Gatwick Airport - South Terminal - James RYN Review

James RYN's picture
How Helpful?: 
No votes yet
Author: 
Number of Visits: 
This was my first visit
How Busy?: 
A few tables occupied
Date of Last Visit: 
Friday, March 13, 2015
Time of Day: 
Weekday Lunch
Rating: 
4.13 / 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: 
4.5 (Great - Very tender, piping hot, not at all burnt, dripping in sauce)
Decoration & Cleanliness: 
4 (Very clean, newly furnished, impressive artwork and lighting)
Comments - Stand out in our monthly competition! What did you eat? Unique aspects? Parking/transport tips?: 

Gatwick is the furthest London airport from my home so I rarely venture there. However, a work trip was leaving from there, and luckily enough I was flying from the South terminal! My colleague said he didn't really fancy a Nando's - I pointed out that I couldn't NOT go, so we split and I ventured up to the food court.

First impressions are that this Nando's is a large one, with lots of tables for 2 or 4 people, which I suppose is more common in airports. I had a chat to the manager and he advised most visitors are first timers, and almost never repeat ones, which perhaps isn't surprising given you have to pass through security to get here. Even all staff have to have their security badge on show at all times.

Once inside I was presented with the brand new breakfast menu, though assured that the full menu was available should I want anything from it. Of course I was going to try something new, so I went ahead and ordered four different items: chicken sausage roll with Extra Hot sauce and halloumi cheese, hash browns with sweet chilli dip, pancakes with chilli syrup, blueberry and banana, and natural yogurt with honey and granola.

While the food was on its way I took in the decoration, which is very standard of a new Nando's, with nothing in particular to grab the eye. The wait was 10-15 minutes, which was maybe slightly slow given it wasn't very busy. It did arrive all at once though, and I started on the savoury dishes first. The chicken roll was a good choice to start, as it was the tastiest of the new dishes. The sausauge itself was one of the curly ones I usually see in Europe, and coated nicely in Extra Hot sauce (but not smothered). It was also perfectly complemented by the halloumi inside. After, I moved onto the hash browns, which were okay, but not overly to my taste, and arguably the weakest part of the meal.

Moving onto dessert, the pancakes were delicious. They were thick American style ones and covered in syrup, which had a subtle kick to it. I ate about half the stack, before realising I was becoming dangerously full, and pausing for a taste of the yogurt. The yogurt was also very tasty, and a good way to end the meal.

Overall I left completely stuffed and ready for a nap on my long haul flight! As for the food, I think the sausauge roll could easily be added to the main menu. My only suggestion is to have some different fruits as garnishes! Blueberry and banana aren't my favourites, and something like strawberry or grapes might be a better suggestion.

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