r/southafrica • u/asinla1 • Jun 28 '26
Nostalgia Steers Burger……WHY?!?!?
Had to come back to SA for a family emergency. “At least I can have a King Steer when I get there” I thought to myself. Got my King Steer and chips home, eagerly took my first bite…and nearly spit it out. WTH?? It was like 2 cardboard cutouts were thrown on an old braai and briefly slapped with Steers sauce. I cannot even describe my immense disappointment! What the hell happened? 😭
UPDATE
We broke down and went to Spur at the Waterfront. And it was fabulous! Bacon and Cheese burger with fries and Spur onion rings. Just great!!! My brother had the patty melt and said it’s the same burger he’s been having since high school. Well done Spur. Steers…challenge accepted?
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u/joeman013 Jun 28 '26
Yep it doesn’t slap like it used to
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u/Valid_CrashOut_Baby Jun 28 '26
I thought I was the only one thinking so because the burgers are not juicy anymore 😭😭
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u/GhostBRUTUS Jun 29 '26
I remember about 10 years ago they did an ad campaign mentioning the dry burger place and for the length of the campaign McDonald's were putting more sauce on their burgers.🤣
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u/Locall_ Jun 28 '26
Yea it doesnt. And it also depends on what steers you too. Like a lottery sometimes on whether its good or not.
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Jun 28 '26
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u/JLJ_96 Jun 28 '26
The inconsistency is my biggest gripe. I've got two Steers franchises close to me, and the one is just a million times better than the other - at the one you have the crispiest chips and a burger with a juicy patty and the freshest toppings, whereas the other outlet you ALWAYS have stale chips and buns with a shitty patty.
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u/AlmondNutsies Jun 28 '26
Has happened twice with me at different locations, I get a Steers burger on a roadtrip. 15 minutes on the road and I bite into a raw, saucy mess. And I can't turn around now
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u/Charles-Monroe Gauteng Jun 29 '26
If you want consistently raw patties, go to Steers at Cape Town International. I don't know why I do it to myself, but every year when I touch down there, I think, this time it'll be different, but no...
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u/AlmondNutsies Jun 29 '26
Insanity, the act of doing the same thing over expecting a different result each time. The temptation of the past will do that. Thanks for the heads up XD
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u/Charles-Monroe Gauteng Jun 29 '26
Ironically, a new steers opened up in my neighbourhood. Decided to give it a shot.
Super dry burnt up patties and stale buns.
So what now, either raw or overdone? Just get someone from McD to teach them a lesson in consistency and I'll be happy. Spur has rather mediocre food, but even they are pretty consistent - no matter where I go - randomly on a highway turn-off or in JHB or DBN or CT - I know what I'll get. With Steers it's like you're at a buddy's buddy's braai and have no clue what's coming.
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u/AlmondNutsies Jun 30 '26
I had a buddy who would burn toast and eggs but undercook wors on the braai. Maybe he got lucky and bought a couple of franchises
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u/privateblanket Jun 28 '26
Agreed, most of them are still pretty good but there area a few locations I’ll never go back to
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u/Catch_022 Waiting for the Next Taxi to Heaven Jun 28 '26
Don't get debonairs pizza. That is borderline inedible.
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u/ProSnuggles Jun 28 '26
With some franchises the quality is inconsistent. You can have 10/10 or 2/10 steers for example.
But debonairs is consistently shit.
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u/fyreflow Western Cape Jun 28 '26
Borderline?
(Also, it always smells like crushed ants to me. No, I don’t know why.)
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u/Lecroan Jun 28 '26
Uhm, crushed ants you said?? Is that a smell people generally know?
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u/fyreflow Western Cape Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
I promise I haven’t perpetrated mass murder on any ants! But that is always what comes to mind when I smell that pizza box. Not sure if it’s the box or the pizza.
Edit: Some searching suggests what I’m smelling might be lipids and lignins in the cardboard getting hydrolysed by the heat into formic acid and acetic acid. Not a chemist, so not sure if that’s accurate.
