Charlie's Grind and Grill

Thanks to my genes, if I'd be fairly reasonable in my expectations, I rarely need to lose more than five pounds, though I've been cooking, baking and yeah, eating for like all my life.  But I must admit that there were times that I need to spread my exercise mat on the floor and sweat my butt out for at least 15 minutes just to finish an entire burger over a meal complete with fries and milkshakes, especially if this meal is from Charlie's Grind and Grill.

This well-loved burger joint along Kapitolyo, Pasig, stood the test of time.  Long before the rest of what Kapitolyo is now, Charlie's have been already serving one of the metro's best-selling burger.

With clientele that goes beyond the regular car owners who have their cars cleaned and buffed.

But more than their tasty burgers are a wide range of comfort food perfect for those times that you needed more than fillings in your tummy.

Teddy's Bigger Burgers By Far, My Best Burger Choice

The steady rise of more burger joints means more options for us burger lovers.  Top-notchers from across the globe joined other fast-food franchises and gourmet brands here in Manila to whet Filipinos' appetite for more tasty, comforting grubs, there's one from California, then from Canada and now from Hawaii.

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Hawaii’s top burger joint, has opened it's hibiscus-tainted doors, to answer foodies plight for perfectly-made burgers. 

This I would consider as another monumental effort of bringing quality American comfort food in our malls and top food spots.  With this, their first branch which debuted last August 23, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 was opened.  And boy, you'll be surprised at how Filipinos really crave for burgers.  As foodies from all walks of life lined up early, to be the very first 100 patron to indulge on huge burgers.  

So, what is Teddy's Bigger Burger all about?

Burger lovers themselves, Ted Tsakiris and Rich Stula, have put up Teddy’s Bigger Burgers out of  pure passion for getting their well-loved burgers out, since they could not find any really good burger joint in Hawaii, well probably not in any restaurant that serves the same quality burger they cooked in their backyards. 

Last, August 20, I was blessed to be one of the first people to have tried some of their burger offerings.  The place speaks for itself, described as how they have set it up in other branches in different countries.  

It's all about reinventing how a burger joint should be, narrates Teddy’s Bigger Burgers Philippines Executive Chef Kirsten Habawel, who headed the Teddy’s PH team sent to train in Hawaii. The menu focuses on high quality burgers, where every single patty is treated like the very first patty they've ever cooked.”

Interestingly, since its inception in 1998, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers has opened in 11 locations in Hawaii, and recently on US mainland in Washington and Iowa, with stores soon to open in California and Texas. The Philippines marks Teddy’s 2nd international location, following Japan.

Whoah!

When they said they reinvented the concept of burgers, the SIZES AND SPECIAL SAUCES matter.
To even break down to the very details here is how they have described their burgers. 

“Our patty is made from 100% corn-fed U.S. Black Angus ground chuck, shipped regularly from the US from the same supplier of Teddy’s Hawaii, with no binders or fillers,” reveals Habawel. “All patties are hand-pattied daily, with the special seasoning of Ted and Rich, and always charbroiled to order.”

Ground chuck is taken from the shoulder and neck portion of the cow, with prevalent meaty flavor and enough fat to ensure the beef does not dry out even when cooked on high temperature.
“We use a formula of 80% lean meat and 20% fat. This is ideal for burgers because it does not need extenders but retains its shape. Most of all, it makes for a juicy patty,” adds Habawel.

The patties have zero preservatives and are not injected with flavors. And because the patty is charbroiled, extra fat drips down instead of the patty swimming in grease.

Burger sizes also set Teddy’s apart, with “Big,” “Bigger,” and “Biggest” patties.

“Size definitely matters at Teddy’s,” Habawel notes. “Our burgers are bigger than the average burger. We start at 5 oz (Big) – that’s already a 1/3 pounder – and go on to 7 oz (Bigger) and 9 oz (Biggest) for our Original single patties, and our Monster Doubles (double patty sandwiches) go up to 10 oz, 14 oz, and 18 oz.”

Teddy’s Original Burgers are topped with a signature ‘Special Sauce,’ the burger joint’s own sweet and tangy creation.
“It’s not your usual thousand island dressing. The sauce is yellow, but it doesn’t have any mustard; it is actually an aioli that goes perfectly with our burgers,” Habawel explains. “The recipe, of course, is a company secret.”

Teddy’s Teri Burger meanwhile, is basted with a sweet teriyaki sauce – a traditional recipe made from scratch -- while the Western Burger is topped with barbecue sauce.

All sandwiches come with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions, but diners have the option to customize their burgers with a variety of toppings, including bacon, blue cheese, jalapeños, onion rings, and pastrami, among others.

Because all burgers are made to order, customers can also opt to reduce or remove seasoning, and use lettuce instead of bread as buns.

Nothing can complete their good burger without the golden in color potato buns, that are soft and delicate in texture, with a slightly sweet note that brings out the savory, smoky flavor of the burger.

Teddy’s sides include extra crispy fries and tots with a variety of sauces (cheese and garlic butter), and beer-battered onion rings.

What can best complement your burger?  Milkshake!

Teddy’s is also known for super thick milk shakes, in flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, peanut butter, rootbeer, dreamsicle or pineapple.  The staff recommended two flavors to mix, and it was spot on!  The photo above is a combination of strawberry and peanut butter.

The shakes are 90% ice cream and 10% milk. Unlike other shakes that are watered down with ice, theirs have a very rich taste, feel good taste.

Because of the locations for Teddy’s in the Philippines, the burger joint will soon be serving alcoholic beverages.

