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5 Best Fast Food Restaurants in Johannesburg

5 Best Fast Food Restaurants in Johannesburg

Food: Of course, food is one of the main criteria for rating. We rated restaurants based on reviews about the serving size, taste, and diversity of options in their menu.

Opening hours: We especially like fast food restaurants that are open all week or at least has late closing hours. We also appreciate restaurants with consistent operating hours to avoid confusion.

Service: The best fast food restaurants are known for their fast, efficient, and good service. We mainly based this criteria on the fast food restaurant’s customer reviews.

Location: As much as possible, we only listed fast food restaurants within the city’s vicinity for your convenience. Size of the restaurant and parking spaces were also considered as the bigger the area, the more they can accommodate.

Costs: Fast food shouldn’t come too pricey, so we based this criterion on the prices of the food. Those with combo meals also get high points.

1. Akhalz Mayfair

Akhalz Mayfair Homepage

Website: http://akhalz.co.za/

Address: 1 Crownwood St, Ormonde, Johannesburg, 2091, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 11 835 4061

Operating Hours:

  • Monday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Google reviews score4.4/5
Uber Eats reviews score4.1/5
Facebook reviews score1.9/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency4.4/5
Food4.5/5
Taste and serving size 5/5
Diversity of Menu 4/5
Opening hours 4/5
Service 3/5
Location 4/5
Pricing3/5

Pros

  • Open all week
  • A mix of different cuisines
  • Large servings
  • Delivery and curbside pick-up available
  • Three locations in Johannesburg

Cons

  • Relatively early closing hours
  • A few complaints about space
  • Relatively slow service time
  • Broken online menu link

If you want to try out the best fast food that’s a mix of different cultures, much like the city, then Akhalz may be a solid option. It features flavours from African, British, American, Malay, and even Indian cuisines.

As such, its menu features burgers, fish and chips, rolls, sandwiches, and pizzas. This diversity in fast food types is the reason why we gave it high points for its menu.

And despite being a fast food restaurant, Akhalz even offers pizza that’s from a traditional oven for the maximum signature pizza taste. Based on customer reviews, Akhalz rolls and fish & chips are also worth ordering as they’re delicious and fastly served.

Patrons and casual customers also shared that Akhalz’s food comes in generous servings. 

Unfortunately, serving can take a while – at least that’s what we heard from other customers (our own experience didn’t involve a long wait). To add to this minor con, Akhalz doesn’t have an online menu where you can check its prices.

But the great thing about Akhalz is that it’s open all week, so you can satisfy your fast food cravings anytime. Do know that it’s only open from brunch time until early dinner.

We also like that Akhalz does deliveries and curbside pick-ups. Its Ormonde location also has adequate seats, but a few customers have mentioned that this location is a bit cramped.

Luckily, it has two other locations within the city centre. That’s also the reason why we still gave it a high score for its location.

2. Honchos Fordsburg

Honchos Fordsburg Homepage

Menu: https://www.honchos.co.za/menu/

Website: https://www.honchos.co.za/

Address: 28 Mint Rd, Fordsburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 84 501 5827 / [email protected]

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Google reviews score4.1/5 
Uber Eats reviews score4.4/5
Facebook reviews scoreN/A
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency4.2/5
Food4/5
Taste and serving size 5/5
Diversity of Menu 3/5
Opening hours 5/5
Service 4/5
Location 4/5
Pricing5/5

Pros

  • Occasional promos, specials, and raffle 
  • Multiple locations within the city
  • Delivery available
  • Affordable meals complete with freebies
  • Mobile application for easy ordering
  • Consistent and all-week operating hours

Cons

  • Some complaints about the service
  • Relatively limited to chicken meals

Honchos is home to one of Johannesburg’s best fast food-level flame-grilled chicken that comes in various flavours. It also has fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and shawarmas, giving its customers ample food choices.

Honchos even offers combo meals like the family meal and deluxe meal. These combo meals come with either fries, rolls, extra sauce, drinks, and sometimes, even healthy vegetable salads as sides.

Even better, the prices for all these meals can be found through its online menu, so you can prepare your budget beforehand. We also appreciate how it has occasional special promos for its patrons, the most recent being the Win a Car promo. 

Based on customer reviews, Honchos’ food is worth every penny. Previous customers also praise Honchos for its pricing and portions, which is why it received a perfect score for these criteria.

Unfortunately, several customers that praised Honchos’ menu also raised complaints about poor service.

But what really makes Honchos stand out from its competitors is that it has its own mobile app. This way, you can directly order from the restaurant and skip long delivery times.

To add to its inclusivity, Honchos also has up to three locations in the city alone. But the best thing of all is that among the best fast food restaurants in Johannesburg, Honchos closes the latest. 

Additionally, Honchos also has consistent opening hours for a whole week. These reasons are why we gave Honchos Fordsburg a perfect score for its opening hours.

3. Shaik’s Fast Food & Curries

Shaik's Fast Food & Curries Homepage

Menu: https://www.shaiksfoods.co.za/wp/menufull/

Website: http://www.shaiksfoods.co.za/

Address: Shop 1, Industria Centre, Albertina Sisulu Rd & Opposite Newclare Cemetery, Industria West, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 11 474 2903

Operating Hours:

  • Monday – Thursday, Saturday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Google reviews score4.1/5
Uber Eats reviews score4.5/5
Facebook reviews score3.7/5
Total reviews3/5
Score consistency4.2/5
Food4.5/5
Taste and serving size 4/5
Diversity of Menu 5/5
Opening hours 4/5
Service 3/5
Location 4/5
Pricing5/5

Pros

  • SANHA approved
  • Numerous delivery options
  • Transparent pricing posted online
  • Daily specials
  • Catering services available
  • Early opening hours 

Cons

  • Early closing hours
  • Some complaints about slow service

Now, if you want to find the best fast food restaurants in Johannesburg that still bring a touch of home cooking, then Shaik’s Fast Food and Curries should be among your top choices. 

