Nando’s PERi-PERi
14030 Promenade Commons Street, Gainesville, VA, 20155
Nando’s PERi-PERi Menu
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Address :
14030 Promenade Commons Street
Gainesville, VA, 20155 - Phone (703) 753-4100
- Website https://www.nandosperiperi.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dessert
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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C M.
Came in on a Sunday and and it was crowded for being a little late. We were seated right away and told told look over the menu, then when ready go to the registers. We ordered two quarter chickens and a side each. I will agree with other reviewers that the amount of food is not that much considering I've gotten more chicken (1/4 size) at other places. The chicken itself is really really moist and flavorful, even with the plain-ish flavor. I really enjoyed the corn and highly recommend getting that as a side. Will probably be back if in the area.
(3)Daniel B.
I stopped here last weekend for lunch. I ordered a chicken breast wrap and peanut butter cupcake to go. The staff was friendly and my food was ready in about 10 minutes. The chicken wrap was very good. The spice and the sweetness of the sauce mixed together very well. I didn't really care for the peanut butter cupcake. The peanut butter frosting was not very sweet and tasted like they used sugar free peanut butter. The cupcake was also small for the price. I will definitely go back if I'm in the area for lunch.
(4)Charles T.
Over priced!! See my pictures for the mashed chicken livers and 1/2 of a half of a half chicken that cost over $13!!!! Wow your reputation holds true, what a rip off....just see my pictures and you will see
(1)Lelee R.
My husband + I enjoy going here. I always get the chicken. It's perfect every time. Their sauces are really good, too. The atmosphere is fun, the outside patio is nice, and the staff is friendly.
(5)Jill B.
Been here twice before seeing an early movie at the theatre next door. Always early on Sundays, for the record. I've had consistently good experiences both times. Their chicken is moist and tasty, and their sides are great, albeit their mashed potatoes may be kind of salty. The system for ordering your food is somewhat reminiscent of buffet style, except after you pay your food is brought to you and you grab your sauces, drinks and utensils while you wait. I tried the red sangria here and was....unimpressed. It seemed like it was a little watery but drinkable. The interior and furnishings are lovely and very natural...kind of like a tree house that also serves chicken. All in all I really enjoy this place and would recommend checking it out.
(4)Heather N.
I love the mango lime chicken.... as in, crave it- love it. my husband and I came in tonight.... and left hungry, after spending $30 for our meal.... where did these puny chickens come from? I know you buy chickens without antibiotics but dang.... for $30, I'd like some meat on that leg bone.... so disappointed that these scrawny 1/4 legs were served to us..... I seriously mean that when it was served, I saw more bone than meat.... my husband sent his back to the kitchen and got something a little bigger back - I don't ever send back because we all know what happens to your food when you do..... ;). Please find some plump chicks.... that kinda skinny ain't ok!
(3)Liz A.
I liked the atmosphere and food. I ordered a 1/4 chicken with garlic bread and french fries. The best part are all the dipping sauces and marinades to choose from. Dine-in and grab some sauces to taste over by their drink counter. They have sangria, beer, wine, and fountain drinks. I liked their fountain drinks because you can add shots of flavor to them. I came here with my brother and dad for Father's day with the rest of the family and it was very enjoyable! Good for big groups. Counter service with hostess to seat you. I took away a star because the grilled chicken was a little dry. I recommend this restaurant if you're in the mood for something a little different and delicious!
(4)Angela W.
Way over-hyped. It was ok but nothing special. Just mildly dry chicken with ok sauces. Meh. We really haven't been interested in eating there again. Not bad, but we have ZERO clue why this place gets the rave reviews that it does. Big let down.
(2)Jon L.
Nice pollo! Me & James went here after watching Judge @ the nearby Regal theater. I had been to one other location before and thought it was a decent option. I had the 1/2 chicken white and James had the chicken wrap. Both were good and had fresh ingredients and good flavor. We palced our order @ the front, they give you a number and then you sit down. They give you a pacquard you plave on your table with the number of your order.. We sat down at a nice booth and a few minutes later we get an order of pita squares with hummus. We thought it was like a free appetizer,like chips & salsa. Turns out it was someone elses order. Then a few minutes later one of the servers brings a couple of other entree's...that were not ours. The server who brought our food apologized for the order of hummus and said it was 'on the house'. OK, we'll take it...since we had already started eating anyway!
(4)Steve M.
Way over priced for the portion size. Don't expect a big meal when your order a whole chicken. The food is good but you spend a lot and leave hungry so not worth returning.
(2)Mikhail K.
Loved it!!! I've never been to one of those restaurants and as soon as I walked in, there were employees ready to help, explain the menu and recommend what to get. Obviously they are famous for their chicken, so that's what I decided to go for. It's a casual dining place, where you order at the register and they bring the food to your table. I ended up getting a chicken breast with mashed potatoes and Caesar salad. The order took about 10 minutes to come out and it was the juiciest, most succulent piece of chicken I've ever had. I was blown away. Who knew chicken could taste this good? Mashed potatoes were also great and delicious. Caesar salad was crisp and fresh. The interior of the restaurant is also like a freaking work of art. I loved this place. I was just visiting, but I'm definitely gonna go to one of those restaurants if I see it again!
(5)Mandéque O.
I'm a fan of Nandos in general. However, living in the UK, I've learned that they do it better.
(3)Shane S.
Sorry, my review isn't as highly rated as others but Nandos is a unique place with good atmosphere and food. However I found the servings are not very large and the price easy to high. Me, my wife and 2 ten daughters for a first time visit was $70 for us. The alternative restaurants would leave me more satisfied and with money still in my pocket. I would come again but only under social duress. The staff was very pleasant and stir was clean.
(3)Jenny L.
My husband and I love this place. He usually gets grilled chicken. I'm vegetarian and usually get the grilled Portobello mushroom sandwich on a Portuguese roll (it comes with lettuce and tomato and an interesting chewy grilled cheese). Delicious! Just as delicious are the sides -- we usually get the rice, fries, and corn on the cob. The peas are interestingly good. The hummus is good too, but our stomachs are too small to handle all that. The only thing I've had that I wouldn't recommend is the sangria (not bad, just . . . not sangria as I know it, more like Kool aid). In addition to great food, this place offers a 20% military discount -- a big plus, if applicable! P.s. my husband recommends their Portuguese beer, "Super Bock."
