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Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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How Much is a McDonald's Big Mac in Africa

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In 1995 McDonald's opened its first restaurant in South Africa
In 1995 McDonald's opened its first restaurant in South Africa

All About McDonald's In Africa

Did you know? 

McDonald's Big Mac in South Africa cost 30 rands or $2.17 US dollars.

McDonald's has restaurants in 6 African countries.

McDonald’s restaurants are located across Africa in the South, North, East and West.

McDonald's in Africa, but of course! 

The African fast food economy is a money-fueled fast paced food business. 

Dates McDonald’s first opened in Africa 

McDonald’s restaurants are located across Africa. In South Africa first opened on November 11, 1995, Morocco McDonald’s first opened on December 18, 1992, Egypt McDonald’s first opened on October 20, 1994, Mauritius McDonald’s first opened on July 4, 2001, Tunisia first McDonald’s opened on January 3, 2018 and Kenya first McDonald’s is set to open August 2018. 

McDonald’s restaurants in South Africa 

South Africa is a middle-income African country with abundant natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world. 

In the middle-income country of South Africa, a cheeseburger happy meal costs 33 rand or $2.71 US dollars, McCafe 22.50 rand or $2.10 US dollars and a jalapeno chicken sandwich will cost you 41 rand or $3.37 US dollars. 

McDonald's menu items such as salads, hotcakes, chicken, burgers, oatmeal, English muffins, fries and McCafe and tea taste just the same in South Africa as they do in New York. Besides a few local favorites such as the McDonald's South Africa Boerie Burger and a side of fresh corn, the menu would be recognizable to any traveler. 

McDonald's success is consistency, yes McDonald's is the same the world over, even in Africa. The favorite menu item, McDonald's South African Boerie Burger, is a beef boerewors flavored meat patty, smothered in ketchup, mustard, and grilled onions. Boerewors is a type of sausage originating in South Africa and is an important part of South African food history.

McDonald's South African Boerie Burger cost 22 rand or $1.81 US dollars
McDonald's South African Boerie Burger cost 22 rands or $1.81 US dollars

All McDonald’s restaurants are certified Halaal by the Muslim Judicial Council. South Africa’s religious population is Protestant 36.6%, other Christian 36%, Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 1.5%, Other 2.3%, Unspecified 1.4%, and None 15.1%. 

Today there are over 200 restaurants in all nine provinces across South Africa; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape. The South African rand is the currency of South Africa. 

McDonald’s restaurants are a natural fit in South Africa since the beef, poultry, and dairy industry are agricultural financial powerhouses. The beef industry is a major employer in South Africa, stock farming is one of the only viable agricultural activity in a large part of the country where 27% of the population is unemployed. 

According to McDonald's South Africa website, McDonald's employs over 10,000 people across 1,600 miles or 2,500 kilometers of South Africa.

More economical easy lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again.

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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.