Oporto is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year with more outlets opening in South Australia, adding to the 140 stores across Australia and New Zealand.

Oporto founder Antonio Cerqueria couldn’t find authentic Portuguese chicken in Australia, so he opened a chicken shop in North Bondi, NSW, in 1986. And the rest is history, as they say!

I must admit I hadn’t tried Oporto’s food before, so I was looking forward to the new menu launch.

We began the evening with a sangria mocktail, which was very refreshing!

The jalapeno bites, which I was expecting to be firey hot, weren’t (thankfully!). They were warm and crispy, with a little spice!

The grilled pita and garlic dip was enjoyable with soft warm pita bread dipped in the very garlicky garlic dip. Probably shouldn’t double dip!

The chicken strips with prego sauce was a lot spicier than I was expecting, with the chicken flame grilled and succulent.

Side dishes included Portuguese tomato salad, which was lovely and fresh and cut through some of the spiciness.

And you can’t go past the flavour of grilled corn!

We tasted the double Bondi burger with two, grilled chicken breast fillets, lettuce, cheese, creamy mayo and Oporto’s chilli sauce.

And the spicy chicken embrulho (wrap) with crunchy slaw, spicy rice and a jalapeno and lime sauce. Or the spicy chicken saladeira with crunchy slaw, spicy rice and a jalapeno and lime sauce.

And what better way to finish off the meal, than with churros with a chocolate dipping sauce!

We took a tour of the kitchen with an explanation of how the company began. They use a lot of South Australian produce and source their chicken from their original supplier in NSW.

I really enjoyed the freshness of the food and seeing it grilled to order in the kitchen.

** I was an invited guest.