Teesside - Adam9154 Review

I've been looking forward to a new Nando's branch opening in the area for years and it's finally happened! It's pretty awkward to get to from Middlesbrough without a car. The only bus that runs to Teesside Park runs on a Saturday. The nearest bus stop that has regular service is about 20 minutes walk away at the Tees Barrage.

The branch is in the far left corner of the large shopping area at Teesside Park, there are many shops nearby and a cinema and bowling alley a 10 minute walk away. There are lots and lots of parking spaces but during a heavy shopping day you may struggle to find a close spot.

As this was opening day I expected it to be really busy, and apparently it was at opening time (sadly I didn't get to be the first through the door since I couldn't get there) but as it was 9pm there were only a few tables occupied in there and no queue to order. We got seated straight away and were given the choice of where to sit.

Decor - 5/5 - As this branch had just opened that day, it was all clean and new and good looking. It had that great feel of Nando's decor, lots of unique artwork. It was twice as big as I thought the branch would be so it can fit plenty of customers in but doesn't feel cramped. The branch has the new touch screen drink machines (two of them) which I enjoy using (I wish the Middlesbrough branch would get one). The only thing I disliked was the look of some weird curved benches, part of them didn't have backs so if you were sat there you'd have nothing to rest your back on, luckily I wasn't sat there but I feel for the people who have. There were tables outside which were in a covered over area so I guess you could sit out there on a warm rainy day if you wanted... There isn't a very nice view from this restaurant as it has shops next to it, but the only view that mattered to me was my food.

Friendliness of Staff - 5/5 - The staff were really friendly there, you could tell they were excited that it was the first day for the branch, the Nandoca who served me was really nice and apologised that the Nando's card machine was not working but she wrote down the code from my card and said the point would be added tomorrow, very nice of her. The Nandoca who brought over our food was also nice. No problems with the staff in this branch.

Speed of Service -4/5 - We were seated straight away as there was no queue, once we were sat down my friends took a few minutes to decide and I made sure I got to the tills first to order my food as I was starving. I was told my food would take about 15 minutes, which I was happy with though it only took about 10 minutes to arrive. My friend also ordered some chips after our meals had arrived and they were brought swiftly.

Quality of Food - 4/5 - I got Butterfly chicken extra hot with peri-chips and garlic bread. The chicken was well cooked and parts of it a bit burned but as it was covered in extra hot sauce it tasted delicious. My garlic bread was slightly disappointing, it tasted good but it wasn't as well cooked and crispy as I like it. I had a generous portion of peri-chips with just enough peri-salt on them and they tasted good. My friend wanted a Naughty Nata but sadly they had none left, which is understandable 5 minutes before closing time.

Overall I'd give this branch 4.5/5 - If it was closer I'd choose this one over Middlesbrough every time.