RocoMamas or Steers? It Depends What You’re Ordering
RocoMamas and Steers both build their identity around flame-cooked beef, but they come at it from different directions. Steers has been part of South African fast food since 1970, a national institution with over 550 locations and a menu that stretches from breakfast to ribs to shakes. RocoMamas is the newer, louder arrival, started in Johannesburg in 2013, acquired by Spur Corporation in 2015, and built entirely around the smashburger, a style of patty pressed flat on the grill for a crispy, caramelised edge that a regular flame-grilled patty doesn’t get.
One is the chain your parents grew up on. The other is the one that shows up covered in bacon jam with a rock song playing. Here’s what actually matters when choosing between RocoMamas or Steers.
The Basics, Side by Side
| RocoMamas | Steers | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013, Johannesburg | 1970, Johannesburg |
| Ownership | Part of Spur Corporation since 2015 | Part of the Famous Brands group |
| Locations | 100+ in South Africa | 550+ in South Africa |
| Cooking style | Smashed patties, pressed flat on the grill | Flame-grilled, cooked over open flame |
| Signature item | Rockstar Burger | Original King Steer Burger |
| Cheapest burger | Mystique Burger, R74.00 | Steers Burger, R54.90 |
| Vibe | Loud, rock-and-roll, casual | Familiar, mainstream, family-friendly |
Burgers, Head to Head
This is the real fight, since it’s what both brands are actually known for, even if Steers spreads its identity across more categories than RocoMamas does. Steers wins on price at the entry level. RocoMamas’ cheapest burger, the Mystique at R74.00, costs more than most of Steers’ entire Real Value and King Steer ranges. But Steers’ pricing is split across three separate tiers, Real Value, King Steer, and Phanda, which makes direct comparison trickier than it looks at first glance.
| Price Point | RocoMamas | Steers |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest burger overall | Mystique Burger, R74.00 | Steers Burger, R54.90 |
| Mid-range signature burger | Rockstar Burger, R109.00 | Original King Steer Burger, R84.90 |
| Loaded / premium burger | Chilli Cheeze Bomb Burger, R125.00 | Big Bacon King Steer Burger, R104.90 |
| Top of the range | Slacker Burger, R159.00 | Mighty King Steer Burger, R119.00 |
At every comparable tier, Steers is cheaper. The gap is smallest at the top (Slacker at R159 vs Mighty King Steer at R119) and widest at the entry level, where Steers’ Phanda range even bundles in a small side of chips for R46.90, something RocoMamas doesn’t do anywhere on its burger menu. If pure value per burger is what you’re after, Steers wins clearly.
What Steers doesn’t offer is RocoMamas’ build-your-own option, where you start from a 150g Chicken or Beef Smash base and add whatever toppings you want. Steers’ menu is fixed combinations only. If you want full control over what goes on your burger, RocoMamas is the only one of the two that lets you build it from scratch.
Ribs, Head to Head
Both chains treat ribs as a genuine menu pillar rather than an afterthought, and both sell them by weight rather than a fixed rack size.
| Portion | RocoMamas | Steers |
|---|---|---|
| Smallest portion | 250g, R125.00 | Half Rack, R129.90 |
| Largest single portion | 750g, R309.00 | Full Rack, R209.90 |
RocoMamas’ smallest rib portion is very slightly cheaper than Steers’ Half Rack, close enough to call it even. At the top end, Steers’ Full Rack at R209.90 is noticeably cheaper than RocoMamas’ largest 750g portion at R309.00, though RocoMamas is selling considerably more meat at that size, so it’s not a clean apples-to-apples comparison. If you want the biggest single rib order between the two, RocoMamas’ 750g portion is the bigger plate. If you want ribs without spending past R150, both chains get you there.
Chicken and Wings
This is where the two chains diverge the most. Steers goes big on flame-grilled whole chicken, quarters, halves, and full birds. RocoMamas doesn’t sell whole grilled chicken at all, its chicken offering is entirely wings and Southern Fried strips.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Steers 1/4 Chicken & Chips | R59.90 |
| Steers 1/2 Chicken | R109.90 |
| Steers Full Chicken | R164.90 |
| RocoMamas 4 Wings | R55.00 |
| RocoMamas 8 Wings | R109.00 |
| RocoMamas 12 Wings | R150.00 |
| RocoMamas Southern Fried Chicken Strips | R80.00 |
If you specifically want whole flame-grilled chicken, Steers is the only option of the two, RocoMamas simply doesn’t compete in that category. If wings are what you’re after, RocoMamas’ wings are a legitimate menu focus rather than a side item, and its Nashville and Freak BBQ flavoured versions go further than Steers’ plainer wing offering.
Sides and Fries
| Item | RocoMamas | Steers |
|---|---|---|
| Regular fries | Regular Shoestring Fries, R36.00 | Hand-Cut Chips, R39.90 |
| Loaded / cheese fries | Cheesy Fries, R52.00 | Cheesy Chips, R49.90 |
| Chicken bites | Not available separately | 6 Nuggets & Dip, R84.90 |
Steers’ fries are famous in their own right, hand-cut from real potatoes rather than the shoestring-style fries RocoMamas serves, and it’s arguably the more distinctive side of the two even though RocoMamas’ cheesy fries are slightly more affordable. Steers also has an edge on choice, with a nuggets option RocoMamas doesn’t offer at all.
