Surf Burger: Surfin’ in a Landlocked Province

Surfing on land: impossible? Maybe.


Or maybe not.


I’m not talking about the dunes of Paoay (on second thought, THAT is the ultimate definition of surfin’ on land). 


Am talking about the newest and perhaps, the only surfer-inspired burger joint in Bulacan. 

Perched along the harried road near the Bocaue tollgate, Surf Burger takes its inspiration from one of the country’s surfing meccas: Baler. The concept is straightforward, really: to serve a suited-for-surfers menu, in a teensy space (able to seat only about 20 at a time) that eloquently conveys the surfer lifestyle. You will not find anything pedantic or pompous here. Only irie things that remind you of Baler.

It should come as no surprise that Surf Burger’s owners – husband-and-wife entrepreneurs – also happen to be co-owners of Baler Surfer Grill in Sabang. 


(UPDATE: It came to my attention that the owners of Baler Surfer Grill are not in any way connected to Surf Burger, as opposed to what we were told by the staff when we dined in Surf Burger. As such, I am retracting the above-said statement.)


In fact, some of Surfer Grill’s dining concepts are very much similar to Surf Burger. The ultra cool surfboards as ornate pieces. The inspiring and ginormous poster of Sabang Beach. The wooden chairs. The hippie car on display (a Volkswagen van in Surf Burger, and a beetle in Surfer Grill). 

Being that it’s surfer-centric, Surf Burger’s menu is simple and small, covering only staples that surfers require before getting stoked: carbs for energy and proteins for repair. 


Translation: a variety of burgers stuffed with thick beef patties, fried chips, onions and cheese; chips, fries and onion rings as appetizers; and a rice bowl with tidbits of pork meat. 

Steak Burger Pro.

That’s basically it, apart from a few ice cream desserts from their own ice cream brand, Swirl (which also has kiosks in malls including Waltermart and SM), and a couple of homemade beverages (iced tea and blue lemonade). 

(I’d have to say though the refreshments are not anywhere as great-tasting as they look like. The vanilla in our Choco Brownie Fudge Carfait – nothing more than vanilla ice cream topped with two slivers of brownie and a cherry – was so bland I regretted buying it for P99. The drinks are no better  (P25 per glass), but we had no choice but to order, since they don’t serve house water.) 

A sad glass of bland vanilla ice cream.

The main difference between the two dining holes though is the way the patties are cooked. In Baler, they grill burgers on a Volkswagen beetle (yes. ON). Here, burgers are fried on the traditional steel stove. 

We think the patties would taste much better grilled, but that’s not to say they aren’t good. They’re juicy and plump, though they can use a bit more seasoning. It was smart for them to stuff fried chips in there though for added carbs – definitely the first burger I’ve seen so.

The anatomy of a burger. Right: Steak Burger Pro.

We had two different burgers: Beer-Cheese Bacon Beginner and Steak Burger Pro for the hubby (for reference, beginner burgers are single-patty burgers, and pro are doubles). The lady at the counter warned me against the beer-cheese burger since I usually don’t eat foodstuff that have beer in it, but I didn’t listen because it sounds waaay more exciting to eat than to worry about an upset stomach (which later on, I incurred). 

Between the two, there’s much more interesting stuff going on in their signature steak burger, and I would probably put that on the tab next time. The potato-onion ring-nacho trio, maybe not, unless they serve it hot (it was COLD when we went).

Could’ve been a nice trio appetizer, but cold. Love the dips though. P60.

Food here in Surf Burger may not be as mind-blowing as their surfer concept, but it’s a pretty good sub in a province where a good burger joint is about 20 miles away. It’s laid-back and refreshing as the indiscriminating surfers who seek the waves of Baler, and for better or worse – their food definitely speaks that.