(5)Adrianna C.
Updated review - ordered the chicken breast sandwich and was very disappointed. The flavors were really good. But it had hardly any chicken. I should have taken a picture, I wish I had. The small amount of chicken was a little ridiculous for how much I paid. For the husband and I and a side of wings it was nearly $30. I could had gone to Bad to the Bone, gotten pretty much the same thing, for about the same price, but would have been stuffed and have plenty of left overs. Also I paid extra for their peri mayo - which I got two tiny globs of mayo with a HINT of flavor .75. Nearly a dollar for two globs of mayo? Pass on the peri peri mayo! I am so torn with this place. I love the flavors and fresh food but I am never totally full when I leave. Maybe I will give them one more shot, but I'm not getting my hopes up of actually leaving full.
(2)Gary O.
I ordered the half chicken and a side of squash The chicken is really tasty, I ordered it spicy and the sauce is good with a kick I wish I could've ordered the meat off the bone but it's not an option, you need to work at it I thought a half chicken would be a lot of food but it was much smaller than expected Nice staff, but you need to order and pay first so if you want add anything you need to back up and pay again
(4)Tony D.
Move far enough out into suburbia, and you start to redefine what's normal and what's not when it comes to eating out. The landscape is littered with chain restaurants - which isn't a bad thing in and of itself - so you find yourself looking for chains that do things a little bit differently. Out in this neck of the woods, Nando's fits the bill, offering chicken, chicken, and more chicken, all with a bit of a punch. Walk down the street in the new-ish Virginia Promenade and you will inevitably smell the finest aroma in our little town - the chicken-flavored scents wafting from Nando's. Taste aside - and the food is damn good - the smells are amazing. Every time I visit, I walk in with a smile on my face, as I've already been assaulted by the most pleasing aromas around. All the dishes come spiced to order, from the basic "Plain-ish" to more adventurous tastes. I've personally tasted most of the full spectrum, and even the spiciest flavors, while packing a kick, are manageable. Sides offer a good complement, including fries, potatoes, and corn on the cob, but they don't pack quite the wallop that the chicken does. Not to worry - the chicken brings enough heat for the whole meal. I know it's what keeps ME coming back again and again!
(4)Alex M.
Worst place and worst service ever. Walked in during my dinner hour from work, placed my order and sat down to wait for my food. After 27 minutes of waiting for my food I noticed that people that came after me were getting their food. I called one of the ladies behind the counter and asked where my food was, she goes and gets the manager and he tells me thaf they run out of chicken before my order. When I question him why other people that came aftwr me got their food and chicken he said they git all the orders in at once. I told him some of those other customers came in 10 -15 minutes after me. He had no answer. I will never be going back there again...it was my first and last time.
(1)Ashlea K.
Nando's is a really refreshing new choice in Gainesville. The style is like a Noodles and Co. You walk up to a counter, order your food, pay and then they bring everything to you table. There are a lot of options. The chicken is full of flavor, the outside is crispy and the inside is so moist. I got the medium and it was pretty spicy. Be aware if your kind of wimpy with the flavor you order. The side were also very yummy, grilled corn and redskin mashed potatoes. The sangria pitchers are amazing. They have diced oranges, pears and cinnamon inside the pitcher. During Happy hour the pitchers are $5.95, that's an amazing deal. I will be going back to enjoy the Happy Hour special. See my photo for more prices during Happy Hour. Cheers!
(4)Richard G.
Fantastic service and food. I had the chicken pita (Extra Hot) with garlic bread and macho peas. Very reasonable for the price.
(4)Raquel N. D.
Friendly and fast service. Wonderful food that is always delicious! I highly recommend the mashed potatoes and peas. I also like how there are comment cards on all the tables. It shows how they really listen to their customers. No complaints!
(5)Dave C.
I love this place! They do an amazing job with everything that they produce. I am particularly fond of the chicken breast with medium sauce. My only complaint is that they are a bit over priced.
(4)Jane C.
Liked the chicken livers, portion's on the smaller side though, chicken was flavorful, a bit dry. Like their setup, especially the cleaning station next to the soda fountain machine.
(4)Chuck S.
After several visit's over a period of months, I'm confident upon each visit I'll find a delicious meal carefully prepared, and promptly delivered to my table! Whether it be wings, sandwich, PERI PERI Chicken, Salads, or the sides I've been pleased with each. The "hot stuff" is my preference, but on the rare occasion the not hot stuff is great too. The "Macho Peas" sound perhaps daring, but I found them very well to my liking after just one bite. I also enjoyed the Butternut Squash and Grilled Corn side ...tasty! My current "go-for" is the Mediterranean Salad With Peri-Peri Chicken. I customize mine with additional olive oil drizzle, a squeezed lemon wedge or two, and several splashes of Hot PERi-PERi sauce. Outstanding lunch! Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention "They're nuts ...grab 'em!" (Snack)PERi-PERi Nuts those alone are worth the trip.
(4)Chris R.
Nando's chicken is amazing but pales in comparison to the service that we are routinely provided. On this visit, Aminah was our hostess/ order taken and she definitely presented herself as a person who loves her job and has a genuine desire to help her customers have a great experience! Employees like her need to be honored and taken care of because they are few and far between!
(5)AL K.
Loved the decor of this place. Order from the counter and they will deliver to your table.Friendly service. Chicken is good but the liver is a must try. Different sauces to compliment your chicken, we tried the mango salsa which is tangy.
(3)Randy M.
