Browsing Category: "Burgers"
My Experience at Boulevard Diner
This is quite a backlog (I should have blogged about this days ago) but nevertheless, I’m making it to a point that I’m blogging about my experience at Boulevard Diner last Sunday.
image from googleVery excited – That was how I felt initially and still felt the same way right before I entered the place. I was actually early. I didn’t have the slightest idea that the store opens at 11am, I was there around 10:30am? I told you I was excited. So why am I excited? Well for one, I’ve heard (and read) great reviews about this classic diner from fellow food bloggers and I couldn’t wait to get ahold of myself with one of their burgers.
First customer – Yep! Talk about being excited huh! Right after the store opened, at first I was reluctant to enter because after all, I’m quite nervous and I didn’t really want to look over-excited being the first customer for the day. But what the heck! I went there for the burgers!
Service – The server was very polite, saying thank you every now and then. I felt like I did a lot for her, but in reality, she did quite a lot for me explaining about their menu and even telling me about their new burger choices.
Here’s their menu:
(Click the pictures for a larger view)
Okay, so since I’ve been hearing quite a lot of buzz about their best-seller, I opted to try the Gorgon-Zola (Php 185) which comes with lettuce, tomato, beef, cheese, sauteed oyster mushrooms, and gorgonzola dressing (that’s based on what’s written on the menu description). Oh and I asked for an upgrade (add Php45) for fries and iced tea.
My companion on the other hand went for something that I would also wish to try sometime – Volcanic Viktor (Php 170) which comes with lettuce, tomato, beef, cheese, bacon, fried onion rings, and he chose hickory sauce on top. Also got it upgraded.
So while waiting for the order to arrive, I walked around and took pictures of the place and was amazed to see a wall filled with reviews and blog posts. (I wonder if I can get mine up there anytime soon? LOL!)
This is the wall I was talking about…
And they also got this Diner He-Man Challenge wall. I was not really sure what this wall was for (but based from what I read from other sources, I believe this is for customers who tried their luck with their hotter than hell chicken wings, and the person who finished it the fastest, will get the wings for free). I wanted to write something there like “Mars was here” sort of a message, but I got too shy to ask for a pen.
We were first served with our drinks (iced tea), which took a bit longer than expected, but I know why… I heard the server asking someone from the kitchen if they have ice or something, then she told us to wait for a while because she needs to buy ice – c’mon the store just opened, they probably didn’t expect someone like me to come in as soon as they open, right? So that’s fine. I’m not complaining either. Besides, the ice delivery arrived right after the server bought those ice.
And after few minutes of waiting, seriously, for a restaurant that just opened and barely even had ice to begin with, the food preparation and service was good!
So here’s my order – Gorgon-zola:
I will recommend this for people who knows how to appreciate weird tasting cheeses like blue cheese or gorgonzola. Honestly, this may not be for everyone, but for those who can appreciate cheese that tastes a bit off, then this is the right burger for you. And I must say, this is the right burger for me! With the oozing juices and the sauces, I had to use a knife and a fork to eat this! Now that I’m blogging about this, I want one right now!
The fries is just the way how I like it – with peel. It adds texture and flavor to the fries so this is a BIG THUMBS UP for me!
As for my companion’s order – Volcanic Viktor:
I asked him what’s his take on the burger, and he just chomped it all down without saying anything. LOL! After that, it was another thumbs up. He said that the beef was really well-seasoned, plus the combination of flavors was amazing. I wanted to take a bite but I was too busy with my burger back then.
And of course, being a chicken lover, I made sure I got a 1/2 lbs. serving of their Wingerangs. I chose “love” in the heat-o-meter. I was actually tempted to for their “hotter than hell” wings but I’m no expert when it comes to heat tolerance, and since “love” was the one in the middle, I chose that. Oh and I forgot to mention that “love” is actually a mix of chocolate and chili – so when I heard that it has chocolate on it, my mind was set.
