Nando's Ipswich - Cardinal Park

I arrived at Nando’s Cardinal Park, full of excitement for the chicken based goodness that I knew awaited me. Little did I know of the horrors I would confront once inside.

My friend and I were seated in what appeared to be a quiet restaurant by a polite waitress. ‘Did I have any allergies?’ ‘No’. ‘Had I been to Nando’s before?’ ‘Indeed’. So far so good, dear reader. The classic Nando’s music was getting me in the mood for food and I enjoyed the art on the walls- kudos to Nando’s for their decorative choices. What could be about to go so wrong?

The table QR code took me to the Nando’s site and of course I honed straight in to the Fino Pitta. What else would any self respecting connoisseur of peri peri choose? My dining partner also made the same, and excellent, choice. A bottomless drinks, 2 sides and halloumi and I’m all set. I knew chicken heaven would not elude me for much longer. I settled myself in for the short wait that is such an integral part of the Nando’s experience. Bottomless drinks glasses arrived very quickly. Excellent. Thirst somewhat quenched, I eagerly anticipated the food I thought was being tenderly grilled on my behalf. My crucial, fatal, mistake.

Around 15 minutes after first ordering, or perhaps a little sooner, the first fino pitta arrived at our table- alas, it was not mine but I knew it would be just behind. My friend eagerly tucked in to his pitta. Who could blame him? I nabbed an obligatory chip and expected my food to be flying to my table imminently. 5 minutes passed. No food. 10 minutes passed. Where could it be?

At 25 minutes after the arrival of our first pitta, the waitress, as baffled as I was to the whereabouts of my much longed for pitta, arrived at my table side and informed me she would enquire with the miracle workers in the kitchen as to its location. She promptly returned. ‘It’s next on the list’. A little frustrated, but excited for my first fino mouth full, I settled back into my chair.

Another 5 minutes and I could see the takeaway and online orders continue to appear from the kitchen, and yet my pitta remained elusive. By this time, my empty stomach was crying out for chicken satisfaction and yet there was no way I could feed this growing beast. My table mate, pitta complete, was lounging in his chair- sharing my frustration but happy with the dining experience he had just enjoyed. My pitta had not been next on the list. This saddened me.

Another 5 minutes and the pitta appeared. The sheer joy. Relief. I was ready. This was it. The moment. Here I go. But wait? What’s this…

As I eyed the flag atop my pitta, I noticed a problem. The incorrect spice. Oh dear. My joy shattered, I told the waitress, who promptly returned my pitta to the kitchen. She soon returned, clutching a piece of paper with an order on it. ‘Was this your order?’ It wasn’t, but belonged to my dining colleague. Oh dear, again. It seems the restaurant had lost my ticket. The correct fino appeared roughly 8 minutes later. I bit in. Satisfaction at last.

So where do I end this tale of toil? The fino and it’s accompanying sides were indeed delicious, but the wait unfortunately tarnished the experience I had been craving all week. It breaks my heart, but I cannot recommend this Nando’s. If you need your Nando’s fix, and we all do when that feeling strikes, I suggest you choose an alternative location.

As I rose from my seat, I did shed a tear. Goodbye Nando’s Cardinal Park- we shall never cross paths again.