Nando’s Peri- Peri

I don’t know what to tell you but I love Nandos! We come here a lot with my coworkers for lunch and I always get the chicken meal of thigh and a side of fries or mashed potatoes. I’m from jersey and we don’t have nandos and I also introduced some people to nandos and they love it! It’s my go-​to place whenever they ask me for opinions on where to go for lunch.

I love Nando’s for what it is– a quick and inexpensive meal, where if you play your cards right, you feel good about what you’re feeding your body. Is it gourmet? Absolutely not. But every Nando’s I have visited provides friendly service with a smile, which is sometimes hard to get at «fast food» type shops. And, again for what it is, I have always been satisfied with the quality of my food. Today I had a ¼ chicken with Chips (aka fries) and a salad. The ¼ chicken (mango lime style) was a big portion, lots of meat, little char. The chips were hot and fresh, very crisp, and seasoned well. Personally, I like to dip them in the wild herb peri-​peri sauce. The salad is small but it’s filled with yellow peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and doesn’t use iceberg lettuce. This particular location has a nice patio for beautiful days like we had today. They have a nice sangria pitcher for happy hour and have some beer and wine options for every taste. Nando’s is always a welcome stop for lunch when I’m out and about, and this location is no exception.

Just opened here in College Park and I got the mango and lime flame grilled chicken with mashed potatoes as my side. Although the food was good, it was nothing special and for the amount of food you get, definitely not worth $ 11. I was left feeling hungry.

If you like exotic and spicy food, you should come down here!
Taste:
They have many original spicy sauces. The roast chicken was a little bit dry but really tasty. And their spicy nuts and olives are good too.
Price:
So so. $ 10−20/p
Customer service:
Good bough.
Atmosphere:
Cozy for young couples and families. Cute and simple decorations. Clean.
Parking:
Street or garages.
I wanna try their desserts next time!

First things first — get the red sangria. The Unilocaler who said this was liquid crack was 100% right.
This is a great little place near the Navy Yard and the baseball stadium. We came by before the Saturday game and it was not crowded at all, but that may not be typical. You place your order at the register and take a numbered chicken (really) that has your table number. Then you set at that table so they know where to bring your food.
We had the sangria — super fantastic. A little sweet with a nice fizz to it. Ok, maybe we had two pitchers. Then we had 6 wings of the «hot» variety. I can say, yes they were hot. The spice lingers on your lips so that’s going to be the reason we had those two pitchers :)
The olives were nice and briny. Ours did not contain any pits, but the menu warned there could be some so I’m passing it along. We also went back up to the counter and ordered a second 6 wings of the herb variety. OOH BOY! When I go back to try a half of chicken — which, I will be back to try the half of chicken, that is the sauce I want. The herb mixture went perfectly with the roasted chicken.
I cannot wait for a reason to go back!

I’ll keep this short and sweet. Who doesn’t love Nando’s?! You come here to eat good chicken and that’s what you’re gonna get. If the chicken is ever dry, they have a billion sauces. Win.
p. s. sangria is crack.

Another great meal at Nandos. When you don’t want to cook all you have to do is walk down to the restaurant and order to your hearts content. The chicken is always cooked just right and the sides are good too. My only gripe is that they don’t have more vegetable options on the menu — enough starch options to make Santa happy however. Toss in a good craft beer like a Dales Pale and you have yourself a fine and relatively cheap meal. Solid choice.

I came here on Sunday before a Nats game wanting to get something a little better than baseball stadium food (not that there are not good options at Nats park).
The place was practically empty but the hostess was friendly. She tried to sit us right next to other diners but I kindly requested a different table since you know any other was available…
I split a chicken platter with my husband and the food came out incredibly fast. The chicken and sides were very good, up to Nando’s usual standards. I like Nando’s as an alternative option to most fast casual places.
I would come back again but my one major complaint… the bathrooms… I have seen gas station bathrooms that were cleaner, I walked in took one look and noped right out of there.

