Currently Obsessed with: Nando's peri-peri sauce!

It’s called “the most famous hot sauce you’ve never heard of,” but in Atlanta, that’s about to change. Nando’s is finally bringing its renowned peri-peri sauce to our city!

Peri-peri sauce isn’t quiet a hot sauce. The words “peri peri” mean “pepper pepper” in Swahili. So yes, the main ingredient in this sauce is a pepper: The African Bird’s Eye chilies, to be exact. They hail from South Africa, where this type of pepper is most abundant. But instead of instantly burning your mouth with said pepper flavor, peri-peri brings dimension to any food you add it to: Garlicky, oniony, lemony, smokey, fire-roasted dimension.

Here’s how to get your hands on some of this tasty South African goodness:

Buy it at your favorite local grocery store, because Nando’s is now available in more than 10,000 stores throughout Georgia, including Kroger, Publix and Fresh Market.
Attend Nando’s pop-up on the Beltlne—it’s free! But it’s only happening through May 14. Sign up here for your seat at the Braai-style dinner, a traditional South African party with grilled food, cold drinks, music and art.
Score a free bottle of Nando’s for your friend—this option is also free! You’ll be hooked after you try this peri-peri sauce, so spread the love among your closest friends!

If you’re on the fence about the Beltline Braai, let me persuade you to attend. I went to the very first installment of this pop-up, and it was incredible: You start with Nando’s-infused vodka cocktails (crafted with Atlanta’s own Old 4th Ward vodka) and peri-peri-flavored snacks, such as jerky from the Biltong Bar and homemade hummus drizzled with garlic peri-peri sauce (hello, genius idea! Totally recreating this at home, asap).

Peri-peri-infused cocktails made with Old 4th Ward vodka / (c) Patrick Fagan

What follows is a full-on feast: 24-hour marinated Nando’s peri-peri chicken, hot off the grill and served with all the accouterment. I’m talking a South African summer salad, chockfull of litchi, mango and avocado; fresh corn on the cobb with peri-peri butter; green cabbage slaw; and for desert, peri-peri King of Pops!