Nando's Gloucester Road — Restaurant in London

As a first-timer, I found the ordering process was not self-explanatory. You first need to be assigned a table number. Then you order at the counter and tell them your table number. When your food is ready, it is to be delivered to your assigned table. Not knowing this, we queued up at the register first and the register person asked us for our table number. Luckily, she was able to ask one of her colleagues to assign us a table, so that we did not have to go back to the end of the line.

Mr. Joy and I had heard of Nando's and have been curious about the S. African fast casual chain that specializes in Portuguese-style chicken. So when we came upon a Nando's, we had to try the peri-peri chicken.

At the front of the line, I noticed a platter of pasteis de nata, or Portuguese egg custard tarts. As a fan of egg tarts, I had to try a pastel de nata. They simply take one straight from the platter and give it to you on a plate. It was very flaky, sweet, and buttery. However, I do wish that it was warm, or more fresh.

Benson's Raspberry and Lime Cider: Cold, sweet, refreshing, and goes well with chicken

Chicken Wings - Plain, Medium, Mango & Lime: I appreciate that they label the flavor of the chicken with little flags on tooth picks. But it would be nice if they put tooth picks on every piece of chicken, since we ordered three different flavors. The chicken itself was nice and juicy with a smokey flavor. The Mango & Lime flavor was just a tad sweet and tart. However, some of the chicken was burnt. I like a nice char, but I couldn't get past the strong burnt flavor on some parts of the chicken.

1/4 Chicken w/ Spicy Rice and Garlic Bread: First of all, we ordered Lemon & Herb, but somehow received Mango & Lime. The flavor was okay, but it was rather dry. The spicy rice was not bad, not too spicy. The garlic bread was simply grilled, garlicky pita, also a tad burnt and a little cold. Lastly, there were quite a few sauces to try, but I didn't love them.

Nando's was fun for us to try, since we had never had it before. Plus, it was quite affordable. The chicken was okay, but didn't blow us away, nor did the other items we ordered. Perhaps it is more satisfying to try in S. Africa, or...

Forget the flame-grilled, forget the burgers and fries – if you're looking for a sizzling good time with service that shines brighter than a disco ball coated in chicken fat, then Nando's is your calling. My recent visit was less about the legendary PERi-PERi (although, don't get me wrong, it was perfection) and more about the incredible Vinnie, the host who looked after us that made the whole experience a five-star feast.

From the moment we walked in, the vibe was contagious. He greeted us with a friendly energy, a genuine smile and a knowing glint in their eyes – like they were in on some delicious secret (which, of course, they were: the secret of Nando's magic). Our host was an absolute gem. Attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu (and the best sauces for each heat level, bless their soul), and quick with a witty quip that had us cracking up between bites. They navigated our indecisiveness (because choosing just one level of PERi-PERi is pure torture) with patience and humor, even offering a cheeky taste test to help us narrow it down.

The food, as always, was a symphony of spice and flavor. The chicken, oh, the chicken – juicy, tender, and kissed with that glorious PERi-PERi fire. But it was the little things that truly elevated the experience: the perfectly timed refills, the discreet clearing of plates, the genuine interest in how we were enjoying our meal. It felt less like a dining experience and more like a delicious dance, with Vinnie expertly guiding us through every step.

I left Nando's not just with a full belly and a happy heart, but with a renewed appreciation for the power of good service. Vinnie isn't just a server, he's a PERi-PERi ambassador, spreading joy and flavor with every interaction. So, if you're looking for a meal that's more than just sustenance, a place where the smiles are as hot as the sauce, then head to Nando's. Just be prepared to fall in love with both the food and the fabulous Vinnie – they're an unbeatable combo!

P.S. To Vinnie, you rock! Thanks for making our Nando's experience unforgettable. We'll be back soon,...

I recently had a takeaway experience at Nando's on Gloucester Road, and I wanted to share my thoughts on the overall experience. While the service was fast and efficient, there was one minor issue that stood out to me regarding the sauce sachets provided. Nonetheless, the perfectly cooked food and attention to detail in customizing my order made it a worthwhile visit.

Let me start by saying that the service at Nando's on Gloucester Road was commendable. Despite placing a rather large order of five meals and extra sides, the food was prepared promptly and to a high standard. I was particularly impressed by how each meal was made exactly to order, considering they all had their own customizations. This level of attention to detail is definitely appreciated and sets this branch apart.

However, the only drawback I encountered was the limited availability of sauce sachets during my visit. Unlike other Nando's branches I have been to, where the sachets are conveniently left out for customers to take as many as they need, at Gloucester Road, they were kept behind the counter. I was handed only two sachets, despite ordering multiple meals. This seemed a bit stingy, especially considering the size of the order. It would be more convenient if the sachets were made readily accessible for customers, allowing them to take as much sauce as they require.

Nevertheless, the food itself was absolutely delicious. Each dish was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were spot-on. The menu items were tailored to my specifications, showcasing the kitchen's attention to detail. Despite the branch being relatively smaller in size compared to others, I would highly recommend giving it a try if you're in the area.

In conclusion, my takeaway experience at Nando's on Gloucester Road was positive overall. While there was a minor inconvenience regarding the limited availability of sauce sachets, the food was outstanding, and the order was made with great attention to detail. If you're looking for a delicious meal in the area, I would certainly recommend giving this Nando's...