MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burger Goodness! @MercatoCentrale

Text by Nikka Sarthou and Photos by Crissy Castillo

What product first comes to mind when you hear fast-food joint? For me, it’s the burger. I noticed though that this fast-food favorite has gone gourmet now. I’ve been seeing more creative burger concoctions in high-end establishments that elevate the ordinary meat sandwich—and its price as well. 

But I recently discovered an affordable gourmet burger stall in Cucina Andare—Macheesemo Burgers. The name itself sounds like a guy brand but it’s the “cheese” that got to me. Apparently, my favorite dairy product is incorporated in all the variants of Macheesemo Burgers, which specializes in cheese-stuffed burgers that have no extenders and fillers.

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

Patrick Santos is the brain behind Macheesemo Burgers. It is his love for food that motivated him to venture into his first food business. He has been passionate about food ever since he was in high school. Although he doesn’t have any culinary background, he watches a lot of food shows and reads a lot of related magazines, which are his sources of inspiration. He also has plenty of friends in the culinary industry who encourage him and his passion. 

Patrick’s burger business started in Mezza Norte last July 2012, and it has hardly been a year when he expanded to the other Mercato weekend market locations. Macheesemo Burgers offers its homemade pure beef cheese-stuffed burgers in Cucina Andare now, and the Classic variant, which comes with lettuce, tomato and onions, is reasonably priced at P130. 

Other variants are the Melt (with bacon, mushroom and additional cheese), Philly (with cheesesteak inspired flavors, grilled onion and bell peppers), Blue (with blue cheese stuffing), and Hell (with jalapeños, habanero sauce and additional cheese). The Hell burger is the most expensive thing on the menu at P195, but it’s still affordable compared to other gourmet burgers. Faith Santos, who helps with the business, says that the Hell burger is, “Spicy. It stings but it doesn’t last.”

The burger brand attracts those with manly appetites—whether guy or girl. I think it’s the secret seasoning—aside from the cheese—that makes these burgers stand out. 

As of now, I’m still trying to get the courage to try the Hell burger, but until then, I’m happy with the yummy blue cheese burger. 

MACHEESEMO BURGERS
Mobile number: (+63 917) 316-7723
Email: macheesemoburgers@yahoo.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/macheesemo.burgers
Twitter: @MACHEESEMObrgrs

Available at Cucina Andare

CUCINA ANDARE 
Address: Glorietta 3 Park, Makati (in front of Makati Shangri-La)
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152
Email: admin@cucinaandare.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

P.S. Would you like to become the next big food entrepreneur at Mercato Centrale group of markets? Please get in touch with us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102.