There is little better than a messy, smoky, saucy, fall-apart mouthful of pulled pork. Whether it’s sandwiched between two soft buns, tucked in a toasted tortilla, or shredded on top of a cheesy pizza, the unctuous slow-cooked meat is making an appearance at many trendy restaurants around Johannesburg. For your next saucy fix of this barbecue delicacy, here are some eateries serving pulled pork in the city of gold.

The pulled pork pizza at Craft. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Craft Restaurant (Parkhurst)

Known for juicy burgers and thin-crust pizzas, this hip Parkhurst spot wouldn’t be complete without a serving of house-smoked pulled pork. Fans of the smoky, gently cooked meat can tuck in to two equally popular offerings. Try the smoked pulled pork sliders for R98 with three mini burgers packed with fall-apart meat and sweet onions, or the pulled pork pizza topped with smoky shredded pork, grilled apple, onion petals, mixed peppers, and fresh wild rocket (R115).

The pulled pork taco at The Foundry. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Foundry (Parktown North)

This trendy tap house and kitchen offers sidewalk-style dining with rustic, gourmet eats. Their pulled pork offering is dressed in a smoky, moreish barbecue sauce and served in a soft shell taco. The meat is served with a tangy Asian slaw with a side of crunchy root vegetable crisps for R75. Wash it down with a cleansing Boston Indian Pale Ale, or try their own Franky Four Fingers lager.

The Hill Café (Braamfontein)

Sit in the sun and take in the surroundings of the heritage-rich old fort at Constitution Hill. The historical space has a restaurant that buzzes with young foodies and offers a menu of sustainable, super-fresh eats. Sink your teeth into their barbecue pulled pork bun. The smoky, tender meat is sandwiched between freshly baked brioche buns and served with refreshing, crunchy coleslaw for R60. The bun also comes with a side of hand-cut chips or an herb salad.

The pulled pork bun at The Hill Café. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The National Eatery & Speakeasy (Parktown North)

This Jozi favourite is serving up some glorious barbecue dishes made in their Texan Reverse Smoker. For something with a little Mexican flare, try their free-range acorn-fed barbecue pulled pork tortilla. The tender meat is served with a soft tortilla wrap and a side of guacamole, charred corn and tomatillo salsa, and a smoked paprika mayo (R90)

The National’s pulled pork tortilla. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Smokehouse and Grill (Braamfontein)

You know you’re going to get great barbecue grub at this dedicated smokehouse. For a pulled pork fix, try their Reuben sandwich for R120. This is no ordinary sarmie: the dish is comprised of a 15-hour smoked pulled pork shoulder that is served on rye bread with sauerkraut, German mustard, emmenthal cheese and smoky rashers of bacon, accompanied by a side of crunchy fries to mop up the sauce.

Where’s your favourite spot for comforting pulled pork? Tell us in the comments.

The pulled pork Reuben at The Smokehouse. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.