British Tourist's Nando's Taste Test in South Africa Reveals Stunning Price Difference
During a recent holiday to Cape Town, Eloise Fouladgar from London decided to conduct a unique culinary experiment: comparing South African Nando's to its British counterparts. What she discovered left her both surprised and delighted, particularly when it came to the final bill.
The Origins of a Global Chicken Empire
Many British diners might be surprised to learn that Nando's, that beloved fixture of UK high streets, actually originated in South Africa. Founded in Johannesburg in 1987 by Portuguese-born Fernando Duarte and South African-born Robert Brozin, the restaurant chain has grown to encompass over 1,200 locations across 30 countries worldwide.
The restaurant specializes in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri chicken, with its name derived from a nickname for Fernando, honoring one of its founders. Despite its South African roots, Nando's has become a cultural institution in the United Kingdom, prompting Eloise's curiosity about how the original version compares.
A Menu of Surprising Differences
Eloise immediately noticed significant variations between the South African and UK menus. "Time to try South African Nando's," she announced at the beginning of her video documentation. "Let's see what's better, UK or South Africa."
The South African menu featured items not commonly found in British locations, including various bowls, salads, and unique dessert options. For her comprehensive taste test, Eloise ordered an impressive spread: festa fries, a chicken wrap, garlic bread, chips, mac and cheese, spicy rice, a strawberries and cream milkshake, a Fanta, and churros with chocolate sauce for dessert.
The most shocking revelation came when she received her bill: the entire feast cost just 397 South African Rand, equivalent to approximately £18 - a price that would barely cover a main course and drink at many UK Nando's locations.
Sauce Selection and Culinary Judgments
Before diving into her meal, Eloise documented the extensive sauce selection available at the South African restaurant, which included white vinegar, tomato sauce, wild herb, mild, garlic, hot, extra hot, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil - a more comprehensive array than typically found in UK branches.
As the food arrived, Eloise admitted she had "over ordered" but expressed excitement about trying everything. Her subsequent ratings created a mixed picture of South African Nando's offerings.
Dish-by-Dish Verdict
The strawberry and cream milkshake received a perfect ten out of ten, with Eloise declaring it "might be the best milkshake I've ever tried."
Festa Fries, described as Nando's equivalent of loaded fries with pulled chicken, earned an impressive nine out of ten, prompting her to exclaim, "Oh, my God. I'm in heaven."
Not every dish met with such enthusiasm. The mac and cheese received a disappointing one out of ten, while the spicy rice - a dish also available in the UK - scored only three out of ten, with Eloise arguing that "the UK does spicy rice better."
The garlic bread disappointed with a two out of ten rating, and peri peri fries managed only three out of ten.
Surprisingly, the chicken wrap - despite Eloise's admission that she doesn't normally eat chicken - earned a solid eight out of ten after she found herself pleasantly surprised by the chicken strip inside.
Churros with chocolate sauce, unavailable in UK Nando's locations, received an eight out of ten despite their unexpected spiciness, which Eloise described as "really good."
The final taste test involved Malva Pudding, a classic South African dessert consisting of sponge cake soaked in apricot sauce and served with custard. This traditional treat earned an impressive nine out of ten rating.
Cultural Exchange on a Plate
Eloise's culinary adventure highlights not just menu differences between international branches of the same restaurant chain, but also significant price variations that can surprise travelers. Her experience demonstrates how global brands often adapt their offerings to local tastes while maintaining core elements of their identity.
The substantial price difference - with a multi-course meal for one person costing less than £20 in South Africa compared to what would likely be double or triple that amount in the UK - adds an economic dimension to her taste comparison, making the South African Nando's experience both culturally and financially distinctive.
