Cult favorite Nando's brings its famous Peri-Peri chicken to the Atlanta metropolitan area

Courtesy of Nando's

Years ago, when I was visiting Washington, DC, a friend asked me to meet her for dinner at her favorite restaurant. When my GPS directed me to a self-service chicken joint, I was confused. Surely that was a mistake. Yet there she was, ready to indulge in a peri-peri chicken and “chips.” It was Nando's, a South African chain founded in Johannesburg in 1987. With 1,200 locations around the world, Nando's has built a cult following for its quirky, to-the-point messaging and fresh, flavorful food. Now Atlanta residents can get in on the madness, as the state's first Nando's opens on August 27. It's located in Dunwoody's High Street development (120 High Street, Suite 210), it serves flame-grilled, preservative-free chicken, bowls, salads and sides in a casual yet personalized atmosphere.

The key to Nando's legendary status is probably its signature peri-peri, a spice known as African bird's eye chilli. It's grown on African soil in Mozambique and still cultivated by locals. It's rich in capsaicin and is said to lift the mood. Depending on which strength of peri-peri sauce you choose, it can definitely get your system going. Guests can choose from plain, lemon and herb, mango and lime, medium, hot and extra hot flavours (which Nando's says is “like battling a fierce, fiery dragon”). The spice is mixed with salt, garlic, lemon, onion, oil and vinegar to create the sauces, which are available free with every meal.

“It's a really authentic southern African cuisine. The food is unique,” says Nando's marketing director Sepanta Bagherpour, who grew up in South Africa.

Celebrities such as Ed Sheeran, Bella Hadid, Prince Harry and Drake swear by Nando's. Some even claim to own the mysterious Black Card, which gives the owner and four guests free meals for a year. Nando's representatives deny the existence of such a valuable possession, fuelling the rumors. “I've never seen one,” says Bagherpour.

Nando's also uses its platform to promote democracy and equality. “We owe this to our heritage. The abolition of apartheid, the opening of borders and the subsequent spread of Nando's around the world are like an imprint in our DNA,” he says. “We come from Nelson Mandela's South Africa, where anything is possible. The spread of equality and humanity impressed us. We act and communicate with this feeling that flows through everything we do.”

In the last election cycle, Nando's ran a promotion called the “Undemocratic Meal,” which offered surprising, unusual food combinations (think brownies on rice or a chicken burger without chicken) at extremely low prices. The meals weren't meant to be good; rather, the goal was to combat voter empathy. “If you don't make a decision, a decision will be made for you,” explains Bagherpour. “We think the right to vote is incredibly important and we want to encourage everyone to participate.”

Every Nando's is also working with community organizations to distribute food to those in need. Charitable partners for the Dunwoody location have yet to be determined.

Courtesy of Nando's

Like Nando's Embassy, ​​the 68-seat space at Dunwoody is decorated to reflect its heritage, featuring select contemporary art from South Africa, woven fairy lights made by small artisans in Cape Town and a clear view of the grill, “where it all happens,” says Bagherpour.

On this grill, the spatchcock chicken is marinated for 24 hours and grilled to order in Afro-Portuguese style. It is then served as quarter and half chicken platters with sides (peri mac 'n' cheese, fried Brussels sprouts, corn, coleslaw, honey sweet potatoes), as well as sandwiches, chicken wings, wraps and more. Starters include hummus with peri-peri dressing, grilled halloumi cheese sticks and garlic bread. All Nando's branches offer the same menu.

Courtesy of Nando's

Another Nando's location is planned for the Forum in Peachtree Corners.

Advertising