Why is Nando's so popular in the UK?

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mexicocaro@reddit

The thing is, Nando’s used to be dirt cheap back in the day, they had an amazing loyalty scheme and it you could refill as many times as you like. That’s why it was so notorious! These days it’s a tasty, middle of the road chicken shop. Still really good: but no where near as value for money as it used to be.

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PeriPeriAddict@reddit

Although the prices have gone way up the loyalty scheme is still superb imo although as u can see from my username i am perhaps biased lol

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mexicocaro@reddit

Back in the 00’s it was so cheap that you didn’t have long to wait or much money spent to achieve a free chicken. I’m suggesting back in the good old days the loyalty scheme was just a bit more rewarding.

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ediblehunt@reddit

They still do free refills and the loyalty card retains the same green/orange/red reward that it has had for the past decade. What changed in your view?

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mexicocaro@reddit

Hey! I was stating the reasons as to why it became so popular in the first place. The major draw was its cheapness and amazing value for money. Now in 2025 it the same price as your average middle of the road restaurant. While it’s still tasty chicken, it’s popularity is crazy wild and was based off the original price concept that is only part intact.

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jon81uk@reddit

The prices are still cheaper than other casual restaurants like Pizza Hut, Pizza Express, Harvester etc

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Emergency_Town3366@reddit

Nothing divides this sub like a Nando’s question. Cue the “it’s just chicken and chips!!” comments, although my personal favourite is “you can make it better and cheaper at home”.

Anyway, Nando’s first gained popularity at a time when it was truly something quite different. Unpretentious food and settings, but not a fast food experience. The cuisine itself also stood out in a market where at that time, other options for “non-fussy, but still a sit-down meal” consisted largely of pub, pizza, and Italian chains, to which Nando’s can’t be compared, food-wise. The casual dining market did open out a bit over subsequent years, with more “unique”/novelty food offerings, but then somewhat collapsed into itself again (a lot of providers in this category have seriously downsized, or even gone entirely bust, during the past few years).

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iamabigtree@reddit

Thing is we've tried to make the same at home. And do so regularly. But it doesn't taste the same at all.

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Fuzzy-River-2900@reddit

I agree. I’m a good cook and still can’t make it taste the same at home!

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Putrid_Bumblebee_692@reddit

You definitely can make a better one at home marinate the chicken over night in lemon and herb sauce cook in oven then put on the bbq to finish off .when you get the char lines add the sauce of your choice and leave on the heat for 2/3 minutes

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iamabigtree@reddit

Well there it is. You have to BBQ it. A lot of faff.

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MyManTheo@reddit

I mean yeah, which is why I’d rather just go to Nando’s and order it

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Putrid_Bumblebee_692@reddit

Ohh 100% is it worth it ?when your having people over for a bbq why not like . Would I bother otherwise no not usually 😂 but then I also rarely convince myself it’s worth the money to buy it either unless I’m getting a friends and family discount 😂

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Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit

I mean yeah, it's chicken and chips at the end of the day but with an exotic African spicy marinade (that is nothing like the African marinade, nor really spicy in the same way).

But yeah, spot on analysis.

Used to love a cheeky Nandos, and now my 7 year old loves a cheeky Nandos which he discovered from someone at his school.

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Chimpanayy@reddit

For those of us who don't like spicy food, it is just chicken and chips.

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tmbyfc@reddit

It's also that it's not fried chicken, which is what pretty much every other chicken-based food outlet in the country sells. I'm quite happy to grab a nandos with my son if he wants that instead of pizza, it's tasty and reasonable price. No way am I going in a KFC or knock off chicken shop, they're nasty.

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BastardsCryinInnit@reddit

One of my nieces, 8, is a very fussy eater, very picky, and seems to hate all sauce or flavour apart from tomato sauce.

But take her to Nandos - she's on the Peri Peri chips and recently tried the medium glaze after working her way up the ranks.

But try and get her to eat that at home with their supermarket range, or put any other sort of seasoning in stuff and she's like NOOOOO.

Madness.

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MACintoshBETH@reddit

I think also people enjoy the different spice/heat levels. It makes things interesting, whilst also catering for different tastes. You can have multiple people order the same dish but have it suit their spice preference easily.

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BastardsCryinInnit@reddit

“you can make it better and cheaper at home”.

Love those comments.

Ok Darren, I'm at Lakeside so I'll just drive the 40 minutes home shall I to eat a homemade version shall I?

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SummerEchoes@reddit

Reasonable price.

Food isn't shit.

Has flavour.

Name is fun to say.

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Popular_Sell_8980@reddit

We are collectively suckers for wildly overpriced mid chicken.

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Affectionate-Rule-98@reddit

I love a cheeky nandos because you can be healthy or naughty depending on your mood

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SlickAstley_@reddit

Its just different.

Large pizza chains? We got like 7

Large burger chains? Loads

Spicy barbecue chicken chains: 1

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

What about Pepe's , rios etc

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sjr0754@reddit

If you're not from within the M25, they don't exist and more people live outside than inside of it.

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Technical_Penalty_46@reddit

We have electricity now too!!

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Ok-Morning-6911@reddit

I'm from the Lancs and can't say I've ever seen these chains

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Technical_Penalty_46@reddit

Probably because you have good tastes and ignore the Pep’s

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TheClnl@reddit

Yeah in the north east we often go for a Pepes after we've picked the kids up from the mines. Not on Sunday though, that's for worshipping the giant silver birds.

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McFuckin94@reddit

Pepes in Scotland too. Black rooster also

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tryskating404@reddit

Show off

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SimSamurai13@reddit

I've never come across a pepes as someone who lives an hour north of Manchester lol

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Artistic_Train9725@reddit

I'd prefer to live there, even if you didn't.

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mysterons__@reddit

At the same time? Marvelous!

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grmthmpsn43@reddit

No, it's house by house saddly, you pick which one you want while you buy.

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antimatterchopstix@reddit

Is it split by street, or house? If I have water, can I get a cup of electricity from my neighbour?

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grmthmpsn43@reddit

That depends on the street, some fully go one way and some alternate house to house.

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enjoii89@reddit

Very, very interesting. What's your current status on 'the wheel' ? It's circular and allows for easier movement.

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Southern-Ad4477@reddit

That kind of witchcraft gets you burned in a wicker structure up there

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No-Meeting-7955@reddit

And Dixy - these cockneys think they have it all . We even have side portions of stabbing sand moped acid attacks outside our northern chicken shops too!

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TheHalfCounts@reddit

Does the electricity and the modern plumbing come together or do you only get one or the other?

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Technical_Penalty_46@reddit

Japanese toilets for everyone

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Muttson@reddit

You don't have to lie

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Impressive_Bed_287@reddit

Tell me you're from Leeds without telling me you're from Leeds

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chickabiddybex@reddit

No one from Leeds would say they're North West

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Technical_Penalty_46@reddit

Nope

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glasgowgeg@reddit

Pepe's have loads of chains both inside and outside of London.

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penguin62@reddit

There's seven Pepe's in Edinburgh.

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Liam_021996@reddit

We have them in Southampton, Roosters etc too

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pragmageek@reddit

😅

You could have googled to fact check yourself before saying that

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CymruGolfMadrid@reddit

We have Pepe's in Wales.

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Dramatic_Prior_9298@reddit

Where?

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CymruGolfMadrid@reddit

Cardiff, Swansea, Port Talbot etc. pretty much everywhere in South Wales

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laidback_chef@reddit

If you're not from within the M25, they don't exist

Errr what they're literally fucking everywhere.

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MarkT19871@reddit

Bristol has just been "blessed" with a Pepe's.

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Wonky_bumface@reddit

I'm in London and never heard of them...

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orange_assburger@reddit

Honestly that might have been the case but it's popping up all.ober the place. I'm in central Scotland and we are all like TF is this pepes place full blown chain takeaway from absolutely nowhere...there's hunnerts of them now!

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Kexxa420@reddit

There’s pepe’s in Wiltshire

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Fit_Manufacturer4568@reddit

Pepe's exist in every place with a large Muslim community.

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Ok-Butterfly1605@reddit

We even have Pepe’s in Inverness now!

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Wackobacco@reddit

We’ve got pepes up north

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butterypowered@reddit

Even north of the border!

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frn@reddit

And in the South West

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bigchatswithbigali@reddit

Lots of Pepe’s and Rio’s in the West Midlands, have been for a long while

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ollyprice87@reddit

I’m in Hereford - we have a Pepe’s

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wannacreamcake@reddit

Pepe's is 👌👌.

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WittyLanguage5172@reddit

Pepe's is terrible

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SacculumLacertis@reddit

Agree, but it's still better than Nandos.

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sloppy_custard@reddit

The chimichurri chips are the best takeaway chips were had. Chips may be fundamentally basic, but it’s rare a place will do them well

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

Branches vary though

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nefarious_otter@reddit

Pepe’s charge an arm and a leg up here in the frozen north! Nowt cheeky about that!

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WillWatsof@reddit

Pepe’s isn’t a sit down restaurant like Nandos, you’re not going there to sit and eat.

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Adventurous-Elk-5193@reddit

you so should take the family and eat in. The fries are fantastic mega fresh

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mrdibby@reddit

You could take the family the same way you could take them to McDonalds. Its just not a destination in the same way.

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Adventurous-Elk-5193@reddit

pepe's is amazing, and lots of them up here in the NW

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dizneyqueen@reddit

Not heard of either of them.

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Fit_Manufacturer4568@reddit

Next Cricket World Cup, watch the coverage. You'll have heard of them and be able to recit their locations.

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Dennyisthepisslord@reddit

They have stopped those adverts name checking the random hyper local adverts. I miss them. Think it was the 2019 world cup. From Ruislip to Toxteth and all sorts of random small towns in the country

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

Franchise places

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ZwnD@reddit

I have never heard of those tbf

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ninjabadmann@reddit

Pepe came decades later and is more a boss man chicken shop. You ain’t talking the family there for a sit down meal.

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pingpongpiggie@reddit

People on Reddit for too much money for that lmao

Pepe's and rios are for the brokies

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0Neji@reddit

The bigger question is why chains. Find some decent independent alternative.

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duskfinger67@reddit

Fairly guaranteed quality even when in new town, and something fairly common that everyone in the group has likely tried and not been horrified by.

