Fast food fanatics believed that only McDonald’s had a secret menu, off which you could request special items if you were in the know.
But now it has been discovered that Nando’s also has off-menu choices and secret hacks that only super fans know how to order.
However a handful of these secret menu tricks have now been shared on social media for everybody to enjoy.
From cheesy mash and secret marinade flavours to the hidden hacks that will get you a Nando’s burrito or a garlic bread bun, these are the items every fan of the South African restaurant chain needs to order next time they visit.
And even grime artist Stormzy is a fan of one of the tricks.
1. NANDO’S BURRITO
You can create your own Nando’s burrito by asking for your usual wrap, such as Prego steak and chilli jam (pictured) and a side of spicy rice, and then filling the wrap with the rice
There’s a number of ways you can order your very own Nando’s burrito, according to Cosmopolitan.com.
Simply ask for your normal order in a wrap (for example, Prego steak with chilli jam) and also order spicy rice on the side.
Then when your food arrives, unwrap the wrap and stuff it with the rice.
Wrap back up and enjoy your custom-made Nando’s burrito.
2. THE #MERKY
Stormzy used the secret menu to create a halloumi and garlic bread burger and asked Nando’s to add it to their menus – so they did
This burger is a favourite of Stormzy, who inspired Nando’s to add it to the chain’s menus for a time.
The London grime artist tweeted that he had created a secret menu hack by sandwiching halloumi between two slices of garlic bread.
It prompted Nando’s to create the #Merky burger, the name of Stomzy’s record label, which is a burger of grilled halloumi in a toasted Portuguese roll with garlic and chilli.
However for the real deal, just order a halloumi burger and a side of garlic bread to recreate your own.
3. CHEESY GARLIC BREAD
You can order cheesy garlic bread even though it’s not strictly on the menu if you ask for slices of cheese from the Sunset burger to top your side of bread
Nando’s doesn’t have cheesy garlic bread on its menu – but it’s definitely an option on the secret ordering list.
All you need to do is request garlic bread and slices of cheese that usually top the Sunset burger.
Some restaurants will place the cheese on top of the bread for you, which will melt onto the hot bread.
Otherwise, you simply place the slices of cheddar onto the garlic bread and dive in.
4. HIDDEN FLAVOURS
If the spice levels at Nando’s are too much for you, or you want to keep the calorie count down, you can in fact order your chicken in the Peri-Tamer flavour off the kids menu, which gives the meat a mellow barbecue flavour.
However if you want that barbecue taste with a kick, there is another option.
Ask for the Peri-Flamer, and you will get the adult version: barbecue chicken with a Peri-Peri kick.
5. FANTOKE
Footballer Dele Alli started a trend of people mixing Coca Cola and Fanta at Nando’s, which the athlete calls a ‘Fantoke’
This isn’t strictly a Nando’s specific hack, but it originated at the chain.
It was made famous by England footballer Dele Alli, who tweeted that he always mixes Coca Cola with Fanta at the soft drinks station when he visits a Nando’s.
He called the drink ‘Fantoke’ – and now his fans have been doing the same ever since, and tagging the Tottenham Hotspur star in photos of their creation.
6. GARLIC BREAD BUN
Many Nando’s fans have discovered that you can replace burger buns with garlic bread to create your own secret menu creation. One fan also added extra Perinaise to call their masterpiece the ‘Garinaise’ burger (right)
Similar to the Merky, you can make sure that any burger you order has a garlic bread bun by ordering garlic bread on the side of your usual order.
Then, simply swap the bread for your garlic bread and you have a garlicky creation.
One called their creation the ‘Garinaise’ burger, after also ordering a side of Perinaise to slather on top.
7. CHEESY MASH
Just like the cheesy garlic bread secret menu item, you can also create cheesy mash by asking for an extra slice of cheese to top your creamy mash side dish with
Apply the same principle as cheesy garlic bread and you can hack the menu so that you have a bowl of cheesy mash.
Simply ask for slices of cheese from the Sunset burger and a side of creamy mash, and put the cheese on top.
Hey presto, cheesy mash!
8. RICE AND PEAS
If you’re craving rice and peas at Nando’s, simply create your own by mixing the restaurant’s Spicy Rice with its Macho Peas
Rice and peas is a traditional Caribbean and Ghanaian combination that is the ultimate comfort food.
It’s of course usually made with kidney beans – but if you just want to make your rice more interesting, then you can make a version at Nando’s using normal peas.
Just ask for a side of spicy rice and macho peas, and mix together on your plate.