I've been wanting to give Nando's a try now for some time. I didn't know much about the place going in other than their specialty is chicken and they do things with a lot of spice. The service was very pleasant and the fellow taking my order was very helpful when I had questions. The menu doesn't have a ton of options, you're basically looking at a handful of ways they prepare chicken. I settled on the chicken breast sandwich with fries w/herb mayo. The cashier suggested that I take home a few sauces to try. That's cool that they give you unlimited access to any of their sauces. I took home the garlic and extra hot sauces. Ohh, and I ordered the sandwich hot. The whole meal was ok, but lacking any highlights. If you like rotisserie chicken and arent impressed with fried plantain or yucca this place might be up you alley.
(3)Daniel C.
Ordered the veggie burger and my family ate the chicken. They said the chicken was good. The burger I had wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing either. The major complaint I have is that they seat you at a table, give you menus, then you have to get back up and order your food and pay for it... so you're unsure if you're suppose to tip since you haven't really been served yet... it's the the most backward thing I have ever experienced... All in all, if it's your first time going there it will be weird. But once you figure out the process of how to order your food it's not as bad. Unless you are like me and have a big asian family and normally order for everyone... then you are pretty much screwed since you will end up being their server taking their orders.. And as for tipping. I think I will just leave cash on the table the next time if I ever go back that is.
(3)Sunny R.
I've been craving to hog on some Nando's chicken since they opened up a week or so ago. I had the invite for the mock services on both days prior to the official opening but could not make it due to time constraints. Anyways, got here at around 8pm today evening and place had a few tables open which was good! I was dreading a wait. We ordered the spiced olives, sangria, vegetarian burger, butter squash salad, quarter chicken, cesar chicken wrap and a kids grilled chicken strips with garlic bread. I also got myself extra hot chicken livers. I have to, right? :) Yes! That's a lot of food but we ate it all. Everyone enjoyed their good including the kids. I loved the livers and sangria. Top notch. He price on the livers blends well with the sweetness from the sangria. Now for the important part. The quarter chicken - hot was overcooked and a bit dry. The sauce compensated and kept me calm. :). Its hard to explain what I expected. But it you have been to the one in DC or Rockville you will know exactly what I am talking about. A bit of extra sauce would have done some additional justice to the chicken. Interiors were good and service was great. The place is smaller than their other locations I have been to. Overall, loved the food. Great experience. Will go back again to try my luck on the chicken again. LOL. Thanks Nando's for picking Gainesville!
(4)Susan F.
Nando's Peri Peri was a fun change! Very different than most restaurants in terms of service. The food was SO good. It is a South African/Portuguese mix. Don't let that fool you if you are at all intimidated by any international cuisine. If you like chicken, or wings, or salads you will be happy here. Here are my pros and cons: The cons: So we walk in and a hostess greets you and takes you to a table (or takes your name if there is a wait). She had asked us if we had ever been and when we told her no she said they did things different there. When you knew what you wanted to order you go to the counter to order and pay and then they bring it to you. To be honest it was a bit confusing. I would prefer full service or no service if that make sense. Then we questioned..do we tip...do we not...how much? Not a huge fan of the lock (you really have to turn it) on the women's restroom I thought it was locked and had someone almost walk in on me. The pros: The atmosphere was nice. The music was fun. The food was delicious. We started with the red pepper dip served with hummus! It was SO good. Then we a wing platter with mashed potatoes and peas as out sides. All very good. BTW-the chicken comes out without sauce unless it is a marinade like the mango lime. So if you are splitting a platter and can't agree on sauces it shouldn't matter as there are bottles of sauces to take to your table. The peas were a little odd with the mint. Not bad...but just two flavors I don't think I care for together. My kids had kids meals. By the way very kid friendly...if you are not alone with the kids...then you either take them to the counter to order or trust them alone at the table. Luckily, I was dining with my husband. I had really wanted to try a glass of Sangria, but I forgot to tell my husband and since he went to the counter he ordered me a soda. I do love the fact that they had a new flavored soda machine. The only downside was they just had one machine....so at times there was a wait to fill your glass. Dessert...we split a chocolate spoon cake while my kids had frozen yogurt. The chocolate spoon cake was AMAZING! It was a nice rich chocolate...so yummy!! My kids loved the yogurt. I tasted a little bit of theirs. I couldn't tell what the flavor (maybe a swirl, or caramel??) was, but it was pretty decent. I look forward to trying again. There were other items on the menu that caught my eye!
(4)Tiffany Y.
Take out Review Came here to order take out for New Years Day Dinner. The place was nice and in great location (walking distance to the movie theatre) with ample parking around. The service was great, everyone that greeted us was plesant and friendly, especially to customers who are ordering take out (aka no tip). Order the whole chicken with 2 large slides for about $27. Definitely a bit pricey for fast food style food, but it was DELICIOUS. The chicken was sooo juicy throughout and the seasoning was perfect. Not too spicy, but still had a kick (orderd medium level). The fries were good, but make sure to get the Nando's salt too. An extra $1 but worth it. Large is about the size of large at McDonalds. Large garlic bread (4 pieces) was really good too. Make sure to get containers for all the individual sauces to try too. We ended up killing everyone with one small piece of chicken leftover (enough for a light lunch/snack) between two people. Definitely will be coming back and planning to catch a movie afterwards next time too.
(5)Terri T.
My family decided to take me here for Mother's Day luncheon and we all had a great time! This is our 2nd trip to a Nando's PERi-PERi. The first one was at the National Harbor. Immediately upon entering, we were helped by the seating hostess and gave us a table # and said we can sit wherever we want. Cool! We took the menus to the table and looked over it for about 10 minutes. No one rushed us or anything. We went up to order the food and was given glasses for our drinks. Minor set back, there were no ice in the machine for about 5 minutes. NOur food came about 15 minutes later. I don't recall what we all had but we loved each bite! I wished the children's menu items were a bit larger. Our son is 10 and the portion was more like for a 6 - 7 year old. So we ordered extra sides. You can bring bottles of sauces to your table and other condiments. Free refills and all the wait staff were nice and friendly. You can order wine also and sit outside but they only had 2 tables available. It is close to the movie theater too. Will come back soon!
(5)D M.
I couldn't wait to get home and devour my food. I had the mango chicken breast with grilled corn on the cob and red skins mashed potatoes. This was my 2nd visit and I was not disappointed.