Chains are incredibly popular for a good reasons. Most people would rather know they are getting something mediocre than risk getting something bad.

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0Neji@reddit

Fair point about consistency, and also for large groups.

But it's pretty easy to find good places these days with the internet. One of my favourite things about visiting new towns is finding places to eat.

I don't want guaranteed mediocrity, I'd rather take an educated risk. Everyone is different, chains just seem to be there for the unimaginative.

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Ekalips@reddit

You can't imagine how many shitty independents there are. Having a decent chain that you can reliably eat in is a good thing. I swear most of the time I was appalled by the food was in independents, not in chains.

Also I find some talk about how bad chains are quite annoying usually when people bash on chain restaurants and then queue for blank street coffee for 5 minutes or god forbid Starbucks. Neither chain by definition nor Nandos itself are bad, they can be whatever they want and it would be stable across the board, which is the important part.

I feel like this chain turnoff really comes from American chains and their bit of the internet or media. Because if you look at almost any US chain that got here they all are cheap rubbish. Like Tortilla chain is way better than Taco Bell chain, hands down. Pizza Pilgrims are way better than Dominos and such. And the list goes on and on.

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0Neji@reddit

As above, it's not hard these days to avoid shitty independents, it's actually really easy with 15 minutes of browsing the internet.

I don't think chains are bad, I think they are mediocre. You might find consistent mediocrity fine, but I don't see the point of spending loads of money on average food.

As I said, everyone is different, I just can't get on board with consistently average food for a premium.

I also don't drink coffee, and I'd absolutely include Starbucks etc in the same bang average chain stuff.

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Ekalips@reddit

Didn't expect this to get so edgy but whatever. If Nandos is mediocre and premium at the same time for you then damn I don't even know what type of venues suit such lord.

You know, sometimes people just want to quickly eat something. Not always you want to explore and find stuff, sometimes it's just good ol reliable what's needed.

Wish you the best of luck in your endeavours in finding a banging venue at every small town you visit. Especially for "not a premium price".

You might as well spare a few recs of non premium bangers by the way, both to gauge the judgement and just to potentially discover something

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0Neji@reddit

I'm not being edgy, we have different opinions, that's okay. I said everyone is different, that's okay too. I've no problem with people eating at chains, I just tend not to.

You're also putting words in my mouth. Putting quotes around something doesn't mean I said it.

I didn't say Nandos was mediocre and premium, I said it's mediocre and has a premium price. I'm happy to pay a premium for good food, not for mediocre food.

Again, if you like chains, that's cool. I have no beef with that.

Peace.

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Ekalips@reddit

mediocre and has a premium price

That's exactly what I said lol.

Calling everything mediocrity and not worthy of yourself is edgy. And saying that other people are ok with consistent mediocrity whilst you are above it.

So cmon, I'm really asking for it now, show a few places in London that you think are good.

You are just comparing things that are not comparable and claiming victory. Talking about different things is not having different opinions, it's just you not understand what's being told really.

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0Neji@reddit

You getting something out of my comments that I'm not saying. Never said I'm better than anyone or above anything, never claimed victory.

Also don't live in London so don't have anything for you.

Anyway, I'm not in the habit of arguing with strangers on the internet. Enjoy your day friend.

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OldManChino@reddit

Roosters peri peri makes nandos look like the dessicated dog turd it is

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mebutnew@reddit

Maybe if you live in Hatfield or some backwater midlands town, but there are several large chicken chains in the UK.

I mean KFC at the very least, but you also have chicken cottage, slim chickens etc.

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SlickAstley_@reddit

Do any of them cook it on a barbeque grill though?

Chicken Cottage admittedly might, but its not like a restaurant "vibe"

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Particular_Oil3314@reddit

It is about twenty years ago that I went to a Nandos. I was seriously impressed.

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notwearingatie@reddit

Tell me you don't live in London without telling me you don't live in London.

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AdAltruistic8513@reddit

God when will this pathetic and lazy rhetorical line die.

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Brickie78@reddit

What did they say?

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AdAltruistic8513@reddit

The usual bullshit

"Tell me you don't live in London without telling me. "

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No_Concern_7583@reddit

There's about 60 million people in the UK that don't live in London.

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Alarmed_Lunch3215@reddit

But around 17% do

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boing_boing_splat@reddit

Eeeeew.

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aj953@reddit

Roosters

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Nubian_hurricane7@reddit

When it first arrived about 20 years ago it was completely different to the standard high street chain restaurant and was really affordable

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RatioSufficient495@reddit

Can't say nandos without cheeky mate

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MidlandPark@reddit

It's not cheeky anymore. Have you seen those prices?

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EliteSardaukar@reddit

Indeed. It doth extract the urine.

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PhotoJim99@reddit

I'm Canadian and I agree. I love a cheeky Nando's. Three times so far when in the UK, and twice here in Canada. Unfortunately, the nearest one is 800 km from where I live.

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Sussurator@reddit

By my count 6+ different countries are within 800km of London. Personally I think 800km passes the threshold of ‘cheeky’ but each to their own

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noddyneddy@reddit

Go to the home of peri peri checked in Portugal and never eat Nando’s again

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ActuallyCalindra@reddit

We don't have Nandos on the mainland

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Tank-o-grad@reddit

I propose an invasion...

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Sussurator@reddit

Ah damn, there goes my plan for a Nandos continental food tour

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Tank-o-grad@reddit

I propose a study...

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tommowarp93@reddit

Sorry I'm not sure you can have an 800km "cheeky" nandos? Haha. Surely you can't plan and execute a 1600 km round trip spontaneously. Though I am from the UK, I cannot comprehend those kinds of distances over land.

Maybe in Canada 1600km can be travelled at a whim completely spontaneously for the sole purpose of acquiring overpriced (but delicious) chicken.

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Jebus_UK@reddit

Get it delivered perhaps

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tommowarp93@reddit

This is a fair point. Though I'm not sure you could spontaneously plan to spend $1000 on a delivery fee! 😂

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TAA-82549@reddit

It’s a cheeky Nando’s, nobody ever said it was gonna be cheap

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Jebus_UK@reddit

Cheeky and very cold

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HotSpacewasajerk@reddit

I 'nip' 400km to Vancouver for the sole purpose of procuring food more of than I'd like to admit. Something I could never have fathomed doing in the UK.

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Cakeo@reddit

Glasgow to London and back would be about 800 miles or about 1300km. I do Glasgow to Birmingham and back in a day which is more similar to 1000km. Leave at 6am back for about 4-5pm

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ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

I grew up in Alberta. Have now lived in the UK for 22 years.

We used to do a 1000 kilometre same day round trip to BC just to get some beer that was only sold in BC.

Leave at 7am and be back by 7pm to start drinking it!

Also when we had moved to sylvan lake it was a 300 kilometre round trip to Calgary. You would do that just for a night out. Or maybe lunch and a bit of shopping.

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orlandofredhart@reddit

You could say it's the cheekiest.

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arashi256@reddit

Peak-cheek.

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Inevitable-High905@reddit

800km isn't cheeky. That's more of an expedition

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Locust-15@reddit

Don’t mean to be a dick but i have 473 Nandos within 800km.

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wankmarvin@reddit

800km???? Trekky Nando’s?

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DefinitelyBiscuit@reddit

Beam them aboard!

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JimmyJonJackson420@reddit

A cardinal sin

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Pizzaheadeddead@reddit

No such thing as a cheeky nandos anymore

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Organic-Locksmith-45@reddit

That’s soo CasualUk!

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Cappie56@reddit

Happy cake day!

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Purple-Music-70@reddit

No idea. So overpriced for what it is.

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Crabbies92@reddit

I think it's just a meme. Was big when it first opened among younger millennials and probably remains popular with a certain crowd but I think most people from that era grew out of it.

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Dnny10bns@reddit

No idea, went once and thought it was crap.

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JSF--10@reddit

They were the first one to really target the gap between fast food and high street restaurant (pizza express, etc), and did so at a very reasonable price.

By doing so they got the younger crowd, and made it a very easy and enjoyable meal, whilst also offering the same guarantees that all franchises offer.

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Supergoose5000@reddit

It's not remotely reasonable anymore. 50 bob for two plates of chicken pitta and chips.

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ThatDrunkenDwarf@reddit

Nowhere near 50 just for that. It’s expensive nowadays but at least be honest. You can google their menu to see the price

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Thaiaaron@reddit

Fino Pitta and one side is £14.50 and two sides is £16.25.

One beer is £4.50 or bottomless fizzy drink is £3.95.

Cheapest combination is £36.90 and most expensive is £41.50.

Still pricey for two pieces of chicken in pitta with two sides and a 330ml bottle of beer, even ignoring his 20% exaggeration.

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Solasta713@reddit

I got a McDonalds the other day that was £10.70. - one drink, no refill - one side

Quality is garbage, didnt fill me up and its the most boring place to eat.

Nandos, on the other hand is a few quid more. Vastly better quality and taste, and feels like a normal restaurant. I think that's its appeal... Its like a halfway house between fast food and a restaurant, for when you want something a little better than fast, but something a bit cheekier than a full-on sit down meal in a proper place.

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lady_faust@reddit

Our local mcdonalds in London comes with a side order of crackhead breathing over your food asking for money..

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RandomAFKd@reddit

The price has gone up sure, but so has minimum wage.

In 2015, minimum wage was £6.70 and a half chicken and two sides would cost approx £9.90.

In 2025, minimum wage is £13.75 and a half chicken and two sides would cost approx £14.75.

Same with beer in London.

I look at your example at £4.50 for one beer and argue that is cheap, considering beer prices in pubs/restaurants are consistently £7.00 - £8.00 in zone 1/2 of London.

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manicpixiememegirll@reddit

minimum wage isn’t 13.75 though?

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RandomAFKd@reddit

It is if you work in London.

https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/business-and-economy/support-your-business/london-living-wage#:\~:text=The%20London%20Living%20Wage%20is,the%20essentials%20and%20to%20save.

Applies when you are 18 or above.

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Thaiaaron@reddit

Using London prices as a benchmark is not a great benchmark as London wages are inflated to match their housing.

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ranchitomorado@reddit

They're aren't alone in having to increase their prices, all casual dining restaurants have done and none are particularly cheap anymore. I noticed that when I went to wagamamas recently, in my mind that was a cheap eat! It's not anymore.

