Cape Town - To celebrate its 40th birthday, Brad's Grill in Harfield Village, Cape Town, is serving up a little more than just its famous steak.
This year, owner Brad Steele has committed to helping customers pay their municipal bills.
In June, 1976, Steele opened his restaurant on the corner of Lansdowne and Belvedere roads. Steele moved the restaurant to its current location on Second Avenue in 1984.
“I know of at least two companies that started in 1976. Brad's Grill and Apple. Both are related to foods, but one is slightly bigger than the other,” Steele said.
In 1976, Steele entered a competition for South Africa's best pepper steak and he won. That steak is still a popular mainstay on the menu. At that time, there was only one other restaurant in the road. Now there are 13.
“I have customers who have been with me from day one. I've seen men become old men and their children become parents, bringing in their children and even sometimes their children's children,” Steele said.
To show his appreciation for the neighbourhood and to celebrate the 40th birthday, Harfield Village customers can bring in a copy of their telephone, rates or electricity bills and Steele will pay R40 towards the account.
The restaurant will hold other specials as well, which people can follow on Facebook. It will all culminate in a special night with everything on the menu costing R40.
Steele said he will be happy running the restaurant for the next five years, but hopes it will live on under the ownership of one of his employees. His daughters, one of whom is a chef in London and worked with Gordon Ramsay for eight years, have their own established careers.
Brad's Grill is open Mondays to Sundays, 6pm to 11 pm, and for lunch on Father's Day.
Cape Argus