If there’s one thing Capetonians can debate with the confidence of a constitutional expert, it’s a Gatsby.

A big roll. Slap chips. Lettuce. Tomato. Sauce. Then comes the question capable of dividing families: what goes inside?

Polony? Vienna? Masala steak? Chicken? Fish? And, perhaps most importantly, where are you buying it?

Image: Supplied

The Gatsby story begins in Athlone, at Super Fisheries, where the iconic Cape Town creation is widely credited to Rashaad Pandy in 1976. The original was reportedly a humble combination of polony, chips and atchar, a far cry from some of the towering creations being served today.

So, we decided to conduct our own very unofficial Gatsby investigation.

Of an office of 55 people, 23 gave us their verdicts. Two others had the audacity to declare that they do not eat Gatsbys at all.

We won't judge them. Much.

Among the names thrown into the ring were Golden Dish, Aneesa’s, Cozy Corner, Super Fisheries, Steelies, Food Planet, Cut-In-2, Continental, Miriam’s Kitchen and Mystic India.

Image: Supplied

And the winner? Golden Dish.

Golden Dish received the most mentions, with Aneesa’s close behind and Cozy Corner also making a strong showing. Super Fisheries, the name attached to the Gatsby’s origin story, also featured among the favourites.

But then there’s Cut-In-2.

Its place in the Gatsby conversation has sparked plenty of debate online, with some social-media users questioning whether what it serves should even qualify as a “real” Gatsby.

And honestly, that may be the most Cape Town thing about this entire story.

Because there is no Gatsby police. No official rulebook. No governing body waiting to inspect your chip-to-meat ratio.

There is only taste, tradition, loyalty and the deeply held belief that your Gatsby spot is better than everyone else’s.

So, is Golden Dish really Cape Town’s Gatsby king?

Or have 23 hungry office workers simply started the next great Gatsby war?

Cape Town, the floor is yours.