Restaurant Review – Nando’s Peri Peri

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This week’s restaurant has quickly become one of my favorite places in Chicago. Nando’s Peri Peri is a delightful spot, with 12 locations in the Chicagoland area. We visited the Lakeview location (670 W. Diversey). The decor is unique, charming, and colorful and there are a large number of tables. We started our meal with the Spicy Mixed olives: a variety of green and black olives seasoned with garlic, peppers, and chili. My dad loves olives, so he was very happy with this choice. The menu is extensive, with many different choices. I decided on the Nutty Date Chicken Salad. Shredded chicken is mixed with Perinaise (Nando’s special Peri Peri mayo) and chopped dates, and served over a bed of mixed greens. The huge salad is topped with toasted almonds, pickled onions, feta cheese, and a honey vinaigrette. It also comes with a generous helping of warm pita bread. This salad is a game changer. The chicken salad is spicy and creamy and the dates add a perfect hint of sweetness. The pickled onions add brightness and the vinaigrette is delicious. I’ll be craving this salad for weeks! Both my parents ordered the Chicken Thigh Skewers: two skewers packed with skin-on chicken thighs, red bell pepper, and onion. You can choose whichever Peri Peri sauce you like. My dad chose the Hot and my mom chose the Mango and Lime. The hot has a really nice bite to it, perfect if you like spicy foods. My mom is not as fond of spicy things, so she loved the sweet and tart sauce she chose. The chicken thighs are cooked to perfection; they were juicy and absolutely delicious. You can choose either one or two sides with your plate. My dad chose the Peri Peri fries, served with Perinaise. The fries are so good, crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfectly salty. The dipping sauce is very good as well! My mom chose the coleslaw and loved it. She said that sometimes restaurant coleslaw is too sweet for her liking and this was delightful.

Nando’s is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11 am to 10 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 11 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 10 pm. You can find information about their other locations and hours here, on their website.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO