An acclaimed chef’s new barbeque-style restaurant, situated in an African-style brewery in Cape Town, is every meat lover’s dream, says Greg Landman. We review The Hoghouse Brewing Company.

Food

Famed chef PJ Vadas (formerly of The Roundhouse and Camphors at Vergelegen) has gone all country-and-western with this new venture, The Hoghouse Brewing Company, which is more Texas at its yummiest best than local braai. Things like beef brisket, lamb belly, buttermilk fried chicken, and pulled pork or pork spare ribs will make any meat lover feel like they’ve found heaven.

Food at the The Hoghouse Barbeque. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Starters to nibble on include nice-and-sticky BBQ chicken wings, tortilla chips with avocado guacamole, and smoked beef croquettes – deliciously crunchy on the outside, filled with a rich goulash and served with tangy coriander pesto.

Sides to note are the mac and cheese, the duck-fat potatoes, the superb pineapple kimchi, and the best sliced pickles this side of Dallas. And PJ’s homemade hot sauce is so fabulous, he should consider bottling it, like film-star ‘cowboy’ Paul Newman did.

Drinks and dessert at the The Hoghouse Barbeque. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

For dessert, the homemade ice cream comes in five flavours, including an irresistible salted-caramel version with just the right amount of smokiness.

Drinks

HogHouse Ales are on tap and there is a selection of intriguingly delicious wines.

Service

Smooth and friendly.

The interior at The Hoghouse Barbeque. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Ambience

If you’re looking for haute, this is not for you. Set in a courtyard in an industrial setting in Ndabeni, it’s trendy, with no frills. On arrival, a cute little railway engine with fire in its belly greets you. Inside, there are long benches and counters, a washbasin for rinsing those greasy fingers… and down-home pleasures galore, y’all.

AND…

As it’s increasingly popular with families from the surrounding suburbs, bookings are recommended.

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

Have you sampled the sticky goodness on offer at The Hoghouse Brewing Company in Ndabeni? Write a review here.

A view of the kitchen. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.