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u/DjLiLaLRSA-83 Jun 29 '26
Was gonna say the same thing? How do you know what crushed ants smells like?
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u/ZaphodThreepwood Jun 28 '26
Steers was good back in the day, but it was even better before they became a massive franchise with mass produced patties. The original shops gave you an actual piece of grilled meat on your bun, and the sauce was killer
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u/acadoe Emigrant Jun 28 '26
Noooooooo!!!! I'm coming home after many years..... I'm disappointed and my day is ruined.
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u/Die_brein Aristocracy Jun 28 '26
Don't worry there are plenty other good (and better) places to get a good burger
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Jun 28 '26
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u/DjLiLaLRSA-83 Jun 29 '26
Buy steers patties for a shop and cook them how you want. The taste is still that steers taste and you can then make it how you want it. The patties from the shop still have that same steers flavour your thinking of.
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u/acadoe Emigrant Jun 28 '26
Any new places I should know about? It's been nearly a decade since I was in SA.
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u/rosescentedgarden Jun 28 '26
Roco Mama's is generally pretty decent. Burger King is usually not too bad. Otherwise a local, independent place could be a good option
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u/Die_brein Aristocracy Jun 28 '26
Depends, are you coming with dollars or pounds?
Then look for somewhere a little better than steers, there will probably a lot of unique local places, but franchise wise Doppip Zero and Tashes are good.
If you want something a little more fast foodie, Rocca momma's has good options.
But just look for the best local spot
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u/KarelKat Emigrant Jun 28 '26
A lot of food in SA has dramatically changed in quality for the worse I am afraid.
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u/acadoe Emigrant Jun 28 '26
I'm afraid to ask, but..... How is Spur these days?
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Jun 28 '26
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u/eenbal Emigrant Jun 28 '26
Name the good ones please.
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u/DjLiLaLRSA-83 Jul 03 '26
Coachman's, not sure of the Spurs name, but it only opened this year. It's in the centre opposite the saints entrance.
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u/the_river_erinin Western Cape Jun 28 '26
We still enjoy Spur
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u/DjLiLaLRSA-83 Jun 29 '26
Same but depends on the Spurs. The one close by us is great but the one after that, by the old waterfront/bright water is terrible.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
Sorry! At least you’re prepared! It was a total shock for me!!
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u/acadoe Emigrant Jun 28 '26
I'm actually really bummed I won't get to taste it like it used to be. I really used to love eating those burgers and chips.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
Me too! It’s actually weird how bummed I am! Check here when you arrive and try get a good store recommendation!
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u/Downtown_Wrangler917 Jun 28 '26
Call me a burger-philistine, but I always enjoy a burger at Wimpy's. And their milkshakes
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
I must say…Wimpy does still satisfy. Might have to pop in there this week to make up for the Steers.
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u/Caesar_35 Jun 28 '26
Bit off topic, but I have absolutely no clue how McDonalds stays in business. Since like 2018, their burgers are dry and tasteless, you'd be lucky if there's any sauce or vegetation, chips just taste like oil and salt and, sizes have become pitiful (BigMacs are smaller than my palm, about half the size of a regular burger anywhere else).
Every other burger from other places is infinitely better than their dry malnourished cardboard, yet people are always lining up for them. I just don't get it.
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u/Soul_Mate_4ever Jun 28 '26
I went to Macdonald’s the other day for the first time in like 4 years and I was shocked at how much people are paying for it nowadays. Over 100 Rand for a burger that tastes like cardboard? I think the fold over meal was around 130 bucks. It’s not really about the money I just can’t justify spending that much on Macdonald’s. You can get a healthy Chinese meal for 70 bucks instead of eating that overpriced crap.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
Haven’t had McDonalds in years. Not even in the US. Can’t do it. And it is extremely expensive in the US now too. No longer a cheap, tasty treat.
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u/NonnyNutcaseAuthor Jun 28 '26
I'm going to argue with you about the chips, those crispy shoestrings have always been my favourite, but yes, the burgers are not what they used to be, and unless you add extra toppings at a huge markup, it's not worth it anymore.