(4)Stefani A.
That wonderful smell when you walk in the door, Oh My! It was very odd how you sit down review the menu then get back up to order, I guess this helps if you have young kids but with just adults it was a little odd. My meal was delicious, chicken sandwich! My husband loved the rib eye sandwich. The employees were very friendly and even offered menu choices and suggestions.
(4)Colleen B.
I've been here about three times. Had the Caesar wrap and a salad. Both were yummy. I'm not a big fan of hot and spicy but the mild sauce was fantastic. Full of flavor without the heat.
(4)Alex D.
Took the family out to dinner last night, at a great new restaurant, if your looking for a great meal go to nandos
(5)Tina C.
.Cold mashed potatoes and dry chicken . Waited 26 min. because they got confused in back . Saw the kids meals drying out under heat lamp and had to go say something. Will never go back again .
(1)David F.
Any place where I can get Chicken Livers that taste great is excellent in my book. I've visited Nando's a few times and each time I have been very happy with the quality of the food and the service. I like the garlic sauce but the last time I was there tried the medium sauce and it was tasty and I found it mild in terms of heat. The peri-naise is great for dipping chicken and fries in. And the chicken wing appetizer is good too. All around good food and a good price with friendly customer service.
(4)Kristie C.
We love Nando's! We have almost completed a punch card already because we eat here so often. I agree with other reviewers that the food is best eaten in the restaurant ..we did get it to go once and it wasn't the same experience at all. The chicken livers are amazing, as is most everything we have tried. My three year old loves it so much that we have to order her her own plate because she was eating too much of ours. Just writing this review is making me hungry for some Nando's! The only down side to the restaurant is the sit down, then get up and order ...it gets a little chaotic and you sometimes have to wait in a line. The staff is nice and now recognize us (or really my daughter) when we come in. Some upsides for people with kids is that the meals come with bottomless frozen yogurt AND the crayons with the menu are triangle so that they don't roll off the table!
(5)Lilly R.
I came here when this place first opened and I wasn't impressed. The sides were ok but my chicken was very bland with no flavor. I guess they are known for their hot sauces but I can't do spicy food so I guess this place is not for me. I also didn't like the fact that you have to go up to the counter and order your own food.
(3)Charles K.
Awesome sauces, beer and wine, homemade flavor in the side dishes and the BEST chicken livers I've had in a long time! My family went out to Nando's Peri-peri, which recently opened in the newly expanded Virginia Gateway center in Gainesville. The restaurant is set up sort of like Pei Wei - a hostess takes you to a numbered table when you enter and explains the menu. You then order and pay at the front register and then the wait staff brings the food to your table. I agree that the bad review are ridiculous. Its a shame to downgrade a place because you can't get past your own weird hangups...who orders chicken and is disgusted that it comes with skin? Or can't get over that your salad came with dressing you didn't ask for, even after the staff quickly fixed the error. Seriously...get over yourselves! But I digress....food is really good. My wife order a 1/4 chicken with Portuguese rice and a side of butternut squash with fire grilled corn. I ordered extra hot chicken wings, chicken livers and a side of the Macho Peas. All of the chicken comes in a peri-peri sauce that ranges from plain to extra hot, wit a mango-lime and lemon herb tossed in. The extra hot is not the kind of thing that you'll need to sign a waiver to eat. Rather, its a satisfying heat that, surprisingly, sticks with you and tastes. The side dishes are fabulous. They look and taste homemade. The macho peas are a fresh blend of slightly mashed peas, mint and chili. The butternut squash and corn has dried cranberries and onions. And then there's the chicken livers! I ordered them plain and now I don't think I could ever try them with sauce. For $4.95 you get an extremely generous portion that is so well cooked you'll be disappointed (and full) when you hit the bottom of the bowl. They are unbelievably good! The kid's meals don't include a beverage (too bad) but they do include all-you-can-eat frozen yogurt, which my daughters liked better anyway. Oh, and they get bonus points for having a Coca-cola Freestyle machine...I love those things! It's wonderful to see the second half of Virginia Gateway explode. There's a lot of new restaurants there now - with more on the way - but I think Nando's will be in our regular rotation.
(4)Alexandra E.
Pretty good...a little too salty though. And I didn't love the fact that you have to sit down then get up to order and get silver wear and drinks. Then we felt expected to tip, even though we did all the work practically. The staff was friendly and the ambience was cute- the acoustics just made it hard to hear the person across the table. My wrap was delicious but the group I went with didn't like their food as much. I'll be back again to try something else on the menu!
(3)Matt R.
Its just OK - nothing really special. I like the chicken at many of the other chain sit downs in town just as well if not a little better. Decor is nice and its very clean I will give them that.
(2)Geana W.
My husband and I ate here the other day for lunch. It was delicious! The service was fantastic and the restaurant was clean and had beautiful decor. We will definitely go back!
(5)tom j.
I wanted to REALLY like this place. Instead, I found it to be marginally above average. They first disappointed me by not getting back to me about my reservation I submitted for the soft open. That's OK, new place, big rush, etc. Then I ordered a take away. TINY TINY sides, I thought it was a joke. Then I ate in. The good: The chicken really is tasty...hot, MOIST, great marinades and sauces. I found them to be mostly not very spicy, as in hot, except for the most hot of all. Peri peri is a hot African pepper, so if you are going to Nando's "peri peri" you should be going for VERY spicy chicken. If not, why not just go to KFC? And it would be nice if they had South African beer to go along with the theme (Lion lager), but I don't think anyone in the US has the contract for that. Anyway...the chicken is good, the sides are bigger if you eat in. The ordering and sitting routine is a bit confusing for a first visit. And making you pay extra for seasoned salt? Really??? I guess my bottom line is: this place is a cute concept and nice local addition, worth trying to be sure...but WAY too over-priced, and the chicken portions too small, to be anything other than a once in a very great while change of chicken pace. And that's a shame, especially given its location by the new Regal Cinema
(3)Christa K.
