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| Nando's Peri-Peri in Gambrills |
Nando's is a chain from South Africa that sells spectacular chicken. Really great wings. Huge, meaty wings grilled perfectly and offered up with sauces that run from mild to screaming-hot. They do full chickens, salads, sandwiches and wraps (and great olives), but the 10 whole wings has been a major treat when I meet people for lunch in Gallery Place. They rank equal to my favorites at Kloby's -- and they're grilled, not fried.
Now Nando's is coming to Baltimore with one spot on Baltimore Street and a spot opening today . . . wait for it . . . in Gambrills.
I know a bunch of people commute over to Anne Arundel County, so I heartily recommend eating at Nando's. I'll drive 30 minutes to Gambrills for those wings one evening soon. (The Nando's folks turned me away from a soft open yesterday because they were quite reasonably feeding just people who had made reservations.) That food makes a worthy lunch if you work anywhere nearby.
But I must admit some jealousy because I don't know why Nando's would bypass our fair county for Gambrills. In the past week, I have driven twice along Rte 3, and it makes Rte 175 look cosmopolitan. The Nando's PR folks are lovely, and even they can't find Gambrills. They write that they're opening the restaurant in "Waugh Chapel."
Waugh Chapel is a big shopping center with a Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Joseph A. Banks and Five Below. Hello? Sound horribly familiar? If you travelled from South Africa in search of that kind of shopping, Howard County is your type of town! Nando's and Lebanese Taverna -- those are the chains that I'm rooting will roost around here.
Nano's Peri-Peri
1417 Main Chapel Way
Gambrills, MD 21054
NEAR: This is actually easy to find -- and easy to reach just east of Odenton and 30 minutes from most of Howard County. Go east on Rte 32. Take Rte 3 south. Then get off on Main Chapel Way and look for the Waugh Chapel shopping center. If you go, mention loudly that you're from Howard County. We want to get a Nando's in the second wave.
For the love of all that is holy- please bring Lebanese food to Howard County. I have no idea why we don't have a Lebanese place in HoCo 1) affluent county- yep 2) large Arab and Jewish populations- yep 3) proximity to major cities- yep 4) more than enough Indian, Thai, Korean, and Mexican places that it would find a niche- yep
ReplyDeleteI agree. We need good Middle Eastern food. I sent several emails to Lebanese Taverna years ago requesting that they open a site in Howard County. But, I never heard back from them. But, they have expanded much more since then, so hopefully they will come here.
ReplyDeleteThere has been a Nando's in the Annapolis Mall (excuse me, Westfield Annapolis :) for a few years now... it's a short drive from the Lebanese Taverna in Harbor Center.
ReplyDeleteHave they officially opened in Gambrills yet? I'm having a hard time finding out online.
ReplyDeleteWe recently moved from Oella in Ellicott City to Crownsville, which is a stone's throw away from Gambrills. We especially like the Four Seasons Restaurant in the Waugh Chapel Center. There is also a Wegmans that opened about 2 months ago. They are still building, so there will be other businesses in that area. My guess is that the rents are lower than in HoCo but the market is just as large.
ReplyDelete@Leah -- Yes. On Tuesday, they were serving a "soft open," and they were going to open fully by now. You're probably right about the rents.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Arundel Mills Website, Nando's Peri Peri is coming to the mall. They do not mention an opening date but it may be on Nando's website.
ReplyDeleteHey...HC..Friscos Grill is moving into the old Damons spot next to tje new Grotto Pizza-which by the way has a beautiful yet simple bar,nothing too impressive however they are planning on a possible outdoor bar in the patio out back..Also to answer your question: a true Irish Pub....You must venture to the Irish Channel, also run by real Irishmen w/accents...Ask for Marty..
ReplyDelete@Vic -- Is this the Friscos from Columbia? Did you hear that they're moving form Columbia or opening a second location?
ReplyDelete