Perfect Prego | The Prego Lady

Some know her as Sao while others refer to her simply as the Prego Lady. But ask just about any one in Nelspruit where to get the best Prego and they will point you straight in her direction.

Sao Hoffman | The Prego Lady

Sao Hoffman grew up in Mozambique but moved to South Africa in 1974 where she first finished school before getting married and having kids. But for the past 15 years she has also been running her Prego stand and has become quite the local celebrity after featuring in many publications including Lowveld Living and Getaway.

She believes her success lies in quality and service. According to Sao “The recipe for success contains both, since even if the food is perfect, it’s also the service that keeps people coming back for more.” As far as her chilli sauce recipe goes, the only detail she shares is that it’s a traditional Portuguese recipe that she got from her mother.

Sao has many regular customers and always makes an effort to remember their names and usual orders. The customers are what keep her going back and she loves meeting new people. “It’s like making new friends every day” she says.

Her business has grown substantially since she first started and currently she permanently employs two people and sells chilli sauce to clients from all over the world. Some of her clients miss her so much that when they go on holiday she even marinates Prego’s for them that they can take with on their trip.

Her Prego’s are by far the favourite on the menu but for as long as she has been going she has also been making boerewors rolls and vienna rolls for the kids. The rest she mixes up as people ask for different things and she has also recently added chicken fillet Prego’s to her menu.

Sao’s no stranger to big orders and regularly receives orders of up to 60 Prego’s. “People don’t want to wait long for food so we have to make sure we do everything fast and efficient,” she says.
Her whole kitchen runs without any electricity and no matter how well she does she feels that she will always prefer the mobile kitchen to a permanent shop. “In a shop you often have to work most of the month just to make the rent, and often sit for long hours when it is quiet. I’m quite happy right here where I am.”

ShowMe Tip: Don’t leave Nelspruit until you’ve had one of Sao’s famous Prego Rolls, you wont be disappointed.

Where to fin Sao:

The Lanbob Building adjacent to Pick n Pay centre.

Sao’s hours are:

Weekdays 9h30 to 15h00
Saturdays 9h30 to 13h00

For orders and business related queries she can be contacted on 082 530 6850.