Tag Archives: Mowbray

A return visit to On a Roll (aka the Dog Kitchen)

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DSC04334I actually couldn’t believe that it’s been almost a year since my first visit to the Little Mowbray gourmet hot dog spot, On a Roll.

It certainly wasn’t because I didn’t love it, cause I really did and you can read my original review over here.  I guess I blame it on that continuous search for the next new thing which seems to cause this problem in my life.  I’m definitely gonna have to make some more time for the ones I love. ;)

Anyways, when they then contacted me & invited me to pop in again to check out their new menu items and live music Thursdays, I was quite excited to dig into some dirrrty dogs again. (hot dogs being one of my simplest, but most treasured pleasures).  So off I went last Thursday to go check in on the Dog Kitchen once again…

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I still dig the mustard & ketchup colour scheme. Suits the style of the menu perfectly.

I had a quick catch up with owner, Peter Aruba (who is absolutely lovely btw) and he told me about their new Rockabilly style live music nights every Thursday which certainly seems to have become a local favourite hangout as the place was packed by the time Lonesome Dave (aka Dave Ferguson) started going his thing.

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Me with Peter…

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And Lonesome Dave – love this guy.  I’ve seen him live a few times at wine fests and such and he is great. Check out his MySpace page link above to get a feel for this sound.

Right, now onto those dogs…  How much do you love their brilliant names:

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Makes you want to try each and every one doesn’t it…

Now the last time I got myself a dog fix, I was there with quite a big group which had a good mix of girls & guys.  There were some minor complaints from the boys’ camp in that they thought hot dog roll was a bit too “run of the mill” and the size of the dogs were a little small.  There were suggestions of some kind of double dog option to appease those man-sized appetites…  

So to see what a “dude” thought of their current menu, I brought my friend Darryn along to be my test monkey (so to speak), and he was very chuffed when he spotted this key menu change:

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There you go boys!

His boet (who also joined us) tried out the milkshakes, something which we none of us tried the last time round (and I’m totally kicking myself for that one):

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This was the Chocolate Nutella brownie (R25).  I forced poor Kenneth to give me a sip (cause I’m trying to cut down on my sweet stuff intake at the moment and therefore wasn’t allowed my own one) and it was heavenly… mmmmm.

We also spotted a great special they’re running called the “Chubby Checker” (again, love the name) which includes a milkshake and a Dirk Diggler dog (anyone who’s watched Boogie Nights will get that one):

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That’s an awesome deal…

But to give the new menu items a try, Darryn went for the Bless Bridges (R50).  Being an Afrikaans dog, this baby of course comes with some boerewors ek se AND some yummy pumpkin fritters.  I went for the ZZ top (R58) which is a trio of mini dogs and a really cool way to sample 3 dogs at once – the German Shepherd, the Big Oink & the Durban ‘n All.  Love it.  Darryn’s boet, Kenneth, went for the Chihuahua (R54 – charcoaled pineapple, guacamole & lemon pepper blackbeans – I think this one used to be there, but I don’t recall anybody having it last time).  This is what these babies looked like:  

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Clockwise from top left: Bles Bridges, ZZ top, their amazing fries which you get with every dog, and the Chihuahua.  Looks gooooood doesn’t it…  every dog also comes with 2 hot & spicy sauces and a tangy relish.  So you can add to your taste.

First thing Darryn picked up on was that they’d also changed their buns, which he gave his stamp of approval.  So on the previous complaints front, the Dog Kitchen had now scored full marks.  I on the other hand, who was quite a happy chappy from the first round, was still very much a big fan.  From my 3 minis, that Big Oink was my favourite.  You just can’t go wrong with crispy bacon in my book.  And Kenneth loved his charcoal pineapple topped dog as well.  So it was a big thumbs up all round!  

On a roll seems to be achieving exactly what the name implies.  And I highly recommend you go pay them a visit.

NB info:

  • Address:  78 Durban Road, Little Mowbray
  • Contact them on:  021 685 9916 or chef@dogkitchen.co.za
  • Opening Hours:  Monday – Saturday 12 to late & closed on Sundays

xxx

On a Roll serves up gourmet dogs for your enjoyment

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My love for hot dogs started at an early age.  The fam would get together every Sat eve and my mom would make hot dogs while we watched Noot vir Noot.  Yes yes, I am actually THAT Afrikaans. ;)   We’d be chowing down while watching uber cheese host, Johan Stemmet, asking contestants whether they needed nog ‘n nootjie? hehe.

I just used to think the concept of a sausage of any sorts on a roll was like the best invention ever.  Now as an adult (who no longer watches Noot vir Noot due to fear of ridicule by my friends), I still go crazy for a good dog.  In fact on my first overseas holiday to New York a few years back, my main goal was to find one of those dogs with all the trimmings you always see people tucking into on movies and TV.  But being totally new to the whole travelling thing at that time I made the mistake of going to the first hot dog stand I could find in Central Park and ordered away with much excitement.  It was HORRIBLE and all my NY hot dog dreams were totally crushed in an instant.  I’ve learnt over the years that you should always avoid touristy spots for any type of food and rather ask the locals where they’d go…

Anyhoo, back to this new gourmet hot dog spot which recently opened in Cape Town.   It’s called On a Roll and it’s in Mowbray, across the road from the original Fat Cactus.  I first got wind of it about a month back and have been dying to check it out since.  The thought of gourmet dogs didn’t just get me excited though, I had 11 friends who wanted to tag along just at the mention of it!

The interior is very simple with a mustard & ketchup theme.  This is definitely “no frills dining” – but I personally loved it.

I actually think this would make the perfect first date spot.  I mean guys, seriously now, you should never open up with your “A game”.  If you take a girl to a 5 star, fine dining spot on date # 1, where the hell do you go from there?  That just sets a standard your financial planner will hate you for.  BUT if you take her to an easy spot like this, there’s lots of room for growth.  Plus it’s a pretty good way to weed out those “gold diggers” Kanye’s always on about. :)

Now down to the dogs… There’s a good variety of sausages to choose from (and don’t worry veggies – there’s even one for you guys), they all measure in at about 22cm and they are finished off with a seriously impressive array of toppings.   All dogs are served with a bowl of fries (amazing fries btw) and little pots of chilli & garlic paste, gherkin relish & portuguese prego sauce.  Lemme show you what I’m talking about:

Boom! Damn straight, now THAT's what I call a hot diggedy dawg...

From left to right above:

  • The Chicago – R52 (my choice): Wiener with Yellow Mustard, Onion, Sweet Pickle Relish, a Dill Pickle Spear, Tomato Slices & Jalapeño Peppers
  • The German Shepherd - R55: Bockwurst Sausage with German Mustard, Granny Smith Apple and Sauerkraut
  • The Big Oink – R56 (the favourite with the boys): Debreziner Sausage with Chunky Roast Butternut, Crispy Bacon and Sage Cream

Mine was A-MA-ZING.  It totally made up for that poo hot dog I had in NY and I cried a little on the inside (happy crying of course).

The general concensus from the boys at the table however was that it was a bit too small and that some kind of double dog would be much appreciated for those man-sized appetites.  For me though, the serving size was perfect.

Owner and chef, Peter Ayub, who also owns Sense of Taste fine food catering company was really lovely and Clouds and I even got to get a quick snap with the man who totally made my day (maybe even week):

For down-and-dirrrty dawgs that will rock your world, I give On a Roll a Miss K Kiss-o-Meter rating of:

Thanks again Peter!  I’m sure I’ll be back to try and work my way through that menu.

xxx