Food
Indulging yourself with your favorite comfort food is the guaranteed “pick me up” we all need once in a while – nothing fancy, just some delicious dish that is sure to make you smile. We like to think of these treats as a reward for when we pass a major exams, or a motivator before a dreaded all-nighter. And although the student budget and the looming reminder that you’re supposedly on a diet hangs over us every now and again, Lazy Bastard gives us a few reasons to satisfy our cravings.
The Exterior
The New York-inspired joint is located at the U.P. Town Center cinemas, so if you’re heading in for a movie and don’t feel like getting popcorn, this restaurant is a great choice. Light bulbs that form the phrase “Long Live Bacon” will quickly attract movie-goers and other passers-by, in order to draw their attention to a small space with brick walls, chalkboard menus, and wooden tables. It’s small, but Instagram ready. The ambience is relaxing, and an ideal place for those laid-back and famished after a long day.
The Menu
Lazy Bastard boasts some of the best burgers and hotdogs in Manila. With a long list of items to try, from Sloppy Joe’s to Classic Hotdogs, there’s something for everyone. You can even come up with your own unique hotdog or burger, if you’re feeling creative. But, if you’re new to the place and looking to be impressed, then go with two of their bestsellers: The Honey Parmesan Dog and the Bacon Cheeseburger.
The former, a bacon-wrapped hotdog topped with shaved parmesan and arugula, blends a medley of flavors into your mouth. There’s the salty, savory taste of the bacon-wrapped meat, paired with the sweetness of the parmesan and the faint bitterness of the arugula. The lettuce provides a crispy texture as you bite in. It’s a striking hotdog, unique from any plain Jane ketchup, mustard, and relish-topped dog we’ve ever tasted. It’s easy to see why spot.ph crowned it the best hotdog in Manila.
The Bacon Cheeseburger shares some ingredients with the Honey Parmesan Dog, and as in the hotdog, incorporates them well into a delectable burger. It has sweet cheddar cheese, salty bacon, and a hearty, juicy meat patty that’s charcoal grilled for a smoky aftertaste. Each bite coats your tongue in just the right amount peppery heat from the patty, and all the different flavors are tamed, balanced out by the fluffy, potato-based buns that hold everything in place.
Most of what makes up Lazy Bastard’s sides are variants of the American favorite: Potatoes. Regular Tater Tots are compact versions of french fries: Balls of potato bits that are deep fried and seasoned. Lazy Bastard’s Tater Bombs takes this popular American dish and wraps a slice of bacon around it. The crispy bacon wrap is a fun new layer to bite into and adds to the crispiness the Tater Tot is popular for. But it’s not just the outside that matters; the Tater Bomb keeps that addicting soft and salty center.
If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the child of Tater Tots and Nachos: The Totchos. The tots are stacked to form a pyramid and are dressed in cheddar, sour cream, lettuce, bacon bits, and more. The cheddar and mozzarella toppings are there to provide the sweetness, while the additions of sour cream and jalapeños bring in the spice, a combination that translates well in the taste.
Now, you’re going to need something to wash down your meal. On the menu is a combination of Calamansi and Iced Tea, appropriately called Calamantea. A nice bittersweet flavor with a tangy aftertaste separates this drink from the standard house blend Iced Tea. Lazy Bastard also offers vanilla and chocolate milkshakes for those craving something sweet. The texture is between frothy and thick, creating a milkshake that is smoother than most and easy to sip, while its sweetness doesn’t overwhelm the taste buds as well.
The Verdict
Eating their food is like cutting a slice of your favorite, most decadent, and sinful chocolate cake for yourself, and then having yourself another; forget your diet as Lazy Bastard delivers on its promise to serve “ridiculous comfort food.” The hotdogs become sweeter, the burger options crazier, and everything else, from the milkshakes to the tater tots, more satisfying than expected. If you feel like you’re in need of some sort of de-stressor post or in-between the long school week, Lazy Bastard has what you’re looking for and more.
Visit Lazy Bastard’s official website at www.lazybastard.ph.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article misattributed the variant of cheese found in the Bacon Cheeseburger. This has since been corrected.
