Johnny Rockets here in the Philippines had a bright start.

But, now there's only one branch.  And during our visit, the air-conditioning isn't working well.

But, we were okay with that.  We were just excited to try the Juke Box.

After hitting so many buttons, we were finally convinced that it was broken too.

Well... at least it got us excited... But, disc is always error when selected.

Food

Salad

Garden Salad To Share (285 php)

Hamburgers

The Original with Cheese (320 php)

Rocket Single (320 php)

♥ Mini Chili Cheese Dogs (245 php)

But, somehow we just felt like the place lost its luster.

Shakes & Floats

♥ Vanilla Original Shake (215 php)

♥ Strawberry Milk Shake (215 php)

♥ Root Beer (175 php)

My brother loves their classic Root Beer.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We're really sad that Johnny Rockets turned out like the way it is.  It is no longer the cool retro burger joint it once was.

They are so many things in life that can brighten up my day like traveling far north to chill at a hole-in-the-wall burger and wings joint plus board game cafe called Burger Company. Yes, the best of all three worlds!


Burger Company is actually the reopened Boulevard Diner which I shared two years ago.   Not that I didn't like the old Boulevard Diner with a retro 50's American ambiance.  But, I'm totally sold by Burger Company's offer of play and WiFi all you want for a minimum order of 150 php.   

Yes, I happen to be a game geek and I'm quite thrilled that they have the best table top games like Rio Grande games' Settlers of Catan and Carcassone.  I'm one of the many who are actually glad that game cafes are now more reasonably priced.  A few years back, we used to spend thousands at the closed down Game Crab Cafe just to play.  

It has a laid back and fun vibe. 



They also have a eating challenge for their burger and wings.  I want to try this on my next visit. =)

Unfortunately, I didn't know about them being a board game cafe concept otherwise, I would have visited with game geek friends.  But, my visit was not bad too, since I got to discover and play (and win) a Taiwanese card game called Super Rhino. 

Food
What sets Burger Company apart from other board game cafes is that it was a diner specializing in food first before they added the board game cafe so you're assured with their food quality.

Starters

♥ Homemade Bacon Dippers Sharing (165 php)

To start our meal right or should I say wrong but worth every bit of the guilt, we ordered the Homemade Bacon Dippers.  It's better than eating the ordinary crispy bacon because it has added oil and crunchiness.  I like it as is.  But, you can also dip it on the cheese sauce if you want.

Angus Beef Burgers

Green Chile & Sour Cream Single Patty (205 php)

The Green Chile & Sour Cream is a burger that will give you a sizzling spice with those green chili.  But, not to worry as the sour cream neutralizes it a bit.  I like their soft oatmeal buns and their chargrilled USDA Angus Beef patties are satisfying for the price.

♥ Gorgonzola & Mushroom Single Patty (205 php)

The Gorgonzola & Mushroom is my kind of burger.  If I would create my own burger, it would be something like this.  I find the combination of gorgonzola dressing and oyster mushroom to be really hearty for a mushroom and cheese lover like me.

The Striker's Burger Single Patty (249 php)

If you love cheese sauce like most of my companions, The Striker's Burger is for you.  I liked the idea of adding crispy crisscut fries and champignon mushroom on it too.

Chicken Wings

♥ Cocoa & Chili Bantam Weight (140 php)

The Cocoa & Chili has a nice bitter-sweetness followed by a spicy kick.  Their wings are saucy and right-sized (not skinny).

Smoked Chili Bantam Weight (140 php)

The Smoked Chili is a mildly sweet but dominantly fiery.  It was good but I'd still prefer spicy buffalo wings over it.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Whether it's for burgers, wings or board games (added a star for this!), head on over to Burger Company.  If only this place is within my turf, this would be my ideal chill spot.

Who in the world does not love burgers?  Or should I say Burger with a capital B.  Like eager beavers (despite our prior 3 stops), me and my Food Panda Maginhawa Food Crawl companions, headed over to Big B Burgers.

You see that black sign?  That stands for Big B Burgers or you can probably get a hint by the smell of grilled burgers.  They currently have more delivery orders reaching around 400 a day including their 3 stalls in UP.  I salute the owners who are young couples from UP.  They are only 22 and 21 and admittedly without any culinary or management background.  Yet, they've established such a successful burger joint.

If you peek through, you'll probably think oh it's just a small hole-in-wall diner with one bar and stools.  You can also see that they make their burger patty from scratch which is cool.  You'd also be amused over their wall spiced with witty humor like her...

This is what she was taking a photograph of...

But, there's actually more space inside see?  With cute lighting which is craftily made of screen wires. 


You'd usually find enticing food shots to encourage you to order more.  But at Big B, they use wise words like those above.

