Munching on Tropical Hut Hamburgers
image borrowed from shop.eyp.ph
Before there was Jollibee and McDonald’s, there was Tropical Hut Hamburger. For those born in late 90s, this blog post is intended to get you acquainted with a foodie great. Before there were flyovers along EDSA, there were roundabouts at the major intersections of EDSA, particularly Monumento, Quezon Ave and Ortigas. At the corner of Ortigas Ave and EDSA there stood my favorite hamburger place, which was also a full service restaurant with an adjoining supermarket and drugstore. Tropical Hut was THE place to be, because they were one of the first that served burgers and milkshakes. If you are wondering about the patty, my source says it hasn’t changed much since 1965 when it was first opened. It grew in larger portions but the taste is still the great taste we know today. I love Tropical Hut because it is the real juicy burger and, still is, thicker and meatier than most. One bite and you will see that they incorporated the onions into the burger.
My personal theory is that they might have added pork into the mixture, (though for me, this has yet to be proven otherwise) because the original recipe for hamburger patty back in those days was never pure beef. Pure beef gave you that odd smell and was usually dried and shriveled after it got cold. Tropical Hut hamburgers never got that way even after they got cold. As far as burgers go, Tropical Hut is still the best in the land. Maybe closely rivaled by Burger King who, admittedly, does have juicy hamburgers but is still beaten by Tropical Hut to the punch because of the price difference. McDonalds and Jollibee closely rival each other in cost and flavor. In my personal book of favorites, Wendy’s hamburgers come in a close 3rd place. However, of all the hamburgers in the Philippines, for me nothing beats the taste of Tropical Hut hamburgers because they are part of my past. I love the foil wrapper, which they now lined with wax paper to comply with environmental laws on packaging.
It is unfortunate indeed that Tropical Hut is relegated to the lower-budget category of food places. I love the prices, but I wish that people would have a bit more respect for this historical hamburger that started it all. There are kids these days who wouldn’t even try it and still opt for lousy-tasting American hamburgers that so flat and dry, I feel like bringing them to the vulcanizing shop before eating them. I really urge you, dear reader, to give Tropical Hut a try.
Incidentally, Tropical Hut has always been making deliveries. Call 755-8000 for delivery. Don’t call twoanyone.com’s 212-1212 number, service is terrible. They don’t know anything about the product that they have to put you on hold and ask for your details all over again. Hay naku.
Again, call 755-800 for Tropical Hut delivery. Minimum order is only P200 versus 212-1212′s minimum order of P500. Twoanyone charges an extra P60 if you order below the minimum plus 10%.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, my burgers are here. And they have change for P500.
my comfort food… ranchero… their breakfast combos with coffee AND juice
There are two within the proximity of our place, one in Quezon Avenue, near National Bookstore and the other in Congressional.
Yeah, indeed yummy burgers, totoo yung gulay =P heheh