Basildon - Mayflower - Gerry Louis Review

This branch was the 5th Essex Nando's in two days and you know all of the staff I've met were so nice and genuine. The atmosphere inside was really great, the staff seem to still be learning but they have great camaraderie which was nice to see.

Rocked up around 4pm after a half an hour walk from the Leisure Park and was greeted straight away by a young Nandoca. He let me choose a table right near the front, near the till and grill area, and I went to order. Easy process, swiped the card, they even waited to see if I had something on the card though I didn't but I ordered 1/4 chicken mango and lime with sweet mash and a glass for water. The girl who served me gave me a big glass too which was nice as the little ones just aren't enough.

Whilst I waited for the food a took a few shots of the place and had a look around. I sat on a circular table which is in a corner of a l-shaped comfy bench. There is a colourful weave pattern that goes along the top of the bench and across the tops of all the other seats in the rectangular seating area. Hanging bulbs are above the tables on the outside of this seating area and there is plenty of space between tables. On the opposite side are circular nest seats for about four to six people, some open in to the branch and some opening outwards.

The ceiling is quite nice. It reminds me of cardboard packaging for fragile packages but it was very nice. The entrance has a crescent shaped glass which prevents the cold from getting into the branch when the doors open which is great because it was getting cold outside.

The food came in 8-9 minutes and whilst the sweet mash was very tasty and plentiful, I was sure the first bite I took was cold.. There were some chunks in it too which I suppose sometimes can't be helped. The chicken was cooked very thoroughly and the skin was dark and crispy. There was so much sauce too which is rare these days.

The toilets were a little confusing. They're at the back of the branch coming after the grill area and the drinks/ sauce station which is against the wall. I say it's confusing because you can't make out where the doors are in the corridor. I walked past the women's because I thought it might be like that nandos that has unisex toilets where anyone can use a free loo but as I walked back I was able to see the women sign which was very small and subtle. As you can imagine it's a new branch so nothing is broken and everything is clean. The sink reminded me of the scene from 'Ghost' and I felt like I was making pottery.

I hope they keep up the good work, it would be a shame because it seems like a great branch to go to. In Summer, the seating area outside will be coveted but they will miss a lot of what's going on inside.

Oh yeah.. I think parking is free as long as you're buying something in the Mayflower..