South African Portugese fusion resturant, Nando's Peri-Peri opens new College Park location

Nando’s Peri-Peri, an international chain, known for its flame-grilled chicken, opened its 26^th U.S. restaurant in College Park.   

Soon after Ratsies, the late night pizza joint on the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Knox Road, closed in April heavy construction began. The restaurant was gutted and remodeled over the course of several months.

Anticipation built as the South African Portuguese fusion restaurant began to take shape. The restaurant's grand opening started Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 11 a.m. sharp.


The music was blasting and the energy was high as people filled in and out of the restaurant. Hostess Harley took a quick break from her duties as a greeter to talk about how opening day is going from her perspective. 

Students were excited to finally have a Nando's in College Park. Junior, Mina Abdu is no exception.

In 2008 the first Nando’s on US soil opened in Chinatown, Washington, D.C.
However, the Chinatown location is different then the one in College Park. Every Nando's is unique. Nando's prides itself on being a chain that doesn't have a cookie cutter feel. 

South African artist, Kilmany-Jo Liversage, was commissioned to paint a mural on the alley wall next to Nando's.  

The company tries to support South African artists by having them featured in the different restaurants. Nando's Peri-Peri started in South Africa and the company wants to stay in touch with its roots.

The Nando's legend is that Portuguese explorers looking for spices landed in South Africa where they tasted African Bird's Eye Chilli. 

This spice also known as Peri-Peri eventually became the base for Nando's secret sauce. The explorers' ancestors used the ancient spice rub to create the first Nando's Peri-Peri in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nando's also tries to make a positive impact in each community it becomes a part of. In College Park, Nando's partnered with UMD Campus Pantry. As people entered the restaurant hostess Harley greeted them and reminded diners of the partnership.


Not only were the opening day profits donated, the following Monday and Tuesday's profits were also added. Three full days of profit were given directly to Campus Pantry, totally $29,700. That is 3,604 pb and j's and 29,403 cans of vegetables. The graphic below demonstrates just how many sandwiches could be made with the donation.

Campus Pantry collects and donates non-perishable food items to University of Maryland, students, faculty and staff who struggle to afford food.

College park is considered a food desert. This means it its residents have less access to food, especially nutritious options. This is why Campus Pantry is so important, it provides for members of the community in need.