Stockport - Damien Review

Nando's 108 in the northern (yes, the name is misleading) coastal town of Southport has been our longest Nando's trail roadblock so far. In fact, had we left it just another 6 days, the gap between 107 and 108 would have been an entire year!
While the weather, transport and seasonal illnesses all attempted to upturn our plans, a few of us carried on valiantly and took the slow as hell train from Manchester Victoria to Southport, stopping in a whole host of made-up places along the way.

Southport itself was rainy, dreary, very cold and extremely windy. We braved it across town to a leisure complex near the sea. I'd feared that the population of Southport may have been taking shelter under the orangey lights of Nando's, but we managed to get a table without a wait. The table was next to the kitchen, which meant that I was able to see just how long song of the food was waiting to be delivered to diners. The Nando's is a medium-sized, rectangular restaurant with lots of tables packed in. We were sat at the back, against the wall, but some of the seating areas look a bit open and pushed up against others. The most notable art is a huge metal cock, standing proudly above the sauces and cutlery.

Having not been to Nando's for a while, I checked out the menu and looked at what was new. I decided it was my last chance to try the heavily-advertised Christmas burger, so ordered that. turns out they don't do it any more... despite ads for it on near enough every table. I quickly thought up a second choice, and waited for that to arrive. I'd say they were probably overstaffed. Lots of staff were standing behind the heated hood, chatting. I'd have no issue with this, were it not for the fact that there was quite often food ready and waiting to go out. My food eventually arrived. The chicken was of an expected standard, but the chips were dry and the corn was burnt and left to go cold. I was hungry, so didn't bother complaining.

To be honest, the only notable thing about this place is how long it took us to get here. If you live in Southport, it's probably one of the best places to go and eat, but coming from elsewhere, it just seems like another sub-par Nando's with dubious customer service. At least it's done now. Next one's back in London!