Farewell to Joburg’s Iconic Doll House Roadhouse

Generations of late night revellers in Johannesburg made a pilgrimage to order toasties and milkshakes… and farewell the iconic Doll House roadhouse as it closed its doors for the final time this week.

Renowned South African writer Gus Silber said: “The Doll House roadhouse on Louis Botha, Joburg, gives way to the bulldozers and the front-end loaders, marking its earthly demise after more than 80 years of service – No Hooting, Please Flick Lights – to hungry citizens sitting in their cars.

“The roadhouse, as a cultural and culinary phenomenon imported from America, was doomed from the moment McDonald’s arrived on our shores, making it much more convenient to Drive-Thru than to drive and stay put…”

In an interview with photojournalist and vlogger Shayne Robinson, the granddaughter of the original Doll House founders explained how her grandparents had built the Doll House outlets after moving from Salt Lake City in Utah, USA, where there was a Doll House there. The family sold the business in 1987.

This week, “people turned out in their hundreds to say cheers to the Doll House, at an event that combined an al fresco exhibition of night-themed photography by South African and overseas photographers, with the familiar aroma of slap chips drenched in vinegar, and double malted milkshakes as thick as bubble-gum.”

Silber said the venue will soon be gone, “but the lights will forever flick on…”

Hey Joburg – Farewell to Johannesburg’s Doll House Roadhouse

Shayne Robinson: “Sadly this much-loved landmark will be demolished and all we will be left with is the memories of this special place. I managed to track down Pamala Anne Laxen, Granddaughter of the original owners of the Doll House….”

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