It's been a long time since I posted. Most people thought I gave up entirely posting on this blog. But guess what, I was still chowing everywhere in Durban just to see if all these places I reviewed before were still doing justice. Well let's say, some of them got better and some of them need to give it up. They must start selling pie and gravy instead.
The price of the bunny has skyrocketed everywhere. Meat prices are really killing the affordability of this famous meal. Some restaurants are even selling a shorter quarter just to keep it affordable.
Anyways, let me get on with my adventure. So the 2023 winners of the Bunny Chow barometer was BP Chatsworth Circle, ya - the one opposite the stadium. So these guys were runners up a few years back and they used to sell a good chow but slowly died off. Living in Chatsworth all my life, but only bought a chow here about 5 times. The last bunny I bought was a 1/4 chicken and it was not bad. This was about 5 years ago.
When I heard that they won the competition, first thing came to my mind was some funny business here. Those that have been reading my blog over the years know my stance on the Bunny Chow competition. Apparently now the judging has got even worse. I first wondered how this place was able to compete with the big boys like Chettys and Curry Ous and still beat them. I had to investigate this for myself.
My mum in law was in hospital for about a week and got discharged today. She told me she felt like eating a bunny. I told her I'd get one for her, my wife and myself. This was a perfect opportunity for me to go and try the famous BP Bunny. So I hit a quick drive, less than ten minutes from my home to there.
So being a Friday around lunch time, I was expecting to see a huge line and expected long wait times. When I got into the shop, to my luck the line was very short. I was able to place my order within 2 minutes. While placing the order, one aunty that purchased a bunny earlier brought it back in to complain that they gave her a chicken bunny instead of the mutton she ordered. Then about a minute later her husband came in as well to complain that they waited so long for the food and was given the incorrect bunny. Anyways the owner of BP express was there and told the aunty they will swap it out but she must come show her receipt. The aunty didn't have it with her. The owner did say the right thing because what if these people were pulling a fast one. Anyways it's good practice to give the customer the benefit of the doubt.
When the angry couple left, the owner of the joint had a few nasty things to say but I won't mention it in my post. Anyways I paid for my 3 x mutton bunnies and went and parked off in the corner where the tables and chairs were. There I met a few other patrons that were waiting for their bunny's and we got talking. They too had come there to test out this bunny because people are still in awe of how BP Chatsworth Circle clenched the title. Whilst chatting away, the owner of the joint came with the the other patrons bunnies. They had ordered 5 mutton, but they only had 3 ready. So they had to wait a few minutes more for the other 2. I was then called to stand in the collections line and was given my 3 bunnies within 10 minutes or less. Those other patrons placed their order way before me and still had to park. I felt guilty for getting mine so quickly.
On the way home I started thinking about what had happened in the shop and how this bunny was gonna taste. The Facebook posts that I was reading the past few days were mostly negative. People that haven't eaten the bunny as yet were complaining that it was bad or having bad experiences at this place. How's that for us chaarous? Being armchair critics.
Anyways, I got home and started to unravel this bunny. The size was OK. Not too small. The aroma was beautiful. The smell of a freshly cooked curry that was allowed to rest for a few minutes. I poured myself a Pepsi max and took the first bite. My tongue had to acclimatize to the flavor and heat, so I only got the full taste in the second bite. I have to be honest here, the chow was too nice. I couldn't believe it. I stopped talking and started to map this thing. Meat and flavor with every bite. I don't think there was a single piece of potato in the bunny. This thing was loaded - more meat than bread. And all 3 were like that. Worth the R90. Even the salad was a winner. Sweet and tasty.
Likes = Flavour on another level. Meat was soft and plentiful.
Dislikes = the salad portion was too small. It tastes so nice and compliments their bunny, so I believe they should give more.
Overall verdict = 8.5/10
Before I bought this chow today, I was criticizing this joint because I never ate a very good chow here before. I was telling my colleagues these ous must have paid the judges off to win. Today, I am eating my words. Never judge a book by its cover or believe the negative Facebook comments. Go try it for yourself and make the judgement.
Ps. Even my wife and mum in law finished their entire bunnies. I have never seen this happen before. This will tell you how good it was.
