Establishing a business always has a sense of risk, there is a gamble at play. Launching a new venture during a health crisis, that seems to be a bankruptcy waiting to happen. But with hard work and a good product, a business can go big and thrive even in a restriction-filled community.

That couldn't be more true to Calamba-based young entrepreneurs Dannielle Joy Tolentino and John Kenneth Simondac. After three failed attempts of building a livelihood, the couple has found sweet, juicy success in their latest endeavor.

After a night of pondering on a Lisa Sasevich mantra that says, "I want my money to be like a river, not like a pond," the couple instantly set up a tiny burger joint in October 2020 and called it The Burger Garage, paying homage to their business birthplace that is Kenneth's empty garage.

"At first we expected that only our close friends and family would buy and support us and then later that same day random strangers came to try our burgers," Dannielle tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. "We started posting in Facebook groups after that day, and since then it's been an unexpected success."

In August 2021, their humble business grew to a point that their space can no longer accommodate their customers. And from the garage, their brand went onto a larger, pandemic-proof space with its first trailer. Their new spot offers a more convenient alfresco dining experience for customers to enjoy their products.

While it all sounds easy, Dannielle and Kenneth had to roll with the COVID-19 punches, too, as entrepreneurs.

"We have encountered a lot of struggles during the pandemic but the most challenging one is the limited access to supplies due to the protocols followed during quarantines," Dannielle says. "Another one is the sudden increase of the prices of goods and the ingredients we use. Unlike the public establishments, we cannot just suddenly increase and decrease the prices of our burgers and other food on the menu."

Speaking of the menu, their success lies in the food they are serving, particularly their burgers. According to them, what sets them apart from other joints is the effort they put into their patties. Their homemade patties are made of 100 percent beef. They are thick with no extenders, cooked to charred perfection.

"The secret to our tasty burger is that we let the smoke do its work," she says. "As a couple, our favorite go-to meal is always a burger. As time passed by, we had our own preference with the type of burger we eat. We don't like our burgers swimming in their own oil and, based on tasting and experiencing different burgers, we prefer it to be chargrilled."

Aside from its different variations of burger, The Burger Garage has other specialties that includes Korean corn dog, sausages, and an array of freshly deep fried fries. A testament to their good comfort food is that they are always sold out.

Currently, The Burger Garage products are only available for delivery and pick-ups since Laguna is under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). But if ever you're driving down south after ECQ, this burger joint is definitely worth a stop.

Visit @theburgergarage.calamba on Instagram to get updates. The Burger Garage is located at Mother Earth Food Park, in front of Calamba City Hall and Villa de Calamba.