Should You Try Nando's PERi PERi Chicken on the Atlanta Beltline?
- 25 minutes ago
- 2 min read
This week, Nando's PERi-PERi Chicken opened at Krog Street Market, just steps from the Atlanta Beltline. I'd never heard of them. But several of our tour guests got excited when they saw the Coming Soon banner. They had been to Nando's in London - apparently, it's a phenomenon in the U.K.
So Nando's is popular in England, and many people think they're Portuguese. But the concept is actually out of South Africa, and based on PERi-PERi peppers from Mozambique, known as the African Bird's Eye Chili. The peppers were introduced to Portuguese explorers, who brought their recipes to South Africa.
The lively music and decor give it away as African, though. Bold, original artwork surrounds you while you eat. Nando's has spent decades collecting works from local artists, making the restaurant the largest collector of South African art in the world, they claim.
Let's not forget the star, though - the chicken. It's marinated for 24 hours in a sauce of your spice level - ranging from almost plain to extra hot, which is described on the menu, "like tackling a ferociously fiery dragon." They also have lemon & herb, and mango & lime. And bottles of extra sauce on the sidebar.
The bird comes all different ways. I got the 1/4 chicken breast with Portuguese rice and garlic bread. My boyfriend got wings, fries and mac & cheese. The chicken was tender, although I prefer a crispier skin. Thumbs up on the garlic bread - it was my favorite. The rice had a delicious, subtle kick. And the chips (fries in American) were addictive.
They also have sandwiches, and our server recommended the Garlic Bread CLT - made with pulled chicken, cheddar cheese and arugula and served on garlic toast.
The service was excellent - there were lots of people working, and they were very attentive. Best of all is the price point. It's hard to find cheap restaurants in Atlanta anymore. But after tip, our bill was around $50.
If you're thinking of trying Nando's, I would recommend it. And if you try the Garlic Bread CLT, let us know how it is.
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Nicole Gustin is Founder & CEO of BiteLines Atlanta Food Tours. She considers the Atlanta Beltline her backyard, and has helped 1,500+ visitors and locals experience its restaurant and street art scenes. She loves spicy food.
