SOUTH EAST LAKEVIEW — One month after the first Nando's Peri-Peri in Chicago opened in the West Loop, Lakeview residents can give the spicy chicken a try this weekend.
Nando's will open Wednesday at 670 W. Diversey Pkwy. near Clark Street, with a soft opening Sunday through Tuesday. Ahead of the grand opening, Nando's will donate all customer proceeds at the new location to After School Matters.
It'll be hard to get in the door on Sunday, Nando's warns, as it was taking reservations and is already booked. The restaurant will be open for lunch Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and all day Tuesday, and reservations are not required after Sunday.
In May, Nando's raised $18,445 in donations with the same soft-opening fundraiser in the West Loop. A third location in Lincoln Park is opening in September.
The popular South African/Portuguese restaurant first moved to the United States in 2008 after capturing the hearts of spice addicts from Australia to Zimbabwe. The peri-peri chicken, named for the chile that flavors the sauce, is marinated for 24 hours, then grilled and basted.
The international chain prides itself on "completely unique" location designs featuring earthy textures, bright colors and original art work.
Menu options range from a quarter-chicken with a side dish for $7.25 to $51.45 for a jumbo platter — two chickens and two extra-large sides, for four to six people.
Sandwiches, featuring not just chicken but also ribeye steak and roasted vegetables, come on Portuguese rolls, pita bread or whole wheat wraps. Salads accented with that peri-peri chicken and desserts round out the menu.
Contributing: Stephanie Lulay and Janet Rausa Fuller.
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