And, if the dining space is still not enough, you can hide away in the basement.  There's also a rest room there.

Each table has a recycled spam turned into a napkin holder...



and an Awesome Sauce gun.  That is Gabs initial reaction when confronted with the Awesome Sauce...  Once he taste it, he wanted it so bad that he couldn't stop smothered his burger with it.


Food

Burgers

♥ Big B QTR (100 php)

The Big B is made of 50% beef and 50% bacon.  Yes.. BACON!  This burger is super "sarap" because the beef is tender and juicy and the bacon bits still offers a bit of a crunch.  Awesome right?  I too am wondering how they managed to do that.  Don't forget to use your Awesome Sauce gun to add more flavor.  It's mayo with a hint of basil and other spices.  Oh, and eat your burgers using your hands.  They have plastic gloves so ask for one.

Bongga! QTR (109 php)

Up next is the Bongga! which has 50% beef and 50% longganisa.  The initial bite was pretty good for me.  But, the sweetness kind of grew on me for the subsequent ones.

BAM QTR (119 php)

The BAM is made of 50% beef and 50% spam.  Like the Bongga!, the initial impression was pretty good until I felt a saltiness overload as I chugged on more water fore relief and imagined it would be better eaten with rice.

Sides

♥ Poutine ng Ina Mo (65 php)

I guess you could recognize what Poutine ng Ina Mo was made to sound like.  Well, this bowlful is so good you'd be honored to have it named after your mom.  This is no ordinary poutine as it makes use of mozzarella cubes (that is slightly melted by the hot gravy) instead of cheese curds. 

Ballsballs Mo (150 php)

The Ballsballs Mo has beef balls and tater tots with glorious cheese sauce.  We didn't like this because both the beef balls and tater tots lacked flavor on their own and cheese sauce was not able to make up for it.


Drink

♥ Pink Potion w/ Feelings (35 php)

The Pink Potion w/ Feelings offers a whole new experience "sa murang halaga".  The Pink Potion without feelings is 15 php less but that's pretty lame cause you're missing out a lot.

 

♥ Pink Potion w/ Feelings (35 php)

What do they mean by feelings?  Well, order for yourself and see what these guys are up to.

Order from Big B Burger Through Food Panda
Food Panda is an online delivery service available in over 35 countries.  Craving for burgers?  Have it delivered to your by ordering now from Big B Burger through Food Panda. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Big B Burger is my kind of burger...WHOLESOME, BIG, TASTY, AFFORDABLE with feelings pa.  Check them out when you're in the area.  I'm sure you won't regret it.  The staffs are also full of feelings (added a star in service because of this!) and hospitality.  I'm going to try their 1 pounders next!  See you soon Big B!

Being back in SM Aura on my own, I went to my favorite solo food spot - the food court.  I haven't been back to Food on the Four since the mall newly opened, it's as grand as I remembered to be but with more options.  Adding to the already great options is Triple O's by White Spot.   

Triple O's by White Spot  is Canada's most popular burger chain. 
 
Upon glancing on the menu, I wished I was with some company because I wanted to try so much of their products.


I finally settled by ordering their best-selling items as suggested.  Upon ordering, I was given their buzzer.

Food

Monty Mushroom Combo Upgrade with Onion Rings (390 php + 100 php)

So here's what I got...  One full meal all just for me which is a bit pricey at 600 php.

Monty Mushroom

The Monty Mushroom is one of their best-sellers.  It has 100% fresh Canadian beef quarter pound patty, Monterey Jack cheese, grilled mushrooms, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato and signature Triple O sauce.  This burger was heavier than it looks because the patty is very lean.  I really liked that it was juicy and flavorful without the guilt.

Fries & Sides

Onion Rings with Triple O Fry Drip and additional Chiptotle Fry Dip (30 php)

Instead of Fries, I decided to pay a hefty additional price for Onion Rings.  As a default, it comes with a Triple O Fry Drip, but because I like something more spicy, I ordered an extra Chiptotle Fry Dip.  The Onion Rings were large in size.  In fact, I found it difficult to finish because I was so stuffed from my Monty Mushroom.

Milkshakes & Sundaes

Strawberry Small (150 php)

I recalled that my brother, who is not fond of milk shakes (or sweets in general), have specifically mentioned that Triple O's Strawberry milkshake is really good so having high respect for my brother's judgment, I ordered one.  I liked it.  It wasn't too thick or diluted.  The strawberry blend is pleasant to the taste buds.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I can understand why Triple O's by White Spot took Canada by the storm.  I definitely want to go back and try more of their offerings especially the burgers.  But, I do hope they make their Onion Rings a bit reasonably priced.