Birmingham - Broad Street (Average rating: 3.55)

 
This branch was Number 27 on the Nando's quest, click here to check out the video!
 
Parking is right next door for only £1 an hour (great price for Birmingham City Centre)! It is also possible to park for free nearby in the evenings.

 

Lifetime Ratings (50+ Combined Visits from 15 Nandoers):

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

3.63

3.23

3.73

3.6

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

Some conversation had begun

Above average -  much tastier than normal

Very clean, newly furnished, impressive artwork and lighting

 
Individual Ratings:
 
Submitted by: Nensh
 
Date of last visit: Fri 21/10/11
 
How busy was it?: 10 - 25 minute wait
 
Time of day?   Mid-afternoon or late evening
 
Number of visits?: 10-50
 
Additional comments: Very Poor. Waited 45 mins, did not receive food. There were 2 of us, 1 adult, 1 child...my boy had to go w/out in the end. Food finally arrived, it was completely wrong order.
Asked for mgr [James], he did not care, offered a refund and told me that he would also complain. Sent letter to MD, still waiting for reply. One thing was excellent, that was my refund.

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food

Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

1

1

1

3

Meaning

Rude. Where is the Nando's spirit?

>25 mins - Asked repeatedly. I need my Nando's

Inedible - Is that blood?! Send it back!

Standard Nando's, nothing bad, nothing exceptional

 
Submitted by: James C 
 
Date of last visit: Sat 15/10/11
 
Number of Visits?: 50+!
 
How busy was it? 25+ minute wait - come on Nando's!
 
Time of day? Weekend dinner
 
Additional Comments: A trip to a city centre Nando's on a Saturday night with ten people is never going to be a quick affair, and this visit was no exception. To be honest, given how busy the branch was (people out the door waiting), a 30 minute wait for two adjacent boothes (5 per booth - a decent compromise) wasn't too bad.

Staff were friendly enough but nothing outstanding. They did their job with a smile, and the trainee on the till performed well, without the usual slowness of a trainee - commendable job.

The food began arriving around 30 minutes after the first person ordered. The last of the food came about 20 minutes later, which was a very long await even in a packed out restaurant - I think it may have been to do with my friend ordering a veggie burger, but they should warn you it can take 50 minutes to cook.

Food itself was very average. I got a half chicken with a mix of Extra Hot & Mango & Lime but it was very dry with hardly any sauce, and none of that fruity/spicy taste I love and crave. Decent chips and rice bring the rating up from a 2/5 however.

The decoration since the refurb has been well explained previously so I'll let you scroll down for more on that...

Overall, a typical busy Nando's, which inevitably means very long waits and a drop in food quality. This is no reflection on this particular branch since it happens all over the country; therefore making it an intrinsic issue with Nando's. I'll be returning, but at a quieter time if possible.

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food

Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

3.5

1

2.5

4

Meaning

Not bad. Did everything I asked of them

>25 mins - Asked repeatedly. I need my Nando's

Average but needs more peri spice

Very clean, newly furnished, impressive artwork and lighting

 
Submitted by:  Marc Joss 
 
Date of last Visit:    14/6/11 
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits
 
How busy was it?   Almost full
 
Time of day?    Weekday dinner
 
Additional Comments: This is probably the most accessible branch for the typical Birmingham University student who lives in Selly Oak as the train to Five Ways takes 8 minutes and then it is less than a 5 minute walk to this branch!

 

The disappointing aspect about this visit was the fact that I was given 2 legs (I had a free quarter and ordered another one) rather than a leg and a breast (I did not specify to be fair but nor did I think it was necessary). The Manager quickly resolved the issue and we also had a brief chat about the website which went down well! Hopefully there will be even greater interest from this branch in future.

 

The food itself was fantastic and I was pleased to see a generous double portion of peri chips which has been an issue in other branches recently.

Service could have been slightly faster but it was a rather busy Tuesday evening.

 

The reason for this visit was to finally meet our Extra Hot reviewer Ryan who has contributed so much to the site! It was a very enjoyable dinner as two peri peri fanatics finally got to share their passion in person!

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

3

4

4

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

10 - 15 mins - Nando's average

Above average - noticeably tastier than normal

Very clean, newly furnished, impressive artwork and lighting

 
Submitted by:  Marc Joss 
 
Date of last Visit:    7:30pm Sunday May 1st 2011 
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits
 
How busy was it?   Almost full
 
Additional Comments: The refurbished Broad Street branch is much more pleasing on the eye than its predecessor. The restaurant has a more open feel to it now the part of the wall opposite the counter has been knocked down.Improvements include the new location of the door which no longer causes a draft. This used to be a major irritation for any Nandoers sitting near the door! The furniture has also been improved with very comfortable red leather seats now dotted around.A new innovation (in this country at least) is the new moveable sauce collections scattered around the big tables which include a selection of Nando's sauces. No need to go up to get your sauce if they are all on your table already!As for this visit itself, the chips were ever so slightly uncooked but the peri salt and extra hot sauce made up for that. Food arrived in just under 10 minutes and the staff were friendly as always. There seemed to be lots of new faces too.All they need now is to get back the old student discount and this would be perfect!

