The greatest gatsbys in and around Cape Town.
Cape Town’s famous gatsby is filled with unique flavours that are bound to satisfy any craving.
The gatsby, an extra long sub, is packed to the brim with meat of your choice (steak, chicken, fish, calamari, viennas or a vegan alternative), hot, seasoned to perfection, chips and crunchy salad. It is then topped with a choice of mouthwatering sauces with the option of adding extras like fried egg or cheese to make it a “full house”.
The Great Gatsby
No trip to Cape Town is complete without trying a gatsby, but did you know that this creation happened purely by chance? Rashaad Panday, the owner of Super Fisheries in Athlone, accidentally created this famous meal in 1974.
Panday, who was serving lunch to a group of workers, rustled up a quick meal with ingredients from his kitchen. With only fresh chips, a round Portuguese loaf, polony and homemade atchar, Panday assembled what is now known as the gatsby.
The creation, hailed as a “Gatsby smash” by one of the workers, was added to the menu the next day. This fast-food meal, which underwent a few tweaks, remains a favourite on the eatery’s menu.
If you want to indulge in a gatsby, here are a few spots to check out. PS: Go hungry…
Super Fisheries, Athlone
Known as the “Home of the original Cape Town Gatsby”, Super Fisheries is in the bustling area of Athlone. Ravenous customers line the street to get a serving of their famous gatsby, which includes variations with polony, fish, calamari and even a Russian sausage.
The eatery serves hundreds of gatsbys daily, all prepared in their quaint kitchen. A crowd pleaser is their super calamari, fish and chips gatsby served with their special sauce.
Location: 63 Old Klipfontein Rd, Athlone
Price: From R75
Contact: +27 21 696 9833
The Golden Dish, Athlone
The Golden Dish, known to serve some of the best savouries and gatsbys in the Mother City since the 1960s, offers an expansive gatsby menu.
There’s something for everyone, whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian. Options include polony, boerewors, Russian, vienna, masala steak, chicken, and a vegetarian gatsby crammed with cheese, chips, salad and a perinaise sauce.
Location: Shop 1 Block 1 Gatesville Shopping Centre, corner of 1 Klipfontein and Hazel Road, Gatesville
Price: From R55
Contact: +27 21 633 7864 or +27 74 576 7730
Wajid’s Chicken Tikka and Take-Aways, Strandfontein
Catering for “all those who love good food”, Wajid’s Chicken Tikka and Take-Aways is a hidden gatsby gem in Strandfontein that serves up an assortment of gatsby options. Tuck into their polony, vienna, chicken, boerewors and masala steak gatsbys, served on a bed of chips, salad and a sauce of your choice.
Location: No 2 Admirals Drive, Strandfontein, Mitchell’s Plain
Price: From R73
Contact: +27 73 110 1106 or email wajidtikka@gmail.com
Mariam’s Kitchen, Various Locations in Cape Town
The famous Mariam’s (as it’s known by its regular customers), located at Foreshore, CBD, Pinelands and Crawford, is synonymous with their authentic Cape Town cuisine.
Their famous full house masala steak gatsby with chips, braised onion, egg and cheese, doused with a sauce of your choice, is the talk of the town.
Other options include chicken with mayo, chips and cheese or a succulent vienna gatsby.
Locations:
122 Kromboom Rd, Crawford
91 Jan Smuts Dr, Pinelands (Inside Old Mutual HQ)
101 St Georges Mall, Cape Town City Centre
31 Heerengracht St, Foreshore
Price: From R135
Contact: https://mariamskitchen.com/
Aneesa’s, Various Locations in Cape Town
There’s no doubt that Aneesa’s is famous for its vienna and chip parcels, but their gatsby is equally tasty.
The eatery offers various options, including masala vienna, polony and chicken.
Their full house with a specially prepared masala steak, fried eggs, cheese, freshly fried chips, fresh garden salad and Aneesa’s special spice is also a fan favourite.
Locations:
Montague Drive, Montague Gardens
86 Ottery Rd, Wynberg
Belgravia Estate, Klipfontein Rd, Athlone
Victoria Road, Grassy Park
Price: From R90
Contact: https://aneesas.co.za/
Cosy Corner, Wynberg
Established in 1973, Cosy Corner confidently claims the title “Home of the Gatsby”. Catering for all types of tastebuds, gatsby options include fried masala spicy rump steak, chargrilled chicken fillet, fried calamari and hake as well as vegetarian and Beyond plant-based pattie options. The gatsby is served with chips with sauce or spice.
Location: 119 Ottery Rd, Wynberg
Price: From R90
Contact: +27 21 797 2498
