Menulog has announced the winners of its 2021 New Zealand Restaurant Awards, including a Gisborne eatery that apparently serves up the best stoner food.
Tauranga Indian restaurant Castle 91 won the most customer votes to claim the People's Choice Award while Auckland's Bun Mee Kiwi, which specialises in Vietnamese sandwiches, was close behind in second place.
Menulog, which delivers food to Kiwis alongside the likes of Uber Eats and Delivereasy, says "winners were awarded based on Menulog data made up of orders, reviews and ratings".
This year's winner of the 'Best Munchies to Eat at 4:20' award is Fusion in Gisborne, which is inspired by South-East Asian street food.
"Reflecting how moreish Fusion's crispy pork meal is, the Gisborne favourite took out this year's coveted munchies category with Menulog data revealing its signature pork dish was the most ordered on the platform at 4:20pm when hunger strikes," said Menulog.
More than 120 restaurants are said to have competed for the People's Choice Award.
Mike Dhillon, owner of winner Castle 91, believes being part of the community and more than just another restaurant is why it won.
"During lockdown, we gave out free meals to anyone who was struggling. Even now we still provide food to anyone who has lost their job. We don't want anyone going to bed hungry," he says.
As for the restaurant's most-liked meal, Dhillon said there are plenty of fans of Castle 91's signature drunken chicken dish which is prepared with "a little bit of rum".
As winners of the People's Choice Award, Castle 91 is being given a "media package worth $2500... with $1000 to put towards their venue, along with other prizes", says Menulog.