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

3

4

3

4

Meaning

Not bad. Did everything I asked of them

5 - 10 mins - Some conversation had begun

Average - just as you would expect

Very clean, newly furnished, nice atmosphere, well organised sauces

 
Submitted by:  Ryan 
   
Date of last Visit:    17/04/11
 
Number of Visits?:  50+ visits
 
Additional Comments: Broad Street underwent a refurbishment a couple weeks ago and this was my first trip now it's been done up... and I was pleasantly surprised!

Arrived at about 12:30pm for a spot of lunch and so needless to say it was very quiet on this sunny Sunday.

 

First impressions were very good. Had a very warm welcome from a chap called Mo and girl called Nat - and throughout they were very friendly - always with a big smile on their faces. It seemed that Mo was in training on the till but Nat was always on hand to help out. Used my Nando's gift card - courtesy of the Rate YOUR Nando's team for my February review, so the food was almost given away :-)

 

The food came in just over 5 minutes - wow, it was probably the tastiest Nando's I've ever had. The chicken was dripping in sauce and was so moist, tender and piping hot - it was a genuine surprise. The chicken meat was so white as well, it's almost like it had been bleached! Very tasty. The chips were crisp and hot and a big portion as well - and the rice was moist and full of flavour. As an extra treat, I had a white chocolate raspberry swirl too - and this was the biggest piece I'd ever been given. A very, very tasty Nando's indeed!

 

As for the refurbishment itself, a good job has been done on it. The single entrance door now opens to the left wall and so you are greeted with lots of little pieces of bright canvas paintings. They were there before, but these are now that little bit brighter adding more colour.

Also, the wall opposite (to the right) has been replaced with an interesting pattern - that looks to be a carving in a yellow and beige stone. Certainly makes it seem clean and vivid.

 

The raised seating area is still present towards the back-right of the restaurant, but everything is far more open. There are fewer pillars in place - giving a much more open plan feel.

 

The counter has been replaced and there are some nicer cupboard displays for the sauces available to buy and a full wine selection is also on offer above the cashier desk. The tills are the modern versions too that show an accumulation of your order to you - so you can make sure it's right! :-)

The ceilings have been replaced with new wooden-effect beams and faux-eaves in each half of the restaurant. New lighting is also in place - with long cone like casings in the front part by the windows and larger gun-metal shades on the raised area.

 

The seating is perhaps the most notable change. Apart from new tables and chairs - there are now more booths (when I think there were only a couple before). There's a large circular booth which is the nearest seating to the counter which seats maybe 8 - but then in the front of the restaurant, there are now 3 long bench tables that will allow up to 12 to be seated at them. Each of these also has, what seems, their own table sauce selection in a metal caddy that can be moved along the table - which was a nice touch.

 

The raised seating area now also has booth style seating all along the right wall too - and the fabric in the seating is bright and colourful. I think in general, the seating has been changed to be more suitable for groups to come and eat here.

 

Everything has also been spruced up - including the toilets which now have Dyson airblades too!

Overall - a great Nando's has just gotten better! :-)

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

5

4

5

5

Meaning

Wow, I feel incredibly welcome! Recognised if you are a frequent visitor

5 - 10 mins - Some conversation had begun

Nando's fit for a King

An exceptional Nando's!

 
Submitted by:  Ryan
 
Date of last Visit:    February 2011
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits
 
Additional Comments: This, together with the Bull Ring are the branches I've been to the most - and infact, my first ever Nando's experience was back in 2003 at this very Nando's, so it'll always hold a dear place in my heart!

 

I'll normally go to this one if I am going to the cinema as cinema goers get a parking ticket validated for up to two hours at the car park next door to Nando's/Cinema.

 

There are many large glass full length windows making it nice and bright inside and plenty of bits on the wall.

As with the Bull Ring, this branch is reasonably busy at all times of the day - and packed at the evenings with movie goers or those about to head out on Broad Street.

 

With it always being busy, the staff know how to cope with a high footfall and so the food is often served within 15 minutes.

 

There are a couple of issues to be aware of though:

- the queue at the till can be 15+ minutes as the takeaway service is very popular at this branch, so anybody at the till has to pick up the phone even if there's only one member of staff on!