Went after a Nats game on Saturday. As expected, the place was packed as spectators tried to get out of the rain. Every single employee in the place had a sense of urgency and we were seated in less than 10 minutes. (Much less than over an hour wait at Willie’s a few spots over.) Out of ice? Boom, the ice machine is filled immediately. Need an extra plate? Two employees offered to take one to my table.
The food hit the spot! Shared a half chicken with two sides with my wife. She ate the leg and thigh. I ate the breast and wing. The meat falls off the bone and the medium spice flavor was just right. I ended up trying the hot and lemon herb sauces on the side. Both delicious, just like the potatoes and rice.
We were hesitant to make the run back to the Metro in the pouring rain but I had the idea to ask for trash bags for four people. Our cashier was happy to oblige and gave us the largest trash bags she had. I was so happy I tipped her extra. The next time the Nats play, I’ll be sure to save room for Nando’s.

Delicious chicken and side dishes — the mashed potatoes, corn and garlic bread are my favorites. And they have a great kids menu too that includes unlimited ice cream! The staff is always friendly and the outdoor seating is great in spring and fall. They have a decent drink selection and happy hour specials, but skip the sangria as it doesn’t seem to have much booze in it for what you pay.

The food is good but by all means, don’t be in a rush when ordering out.
It’s unfortunate when employees take on the position of the owner proprietor. Business owners take pride in owning and operating a successful business and for the most part, live by a higher level of customer service. So when a cashier who realizes that they have not met an expectation does not admit that, apologize and provide a remedy (or at least acts like they are going to), but rather gives a bunch of excuses as to why they did not perform or exhibit excellent customer service, they hurt that owner.

The best grilled fall off the bone chicken wings I have ever eaten.
The Hugh selection of chicken wing sauces is amazing.
All I can say is that I want to go back and back again.
Go, you will not be disappointed.

Went here earlier today and was disappointed with the lackluster flavor their chicken had. I was expecting the chicken to be bursting full of flavor, but once I got past the skin the meat was plain. I think this comes from not letting the chicken marinate properly. I ordered the half chicken with red skin mashed potatoes. They gave me two thigh and leg combos, no complaints here.
Wasn’t quite all bad, their garlic bread was delicious but the chicken was a definite letdown. Maybe the lunch rush took all the good chicken, we got there around 3 pm.
Won’t be returning to this location but I’d be willing to try one of their other locations.

I’d sum it up to expensive fast food. I had high hopes that this would be a potential lunch spot close to my office. Rice was not great, and the piece of chicken was so small on a massive bun. The arugula and pickled onions were nice though.

First of all my coworkers orders here all the time and says the chicken is sooo awesome so I decided to try it out myself!
Too bad my order was left at the restaurant ! Now the reason why they get 5 stars is because the manager I’m assuming name Steve was all smiles and told me my order was there and waiting and apologized it was not sent with the rest of the food.
He also made me a fresh order since I had to come back and get it, wow is all I can say! Customer service at its best! And the chicken was spicy but flavorful and delicious! This is why this spot is deserving of 5 stars great food & great customer service!

Started as a 1-​star review long ago when they first opened; now without a doubt I can say this is one of my favorite restaurants in Navy Yard.
Service is tremendously improved. Food is great and consistent. I’ve introduced a handful of people to Nando’s and they all greatly enjoy it.

Spent a few happy hours here this summer and it’s just the place to go if you’re not looking for the typical bar happy hour. Sangria is half priced and served in a short pitcher with large cuts fresh fruit. It may look small, but take your time cause the sangria packs a punch.
The food is decent, not as great when I first tried Nando’s in the UK about 6 years ago, but MUCH better than any other Nando’s in DC. Even though they’re known for their chicken, there’s a good vegetarian selection that’s actually filling. Help yourself to their selection of hot sauces and 2 flavors of soft serve too!
They lose points because they’re inconsistent with food. Most of the time I have fries with my order that are cold and scant in number. The pita with the peri peri hummus is also tough rather than soft and chewy. I would’ve given this place 3 stars, but I tacked one for their sangria during happy hour.
If you’ve been wanting to try Nando’s then the Navy Yard Nando’s is your best bet, otherwise wait ‘d until you go abroad.