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NaiveRub4113@reddit

Yeah think I’ll just stick to boss man’s chicken shop…

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TheRealGriff@reddit

I mean you're not having a sit down dinner in boss man's chicken shop, they're selling them selves as different things.

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Astro-Butt@reddit

Perhaps they live in a more expensive area? I travel a lot for work and eat it often and prices vary quite a lot. Some places I got a main and size for £9.95 but others were like £17.95

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ThatDrunkenDwarf@reddit

Still pricey yeah I agree, just don’t need the exaggeration on top

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F10XDE@reddit

Took my boy the other night, whole chicken, sharer chips, two drinks £45. I love the casual atmosphere and efficiency of ordering, but the prices are beginning to fall out of line with the realities of the UK's economic situation, where previously it played into the 'I'm out and about and want to spend mcd's money, but prepared to wait an extra 20mins for food thats immeasurably better'. Now it's up their with any other restruant experience that needs to be planned for as a treat, and frankly in that market their are lots of better options!

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Silent_Frosting_442@reddit

I always see exaggerations like this on Reddit. £25 each?! Unless London is much more expensive, I don't know where you're getting this from. More like £15 each.

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davehemm@reddit

I'd have more Nando's of it was only £2.50 (50 bob)

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CraftyWeeBuggar@reddit

50 bob = £25 .... a bob = 50p mate...

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Silent_Frosting_442@reddit

One of my favourite facts in how £1 is exactly the same value pre ordered post decimalisation, so essentially even if you brought 'old money' back, it'd be worthless.

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Putrid_Bumblebee_692@reddit

Should see the irish prices it’s €25 over here for a butterfly 2 sides and a drink

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boroxine@reddit

I got a takeaway Nando's at Euston station yesterday, £22.50 for starter + main + 2 sides (ie: big meal) if I remember rightly. That's pretty decent and it's a good amount of food. I saved some for the next day

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AfraidOstrich9539@reddit

£15? So you're saying 300 bob

So you're really saying they under exaggerated, maybe for comedic effect... or didn't you realise 1 bob is just an old way of saying 5p? 😉

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Hitzbag@reddit

I was gonna say this. I had a cheeky on Friday (pre-cinema) and it was £15 (granted I didn’t buy a drink tbf)

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Silent_Frosting_442@reddit

TBH, I could probably (just) get a meal and 2 sides, coke and starter for £25. Either London is ridiculous or UK Redditors like their hyperbole.

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sjcuthbertson@reddit

Either London is ridiculous or UK Redditors like their hyperbole.

Both things could be true at once 😉

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Basicazzwitch@reddit

The full platter is £27 on their website, which isn't bad really. I mean whole chicken plus 4 regular sides is always good for me and my family.

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chrisrazor@reddit

50 bob is £2.50, just so you know.

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El_Scot@reddit

The last 2 times I've been, we've had a 40 minute wait on our food too.

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Fatandwheezing@reddit

I know inflation has been high, but 10 bob was the equivalent of 50p. Can't even get a bag of chips for 50 bob nowadays. Poor bob....

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nufcsupporter@reddit

No it's not

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oli_ramsay@reddit

It's £27 for a 3 course meal. I'd say that's reasonable

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timbono5@reddit

50 bob is £2.50 !!!! That’s a bargain.

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kingmickyb@reddit

Least someone spotted that.

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GlassHat04@reddit

Also because you can pay up front, and young people hate having to ask for the bill after a meal so they all prefer this option. You finish your food and you can just leave

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liloka@reddit

I was in sixth form when they became trendy and it was thee spot for a date at the time.

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Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit

Haha you unlocked a memory. A friend of mine was on a date at a Nandos and he asked if they'd put extra hot flags on his chicken instead of mild so, in his words, he looked more manly. He still gets shit about that to this day.

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liloka@reddit

That’s hilarious and I swear I’ve heard other people saying the same with their dates.

I always use Nando’s spice levels/flags when I describe my spice heat tolerance.

[-]

Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit

Haha yeah it's such a UK thing. "how much spice can you tolerate mate", "I can manage extra hot but I have to make sure a toilet is available within 20 minutes".

[-]

Conscious_Scheme132@reddit

This is it. You pay first and don’t have to wait for the bill that was a perk. It comes your table in minutes usually. It’s relatively healthy and good protein was one of the big factors. It’s not very expensive though.

[-]

CeeApostropheD@reddit

My northern poor might be leaking but it's never been a reasonable price. About 15 years ago it was something like £13 for two small-ish fillets, small fries, coke.

[-]

Matt7257@reddit

You spelled “reasonable price” wrong - it should be spelled “fucking rip off”

[-]

royalblue1982@reddit

For the old guard of us it was very reasonable back in the day.

[-]

royalblue1982@reddit

Yeah, this might be something to do with the different eating out customs in the UK and US. Back in the early 2000s,going out for a meal was a 'thing'. The process took a while, was relatively expensive and often awkward when it came to everyone paying the right amount including tip. Nandos introduced a fast food style ease, speed and cost of service with the (sort of) quality and experience of a proper restaurant.

'Cheeky Nandos' became a phrase because popping out to eat together on a whim was not something we typically did in the UK before. It felt almost like cheating.

[-]

Army-Status@reddit

Not reasonable anymore unfortunately.

[-]

Kakie42@reddit

I think how they were accessible to younger crowds is really important on why they are so popular. The fact that as a teen you could go in with your group of mates, have a sit down meal but all pay individually was perfect. I don’t think there were other restaurants at that time that had that same operating style but where it felt like a nice restaurant, not a fast food place.

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ProfessionalSport565@reddit

You have a point but pizza express was founded in 1965

[-]

teerbigear@reddit

They're saying it folks the gap between fast food and pizza express style restaurants

[-]

ProfessionalSport565@reddit

Ah ok I see

[-]

JJY199@reddit

It exploded in the Uk when social media was just starting to take a hold on society

I’m not sure exactly why but It was very trendy for people to tag themselves at Nando’s for about 2 years between 2014 & 2016

I think it was a lot of “monkey see monkey do” and viral trends were really really quick to get a grip on the Uk back then

The hype has died off a bit now

Not a very big thing in AUS either and about half the price of the Uk

[-]

RunningDude90@reddit

The Nando’s Skank was what 2011, maybe 2012? The hype was bigger before you thought it was.

[-]

tellemhey@reddit

Christened my first Nando’s in 2010 back when a 1/4 chicken and chips was £6.45. Giving Example and Ed Sheeran a black card that year was a solid investment.

Rare occasion these days. Meal for two of us last week cost us nearly £50 as a pair of vegetarians in 2025.

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ThatDrunkenDwarf@reddit

What the fuck were you ordering to cost £50 as vegetarians? Half the menu?

[-]

mlo_66@reddit

Fuck load of Broccoli

[-]

revrobuk1957@reddit

Wow! I never checked the veggie options but a couple of days ago but it only cost just over £40 for three of us…

[-]

Any-Plate2018@reddit

What kind of fucking weirdos go out for a meal and don't get drinks

You and your mates should be on a watchlist

[-]

revrobuk1957@reddit

Who said there were no drinks Sherlock? Just because something wasn’t mentioned and didn’t have to be cooked doesn’t mean that we didn’t have any drinks.

[-]

Any-Plate2018@reddit

You are aware you posted your full receipt?

Fuckin space cadet.

[-]

turtleship_2006@reddit

I mean maybe they brought their own drinks they bought elsewhere

Which is probably weirder than no drinks, but eh

[-]

HarMonocles@reddit

That's closer to £50 before discount and doesn't include any drinks.

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revrobuk1957@reddit

The post I was replying to never mentioned drinks either. And, ok, there was a free half chicken thanks to the loyalty scheme but it was still about the same price for there meals as it was for two veggie ones.

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lugonamission@reddit

Had my first Nandos in 1987, chicken cheese burger and chips - thick tomato slices back then

[-]

infieldcookie@reddit

Yeah I started uni in 2012 and it was the place we went to the most as a group (and where a bunch of my mates also had first dates with people as well!).

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JJY199@reddit

Might just have been your local area i’m talking Uk wide it went nuts around 2014

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90minsofmadness@reddit

Nope, my ex was working in Glasgow nandos in 2010/11 and it had taken off around then.

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

First nandos was silverburn I think and went there early 08

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90minsofmadness@reddit

Ye that was the one she worked in. I remember it being a fashionable place to work that that point

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Such_Asparagus2975@reddit

Nah I used to go to nandos all the time when I was in sixth form and that was 2000-2002. London though. They were defo in London by the late 90s.

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gemgem1985@reddit

I was the opening staff of a nandos in South harrow in 2002/2003.

[-]

pajamakitten@reddit

Other peri peri chains were already opening near me in 2011 and this was in Southampton, so it was already getting popular by then.

[-]

Obvious_Arm8802@reddit

Is it? I always think Nando’s is quite expensive here in Australia.

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JJY199@reddit

yea you would easily pay $40 for a basic nandos meal in the Uk

My local one in melb is $20 for a better meal

[-]

king4aday@reddit

Yeah the COL crisis has really paid a toll on their prices as well. Used to be more affordable, not anymore - though that's most places nowadays.

[-]

gaz909909@reddit

Is Oporto still a thing in Aus?

[-]

OfficerToast@reddit

It is

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gaz909909@reddit

Blows Nandos away

[-]

TheLastSamurai101@reddit

Yeah, but most restaurant food is 2x more expensive in the UK.

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Obvious_Arm8802@reddit

Is it? I always assume everything is quite expensive in Australia.

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TheLastSamurai101@reddit

I'm from New Zealand but lived in Australia for a while. Everything is pretty expensive in Australia and NZ, but the thing that surprised me when I moved to the UK was how much more expensive it was specifically to eat out. Even stuff like pizza is way more expensive. I returned home 3 years ago, so I'm not sure how things have changed since then.

[-]

Zealousideal_Rub6758@reddit

I’m surprised they’re still a thing, they’re normally fairly empty tbh

[-]

ninjabadmann@reddit

Oh my dear child, Nando’s been around since the early 2000s in my late teens - it blew up way before 2014.

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JJY199@reddit

It wasn’t widely available across the Uk until 2012 so how is that possible 😂

[-]

ninjabadmann@reddit

1- * London exists * sorry about that child.

