Let’s face it, Metro Cebu isn’t new to burgers. We’ve had the big names, local favorites, and iconic letdown of “isang kagat, tinapay lahat.”
So when 8Cuts Burgers landed with its “All Killer, No Filler” attitude, it faced a tough crowd to impress. The question is, can it live up to the hype outside Luzon? We came to find out and left with all the juicy truths.
First Impressions
One thing I always come to observe when dining anywhere is how I’m welcomed. I wouldn’t say this comes from arrogance, but having a background in marketing does make you see the frontliners as the ones who set the tone.
When we arrived, we were offered a seat and a comprehensive guide to their menu after mentioning it was our first time. Customer service felt effortless.
Their interior added to the good first impression. Bright visuals and clever punchlines, these details made the space brim with personality. The menu had the same creativity, making the experience of choosing far from overwhelming.
Between the Buns Lies the Truth
These optical observations, however, don’t make the first impression last. What their menu leaves on each taste bud still answers the very question we’re asking.
To warm things up, their front act includes Skinny Fries, Golden Cheddar Mezza Nuggets, Loaded Tex Mex Nachos, Onion Rings (single or bucket), and Chick Peppers.
The list might tempt you to go with the first item without much thought, but don’t. Trust the graphic on their menu that highlights the Onion Rings with silly stars. I’m usually more of a fries person, but memories of the rings I had that day still linger.
Moving on to their Burger Headliners, we tried three of their nine best-sellers – Hangover 2.0, Cheeseburger, and Piggy – all served in the larger ⅓ lb portion.
Hangover 2.0 has sugar-glazed corned beef, dijonnaise, a sunny-side down egg that adds a layer of richness to the patty, shoestring potatoes, and fried tomatoes and basil. It’s the most expensive of the three and is plated with the most grandeur. Taste-wise, it hits all the right spots. Think of it as breakfast in a bun.
I had the highest hopes for their Cheeseburger being the sole item encircled on the menu, served with house cheddar, greens, and their signature sauce. It was decent for its price, but leaned more toward simple than standout.
But Piggy single-handedly took sovereignty with smoked bacon, bacon-onion compote, and garlic aioli. Juicy and savory, it was a unanimous favorite at our table. If you’re ever torn between their burger choices, abandon all doubt and go with this one.
The Final Bites
Aside from burgers, we tried The Wild Child from their Daily Steals – a plate of fried chicken, house rice, a burger bomb, and skinny fries. No Filipino meal feels complete without rice after all.
I had to dissect each part of the dish to see what worked: their fried chicken and house rice worked in sync; the burger bomb delivered flavor but leaned salty for my taste; and if I could, I’d trade the skinny fries for onion rings.
The iced tea that came with the meal was a breath of fresh air, not the usual powdered blend. We also tried the Arnold Palmer, a mix of lemonade and iced tea, which made for a satisfying final sip to end the meal.
The final sendoff plate was their No Mo’ Heartbreak ensemble: ice cream, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate sauce, and their house-made Mo’ Cookies. An easy five-star for anyone with a sweet tooth.
These final bites sealed it: 8Cuts Burgers is definitely worth the hype. Their “All Killer, No Filler” mantra delivers on its promise and is bound to impress Cebuano taste buds.
Visit them on the Upper Ground Level, North Wing, SM City Cebu.
Photography Summer Demol
