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Lightning strikes twice!

Food/Drink / by

You know, you hear that lightning never strikes twice in the same place.  Maybe it’s usually the truth, but in this case, I am here to tell you that lightning has indeed struck twice right here in Davao City!

Remember, a few weeks ago I wrote an article about a new burger joint here in Davao called Brothers Burgers?  Well, after writing about that, I found out about another new place in town, and they also kind of specialize in great burgers!  This time I’m talking about Harley Boulevard Motor Cafe, located not far from Ateneo de Davao University.

So, I found a great burger in Davao a couple weeks ago, and now I’ve found another great burger!  Good news for Davao City, and for me too!

I heard from several people that Harley was “as good as Brothers,” which is something I just couldn’t believe, because Brothers Burger is really great.  But, hearing this repeatedly over several days, I decided I better give it a try!  It’s sort of my duty to keep you guys informed on great places to eat in Davao, and I’m not one to shirk from my duty, so I decided to give it a try.

The first thing was that I had a hard time finding the place!  I had been given several different addresses for Harley, although all near each other.  But, when I went there and drove around the area, I couldn’t find the place.  Luckily, though, a few days later, my nephew found the place, so I figured I better go give it a try.

Harley serves a variety of things.  Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Chicken Wings (regular and spicy), Omelettes, and other stuff.  I went there primarily interested in trying the burgers and the wings, though.

Now, after my article about Brothers Burger, a few people told me that they just could not bring themselves to spend P250 or even P350 on a hamburger.  Hey, I can certainly understand that.  It’s a gourmet burger, but that still is quite expensive for a burger.  So, the good news on Harley is that the burgers are actually cheap!  And good!  There are basically two kinds of cheeseburgers to choose from, the small burger (which I would estimate has a half pound of beef) and the larger burger, which I would guess has close to a pound of beef!  These burgers are no slouches.

When you order a burger, it comes with the beef, cheese, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, mayonaise and relish on it.  I am not a fan of relish or mayo on my burger, so I ask thost to be left off.  I am very happy to see a burger with a nice serving of mustard on it, because that is rare to find here, and I love it.

So, who has the best burgers, Brothers or Harley?  Well, that’s a tough one to decide!  Overall, I would say that Brothers has a slight edge in flavor, but it is also almost 5 times the price!  For a combination of flavor and value, Harleys is number one by far.  If you don’t care about money, but want a great burger… better head over to Brothers!  All in all, I would urge you to experiment around a bit.  Be like a scientist and keep testing so that you can be absolutely certain which you enjoy more!  The repeated testing is fun, and delicious, and you want to be absolutely certain, right? 😉

OK, as I said earlier, I also wanted to try the chicken wings as well.  I got two regular wings, and three spicy wings for testing.  The wings are P25 each, so five wings set me back a whole P125.  And, these are huge wings too, so that price is quite cheap as well.  My preference was for the spicy wings.  When you order them, you can tell the waiter just how spicy you want them, and they will cook them to your specifications.  I found my wings good, but next time I’d probably ask for a bit more spice on them!  But, still, they were delicious.  The regular wings were good too, but would probably be better with some kind of dipping sauce or something.

All in all, I have to give Harley Boulevard Motor Cafe two big thumbs up!  I have been told that the place is owned by a foreigner, but I can’t be sure, because I have not met him.  But, you can bet I’ll be meeting the guy, because I will certainly be back there on a regular basis.  I’ll be at Brothers too, but, Harleys is close to my house, has great burgers and a super price, so, watch for me if you are there.  If you see me, say hi!

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Comments

  2. ….ok Bob u got me drooling like pavlovs dog but wheres the other half of the equation:::: the french fry report Bob !! You may have to do another recon for the team soldier !!!!

  3. i love a good burger i eat 2 triples at wendys with fries, large coke and a frosty i hope the buger are bigggg i can eat im 6’5″ 330 pounds and will be in davao ( my wife sister lives in davao ) hope to be there next year about the middle of june till middle of july for a few days then off to mati hope to see you and buy you lunch.

    • Hi tonka – Wow! Two triples! Whew… talk about a hungry man! I can handle a Wendy’s double, but more than that is too much for me! I only ate half of that Harley’s big burger, and gave the rest to my kids! It’s a tasty burger, though! 🙂

    • Hi Lloyd – It is near the corner of Juan Luna and Juan dela Cruz streets, not far from Ateneo de Davao University (around the back side). It’s only maybe 5 minutes or so from GMall via taxi.

  5. Bob, The next time I come to Davao I will take you to a great burger joint-a place you have not yet been to. The meat is all from Lisa’s, mixed with a blend of worchestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic onion mix and a secret ingredient or two. The burgers are cooked on the open grill and then placed on a sesame seed bun. Once on the bun they are covered with a nice sweet slice of onion, some lettuce, cheese (if desired) and a thin slice of beef steak tomato. The cost is absolutely free. You can only find these at the kitchen of Ron and that is where ever I am at that time. I will keep you informed. Ron

    • Ha ha… Ron, you were getting me all worked up, and excited! I was thinking… hmm… I’m gonna try this place for lunch today. Then, when I saw the name of the place, “Kitchen of Ron” – I knew I’d have to wait for your arrival! 😆 It sounds delicious!