2 - Wikipedia exists too …..it’s been here since the early 90s

[-]

WorldPsychological61@reddit

It didn't 'blow up' if it was just in London. Child. That just means it existed and was quite popular in London.

[-]

ninjabadmann@reddit

The internet is a crazy place when you can research numbers yourself. More than a 100 by 2005…….shall we continue this lesson I’m providing you?

[-]

WorldPsychological61@reddit

You said "London exists* as if the fact it was big in London meant it had blew up. That's not the case. Wasn't until 2005 you really seen them popping up more around the country and still less than 120 stores. By 2012 they'd grown to more than 260 stores. This followed their popularity and promotion in the urban/grime scene between 2009-2012 when they really 'blew up' and became 'trendy'. The first Scotland branch didn't even open until 2006.

Enjoying class?

[-]

ninjabadmann@reddit

Nice attempt but your logic is unsurprisingly flawed as you attempt to cover up the initial premise that Nando’s somehow wasn’t a thing prior to 2014. 120 stores in the uk….yeah that’s significant growth my boy for a chain in the uk chain. But hey you’ve learned something now.

[-]

WorldPsychological61@reddit

I wasnt saying Nandos wasn't a thing prior to 2014. So nice try. I was pointing at that your point they blew up in the 'early 2000s' was also wrong. Both of you were wrong.

Revenues jumped from 115m to over 200m between 2005-2006 alone (not early 2000s).

Between 2011-2012 revenues jumped 25% from 330m to 420m, when they really blew up and became trendy and it's gone up big since then.

Good to know it's not even 10am and you've already learned something new.

[-]

lugonamission@reddit

Nandos began in the 1980s - FYI

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ninjabadmann@reddit

Yeah I know it’s been around longer, was just saying that my experience of it being a thing was 2000 maybe a bit earlier - it’s an old memory man!

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randomdude2029@reddit

First Nandos in the UK was 1992 in Ealing, after being founded in Johannesburg in 1987.

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Midnight7000@reddit

You must be a child.

It's popularity grew in the early 00s. As for why it took off, it was essentially like Pizza Hut at the time. A classier place that McDonalds where a groups could go out for a meal.

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randomdude2029@reddit

Don't forget Nandos was founded in the 80s (1987) and came to the UK in 1992, it's been around for ages.

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Max_Power_332@reddit

Yeah I’m pretty sure I was already going to Nando’s regularly when I left school in 2005.

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Hank_Wankplank@reddit

Yeah I started going around this time, they first started popping up in my city around then I think.

20 years ago, jesus christ. Feels like 5 minutes ago.

[-]

ninjabadmann@reddit

I wanna much better than a Pizza Hut, their branding and quality of food has always been way better.

[-]

BigBlueMountainStar@reddit

My first Nando’s was in 2001, it was becoming big way before social media was even a phrase.

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

If I remember the nandos in Australia was less of a sit restaurant and more a fast food place

[-]

InsaneNutter@reddit

Nandos was massive popular in the mid 2000s. I remember going for a "cheeky" Nandos back when I was in Uni.

[-]

JJY199@reddit

My local area didn’t even have a nandos until 2010

[-]

ShameSuperb7099@reddit

Never been

[-]

ASCII_Princess@reddit

We've only ever had Mexican food described to us...

... imagine if you had to describe to an alien how to make a cup of tea...

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TheoryParticular7511@reddit

It's based on Portuguese food, you turnip.

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Nandos is not mexican food lol

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Mundane_Lobster4145@reddit

Never been into overpriced chicken.

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followthewaypoint@reddit

Microwave slop 🤢

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Background_Fig_210@reddit

Nando's in the US doesn't even compare. Have a proper Nando's and you ll be obsessed too.

Also, on a similar note, KFC is really consistently nice in the UK, across many states, that is not the case in the US. Different franchising rules maybe?

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Fattyfingered@reddit

I'm from SEAsia. I agree, the KFC in the UK is surprisingly good. I'd like to think Nandos is an elevated KFC but the Nandos in Australia beats the ones in the UK and SEAsia hands down. They're just so good down under.

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Optimal_scientists@reddit

In my experience my ranking for peri peri chicken is basically:

peri peri chicken in Mozambique (quality varies massively though but 9/10 times it's better than Nando's and made on a braai especiallyby the beach)
A family owned Mozambiquan/Portugese place under a rock club in Joburg
Nando's South Africa
Nando's India (not shy with spice)
Nando's Australia
Nando's UK/Ireland (not great spice wise but I'm also annoyed that the corporate of the UK in make it it a "fancy" sit down place is what made them do the same worldwide and have unnecessarily high prices)
Nando's Dubai.

Would like to try US Nando's , not sure about the bleached chickens etc and spice but I would think their love for barbeque would add something missing from other places that don't have braai as much

[-]

Fattyfingered@reddit

Looks like I'm missing on Indian Peri Peri chicken

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Mundane_Courage_2124@reddit

Best deep fried chicken Iv ever had was in a knock off kfc in HCMC Saigon's main train station tbf 😂

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Horror-River-3861@reddit (OP)

Ugh KFC is terrible. Haven't been to one in probably 15 years and I don't understand how they still exist when Popeyes and Bojangles are a thing.

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eat-the-fat220@reddit

Popeyes opened in Scotland and it was the worse thing I’ve ever had in my life. It just tasted like biting into old oil. Absolutely grim.

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ofjune-x@reddit

I felt like the batter had no flavour whatsoever. I was expecting it to be similar to kfc herbs & spices flavour but it was just nothing. And the chips were pretty crap as well.

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Horror-River-3861@reddit (OP)

Popeyes in the US is pretty solid. I can imagine it's wildly different in Scotland, all US based fast food is different overseas IME, sometimes better (looking at you, McDonald's Germany) and sometimes worse (the McDonald's I went to in London)

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DampFlange@reddit

Popeyes in the US is like KFC here. Some are bloody awful, but if you find a good one, they are really, really good (for fast food).

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

All depends on the franchise. Also depends how staff are trained in cooking and assembling products. Seen it before you get poor quality product because it wasn't cooked right

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

I find the taste too rich

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Old_Distance8430@reddit

I find that with the texture

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Sea_Investment_4938@reddit

Fellow Scot here. Everyone laughs when I say that KFC is better but it's 100% true.

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abshay14@reddit

Had popeyes in New York and that was beyond terrible, chick fil e however I really liked

[-]

kirkum2020@reddit

Op's taking shit. KFC is terrible here most places too. It's one of the reasons Nandos got popular in the first place.

[-]

corneliouscorn@reddit

KFC is really consistently nice in the UK, across many states, that is not the case in the US. Different franchising rules maybe?

Always been the other way round from my expierence

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jsdjhndsm@reddit

There's like 3 near me, and only one of them is nice.

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skibbin@reddit

KFC in the UK is bad. The KFC I had in the US was so bad I threw most of it away. It feels like fast food is in a race to the bottom and the US has a head start.

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WantsToDieBadly@reddit

KFC in the UK is pretty awful, most places are dirty af

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DampFlange@reddit

KFC in the US is universally terrible. Their restaurants are almost always filthy and haven’t been updated since 1984.

The last good KFC I had in the US was on International Drive in Orlando about 30 years ago 🤣

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mrhippoj@reddit

Yeah I love KFC but to my mind it's easily the least consistent fast food in the UK. The gravy can be watery or as thick as mud, and sometimes the chicken is dry and chewy and sometimes it melts in your mouth

[-]

Salaried_Zebra@reddit

Also, on a similar note, KFC is really consistently nice in the UK, across many states, that is not the case in the US. Different franchising rules maybe?

Now that Popeyes has arrived on our green and pleasant shores, KFCs days have to be numbered. It's just superior in every way

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sjr0754@reddit

Popeye's is just crunchy, almost entirely tasteless, but very crunchy. At least KFC has some flavour to it.

[-]

Salaried_Zebra@reddit

Not gonna lie, I've had better chicken from those dodgy kebab houses that are everywhere than KFC. Usually bigger pieces and cheaper too.

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GreasedTea@reddit

Popeyes is great, although my favourite UK fried chicken has to be Bonehead in Birmingham.

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Old_Distance8430@reddit

The texture of popeyes is so weird. It's crumbly. It's like they have fried the same piece of chicken over again in the same oil.

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Pinkerton891@reddit

KFC has been dead to me ever since McDonalds started doing chicken selects.

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binguskhan8@reddit

America has some really weird exclusive fast food options. The one I will never forget is the McDonalds fries having chemicals in them to make them more yellow. Isn't the natural colour yellow enough?

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SideOfFish@reddit

Same for US cereals like Fruit Loops. They add patrolium based food dues to give them extra colour. There was a BBC news article/ video on it recently. Quite disturbing when they go over the ingredients included in US cereals.

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BillyBalowski@reddit

Froot loops. It has very little to do with actual fruit.

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Horror-River-3861@reddit (OP)

Processed food in the US is generally disgusting and an embarrassment tbh. Fortunately I live in DC and there are so many options for fantastic real food it will make your head spin.

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treadtyred@reddit

The way they grow the potatoes is like biological warfare too.

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BetInternational4549@reddit

KFC is awful in the UK, I've always had a much better meal in other countries

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jj_sykes@reddit

The majority of KFCs round here, always seem to be messy and a bit dirty, litter everywhere, food left on tables bins over flowing. There is only 1 local to me that I would even think about going

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Low-Cauliflower-5686@reddit

Poor management by franchiseees

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No_Concern_7583@reddit

The KFC here in my town is horrible.

But people across town do consistently think it is horrible.

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Jaded-Individual8839@reddit

If you want real KFC go to Chicken Shack in Limerick, Ireland

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amaluna@reddit

My thinking is a lot of people can’t cook very well at all or otherwise just don’t seasons their food in this country so when introduced to it their minds were blown

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Same-Ad3162@reddit

This is a bigger factor than I think most will admit. Most people I know who love a Nandos, wetherspoons, McDonald's etc - all the British favourites, aren't good cooks. They eat poorly or blandly at home.

Most good cooks I know don't enjoy these places. Not a coincidence. They enjoy eating out just not there.

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followthewaypoint@reddit

Lmao at the shit cooks downvoting you

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Apart from you of course who is a Michelin star chef

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alltheparentssuck@reddit

I've never had Nandos. The nearest one to me is 2 hours 30 minutes away.

Cornwall has only recently got a Tacobell and Greggs.