There isn’t much to say, I really love this place. I’ve heard about Nando’s all the time but never went. I went to the Navy Yard location, and I didn’t expect to see a sit down area, with servers as well as counter to order food before sitting down.
I ordered the ¼ dark with corn on a cob, and mashed potatoes, also the Hummus and pita chips. I finished it with a red velvet cupcake. I was told they use a bakery in Pennsylvania? I don’t remember but it’s not in house cupcakes, but they were delicious! I got the mild/​medium/​and hot on 3 different trips and I can say that their chicken is consistent and delciious. Great service, fast, and you can order ahead as well.

I first encountered this South African chain in the Middle East about eight years ago and was happy to see it arrive in U.S.a couple of years later. I visited the Chinatown branch when it first opened and later the Dupont branch but am only now getting around to writing a review after visiting the Navy Yard outpost.
Here’s the deal: Nando’s (short for Fernando) serves a version of grilled chicken found throughout the former Portuguese colonies. Rather than rotisserie cooked chicken, they split them, marinate them in peri-​peri (or piri piri, African birds eye chili) sauce, and then flame grill them. There are five bottled sauces (extra hot, hot, medium, lemon-​herb, and mango-​lime) to put on your bird afterwords if you’re looking for a little extra umph.
What I like about Nando’s: the macho peas (spicy mushy peas with mint), their Portuguese and South African wine selection, and the interior buildouts which include African art.
What I find middling: the chicken. My Dupont experience left me with an undercooked piece of bird, and it’s always been less flavorful than I’d been expecting.
On the plus side, the Navy Yard branch has the benefit of a large outside seating area and table service takes it up a slight notch over fast food.

Came here for lunch on Friday. I love LOVE the wash basin /​sink next to the condiments and drink dispenser. Took me a few seconds to figure out how to turn on the water — just push the spigot to the side. I really did find that fascinating. Things like this should just be standard at all restaurants.
Unfortunately that’s about where all the excitement ends for me. I ended up getting the ¼ chicken (leg+thigh) with one side for $ 6.95. I decided on the «chips» otherwise known as fries to 99% of Americans. Why you would call your fries something considerably less exciting doesn’t make any sense to me unless you’re calling it «Fish and Chips». The chicken itself is just $ 4.95, so it $ 2 extra for the side. Do not get the fries as your side. It’s a waste of money and ABSOLUTELY UNDER NO CONDITION should you get the peri-​peri seasoning for an extra 15 cents. It’s *&#$@! load of salt and you’ll spend your time brushing off the fries because unless you’re a salt water fish you won’t appreciate the mega-​dose of sodium in your diet. Funny how an extra 15 cents will completely set you back $ 2.
When it comes to portion size, they definitely have the «less-​is-​more» concept nailed down… just not when it comes to seasoned fries. Let’s forget the fries though and focus on the chicken. $ 4.95 for the legs and thigh isn’t bad, but it did look rather lean. The ¼ chicken (breast + wing) is 50 cent more and hopefully larger, but in general I prefer dark tender meat over white meat. I didn’t expect the Lemon Herb chicken to be so strong on the lemon — I’m not even sure I could taste the herb.
The whole table/​seating and service thing is a bit confusing. First, you place your order, then find a seat, but you don’t get a number like you’d expect at other places. It’s also a combination of wait-​service and self-​service, so it’s a little unclear whether you tip or not. They bring your food, and clear off the tables, but you grab your drink, condiments, and utensils.
So far, I’m really on the fence as to whether I want to come here again. Whether I do or not will certainly be influenced by other nearby options, such as Bluejacket brewery and Arsenal restaurant next door.