Big Rocks Diner: Lava Rocks-Grilled Burger At Its Best!

By Chef Ed Dychauco
Pots and Pans

MY RECENT pursuit for some new food joints brought me to Xavier Square, Upper Carmen. A well-kept secret to me and many others I would presume because after my initial visit to the place, I kept on talking about "The Rock" but not everybody seem to have heard about it yet... until now!

Situated at the back of Right Stop Mini Mart, this new diner is owned and co-managed by two young entrepreneurs, Robert Allen Punzalan and Mark Anthony Cruz, both from Metro Manila. First thing that came into my mind was to ask how these two good-looking gentlemen came to Cagayan de Oro and decided to put up a business here in the city.

Robert is a graduate of BS in Management of Financial Institution and Masters in Information Technology from DLSU. He had several years of excellent experience in leasing and banking institutions. Even while as a kid, Robert has been engaged in "buy and sell" business. While assigned as Vismin's manager for corporate account with Toyota financials, he met and befriended Mark in Davao.

With an AB Economics diploma from Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier University), Mark worked with Chinatrust Bank in Davao City when he met Robert. And as they say, the rest is history.

Business is what drew both of them together. Both are certified foodies. Robert grew up in a family where food always takes center stage and having been there, knew food really by heart! And Mark, having spent his high school years in San Francisco area, grew up to love and appreciate food away from home!

Both resigned from their respective lucrative jobs and started this joint food venture last April 11, 2008. I was surprised and astonished when I got inside "The Big Rock", mainly because of its atmosphere and setting. To me, it is a place where one can appreciate and delight in the food without being stressed, and a place where one can take time and spend it leisurely without the hustle and bustle of the city.

Several fascinating and captivating personal belongings are decorated on the walls with a few from close friends. There is a little makeshift stage where one can play the acoustics and sing or just relax. There are several tables and benches that are reminiscent of an authentic diner from the 50s and 60s. A collection of memorabilia and souvenirs can be seen in one corner where I noticed three signed plates from their recent VIP guests: Senator Chiz Escudero, who had his press con there when he came a few weeks ago, Christian Bautista and the Gasulina Band. There is also a VIP room that can accommodate 24 people comfortably where they can enjoy playing Nintendo Wii or Play Station, watch a movie or sing to their hearts' content with their videoke machine or just hang out.

But what about the food? What makes their food a cut above the rest? Well, personally I was able to try their lava rocks-grilled burger on my first visit (on the house!). My verdict? It was delectable and mouth-watering! The almost two pounds of tender, juicy quality 100 percent ground beef, smoked bar-b-que flavor sauce with lots of sliced button mushrooms and several strips of bacons in a soft bun was just truly amazing! Plus a mouthful of French fries that is crunchy on the outside yet so soft on the inside! Just scrumptious! Truly delightful! A meal by itself!

And that is just a sampler. Because they have nine international flavors to choose from! As a start, they are offering Italian, Japanese, English and Arabian flavors where eventually, they will be serving the rest like American, Mexican, Korean, Brazilian and Filipino burgers. And these, I have to try very soon! These wonderful and yummy burgers come in three pleasing sizes: Riders (as snacks) at P29.00, Cruizer (hungry) and Sports (very hungry!) at P259! Other appetizing cuisine includes: flame-grilled sausages (Frankfurters, Bratwurst, Hungarian), pastas, exotic juices (durian, orange, strawberry, etc.), very rich signature milkshakes (Oreo, M&Ms, Hershey's, etc.) and many more at very affordable prices.

The Big Rock Diner can accommodate about 70 people at one time and is open for private parties or functions. So, the secret is out now! Come and visit them for their tempting and irresistible food while spending quality time with your friends, family or loved ones, or call 088-3090882 for orders or reservations.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2008/06/21/life/big.rocks.diner.lava.rocks.grilled.burger.at.its.best!.html