Last December 21, 2019, DigitalDavao started the Hunt for the Best Burger in Davao. Asked for some recommendations about the best local burgers in Davao City and the recommendations that I got were amazing, truly Davao foodies know their burgers in town. I personally thought that this was really interesting to know which recommendation can truly stand up to the test when compared to others.
DigitalDavao had to make a standard to even up the playing field, thus comes the standard budget of Php 170.00. I never knew then that this was a good point of comparison as almost all burgers that were tasted in this search were indeed Php 170 or less. The result of this search is based on a personal foodie’s taste and experience on the different recommended entries. This is not done by an expert nor a professional. Feel free to comment and share your experience on which is the BEST Burger in Davao.
I started my search with Space Burger in Gaisano Mall of Davao. Space burger is known for their flame-grilled burgers and they have been around for quite some time now. I got the Double-Cheeseburger for exactly Php 170. The Space Burger Double-Cheeseburger was fresh off the grill, this burger comes with two burger patties, melted cheese and lettuce. Burger patties were flame-grilled and juicy. Taste for this one is good. Ate it as it was handed to me with no addition of any taste modifiers like catsup or mustard.
Second stop is Red Corner Burger Cafe at The Peak of Gaisano Mall of Davao. Red Corner is one of the famous burger joints in Davao now, they have a number of branches scattered around the city. Got the Pacman Burger for exactly Php 170, single burger patty, cheese sauce, mushrooms, caramelized onions, bacon and lettuce. The burger is also presented well on that wood tray they place it on. This could easily be the most loaded burger that you can get for this price point. Taste is definitely great, you have so many combinations of good tasting toppings to go with that regular patty. DigitalDavao awards this as the “Bang-for-the-Buck Burger of the Year”.
Third stop was Gino’s Boom Burgers. Gino’s is located at the corner of Sychar Hotel Building along Bajada, Davao City. They are sharing space with Mamma Maria’s Pizzeria. Gino’s was quite expensive as their burgers start at the price of Php 170, but that’s just perfect for the price point of this search. I got their Cheese Burger, a very sad looking burger, they might say it’s a regular burger but for me it just looks sad especially that I just finished eating Red Corners’. A slice of tomato, two loops of onions, cheese, burger patty and lettuce. This burger from Gino’s gave me a wrong impression from first sight, but as I had my first bite, oh my lord this burger is actually great! You can really savor the taste of their beef patty that’s really well-seasoned. This made me say that this is definitely the Best tasting burger in Davao! They don’t need to top their burgers with anything other than the usually burger toppings. Truly, taste is a luxury which comes with a price and it’s true with this that “you eat what you pay for”.
Fourth stop, The Dugout. One of the newer places here in Davao, they are located at Tulip Drive, Matina near Villa-abrille Subdivision. Unfortunately, Dugout’s burger exceeds our price point of Php 170.00, but I still included their burger with this search. Their burger may have exceeded our price point because their burgers come with a side of fries. Comes with a single burger patty, onion loop, cheese sauce, tomatoes and lettuce. The burger patty itself is tasty and well-seasoned. I can say that it’s a good burger to munch on every once in a while.
Halftime Burgers was the fifth stop. Located along McArthur Highway, Matina beside ACLC Campus. Halftime burgers is a new burger joint in Davao which is closely associating their products to basketball. I tried their James Harden Burger, pure beef patty, topped with bacon, onions, tomato with spicy barbecue sauce, all for only Php 160. This burger surprised me by its price which was Php 10 less than our price point. The burger is overwhelmed by the spicy barbecue sauce, you can hardly taste the patty. Still, this is a good option especially to students from the nearby schools and with a price on their burgers that’s affordable, I would not mind having this burger anytime of the day.
