Lima Sopoga, a former All Blacks player, visited the Golden Dish establishment in Athlone to try the Gatsby masala steak for the first time. His trip to Cape Town coincided with the match between the All Blacks and the Springboks in the second test match of the great rivalry at the DHL stadium.
Although football was the main reason for his trip, Sopoga decided to take time to explore another side of Cape Town by going searching for a Gatsby. He chose the Gatsby masala steak at Golden Dish in Athlone, which allowed him to experience one of the Mother City's most famous local dishes.
Golden Dish has been serving Gatsby in Athlone for many years and is regularly mentioned as one of Cape Town's well-known spots for this large sandwich. The restaurant's menu features various Gatsby combinations, including the masala steak option.
The size of the sandwich impressed Sopoga. The Gatsby masala steak was generously filled with chips and salad, as well as a generous amount of steak, all packed into a large bun. It was difficult for him to handle, let alone take the first bite.
Sopoga shared a video of this experience on Instagram, showing his followers his culinary adventure in Cape Town. He wrote: 'Join the people. Eat where the locals eat.' He described his visit to Athlone and Golden Dish as an experience that allowed him to see the Cape Town he wanted to see.
Local music also added a distinctly local flavor. Sopoga used the track Wes-Kaap by YoungstaCPT in his Instagram post, thereby bringing a piece of Cape Town's music scene into his gastronomic adventure. Instead of visiting typical tourist spots, Sopoga decided to spend time in Athlone and try a dish deeply rooted in Cape Town's food culture.
The Gatsby itself is synonymous with Cape Town, as it originated in the city and has become one of the most recognizable snack creations. Sopoga fully embraced this experience, even eating his Gatsby in the Golden Dish parking lot instead of waiting for a more traditional meal.
For someone visiting Cape Town during a football tour, this was certainly a different way to get to know the city. Sopoga's culinary journey takes place against the backdrop of the All Blacks' preparation for the third test match against the Springboks at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday. After South Africa won 33-26 at the DHL stadium, the series was tied 1-1, and attention will now turn back to the field. However, Sopoga's culinary path continues; his next culinary challenge is to try wagyu steak for the first time.