Miriam’s Kitchen, Cape Town CBD

Updated: 26-01-2022

HOUSE REVIEW:

The great Gatsby, humble Hotdog and sublime Salome all come home to roost in this, the Cape Town CBD’s most famous and potentially most frequented take-aways. Episode 3 of Iconic Takeaways in Cape Town takes us to Miriam’s Kitchen, which is legendary for hearty and tasty fair at reasonable prices.

Miriam’s has been around for over 25 years. A family run fast food business that has maintained its standard and innovated to include a second branch that has comfortable seating as well as a Salaah room that caters for their many Muslim customers. There are 2 branches in town, one on St Georges Mall and a second one on Heerengracht street directly opposite Burger King. Can’t imagine anyone opting for Burger King though if they had to choose.

Miriam’s extensive menu ranges from Burgers, Sandwiches, their famous Gatsby’s and Salomies to choices for the not so hungry like Samoosa’s, Pies, Koeksisters and Batata Wada’s. They even do curry and rice. It’s typical Malay and Indian food with a Cape Town twist. It’s the kind of place where everyone goes.

Suits rub shoulders with cut-offs and sneakers. Office workers escape the high rise for a quick lunch or send a colleague to collect the floor’s order. Yes, they take phone order’s as well. I admit with great shame that even though I am a born and bred Capetonian, I only recently had the Miriam’s experience.

I popped in one afternoon after a meeting in town and true to form opted for my firm take-away favourite, the quintessential double hotdog. Now why it’s taken me this long is rather unforgivable (but I hope you’ll forgive me) because it is quite simply the best hotdog I have had to date.

A flavourful spicy vienna and fresh salads makes all the difference. On the HFH hotdog meter it scores a handsome 9 out of 10. Now I don’t know if I will ever give a 10 out of 10. Not sure if that’s even possible. No one can have everything….. right?