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Sibusiso Madlala, owner of a popular Soweto shisanyama joint named Esibayeni Siyasutha, has stumbled upon a culinary delight that is as novel as it is delicious: crocodile meat.

Now I have never tried a cut of the proverbial ‘Kentucky Fried Croc’ myself, but… why not? In a country where it’s tough to run a business, let alone a large eatery in Soweto, Madlala’s willingness to experiment may just be his biggest success yet.

The restaurant owner first tried crocodile meat in Randburg a year ago, but it wasn’t love at first taste. Madlala wasn’t impressed with the stewed version of the exotic meat and decided to put his own shisanyama spin to the dish.

The secret to a perfect piece of grilled croc, according to Madlala, is treating it like a lekker braaied chicken, complete with a thick layering of spices.

Since introducing crocodile meat to customers,  Esibayeni Siyasutha’s popularity has skyrocketed.

Not only do diners relish its unique taste, but some also believe the vleis holds mystical properties. According to Madlala, some patrons claim that the meat “ikhipha udliso”, a phrase that roughly translates to “eliminating the effects of a love potion”.

So not only is the ‘exotic’ dish delicious, but according to patrons it can take you where you want to go in your love life. Especially if you suspect foul play involving muthis and potions. That’s more than a regular rack of ribs can boast.

The one problem is that it’s not as easy as procuring other regular menu items, which is not surprising. Madlala explained that “Right now, I don’t have stock. I’ve ordered for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”

Despite its rarity, crocodile meat doesn’t come with an exorbitant price tag. Madlala spends between R125 and R130 per kilo for the meat, with the crocodile tail being the preferred cut for his signature braais. That’s not bad for a laarnie game-style meat.

Unlike other exotic meats introduced to the menu, such as kudu and springbok, crocodile meat has proven to be the undisputed crowd-pleaser. Its distinct taste and quicker cooking time have endeared it to diners, with Madlala playfully quipping:

“If you order chicken or beef alongside someone who ordered crocodile – they’ll finish eating their meal before you get your order.”

That’s a whole new meaning to ‘in a while, crocodile’.

Madlala is clearly a maverick when it comes to exciting new food ventures, and the eatery mogul has plans to add rabbit meat to his expanding menu. Beyond creating culinary marvels, his aspiration is for the government to promote farming possibilities beyond conventional species like cattle and chickens.

I’m not an adventurous eater myself, but Madlala’s maverick approach to food has me craving some ‘Kentucky Fried Croc’.

[source:thecitizen]