Shaik’s Fast Food and Curries features meals with strong flavours, including curry and rice meals, roti wraps, chips, bunny chow, burgers, sandwiches, rolls, salads, and grills.

 It also has desserts, and this range of food choices is why we gave it a perfect score for diversity of menu.

We also like that it has daily specials which can check online as Shaik’s website is regularly updated. Additionally, Shaik’s Fast Food’s prices are also posted online for convenience.

Do know that some customers have raised concerns about long waiting times for some orders. Luckily, you can avoid in-house waiting by ordering online.

We say this because it has its own in-house delivery system while still being available at other delivery apps, Uber Eats, Mr. D. and We Chow for added convenience. 

You can also enjoy Shai’s Fast Food’s cuisine during special events because the restaurant also does catering services. 

But what really sets Shaik’s Fast Food and Curries apart is that it’s one of the few fast food restaurants approved by the South African National Halaal Authority. That’s why we also recommend this restaurant for its inclusivity.

Unfortunately, this fast food restaurant is closed on Sundays and before dinner times. On the bright side, Shaik’s Fast Food opens as early as 7 AM, so you can still visit it for early morning breakfasts.

4. Nando’s (Parktown)

Nando's (Parktown) Homepage

Menu: https://www.nandos.co.za/eat/order/menu

Website: https://www.nandos.co.za/

Address: Cnr Fox & Rissik St Shop 180 Gandhi Square Metropolitan Building, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2107, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 11 492 1100

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Google reviews score4.2/5
Uber Eats reviews score4.5/5
Facebook reviews scoreN/A
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency4.3/5
Food5/5
Taste and serving size 5/5
Diversity of Menu 5/5
Opening hours 3/5
Service 5/5
Location 5/5
Pricing4/5

Pros

  • Numerous locations in the city
  • Comfortable and aesthetic restaurant
  • Plant-based meal options
  • Transparent pricing posted online
  • Gift cards

Cons

  • Late opening hours
  • Some complaints about delivery services

If you’re looking for the best fast food restaurant where a large group of people with different tastes can benefit, Nando’s may be the place you need. That’s because Nando’s has such a diverse menu.

Nando’s offers various types of fast food items—from regular sandwiches and burgers, wraps and fries to veggie bowls, desserts, and platters. It even has family platters and kiddie meals to truly cater to everyone.

Even better, Nando offers plant-based options for vegetarians and vegans to enjoy, thus proving that it’s the most inclusive of the best fast food restaurants in Johannesburg. The prices for all these meals are even posted online for your reference.

And if you ever need recommendations, you should know that Nando’s is best known for its spicy flame-grilled chicken meals.

We also like that Nando’s has numerous locations within the city alone. Among its 13 branches in Johannesburg, the Parktown location has received raving reviews regarding the menu, service, and even location and ambience. 

Do know that this specific location has also received various complaints about deliveries, especially through Uber Eats.

Additionally, Nando’s Parktown also has early closing hours and late opening hours. Luckily, you can still go to or order from other Nando’s branches as some branches close as late as 10 PM.

You can also buy gift cards, which you can redeem not only when ordering on-site, but also for online orders.

5. Kentucky Milk Bar

Kentucky Milk Bar Homepage

Menu: https://kentuckymilkbar.co.za/menu/

Website: https://kentuckymilkbar.co.za/

Address: 95 Central Rd, Fordsburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 11 834 1159

Operating Hours

  • Monday – Thursday, Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 11:30 PM
  • Sunday: 12:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Google reviews score4.6/5
Uber Eats reviews score4.5/5
Facebook reviews scoreN/A
Total reviews2/5
Score consistency4.6/5
Food4/5
Taste and serving size 5/5
Diversity of Menu 3/5
Opening hours 5/5
Service 5/5
Location 4/5
Pricing4/5

Pros

  • Family-run restaurant with decades of service
  • SANHA approved
  • Extended operating hours
  • Aesthetic interiors
  • Quick and friendly service
  • Numerous delivery options

Cons

  • Relatively limited menu
  • Limited space in the restaurant
  • No promos and specials

Kentucky Milk Bar is a family-run restaurant that’s become Johannesburg classic since its opening in 1968. 

This fast food restaurant is well-known for its signature toasted sandwiches with steak, cheese, and chips. Still, it also offers other food items like rolls and burgers.

What’s special about Kentucky Milk Bar’s menu is that it’s all Halaal certified, so Muslims can also enjoy Kentucky Milk Bar’s classic food. That said, it doesn’t have any plant-based meal options so those with preferences may still be excluded.

What really sets Kentucky Milk Bar apart is that it has the longest operating hours. You can order as early as 9 AM for your late breakfast and as late as 11 PM for your midnight cravings.

You don’t even have to go to its location to get a taste of its meals because Kentucky Milk Bar is registered with Uber Eats and Mr. D. for convenient food deliveries. 

But if you want, you can also enjoy Kentucky Milk Bar’s dine in services especially since it has clean and stylish interiors. Do know that its location is a bit small, so it might get cramped during peak hours.

Given that it’s a well-maintained family business, the restaurant also has fast and friendly customer services. At least that’s what we’ve gathered from its previous customers.

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