Old Street - Blaynos Review

Blaynos's picture
How Helpful?: 
Average: 5 (4 votes)
Author: 
Number of Visits: 
This was my first visit
How Busy?: 
Almost Full
Date of Last Visit: 
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Time of Day: 
Weekday Dinner
Rating: 
4.5 / 5
Friendliness of Staff: 
5 (Wow, I feel incredibly welcome! Recognised if a frequent visitor)
Speed of Service: 
3 (10 - 15 mins - Nando's average)
Quality of Food: 
5 (Nando's fit for a King - The very best (Please tell us why)!
Decoration & Cleanliness: 
5 (An exceptional Nando's! (Please tell us why) )
Comments - Stand out in our monthly competition! What did you eat? Unique aspects? Parking/transport tips?: 

I’d spotted this branch a month or two ago while it was being built walking along City Road and had kept half an eye on it on both the Nando’s website and RYN, and was expecting it to open in the new year. I was then pretty surprised to see on Twitter that the branch had hatched and – as with St Christopher’s Place – I was able to head over for a late dinner after after-work drinks to christen the new restaurant.

It’s about a 3-5min walk from Old Street station (Northern, Bank branch & National Rail) – and it’s only about a 10-12min walk from Angel; worth noting because the Islington Nando’s branch is probably a similar length walk up Upper Street.

Arrived to a bunch of enthusiastic Nandocas and the branch is a lot roomier than I’d expected (especially compared to St Christopher’s Place). It’s well laid out too with a good amount of room between the entrance and the tills/kitchen so there’s not the awkward people traffic and cold air coming in all the time. There’s also split seating, one section at the front of the branch, and one down the back (and then downstairs).

Despite it being Day 1, there were plenty of people inside and there was a queue to order as the amount of cashiers fluctuated between two and three (out of a possible four tills), but given it’s day 1, I won’t knock it down from 5/5. I was served by Zorro (with a name like that, how can you forget it!) and he was great – even said I could have a free soft drink when I asked for a glass for water. I don’t usually have fizzy drinks at Nando’s but I was glad I did here… the machine was electronic! (I’ll try and upload a photo of it)

Popped downstairs to the toilet while waiting for my food and caught a glimpse of the lower floor, where there is more seating and tills to order too. Toilets were nice and clean (as you’d hope for) and taps were automated, always good.

Food did take a while to come but when it did, it was top notch. Chicken burger was cooked well sized and cooked perfectly, plenty of peri salt on my chips and halloumi was great too – so a fantastic first impression of this branch, and the service station was well stacked too.

Wished all the staff good luck when leaving and, all in all, a great addition to the Nando’s family and I look forward to returning for what will hopefully be the next RYN dinner.

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