“Hawaii doesn’t have alcoholic drinks on their menu, but since we’re opening in malls with restaurants that offer alcoholic beverages, we’ll be offering both imported and local beers as well as some cocktails that were crafted specifically for Teddy’s,” adds Habawel.

Here is a great treat for those selfie and burger lovers out there:

From now until September 3, 2014, mall patrons at the Greenbelt Mall also have the chance to win a free burger from Teddy’s by taking a burger selfie with either the Teddy’s Bigger Burgers store board up or Teddy’s Bigger Burger standees around the mall. Participants must upload their photos on Facebook or Instagram account with the hashtag #teddysburgersph. The first 100 entries will win a free 5oz Teddy’s Original Burger.

For complete promo mechanics, and more information about Teddy’s Bigger Burgers PH, visit the official Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/TeddysBurgersPH).

CaliBurger Brings Out New Products from their Kitchen

"California is about the good life. So a bad life there seems so much worse than a bad life anywhere else. Quality is an obsession there—good food, good wine, good movies, music, weather, cars. Those sound like the right things to shoot for, but the never-ending quality quest is a lot of pressure when you’re uncertain and disorganized and, not least, broker than broke. Some afternoons a person just wants to rent Die Hard, close the curtains, and have Cheerios for lunch.”  ― Sarah Vowell, The Partly Cloudy Patriot

I may never have experienced living that Californian life and I am definitely not familiar with the said lifestyle, however, part of that may have been introduced to me and even to some by CaliBurger.  Being the newest hip comfort food, pit stop in Manila, Caliburger sends out a message that burger-eating is not only an answer to hunger pangs or cravings.  It's more of a lifestyle, a laid-back, summer-feel comfort that every urban souls need even with a quick meal.

I was part of a group to check out their new branch at Timog Ave.  Their first Philippine branch got off the ground just last February, 2014 at the 4th level of Century City Mall, Makati.

 The place is just across GMA network along one of Quezon City's frolicking street, Timog Ave.

 These colorful chairs and tables will make you think of the beach, only there isn't a trace of sand or sea water.

CaliBurger in Timog is a two-story building with ample seating on both floors.  If you don't want to be with the crowd, or prefers an outdoor venue, you can savor your California-inspired burgers at the veranda and sit luxuriously at these wide, cushioned wicker chairs and tables.

Simplicity!  That's how I can truly describe CaliBurger's menu.  No fuss, just great tasting hamburgers with meat patties made from Certified USDA Prime Angus Beef.
They have been known for their Cheeseburger and fries combo, but they have added three new products as they had celebrated Cali Fresh Weekend (which was last June 13-15).

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger and Onion Rings

How can you go wrong with bacon?  CaliBurger's Cheeseburger is perfect in itself, with locally-sourced fresh produce such as lettuce and tomatoes, and real American cheddar cheese melted on the grilled patty.  Now, it's made insanely relishing with double smoked bacon drizzled with a sweet and tangy house-made BBQ sauce.

Another side dish you might want to order with your burger are onion rings.  Of course you can still have some of their hand-cut fries, but why not try their hand-battered onion rings mildly flavored with thyme.

 Sweet Cali Wings

 For some days when you want to pass for the burger, you can instead savor the Sweet Cali Wings.  Chicken wings slightly bigger than your regular buffalo wings are crisp-fried to perfection then coated with soy honey glaze.   I was caught by a fellow blogger literally licking my fingers off after a few wings because the sauce was so damn good.  An order gives you four big chicken pieces.

Strawberry Milkshake

If you ask a California-dweller what's best to pair your burger and fries (or onion rings in this case) with, they would say "Milkshakes!" in a heartbeat.  I would agree!  So, I also tried their milkshakes, my first choice was Strawberry.  I love how dense and creamy my milkshake was, not the icy,strawberry-flavored, I guess they used dairy-based ice cream to make every sip pleasurable.  The serving too was quite huge, it was good but I wasn't able to finish mine cause I became full with all the stuff I had.

Make sure to check out CaliburgerPH at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for some promos and product updates.

Makati Branch

Address: 4F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Makati

Phone: (02) 403 8554

Email: info@caliburgerasia.com

Website: http://www.CaliBurgerIntl.com

Timog Branch:

Timog Avenue, Quezon City, in front of GMA Network,

         beside, Highlands Coffee

What's Contemporary About the Old TGI Fridays

Is there a psychological study behind why people love Friday?  What actually gives a nice ring to that day? 

Aside from the fact that it's the start of the weekend, its two days away from Monday.  It's that day when some get to see their workplace for the last time of every week, most of us also get to sleep late and watch more shows on cable and an excuse to wake up late as well on Saturday.  

Most people get that rushing feeling of having to go somewhere after work or school.  That's why TGI Fridays is that go to place for those occasions when you feel like celebrating, even if there is not really a big thing to celebrate for. 

For 48 years, T.G.I.Friday’s, our favorite casual dining restaurant, has been serving us nothing but Friday-worthy experiences on any day of the week.

 However, there is something quite noticing about TGI Friday's new branch in Greenbelt 3.  It's an all-new TGI Fridays but with a contemporary vibe to it.  As you can see they have added apple green background on their banner.  The inetrior retaining its classy ambiance have merited a new look as well withe the removal of some of the old TGIF's iconic art collections.   They have put on the heritage wall instead to keep the memories of the original TGIF alive.  Such changes includes a new logo and a whole new interior to the restaurant. This new look caters to both the hip and young, as well as to the more conservative ages. From the interiors to the vibe, expect an all-new T.G.I.Friday’s coming your way.