Eat Out and SAB are on a quest to find the best pub lunch in the Eastern and Western Cape. Over the past couple of months, some of the Cape’s favourite pubs, bars and grills have been taking part in the #BESTPUBLUNCH campaign. They’ve each been offering a pub lunch and draught beer special as their entry – but it’s down to you to pick the winners by casting your vote here: bestpublunch.co.za. The campaign ends today.

We’ve been announcing the winner each week on Eat Out, and sending one of our own critics to report back. (See the previous winners here.)

Rascals in Kenilworth is our latest winner. Here’s what our writer, Lauren Josephs, has to say.

The deal

The Rascals SAB pub lunch deal is masala steak with hand-cut fries, grilled tomato, fried onions, two eggs and toast, served with a draught of Castle, Castle Lite, Hansa or Black Label, for R75.

A photo posted by Brett (@brettwebb) on Sep 27, 2014 at 5:58am PDT

The pub

Situated a stone’s throw away from KFC in Kenilworth, Rascals is perched on a corner in the residential part of the suburb. The restaurant is not too busy during the lunch-time rush, but you can almost immediately tell who the regulars are, especially when a table for six people has been reserved for one. Your best bet is to grab a spot outside on a warm summer day to enjoy the fresh breeze and the view of the mountain peeking from behind the apartment buildings and houses – unless you’re a non-smoker, that is. The area comes complete with a flatscreen TV and a sports schedule below it, so the outdoor crowd won’t miss a thing.

The interior is split into two parts: the slightly dark bar area with round barrel tables and high chairs, and a more well-lit section with comfortable restaurant tables and chairs to enjoy your meal.

 

 

A photo posted by leandri (@appleblondes) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:40am PDT

 

The food

Although seasoned with masala, the steak lacked a bit of salt and could have been more tender. The hand-cut chips were the favourite: golden brown and crispy on the outside, while soft and creamy on the inside, they were similar to slaptjips. Be sure to keep the tomato sauce close at hand. The portion size of this pub lunch deal offers good value for money.

A photo posted by Bryan Pitcher (@bryan_pitcher) on Nov 14, 2015 at 8:01am PST

The beer

Served ice cold, the draught is perfectly refreshing on a hot day. Castle, Castle Lite, Black Label and Hansa are available on tap.

And…

Also consider one of the Rascals pizzas with a draught, as this seems to be popular amongst the patrons.