Eat Out critic Diane de Beer gets into the swing of things at Mustang Sally’s Pub & Diner in Hatfield, where burgers and crazy cocktails and shakes keep the crowds happy.

1950s cars set the scene at Mustang Sally. Photo supplied.

Fast facts

Cost: Average main course of R99
Serves: Diner food starring hamburgers and cocktails
Best for: Gathering the family for a night of informal dining
Star rating: Food 4, service 4, ambience 4

Food

If you want to fall in line with the ethos of Mustang Sally’s, opt for one of the burgers (from R69 to R99) with names like James Dean, Classic Sally’s or John F Kennedy Hottie. But you’d better be hungry because the portions are generous, with a homemade, slightly toasted oblong-ish bun, a tasty patty and all the other accouterments including crispy well-made chips. This is a fine meal.

Our recommendation? The burgers. Photo by Kobus Saayman.

If you’re after a lighter meal you could try the Oriental citrus-and-smoked-chicken salad or the smoked-chicken salad on smoked bread. For the meat obsessed, there’s a range of steaks, chicken flatties and, meatballs and spaghetti. The food is smartly dressed, of good quality, and rich and flavoursome for this fast-food genre.

Drinks

The wine options are quite sad, so opt instead for one of the sassy cocktails, from classic mojito to sassy strawberry daiquiri – the presentation will be deliciously over the top. Else go for one of the extravagant milkshakes: salted caramel, death by chocolate in the Frenzied series or one of the Naughty milkshakes with an alcoholic element. These shakes are so extravagant they’re almost vulgar, but they are the absolute cherry on top of the theme and real scene stealers.

There are no puddings, though the milkshakes are more pudding than drink. Photo supplied.

Service

It’s quite a large operation, with people streaming in and out, large tables and lots of noise. The members of staff have to be hands-on to make it work, but luckily they’re good and fast on their feet. There seems to be a comprehensive plan in place to keep the customers happy and the place humming sweetly.

Dine with Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Elvis at Mustang Sally. Photo supplied.

Ambience

This is diner country with happy red, white and black interiors; pictures of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean; 1950s cars; loud music; and food that embraces all of this with playful exuberance in both colour and approach. It’s all done with flair and extravagance at Mustang Sally’s, so if you’re thinking of a quiet night out, this isn’t your venue. It’s the kind of place where you gather your clan and have a night of jollity.

Americana papers the cherry red walls. Photo supplied.

And…

While this is a solo operation at the moment, its success and novelty factor might multiply into further branches in the future.

Have you had the Mustang Sally’s experience in Hatfield, Pretoria? Tell us about it in a review.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.

Portions are generous and chips are crispy and well-made. Photo by Kobus Saayman.