My husband and I eat here at least once a week. They have great healthy options at a decent price. We are members of One Life Fitness which gets us an additional 20% off everything at Nandos. The staff are friendly and the food always comes out fast. I get the chicken wrap every time.
(5)Aislinn B.
Honestly it's just ok, the appetizer wings are very small compared to their other wings, just get the 3 regular wings skip the appetizer size. The sauces are all spicy and vinegary. The NY Strip sandwich was very fatty and lacked any real flavor, hard to eat as a sandwich because it's so fatty. The chicken breast had some good flavor but was overcooked. The wing appetizer was very flavorful and moist, just a little small for the price. The decor is really nice, service was friendly, maybe with time they will improve the food.
(2)CL H.
Positives: decor is beautiful and inviting, at least two of the staff were friendly, and signature food -- chicken -- is cooked beautifully: juicy and tender. That's where it ends. The young woman who sat us was friendly and engaging. The cashier who took our order didn't seem to want to be there, talked over us, ignoring our questions in order to get her schpiel out and get us out of her way. Even when I tried to engage her with friendliness, she was dismissive. (Seating/ordering process was odd as it was -- either seat and take orders, or have diners go through order line and then seat with food, Chipotle-style, not a mix of both of those.) Underwhelming was the most prevalent term that came to mind. Sangria was little more than carbonated fruit punch. (Monza in Manassas provides a great model of delicious Sangria.) Got the olives appetizer, but they were bland, and the garlic cloves were not roasted/cooked in any way, so inedible (again, see Monza for correct way to prepare). For those with sensitive palates, the "spice" level is great -- because it's bland and not spicy. I got the medium chicken (in a chicken pita) -- less than "mild" in spice level, for my tastes. Brought their "hot" sauce to the table -- not at all hot. I think their extra hot might be the level I'd need, but I didn't try it. But that's not what I mean by bland. The food really had no complexity of flavor and any sort of seasoning seemed little more than an afterthought. Even their fries (typical steak fries): you had to pay a little extra for the peri spice, but there was nothing special about it (tasted like Lawry's season salt), and they put very little on. If you need more of a kick, bring Tabasco. A friend swears by the chicken caesar salad, so I'm sure that's good, because they do prepare chicken well. And chicken caesar doesn't require a lot of complex flavor. Hoping this simply was an off night.
(2)Risa A.
Oh my goodness. I have never had such delicious chicken livers in my life. I looooove the macho peas, the garlic bread and mmmmmmmm that chocolate cake. The chicken livers take about 15 minutes, a little longer than other menu items, but they're worth it. I love the decor, the music and the staff are very friendly.
(5)Alan B.
Few vegan options but they're delicious. The different hot sauces help add flavor for people who can't eat meat or dairy or even gluten. Lots of original dishes and a nice atmosphere. I recommend for anyone, especially any vegans or vegetarians looking to try something new.
(5)Shaina H.
Love this place. I go whenever I am in the area. The decor is great and the food is unique. Since it is know for it's chicken, expect a limited chicken menu which is delicious. The sauces add a kick to just about anything I've orders and the sides are amazing. The only reason I give it our stars is because the portions are pretty small (and I'm already a tiny person as it is, not a huge appetite).
(4)Kerre G.
Wanted to love it but chicken overcooked and the pita was grocery store quality. Just not impressed and costly for what it is.
(3)David C.
I returned here last night for a carry out order. Ordered 1 whole chicken, a side of chicken livers, a side of rice, and a side of mashed potatoes. The chicken livers were good, but the chicken was disappointing. It wasn't dry, but it was tough.
(3)Mike U.
We wanted to try this place out and finally had a chance. First off, the food was tasty and the service was pleasant. My problem was with portion size, it was very small for the price. I never like leaving a restaurant hungry but we did. Not sure I will be going back.
(2)MC I.
I really wanted to like this place because it was different, but I have never paid so much for so little low quality food. I would comment on service, but there is none. And they ask for a tip at the beginning. I predict that once the novelty of this place wears off, it will go out of business quickly. If they changed how they did service, they could survive, but thats a corporate strategy...
(2)Rob L.
After we got a Nando's in Gainesville, I was so excited to try it. Everyone online raves about this place and so when it opened up my wife and I were among the first people to go. I'm sad to say that I'm really disappointed overall at the experience. We each got a few pieces of a chicken, one side each, and a drink (non-alcoholic). The total came out to over $30. I'm sorry, but $30 for a few pieces of grilled chicken is crazy. Especially at a fast casual restaurant. IT'S CHICKEN. The most basic of all the meats. It was pretty good, but I just couldn't get over how overpriced it was. I probably won't be going back.
(2)Jen B.
The food is consistently good. Well prepared, clean environment, and service available if needed.
(4)Diane D.
Staff tries but seemed overwhelmed at 4:15 pm on a Saturday. Food was good but they shorted our take out order. Order included chicken livers - promised in 15 minutes - took 25 minutes.
(3)Maya P.
So happy about this gem :0 The very first time I had Nando's was in DC near the Verizon Center 2 years ago. Was great there and here as well. Chicken is moist, juicy and if you get it medium it is the perfect level of spiciness. I'm just so glad that more of the city restaurants are venturing out this way so that it is accessible to those of us who would be yearning for it otherwise.
(4)A K.
First time here. Other places were two hour waits as usual. Won't be going back. They need to change few items in the menu. Chicken Caesar Wrap is made with Romaine lettuce not iceberg and the spicy chicken should say "marinated in FIRE-HELL sauce." Couldn't eat it. Not a fan.
(2)steve g.
Solid eating establishment for the area. The first time I had the boneless grilled chicken breast, it was okay. The second time I had the quarter chicken breast and wing, this was really good. You can't go wrong with that.
(4)Sarah L.
