Flavour Faves

Turn ‘n Tender: The Steakhouse Where Legends (and Fat-Crusted Rumps) Are Born

Published

3 months ago

August 4, 2025

Chiraag

Turn ‘n Tender steakhouse, legendary SA steakhouse, signature steak cuts Turn ‘n Tender, South African grillhouse, Turn ‘n Tender legacy story, Turn ‘n Tender Point Rump, restaurant chain South Africa, premium steak restaurant, Turn ‘n Tender wine pairing, Joburg ETC

Four brothers, one braai dream

Before Wagyu was on every menu and dry-ageing was a culinary buzzword, four brothers in Johannesburg had a simple idea: serve proper steak, pour good wine, and make everyone feel at home.

That idea became Turn ‘n Tender, and it kicked off in Greenside in 1977. Nearly 50 years later, what started as a family-run joint has become a full-blown steakhouse empire. But through all the franchising and evolution, one thing hasn’t changed: the focus on flavour, family, and flame-grilled legend-making.

A steakhouse with soul (and serious fat cap energy)

Turn ‘n Tender doesn’t just serve steak; it celebrates it. The menu is a shrine to cuts and craft, with everything from tender fillets and fat-rimmed rumps to rib-eye caveman-style.

Their signature Point Rump, for example, is unapologetically fatty and flavour-rich, the kind of cut that dares you to cook it anything past medium rare. There’s also Howard’s Howler, a rump or sirloin soaked in pepper sauce and topped with cheddar, and Mervyn’s Magic, a 600 g French-trimmed prime rib finished with coarse salt and burnt butter. Each of these dishes was designed by one of the founding Aaron brothers.

And it’s not just about the meat. You can pair your steak with creamy Bordelaise, mushroom and brandy Diane sauce, or go all in with marrow bones and a slab of herbed compound butter. The sides? Expect creamy spinach, baked potatoes, and paprika-dusted sweet potato chips with just the right crunch.

Turn ‘n Tender menu 2025, South African steak tradition, Howard’s Howler steak, Mervyn’s Magic prime rib, Turn ‘n Tender dessert menu, local steakhouse brands, family-friendly restaurants SA, gourmet sauces Turn ‘n Tender, Turn ‘n Tender Johannesburg, Joburg ETC

Image 1: Facebook/Turn ‘n Tender

Not just for meat lovers

While the steak may be the hero, Turn ‘n Tender’s menu gives love to everyone at the table. There’s a vegetarian curry potjie, two kinds of falafel burgers, chargrilled chicken, mussels in creamy white wine, and even a hake fillet with lemon butter.

For dessert, there’s rich BAR-ONE® sauce over ice cream, malva pudding, cheeseboards, and the kind of crème brûlée that crackles when your spoon hits it. If that’s not your vibe, order a Dom Pedro and call it a night.

The wine: built for beef

Turn ‘n Tender doesn’t just serve wine; they bottle their own. Their house-labelled Turn ‘n Tender Signature Red is bold, layered, and built for steak, with plum, cassis, and allspice rolling over a dark berry base.

They also offer a curated selection of South African wines, with varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, and Shiraz from top vineyards including Meerlust, Beyerskloof, Boschendal, and Kleine Zalze.

Whether you’re ordering the Caveman 1 kg rib-eye or a fillet topped with chimichurri, there’s a bottle waiting to match it.

Where the stories come back for more

Ask any regular, and they’ll tell you: Turn ‘n Tender is where families go to celebrate, reconnect, or just share a decent steak and a laugh. It’s a place where kids grow up and come back with their own. Where anniversaries, birthdays, and bad days all find their way to a booth.

That’s what the brand leans into with its legacy slogan: “Where stories become legend.”

And it’s true. The food is good. But the memories? Even better.