Something saucy at Mzoli's

Tourists, celebrities and locals stream to Mzoli’s in Gugulethu to enjoy a great vibe and some of the best meat in Cape Town.

Every Sunday crowds of people head to Gugulethu carrying their drinks, crockery and cutlery, to sample some of the best braaied (barbecued) meat in Cape Town.

Gugulethu is a black township in the heart of Cape Town, and Mzoli’s Meat, also known as Mzoli’s Butcher, is owned by Mzoli Ngcawuzele. Mzoli’s has largely been responsible for putting the township on the tourism map.

To say that Mzoli’s is a butcher that sells fresh meat is accurate, but it is an understatement. Over the years it has become a place where politicians, tourists, locals and celebrities (including celebrity British chef Jamie Oliver) hang out. Every Sunday NY115 (the name of the street) in Gugulethu is filled with people carrying their drinks and plates to sample the meat at Mzoli’s.

Many have tried, and all have failed, to get Ngcawuzele to share the ingredients in his secret spices and sauces, which are slathered on the meat before it hits the sizzling hot coals. There is nothing fancy about the venue – round and trestle tables are covered in thick red plastic, and pap (similar to polenta) is served in large enamel bowls.

“I can’t get enough of the food at Mzoli’s; the meat is fresh, well braaied and tastes delicious. I wish I could get my hands on that spice,” says Capetonian Lynne Cloete, who has been a regular at Mzoli’s for about five years. “I go as often as I can, and whenever my friends from out of town come to visit, we go to Mzoli’s,” she says.

Writing on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, Bdevries1988 of Pijnacker in the Netherlands says: “Was a amazing experience, great food, great music and a lot of amazing people. Order meat at the butcher than walk to the braai and 30 minutes later you will be eating amazing food with lovely people dancing around!”

Source: southafrica