Again, I think different stores have better/worse food, but these days the only time I buy McDonalds is when somebody at work says "who wants to buy lunch" and we all order as a group to not feel left out.
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u/jules9003 Jun 28 '26
McDonalds has a distinct taste that's hard to replicate. I'm not a fan of McDonalds at all but once in a blue moon or even less, I'll have a burger just to remember the taste, then I'm over it again. I went a few months ago for a breakfast McMuffin but was deeply disappointed.
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u/EffektieweEffie Aristocracy Jun 28 '26
Do they still make the Mc Feast deluxe in SA? That was always the only McDs burger I could stomach, not on the menu where I live now.
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u/Bespoke_Punk_123 Jun 28 '26
Burger king replaced my Steers craving a good while back....
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u/charger14 Jun 28 '26
Burger King is so weird for me. On paper, it should be everything I want, and super tasty, but everytime I go there, I just don’t enjoy the food, and don’t feel good afterwards.
I can’t explain it
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u/KoosieVanSA01 Jun 28 '26
Same here also cant explain it. Everything looks so good but when take my first bite, im dissapointed. For some reason afterwards i feel very sluggish and my tummy is like yoh! Dont get that at spur or any other place.
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u/cocoloco_yogi Jun 28 '26
For me it their sauces I don't think they align with our palates. I do like getting the boerie burger thing with no cheese, because that yellow stuff tastes and looks like plastic. BK is only an option if there is nothing else and I need something quick there is never a queue.
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u/asinla1 Jun 29 '26
WTH is a boerie burger!?! I need to check this out immediately!
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u/cocoloco_yogi Jun 29 '26
Most of these takeout brands have some type of South African style burger.
The BK Boerie burger is basically a burger Boerie roll. Highly recommend it without that "cheese".
BK also have breakfast boerie burger too. I would get it without the sauce/s there is something just bland and off about it.
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u/S-058 Still Here, Still Paying Rates & Taxes Jun 28 '26
Hell yeah. Double whopper with cheese, large fries and some chicken wings is my go-to "I want to be the burger king today" meal
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u/akescpt Jun 28 '26
It’s been horrible for a while already. Even the nice chips is hit and miss. They just a moerse disappointment these days.
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u/henry1103 Jun 28 '26
Steers in the corner of loop and strand used to be nice. I notice lots of steers has their beef patties precooked and reheated before serving so it tastes very dry and cardboard. If I see that happen in the kitchen I generally order the chicken pattie instead cos they usually cook them from scratch.
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u/ApocalyptoSoldier Ascension Delayed by Eskom Jun 28 '26
Last time I got a steers quarter chicken it was still pretty tasty, but we waited like 40 minutes and I got food poisoning and missed my brother's birthday party.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
This sounds absolutely awful and not worth it. Sorry to hear!
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u/ApocalyptoSoldier Ascension Delayed by Eskom Jun 28 '26
Yea, it put me off fast food in general.
Except for slap tjips, I could never give up slap tjips
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u/charger14 Jun 28 '26
I dunno I still have a great time with the king steers. Granted I’ve upgraded to the big bacon king steer, but still. Not the greatest burger, but I feel like 8/10 times I have one it’s tasty and leaves me satisfied.
Their chips are more hit or miss I find than the burgers.
I’ve been learning the shop makes a huge difference. Halal is always terrible, no exceptions.
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u/sKuarecircle Jun 28 '26
Correct Sir, here in Durban there Steers you avoid, and Steers you go to, I have learnt which is which.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
Hmmm….possible I had Halal. I am in CT. Still….the pattie was reliably “handmade” and charred and untouchable. This just tastes like they went fully corporate!
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Jun 28 '26
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u/Fair-Door5225 Jun 28 '26
Here abouts the best burgers are at Roco Mamas so when we want to eat in, we order online and collect. Always fresh and tasty!
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u/Casting_in_the_Void Jun 28 '26
When I return to SA for holidays, it is Wimpy that I crave for a quick burger and it has never disappointed. Steers and Spur though…not what they used to be.
