Nando's PERi PERi - Lakeview

South African grilled chicken chain Nando’s opened their first location in the West Loop in May 2015, added one in Lakeview in June, and has another slated for July. This is great news, since the simple grilled chicken is juicy and marinated with peri-peri, a South African pepper that imparts piquant heat before quickly fading. The chicken comes in whole, half or quarter pieces, and you select an additional sauce—medium, hot or extra hot peri-peri, or less spicy mango-lime or lemon-herb—to be slicked on. The heat scale printed on the menu may appear daunting, but neither my date nor I had trouble with the hot. The chicken comes with sides, like bright peas mashed with parsley, mint and chile, soft fries with peri-peri mayo and a cucumber salad with poppy seed dressing. There are also salads and sandwiches, like Nandoca’s Choice, butterflied peri-peri chicken breast topped with crisp coleslaw and wedged into lightly seasoned garlic bread. While you order at the counter, it's a step above fast casual, with booze and funky furniture making it a place you're happy to settle in for awhile.