Charco’s

Not going to say this is even a knock off nando’s. Ordered from there this evening and everything was very very very blah. No flavor no heat pretty much just a chicken breast in a cocktail sauce with some lettuce. I am very very umimpressed and if Im craving nandos I just know to get nandos when I get off of work and not compromise with this horrible excuse for a takeaway. Im usually very postive with my reviews and I look for any redeeming quality but I can find one this time, maybe the time it took to get to the house we ordered at 5 to 10:00 and it was at the door but 20 past so very fast but still very unimpressive.

Charcos = cheap Nandos
That’s all you really need to know. The menu is dead similar and the quality of the food is the same. As an exchange student, I was frequenting Charcos quite a lot during my first two weeks because of how cheap it was (know that I was doing the US to UK money conversion all this time). The Mediterranean salad (sans chicken) is actually good! I’m a meat lover, but the freshness of this salad and the crispness of it was a satisfactory distraction from the lack of meat. Plus, I’m a huge fan of cheese and bell peppers.
I was introduced to Nandos after meeting Charcos, so of course I was slapping myself silly for paying nearly twice as much for the same Charcos chicken dish in Nandos.
To be fair, Charcos definitely lacks the ambiance that you would have in Nandos, and they lack the perpetual frozen yogurt that Nandos offers, but in all realism, these are the only real points where «you get what you pay for» rings true.

Don’t got money for Nandos? Head on over to Charcos. In my humble opinion… it’s a pretty good try for the real thing Nando’s has to offer. Truth be told… some times I would just rather go here cause it’s a bit on the cheaper side.
I would give Nandos 4 stars for their food and restaurants, but why does Charcos only get a 3 you may ask? Good question… it can all be fixed if they, like Nandos, can offer unlimited frozen yogurt for only £2… YES it’s THAT important to me…
When I’m torn to choose between Charcos and Nandos all I do is think to myself whether or not I’m in the mood for frozen yogurt or if all I want is some no fuss grilled piri-​piri chicken… See if that helps you choose.

I’ve only been to Charco’s once and I have never returned. It’s not that it’s a place you should stay away from, it’s not the poor quality of food etc, none of these apply. It is however the fact that it will never be and will never live up to the lushness that is Nando’s.
If you are looking for a cheaper version of Nando’s then hey presto, Charco’s is your place. I went for a chicken wrap and it really didn’t differ too much from the Nando’s version, only thing missing was the chili jam, which I hate anyway. Kudos.
The only thing with this place is that I can’t imagine anyone choosing it over Nando’s; maybe Nando’s is too busy? Too Portuguese? Too expensive? Too perfect? Who’s to say?
I do however think this place is perfect for a little lunch date or break in between uni, it saves having to walk into town and beating that awful Light cue.

I was having one of those ‘is it me’ moments, but by looking at the other people who have reviewed Charco’s, I can safely say it wasn’t just me, everyone else seems to have noticed the oh so many similarities between Charco’s and Nando’s, (even the type font is the same) and I may be in the minority here, but I actually prefer Charco’s. For one it’s cheaper, and for two, it’s not as overrated as Nando’s so it’s often quieter and in my little humble opinion, better on the tastebuds. You can’t quite fault Nando’s on their customer service, but Charco’s offers a nice bit of competition on that front too. There aren’t as many salads on this menu, and the Portuguese style desserts are missing too, but that is made up for with the addition of lamb on the menu, and other sweet tasting things, but aside from those small things, it really is a blatant rip off and I’m surprised they haven’t had their arses handed to theme for copyright infringement. But there’s something to be said about imitation and flattery, so who knows, maybe they’re letting it slide. Cheaper than the original, and less crowded too.

Whether you see Charco’s as a replica too similar to what it is trying to emmulate (Nando’s) or a chicken restaurant in its own right, if it is chicken you are into, why not give it a go.
Whether it is right or wrong, I am not an enormous fan of these chicken restaurants. Therefore it may be a crime that I am even attempting this review!
Nevertheless, my innate dislike for Nando’s does help me compare these two identical eateries, without letting any amorous feelings get in the way.
I have tried both, and whilst the food may not float my boat, I can say that as an alternative to the neverending bustle of the city centre branch of Nandos, Charco’s does well to serve up very similar food, but with added impeccable service. If you are a fan of the N-​word, try out Charco’s. You may find it to be blasphemous, but you cannot deny that they are doing a good job as a mimmick.

Nandos, charcos? Charcos, Nandos? Not sure? Neither am I…
How have they gotten away with this… really and truly? Saying that, I’m happy they have. Cheap prices, nice chicken, good ‘sidelines’ and close to uni. Aaahhh, perfect!
One problem… it isn’t quite nandos and isn’t quite as satisfying!
If you fancy a take-​away then pop into Charco’s. Cheap and cheerful.

Charco’s is yet another place by the university that shamelessly emulates a successful high street chain restaurant. You have Mahmood’s (McDonald’s), Highway (Subway) and now Charco’s — which undeniably takes its cue from the insanely popular Nando’s.
This is perhaps the most copyright-​infringing imitation of all three — the same little chicken logo, the same flame-​grilled chicken offerings, and the same system of offering a choice of ‘side’ or, in Charco’s case, ‘sideline’ (chips, rice, wedges etc).
The menu is basically the same as Nando’s too — you can get a serving of wings, or a half or quarter chicken, or a chicken breast in a pitta, as well as salas and platters and the like.
How does it measure up to Nando’s? Well, the food is cheaper, the service is quicker, and it’s never as busy as Nando’s always seems to be. The food isn’t quite as nice, but it’s still good and offers somewhere nice to sit down for a meal near the university, which is quite a rarity. And top marks for plagiarism.