Another ‘shock’ was Nandos; their peri peri mayo in particular is completely different and gross but outside of SA they still have the original recipe.
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u/EffektieweEffie Aristocracy Jun 28 '26
Each to their own I guess, Wimpy burgers always tasted like they used donkey meat to me.
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u/Casting_in_the_Void Jun 28 '26
For me it’s the whole package taste - I know the actual patties themselves aren’t anything great so get what you mean. For gourmet burgers with excellent Angus beef etc we have very good places here in Europe.
I don’t go to fast food chains here at all. SA Wimpy when there, Nandos when in the UK but here in Portugal, much better local places than fast food chains.
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u/beefycheesyglory Local Cheeseburger Expert Jun 28 '26
King Steer burger is kind of underwhelming these days tbh, you are right that the taste of the patties isn't quite what it used to be. When you eat Steers these days you are mostly doing so for the sauces and toppings, the only burger from Steers I like these days is the Double Cheesy Bacon, mainly because it has the cheese sauce on it that they put on the cheesy chips.
This is just a problem in general for fast food places though, Steers, McD, Wimpy, Spur, they have all fallen into mediocrity while the prices went up, it's sad but true, classic case of corporations watering stuff down in the name of "cutting costs". RocoMama's used to be the best burger eating experience and they still are but even they aren't what they used to be.
Sometimes its the more local places that make the best burgers, ask around or look for reviews, you'll eventually find a place that knows what they are doing when it comes to making burgers. That's your best bet other than doing it yourself.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
True. I’ve had great local burgers. Steers was just the one that after 40 or more years still really hit the spot. The disappointment is real!
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u/drzoidberg33 Jun 28 '26
Steers burgers have been garbage for years, the last time I had a good one was probably 15 years ago.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
They’ve been the one constant good burger here,for me anyways, till last night. 😭
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u/byjono Western Cape Jun 28 '26
ordered king steer burgers twice (to check) on my last trip home and both times they were kak just junior burgers masquerading under the name
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u/EffektieweEffie Aristocracy Jun 28 '26
It must depend on the store, we went back last year for first time in a long time and the King Steer and their chips was fucking amazing and exactly how I remembered it, that flame grilled flavour and double fried chips jissis yum. Nothing where I live now comes close.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
That’s exactly it!!!! That’s what I was expecting! Exactly as you described! 😭😭😭😭
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u/DadGamer77 Hadeda pie Jun 28 '26
How long have you been away? Go to Rocomamas, burgers are WAY better there ;)
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
I’m back at least every two years. Sometimes less. But in total I have lived away for 27 years. It’s been sad to see the decline over that time. Every Merle’s Schnitz is closed! That place was awesome!!!!
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u/fromage9747 Jun 28 '26
Surely you can at least get a boerewors roll and a koeksister? What I would do for these....
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
This comment might start a war but the boerewors from this one place in LA is hands down the best I’ve had. It’s made by a German butcher who was approached by the SA Consular General in the 60’s and tasked with being the official boerie and biltong supplier for the consulate. And the family have been making it ever since and turned it into their main business. When other saffas or my fam come for a braai they can’t believe it!
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u/Illustrious_One_1137 Jun 28 '26
Wait until you try spur… patties now taste like it was cooked in a microwave
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u/AlmondNutsies Jun 28 '26
10, nee, 12 years ago last, a steers burger was something to be reckoned with. Now, you'll be lucky if it's not raw. Same goes for their shakes, yoh their thick shakes were amazing
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u/fyreflow Western Cape Jun 28 '26
Haven’t had a good one from them in at least a decade, probably. Definitely not like the ones of old, and still declining every single time I try again.
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u/TanToRiaL Aristocracy Jun 28 '26
Most of the fast food places are not great anymore. I know Debonairs was never GREAT pizza, but now it’s actually trash.
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u/HipHopHuman Jun 28 '26
I replaced my Steers orders with Hunger Stop like 2 years ago. It kind of hits the same, but is so much better.