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Top_Explanation_3383@reddit

Nandos is inexplicably popular to me. It's shite

[-]

Fraggle_ninja@reddit

Good marketing

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AftImpressive790@reddit

Awful marketing, those adverts are about as cringe as it gets

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Kylezar@reddit

I wonder if anyone in this post has seen the award winning nandos adverts from south Africa? They were so good, often bordering on offensive.

https://youtu.be/FyJh1Kyl184?si=tjpcCA1ha9QuIWTt

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sprogg2001@reddit

Most people are surprised to learn that Nando's is a South African franchise, based on Portuguese recipes. Still cheeky though.

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Kylezar@reddit

I'd say more of a Mozambican Portuguese flare.

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Familiar-Adeptness25@reddit

I prefer a Pepe's now.

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fronkeypoop@reddit

Overrated dry, not even slightly spicy for a company with Chiles in its logo.

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Ooo look at me pretending it’s not spicy to sound manly

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detailsubset@reddit

The chicken is dry and the chips are floppy tho

[-]

doihavetousethis@reddit

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sharkmaninjamaica@reddit

well it u live in south London it’s Morleys

Shout out Morleys btw big man ting

food in the uk isn’t great and compared to America where u have extremely tasty and good food in drive thrus and driving thru Cali I’ll pass 50 in 5 minutes and it’s extremely simple to stop and pick up, we kinda have to go out our way to find something half decent if we are out in an unknown place and not within range of our own home takeaways

Nandos in one of the only “I know what I’m getting” places nationally that’s a sit down place. Wagamama is the only real other

If we had American levels of choice, and good Mexican food (it sucks here) it may be different

For the record, nandoes hits the spot but it’s crap peri peri. Don’t mean to be a snob but u need to go to Portugal for that - olive oil and Birds Eye based sauces > ketchup based sauces with a lil chilli powder.

It says a lot about the uk food landscape tbh

[-]

MalcolmTuckersLuck@reddit

Have still never been

[-]

Jayatthemoment@reddit

Fast food and also mid-price restaurants are nasty in the U.K. Dirty, slow, low quality, obnoxious staff and not really cheap. Nando’s is a bit nicer. There’s a real gap in the market for that here.

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BluePandaYellowPanda@reddit

I do love a good nandos!

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mooningstocktrader@reddit

overpriced shite for perfumed ponces

[-]

nacnud_uk@reddit

It's a marmite thing. I can't stand the format of the place, the prices, or the food quality.

Worst of Wetherspoons and mcds combined, with ridiculous prices compared to both.

[-]

WholeEgg3182@reddit

USA nandos is nowhere near as good as UK nandos.

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nacnud_uk@reddit

It befuddles the fuck out of me to.

It's a crappy restaurant. McDonald's type service with restaurant type prices. And wetherspoons type food.

Mediocre to crap in all aspects.

I'm going to look through the comments to find what people love about the place.

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aurora_ethereallight@reddit

Never been to a Nandos 🥰🇬🇧

[-]

Bozzaholic@reddit

I like it as it’s relatively healthy as a treat. Butterfly hot chicken, mash & corn doesn’t murder you for calories

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yaolinguai_@reddit

It was a trend back in the 2015s or smn

Icl the chicken n the peri salt chips r unbeatable

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Truth-Hurts123@reddit

Used to have Nandos all the time growing up. Probably few times a month minimum around a decade or so ago.

Just something about the Sauces you get in store which just aren't like the ones they sell at the supermarkets. Back when I used to have it, they didn't even have the sauces in the supermarket I don't think.

Only had it once or twice over the past 4-5+ years. Prices are just extortionate nowadays compared to other places that offer very similar types of food.

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Wide_Variety_8654@reddit

Because it’s funny. For whatever reason there is something fun and funny about going to Nandos and getting a refill drink and ordering sides and going up and down the get all the hot sauces. It’s unpretentious and not badly priced. It’s relaxed and it’s for all ages. Even if you don’t laugh when your friends go to Nandos your mood lifts a point or so. Can’t really be moody or overly serious in a Nandos.

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Appropriate-Cat-9737@reddit

Cause it’s cheeky, duh

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Throwaway91847817@reddit

Its decent food for an acceptable price, in the eyes of most of the public. Same for most chain restaurants.

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nezar19@reddit

Great food, somewhat resonantly priced and very important: they do not out the tip as a service charge on the bill be default.

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Melodic-Towel-7633@reddit

It's consistent. You're always going to get a 7.5 out of 10 meal there for a decent price.

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parkylondon@reddit

Obligatory explanation of "cheeky Nandos"

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CptCave1@reddit

Its really not

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Mr-Shockwave@reddit

I’ve no idea. It’s overpriced, there’s nothing particularly special about it and it attracts all the basics.

Not for me personally.

[-]

thatmovieperson@reddit

TIL there are Nandos in America

[-]

raptr569@reddit

Its pretty affordable (you used to be able to feed 2 people for £20) and caters broadly to different groups. Vegetarian? Beanie. Muslim? Halal restaurants. Looking for something healthier? Rice, coleslaw, salad. Can't handle spice? Lemon and herb. Want alcohol? They sell it. Fizzy drink? Bottomless.

[-]

randomdude2029@reddit

Also they're very good with handling allergens.

[-]

Sil_Lavellan@reddit

It's true. I've never been glutened in my local Nandos. Last time I went in they asked me about allergies and didn't look at me as if I had two heads when I told them I was Coeliac.

[-]

Pizzaheadeddead@reddit

USED to be pretty affordable. Now it's sky rocketed and it'll be their downfall.

[-]

phaajvoxpop@reddit

We all love a peri peri chicken!

[-]

PeriPeriAddict@reddit

Because it's absolutely fucking incredible

Username related

[-]

Buck_Slamchest@reddit

I'm in my fifties in the UK and I'd never been to Nandos until about two months ago. I was with my sister and we both thought 'stuff it' and decided to give it a try.

I really can't see the appeal personally and I certainly won't be going back.

There's a local takeaway near me who do various chicken items and they're so much better than what I had at Nandos.

[-]

IndelibleIguana@reddit

It's not really that popular. It's popular enough to stay in business, but it's not really most peoples 'Go to.' fast food joint.
It's more of a 'Treat.' thing. Bit more upmarket than KFC or McDonalds.

[-]

Witty_Masterpiece463@reddit

It's like Wetherspoons for kids with the unlimited fizzy drink.

[-]

DomusCircumspectis@reddit

More like Non-racist Wetherspoons for teens

[-]

AnfsMusic@reddit

Spot on!

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Wetherspoons for kids

Perfect!

[-]

Westsidepipeway@reddit

For me, it's cos they do a good veggie option ha.

[-]

Educational-Angle717@reddit

No idea, its terrible.

[-]

HarlemHarlowe@reddit

I was never a big Nandos fan when I lived in the UK. Came to live in South Africa (where Nandos originated) and its so good! The flavours, in my opinion anyway, are much better. And there's even DRIVE-THRU Nandos here!

Its the same with the KFC, in UK it's kinda rubbish, but in SA? Oh my gosh its delicious (and probably one of the most popular fast food places).

[-]

Hot_Fly_8684@reddit

No idea tbh, it's ridiculously expensive for what it is.

[-]

Blurny@reddit

It’s like Maccies for 16 - 24 yr olds

[-]

Apple_phobia@reddit

Well the US adores food that are deep fried so it’s not surprising

[-]

BaseballFuryThurman@reddit

AMERICANHERE

[-]

cactusdan94@reddit

In my opinion one of the main reasons its so popular, is because its almost a happy-medium between fast-food and a "proper" sit down meal.

[-]

New-Trainer7117@reddit

It's chicken and chips what's not to like

[-]

Ok-Morning-6911@reddit

I can't say I go that often but when I do it's because it's one of the few places that cater well to my dietary requirements (low carb). I like being able to mix and match the sides and the fact that they have lower carb sides like the tenderstem which aren't just a 'green salad' like you would get in other chains.

[-]

Lunar_Leo_@reddit

Because British people are kinda basic

[-]

WolfColaCo2020@reddit

It’s gone up a fair bit in price but it used to be reasonable, it has things that in the US is normal but here was a novelty like bottomless fizzy drinks, it has a pretty good range of food for everybody (varying spices, GF/veggie options). They’re also usually near cinemas etc, so fairly good for that- you pay up front and it’s quick, so easy to get a bite to eat before your film

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HumbleUK@reddit

It’s not very popular in the midlands

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AlGunner@reddit

I would suspect chlorinated chicken in the US has something to do with it. Ive never been there but led t believe our chicken has a lot more flavour.

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Tauorca@reddit

Same reason pumpkin spiced coffees are so popular in the USA, it's the trendy thing to like so the basic people flock in droves

I've only been to Nandos once to try it and it wasn't any better than my local highstreet takeaway, so I won't be going back

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Ancient_Kitchen1664@reddit

Sorry but I don't know I think it's overrated personally

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Good_Ad_1386@reddit

I'm in the UK, and, TBH it baffles me.

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ConversationOver1391@reddit

Cos it's cheeky

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Real_Run_4758@reddit

as others say, it filled a gap that was a bit sparse here. when i lived in japan, something that struck me was how many ‘casual dining’ places they had - something above fast food but below a real ‘restaurant’, where you can take the family for dinner (dennys, gusto, things like that. i think in the us you have places like olive garden - it’s above McDonalds and stuff but it’s not like, ‘an Italian restaurant). there didn’t used to be much in that sector here and i think Nando’s just cleaned up

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SingerFirm1090@reddit

As of January 2025, there were 473 Nando's restaurants in the United Kingdom. Of these, 416 were located in England, and 33 in Scotland.

That quite a few, compare that with 1,400 McD's.

Nando's chicken is halal, handy if you go out with Muslim friends.

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PlaydohMoustache@reddit

Because people don't know good quality food in the UK....

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TheGreatBatsby@reddit

It's a divisive question because a lot of people (unreasonably IMO) hate Nandos. Yeah, you can make a better version at home (and I'll be doing just that tonight) but when you're out and about and need something tasty, healthy and consistent then it's basically second to none.

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No_Potato_4341@reddit

Because it's great

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goodevilheart@reddit

It is just an expensive way of eating chicken 🍗

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Puzzled-Horse279@reddit

https://youtu.be/NOjG5usM_y4?feature=shared

This song pretty much sums up why we love Nandos. If you dont understand it after having a Cheeky Nandos with the lads... then thats a point off your UK citizenship test.

