Burger Avenue is ridiculous indeed!

Burger Avenue's Ridiculous Burger (smaller variant)

Yesterday, I and a few colleagues would like to have some fun. So, we all agreed to go to Zark's Burger in Bonifacio Global City for a food trip--to take on a challenge and munch real big burgers a la Adam Richman of 'Man vs. Food' fame. We all skipped lunch in preparation for our gustatory craving.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to locate Zark's Burger branch in BGC. Where the hell it is? So we ended up at Burger Avenue. Burger Avenue has also a similar food-munching challenge. But out of frustration of finding Zark's, my colleagues backed out and I was the only one joining the challenge.

Burger Avenue brags about its 'Ridiculous Burger', consisting of three big, thick, juicy quarter-pounder patties in one burger. But the said burger is still no match to Zark's Jaw Breaker (weighs 1.5 lbs.) and Tombstone (weighs 2.0 lbs.).

So I decided to take on the 'Ridiculous Challenge'. While waiting in line, I and my colleagues talked about the challenge and how I would possibly consume the big burger in about five minutes. I was so excited and hungry too.

After several minutes of waiting, finally, my order arrived. To my surprise, the size of the 'Ridiculous Burger' that was served to me was not intimidating enough. So I told myself that I can do it. Then, I called the attention of the cashier to signify my intention to start the challenge. But the cashier was ignoring me, so I approached the counter. I told the cashier that I'm ready but the cashier said that I didn't told her of my intention to take on the challenge. That's ridiculous! I and my colleagues were chatting all along about the challenge and our chatting was loud enough to be heard by the people inside the restaurant. Thus, I told the cashier she should, at least, confirm what she heard, or make a suggestion. The mere fact that I wanted the 'Ridiculous Burger' the first thing that should come to mind is the challenge, right?

At that point, the supervisor sporting tattoos on her arm butted in. At first, she sounded like what happened was my fault because I didn't inform them. Whatta f@#k! So I explained my side and she finally gave in.  So she took the burger that was served to me and asked the kitchen crew to cook a new one.

As it turned out, that 'Ridiculous Burger' has two variants: the non-challenge size, which is smaller, and the challenge size, which is the real biggie one. What I received was the smaller variant. What a rip-off! Such cheap trick is ridiculous, indeed! Whether or not one will be joining the challenge or not, one should get the same product, as advertised, that he or she paid for. 

Besides, you would most probably be ordering the 'Ridiculous Burger' mainly because of its extra-large size; therefore, even if you don't want to take on the challenge you should be getting the same extra-large size--no more, no less! 

To proceed with my story, the larger variant of the 'Ridiculous Burger' was finally served to me. Now, it looks intimidating and true to form. Then, my challenge had begun.

I could have hurdled the five-minute eating challenge if not for the following hindrances:

• The tattooed supervisor started the time way too early. The clock ticked the moment my hands touched the wrapper to open it.

• The burger was served right after it was cooked; therefore, it's too hot for me to handle and swallow.  

• There was no fork and knife provided on the onset. Thus, it chipped off several seconds on my time waiting for the fork and knife.

• The burger patties tasted a bit saltier than its typical burgers. The saltiness somewhat slowed me down.

In a nutshell, I've lost. But no regrets for I enjoyed that breeze moment, plus I satisfied my big craving. What am I not happy about was the way Burger Avenue trying to dupe us. Don't do that to customers, especially first time customers like some of my colleagues, for they won't be coming back!

As a tip to first-timers to Burger Avenue, even if you have no intention to join the 'Ridiculous Challenge', always tell the counter that you want to take on the challenge when ordering a 'Ridiculous Burger' so that you would be served the extra-large size, not the smaller non-challenge variant which is about the same size as the McDonald's Big Mac yet cost twice as much.

By the way, Burger Avenue has also its 'Silly Burger' but I'd rather not go back there. To be 'ridiculed' twice is silliness.