Reading - Friar Street - Gerry Louis Review

A day trip to Brighton turned into an afternoon stroll around Reading as I woke up too late yesterday. About an hour journey from Twickenham to Reading station, by train so I didn't really look for any parking facilities though I am sure they are available in a town like this. Within a five minute walk from the station is the high street and possible town centre so it didn't take too long to find the first Nando's of the day on Friar Street.

I got there about 2.20 which is a very late lunch but didn't get a table until 2.40. It was very busy inside, and although there was seating outside, it was a bit too cold for an al fresco lunch. It took a while to get my order taken despite there only being two people ahead of me and a third till was opened up. The girl was nice and everything but she clearly doesn't listen well. Order of a half chicken mango and lime, sweet mash and garlic bread, thought I'd go for the usual despite having an orange reward that I could use. The seat they gave me at table five was also very convenient as there was a plug socket there which is nice as I usually have to look for one. The downside with the seat were they really rude guys sitting behind me who obviously are not so into the Nando's way of life.

The food arrived in about fifteen minutes and it looked superb. The chicken was still smoking, covered in sauce, the garlic bread wasn't completely toasted but the mash was the wrong colour, too light. On tasting the mash it didn't have any flavour, I'm wondering if they over boiled it, or forgot to put something in it that normally makes it taste great. Pouring on hoe lemon and herb sauce also made no difference to the taste, it was very bland. The chicken was great though, no complaints about that.

I haven't mentioned how small this restaurant is, probably only around 30 tables inside, hence here was a huge crowd waiting whilst I got there. The staff seemed friendly enough but no one came to check my meal was okay, they only walked past to go to the toilets as I was at that end of the restaurant. I didn't notice much art or decorations there to be honest. And the toilets were very small, you had to squeeze yourself in over the toilet seat then close the door behind you. Easy to get in, not so easy to get out. Not the worst, but not the best.