The Griddle, sixth stop. They’re located inside Viajeros Inn, at Patnubay street in Sandawa. This burger joint may have been forgotten by some but they still continue to serve their burgers. Their regular burger starts at Php 173. Burger patty, lettuce with house dressing. This is one of the best tasting burgers in this search. Their burger does not look sad at all, this may be their regular burger but it looks special. It’s big and it is really tasty and savory. This burger went over the Php 170 price point by only Php 3. We can always consider a few extra pesos, especially if their burger tastes great.
Seventh stop, BRGR Alley. They are located at Casa Panolee Building in Loyola Street, Obrero. BRGR Alley’s burgers start with the base price of Php 169. The burger is said to be Australian beef but I was kind of disappointed with the taste as they tasted unseasoned and bland. Maybe because they don’t put any catsup or dressing on their burgers, thus giving you the freedom to put accordingly to your taste. I could’ve added dressing on it but for this search I just had to consume it how it was prepared. Maybe I had a bad batch, people have given good reviews about their burgers. Still a good try if you’re right around the area.
Spark Coffee + Crafts at the eighth stop. Located at Paseo Uno Building in Marfori Heights. Spark offers a budget friendly starting price of Php 150 and allows you to add cheese and caramelized onions for Php 10 each. Other toppings available with varying prices. This burger was way below the point that it allowed us to elevate it more by adding toppings. The caramelized onions were really strong in this one, sweet candied onions. I love it! The burger patty is amazingly well-seasoned making it very savory. This is a neck and neck battle with Gino’s burger as the best tasting burger patty of 2020.
Ninth stop, Green Rocks Burger Joint. Located in NCCC Mall Buhangin. I got their Double Patty Cheeseburger for the price of Php 150. Green Rocks does not have additional toppings and the next burger on their menu is more than Php 170, so I had to stick with this burger as an entry. Comes in a foil wrap, looks messy with its dressing and lettuce. This burger is surprisingly tasty and yummy. Burger patty is indeed well seasoned and the simple dressing of cheese sauce and catsup really give you a nice burger meal. If you’re quite tight on the budget and want to enjoy some good burgers, then Green Rocks Burger Joint is a great recommendation. Good tasting burgers at a more affordable price point.
Last stop for this search, Outback Grill. Located at Woodridge Club House in Ma-a. Outback Grill is the most expensive recommendation in this search for the Best Burger in Davao. Their burger starts at Php 225, Burger patty with slice of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and homemade sauce. It may be the location but I am not quite sure, there were only three burgers on the menu and the “Famous Burger” is the closest to our price point. Yes, this burger tastes good. Big enough to stuff yourself for an entire afternoon in the club house pool. Just sad that Outback Grill does not have an entry with a Php 170 price point. If you’re in the Woodridge Clubhouse pool area and looking to grab a snack, this one’s for you.
- Best Tasting Burger is a toss-up between Gino’s Boom Burger & Spark Coffee + Crafts. Both their patties alone can end the conversation, can stand alone, flavorful and does not necessarily need any dressing to make it taste good.
- Best Bang-for-the-Buck Burger 2020 is Red Corner Burger Cafe. Instagrammable plating, toppings galore, flavorful and savory, takes your money and increases its value for experience.
- Saddest Looking Burger 2020 is definitely Gino’s Boom Burger. I don’t know how they can make it look better but again looks does is not a necessity when talking about food.
- Most Expensive Burger Joint 2020 is Outback Grill. I know they have the Zooburg but it says Ideal for Kids, thus they get to keep this title.
- Most Affordable Burger Joint 2020 is Green Rocks Burger Joint. Good price point for their good tasting burgers. Their Burgers start at Php 89.
- Least Tasting Burger 2020 is Brgr Alley. I look forward to tasting a little bit more salt and pepper on their burger patties. I am still hoping that I had a bad batch.
In the end, the burger joints named on this blog post was never informed to prepare for the tasting. This was done randomly, to avoid iterations on their products. DigitalDavao got them just like how a regular customer would get it in a regular day. I hope this search for the best burger in Davao would encourage my readers to the same and share their experience and results. Enjoy the BEST Burgers in Davao!