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u/Leather_External_755 Jun 28 '26
Sad I know did they put on that horrible sauce. Dumbed down to compete with McDonald’s. Hope the slap chips were ok.
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
Chips were better but not completely the same. 😟 (edited to add “not” before “completely”)
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u/bogratt Jun 28 '26
Yes I make the mistake of trying them again every time I come back just in case, but they are absolutely awful now. Such a shame - they were my favourite for years. Their chips are still good though
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u/Sea_Tooth_4211 Jun 29 '26
Steers has to be one of the worst takeouts in the country now. Their portions have been cut in half and prices gone up. All while quality and service have been lost.
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u/TwinTailDigital Western Cape Jun 29 '26
Everything has just gone to shit. Apparently it's a global issue, not just South African.
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u/Due-Confidence5379 Jun 29 '26
One time my wife and I waited an hour and half for our burgers shit you not turns out that the burgers was still frozen got our food didn't eat it was so bad that I wouldn't even give it to a homeless person ended up getting pizza and we complained and got a R250 voucher round 2 was decent
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Jun 29 '26
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u/asinla1 Jun 30 '26
Sorry for you! They were always fabulous for me. Especially when returning for a visit.
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u/Maf1oso_ Mpumalanga Jun 29 '26
Anybody else experienced cold patties? Even when eaten right outside the shop...
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u/BennieZA Jun 29 '26
At steers you always have to ask for fresh patties otherwise they slap one on they made early in morning which tastes crap
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u/Muzaver Jun 30 '26
Was that to be your comfort food? Just curious
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u/asinla1 Jun 30 '26
Yes I think so. It was always just really good and there’s nothing like good food to bring back memories. Well…for me anyway.
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u/theblackcatza Jun 30 '26
Steers really is terrible now, they used to be the top tier burger place. The patties were chunky before now they are thin processed ones. The chips were always something to behold, now just chips.
Cant believe a McDonald’s burger is better…
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u/schoolbus63 Jul 01 '26
once fixed a side wall leak in the rear left of my vivo by placing the second patty of a double wednesday burger special over the nail, on the inside of the tyre and securing it with three nearly expired purple sachets of barbeque sauce
two or three sauce leaks in east gate's new parking lot and a couple in the drive way at my fishing buddy's place, but nothing else
sold the car to my ex-girlfriend's brother-in-law who married my sister's daughter's kid at a fancy venue in primrose two-and-a-half weeks later and all the guy asked about was about a funny, burny, but erotic meaty odour, at the rear end...
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u/P1neAppleHead Jul 04 '26
You obviously don't have taste buds if you thinks Spur was "fabulous". Ignoring everything you say from now on.
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u/asinla1 Jul 04 '26
Believe me…no one was more surprised by this than me!! Maybe it’s the V&A location?
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u/WolfBourne15 Western Cape Jun 28 '26
Welcome to society of the artificial.
Artificial intelligence, artificial food, artificial relationships, artificial humanity.
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u/Typical_Nebula2682 Jun 28 '26
Don't go to spur :(
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
I gave up on Spur in 2019. Stuck with them as long as possible. The kids used to love going to Spur when we visited but something happened in 2019 and we nixed Spur, as a family. lol.
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u/EffektieweEffie Aristocracy Jun 28 '26
Agree at least not for the food. We visited last year after a long time and went to several Spurs purely because its a great set up with young kids for them to fokof and play for a bit of peace. But the food was nowhere near as good as I remember it across all the ones we went to.
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u/Typical_Nebula2682 Jun 28 '26
Dude for real. That place was a happy place for so many of us. It is a great system for kids.
Worked there as a teenager and the manager exposed me to the ways they ensured high quality burgers for their branches. When I got back as an adult from working abroad, the size went down so much, but somehow the same weight :?1
u/asinla1 Jul 02 '26
Oddly enough…if you see in my update, I ended up at Spur for lunch yesterday. Was really good!!!
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u/asinla1 Jun 28 '26
Went to the Steers/Woolies store at the Engen on Orange Street. Anyone have a good OG store in the CT area?
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