Dover - St James Square - Ryan Review

In Folkestone for the night so what better way to spend it than with a trip to Dover Nando's! It's located on the St James retail park, which is also home to a large Next, Travelodge, Cineworld and other eateries. There are hundreds of parking spaces at the retail park. They currently do not charge but this may well go to £1.10 per hour very soon. Dover Priory train station is half a mile walk away. Dover Castle is half a mile walk away too.

There's a token of a few tables outside underneath a big parasol, but inside it really is catered well for numerous large groups. Just to the left when you enter, in the front windows, there are two large semi-circular booths in bright red leather - and to the right in the front windows there are three further large semi-circular booths in cream leather. To the right side of the restaurant running along the wall are six four seater square booths. Running down the centre of the restaurant are five four-seater circular tables and then a further 12 or so tables made up from yellow leather banquette/table/chairs. There's not much by way of funky lighting - mainly spotlights all shining onto wooden slats for the ceiling. The very back wall is white and yellow mosaic style tiles to give a bit of colour. Toilets are at the very back and a rather dull - painted in black, with black and white tiles. A nice layout, but not very vibrant.

Arrived here approx 7:30pm and it was about 2/3 full so was seated straight away. I was advised when ordering that there'd be a 20 minute wait on all wings, legs and breasts - so wasn't surprised when it came in just over 25 minutes. It wasn't great either. The chicken portion was rather small. I went for a full platter for myself, so had a full chicken, rice, chips, coleslaw and supergrain salad. I've had more meat on a half chicken before compared with the amount of meat on this chicken on this occasion - it really was a tiny chicken. It was also very dry - not juicy and not dripping in sauce at all. The chips were all very soggy and none whatsoever were crisp or hot and the spciy rice was very very dry - almost like it had been under the heatlamps for quite a while. Disappointing.

The staff were all very friendly. It's been a while since Nando's staff were open to starting a conversation, and particular kudos must go to Eleanor who was very friendly. I was also checked on by four different staff and had a hearty goodbye when I left.