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pomm_queen@reddit

What a bop! 🤣 Is this what started it?!

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Puzzled-Horse279@reddit

I think it was a thing that we couldnt explain to non nando goers. Until this song came out and was the best way to explain the hype

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gazchap@reddit

Is that Kiell Smith-Bynoe?!

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TheGreatBatsby@reddit

Yeah! When he started being in stuff I remember thinking, "Is that the Cheeky Nandos guy!?"

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JavaRuby2000@reddit

Student, loyalty schemes and free social advertising from celebrities who got awarded Nando's Black Cards. Its was around since the 90s but, it really blew up around 2011 when Tinie Tempah wrote in his biography that he knew he made it when he started eating at Nando's instead of McDs, Nando's got wind and gave him a Black Card and then it blew up from there .

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TopSetLowlife@reddit

Over priced mediocre chicken and chips.

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crumpets4dinner@reddit

It's basically expensive chicken and chips. Don't really get the hype.

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CatnipManiac@reddit

Because people are idiots.

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washingtoncv3@reddit

At it's peak - when I was at Uni (late 00s), you used to be able to get a full chicken and two sides for £10.70.

Sit down dinner for around a tenner made it a cheap date in pretty much any town when there wasn't as many options.

I think if it came out today with it's current pricing and all the competition it wouldn't be as popular

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nesh34@reddit

Because it's fucking delicious.

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frowawayakounts@reddit

Nando’s is the only place in my town that isn’t a kebab shop, Chinese takeaway or curry place. I’m so sick of the lack of restaurants and takeaways in my city, there’s loads of them but they all sell the same crap. At least Nando’s is a little different and it is pretty tasty too

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WingOnly1097@reddit

Nandos is a South African chain, I didnt realise how many countries it had expanded to, it was expensive when I left SA 13 years ago but they made excellent food and they did very funny television adverts too. I've not tried it in the UK though.

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Kat8844@reddit

I love their chicken and everything but their halloumi sticks are just perfection ❤️.

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Numerous-Abrocoma-50@reddit

They arent that popular.

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bigfatpup@reddit

Healthy and tasty and used to be pretty good value. It’s gone a bit overpriced now though

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SaulEmersonAuthor@reddit

Does anyone do Nando's as take-away?

I.e. does it not suit eating in your car or at home - just, spoils the whole thing by not being at the restaurant?

A bit like how no-one would take a Miller & Carter meal home, even if they could - it just spoils the whole deal.

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Fluid-Vacation-3172@reddit

It baffles me, I have been a couple of times and found it completely average (at best) and overpriced. No idea why it is such a phenomenon. Probably good marketing!

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itsYaBoiga@reddit

No idea it's shite and overpriced

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omnibabs@reddit

Coz UK Nandos is the best in the world of nandos. Believe me.

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breadbinofdoom@reddit

Blows my mind. Chicken and chips £20. Went once with friends who go often and eulogised about it. Its just chicken and chips.

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FreshPrinceOfH@reddit

I don’t think they have any competition. They found a niche. Peri peri chicken restaurant chain. They don’t have any real competition. Btw it’s actually South African.

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lookitskris@reddit

Good value for money compared to other chains

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stevemillions@reddit

I think it comes down to the phrase "cheeky Nandos".

Whoever came up with that saying, assuming it was one of their marketing people, deserved a raise for it. It implies something desirable, but a bit naughty. Who can resist that?

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sjintje@reddit

Ctrl+F "cheeky" downvote

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FehdmanKhassad@reddit

sadly the average Brit is extremely easily pleased when it comes to the culinary arts. It's as cheap as possible and it sure tastes that way. same as the rest of the high st.

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purple_sun_@reddit

I live in the south west. My nearest Nando’s is 40 miles away. * sobs*

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WGSMA@reddit

For me, it’s a reliable 7/10 meal at a decent price

My partner and I can go there, order half and half on our phones (double the rewards) and get a nice sit down dinner for about £18 each.

They’re almost always well located too, and near other things we like to do.

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AftImpressive790@reddit

7/10 🥴🥴🥴

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w1lzzz@reddit

It’s fast, convenient, restraunts are normally kept well, food is relatively fresh and good.

It’s so easy with kids too!

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AftImpressive790@reddit

It’s not outside of teenagers. Get ripped off £15+ for some shit fries and small chicken breast bits, nonsense.

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prizeboner@reddit

Lack of services for kids, so fast food chicken, and premium nandos, fills the space.

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Fit_Contribution_826@reddit

That's all the UK has.

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Emergency_Mistake_44@reddit

It's the perfect balance of fast food/fine dining for people on a budget. Casual enough to go with your mates, not fast food enough to take a date (maybe not first!), suitable for families and the best thing about it, especially when going in a group, is that everyone orders their own thing and pays for their own thing. None of this splitting the bill, shall we all chuck £20 in nonsense that divides many a table in so called fancier establishments.

I don't rate it that much on taste personally but I'm always up for a cheeky one should the opportunity present itself. You generally can't go wrong with it.

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Standard-Reward-4049@reddit

Overrated, overpriced

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shgrizz2@reddit

In my experience, it's always a safe pair of hands. Never great, never terrible. Nobody loves it, but nobody is ever mad about going there.

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thefirstofhisname11@reddit

Trends seem to be really powerful in Britain. People would rather go to generic franchise restaurants than dive into new, unpredictable and independent places. Very different to rest of Europe which is not nearly as beholden to franchises.

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Sunday-Diver@reddit

It’s relatively cheap and very possible to choose relatively healthy choices. I always opt for butterfly chicken breast, spicy rice, corn on the cob and a side of broccoli.

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VillageNo1080@reddit

I like the wraps but they're so expensive I just can't justify the price.

The chips are pretty mid and the rice tastes like plastic now. It's just overpriced fast food at this point.

Again though...the wraps mmm

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pseudonode01@reddit

Coz food is sh1t in the uk. It’s easy to shine when the gastronomic bar is so low. Most of the chains in the high street are precanned / pre formatted to serve the exact same dish everywhere with little to no sense of identity, which is something that Nando’s kind of has with some of their quirky menu options. However, even the chicken is mediocre compared to the OG peri peri chicken recipe…

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Hippoyawn@reddit

As an old guy, I can tell you the British have been famous for liking ‘chicken and chips’ for decades. Particularly when holidaying in other European countries and refusing to try the local food.

But as time has gone on and other cuisines have become popular (particularly spicy Asian foods) it makes sense that someone combining a national favourite with a chilli kick was going to be popular.

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JPKlaus@reddit

At one point it was very cheap and reasonably quick that’s why me and my friends referred to it as cheeky. It’s also not another pizza or burger place which is key. It’s now insanely expensive for what it is unfortunately

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Low-Personality7041@reddit

I just came here to say, as a South African, it’s an absolute pleasure to have provided and shared Nando’s with you!

You are welcome!

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Noobster_sentry@reddit

It's the best place for dining out without breaking the bank. You feel good about having gone out, get to eat genuinely good food and no worries about how much it will set you back by. Perfect heaven for Uni students and the younger generation for dating. It's nice enough to count as a great first date venue but not so posh that you'll feel uncomfortable.

All my Uni milestones are celebrated at Nandos. I saved the red reward for the best - went there for the meal right after I finished my viva and the staff were nice enough to bring the pieces one at a time to let me enjoy the meal for longer!

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sbarbary@reddit

We don't have as many freshly cooked food chains as America. The number was growing but nearly all of them went bust/cut back locations between 2016 and 2021.

British high streets are mainly Burgers, Kebabs, Pizza, Indian. You get a fair number of Italians but they tend to be mom and pop, the only chain was Carluccio's but even they have had problems and massively reduced in number.

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mikewilson2020@reddit

It's not popular up north.. Nearest ones 40 mile away

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Spottyjamie@reddit

I live 6 miles south of the scottish border line and i can walk to one

Northumberland doesnt have one yes but tyne&wear area has several

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mikewilson2020@reddit

Nearest to me is carlisle Zero in dumfries and Galloway

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Spottyjamie@reddit

Tbf theres not much between carlisle and central belt regardless of a specific chain!!

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Low-Understanding119@reddit

It’s a decent whole meal at a reasonable price. Source: get Nandos at least a few times a month.

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BananaHomunculus@reddit

Price was always a major contender. It's half the price of a normal restaurant. I think a meal for 2 with free refills used to cost no more than 20quid about 10 years ago. Don't know what it's at now but if it's doubled then it's still half price of a normal restaurant meal for 2.

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SWL83@reddit

It’s popular as it’s consistent. Everyone knows what they like and the food is 99% of the time made to the same standard everywhere you go. It’s easy as fuck to go and get something you like for. A group no matter how fussy as everyone likes Chicken

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fubblebreeze@reddit

They're actually one of the few dine out places A left in the UK with decent food that doesn't empty your bank account.

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saviouroftheweak@reddit

They ran a really good PR campaign using multiple celebrities who got free food with a nando's black card. It then became "cheeky nando's" and culturally ingrained long after they stopped the campaign.

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AnUdderDay@reddit

If it's not fast casual, what do you consider it to be?

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ShinHayato@reddit

Because it’s decent, different and (used to be) reasonably priced

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Weird-Statistician@reddit

It's a bit different, generally OK quality and, sad to say, you can go in, order on the app and get table service with minimal human interaction which seems to be a thing these days.

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GeordieAl@reddit

They were smart with their marketing. The whole Nando's Black Card that certain celebrities were rumoured to have, creates an air of mystique and excitement. You could go to your local Nando's because it was cheap and good, but you might also spot a celebrity there. It created it's own social media buzz, got articles in papers, mentions on TV...

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tmr89@reddit

It certainly was exciting when already wealthy people got given free Nando’s while the peasants had to pay

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LivelyZebra@reddit

Yes they were using the wealthy people as free advertising because the peasants are thick and idolise them.

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DiDiPLF@reddit

Giving those black cards to footballers gave the marketing push that this was healthy food too. Plus you had a good chance of bumping into a footballer at certain branches/times.

