Spatlo

Spatlo

Spatlo (also spelled sphatlo, spathlo and sphatlho) is a South African street food popular in all provinces of South Africa, especially Gauteng. It is also known as a kota or "skhambane".

The spatlo is made from a hollowed out quarter loaf of bread and filled with a variety of ingredients, often potato "slap" chips, sausage, egg, beef patty, cheese, polony and atchar. The name kota, used in areas such as Soweto and Johannesburg, is derived from the English word quarter, referring to the size of the bread loaf used. The name sphatlo is being used in the Pretoria townships of Soshanguve, Atteridgeville and Mamelodi.

Spaza shops sell popular street food, including spatlo. Spaza shops are the backbone of township economy.

Spaza shops that sell this popular street food normally set minimum prices at R 15 ranging to over R 120 depending on the size and ingredients. Consumers are largely scholars and low income individuals, because it is the cheapest alternative to hamburgers. This meal is usually available in every area across the country, rarely not so. Sphatlo is considered a staple junk food in South Africa which goes well with a soft drink, usually a cola.