Don't sleep on the Portabella Halloumi Wrap! I know this is a chicken destination, but the vegetarian options are great as well. Husband and I took the kids to lunch at Nando's last weekend after a movie. We all cleaned our plates. I, admittedly, am a bit of a condiments freak, so I could not possibly have been more excited to cover our table with about 10 different hot and other sauces to try! The kids and hubby all enjoyed the chicken and we appreciated that you get to customize your heat level when you place your order. I also like that they offer wine glass pours in both 5 and 8 ounces. I guess my only complaint would be that, after reading previous reviews, I now realize that we were never offered the frozen yogurt that apparently comes standard with the kids meal. Oh well! We actually bought the kids a red velvet cupcake they had on display at the check-out register, so the kids were quite content. We will be back soon and often. I have been craving more of the Macho Peas all week!
(4)F U.
The food is great. We've been to every Nando's in the area and the food is just as good as expected at this location. I would give this restaurant 4 stars except that for some reason the staff at this location seems to make a lot of mistakes. They get something wrong every time. Points off for lack of attention to detail and poor customer service. Hopefully this will change as they get more experienced employees, they are all pretty young.
(3)Kelly M.
Really good food; nice customer service, too. I love their hummus and their spicy olive, and their wraps and chicken entrees are great. Tip: after you see a movie at the local theater, bring in your ticket stub for BOGO of any food items in the restaurant!
(4)James J.
This was my first time not only trying this place but also trying African food. Needless to say, I was a little excited but what I got was far from what I expected. When we entered into the restaurant we were greeted at the door and were seated promptly. The greeter was nice and explained how the restaurant worked: you order at the cash register located towards the front and a server will bring you your food. The restaurant was slow so we ordered our food and returned to our table. After sitting for about 10 minutes we returned and explained that our server had not brought out drinks. Although we had paid for drinks she questioned us, asking if we had, then gave us our glasses, without an apology for her mistake. As we waited for our food we noticed that it it took a long time to get to us, especially since the restaurant was slow. It seemed so slow that a lot of the employees were standing around chatting in front of the guests. Two male employees were flirting with a young attractive blonde employee, which I found rather trashy. Take it somewhere else, not in front of customers. The food portions were small; I ordered a medium NY steak sandwich, which came out well done. The sauces are ok at best, but the decor is nice. The Greek salad with feta cheese was very tasty, but not very African. I don't think I'll ever go there again. The food was small portions and didn't taste great. The meal seemed too expensive for what we got. All in all, 1/5 stars. Go to any other restaurant in the area for better quality and better price.
(1)D. H.
After seeing some of the poor ratings so far, I felt really compelled to write a review because my experience at Nando's has been completely opposite! This place just opened about 2 months ago, and I have been here about 4 times now. Each and every time the food has been delicious. The first time, I ordered the 1/4 chicken leg & thigh meal. I did feel like it is a little on the smaller side so if you want more for your money, order the 1/4 chicken breast & wing meal. Each time I have opted for the "plain-ish" basting sauce because they have at least 5 different sauces available that you can try and put on afterwards. As far as tastes goes, that is where my five star rating is focused. Each time my chicken has been cooked to perfection...moist and tender on the inside and crispy skin on the outside. The Peri-Peri marinade that they use, as well at the sauces are incredible..they have unique spices and flavors that are unlike anything I've ever had before. You really have to try the different sauces to get the full experience. As for the sides, so far I have tried the macho peas, Portuguese rice, and red skinned potatoes. The macho peas are pretty good if you are looking to add a green vegetable to your meal. The parsley and mint add a flavorful touch, just enough to make peas appetizing, because let's face it..they typically aren't! The rice and potatoes are my absolute favorites. I even use the Peri-Peri sauce on the rice to add some more spice. My husband got the garlic bread, which is actually a Portuguese roll and he said it might be the best garlic bread he has ever tasted. As for the service, yes it is a little odd.. You are seated, you are given menus to look over and a number, and you go up to the counter to order, and then they bring you your food. In that way, it is like a mix between a sit down restaurant and fast food. I actually kind of like it because tipping isn't necessary, which saves you money. Each person who has taken my order or brought out my order was extremely friendly. The atmosphere of the restaurant itself is warm, inviting, and relaxing. There's beautiful contemporary South African art on the walls with fun colors and textures all over the place. If you live in the area, especially if you like a little spice and are desiring some new flavors, give it a try! Oh, and ask for a punch card because you will get a free combo meal after purchasing so many meals!
(5)Tara C.
Seeing as I'm not a big fan of chains I was pleasantly surprised here. The twist is I'm a vegetarian so I won't be reviewing the chicken. Loved the decor first off, you walk in, get seated w/ menus, decide what you want, then go up to counter, order, pay & they bring your food to you. Great system. You get your own drinks, silverware, napkins, etc., so kind of half-fast food. I had the grilled veggie wrap w/ cucumber salad on the side. The wrap was great in terms of freshness & flavor, just think they went overboard w/ the items- veggies, couscous, hummus, goat cheese. Could've done ok w/ just one or two of those & the veggies. Cucumber salad was yum. My companions dined family style so I got to sample the macho peas- super fresh & yummy, mashed potatoes-yum & French fries- super yum. If you are vegetarian do not hesitate to go here, aside from the veggie sandwiches you could just do sides as well, TONS of options. Everything really tasted fresh & homemade. Restrooms clean. Will be back
(4)Emily M.
I've had better chicken, BUT for a nice little chain restaurant, it was very good. The chips (fries) were awesome and the peri peri sauce to dip them in was great. My hubby had the grilled corn and rice. He said the corn was fantastic, but the rice could have used a little bit more seasoning. They have the awesome soda machine that has like a million options! The staff was very friendly and helpful and I can't wait to come back for happy hour. They have a Sunday-Thursday happy hour including sangria pitchers for $6 and $2.50 beers! I'll definitely be back for sangria happy hour!
(4)Philippa B.
If you love foods a little - or a lot- spicey, this is the place to go. Their chicken is very succulent, and their peri peri mayo is great with their fries. It's a cheerful, easy place to pick up a bite to eat.
(4)Kylie H.
