Peri-Peri Guys — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

Many times, on these “review” websites and social media pages – we complain about an establishment and how they did not deliver as expected. I would like to share a story where not only did the owner “do the right thing” and not make excuses – but invited us back, made good on his promises and provided a really nice meal. For those of you looking for something a little different – not just another fast-food establishment – I would encourage you to try “Peri-Peri Guys” in Hicksville (in the shopping center with Big Lots and Chuck E Cheese, right next to the pet store). We’ve started making Friday nights our family game night. My wife, who works in Jericho, will meet us at dinner, and then we will spend a little bit of time with our six-year-old son, letting him be a kid at Chuck E. Cheese.

3 weeks ago, my wife couldn’t make it, so it was boys’ night out, and we stopped in Peri Peri. My son had some fantastic chicken tenders, made with organic chicken, and a side of homemade mac & cheese… The good stuff made from scratch.

My wife is a celiac - and as I’d noticed several gluten free designations on the menu - coupled with how much my son enjoyed his meal, the fact that it was organic, hormone free meat - and across the parking lot from Chuck E Cheese’s… we decided to go again the following week.

Without getting into too many details - it was a disaster, due to her food allergy. The guys taking the order had no idea about the menu or the ingredients… they kept going back to the manager - who refused to come over to speak to us - and told us we would have to wait at least 10-15 minutes for her to become “available”. This was at 7pm - no crazy dinner rush in the place - but a hungry 6-year-old had us walk out and get dinner elsewhere.

I called the next day and was able to speak to the owner - who listened - and heard me. He apologized… he clarified that multiple items on the menu were indeed gf (beef burger in lettuce wrap or the gf buns, for example) … and that he would work hard to educate his staff further - and that the manager’s behavior was reprehensible and did not represent the family atmosphere that he and his partners strive to convey. He continued that even if we said we hated the place and would never go back… He still was glad to hear all this input. He invited my family to return and said that if we ever did, then it would be on him. He even made suggestions about what to try.

Last week - after all the snow and crazy weather - it was time for “family game night” again. We decided to give Peri Peri another go.

My son - went for the tenders and Mac and cheese again. My wife had the burger… and I had their signature “King” chicken sandwich, which was a grilled chicken breast, a crispy hash brown square, cheese, and a spicy peri peri sauce. The food was fantastic. The portions generous... the seasonings, spot on. Whatever magic makes up the peri peri sauce - which comes in various levels of heat - is top notch. In addition to this all, the place was kept spotlessly clean, from the tables to the bathrooms, the condiments area to the garbage cans. Very important note in the post-Covid world.

While the owner, Hafeez, insisted on buying us dinner - I sprang for dessert and got us the Nutella milkshakes which were heavenly (my son announced that it was his new favorite dessert).

We will most certainly return - as there are several things, I am looking forward to trying on the menu (and finishing with that milkshake!)

The moral of the story: First - talk (TALK… not yell, not carry on… but have a genuine conversation) to the owners of an establishment when you’re unhappy - not because you’re looking for a handout - but because they have a right to know what’s going on in their place - and deserve a chance to “make it right”. And second - go to Peri Peri. A great meal. Something out of the ordinary... not a chain restaurant… much better than fast food… you’ll be glad you did! (PS: leave room for the Nutella milkshake!)

(Posted to...

I was visiting the area and decided to go here based on the reviews. I liked how homey and chill the guests were, and people were constantly coming in and out to pick up orders. I happened to arrive when a new employee was training, and she did try her best, so shout out to Peri-Peri Guys for keeping their staff well supported, because the young lady training the new staff member was prepared and knowledgeable… she even apologized for the staff member training, which I thought was considerate.

Now, for the food and ambiance. I thought the place was clean and well-organized, and even had a self checkout counter for takeout. Each seat is numbered and has its own copy of the menu… it’s the small touches that count. Now, the thing that freaked me out a bit was the robot serving my order, I was not expecting it! I kindly suggest staff remind anyone ordering in that a robot would come up to bring their order. I had no idea since it was my first time there, but the new staff member (and a few kids nearby as well) got my attention and helped me out once the robot arrived. The chicken is well-seasoned, and I almost ate it all without the sauce I ordered because of how good it was. The flour flatbread that came with it was a nice touch, but the char on the food was a bit off putting for my taste, like an electric oven type char, I don’t know how to describe it. I did not like the mango lime sauce, it tasted artificial to me, but if I come back I’ll perhaps order the chicken with just peri-peri seasoning and may add hot spice. The cole slaw was decent, a tad sweet for my taste but not inedible.

However, those things didn’t lessen my experience too much, I’d be happy to come back to try their other options. Their food is affordable, well-prepared, welcoming to families (and anyone who eats Halal, if you’re searching for that, and if you don’t like me it’s cool, the food is great, don’t worry!!!!), and pretty darn innovative training young staff and...

I was so excited to have real peri-peri after reading about the owners but unfortunately, the chicken was a huge let down. We ordered the avocado chicken bowl in Mango-Lime and from the first bite, something felt extremely off. There was a strong, unpleasant after taste. I’m not a very picky eater so I was really confused as to why I felt nauseous eating this. I asked others in our party to try it and they all agreed. When we asked the staff if there might be something wrong with the chicken, he picked up the bowl, smelt it in front of us (never getting that image out of my head), took it to the back, then came back out with it and returned it saying that the smell is because we ordered the mango and that he usually warns customers about the aftertaste with the mango flavor. I wish he had told us when we were ordering because I might not have been so off put. At that point, between seeing him have his face that close to the good paired with the aftertaste and smell, I had to just throw the whole thing away. I would caution against anything in that flavoring.

However, my friend who had The King (a burger) in Mango and Lime had a better time with his food. I had a bite and that strange “mango” taste is definitely masked by the other sauces.

The peri peri fries were perfect. The mac and cheese was good.

The atmosphere really felt like I was back in the UK at the local peri peri place complete with the way too loud music. The best part was the most adorable little robot bringing food to your table.

I don’t think I’ll be going back but if you want to give them a try, steer away from the Mango-Lime flavored chicken and definitely try the peri peri fries. Also, sauces are available for an extra 50c each or 5 for $2 and you do need sauce...