- it's not the biggest Nando's at all so many of the tables are very snug together. Fine if you're sitting down but getting up often means bumping into someone!

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

3

3

4

3

Meaning

Not bad. Did everything I asked of them

10 - 15 mins - Nando's average

Above average - noticeably tastier than normal

Standard  Nando's, nothing bad, nothing exceptional

 
Submitted by:  Joel Kara 
 
Date of last Visit:    June 2010
 
Number of Visits?:  This was my first visit
 
Additional Comments: Parking was but a couple of yards away (don't think it was too expensive).

 

Really nice Nandos, set on the corner of a very busy Broad Street. The entrance is cleverly placed on the side of the main road, making a more enjoyable meal for customers.

 

I went with a large group and all the food was brought over within 5 minutes of the first dish arriving. It was quiet when we went, so this was expected. Will certainly recommend.

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

4

4.5

4

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

Some conversation had begun

Great - Very tender chicken,piping hot, not at all burnt, dripping in sauce

Very clean, newly furnished, nice atmosphere, well organised sauces

 
Submitted by:  Sophie Chow 
 
Date of last Visit:    14/12/10
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits
 
Additional Comments: Didn't have to wait even though there were 14 of us, food was really good, chips especially were delicious this time! bit cold sitting near the door though, need to keep that door shut.

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

4

5

4

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

Some conversation had begun

Nando's fit for a King

Very clean, newly furnished, nice atmosphere, well organised sauces

 
Submitted by:  Cram
 
Date of last Visit:    30/11/09
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits
 
Additional Comments: Staff very welcoming, short queue at the tills, order processed quickly. Unfortunately, we were left waiting for food for over 20 minutes. We also asked for water to be refilled (since the self-service machine is permanently out of order) and were effectively ignored. Food was of particularly high quality - very tender, lots of peri spice on the chips. Nearby parking has recently increased in price from 80p to £1 for an hour.

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

3

2

4.5

3

Meaning

Not bad. Did everything I asked of them

Where is the food? Might have asked a member of staff by now

Great - Very tender chicken,piping hot, not at all burnt, dripping in sauce

Standard  Nando's, nothing bad, nothing exceptional

 
Submitted by:  Tom
 
Date of last Visit:    23/11/09
 
Number of Visits?:  5 - 10 visits
 
Additional Comments: 2 for 1, much tastyness enjoyed by all. One very awesome waitress. Cinema right next door.


Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

4

4.5

3

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

Some conversation had begun

Great - Very tender chicken,piping hot, not at all burnt, dripping in sauce

Standard  Nando's, nothing bad, nothing exceptional

 
Submitted by:  Josep
 
Date of last Visit:    May 2009
 
Number of Visits?:  5 - 10 visits
 
Additional Comments: 2 meals for 1 with an NUS card


Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

4

3

3

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

Some conversation had begun

Average - just as you would expect

Standard  Nando's, nothing bad, nothing exceptional


Submitted by:  Blaynos
 
Date of last Visit:    June 2009
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits
 
Additional Comments: Great location, next door to Cineworld and really near to different Student accommodations. The branch also has student discounts; there's a car park next door (not sure how expensive), and is not far from Five Ways station.


Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

3

3.5

4

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

10 - 20 minutes had passed

Average but with lots of peri-spice

Very clean, newly furnished, nice atmosphere, well organised sauces


Submitted by:  
Justin
 
Date of last Visit:    June 2009
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits
 
Additional Comments: Cinema and parking nearby, train station 10-15 minutes (Fiveways).

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

4

4.5

4

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

Some conversation had begun

Great - Very tender chicken,piping hot, not at all burnt, dripping in sauce

Very clean, newly furnished, nice atmosphere, well organised sauces


Submitted by:  
James Colom
 
Date of last Visit:    June 2009
 
Number of Visits?:  50+ times
 
Additional Comments: Average location and food but great student deal and staff are generally friendly. Many frustratingly still do not recognise me but others make up for it. Speed of service varies but is generally good. If you want more peri-spice just ask them when they bring the food over and they usually give you the shaker!

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

3.5

3.5

3

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

10 - 20 minutes had passed

Average but with lots of peri-spice

Standard  nando's, nothing bad, nothing exceptional

 
Submitted by:  Marc Joss 
 
Date of last Visit:    June 2009
 
Number of Visits?:  10-50 visits!
 
Additional Comments: Great student offer!

 

Friendliness of Staff

Speed of Service

Quality of Food 

 Decoration and Cleanliness

Rating

4

4

3.5

3

Meaning

Good stuff. Very polite

Some conversation had begun

Average but with lots of peri-spice

Standard  nando's, nothing bad, nothing exceptional

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