south africansandwichbeeffriesstreet foodclassicbeginner

Gatsby

Name: Gatsby
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: South African
Ingredients: 300 g beef rump steak, thinly sliced; 2 tsp masala spice blend; 1/2 tsp fine salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 300 g potatoes, peeled and cut into thin fries; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1/4 tsp fine salt; 1 small loaf, about 250 g French loaf; 60 g shredded lettuce; 60 g pickle slices; 80 g tomato sauce

This Gatsby is a messy, satisfying Cape Town classic: a crusty French loaf stuffed with masala-spiced steak, golden fries, crisp lettuce, pickles, and plenty of tomato sauce. It is bold, hearty, and ideal for sharing straight from the paper, just like a proper takeaway version.

30 min

2 servings

850 kcal

South African

Ingredients

Steak and seasoning

300 gbeef rump steak, thinly sliced
2 tspmasala spice blend
1/2 tspfine salt
1/4 tspblack pepper
1 tbspvegetable oil

Fries

300 gpotatoes, peeled and cut into thin fries
1 tbspvegetable oil
1/4 tspfine salt

Loaf and fillings

1 small loaf, about 250 gFrench loaf
60 gshredded lettuce
60 gpickle slices
80 gtomato sauce

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 230°C and place a baking tray inside to heat. Toss the potatoes with the oil and salt until evenly coated.
2
Spread the fries in a single layer on the hot tray and bake for 18-20 minutes, turning once halfway, until golden at the edges and tender inside. For the best beginner-friendly result, avoid overcrowding the tray so the fries roast rather than steam.
3
While the fries cook, mix the sliced steak with the masala spice blend, salt, black pepper, and oil. Let it stand for about 5 minutes while you prepare the loaf and fillings; this short rest helps the seasoning cling to the meat.
4
Split the French loaf lengthwise without cutting all the way through, then lightly press out a little of the soft interior to make room for the filling. Set out the lettuce, pickles, and tomato sauce so assembly is quick once the hot components are ready.
5
Heat a large frying pan over high heat until very hot. Add the seasoned steak and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until browned and just cooked through. If the pan looks crowded, cook in 2 quick batches so the meat sears instead of releasing too much liquid.
6
Warm the loaf in the oven for 2 minutes if you like a crisper crust. Fill the loaf with the hot steak, then the fries, then the lettuce and pickles. Spoon over the tomato sauce generously from end to end.
7
Cut the Gatsby into 2 large portions and serve immediately while the fries are still crisp and the steak is hot.

Nutrition per serving

850 kcal

Calories

39g

Protein

79g

Carbs

41g

Fat

Fiber

Notes

•For an even faster 30-minute version, use very thin steak slices and cut the fries skinny so they roast quickly.
•If you prefer a more traditional takeaway-style texture, wrap the filled loaf loosely in paper or foil for 2-3 minutes before serving; this slightly softens the bread and melds the fillings.
•A little extra tomato sauce at the table is classic, and chili sauce can be added if you want more heat.

Background

The Gatsby is a famous Cape Town sandwich believed to have originated in the 1970s in the suburb of Athlone. Known for its oversized loaf packed with meat, fries, and sauces, it became a beloved shareable street-food meal across the Western Cape.

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