Chef Miguel “Mingu” Marcelino and Marc Alberich may call Barcelona their place of birth, but if you ask them where’s home, they’ll both smile and immediately say it’s Siargao. The two friends are the masterminds behind Big Belly Burgers (BBB), a burger joint that’s been called one of the best in the Philippines, if not the whole burger world.
BBB brings back the magic and allure of messy burgers in a delightful way, and thanks to Carlo Lorenzana and the Nikkei Group, we can now savor these gourmet burgers right here in Manila. Big Belly has recently opened a standalone location on Forbeswood Road, Burgos Circle, Taguig.
If you love burgers and want to experience the pleasure of sinking your teeth into tender, flavorful Wagyu patties topped with outrageous ingredients, make a beeline for BBB... you won't regret it.
I brought my middle boy, Matteo, with me so we could sample more of the burgers. One immediate favorite was the Truffle Mushroom, featuring a wagyu patty sourced locally in the Philippines, melted brie, braised shiitake, browned onions, and a secret truffle sauce. This burger takes simplicity and sophistication to a whole new level.
The B.B. King is the burger for bacon lovers, and we know there are many of you out there. It features wagyu patty, melted cheddar, browned onions, crispy bacon, mustard pickles, and a generous smothering of barbecue sauce. The crispy bacon is a delightful treat, and it's the addition of the barbecue sauce that truly elevates this burger.
Marc Alberich is eager to try all kinds of burgers and admits that even those served by fast food chains hit the mark. His Big Marc is his tribute to the Big Mac, taken to a whole new level. Once again, it's wagyu patty with melted cheddar, shredded iceberg lettuce, onions, pickles, and a special Big Marc sauce. It's the sauce that makes this burger a heartfelt tribute.
I had the opportunity to try their #SMASH Burgers, and the ones here consist of wagyu crust - a thinner version of the patties, which works well if you're looking for a leaner and lighter version of their burgers. There's even a Chori Burger in this category, and Mingu explained that the chorizo crust is homemade.
Among the Crispy Fried variants, my next visit will definitely include their Pollos Hermanos, featuring a fried chicken leg as the filling; and the Snapper Burger, where a beer-battered white snapper fillet serves as the main attraction. I'm looking forward to trying these out. You also have the option to add melted cheddar to these burgers.
Big Belly's side dishes include Truffle Fries, NY Fries, Chori Fries, Hot Papas (thick fries with hot chimichurri and aioli sauce), Chicken Tenders, and Mozzarella sticks. In other words, even when it comes to sides, they've added a lot of variety and creativity.
For dessert, they offer a Triple Black Affogato and a Cherry Float. Big Belly Forbeswood stays open until midnight, serving cocktails and drinks. They aim to create an island vibe with great burgers to encourage people to relax and enjoy their time.
From Barcelona to Siargao and now to Manila, these burgers may have traveled a long, circuitous route, but get ready to understand why every bite is worth the journey. Here's to Big Belly Burgers flourishing all over the city.