Bite-Size: Five must-try burgers in BGC

When it comes to comfort food, very few options surpass the good old hamburger. For a dish so fundamentally simple, both in concept and execution—two pieces of bread, an appropriately-sized slab of meat, and a dash of seasoning—it’s amazing how this sandwich has become such an essential part of human culture ever since it was introduced to the world near the end of the 19th century.

However, not all burgers are created equal. Even the slightest variation in ingredients, appearance, or preparation time can make a significant difference in the way a burger tastes. It’s not surprising that countless establishments that either serve burgers exclusively or feature them as an integral part of the menu have been popping up left and right in the metro.

One such hamburger haven is Bonifacio Global City’s Forbes Town Center, which recently kicked off a Burger and Beer Feast. A quick stroll reveals numerous establishments offering diverse takes on the iconic sandwich—all best enjoyed with an ice-cold beer.

Here are five of the best burger-and-beer pairs at Forbes Town Center.

5. Hornets Burger and Big Ass Rose Beer (Rue Bourbon - P510)

There’s just something that sets Rue Bourbon’s Hornets Burger apart from standard fast food chicken sandwich fare. The Hornets Burger features a large patty—a slice of breaded chicken thigh meat that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. On top of the patty is a small stack of crunchy onion rings sitting on a bed of delicious honey mustard sauce, cheese, and lettuce.

While the flavor and texture of the burger might be a bit overwhelming (or even off-putting) for non-onion-lovers, the Hornets Burger escapes this trap when paired with Rue Bourbon’s unique and tasty Rose Beer. All in all, this is a great choice for anyone in need of a light and flavorful chicken fix. (Oh, and don’t forget to have them serve your Rose Beer in the signature Big Ass mug size!)

4. Bugsy’s Traditional American Burger and Brew Kettle (Bugsy’s Sports Bar - P355)

Nothing beats tradition, or at least that’s what Bugsy’s trying to communicate with its mouthwatering Traditional American Burger: A moderately thick 100% beef patty, plus the standard lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese, as well as potato wedges on the side. It offers a delicious tasting experience that will certainly make you think about whether the chef really did prepare the burger in the kitchen, or if he just had it shipped impossibly fast from the USA. While it may not be as juicy as the other burgers on this list, it more than makes up for that by going extremely well with Brew Kettle.

3. Old-Fashioned Burger with Bacon Jam and Stella Artois Draft Beer (Reserve Gastro Tavern - P730)

This burger came dangerously close to topping this list, if only for its irresistible bacon jam. Seriously, it’s so good that you’ll want to buy jars of it and slather it on nearly every dish you can think of. Apart from that, it’s the typical, tried-and-tested burger formula done right (a one-third pound beef patty, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes), truly earning it the moniker “Old-Fashioned.”

The bacon jam really makes a difference, though, and when paired with the strong-tasting Stella Artois Draft Beer, this burger is nearly unstoppable.

2. Umami Teriyaki Burger and Asahi Beer/Kirin Ichiban Beer (UCC Park Cafe - P538)

Picking the top two entries for this list was no easy chore, but UCC Park Cafe’s Umami Teriyaki Burger certainly earned its position fair and square. Imagine taking a bite out of a humongous hamburger and immediately experiencing an explosion of flavors in your mouth.

That, in a nutshell, is what you’ll get when you sink your teeth into this savory combination of a thick burger patty, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, and special teriyaki sauce.

Take your pick between the cool, refreshing, and dry taste of Asahi Beer or the strong, malty Kirin Ichiban, and find out firsthand why this burger was named after the Japanese word for “pleasant and savory taste.”

1. Angus Burger and Sapporo Beer (L’Entrecote - P595)

It boggles the mind how such a simple, no-nonsense combination of pure, caramelized Angus beef patty, fresh and crunchy green lettuce, and juicy tomato manages to be so good that it somehow manages to climb to the top of Forbes Town Center’s hill of burgers. With every bite into this burger’s soft, juicy meat comes a unique sensation; it’s like eating a very tender steak in sandwich form. It also helps that this burger was paired with Sapporo Beer—a mild-tasting beer that serves to elevate the burger’s rich taste instead of overpowering it.

Honorable mentions

There are other noteworthy burgers in the area that, despite not making the top 5, are unique, delicious, and memorable in their own right. Big Bad Wolf’s best-selling Bacon Cheese Burger, when paired with the house brew Mr. Wolf Brown Ale (P700), takes your taste buds on a thrill-filled journey through mouthfuls of mild cheddar cheese, pickled onions, and smoked bacon, all on top of a soft and juicy patty.

The Bowery’s House Burger (P580), which is also made from 100% Angus beef and spiced up with some tomatoes, lettuce, red onions, salt and pepper, is served on a brioche bun, and is best enjoyed with a cold bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

Burgers and Brewskies’ appropriately named Call the Nurse (topped with honey sriracha bacon, spiced mustard aioli, cheese sauce, and macaroni and cheese) goes really well with Blue Moon Beer, and is so rich that you might actually find yourself happily calling for an ambulance after eating it.

Health-conscious burger connoisseurs will definitely appreciate The Farm’s Organic Farmers Burger; at P590, you’ll get an all-organic burger consisting of American cheese, pickles, tomatoes, onions and lettuce, topped with bacon and egg and lathered with special sauce (oh, and it goes well with Hoegaarden).

Last but not the least, you’ll definitely do a triple-take when you swing by The Distillery and set your sights on the triple-layered Triple Burger (quarter pound US Angus patty, with vegetables on top and onion rings on the side)—at P630, you can try it with Paulaner Dunkel for a unique gastronomic experience. — BM, GMA News

Forbes Town Center’s #BurgerandBeeratFTC Instagram contest runs up to June 7. For more information, contact the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888, or 0917-8380111.