CHEEKY (adjective): impudent or irreverent, typically in an amusing way.

It is also a word often associated with social media sensation that is Nando’s.

In many ways it is an apt description for the Portuguese themed chicken chain. Nando’s is that easy halfway house between eating out and fast food. It is not serious, it’s fun and there is a soda fountain to prove it.

The chain has gained in popularity over the last few years and now no high street is complete without a little cockerel inviting you in to choose how hot you would like your chicken.

With such a simple premise, tasty grilled poultry done your way, it has gained mass appeal across a large spectrum of society.

It might not be a fine dining experience, but it does cater for all to a reasonably high standard.

Across the restaurant floor you will see families eating out, office parties, tracksuited teenagers and League One footballers on dates. There was much excitement in the Swindon Town squad when the Regent Circus branch finally opened earlier this year.

It is that particular venue in focus here. On the top deck of the shiny new development along with a dozen other familiar names in high street eating, Nando’s fits in perfectly.

The exterior is modern and seemingly promotes an al fresco adventure, but given the restaurant is situated on what is essentially a large traffic junction it is advisable to sit indoors.

This is where the Nando’s experience can become a little confusing. Now you are inside you are presented with queues of people ordering food from a counter, however you will be seated like you would in any restaurant.

The menu is dominated by chicken in various different forms, but vegetarian’s fear not, you are provided for (although I would question quite why you would be choosing to eat at Nando’s in the first place).

Generally the choices centre around whether you want a cut of grilled chicken in a number of different sizes, or you want chicken in something and how many sides you want to go with it.

There are also plenty of mini-dish options for you to create your own tapas-style set-up if you want.

Me and my friend decided to keep things pretty simple.

I opted for a wrap, adding halloumi cheese and pineapple as extras, with a side of spiced chips.

My friend opted for the new ‘Churrasco Thigh Burger’, with the addition of the wonderfully named ‘macho peas’ to accompany his chips.

We also decided to share a ‘wing roulette’ plate because we are the kind of guys who like to live dangerously.

Now is the point where the queues by the door suddenly make sense to the unacquainted. Having made your choice of meal you head back to the entrance and give your order to a grill artist behind the counter.

Much like in your ubiquitous Wetherspoons remembering your table number is key. Especially with previously unapparent variables you are about to be presented with.

You will be asked how hot you would like your chicken to be cooked, with a choice ranging from lemon and herb (very mild seasoning) to extra hot (a bit of a nose burner). It does feel like something of a question of your character and we both opted for hot to save face.

Nando’s does have a wine menu, as well as a choice of beers and ciders, but we are not that cheeky, opting instead for the refillable soda fountain.

The service is exactly what you expect from a successful chain. Polite and efficient, as befits their style Nando’s staff are a bit more laid back which creates a nice level of informality in the dining room.

The food appeared very quickly and was certainly tasty. The portions do not look huge, but with the spices it can take time and several drink refills to finish.

As both our choices were mostly best eaten with ones hands it was a bit messy, but my wrap held together admirably.

The burger fared less well and suffered from a poor bun to meat ratio, with little left to hold apart from chicken by the end. Still my friend said he preferred it that way around.

With the wings as well we certainly got our fill, though they were not nearly as dangerous as they sounded. In fact I ended up adding the freely available extra sauce to my share to spice things up a little bit.

In the end we could not finish everything. The leftover wings came home in takeaway box, for which I was grateful later.

Considering we spent £40 on everything it was pretty good value for money, even if it was just spicy chicken and chips. Nando’s is good for a quick lunch or in the evening if you have got plans to do things after.

It is not an event, it is not serious. It is just a little bit cheeky.