UPDATED: 25th May 2026 – By the search volume increasing on my site, it’s clear that the love for MJ’s Burgers hasn’t subsided at all during their renovation weeks. I know we weren’t the only family patiently waiting on updates via Instagram, which soon came with humour and kindness.
On Saturday the 23rd of May, MJ’s Burgers Version 2 finally reopened in Rondebosch – same block, different corner. We had been out for the day and decided to swing by at 9pm, feeling we had missed the rush of the day. Nope! We ordered within 5 minutes and were told the waiting time was 30 minutes. Immediately, I expected to back out as my husband does NOT like sitting around, but surprisingly he was ok to do so.
What’s usually a pretty dodgy shopping centre after sunset, turned into a vibrant community gathering thanks to the energy and preparation of MJ’s Burgers. Activities were immediately available through their new sidewalk tables, rainbow coloured confetti still on the floor from the opening hour’s celebrations. The option to scan their QR code and add your song while you waited was at the order till while their chalk board remained available for messages from the public.
A big question on everyone’s mind before the reopen was – would the prices increase and if so, by how much? With the price of petrol being an absolute state at the moment, no could blame them. But the reality is that what made MJ’s worth while was the combination of food AND affordable pricing. As a burger joint firmly positioned with Rustenburg Girls’ High and Bishop’s, there’s a core, youth audience there that would rely on moderate prices. And MJ’s managed to honour this philosophy by increasing prices by just R10.
We purposefully set at timer to see how long our order would take and were surprised when it arrived 5 minutes earlier than expected. While I am not trying to negate the 25 minute waiting time, I do want to acknowledge that we made the choice to stay; because MJ’s isn’t just about tasty food, it’s about supporting young South Africans trying to do something for themselves.
At 9pm, our teller was still polite and alert when taking our order, older staff members or associates outside were helpful when I was taking my pictures and everyone just hung out listening to the Michael Jackson, aka “MJ”, default playlist when the queue ran quiet with customer requests.
I also ordered onion rings, which aren’t my preferred style (I think the onions are mixed into the batter and fried), but the chips and burgers had maintained their previous standard. The kitchen equipment also tasted new – weird comment, I know, but the burgers had a sharply iron taste in comparison to the past. I felt like I could taste the hot plate but I’m also not a hot plate expert so do with this what you will! Overall, the food is still great value with great flavour, it’s a huge bonus not having to drive to Sea Point for Brash or town for Zuney (still love them, but it’s far more of a commitment to acquire).
MJ Burger’s new store is looking great and we wish the young brigade all the best in their new location. You’ll definitely be seeing us again.
Initial Post – 13th October 2025
When my husband first told me about a new smash burger spot in Rondebosch called MJ’s Burgers, I’ll admit I rolled my eyes. Burgers in the southern suburbs have a bad habit of being buried under ingredients – a bit of sauce here, an unnecessary topping there – until the poor patty doesn’t stand a chance. But then a TikTok about MJ’s popped up on my feed, and the claims were bold enough to pique my interest.
Finding MJ’s Burgers
MJ’s sits in the Silwood Centre, which, if we’re being honest, isn’t winning any beauty contests. The centre’s heyday has long passed, and it’s mostly kept alive by the nearby high schools. The restaurant itself is in what used to be an old garage shop – not exactly glamorous – but once you step inside, things start looking up.
The staff were neat and friendly, and although our order took a bit longer than the promised five minutes, it was only due to more and more customers arriving. A sweet touch: there’s a chalkboard wall for kids to doodle on while waiting. (A thoughtful idea, even if a few parents lacked the ability to acknowledge adults were sitting there first *cough cough*.)
When the food arrived, everything we’d ordered was spot-on – a promising start. The chips were a solid 7/10: crisp, golden, and tasting like something fried in proper fat rather than oil. They had a “Zuney but make it Temu” energy – in the best way. The only miss for me was the spice mix. It leans slightly sweet, which distracts from the natural, salty-fried goodness.
Then, the star of the show: the burger. The brioche bun was perfectly toasted – soft yet sturdy, with a rich flavour that held its own without overpowering the beef. It’s not deeply buttery, but the integrity upholds making sure the burger remains the star. The beef patty itself was juicy, well-seasoned, and nicely charred – though the edges were not quite as crispy as Brash’s version. Still, for R100 including chips, it’s hard to fault the value and flavour of MJ’s.
What differentiates MJ’s is their choice to include salad in their smash burger – a bit of lettuce, tomato, sauce, pickles and onions. It’s not the purist’s take (most smash burgers stick to pickles only), but it does add freshness. Whether you’d call it a true smash burger or just a really delicious burger is up for debate, but either way, it’s a win.
If I could make one wish, it would be for MJ’s to get the aircon fixed. Those poor staff members had every window open and it was still boiling inside! It’s not way to make a living. The parking situation at the dump of an old garage is also not great, but not enough to put me off this great value (hard to fine in Cape Town in 2025!). Even with those quirks, MJ’s Burgers is absolutely worth the trip.
Overall rating: 8/10.
Excellent value, great flavour, and proof that a simple burger done well doesn’t need to hide behind the extras.
Find MJ’s at the Silwood Centre off Campground Road in Rondebosch.
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