Chicken heaven in London

Everyone who isn't from London is always complaining about how bad or expensive the food is blah blah blah. But if you know who to ask and where to look, nothing could be further from the truth.

Nando's is a chain, but a pretty good one. Food is good and inexpensive. They are all over the city and country; just check out the website below. Chicken is grilled in lime & herb, hot, or extra hot sauces, whatever takes your fancy. Peri Peri chips, spicy rice or corn on the cob are just some of the sides that come with it. You can choose from a range of different portions: 1/ 4 chicken, 1/2 chicken, full chicken, salads, burgers etc. At this point you're probably thinking , "what is she rambling on about? Sounds like Steak n Shake to me." Well, trust me, it is not your average fast food eatery. It's all about the marinade here. As far as I am concerned, Nando's have perfected the art of commercially available spicy multi-toned marinade. It is simply delicious and healthy too. Add to that the inevitable cheery environment, Portuguese music in the background, and delicious drink and dessert (love the rum and raisin ice cream, and the sangria, of course) menu, and you have a winner.

I had my first Nando's in 1999, and they are still opening up all over the United Kingdom. Abhijit and I had our first meal together at a Nando's in London, when we first met. It was love and chicken at first sight! I was mortified when I found out that there were no restaurants here in the US. Finding the sauces in the local supermarket was hardly any consolation. I got to the point of desperation of mailing their PR department about any restaurants opening here, and was told that one was due to open in the DC area in November. I wait with bated breath (and appetite). No better reason to use those air miles....

Check out: www.nandos.co.uk and www.nandosusa.com