The best Gatsby in Cape Town according to locals

Try the original signature sandwich in Athlone or a vegan one in the CBD Last Update: 7 October 2020

The gatsby is one of Cape Town’s most iconic dishes, so we asked our readers on social media where to find the best signature sandwich in the city. The results are in: here are the top 10 places to get your gatsby (or gebba, to those in the know), according to Capetonians.

THE ORIGINAL FROM ATHLONE The unassuming Super Fisheries shop in Athlone is owned and run by Rashaad Pandy, reputed to be the inventor of the original Gatsby, so you can expect authentic subs here. Their focus is on fish and calamari-filled super sandwiches, but they still sell Rashaad’s OG combo: polony, chips and achar. “The original is still the best,” says CapeTownMag reader Bevan Francis. Emlyn Mac agrees, and says everything is always fresh. “The meat to chip to roll ratio is perfect,” he adds.

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63 Old Klipfontein Road | Athlone | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 696 9833

WELL WORTH A ROAD TRIP “I drive from Durbanville just to get a fix of this,” says Ashley Chinna about Steelies Fast Foods. Nabeelah Dada also takes the road trip to get a fix of the masala steak gatsby. “When I lived in Cape Town, they were my number one choice. And for the last two years, I will drive down monthly for a full house steak gatsby. I have never seen a gatsby so overloaded with masala chips, drenched in sauces, juicy and tender steak, fried egg and polony and viennas. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.”

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Quay 7, East Pier, V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)83 461 2369 | [email protected] | steelies.business.site

EVER HAD A CHEESE BURGER GATSBY? From plain chips to butter chicken, spicy mutton curry, and even a cheese or chicken burger gatsby, Cape Curry’s selection “is just awesome”, says Tishen Nair. “Also the best and freshest chips you will find anywhere in Cape Town.” As a vegetarian, Sayurika Govender says the chips and rolls are perfect. “What more could I ask for … I also can’t have one anywhere else anymore.”

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535 Lansdowne Road, Lansdowne | +27 (0)21 761 2081 | www.facebook.com/capetocurry

FROM GOULASH TO RUSSIAN SAUSAGE A personal touch is what sets Golden Dish apart. The long-time, family-run institution sells an incredibly diverse range of gatsbys, from a goulash full house to a Russian sausage and a cheese and perinaise mix. “Hands down the best gatsby forever,” says Amanda DeWet. “Really tasty, flavorsome and value for money.” Tersia Martin is a big fan of the “fresh, tasty, juicy and yummylicous” full house steak gatsby.

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Gatesville Shopping Centre | Cnr. Klipfontein and Hazel roads | Athlone | +27 (0)21 633 7864 | thegoldendish.co.za

A SAUCY FAVOURITE Founded in 1973, the family-run Cosy Corner is the only takeaway store in Cape Town that makes a flame-grilled rump steak gatsby. It’s also particularly popular for its basting sauce, which is made from olive oil, honey and the freshest ingredients. “If you ask me, the best chargrilled steak, egg, and cheese gabba is Cosy Corner,” says Irfaan Mukaddam. The chicken tikka gatsby is Aarti Singh Chinnasamy’s top choice.

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119 Ottery Road | Wynberg | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 797 2498 | cosycornertakeaway.co.za

THE SECRET’S IN THE SPICE Aneesa’s Foods – there’s one in Wynberg and one in Montague Gardens – serves a wide range of both traditional and more innovative gatsbys, all filled with freshly fried chips and a special secret spice. CapeTownMag readers’ favourites are the chicken as well as the Vienna gatsby. “Aneesa’s masala steak gatsby is to die for!!” says Headley King.

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86 Ottery Road | Wynberg | +27 (0) 21 797 5682  | www.aneesas.co.za Cnr Esso Road and Montague Drive | Montague Gardens | +27 (0) 21 551 7123

THE PLACE TO BE IN THE CBD Not only is this super sandwich hotspot very conveniently located (there are two stores in the heart of the CBD), but Mariam’s also makes a killer (and perfectly spiced) full house steak gatsby – think masala steak, eggs, chips, cheese, braised onion and salad. “When you are in the CBD, then Mariam’s will do the trick,” says Pierre Estienne.

31 Heerengracht Street | Foreshore | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 421 3636 101 St Georges Mall | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 423 0772

ONE FOR THE VEGETARIANS “They make the most delicious veg gatsby and even meat eaters appreciate their gatsbys,” says Kashmiri Beesham. Lekker Vegan is the home of the Lekker Gatsby, which can feed two to five people. The sandwich contains vegan meat strips, grated cheddar, hot crispy chips, red onion, jalapeños. There’s also a half gatsby option that feeds one to two people. “For those of us that don’t eat meat – Lekker Vegan. It smashes it out the park!!!” says Karen Walker.

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East City: 37 Barrack/Harrington Street | +27 (0)76 734 7098 | lekkervegan.co.za  Kloof Street: 105 Kloof Street, Palmhof Centre (Checkers Centre) |  +27 (0)76 734 7098

MASALA STEAK THAT’LL BLOW YOU AWAY “When it comes to gastbies, I think I’ve had it at almost every spot possible in CPT,” says Stephan Max Jacobs Right. “One place that blew me away is Time2eat in Cape Town CBD. Omg, their full house masala steak is on another level, beats all the top named gatsby spots I’ve tried in CPT. Their salads on the gebba are always fresh, [and] the boss and his wife are always running the front desk with amazing cleanliness and customer service.” Need we say more? You won’t find them online, so you’ll need to head over to their shop on the corner of Burg and Castle Streets.

Corner Castle and Burg Streets | CBD | +27 (0)21 427 9009

IT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD From mega steak to boerewors and mutton, The Food Planet uses the best quality ingredients and all their food is freshly prepared. Many Capetonians travel from the other side of the city to order from this halaal eatery. “Had a chicken and cheese gatsby last night. Oh my word, heavenly!!! Fresh, tasty and a huge portion of all the fillings,” writes Elize Reynecke in her review of The Food Planet. “The service was excellent. This will be our ‘go to’ take away place in future.”

1 De Kock Street | Onverwacht | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 853 8883 | the-food-planet.business.site

— Salomies, viennas and chips or the best gatsby in Cape Town at Miriam’s Kitchen.

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Find out where you can order vegan and vegetarian meals. Article Originally appeared on Cape Town Magazine