Real Flavors, No Frills: Chef Tatung Keeps His Burgers and Hot Dogs Simple at Hit N Bun

Chef Myke "Tatung" Sarthou always followed a simple rule in his stellar culinary career, and that's keeping it simple. And this uncompromising philosophy and guiding cornerstone in all his endeavors is showcased in his latest restaurant concept. It's time to hit the street for Hit N Bun...

Chef and restaurateur, cookbook author and online sensation Myke "Tatung" Sarthou takes his signature "Simpol" philosophy to the world of burgers and hot dogs at his newest food concept Hit N Bun. We've seen food trends come and go even with popular staples like burgers and hot dogs but Chef Tatung bucks the convenient temptation to transform the iconic burgers and hot dogs by sticking to the classics and simply making it better in true "Simpol" style. A good burger and hot dog after all just never goes out of style. Simple, hearty and well executed with many of the ingredients and components made and prepared in-house, it's time to take a big bite of Chef Tatung's next hit at Hit N Bun...

Located at the commissary of Chef Tatung's innovative gourmet deli, Tindeli, along Kamuning Road in Quezon City known for its wide array of specialty offerings of local delicacies, Hit N Bun clearly stands out in the busy neighborhood as an unexpected spot for some seriously good burgers. And hot dogs too. 

Chef Tatung clearly is a man of many hats, and a quick scan of the delectable offerings at Tindeli gives you an idea of the celebrated chef's creative process and vision for good food reinterpreted with his honest and wholehearted "Simpol" style (for more on Tindeli, see my post Tindeli Filipino Deli & Cafe by Chef Tatung, A Neighborhood Deli You Can Call Home from two years ago). At Tindeli, Chef Tatung playfully reinterprets traditional Filipino staples from fresh baked bread and cakes to local sausages and hams. And this becomes the base for his latest venture where Chef Tatung brings together all the components for the perfect burger and hot dog using Tindeli's premium meats and sausages, homemade pickles and sauces all the way down to the soft buns. 

Burgers and hot dogs shouldn't be complicated at all, and Chef Tatung has a hand in each and every component that goes with his signature menu ensuring freshness and real flavors as with all his restaurants and culinary brands. And that's what you can expect at Hit N Bun. 

Parking can be a problem but the promise of a good burger and hot dog at Hit N Bun in Tindeli makes you find a way. And it's all worth it. You just don't expect burgers and hot dogs of this quality in the busy street of Kamuning. Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for venturing far off the beaten track with a refreshing cup of coffee...

...made with the finest artisan local beans. And summer calls for an iced brew. 

The Iced Spanish Latte (P 125) with its sweet and creamy finish tempered by the bold and robust notes of the coffee is just what you need before your all-out burger and hot dog feast at Hit N Bun. 

As you enjoy that soothing sip, your premium, fire-grilled sausage served in a fresh baked hot bun makes its impressive entrance. The New Yorker (P 268) with house-made beef hot dog topped with caramelized onions, pickles and drizzled with yellow mustard is as classic as it gets. 

Take that first big bite and enjoy that flavorful burst of contrasting flavors but let's break it down starting with the all beef sausage. Juicy yet firm, each big bite is announced by a fresh snap followed by a savory richness matched by the pronounced sharpness from the mustard and pickles for that balanced finish. It's a beefy dog packed with real flavors. The caramelized onions brings yet another layer of flavor with its subtle sweetness complementing the mild smoky hints of the sausage. Then, there's the soft bun that holds everything together with its buttery hints. The New Yorker is Chef Tatung's own recreation of a classic hot dog without the unnecessary frills to clutter the flavors. 

Each ingredient brings its own distinct flavor, coming together seamlessly with each succeeding bite. And that's a serious and proper hot dog. Other hot dog options include the Bavarian Brat (P 248) with German bratwurst and curried ketchup and the Longga Lovers (P 288) for an inventive local spin with sweet longganisa-flavored sausage and pickled vegetables. 

Then, the juicy fire-grilled quarter pound burger on toasted brioche bun is served with the Hit Signature Burger (P 378 Single Patty/P 538 Double Patty). 

I suggest you double up with the Double Patty option, trust me. That's two fire-grilled quarter pound beef patties topped with melted American cheese, house-smoked bacon, truffled mushroom duxelle and sautéed onions on a soft buttery brioche bun. That's a virtual hit list from the perfect burger playbook. 

The Hit Signature Burger is the perfect burger simplified. The bold beefy notes lingers on the palate after every bite followed by the equally rich smoked bacon smoothened by the American cheese, the sweet bite of the sautéed onions and nutty hints of the mushrooms giving it a flavorful depth. And it's a juicy burger, so grab some extra napkins. 

The American cheese is a key component in any traditional burger. Why? Because "it melts without splitting" (a line from Ralph Fiennes in the film "The Menu" that just popped up in my head at the right time). Taken together along with the fire-grilled beef patties, smoked bacon, sautéed onions and truffled mushroom duxelle, this one's a hit in my book. 

And doubling up with the Double Patty option is the smart play for the Hit Signature Burger at Hit N Bun. Other burger options at Hit N Bun include the Classic Hamburger (P 228/P 248 with cheese), Classic Cheeseburger (P 278/P 408 Double), Backyard BBQ Cheeseburger (P 348/P 498 Double), Chorizo Burger (P 218/P 238 with cheese) and Chicken BBQ Burger (P 248/P 268 with cheese). 

Hearty and sumptuous, uncomplicated and uncluttered. Just perfectly simple in that familiar Chef Tatung style. Priced well above the usual but then again you get what you pay for. And clearly from that first bite, the Hit Signature Burger and The New Yorker are definitely worth what it costs. Hit N Bun may be the next big hit from Chef Tatung's growing network of restaurant concepts, so take a detour from the usual path and head on down to Kamuning Road for a tasty bite. Hit N Bun and Tindeli are open daily but note that the store and kitchen opens at 3:00 pm. 

Keeping it simple remains Chef Tatung's secret winning formula in his growing restaurant and social media empire. And this philosophy resonates at his new Hit N Bun with seriously good burgers and hot dogs delivering all the flavors without the unnecessary frills. Hit the streets and head to Hit N Bun for coffee and those awesome burgers and hot dogs...

Hit N Bun is located at 45 Kamuning Road, Quezon City. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/people/Hit-N-Bun/ and https://www.instagram.com/hitnbun_ph/ for more information and updates or call 0954 174 4288 for inquiries. 

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