Went there last night for the first time and really liked it! Beautiful open decor, friendly and informative staff, and fast service. We ordered the spiced nuts -want these on every bar I go to going forward! So yummy! Also got an order of the grilled chicken wings.... They were "o.k." ...but the. Got the whole chicken, sides were mashed potatoes and the grilled corn! All of the e entree sharing plate was AMAZING!!! My one critique would be the grilled corn, although absolutely delicious, was covered and I mean really covered, in charred silk... Just felt it could have been cleaned a little better as it was sticking to our hands and all over our other food. Bit of a challenge to get it off your hands with just a napkin. But as a whole, well done!! I had the leftovers for breakfast!!! We tried all the sauces and liked the garlic sauce the best...about a medium heat... Great beer and wine prices too!
(4)Jeff R.
Went for the soft opening and the food was great. Spicy nuts and garlic bread apps were great, especially the bread. Between the chicken wrap ( definitely double the meat when you go), chicken breast, and 1/4 chicken, my family really liked the food. The kid's chicken sandwich was ok, but beware of the mayo put on it. My daughter is not a mayo fan. She did enjoy the ice cream that came with the meal. Overall, a bit pricey but I will definitely go back again.
(4)Gregg M.
Went there for the first time last Friday. Took the entire family and had a reasonable wait. The concept is unique. The kids dined on some grilled chicken wings. I tried the 1/4 chicken with the extra spicy sauce (could have more heat!!), but was tasty. Overall, friendly staff and good quick food.
(4)Brian S.
Just opened, the service will catch up soon. Awesome chicken as always. Glad they've moved west of DC to the burbs.
(4)Ginger A.
This place is just not for me. Now maybe it's for you, but it's definitely not for me. Let me explain. We ordered two apps: the red pepper dip and the hot nuts. Both were great. I ordered the chicken breast, hot, with a side of coleslaw. This platter was $10.95. When the platter came out I realized how over priced it was. But then I thought it night actually taste really good! So I started eating. One bite of coleslaw and I spit it out. I hate onions. Hate hate hate onions. Then I started to eat the chicken and realized it had greasy skin attached. I hate chicken skin. There were fatty parts...I hate fatty parts. Horribly. I got nauseated and stopped eating. My whole platter gone to waste. So this place is just not for me. The star rating is on my experience, but yours may be different. On a side note I found it odd that the employees were eating with the customers and one employee had to climb on the counter to dump ice into the soda machine. Gross.
(2)Kevin M.
I have been here twice and both times have been great. The first time I ordered the 1/4 chicken breast and wing with the Mango Lime sauce and it was delicious. I ordered a side of the Mashed Potatoes which were also very good. The second time I ordered the Chicken Caesar Wrap with a side of fries. The Wrap was good, but not the best that I have had. The fries are really good, especially with a side of the Perinaise. My wife and I both have enjoyed this restaurant and will continue to eat here on a regular basis.
(4)Jon S.
Got the mango lime chicken, fries with Perinnaise and the mash potatoes for dinner. It's yummy. For an appetizer I got the mango lime wings and Hummus with Peri Peri sauce. Get what I got and I'd almost guarantee you won't be disappointed.
(5)Daniel K.
BAD!!!! 1st they seat me and my family and leave us with menus.....normal right? NOPE. After 10 minutes I ask where our server is, and they tell me we have to go up front and order. OK-weird, but ok. So I go op to order my families food. Only one person should go up, because the place you order is so small and crowded. It's disorganized, not functional, and people are getting PISSED!! So I order, but they start asking me questions about my order that requires me to look at a menu (what spices do you want, what 2 sides, etc...) and they don't have a menu for me to look at, or anything for me to reference. Then they ask me what number my table is. Excuse me? I have no clue!? I find the table number and get everything ordered. Very annoying and just a bad bad bad set up! THEN go to the drink station. WICKED SMALL and very crowded. Tables too close and employees just kind of getting in the way (what are they there for anyway? They don't serve...) FINALLY get our meal. Chicken tastes microwaved and rubbed in a sauce very half heartedly. I ordered a chicken salad, and there was no dressing at all. Finally ask someone.....can I get dressing? "Yes sir! It's by the drink station!" REALLY!?!?! I REALLY wanted to like this place. The food was not very good, and the set up BAD! The kids grilled cheese by the way is on the hardest sourdough TYPE bread. Kids don't have the teeth to cut into it!! Go try it out. If you wait a bit the crowds will go down as I doubt they will have many repeat customers.
(1)Rocco S.
food was good, would go back. Service was just alright! I understand they just opened up, but for just opening up they should have better service
(3)Karen D.
Went during opening week, so my review doesn't reflect any opening hiccups that are to be expected (although there were very few -- overly attentive staff that would check on you every couple of minutes; a fairly long wait for food). The food itself was great -- a huge leap from KFC (and BWW for that matter) for not much more $$ (or less, in the case of BWW). I ordered the mango-lime 1/4 chicken (dark meat) with garlic bread and corn on the cob. The chicken was just the right blend of spices, and oh so juicy. The garlic rolls were too die for, and I can see myself easily packing on the pounds unless I develop some willpower. The corn was a little disappointing --a little mealy like it had been cooked too long, but like I said, it was opening week so I'll give them a pass on that. DH got wings (medium) with olive appetizer. He gave good reviews on both. Oh, and they have a good assortment of beers, both on tap and bottled, wine, and the wonderful Coke Freestyle machine for kids. Also have bottles of sauce and salad dressings available, in case you'd like more or just want to bump up the heat. We'll definitely be regulars here --expect it to only improve as the staff become trained.
(5)David M.
