The last time we were in Kwekwe, years ago, it looked like a scene from an old Western movie.
By Le connoisseur
The only thing missing were the tumbleweeds and horses hitched with their heads down in front of a dusty saloon.
It was during the height of the Zimbabwe dollar inflation era and tumbleweeds, had there been any, would have been quickly hunted down and sold in a supermarket, if only to fill the shelves!
We would have liked to have stopped for some refreshments, on our way to Bulawayo — but there was nothing to stop for. We had our fuel stowed away in 20-litre drums in the back of the vehicle and our refreshments were sandwiches made from the worst bread in living memory, and cold, stale coffee in the basket between the seats.
Desolation alley was then a pretty good description of the place!
So our return there recently was a revelation! The town was clean and bustling. Buildings had been refurbished, painted and a general air of prosperity was palpable.
Again we were en route to Bulawayo, but this time had the satisfaction of stopping at a choice of well appointed garages loaded to the gunnels with fuel, and at the recently refurbished Nando’s for some welcome refreshment.
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Parking was a wee bit of a problem, given that one must, of necessity, hitch one’s “hoss” outside Nando’s on the busy main street of this now, definitely more than a one hoss town.
Nonetheless we did succeed, and we then strode eagerly into the restaurant at 12:45pm and were immediately ushered to a table. It was good to see the takeaway section bustling; obviously the lunch-time trading session was in full swing and the Zimbabwean preference for all things chicken is alive and well in Kwekwe!
We were seated next to a family with two impeccably behaved children who were also enjoying a full chicken with a mountain of chips, and, pleasing to see, a large helping of salad per person. The décor is subtle and appropriate — red checked table cloths — without the “kitsch” sometimes associated with fast food outlets.
Gentle music played in the background, and a welcome and clever observation was the placing of a large central wash-stand in a discreet corner of the restaurant.
Quite honestly, you can only tackle a good chicken with your fingers, and this was a welcome, functional and hygienic “finger bowl”, in a very accessible place.
Service was friendly and efficient, and our order arrived at the speed you would expect in a fast food outlet of this nature. Expectations to me are prompted by what you personally expect in a restaurant, and outlets such as Nando’s are always a “you see, you order, you take away”. Or, in our case, as we had chosen to eat in — you eat! No frills, no fuss, no soft lights and chandeliers.
Value for money at Nando’s
I was pleasantly surprised by the eating-in Nando’s option in this many hoss town!
The décor is tasteful and functional, the service efficient, and the value for money hard to beat.
This franchise concept has got it right. They serve up a good product and go that little bit extra to make sure that your experience if eating in, is a pleasant and enjoyable one. You certainly do not get the feeling that you are a “number” being processed.
So we’ll definitely be back on our next foray to Bulawayo, happily again without our dodgy sandwiches and flask of cold coffee!
Speciality Restaurant – Afro Portuguese 4 plates Expect to spend US$8 to US$18 per head