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EnemyKhlyen@reddit

It's a hot date spot for 18 year olds and men with perms

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Adventurous-Carpet88@reddit

It appealed to a certain set of people. The gym monkey types, and I know a lot of athletes would go to it took hold for being a good meal whilst being able to show your ‘gains’ 🙄 so it worked for social media videos, wear your best gym kit (freshly ironed) with your hair done, tan topped up and teeth polished and film from the side so people can see your arms arms and just real off crap about macros for eating a whole chicken.

it’s ok, it’s certainly not a to go for a lot of people but certainly the towie types made it feel more of an institution than it was at first.

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AlpsSad1364@reddit

I have no idea. It's without doubt the worst chain restaurant food I've ever eaten. It's tastless chicken and chips for £15. You have to pour chilli sauce over it if you want some spice, but that isn't flavour it's just chilli sauce.

I think it must appeal to the mashed potato eating british masses who want bland and safe with chips.

I'd rather have a McDonald's - and that's saying something.

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Xem1337@reddit

Honestly, no clue. It's shit.

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Delicious-Program-50@reddit

God knows why! A few months ago I ordered 3 set meals (a main and two sides); it came to over £50! I refused to order and went somewhere else which was a much better venue and much better food, and cheaper of course. Even the furniture in Nando’s is awful; those heavy, wooden, clunky tables and chairs. No thanks!

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Spottyjamie@reddit

In my town at least nandos at first was considered expensive, now though theyve barely had any price hikes so theyre comparably cheap now

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SoggyWotsits@reddit

There isn’t a Nando’s in my county and I’ve never actually tried it, but I know people who live elsewhere who find it tasty and consistent quality for what it is. From what I can gather, it’s somewhere for younger people to go for a sit down meal that won’t cost a fortune and there’s something that most of them will like.

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tylerthe-theatre@reddit

Cos it's tasty and not too expensive food that comes out quickly. And it's cheeky

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wookiewithabrush@reddit

God knows, it's rubbish.

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illarionds@reddit

Mostly for the memes, I think.

I don't know anyone in person who would actually be keen to go there.

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FatSucks999@reddit

It used to very cheap and yet like having a decent meal out, plus the unlimited sauce options really hit home.

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Optimal_Smile_8332@reddit

It isn't, really. It's just a meme. It's no more popular than other high street restaurants

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SuperMochaCub@reddit

I don’t go as much now as it’s pretty spenny but you get nhs discount still which helps

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Jimlaheydrunktank@reddit

Nando’s used to be that solid 7/10 meal for fairly cheap. It’s dog shit now

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dereks63@reddit

I must be the only Brit who isn't a fan! The food is fine, but not the mental level shown

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Nrysis@reddit

When it first started it it just managed to hit a particular sweet spot that resonated with a lot of younger people.

It was a nice halfway point between fast food and a sit down restaurant before that was common - particularly popular for younger folk who wanted something nicer than McDonald's, but weren't quite ready for a proper restaurant.

It was decent value.

It was very customisable, so you could tailor your meal nicely to your preferences.

It was reasonably unique in the food it made.

Don't get me wrong - it wasn't the first or best at most of those things, but it hit a nice balance that allowed it to grab the attention of the younger, social media dwelling group, and explode in popularity.

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Phrashed@reddit

Paying upfront is a game changer, makes it feel less restauranty, Sometimes I just want that, no waving for the bill. Normally go Nandos before the cinema - perfect for it.

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Commercial_Nature_28@reddit

I honestly for the life of me don't understand why its popular. Its not cheap at all and I just found it was super bland. The portion sizes were pathetic too. Evidently though, lots of people see it as super tasty and a real great treat.

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turnipofficer@reddit

I think it’s just a meme. It’s like people joking about footballers going to “Greggs” in the north. I don’t think people genuinely think it’s good. In fact part of the joke is that it’s not that good.

It’s just somewhat mass market, everywhere and well known.

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R2-Scotia@reddit

Maybe they did not dial the spice back? Americans don't usually like spicy fold, and see the "fire" flavour at a wing place as a dare rather than something you'd want to eat.

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Comfortable-Ear-1788@reddit

There is less choice in the UK - the choices, when you see food reviews/bloggers/tasters in the USA for fast food is utterly astounding.

Here in the UK not so much.

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Crivens999@reddit

Don’t know about the US, but when I moved to Cyprus it was completely different. Had my first date with my future wife, and was fairly posh. There was a waiter for the table, and I think if you ate with your hands it would be frowned on. Apparently here they like to be waited on, none of this DIY stuff (unless it’s proper fast food like MackeyDs of course). Place was no different than a big standard restaurant in looks. They closed the last store a few years ago.

Also the waiter acted like a stereotypical French rude waiter. Felt like I’d gone to some swanky joint rather than cheeky Nando’s. Took forever to get my usual extra hot sauce. Kept warning me not to. As it turned out you really need to keep up hot sauce intake. I had been there probably a year, and hadn’t had any really hot food. Didn’t even know where an Indian was (not so popular here esp 20 years ago), while in the UK I regularly had 2 a week. Realised I couldn’t handle the chicken cooked in extra hot sauce with loads of extra hot sauce added on by me. Had to keep asking her to tell me more about her life while I internally died while carrying on eating and waving hopelessly at the smirking waiter for another pint. Took him 10 mins the git, so not surprised he was unemployed shortly after

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BackgroundGate3@reddit

We went as a family because it was a good place to take the kids. It's informal and relaxed, everyone eats chicken and whatever diet I was on at the time, Nando's was a great option because there was something I could eat that wouldn't break 'the rules'. Once the kids were older we stopped going as a family, so I guess I think of it as very much a family place. When the kids were young teens and past the bouncy castle type of party, cinema and Nando's with their mates was their choice of birthday party.

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speedloafer@reddit

My hot take is BBQ is not really a thing over here compared to the US so chicken finished off on charcoals is quite a unique taste.

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Cranston_Pickle@reddit

I think it was a smart move on their part to make some of their restaurants “halal friendly”, which meant that they appealed to a much wider demographic. They were also one of the first restaurants that I can remember that had hand-washing facilities, outside of the toilets, for people of certain faiths.

I wouldn’t underestimate this as a factor.

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Sasspishus@reddit

I wonder why it seems to be a cultural 'thing' in the UK but not the US?

Different countries have different cultures. That's about the entire explanation. The US isn't really similar to the UK in terms of culture, so why would we have the same cultural "thing" around Nandos?

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ALA02@reddit

The food is consistently 7 or 8/10 (apart from the peri mac and cheese which is an easy 10/10), you know what you’re getting, it’s not at all pretentious, and its usually a pretty quick meal. It fills a niche well, particularly for teenagers and families.

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WoodpeckerNo770@reddit

Because you can pay at the bar and don't have yo wait for service. Makes it easy for people to pay for their own meals rather than try and split a bill.

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Silent_Frosting_442@reddit

Because it's nice and not too expensive.

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No_Art_1977@reddit

Its just so cheeky

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rollingbylikethunder@reddit

You don’t need to book a table and the service is super quick, but it’s not a pub and yet also feels less formal than a lot of the other casual dining chains, which means it works well for me when I want to grab a quick dinner with a friend.

Also I like the chicken 🤷‍♀️ shame about the prices these days though, it used to be such a cheap option

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Joshthenosh77@reddit

Nandos has gotten more expensive and the portions have gotten smaller , so I make home made nandos , we have all the sauces n piri piri salt , and it’s better than nandos at 1/4 the cost

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rich-tma@reddit

Why? Different country, different things happen for something to become a cultural thing.

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MDL1983@reddit

They ain’t serving cow, and there’s quite an Asian population for whom the cow is sacred.

That’s a part of it.

Also, people in the uk seem to have an obsession with spicy food - see curry houses.

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Dlairt@reddit

When they first opened I used to find them excellent place to go for food before cinema, other restaurants you had to wait around for bill etc when you had a film about to start. Nando’s was one of the few places you paid as you ordered, filled up your own drinks and food was quick so you were free to leave whenever you wanted.

I’ve not discovered anywhere that makes chicken like Nando’s in the U.K. and I love peri salted chips, the perinaise sauce and those peri salted nuts it is very unique in U.K.

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BetInternational4549@reddit

I had it last month and was disappointed with it, I'm not going back anytime soon. The hot spice on the chicken is very mild and the same for the hottest sauce. A very mild experience

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Si_Nerazzuri@reddit

Still holds on via past glories. It's likely been mentioned but I went often around start of 2010s, I don't recall actual prices but I was not flush at that time and recall you could get really well fed for a good price. Now I never go as when I have been fairly recently I have paid top restaurant prices for not a lot of chicken and some very average chips. Like so many thing, shrinkflation I imagine.

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joereadsstuff@reddit

Nando's is the chicken shop equivalent shop of Pizza Express, Wagamamas, Busaba Eathai, Wahaca, etc. All very mid, and reason why they're popular.

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No_Commission_2548@reddit

Having lived in South Africa, I was also surprised by how big it is here. Don't get me wrong, Nandos is big in S.A but not as big as it is in the U.K.

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Tuscan5@reddit

You’re asking people in the UK why isn’t not as popular in the US? How would we know, we live in the UK.

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Initial-Confusion-24@reddit

Only ever been once, around 2013. I was just completely underwhelmed. Canteen food at restaurant prices.

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BambooSound@reddit

I personally like it because I'm Southern African so it feels like they followed me here.

For everyone else I think it was their genius marketing at the beginning of the social media age.

There were several times I got a free 1/4 chicken (without having to buy anything else) because I showed them I'd tweeted "I love Nandos."

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Miserable-Earth-3326@reddit

Cause people have no food standards.

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noobzealot01@reddit

its almost the only place where you can feed a family of 4 with 2 little picky kids eaters for a very reasonable price.

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MariMada@reddit

I’ve had Nando’s in the UK, US, South Africa and UAE. The best in my opinion is in the UK. I go back to visit every year and having Nando’s is often the highlight of my trip.

I like spicy food and I like the afro-lusophone music and vibes.

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cristaples@reddit

I’ve never seen a Nando’s. I’m intrigued now.

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hotchy1@reddit

Nobody else can put chicken in a wrap and have it hold perfectly. Thing of beauty.

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Mafeking-Parade@reddit

Surely this is pretty easy to understand for someone from a country where casual dining is an integral part of the culture?

It's the equivalent of asking why Taco Bell is so popular in the US.

