Get ready to sink your teeth into some of the tastiest, flat out most delicious food you’ve ever had in the Midwest. And it’s in a place you might not even know about…
The Backstory
In 1987 a brand new restaurant opened up in South Africa, called Nando’s. To quote one of the coordinators on staff, since that time, “it has spread its flame” to 24 different countries on five different continents.
With 1,200 locations worldwide, including close to 50 restaurants in the United States alone, the restaurant is a privately owned establishment. Starting next year in 2023, Nando’s will be setting Texas on fire with their first locations in the Lone Star State opening in Houston. A perfect fit, for an already spicy spot.
Originally opening stateside in 2008 in the country’s capital of Washington, D.C., Nando’s has made its way around the U.S. to just about everywhere you can think of including Maryland, Virginia, and of course, Chicago. Not to mention the more exotic foreign destinations of Zimbabwe, Australia among others.
According to Jim, one of Nando’s go-to guys on all things “Nando’s”,
“PERi-PERi is the heart and soul of Nando’s. For centuries, the people of Southeast Africa have used PERi-PERi to bring fire to their food. It is in Mozambique’s rich soil and blistering sunshine that the African Bird’s Eye Chilli grows into its fiery best. When Portuguese explorers arrived there, they were enchanted by its flavor. They added a squeeze of lemon and a kick of garlic and turned PERi-PERi into a very well-traveled spice.”
He goes on to tell me that many years after this in 1987, while two friends, Robbie Brozin and Fernando Duarte where having lunch together at a Portuguese eatery in Johannesburg, they knew they’d tasted the future. Peri-Peri was about to make its way around the world, though perhaps not right away.
“We marinate our chicken in PERi-PERi for at least 24-hours, so the flavor goes right through to the bone,” said Nando’s USA CEO John Fisher. “Then we grill it over an open flame and baste it with PERi-PERi sauce to the customer’s preferred spice level. That’s what makes our chicken so addictive.”
Jim goes on by saying,
Nando’s sources all its PERi-PERi through 1,400 local farmers in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa who are empowered with upfront access to funds, equipment, and seedlings as well as a guaranteed commitment by the company to buy the farmers’ crops at a fair price determined before the growing season even starts.
While Peri-Peri may not be in every single dish at Nando’s, it’s in almost all of them.
Unforgettable Flavors
Which leads us to the food. Yes, let’s talk about the actual food, and my amazing experience getting to eat the food. The food. Oh, the food.
While their signature dish is indeed delicious – the Nando’s Chicken & Chips (a half chicken, flame-grilled and made to order at your heat level, served with your choice of their Peri-chips or fries) – this was not my favorite item on the menu. Though I’m not going to lie: choosing your favorite item off their menu is similar, I imagine to a parent choosing their favorite child. It’s not easy.
However difficult it may have been though, I did manage to find favor with one dish in particular, and that was the full chicken order with two fabulous sides. I chose grilled corn-on-the-cob with red skinned mashed potatoes. Heavens above, it was glorious. Some of the most sensational chicken my taste buds have ever had the privilege of having.
What else was fabulous here? Everything. But if I’m forced to choose another item, it would have to be their Caesar Wrap which was out of this world. Not only was it delicious, but it tasted healthy too.
And their desserts – do not leave here without trying them all. But in particular, their carrot cake and the best thing ever, their Naghty Natas, which is a traditional Portuguese custard tart. Angels wept when this was made, it was that good.
But it’s not just the food that makes Nando’s so great. It’s the whole vibe, ambiance and unique decor that make it what it is. Yes, staff is super friendly, always eager to help in any way they can, but come on – let’s talk about the amazing architecture and interior design that this place has going on.
The Detail and Design
The art, furniture and music all come from Peri-Peri’s birthplace – Africa. With some Portuguese influence mixed in, you’ll find Nando’s to be one of the most exceptionally stand-out places you can visit – even in a highly populated city of restaurants like Chicago.
I’m also told that Nando’s has the largest collection of original South African contemporary art on display in the world, and all the restaurants feature custom-made South African paintings, furniture, and even lightening. What do you think about that?
So after reading all about Nando’s Peri-Peri, it’s no surprise you’re probably hungry and ready to go find your nearest location. Don’t wait, make sure to check them out online first to see just all the delicious options you have waiting for you when you arrive.
Just make sure when you visit them, you let them know Lisa sent you!
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