Nando's - Johannesburg

Remember when a quarter chicken was considered a decent meal? I’ve said it before, the quarter chicken and chips meal used to be a budget-friendly option for everyone, but now it costs almost R70 with a roll. That’s getting close to the price of pizza or pasta—far too many alternatives to overlook the classic quarter chicken. Nando’s is facing stiff competition in the south, with plenty of authentic Portuguese restaurants offering better chicken at more reasonable prices, which is why I haven't visited Nando's in a while. So, lucky me, I wandered into this particular Nando's after feeling overwhelmed with dining choices. I settled down and ordered my meal. The service was good, especially considering the limited staff available at 8 PM on a Tuesday during flu season. But when my food arrived, I was pleasantly surprised—the quarter chicken my partner ordered looked amazing. Even though it was mild and I prefer extra hot, it was genuinely delicious and cooked to perfection. The chips were equally tasty. I decided to try the hotpot to see what R30 could get me these days, and I was again surprised. The hotpot is akin to cheap chicken strips and spicy rice, but better, with more veggies and sauce. However, there was less chicken; it seems like whatever bits get stuck to the grill end up in the hotpot. I suppose I would have received more if there were more stray pieces of chicken. Still, it was a great meal for the price. So maybe I was wrong—maybe Nando's still has a fighting chance and won't fade away like some of our parents' celebrity favorites. But then again, I'm never wrong. Nando's just isn’t a practical choice for me anymore. I could name five cheaper alternatives within a 5km radius of this Nando's, but due to the delicious meal I enjoyed here, if I choose Nando's again, it will be this location. Oh, and by the way, the chili hot chocolate they have for winter right now isn’t bad either!