Zark's Burger

We all know who Adam Richman is right? well for those who don't know who he is, let me introduce him to you! Adam is the host of my favorite TV show MAN vs FOOD. Now what is MvF? It is an American food reality TV series that features the different "BIG" offerings of different American cities before Adam's face off against a pre-existing eating challenge at a local restaurant. But enough of that, we are here to talk about the restaurant that changed the Burger game and Burger eating habits of the Filipinos.

A burger mecca suddenly rose in Taft Avenue out of nowhere. Inspired by the reality TV Show MvF, Zark's Burger helps MvF Filipino fans to fulfil their Burger cravings. A wide variety of burgers can be found here:


But among all those burgers in the menu, here's my starting five!

As my Point Guard....


Deep Fried Burger
(Zark's Burger)

For my Shooting Guard, this sweet old....



Double Cheese Burger with Caramelized Onions
(Zark's Burger - Burger of the week)

My Small Forward, this one is for all you bacon lovers out there! this is it! It's time for the "crunchy on the outside soft in the inside burger goodness!"


Bacon Wrapped Burger
(Zark's Burger)

The Power Forward, Triple patty topped with Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese and...SPAM!, all you can say is BAM!


The Jaw Breaker
(Zark's Burger)

Last but the the least. The Center, believe me even Undertaker will dig his own grave just to get his hands on this bad ass. A Two pound! burger covered with Cheese Sauce and served with 300 grams of fries! They call it....


The Tombstone
(Zark's Burger)
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Bite Club


I can't remember exactly when was my first time here, but if my memory serves me right then I must say that my first trip to Bite Club was way back when I was still in elementary. A classmate of mine told be about it. She told me that there's a burger joint in Katipunan that serves big burgers.

So I went there with my Mom to check it out and started with a....


Burgerella
(Bite Club)

A 1/3 pound burger stuffed with mozzarella cheese. This was the first time that I had a burger that big with a mozzarella cheese inside and that oozes out on your first bite! It was naturally good back then until the quality of the burger changed. They had a bigger version of the Burgerella after a few years which they called....


Bombarella
(Bite Club)

Same concept, same anatomy but this baby weighs more than Burgerella. Bombarella weighs 1/2 half a pound and since I went up a notch, I find 1/3 pound light for me so I decided to replace my old Bite Club favorite Burgerella to this burger. It could have been great if they retained the quality of their stuffed burgers. I noticed that after taking a bite the mozzarella is nowhere to be found not unless you reach the middle portion of the patty. It doesn't ooze the way like it used to. But despite of the quality downgrade of their stuffed burgers, their one pounder champion saved the day!


XXX
(Bite Club)

A burger that fits my need, which really goes well with the Sauce Maryosep topping. You can also add Mozzarella on top for more oozing excitement. You can share it or if you have a big appetite for burgers like me, you can take it alone, all the way and make love with that burger.


Bite Club Katipunan closed down but they still have a store located at D'mall in Boracay.


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New York's Finest Burgers

You must have been wondering when and where the search began for that perfect burger.

Well, it all started late 2009 there....


in the Big Apple, in the city that never sleeps, New York City. The first thing that I asked for when my plane landed in JFK Airport is of course.. Burger so I immediately stopped by a nearby Mcdonald's just to get the ball rollin' and while I was staring at the menu I was star-strucked solely by this item on which I've never seen in any Mcdonald's in the Philippines before. It was love at first sight. That moment before the Cashier opened her mouth and ask "Can I take your order" I immediately said I'll have the.....


Angus Third Pounder Deluxe
(Mcdonald's)

After the first bite I uttered the word "WOW" I can't believe they don't serve this in the Philippines. Then it had began, the search for the best burger comes in to play.

The next morning, I took a walk around the block from our house in Staten Island for some fresh air and come across this majestic looking burger joint that looks very familiar. I guess you already know what I am talking about. A lot of people went nuts for it including Harold and Kumar! so I went in and continue my journey in search for burger greatness. Everything in the menu looks good but I ordered....


Double Cheese Slider
(White Castle)

Don't judge these guys by their looks, they might be small but definitely not terrible! These babies are like David (vs Goliath) I don't know how they make 'em but it was a sweet moment the first time it slide in my mouth. They are like M&M's that melts in your mouth and not in your hands.

When that was all said and done, I made my way to Manhattan to meet up with my cousin and told her everything about my mission and the burgers that I've had so far in NY. After telling her all about it, she felt excited and brought me to this bar in West Village that serves good burgers that comes with locally brewed beers. It is located in 331 W 4th St. NY, didn't think twice and ordered the best burger in the menu.


Bistro Burger
(Corner Bistro)

What can I say! a perfect match for McSorley's dark beer. Juicy Cheeseburger with bacon that's crisp to perfection. So if you're in the city and want to get a good grub while having a few drinks head on out to Corner Bistro!

Next stop! Junior's! who wouldn't want to have a delicious Cheescake as dessert over lunch....oh wait.. what am I saying, this is a blog and a place burger lovers not for a bunch of sweet tooth. As I was saying my uncle and Aunt brought me to Junior's for the best Cheesecake in NYC but that did not veer me away from my mission. So the moment I sat on the table and checked the menu, I ordered the....


Steak Burger
(Junior's)

without any hesitation! I'm pretty surprised for a restaurant whose specialty is Cheesecake.

As for the finale and personally appointing this one as "THE" New York's Finest Burger! 

I, the Real Burger King hereby, brings you....


"THE" Shack Stack
(Shake Shack)

This is Kobe! heck this can be the Lebron James of burgers! This is Megan Fox and Rosie Huntington combined! This is the bomb! wonder why I said that? Well just look at that gorgeous! Tender Juice-oozing patties with Deep Fried breaded Portobello Mushrooms with cheese. With one glorius bite, believe me my friend and be warned of what may happen next, an umami explosion will happen in your mouth caused by the combination of all that meatiness, crispyness and gooeyness! almost perfect but not yet. Not until I've searched and tasted all the burgers in the world. So if you're going to NYC just make sure that you won't miss dropping by Shake Shack
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The Real Burger King!


Hi! My Name is Jaba Orellana and I'm The Real Burger King!

I grew up by having my burger fixes in McDonald’s every day when I was a kid. Ask my mom! I always ask for it. I started out with burger Mcdo, eventually it turned to a Quarter Pounder and worked my way up to the heavy weight class wherein bigger is better.

But it doesn't end there! I've been eating burgers my whole life and I watched how they evolved from a being the cheese on the top of the patty to having the cheese inside the patty. But there's one thing that I have been looking for! I want to have that unique and perfect burger, MAN to MAN KING to KING, may the last man stand.

My objective is simple, seek out the best burger with a combined patty weight of which exceeds half a pound not only in the Philippines but in the world. Commercially available half-pounders out there like Wendy’s Baconator and McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder are too.. shall I say...“LIGHT” for me. I generally graze (eating five times a day in small portions instead of three heavy meals a day) and eat like a bird, but I have a heavyweight appetite when it comes to burgers. 

So if you know a burger joint near you let me know and I will conquer it!
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