DID you hear the one about the South African restaurant, with a Tex Mex theme in the heart of Aberdeen?
No seriously – that’s exactly what Apache Spur in Union Square is.
Yeah, I know. It came as a real surprise to me, too, given the name and Indian chief logo.
I had assumed it was as American as mom’s apple pie, too.
But there are subtle clues as to the Spur’s true origins when you walk in. Firstly, there’s the free newspaper for ex-pat South Africans at the till, then there are the two South African beers on the drinks list ... and the clincher was the South African waiter.
“So, is this a South African place then?” we asked.
“Yeah, it’s a big chain over there. “If you want to get a lot of South Africans together, open a Spur.”
“So what’s with the Tex Mex theme?” I asked.
“Hey, we’re the Rainbow Nation,” he said – thankfully not reaching for a vuvuzela.
Enough chit-chat with this friendly and highly-efficient young man (for the record, Apache Spur comes with a level of excellent service that many up-market restaurants in town would do well to copy).
We got down to the business of choosing from a dizzying array of burgers, steaks, ribs, wings and other fine things.
Mrs B and I got things rolling by sharing the potato skins with cheese and bacon (£4.95), which arrived with a proper, zingy cheese sauce, real baked tattie and the crispiest bacon.
Hotter would have been better but it was still a tasty treat.
As we waited for our mains, we bemoaned making this a kid-free visit. The ball pit and video games looked like fun.
Still, we were there to eat, not play and there was a lot of food to get through.
You see, I had ordered the all-you-can-eat ribs and wing deal (£12.95) offered on a Thursday and Sunday.
I had gone spicy on the chicken front and was rewarded with “oochamin” hot wings that were melt-off-the-bone perfect – even if melting my tastebuds too.
The wings were tender, subtly marinated and somehow almost fat free – oh, and very more-ish.
I had hardly put the last bone on my plate than it was whisked away and a “refill” of wings and ribs was fetched. I managed to finish it, but only just. Meanwhile, Mrs B was singing the praises of her grilled chicken burger with guacamole, cheese and bacon (£9.95).
“This tastes like it’s been taken outside and barbecued properly,” she said, impressed.
With the fine fries and superb tempura-like, thin onion rings this was, quite simply, one of our most enjoyable meals in ages.
We’ll be back ... and happily with the kids in tow.