Desserts and Drinks
| Item | RocoMamas | Steers |
|---|---|---|
| Signature milkshake | G-Shake, all flavours, R50.00 | Ridiculously Thick Shake (Large), R49.90 |
| Ice cream | Not offered separately | Ice Cream Cup, R36.90 |
| Waffles | From R49.00 (Regular) to R89.00 (Large Nutella) | Not on the menu |
RocoMamas has the deeper dessert menu by a wide margin, its Maple & Vanilla, Cookies & Scream, and Nutella waffles are a genuine draw in their own right, something Steers doesn’t attempt to compete with at all. On milkshakes specifically, the two are essentially tied on price, R50.00 versus R49.90, so it comes down to flavour preference rather than value.
Kids’ Menus
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| RocoMamas Lil’ Rock Chicken Strips & Fries | R57.00 |
| RocoMamas Lil’ Rock Cheese Burger & Fries | R79.00 |
| Steers Kids Rib Strips with Small Chips and Drink | R89.90 |
RocoMamas’ Kid Rock range is cheaper and has more variety, four separate options against Steers’ single Bratpack item. If you’re specifically choosing based on the kids’ menu, RocoMamas is the stronger pick on both price and choice.
Sharing and Family Options
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| RocoMamas 4 Wings & 250g Ribs, with Thick-cut Fries | R185.00 |
| RocoMamas 8 Wings & 500g Ribs, with Thick-cut Fries | R325.00 |
| RocoMamas Get Your Hands Dirty Platter | R149.00 |
| RocoMamas Platter for 4 | R350.00 |
| Steers Full Flame-Grilled Chicken, 2 Pap & 1 Coleslaw | R189.90 |
| Steers Single Rib Rack & 4 Full Wings | R299.90 |
Both chains treat sharing meals seriously, and the pricing lands in a similar range once you’re feeding a group. RocoMamas’ Platter for 4 at R350.00 is built specifically for a table rather than priced per person, which makes it easier to budget for than ordering separate combos. Steers doesn’t have a direct equivalent at that exact size, its sharing options top out lower unless you start stacking separate orders together.
Halaal Status and Trading Hours
Neither chain is halaal-certified nationwide. Select RocoMamas locations offer a halal-certified menu, and some Steers branches are halaal-certified too, including versions of its Big Bacon range made with macon instead of bacon. In both cases, certification depends entirely on the specific branch, so confirm with your local outlet rather than assuming either way.
| RocoMamas | Steers | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 09:00 to 22:00 | 09:00 to 22:00 |
| Friday to Saturday | 09:00 to 23:00 | 09:00 to 22:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00 to 22:00 | 09:00 to 22:00 |
RocoMamas trades an hour later on Friday and Saturday nights, otherwise the two run almost identical hours. Both vary by branch, so this table is a general guide rather than a guarantee for your specific location.
The Verdict, Category by Category
There isn’t one overall winner here, and pretending otherwise would be dishonest given how differently these two menus are built. Here’s how it actually splits.
Best value burger. Steers, clearly. Its entry-level range is roughly R20 to R30 cheaper than RocoMamas at every comparable tier.
Best burger if price isn’t the deciding factor. RocoMamas. The smashburger technique produces a genuinely different result to a standard flame-grilled patty, and if that crispy-edge texture is what you’re after, Steers doesn’t replicate it.
Best for whole chicken. Steers, by default, since RocoMamas doesn’t sell it at all.
Best wings. RocoMamas. Wings are a genuine menu focus rather than an afterthought, with more flavour variety than Steers offers.
Best fries. Steers. Hand-cut chips are a distinctive product in a way shoestring fries generally aren’t.
Best dessert menu. RocoMamas, easily. Steers doesn’t have a waffle menu to compete with.
Best for families with kids. RocoMamas, on both price and choice of kids’ meals, though Steers’ far larger footprint (550+ locations against RocoMamas’ 100+) means it’s more likely to actually be near you.
Best for a big group order. Close to even. RocoMamas’ Platter for 4 is a clean flat-rate option, Steers’ sharing range covers more variety across chicken, ribs, and burgers combined.
See the Full Menus
RocoMamas vs Steers: Quick Answers
Is RocoMamas or Steers cheaper?
Steers is cheaper on burgers, chicken, and fries. RocoMamas’ burgers start at R74.00 against Steers’ R54.90, and the gap holds across most comparable menu tiers. RocoMamas is more competitive on wings and desserts specifically.
Which has better ribs, RocoMamas or Steers?
Pricing is close at the smaller portion sizes, RocoMamas’ 250g at R125.00 against Steers’ Half Rack at R129.90. Steers is noticeably cheaper at the largest size, its Full Rack at R209.90 against RocoMamas’ 750g portion at R309.00, though RocoMamas is selling more meat at that price point.
Does RocoMamas sell whole chicken like Steers?
No. RocoMamas’ chicken menu is limited to wings and Southern Fried strips. Steers is the only one of the two chains that sells quarter, half, and full flame-grilled chicken.
Which is better for feeding a group?
Both handle group orders well but differently. RocoMamas’ Platter for 4 at R350.00 is a simple flat price for a table. Steers offers more variety across its sharing range, mixing chicken, ribs, and burgers into different combinations.
Which chain has more locations in South Africa?
Steers, by a large margin. Steers operates over 550 locations across South Africa against RocoMamas’ 100-plus, reflecting Steers’ much longer history in the country since 1970.
Both brands run on franchises, so prices at your local branch may differ slightly from the figures above. Always confirm before ordering.