It seems, for the typical CHS student, there are only a few places to go eat and hang out with friends on a day off. One perfect place with great food, great service and reasonable prices is Nando’s Peri-Peri.
Located near Dupont Circle, Nando’s Peri-Peri is a popular Portuguese chain that originated in South Africa and has gained notoriety worldwide as a quality restaurant. Focusing mainly on chicken, Nando’s offers mostly continental food, rich in spices and flavor.
“[We opened] almost two years ago for the proximity to nightclubs and businesses,” manager Ben Hager said. “Anyone can come to Nando’s. We offer great food for a low price.”
It is rare that a restaurant can get everything just right, but Nando’s does this both in its food and its service. The menu has a variety of options, including several alternatives for vegetarians or those who don’t eat chicken. Everything is made with a choice of extra hot spices in addition to a large array of savory spices for people to flavor their meals.
Nando’s is very cultural, reflecting its roots as a Portuguese restaurant in its layout and in the décor surrounding the seats. Traditional music plays in the background and cute artwork adorns each wall. The restaurant is spacious and extremely comfortable, yet also very cozy. There are private halls in the back and winding staircases, but the restaurant seems very homey and familiar when first walking in as leather seated booths surround the cashier. Since it was a weekend, there were a lot of customers, but it somehow never felt crowded.
Funny riddles and sayings are written all over the wall above the buffet, and even the napkins had jokes on them that weren’t annoyingly cheesy; instead they were simple and amusing. On each table there are postcards from different Nando’s locations across the world.
According to Hager, Nando’s first opened in South Africa and has now expanded with over 200 restaurants in South Africa alone.
“It’s wildly popular, especially in the U.K. and worldwide.” Hager said. “Manchester United came to DC for a game once and got Nando’s.”
Nando’s menu makes the customer want to try everything because it all just seems so rich and delicious. Nando’s has an entire chicken menu with wings, platters and livers to choose from, but also offers sandwiches, pitas and wraps with up to 11 different and tempting sides. The meals all range from $5 to $25, but everything is generally reasonably priced. A person can get a full meal complete with an appetizer, entrée, and three sides with dessert for under $20, and get free refills from a frozen yogurt machine.
The food is made quickly and delivered straight away, and each dish has an explosion of flavor, even the salads. The best part is that it all feels relatively guilt-free – one feels full but not bloated after eating. Nando’s has a versatile aesthetic: one can arrive dressed up for date night or opt for sweats.
However, the most refreshing part about Nando’s would have to be the service. Each waiter and waitress walks around checking on each table, and even the manager walks around routinely – checking on customers and manning the registers. It is clear that the staff gets along and the lively and energetic atmosphere of the restaurant adds to the Nando’s experience. The restaurant is a perfect mix of good food, great service and a colorful and friendly environment.
“Nando’s values sum up everything,” Hager said. “Our core values are family, integrity, passion and courage.”
Nando’s is also interested in helping the global community. According to Hager, Nando’s invests in art by buying artwork from struggling artists for an expensive price and displaying them for exposure. The restaurant owns over 3,000 works of art made by local South African artists which are displayed around the restaurant for diners to observe. They also set up an independent studio where struggling artists can receive subsidized diplomas to become official artists and publish their work.
Nando’s is also conveniently located near popular dessert places like Krispy Kremes, so students can go hang out there after or go to Dupont Circle to walk off a steak sandwich or a chocolate spoon cake. There are also guitar shops, book stores and thrift stores at which students can shop.
Nando’s is located at 819 7th Street NW in Washington D.C. and will be opening new locations in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Annapolis later this year.
“Everyone should come for the Nando’s experience,” Hager said.