And here was the “love” wings:
Enjoyed it so much! It was hot, spicy and had a bit of tang, which was perfect for me! My companion liked it but he’s not a big fan of something that’s sour, so that meant all wings were mine! Hehehe… I seriously got addicted, that even though I was full, I found myself still chewing off bits and pieces of those perfectly spiced wings…
I’m so trying hotter than hell next time! (Yikes!)
So overall, my experience in Boulevard Diner was perfect. I’d be back someday to try out other burger flavors. I think I’m eyeing on that Buffalo Blob. Teehee!
One thing I would want to recommend though is for the owner to invest on a bigger space for upcoming customers. With great reviews and raves, I’m sure the small diner would need a space upgrade sooner or later. Honestly, I’m lucky enough to be the first customer so I didn’t have to worry about the space. But overall, it was one heck of an experience!
I’ll definitely be back!
Boulevard Diner
91 Xavierville Ave.,
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Store Hours: 11:00 AM- 11:00 PM
Wham! Burgers – SM Megamall
Yesterday, I just had my first taste of a Wham! Burger (okay make that 2 – I’ll tell you more about that in a while), and all I can say is that it was S-U-P-E-R-B! I haven’t had any slightest idea about their menu when I walked in so I opted to let my instincts decide and my spider senses told me to go for their Kapow! burger.
This is the description, as far as my memory remembers:
Kapow! Burger
1/3 pound all beef patty on a sesame seed bun with lettuce, tomato, catsup, with salsa, chili sauce, jalapeño peppers and a slice of American cheese…
I guess if you know my food choices, you’d know why my spidey senses went for this. For those who don’t – well, it was because of the jalapeño peppers and salsa! 
My verdict: The experience was incredible! It was by far the best burger I’ve ever tasted (no kidding!). The patty was very juicy (there were actually drippings all over the wrapper during and after I consumed this treat), it was not overcooked, I could taste the char-grilled goodness in every bite. The flavor of the salsa and jalapeño peppers combined with the patty was definitely worth every “cheat day” bite (yes I am actually on a diet and yesterday was my cheat day). The mere sight of this picture actually makes me want another one! LOL!
Of course, whenever I eat my burgers, I have to make sure I get some side dishes too! And I was glad they have their own Onion Rings.
My verdict: I don’t want to sound too cheesy or overacting, but these are really good, and I know good onion rings because I’ve been eating onion rings ever since the world began (okay now I’m exaggerating 
). But seriously, I had to order another one because it was really tasty. I specifically liked the crust – it was crispy and flavorful, and goes really well with the cooked onions inside!
Okay, I mentioned that I had 2 burgers a while ago right? Well, yes I did! After being amazed with the Kapow! burger, I thought I should try another, and after few minutes of thinking, reading their menu, and waiting in the line, I decided to go for their Bronco Burger.
Bronco Burger
1/3 pound all beef patty on a sesame seed bun with bacon, onions, cheese, and BBQ sauce…
At first I was actually thinking of trying their Hungarian Sausage sandwich, but I guess the word “bacon” made the difference.
My verdict: I’m not really satisfied… 
Comparing this with the Kapow! Burger, I’d definitely go for the first one. I still loved the burger patty, and the BBQ sauce was great with it (it made the patty taste juicier), but I was a bit awed with the bacon… It was gummy, and I was actually having a hard time chewing it (that’s actually something from a bacon lover). Maybe because I prefer the bacon cooked until it’s crispy. The burger is not as bad, but I’d go for Kapow! anytime.
Additionally, I got their Chicken Littles (bite sized chicken bits served with BBQ sauce) and it was okay. Not really something to brag about. The chicken could have had better flavor though. It was a bit bland. Somehow it didn’t go well with the BBQ sauce it was served with, so I decided to pour the BBQ sauce over the Bronco Burger instead.
I would definitely go back and check out their other burgers, but for now, I could say that I’m in love with their Kapow! Burger and onion rings! Heaven! 
WHAM! Burgers
Lower Ground Floor of SM Megamall Bldg B.
Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Philippines
