Nandos Review

Overall Rating

About this particular visit? Nothing. Even the chicken wasn't spiced as I asked.

See main text. Tried 'Perinase' for the first time, tastes rather unpleasant.

I recently visited the London Bridge branch of Nandos and thought I would share my latest bad experience there.

A staff member treated me with what I can only describe as sheer contempt. Her tone and her body language was utterly dismissive and her hostility was virtually palpable.

I was barked at throughout the order-taking. For example, upon asking for a side of chips she was apparently annoyed I didn't specify my spiciness requirements.

I asked her if it would be possible to transfer signatures from my tattered loyalty card to a new one - but I was given no response. I asked a second time, thinking I may not have been heard. Then a third time, taking great care to be gentle and polite. After my third request C broke her silence to bark "I heard you the first time." Struggling to keep my calm, I gently asked why she had not responded. With a look of petrifying disgust she said "I went like this" and nodded her head. If she did, it was unperceivable.

At this point I somewhat lost my cool, and asked her if I had done anything to offend her. She offered: "It's not you," before proceeding to ignore my request!

I sent an abridged complaint to Nandos via their online form but have not heard anything for days.

My questions to them are:

Why is C venting her frustrations on customers?

Is she under pressure from higher powers not to give away free chicken i.e. is the loyalty card a scam?

Does she just not like the look of me? Are the staff openly prejudist?

Did she feel she could treat me like one of their battery chickens, without fear of repercussion? Does the Clink Street branch make enough money so that she need not serve the customer with even a fake smile?

Needless to say, there was no apology. Rather bewildered by the whole event, I collected my takeaway and left. A friend later suggested that I should have openly lost my cool and made a scene. In retrospect, I certainly should have, there were many customers behind me in the queue.

This is not my first experience of disagreeable attitude at this branch and my friends describe similar events. We have been loyal to the branch since it opened and we do enjoy the food and decor. However we have grown to question our continuing custom, and are considering ways to spread the word about the bad attitude.

I have many times witnessed this disregard for politeness and I reckon there are sufficient numbers of dissatisfied customers to help me in my campaign, but a feeling of powerlessness prevents many from speaking up.

How have your experiences been regarding service, particularly at this branch?