Mzoli’s.

Last Saturday, one of our friends took us to Mzoli’s butchery and restaurant. It is in the Guguletu neighborhood and it was like nothing we have ever experienced. Please read more about it here. What we were told is that it started as a butcher shop in 2003, then they started braaing their lunches and they put some tables out to eat at. More and more people came and by 2006 it was incredibly popular for the locals and tourists. This place has a “bare bones” menu (there isn’t actually a menu…), so you need to come prepared. Beware: not vegetarian friendly.

The Butcher Shop.

The seating area.

What to bring on a trip to Mzoli’s:

-Napkins/paper towels! I cannot stress this enough.

Street vendors and car guards.

-Baby wipes if you hate the “sticky” feeling on your fingers.  

-Your own drinks: water, soda, beer, alcohol, mixers. Your choice!

-Own cups (especially if you brought stuff for mixed drinks). If you forget some, you can buy some cups made out of beer bottles from street vendors across the street.

-Plates.

-Silverware (mostly if you bring sides; every one eats the meat with their hands) and a knife (to cut the bigger pieces of meat). 

-Side dishes, if you so please. You can buy sliced bread there if you want. 

Drinking glasses made out of beer bottles.

The braai. See how smokey it is?!

Meat!

Gotta represent!

 

How it goes: Bring cash. They have ATMs there, but they maybe in disrepair or out of order. Go to the butcher (to the left of the dining area) and choose your meat. They have various cuts of chicken, beef, pork, lamb and they have boerewors sausage. You can order a marinade if you want- I suggest you do, it’s the best part! You carry your tub of meat down the hallway out back and leave it in queue. Then, spend many minutes searching for a free table…

After...it really was yummy!

Before, in our tub.

The hookah, and the bread!

 

The Saturday we went, at about 1:30 was cray-zy! It felt like spring break in Tijuana! It’s a possibility that it was the weekend before Varsity starts up here again, but I sure wasn’t expecting it. People were dancing at their tables, drinking, smoking on hookahs, and there was a DJ spinning tunes. It is hot in there, so they have water misters that turn on sporadically. Be prepared to wait at least 45 minutes for your food, so eat some of your snacks while waiting- but not too much because the meat is the main attraction!

The crowd.

We would definitely go back, but during the week to see if it is a more mellow atmosphere. Its funny- we almost felt too old for it, but not quite! And there were people definitely older than us there…

Partay!

P.S.- Wear clothing that’s nice but you don’t mind getting dirty if need be!

 

P.P.S.- I tried a South African Twix bar and it tastes nothing like the USA’s. I think the cookie crisp is different.

Song of the day: After Party by Ozomatli. 

The sound and picture aren't perfect, but it's the best video of this song on the internet.