Week 5, Post 1: Nandos

I had been craving some good grilled chicken and mashed potatoes for quite some time since KFC doesn't serve mashed potatoes. So when I got back to my flat after being at my internship all day, I was determined to have some chicken and mashed potatoes. The only mashed potatoes I have had in England were in Bath, where I had chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans wrapped in bacon. Knowing that Bath had had some amazing chicken and potatoes I knew it was possible to get some elsewhere in England. At my flat I started looking up "chicken and mashed potatoes near Earls Court London" of course my search was a little too narrow so I broadened it to "chicken in Earls Court London." The first place that came up was Nandos! As I was looking at their menu I was a little worried because they were home of the "Peri Peri Chicken," and I don't like much spicy food. I found that they had a ranking on the menu of how spicy you wanted your chicken to be, one of the rankings was "Plain-ish." It was perfect, I had found my chicken! Then once I looked at the sides, I saw mashed potatoes! I couldn't believe I hadn't found this place earlier! I gathered my things and took off down the road towards Nandos, it was a little busy being Friday night but they got me right in! As I sat down the lady was explaining how everything works at Nandos, you go up to the computer to order, then the waiter will bring out the food, once the food is out you can get some self serve ice cream! I ordered the 4 chicken thighs, no bones, with mashed potatoes and garlic bread (since it came with two sides)! Once the food came out it looked amazing, the chicken was grilled, with two pieces of garlic bread and some mashed potatoes in a small bowl. Although I generally salt and pepper my mashed potatoes, they didn't have salt and pepper on the table and I didn't ask for any, so I went without. The taste was still amazing. I was filling up so quick on the mashed potatoes, I had to slow down to fit some chicken. The chicken was a little burnt but it was kind of a good burnt like well cooked with the lines showing that it had been cooked probably over an open flame. I only hate about 2 thighs before I was near miserable, but I still had garlic bread left. I pushed through finishing up all of the mashed potatoes and all of the garlic bread but my stomach couldn't finish the other two thighs so I asked for a "take-away" box. They didn't seem to have boxes so they gave me a bag to put my chicken in, a little weird but it was almost easier to fit in the fridge. It was a great experience at Nandos and I hope to go back some time soon! Also, the chicken left over made for a good mid day snack the next day when I heated it up in the microwave!