Nando’s withdraws popular menu item leaving customers furious and complaining ‘life’s ruined’
NANDO’S customers are demanding the return of a popular plant-based meal after it was removed from certain restaurants as part of a trial.
The chain’s “Great Imitator” wrap is a veggie option containing strips of pea protein designed to taste like its famous Peri-Peri chicken.
One who described themselves as “a vegetarian who doesn’t want to eat beans and mushrooms all the time” said on X: “I miss the Great Imitator wrap!
“Went to get one the other day. I didn’t even look at the menu as I always get the same thing.
“I was gutted! Bring it back! Please?!”
A second said: “We eat at Nando’s semi-regularly but for my wife being pescetarian and mindful of protein intake means nothing else on the menu is suitable.
“(Not everyone likes beans and halloumi is very high in fat).”
A third added: “FURIOUS with @NandosUK for taking the Great Imitator wrap off the menu here.”
And a fourth said: “It would not be an exaggeration to say you have ruined my life by not letting me order the Great Imitator, please tell me this isn’t a permanent change?”
A fifth added: “Why have you cancelled the great imitator? It’s the best thing on the menu especially for those who prefer plant based alternatives. Lost a very big market there.”
Nando’s has explained the removal of the product – which comes laced with spicy mayonnaise sauce, lettuce and chilli jam – was a trial in selected restaurants.
It told The Sun: “We often trial different menus in select restaurants as we develop new products and flavours for our customers. You can still find delicious plant-based options on the menu in these trial restaurants.”
The chain won’t confirm how many restaurants are involved, but it appears the trial is taking place mostly in branches in the South East of England and London.
Other Nando’s veggie options include burgers, wraps, and pittas containing either beans or spiced chickpeas.
The chain does not call the Great Imitator a vegan dish because of the risk of cross contamination from chicken cooked in the same kitchen.
It also may contain shellac, a resin made by bugs, in its glaze.
But it was nevertheless welcomed by animal groups when it was introduced in 2020, including the PETA organisation, which had been urging Nando’s to add vegan chicken to their menu.
At the time, the charity’s spokeswoman Dawn Carr said: ”PETA is delighted to have played a part in Nando’s journey to putting this delicious plant-based chicken on the table.
“Nando’s can’t guarantee zero risk of cross-contamination, so it’s not calling it vegan, but all the ingredients in the burger and pitta versions are completely animal-free – right down to the mayo – we say these are an excellent choice.”
What’s new at Nando’s
In May, fans were elated that Nando’s permanently brought back its peri-peri gravy.
The chicken gravy first launched on a trial basis in 2018 and was last seen on menus in 2022.
But Nando’s brought the item back for good two months ago.
It’s quite normal for restaurant chains to change things up to keep customers on their toes and give new products a try, or ditch less popular ones.
Nando’s has also just recently launched a peri-peri ketchup, which is available to buy in Asda for £2.50.
You can read more on the story here.
What is on Nando's summer menu
NANDO’S has launched nine new items across its restaurants.
We reveal the new items added to menus below:
- Peri-Chicken Gravy
- Fully Loaded Wrap – made with pulled chicken, avocado, pink pickled onions, lettuce, a crunchy, garlicky Peri-Peri crumb, smoky Peri-Tamer sauce and creamy Caesar dressing.
- Spicy Rice Bowl – Spicy Rice with long-stem broccoli, crunchy rainbow slaw, pickled cauliflower and houmous with Peri-Peri seeds.
- Mediterranean Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Portuguese Tomato Salad – trio of semi-dried, sweet baby and salad tomatoes with cucumber and pink pickled onions finished with South African dressing.
- Wild Herb seasoning
- XL Wing Platter – 15 wings with a choice of two large or four regular sides
- Cloudy lemonade
- Strawberry & Dragon Fruit quencher
- Bottomless Soft Swir
Saving money at Nando’s
Nando’s Rewards is free to sign up to – enter your details online and get your digital loyalty card, which you can add to your Apple wallet.
Every time you spend £7+ on food, you’ll be rewarded with one chilli. You can exchange those stamps for free food once you hit three, six or 10 total chillies.
When you’ve collected three chillies (£21 minimum spend), you can unlock a green reward allowing you to choose a starter or a 1/4 chicken. This is worth around £3-5 in value.
Once you’ve collected six chillies (£42 minimum spend), you get an orange reward – a wrap, burger, pitta or 1/2 chicken. This is worth around £7-8.
If you make it to 10 chillies (£70 minimum spend), you unlock a red reward of a full combo meal of your choice or a whole chicken. This is worth up to £15 in value.
To redeem your rewards, simply scan your QR code when paying, or place an order using your freebie.
Beyond the loyalty point offer, there are a few ways you can save money next time you’re at Nando’s.
If you’re a group that’s big enough, try buying a combined meal instead or ordering separately.
Research by moneysavingexpert.com found you can save up to £10 by opting for platters rather than individual meals.
For example, if you’re ordering two whole chickens and five large sides, it’ll cost you £60.05 if you’re buying the items separately.
But if you go for the “Family Platter” instead, you’ll pay £49.95 – £10.10 less
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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