“Food is my love language and my first language since birth,” jokingly proclaims food content creator Matthew Kelby Uy. A lawyer by day, the 30-year-old, who grew up in Baguio where his family resides, has been amassing followers with his video reviews of some of Manila’s notable spots.
“In Baguio, my family sells bakery supplies and equipment,” he says. “During the pandemic, tourism in Baguio went down, which caused major damage to our customers who sell peanut brittle, banana bread, raisin bread, and other Baguio pasalubongs. I started NakakaLokal (@nakaka.lokal in Instagram) with the vision of helping Baguio locals during the pandemic, and eventually going out of Baguio.”
His account took a slow and steady growth, which eventually ballooned to 173 thousand to date. “IG back then was focused on photos, and believe me when I say that I don’t take the most appetizing photos.” But what drives people to tapping the follow button on his social media is the way he eats. “A lot of people say that sarap na sarap sila pag kumakagat ako. I think it helps that I really love eating, and I enjoy trying anything and everything.”
What Makes a Great Burger? Kelby Uy Shares His Thoughts
He means it when he says he is open to sampling anything—from street side spots to fine dining establishments. But of the lot, he says that burgers is among the things that appease most of his cravings.
“I love burgers. I crave for the cheapest to the most expensive burgers, from smash to the classic ones,” he says. “For me, a good burger has a juicy patty and lightly toasted bun. The toppings and other flavors are good additions, but a good burger has to satisfy me without the antics.”
Here, he lists down the five that made his cut.
1. Love Burgers
Love Burgers refuses to cut corners. Its charm lies on its simplicity: a garage-based burger joint serving freshly ground Wagyu beef burgers that’s just for take out and delivery. Their bestsellers tell the whole story: The OG, the Cheeseburger, the Double Cheeseburger, and the Peanut Butter Burger—each one a study in restraint and quality.
What to order: The cheeseburger with pickled onions genuinely stands out from every other burger in Manila, with no pretense—just honest beef cooked right and thoughtful touches like properly pickled onions. And don’t sleep on their triple-cooked fries either — best eaten on-site while everything’s still hot.
2. Sweet Ecstasy
Sweet Ecstasy is an institution for a reason. Their must-orders cover all bases. Their approach is straightforward but perfected, with signature smashed patties, soft buns, melty cheeses, pickles, and signature sauce. When a place has been this consistent for this long, it stops being a trend and becomes a standard.
What to order: Must try is the cult-favorite Peanut Butter Jalapeño Burger because it’s different. A good mix of sweet and spicy.
3. Scratch Smash Burgers
Scratch is what happens when a kitchen takes smash burgers seriously. The patties are meaty, well-seasoned, and smashed to slightly-charred perfection, making every bite deeply satisfying and impossible to forget.
What to order: Their flagship is the signature double patty smash burger slathered with cheddar and house-made “scratch” sauce, onions and pickles, sandwiched in between made-from-scratch potato buns. Beyond that, the Bacon Smash Burger is another standout—pillowy and buttery buns, mild cheese, crispy bacon, and a creamy tangy dressing.
4. Sterv Burger
Sterv has built one of the most devoted followings in the Manila burger scene without a traditional restaurant setup. On top of their sought-after signature smash burger, they also have a breakfast burger with a silky egg.
What to order: I always go for The Big Sterv—not one, not two, but 4x smashed beef patties!
5. Greenlight Burgers by Alvin Cailan
This is Manila getting a taste of world-class pedigree. The particular genius of these burgers is in how the patties are cooked—flattened edges with a slight dome in the center, resulting in a juicy patty with crispy edges. The menu is tight and intentional: single, double, thin, and thick patty options, all made from scratch, paired with three signature sauces. The red sauce has sun-dried tomato paste, patis, muscovado sugar, apple cider vinegar, mayo, and mustard; the yellow blends dijon with miso and muscovado; the green is a bright herb mix of tarragon, cilantro, chives, and lemon juice.
What to order: Double Plain Jane. I just love double patties in general. Because burgers are for cheat days so I go big.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kelby Uy is the food content creator behind NakakaLokal, known for reviewing restaurants and food spots across the Philippines.
His top five are Love Burgers, Sweet Ecstasy, Scratch Smash Burgers, Sterv Burger, and Greenlight Burgers.
He recommends the Cheeseburger with pickled onions and their triple-cooked fries.
Sweet Ecstasy is famous for its smash burgers, especially the Peanut Butter Jalapeño Burger.
Kelby recommends the Double Plain Jane.
