The week I met Shelly, a faithful 2Summers reader who is in the middle of an epic trip around Southern Africa. (By the way, this is the coolest thing about blogging. I have fans!)
Shelly is awesome — she brought me tons of cool stuff from the States, including my favorite breakfast cereal, American baking chocolate, and birthday presents from my parents. She decided to spend some extra time in Jozi specifically because of my blog. So Joe and I wanted to show her some local places and treat her to a nice dinner.
Turns out Shelly introduced us to a new great place in our own home town.
A South African tour guide in Cape Town told Shelly that when she went to Joburg, she had to try Dukes Burgers in Greenside. Greenside is just around the corner from Melville and Joe and I have driven past Dukes a thousand times. But for some reason we’d never been until now.
Dukes. Like the rest of Greenside, it’s hip. But there’s substance behind the hipness.
I could spend a few paragraphs describing Dukes’ elaborate burger menu, the non-traditional combinations, and the hilarious burger names. But honestly, I don’t have time and nothing I write could get the message across better than this photo:
Dukes Burgers’ flagship menu selection: ‘The Dukes’. Beef patty, grilled pineapple, mushrooms, fried tomato, sunnyside-up egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, gherkins, cucumber ribbons, and onion rings. And potato wedges. Joe ordered this and ate most of it. He’s a brave man. He said it was great but he would have preferred less deep-fried stuff.
Dukes offers beef burgers, ostrich burgers, lamb burgers, chicken burgers, and veggie burgers. I had the ‘Big Bird’ — an ostrich patty with red wine, chocolate sauce, delicate greens, and deep-fried rosemary-infused butternut. That’s right, rosemary-infused butternut. It was delicious.
Shelly had the ‘Mrs. Sam’ (little sister to the ‘Uncle Sam’) — a 120-gram beef patty with tomato relish, gherkins, cucumber ribbons, and a selection of add-ons.
‘Mrs. Sam’ with salad. And yes, that is a chocolate milkshake. Dukes has an extensive milkshake menu.
I’ve written a few posts about burgers. In fact, the post I wrote about the Spur Burger is one of my most popular. But my Dukes burger put the other African burgers I’ve eaten to shame.
A 2Summers burger post would be incomplete without a photo of 2Summers stuffing her face.
Dukes Burgers range from about R70 to R90 (about $9-$11).
I’ll be offline for a while, as I’m leaving on an exciting trip tomorrow. I won’t say where I’m going but here’s a hint: There will be donkey carts.
OMG–those burgers are amazing. They put the Hardees burger I had a couple of hours ago to shame.
And I have to agree. The best part about blogging is meeting other bloggers. In just the last few months I’ve met Emily of “Hey from Japan” and Lisa of “Woman Weilding Words.”
And do I EVERY KNOW how great it is to have things like your favorite cereal from home when you’re living in some far away part of the world!
Good luck with your adventure! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Kathy
I know, seriously. I’ve been really lucky the last few months — two different people have brought me massive amounts of Barbara’s Shredded Oats, and I also brought some back myself in Sept. But eventually it will be gone and I’ll be back to South African cereal. I love it too much to ration it.
These burgers are truly spectacular works of art. Never seen (or tasted) anything like them.
Greenside is an amazing place – with sooo many fantastic restaurants! must say that Greenside Cafe is a definite favourite too!
I need to get to the Greenside Cafe – haven’t been there yet but heard many good things.
their pizzas with sourdough are absolutely delicious! as is the banoffee pie!
I don’t really like burgers and I feel like I need to go to this place! These burgers feel like a personal challenge – can I manage the whole thing? Not sure. Do I need to work out for 2 hours the next day? Yes.
I think you’re up to the challenge.
I miss Barbara!!! 🙁 You’re making miss Trader Joes now! I am going back in December and can bring you more if you like!
Oh, don’t even get me started on Trader Joe’s. I might cry 🙂
Oh and Dukes is amazing!! 🙂
Oh and Dukes is amazing!! 🙂
Wow…that is the coolest looking burger place I’ve ever seen and those burgers are a work of art. Are you going to Morocco? Hmm…Donkey carts. Staying in Africa or heading south?
Yes, you must!
Nope, I didn’t go to Morocco but that would be really cool :). I was in South Africa. You’ll find out soon!
Wow…that is the coolest looking burger place I’ve ever seen and those burgers are a work of art. Are you going to Morocco? Hmm…Donkey carts. Staying in Africa or heading south?
Yes, you must!
Nope, I didn’t go to Morocco but that would be really cool :). I was in South Africa. You’ll find out soon!
Oh my word…hamburger are my fav meal, of all time….I NEED to go there…and SOON!
Oh my word…hamburger are my fav meal, of all time….I NEED to go there…and SOON!
Antoinette says were going tomorrow night.
Did you go?
Antoinette says were going tomorrow night.
Did you go?
what a towering burger in the second pic.
May your trip turn out to be as exciting as you expect it to be. Catch you once you are back.
Thanks Joshi. I’m back now and it was great. More to come.
what a towering burger in the second pic.
May your trip turn out to be as exciting as you expect it to be. Catch you once you are back.
Thanks Joshi. I’m back now and it was great. More to come.
if this place is as good as savoy then i am in luck….i love burgers and savoy was AMAZING thanks to you and michelle for the rec.
Glad you liked it! Not sure Dukes is quite in Savoy Cabbage’s league. But just as good in a different way 🙂
if this place is as good as savoy then i am in luck….i love burgers and savoy was AMAZING thanks to you and michelle for the rec.
Glad you liked it! Not sure Dukes is quite in Savoy Cabbage’s league. But just as good in a different way 🙂