It's cheap, easy and available food. Don't overthink it.

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DragonFeller@reddit

Fuck knows, people want to over spend on mediocre chicken and chips it seems.

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Various-Jellyfish132@reddit

It tows the line perfectly between fast food and sofistication, it's the sort of place you can take your first date when you're 13 or pop in for a quick dinner if you can't be bothered to cook.

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Alundra828@reddit

Chicken shops in general are a viral food craze in the UK, particularly in inner-cities and town centres, where the demographic is usually darker, and poorer. You'll always see a fried chicken place storefront no matter what high street you're on, because I guess it makes lots of reliable money... legitimately or illegitimately.

Nando's is sort of the more premium version of that. This chicken shop fried chicken is dirt cheap, fried, easy to take away, and Nando's is grilled chicken, much less salty, slightly more expensive, and a sit down experience. So if you're into the whole chicken shop culture, Nando's is probably your go to for when you want to push the boat out and go for something a bit higher quality.

Honestly, Nando's is a solid chicken place. And the sauces are nice.

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tmr89@reddit

Slightly more expensive

I wouldn’t say it’s slightly more expensive than a chicken shop. You don’t pay close to £20 for a standard meal at a chicken shop

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rtrs_bastiat@reddit

I wish that were always true. I've moved from more multicultural cities to less multicultural cities over the past couple of years, and the chicken shops didn't follow me :(

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Alundra828@reddit

Huh, really?

I feel as if I see them everywhere I go. Although I will admit I only really travel from Wilts to London, and Wilts to Manchester. Maybe I have some selection bias here. I mean, where I am right now, if I load up my uber eats app, there are so, so many chicken shops.

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rtrs_bastiat@reddit

There's... 1, in Poole. 2 in Sheffield. None of them hold a candle to [insert like 95% of chicken shops here] in Leicester. It's not just chicken shops either. No good Indian, no good Turkish, at least Sheffield makes up for it with good Chinese food I guess, but damn it's really helped ween me off of Deliveroo.

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Bantabury97@reddit

No idea. Never been to one but all I've heard is bad or indifferent things.. never someone saying "it's fucking amazing".

Popeye's however, plenty of students at work told me it's amazing so I tried it and yep.. it's definitely better than KFC, at least in my area.

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jpepsred@reddit

I’ll never understand the strong opinions people hold one why low quality chicken dipped in boiling oil is better in this place or that place

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tmr89@reddit

For people that don’t eat or enjoy much home cooked food, there is a greater sensitivity to the taste of junk food

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BusyBeeBridgette@reddit

We all love a cheeky nandos here, matey!

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Working_Bowl@reddit

Nando’s has been around for ages. Used to go every week at uni (so from 2004) as they used to do student 2-4-1 deals on Mondays, which made it cheaper to eat a meal there than making one at home if you split the cost (about £7 for a meal and refillable drink). It’s decent enough food, but like a lot of the popular chain restaurants (Wagamama, pizza express etc) of the time, it’s now incredibly expensive for what it is and hasn’t actually changed much. I do think it’s one of the better tasting chain foods.

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Organic-Locksmith-45@reddit

It’s all part of the race to the bottom.

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OrdinaryQuestions@reddit

We like basic food. The sides are simple things we enjoy like chips, garlic bread, mash. Tastes we are used to and enjoy.

So it's not something heavy and different on the stomach. It's familiar with a twist.

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c0tch@reddit

Criminal to not add rice to the sides list it’s their best side

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c0tch@reddit

For me, it’s a fast served meal, where it wasn’t overly expensive so competitively priced in a sit down meal environment. But also it tasted amazing and it would suit everyone’s needs.

It was always our go to when we as a group of friends were going shopping or going to the cinema etc.

The best part is you can actually get a clean meal and you can get a dirty meal depending on your lifestyle choices that week.

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No-Translator5443@reddit

Idk is it popular, I went once and thought it was rubbish, it was the worst experience I’ve ever had and will never go back

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TheAncientGeek@reddit

They're a south African company...so...

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Specialist-Box4677@reddit

How does this answer the question or refute anything? He simply stated it's a cultural thing in the UK, where it comes from is completely irrelevant.

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pajamakitten@reddit

It's different compared to a lot of what was on offer back then. Besides, it is in that nice sweet spot between fast food and casual dining, which meant it had a lot of appeal to younger people.

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TermPsychological358@reddit

Something no one else has commented on - when you were a teenager splitting bills could be really awkward, and some places just didn't like splitting bills. Other places didn't like large groups of kids because of the billing at the end thing. Nandos billed upfront and each person could order separately. It was a low stress environment that was classier than Maccies and you could stay as long as you wanted getting your moneys worth from the drinks machines.

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ra246@reddit

I still go pretty often with a mate.

Decent food, which is pretty rapid, and nowhere near as unhealthy as most 'fast' food.

Although it has definitely gone up in price gradually, I do get a discount (Blue light card)

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Puzzled-Upstairs-826@reddit

It became a fad on the back of a saying rather than it's quality.

Memes sell well. "Cheeky" Nandos carried the brand, the food sure didn't.

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Horror-River-3861@reddit (OP)

Can you explain "cheeky Nando's" to me? I get the gist of how y'all use cheeky, but don't really understand it in this context

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DiDiPLF@reddit

It suggests that you are treating yourself to a nandos dinner.

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Puzzled-Upstairs-826@reddit

There is no context. It just got uttered at a pub once and sounded good. The way most things start in the UK.

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SubArcticTundra@reddit

And there was me thinking it was called Cheeky Nando's all this time.

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Mundane_Courage_2124@reddit

Haha honestly this comment encapsulates the start of most british sayings

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AppropriateBank8633@reddit

It is the same thing as having a cheeky pint, or a cheeky line, but a cheeky bit of chicken instead.

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Evening-Spot-4455@reddit

Relatively cheaper than most places, at least when it was at its peak, and a relaxed, casual atmosphere, so perfect for a group of teens to hang out when they want to feel a little bit fancier. Me and my friends went there all the time back in sixth form/college.

You know what you're getting at Nandos and except for 1 rare instance, I've never had a bad meal there. Pretty good option for kids and fussy eaters since you can get plain chicken and plain sides like chips if you want.

It's also a bit of a healthier option too. You can indulge there yes, but if you just want a bit of chicken and salad/veg sides, you can.

And then, honestly, I don't think there's anywhere else that really does the food that Nandos does. We have tons of American style burger places, pizza places, coffee places that serve sandwiches, etc, but nothing like Nandos.

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Aero-City@reddit

They're cheekier in the UK

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Feisty-Cod-1661@reddit

Why? Appeals to the chavs of which there are many!!

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sokorsognarf@reddit

A big part of its success is, it’s got a good name that sounds like it belongs so well with a British accent

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ConfectionHelpful471@reddit

It’s a step up from a comparably priced meal at a major pub chain or fast food restaurant but doesn’t have a significantly increased price over them. It also suits any occasion (e.g. first date, meal with friends/family, non milestone birthday etc.) in addition to the customisable nature of the standard meals enabling everyone to get something that suits their palette and by virtue of this versatility it makes it a go to for lots of people

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PooCube@reddit

Nando’s is a moderately affordable place to go on a date or whatever, and it was helped along by the ‘going for a cheeky Nandos’ thing/meme that came about years ago. It’s sort of that middle ground between McDonald’s (cheap) and a full-fledged restaurant, more of a casual vibe I guess. As someone else said here the hype for Nandos has faded in recent years, especially not it’s not really that affordable anymore to the demographic who popularised it

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Goldman250@reddit

Mate, it’s hard to explain mate. It’s just like, one day you’ll just be wif your mates having a look in JD and you might fancy curry club at the ‘Spoons but your lad Calum who’s an absolute ledge and the Archbishop of Banterbury will be like ‘brevs lets have a Cheeky Nandos instead.” And you’ll think “Top. Let’s smash it.”

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RevolutionaryLow309@reddit

It's plain chicken with sauce poured on it,

It's not great

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AtimTheGirl@reddit

As a teenager nandos was an exciting new place to have a birthday meal or just meet up with friends to have a meal together. It's a step up from just going for a fast food restaurant but was still affordable. Plus you can challenge eachother to have the spiciest sauce and try to not break a sweat 😂

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pomm_queen@reddit

Because a lot of British restaurant food is neither as consistent or delicious: consistently delicious

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Andagonism@reddit

We don't have the extensive choice like white castle, four guys etc, that America has.

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Salaried_Zebra@reddit

It appealed to a student crowd who enjoyed a decent discount on what was an ok price point for a level of spice that hadn't really gone mainstream at the time. Not worth the money now, though, but it's trading on its reputation with the young uns.

The UK seems to just love standardised mediocrity. You look at that fact that 99% of all places to eat that exist here are chains, all slightly too expensive for what you get and usually at least partially microwaved.

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Mundane_Courage_2124@reddit

I mean why is chipotle so popular in the US?

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xsorr@reddit

No clue. For me it was only a choice if looking for convenience and cheap. Especially with decent seating

Never understood why it was popular for anything else, maybe because it was just a chicken restaurant and no where else does it with a knife and fork setting?

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tommycahil1995@reddit

It's always been really average. Probably went to one first in 2009, been a handful of times since. I guess it used to be between a fast food place and a restaurant which made it have a certain appeal.

I remember people saying Cheeky Nandos way before it became a meme, and then suddenly for some reason that exploded in 2016 or something.

Overall, it's fine. Really nothing special - I'd imagine the price is definitely not worth it anymore though since everywhere including McDonalds has jacked up the price on everything. The sauce is alright and the Peri salt you can buy at the shops is actually good

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BabyNameBible@reddit

It’s all thanks to Niall Horan.

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Slow_Ball9510@reddit

Don't know, dry and overcooked chicken, so they try to compensate by slathering sauce on it. Other options are pretty shit though.

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Jaraathe@reddit

No idea. Not a fan, and I love me some chicken. Wing Stop is where it’s at, and anyone who tells you different either hasn’t been or isn’t worth talking to.

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Loxnaka@reddit

Most chain restaurants aren't great here. The really big chain groups like big table are the best example (like frankies and bennies), OK but not great, generally unimpressive food. So nandos stands out as being not only consistent but consistently good in my opinion. Lots of choice, something for everyone, all of decent quality at a semi-alright price with not much quality competition as far as chains go.

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