The P.I.T.Z serves more than steak, chops and burgers, such as fresh kabeljou
THE P.I.T.Z
208 Kenneth Kaunda
Durban North
Call: 031 563 1537
Closed Mondays
INTRO
According to its website The P.I.T.Z is a “genuine South African braai restaurant with a hint of an American theme”, which is, I suppose, a fair enough description.
This was our second visit, with the first being late last year. Inevitably it was looking a little worn and it wasn’t anywhere near as busy as when we first visited, also on a Sunday.
Its location in a somewhat worn-out hotel didn’t help its appeal. Nor did its decor, which was a little rudimentary, or the badly executed portrait of Nelson Mandela opposite the entrance. Worse, most of the tables were set up outside in what is, basically, a car park. Most car parks are bleak, but this one was particularly cheerless.
Despite that we enjoyed the food and were unanimous in believing that if P.I.T.Z was in Gateway, or similar, it would be a whole different ballgame.
THE LOOK
American buffalo (on one wall) meets Nelson Mandela (on another)! Orange and black are main decor colours with a mishmash of wooden tables plus a bar area. With limited space inside its no wonder they rely on the car park.
THE FOOD
They specialise in burgers, ribs, steaks, poultry and wraps, all prepared fresh and cooked on a traditional South African braai and served with a range of sauces. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable. Presenttinis plain.
Options include platters with nachos or a family meal which offers a whole chicken, four lamb chops, 400g ribs, brisket served with six vetkoek rolls, sauce of your choice plus chips and salad for R450
Basket options include boerewors or pork rashers or chicken wings or vetkoek sliders. All served with chips
If you want to tax your digestive system you can opt for their famous double burger with two burger patties, pork rashers, avo, melted cheese, gerkhins, caramelised onion, basil pesto mayo and BBQ sauce, all for R75
Under mains, options are a veg stack; lamb chop deluxe; and chicken supremo which was chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, onion, parmesan cheese and mozzarella served on a bed of brinjal and topped with a creamy thyme sauce
I think you get the picture by now.
We started by sharing a garlic, cheese roll, which was sinfully delicious, R22
I opted for a special, kabeljou grilled over coals and served with chips and onion rings and a mayo sauce, R75. The fish was beautifully cooked being both succulent and flavoursome. What a surprise for venue devoted to carnivore offerings. Onions rings were delightfully crispy. As for the chips, they looked as if they had been sliced up by somebody visually impaired, so random were their shapes. In fact, they were so unappealing I almost didn’t try them. But another surprise … they tasted good.
The daughter ordered a 300g rump which came with chips, R96. She said is was perfectly cooked but that it could have been a bit thicker.
Other side options are vegetables or pap or salad.
The son-in-law opted for the “bodybuilder”; 350g chicken fillets with sauce and side of your choice. His was spicy rice. Cost was R72. He too was fulsome in praise for its succulence and flavour.
THE SERVICE
Excellent service from our very pleasant waiter. Manager checked regularly if all was well.
SUMMING UP
This is a very friendly place which offers a very warm welcome and food we all know and love – and just like dad used braai.