  6. Hi Bob – Two greasy thumbs up? 😆

    Someday, perhaps, I’ll venture out to discover the yet-to-be-discovered “Burger of the Norte” if it exists. Not being one to accept disappointments very well, I tend to trod friedly ground too often when it comes to culinary combat! 😉

    btw, from JoT: Lightning has struck the top of the Empire State Building in NYC thousands of times, putting to rest the old saw about never striking twice in the same place. 😆

    • Hi, Paul- The “Burger of the Norte” actually exists, but it’s sold in cans and are called “carne norte”. In the barrios, “carne norte” is a rich man’s food.

      • Hi John – Carne Norte wouldn’t really fit into the “burger” category as it’s corned. Along with being easy to “flake,” the meat is permeated with the corning solution making it almost impossible to mold into a paddy that would withstand grilling without coming apart. It could be done, but at what cost?

        I’d have to add SPAM to the list of canned delicacies the “rich” Ilocano enjoys. Now that makes a pretty good sandwich, fried or straight from the can! 😆

    • Hi Paul – I guess I’d have to give them two “mustardy” thumbs up. After eating the burger, I didn’t have any grease on my hands, but plenty of mustard! 😆

      Be a little adventurous when it comes to culinary experiences… that’s how you find the good places! 😉

  7. Bob,

    After the post about Brothers, I was talking to someone and they mentioned Space Burger. With being here for 2 years, I gave it a try and it is now on my lunch list for places. This Harleys sounds great and will give it a try.

    Have you ever tried Boyd’s Pizza and Pasta House? Their pork loin and pastas are more like American style and they make a good garlic bread and garlic breads sticks.

    • Hi Bruce – I have been to Space Burger many times, and have been going there since 2001. The owner is a friend, and in fact I am the one who got them started in Franchising. I referred them to my friend at RK Franchise back in 2001. Their burgers are pretty good, but certainly not in the class of Brothers or Harley, though. But, they will do in a pinch! 😉

      Yeah, I have been to Boyd’s a lot too. I like their pizza pretty well… I usually order the Meaty Jeff’s Pizza, which I like. Their Hungarian Dumplings are good too.

      Give Harley a try, I’m sure you will like it. And, the price is right too.

  10. Dang Bob that’s a serious burger, though a bit undercooked for the old Docs taste, I can here your arteries hardning from here lol.

  11. Well, the Burger and the Hot Dog are America’s gift to the world, and these sure sound great. Hope to try one or two in February!

    It’s all interesting stuff though; a fair indication that there are an increasing number of people with money to spare in Davao.

    • Hi Jim – Ah, the culinary delights from the USA! 😯 Ha ha.. yes, in Davao there is getting to be a larger variety of foods available from all regions of the world!

  12. Bob,

    The burger looks lami.

    Let me know when they open a Fuddruckers (just joking). I’m not certain if Juramie has ever had a burger. I rather experience the filipino cuisine when I visit her and let her experince new food when she is finally with me in the USA. She has already told me she wants to try Italian and Mexican. For her first burger, I will order the Fuddruckers pound burger and tell her we can’t leave until she finishes it.

  13. Sir Bobb I am so excited do they do a jewish kosher vegan burger if they do i am so excited . Relax only joking i can fully understand the backgroun to this write up.To me it reaaly looks like the veration on food is really developing.

  14. That’s good news Bob. Can you provide some additional detail on the location. Nearest crossroads?

    • Hi Ned – Nice to hear from you, I hope you are doing well. It is near the corner of Juan Luna and Juan dela Cruz streets, not far from Ateneo de Davao University (around the back side).

  15. Hi Bob,
    Sounds like Davao City got a nickname,Burger City,haha.

    Happy New Year to you,feyma and family,
    Chas.

  16. Kamusta ka Bob,

    gigutom karon ko, I am glad it is almost dinner time here now..those look good!! 🙂

    Maasin City, Southern Leyte, seems to be moving up in the world of fast foods too..of course they have Jollibee, but also a place called “Burger Junction” and now just added…”Andok”.
    I love omelette’s and those pics of the hamburgers look like the ones I make here at the house..very nice!!

    Salamat kaayo, og amping,
    Danny 🙂

    • Hi Danny – Lami kaayo ang Harley Burger, mao na. I never hear of Burger Junction… but as long as it’s not Burger Machine, it’s probably OK.

      Amping permi, akong amigo.

  17. Hi Bob,

    I do like the taste of cheeseburgers but the problem is I am lactose intolerant, they’ll just go through me. 🙂 So, if ever I find myself in those places, I’ll have to say evrything on it except cheese. Hehe..but, thanks for the info, I love chicken wings though.

    Lito

  18. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy harley’s burgers. I’m from the states and I really do miss that cooking. The owner is foreign but he’s a good guy and a fantastic cook. Next time your in ask for Sam, he’s the owner and tell him his daughter says hi 😀

    • Hi Nicki – I know Ray! He’s your dad? Wow. I have not been tho his place in a while (I live on the other side of town now, and Harley’s is far), but next time I go, I will tell him that I heard from you.

        • I apologize, I must have been distracted when I was typing.. I mean Sam. I know Sam. Before I moved, he lived just around the corner from me. He makes some good hot sauce too! 😆

          • I don’t think I’ve ever had his hot sauce. But I sure do miss his cooking, next time you go eat some for me 🙂