The Chicken Shop

Although I love Nandos as much as the next British kid, and as big of a foodie I am- I am surprisingly not the biggest fan of chicken; I have even been known to liken the sometimes dry meat to 'licking the ground and swallowing' lol (I do love my jerk tho). However, when the 'Chicken Shop' came highly recommend by someone who's palette I trust, I had to make the trip...

And.. I have to say, Nandos... well, you have some serious competition! The fact that I no longer live or study near Kentish Town where it is located and because it has not yet expanded into a chain are the only things right now working in your favor (that and the free chicken/sides loyalty card--wish every restaurant did that..)

I always feel that when a restaurant menu is this limited (the chicken here of course is the focus) the standard is generally very high. Once you choose whether you want a quarter, half or whole chicken (smokey or hot), they have a choice of sides: chips, corn, coleslaw or butter avocado salad, as well as a small selection of deserts and drinks.(We stuffed our faces with the chocolate brownie and ice cream after the meal but I'm going to pretend that act of gluttony didn't happen)

I paced myself and got the quarter which is enough even for a greedy mofo like myself since I got two sides and then desert. The chips were just right; the crinkle cut reminding me but not tasting at all like school dinner chips! And the delicious butter lettuce and chunky avocado salad, a very nice change from the standard corn and coleslaw option I felt.

I'm seriously getting hungry again just thinking about it all!

My blurry pics are seriously not doing the food any justice.. but I was honestly too immersed to be taking pictures of the food (get in my belly!)

The chicken portions sizes were very generous; you really do get good value for your money here (hate when you're given good presentation but you leave the restaurant hungry--are we rationing?! I say take those leaves and fancy sauce off the side and put some more food on the plate!) and it was only roughly between £12-20 a head, not including drinks.

The star of the show was well seasoned; very succulent and juicy with just the right amount of skin that you will want to eat! The extra sauce on the table was really not needed.
I also had some serious food envy once I finished my portion and my friends, who had gone for the half size, were yet to finish theirs. That should say it all really.

The service was also great. The guys serving us were attentive but not too much for it be annoying and being able to see the chicken prepared in front of us as we ate was another plus. Surprisingly, we didn't have to queue for too long (I've heard the stories) but it is not really a place to eat if you're in a big group due to its small size. All in all I will definitely be a regular at the Chicken Shop and I highly recommend at least one visit, even if it is to see what all the hype is about.

 I am very happy to now be able to tick this one off my very long 'need to eat at' list. Next..