint but have not yet had any contact.

LATEST AFTER COMPLAINT:

Miss-handled complaint has further agrevated situation and matter STILL not resolved as a rufund they have agreed to process has only just been arranged and will probably be dragging on for upto 10 days more!

NANDOS- You have the food sorted, now cast an eye over your complaint process and customer service levels.

There is no point in serving great food if customers leave insulted and ignored when leaving!

I'm still here frustrated and without my refund so I've knocked off ANOTHER STAR!

Losing stars seems to be one thing...