We went for the mock lunch service on the first day they opened, and the food and service was what you would expect for a new restaurant, good but not great. Thinking that a couple weeks later, they would have a lot of the kinks worked out, we gave it another try for dinner last night (12/12/13). We took the kids this time as they were very excited about the frozen yogurt that's included with the kids meals. The adult meals were good, 1/4 chicken and chicken breast wrap, as well as the kids wings. The kids grilled cheese was terrible. The bread was extremely hard and the cheese was not melted all the way through. And then the frozen yogurt debacle. Evidently it was a big hit earlier in the evening as when we went to fill our bowls, the machine was empty. An employee nearby stated it would be 20 minutes to make the next batch. The adults were still finishing up so we decided to wait. 10 minutes later, an employee started cleaning out the yogurt machine, WHAT? We asked to speak with a manager. A manager stopped by our table and stated the yogurt would be ready in 5 minutes with no apology for the delay. 10 minutes later, the employee was still cleaning and wiping down the machine. As it was getting late in the evening for the kids, we couldn't wait any longer and went to zinga for yogurt. We understand that restaurants run out of food, but that's where customer service is key. Unfortunately, the young staff here could care less if the customer leaves happy. We were looking forward to having this restaurant as a go to option, but this experience will drive us somewhere else.
(2)Deb S.
Ordered the app. 3 chicken wings with mango sauce $5. Tasted okay wings were on the smaller size. Ordered chicken breast $9 no sides incl. way over priced for portion size. Too many other great eating establishments in direct area, will not be back. Good Luck many others seem to enjoy the food.
(1)Kyle L.
The chicken is fantastic so I went here 4 times in 9 days, but the 4th time is the last. The "concept" this place is pushing is like trying to re-invent the wheel and coming up with a new strain of AIDS instead....and no wheel. There is no organization to the ordering process (which is you stand in an un-defined and un-marked line to order and pay, then go get your own drinks and your own silverware and someone will bring the wrong order to your table) when the place gets busy, nor do the counter people know what is going on or how to deal with it, and the girl assigned to our table (not a waitress, but the people they hire to go from table to table and bitch at you for not understanding the nuances of the abject disaster that Mr. Nando replaced a working foodservice model with) was as miserable as I've come across. The previous times I went here it was slow and as such everything worked out ok, but their business model is designed to enrage the customer and then completely break down if/when the place gets busy....which will ensure it never gets busy and thus go away eventually. So unless this place is some kind of tax-dodge front for the owner's other businesses, I don't understand who pitched this idea at a board meeting and got the approval to implement it.
(1)Alex W.
Tonight was my first time going to Nando's with my wife, and we wanted something different! The decor was something that you don't see very often, as there are many colors and doorknobs screwed into walls. The background music brought a nice vibe to the customers, that said "young people are welcome, as well as anyone who likes spice in their food"! And now on to the food..... It was ok I guess for anyone who likes buttery mashed potatoes, or saucey chicken, but it was nice as not many places offer this type of food! The peri peri was also very delightful when accompanied by the Nandocas choice, as the coleslaw settled the tang. Now the best experience was by far the service. A waiter by the name of "Jamil" (I hope I didn't mess his name up), was the best we EVER had. He kindly escorted us to the sauces and explained their taste, and recommended us a fantastic meal, with an awesome drink choice of Coca cola cherry. He also took time to talk to us and ask us how our meal was for the first time, and he even convinced us to buy frozen yogurt (which I don't usually prefer) and their lovely chocolate cake, even though it was around six dollars!!!!!!!!! Overall our first experience was a 7/10,because of the food being a little too spicy, but that waiter Jamil knew how, and to talk to customers, so we give Nandos a 100/10 because of his great service!!!! also he was really funny!!! Since we had the pleasure of his company, we will be sure to stop by again, and ask if he is available!!!!
(5)carol g.
It doesn't take that much brain capacity to understand the ordering process, and I don't understand why people are so confused. The chicken was very good, grilled juicy and tasty. The side was delicious, perfect portions. People complaining about portions are just used to oversized american dishes which is one reason why Americans are fat, you don't understand "normal" portions. The only reason it doesn't get 4 stars is the cost, $8.95 for one chicken breast is way too much. The sauces are good but the lemon&herb was the only sauce that didn't set my mouth on fire! I will go back to try more of their food!!!
(4)Kate B.
I have been here three times and have had consistently good food and service. Whoever is closest to the door will greet and seat you. I came in specifically for the chicken livers as not too many restaurants have them, and I love them; I got them extra hot and the fries. The livers were good, but next time I will go with a different sauce. The fries were excellent; browned and crispy. The second visit was takeout of a whole chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and the Butternut Squash, we LOVED everything! Last night the hubby and I ate in. Once you understand the ordering process, it is fine. This time we got the whole chicken with Extra Hot Sauce, fries and Macho Peas. Everything arrived fresh off the grill. The chicken was juicy and the char was perfect, fries were a little salty, but the Macho Peas (fresh peas with parsley, mint & chili) were interestingly tasty. I went up to the counter to get takeout boxes (recyclable cardboard) and the cook was the first to see me, so he got me boxes. This is excellent customer service! We will be back.
(5)Amy M.
This place is awesome every time, even my kids love it! Last time we were there my 11 yr old gave it a 10/10 and said "we should come here more often". Never had a bad meal here and the staff is always polite and professional. The manager Ed is super nice and always makes sure his customers and happy and well taken care of. I work at a local concert venue where I occasionally have to pick up bus food for the bands and crew, which are very large orders, and they get the order right every time! The crew is always thrilled to find out their meal is from Nando's! Can't wait to go back! :-)
(5)Mike B.
Love this place. Great food and great service. I am eating my way thru the menu and have loved everything so far.
(5)Corrinn B.
I was expecting something different. I am not a fan of having to get up to order, and getting my own drink/ utensils and things. This honestly wouldn't be such a huge deal breaker but we just greeted and served so rudely. We also had to pay before we received our good which was just off putting. The decor is very nice and adds to the Portuguese theme. In a word the chicken was one noted, flat in a way. This might have been my fault for ordering a "plain" seasoning but I am not a huge fan of spicey so there were few options. Overall if your looking for a lunch place and don't mind getting up constantly it's okay.
(2)Karl B.
A true break from the usual suburban American fare. This is a bright, attractive restaurant with interesting chicken dishes. You order at the counter but they bring the food to you. The menu explains the process of selecting the cooking style and sauces. There are additional sauces at the sauce bar in the back of the back of the restaurant. Our impression was that the chicken was not as highly seasoned as at their Chinatown location in DC but just as moist and satisfying.
(5)