Surf Riders
Where:
17 Erskine Terrace, South Beach
Open:
Daily 6.30am to 6pm
Call:
0713768684
Whenever I have a friend from up country visiting, I always make sure we lunch at Surf Riders, the casual beach shack down on South Beach. So when a friend came down from Sabie, I had no problem recommending it.
On a great day there are few better spots on the beachfront from which to take in the view, and this was a great summer day. We started, simply because we were starving and had skipped breakfast, by sharing a portion of hand-cut chips which are a lesson to many Durban establishments on how to cook chips properly. These were coated in a tasty cheesy sauce.
This was to mop up the gin and tonics, with Surf Riders offering an interesting range of craft gins, and unusual mixers. Even the new blueberry tonic is worth a mention. It matches the establishment’s classic blue margarita.
And then we were going through the casual beach grub menu, debating whether to go the fresh fish route, cooked in the pizza oven, or the classic seafood pasta, or a classic hot dog smothered in chilli, piccalilli and cheese sauce. My friend was tempted by one of the thin-based pizzas, preferably with seafood. I enjoy its bacon feta and avo creation, but have had one with fresh seared tuna when it’s available.
Then our eyes spotted the specials menu and something one doesn’t see often in Durban - soft shell crab.
LA-style soft crab burger with pineapple relish, avo, fried seaweed, jalapeño mayonnaise and crispy fried chips.
This was done as a burger (R150) along with a pineapple relish, avo, deep fried seaweed and jalapeño mayonnaise. The crab is cooked whole. Yes, you can eat the shell, and is coated in sesame seeds before being deep fried. It effectively becomes the burger patty.
The result was sensational, the natural sweetness of the crab and the spiciness of the jalapeño working well together with the crunch of sesame seeds. It is served on a bed of those delicious chips. Such simplicity doesn’t come better. And then a few more G&Ts to while away a perfect afternoon, followed by an excellent coffee before the trip home.
Food:
4½
Service:
3½
Ambiance:
4½