Friday nights are Gatsby nights in Cape Town! Photo courtesy of blogs.food24.com

On any given day of the week, I’m a burger and chips-, pizza- or KFC-loving girl. But there is something about a Friday night that demands to be celebrated with a true, Cape Flats-style Gatsby.

The way the pink Viennas and hot chips fit so perfectly inside the long French roll (drizzled with tantalising chilli or tomato sauce and cut into four pieces) gets my cholesterol-filled arteries pulsating. And don’t get me started on how good a two-litre Frulati juice or Coco-Cola tastes with it.

So, where did this heaven-sent meal originate? In years gone by, Cape Flats residents would fill long rolls with whatever meal leftovers they had, and split the roll in four.

Sharing a Gatsby with loved ones has since become a treasured Capetonian tradition and one we’re eager to share with visitors.

And since sharing is caring, and I couldn’t possibly keep all this delicious goodness to myself (though I’m very tempted to), here are my top five Gatsby joints in the Mother City:

Mariam’s Kitchen

A Vienna Gatsby might be my first love, but no one makes a steak Gatsby quite like the lovely “tieties” (aunts) at Mariam’s Kitchen in the city centre.

While you’re there, place a side order for the mouth-wateringly good samoosas and half-moons!

Location: St George’s Mall, Cape Town
Contact: +27 (0)21 423 0772

Golden Dish

Driving up to this Rylands institution in a pimped-out car with your burly boyfriend and his motley crew of friends for a bite to eat at 10pm on a Friday night is a rite of passage for most local girls ... but let’s not forget that the Golden Dish is renowned for its Full House Masala Steak Gatsby too.

Location: Klipfontein Road, Gatesville Centre, Rylands
Contact: +27 (0)21 638 3796

Aneesa’s Takeaways

Polony, steak, Vienna ... whatever your preference, Aneesa’s has it.

If your eyes are bigger than your tummy and you can’t possibly eat an entire Gatsby, the Vienna parcel is just as tasty.

Location: 86 Ottery Road, Wynberg
Contact: +27 (0)21 797 5682

Bona Fast Foods

Bustling Bona Fast Foods in Grassy Park is a firm family favourite. Remember to order a second helping of its barbeque chips ... simply delicious!

Location: Victoria Road, Grassy Park
Contact: + 27 (0)21 705 3015

Super Fisheries

Rumour has it that the Gatsby was created by the owner of this popular fast food joint in Athlone in the 1970s...

Whether you’re a fan of its atchar polony Gatsby or its hake and chips parcel, Super Fisheries is sure to satisfy you.

Location: 63 Old Klipfontein Road, Athlone
Contact: +27 (0)21 696 9833

Still hungry? Try our favourite breakfast spots, halaal restaurants or sizzling coffee shops in Cape Town.