Photo courtesy of Nando's
Nando's opens Monday, March 27 in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood.
Nando’s PERi-PERi, the South African restaurant brand recognized for its spicy flame-grilled chicken, hatches in Alexandria Monday, March 27. The restaurant, in the Carlyle Crossing neighborhood near the Wegmans and the AMC movie theater, represents Nando’s long-awaited return to Alexandria.
Nando's operated for years on King Street in Old Town. The new restaurant, at 2462 Mandeville Lane in The Foundry, features industrial designs that mix exposed concrete and columns with contemporary African patterns, original African artwork, furniture, and light fixtures.
“We can’t wait to bring our mouth-watering chicken back to Alexandria,” said John Fisher, CEO of Nando’s PERi-PERi in a news release. “PERi-PERi – or African Bird’s Eye Chilli – is the heart and soul of the Nando’s experience. We marinate our chicken in PERi-PERi for at least 24-hours, so the flavor goes right through to the bone. Then we grill it over an open flame and baste it with PERi-PERi sauce to the customer’s preferred spice level. That’s what makes our chicken so addictive.”
The company’s journey from the tip of Africa to the edge of Alexandria is an adventure that began 35 years ago with a single location in Johannesburg. The business now spans 24 nations, from Australia to Zimbabwe. Landing stateside in 2008 with its inaugural U.S. restaurant in Washington, D.C., the brand has since expanded to nearly 50 sites in D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Chicago, and soon in Texas.
Nando’s new Alexandria location opens in a prime site in the Hoffman Town Center. The restaurant features original, contemporary South African art and furniture. The 3,000-square-foot Nando’s will offer dine-in seating for 72 customers, a spacious outdoor patio and convenient take-out service and parking. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Community Day with Alexandria City High School
On Saturday, April 22, purchase a meal at Nando’s and all proceeds will be donated to student activities at nearby Alexandria City High School. Throughout the day, proceeds (minus tax and alcohol sales) will be donated directly to the school’s PTSA, or Parent Teacher Student Association.
“Come and grab a meal at Nando’s, either dine-in or takeout, and help support our students,” said Katy Matthews, president of the Alexandria City High School PTSA. “We thank Nando’s for their generosity and welcome them back to the neighborhood!”
