From McDonald’s and Burger King to 8Cuts and Shake Shack, there are now a lot of burger joints in the country. But for some Filipinos, Tropical Hut is still the OG burger joint in the country, as proven when the fast-food chain trended online, showing how well-loved the brand still is.
According to its company profile on Jobstreet, the fast-food chain found its beginnings in 1962 as a grocery store. The said grocery store had an in-house coffee shop where the Tropical Hut Hamburger was first served. A decade later, in 1972, the fast-food chain was acquired by the Mercury Group of Companies, Inc., founded by Mariano Que. This year, the brand is celebrating 60 years in business.
Tropical Hut has been around for a long time, and it has survived all these years unlike other fast food brands, but why exactly is it getting attention online now?
The tweet that started it all
Tropical Hut in Escolta, ako lang ang customer nila. pic.twitter.com/Wl8VcuWT6c
— JP (@dumidyeypee) June 12, 2022
On Sunday, Twitter user dumidyeypee shared photos of his burger and fries combo order from the Escolta branch of Tropical Hut. “Ako lang ang customer nila,” his tweet read. It quickly gained traction on the internet, with the original gaining over 5,000 retweets and 26,000 likes as of writing.
Nostalgia hits
A number of netizens waxed nostalgic about the fast-food restaurant, proving that it was a go-to restaurant for many Filipino families. Tropical Hut is definitely “an underrated king,” as one netizen says.
reviving this to add to the tropical hut conversations. an underrated king. https://t.co/Eui01VNxc6
— Lord (@lordnicolas_) June 13, 2022
I love Tropical Hut. Great food and great childhood memories eating at their restaurants with my family. Burgers for me are the best and their clubhouse sandwich is the bomb. #TropicalHut pic.twitter.com/z52OtUszeo
— JR Santiago (@oslecjunior) June 13, 2022
Many shared how they went to the fast-food restaurant with their parents or grandparents and how they even played on the mini carousels and playgrounds some branches had before.
there was a tropical hut near our old home, and we would eat there every sunday, after mass. may carousell pa sila, and my brother and i would always play there. https://t.co/4m7qABcIP7
— val (@wompolsungjin) June 12, 2022
Dahil trending ang Tropical Hut, I remember my grandfather used to bring me there sa Ever Commonwealth everyday after nya akong sunduin sa school. Good old days.
— Eztifen ⚡ (@eztifenr) June 12, 2022
Other netizens vouched for their food quality.
As a Tropical Hut kid (both hamburger and supermarket, where Mama works), I appreciate this Tropical Hut resurgence. Masarap ang burgers nila pramis. Plus, may isang item on the menu that goes 50% less every 7th of the month. Meron din silang Filipino menu <3 https://t.co/mKgB6mJvqX
— Eufy Fight! #MABUHAYangFrontliners (@eufems) June 13, 2022
There’s a call to revive and revamp
Netizens also called for others to support and revive the fast-food chain. The brand holds a lot of memories for many Filipinos, as proven when it trended online.
Can we make a collective effort to revive Tropical Hut? All of my departed loved ones used to take me here all the time. Ang vintage pa ng interiors nya https://t.co/CUYVScdSM6
— jcarlos88 (@ReplyCarlos1988) June 12, 2022
Sobrang sulit at masarap naman ang food ng tropical hut. Sana ma revive https://t.co/j8jZ3Jher5
— Cuddle_Bataan (@tahongnicarlo) June 13, 2022
For some, Tropical Hut just needs a “rebrand” to attract a new set of customers.
i think its time for a tropical hut rebranding era chz https://t.co/olGOaRQLTR
— – (@LGRigonan) June 12, 2022
I hope Tropical Hut will not waste this moment and reflect na we had our moments with them & they are still in our hearts, they just need to up and make efforts to be known again.
— Da #AngatBuhay (@MilesHalter) June 13, 2022
They have also in near Panay Ave sa NBS malapit sa Quezon City, andun kami nung nkaraan I was thinking of the same thing kc parang hindi na cxa naka cope up..ang lungkot ng ambiance sa loob, konting revamp of the whole look and some new marketing strats are all they need
— RedBayona87 (@RBayona87) June 12, 2022
But others think it’s charming
For other netizens, part of the charm of the fast-food chain is its vintage interior that seems to take you back in time. It might not be Instagram-worthy for others, but some appreciate the retro vibe of the restaurant’s interiors.
Me being attempted to joke about Tropical Hut being an important cultural property lalo na yung may vintage interiors pa https://t.co/NaDgOxh2kl
— Eufy Fight! #MABUHAYangFrontliners (@eufems) June 13, 2022
My fondest memory about Tropical Hut was riding their merry go round. Plus points for the halo-halo.
But I really hope magupgrade sila ng stores. Amoy basang mop parati eh.
— Nick (@dominicbarrios) June 13, 2022
Some beef in one corner of the internet
The internet wouldn’t be the internet if someone didn’t have an opposing view to anything happening online — even if it’s an innocent appreciation of a fast-food chain. One netizen asked the general public: “don’t gentrify or bourgeoisify Tropical Hut.”
I was enjoying posts about Tropical Hut because growing up that’s what we have (and Cindy’s) then I saw this. Juzko are they always so… pissed about something? pic.twitter.com/pQZrgKIaSh
— nikki (@macronikki) June 13, 2022
While it’s unclear where the sentiment was coming from, those who simply want to share how much they appreciate the fast-food chain and its food just said that “it’s not that deep.” Maybe let’s allow people to enjoy the simple things in life.
“Wag gawing burgis ang Tropical Hut.”
Dude, it’s not that deep. May ma-ebas lang eh.
Have a clubhouse sandwich or something.
— emedu era (@kolsenertito) June 13, 2022
Employees are happy
Regardless of the minor beef, employees of the fast-food chain are happy that the fast-food chain is getting the much-deserved attention from Filipinos. This netizen said the quality test that the brand’s menu and products go through definitely allows you to get your money’s worth.
I’m one of the Quality Assurance of the Tropical Hut products and I can assure you guys that all your money are worth spending for it. We are GMP and HACCP certified and we are strictly implementing it! https://t.co/F7ItStBlzV
— ジョン・ロイド (@lowkey_otakuuu) June 13, 2022
A flood of orders
After Tropical Hut trended online, many netizens quickly showed support for the homegrown fast-food chain through dining in, getting delivery, and sharing their orders online.
if you love tropical hut, don’t just tweet about it–actually support and buy from your nearest one
— Feeler Yuta (@roiswar) June 14, 2022
Turn your tweet into action and support the brand.
thank u twitter ph for reminding me that tropical hut exists @dumidyeypee pic.twitter.com/qgUcPfR4lT
— ramblings of a mad man w/ zero followers (@lone_red_rover_) June 13, 2022
Good snack when you need to study late at night.
*adds to tweets saying Tropical Hut’s burgers are delicious af*
Also, sulit rin ang serving size ng regular fries nila. pic.twitter.com/8zb3JPB4sF
— Dave Guilas (@DaveGuilas) June 14, 2022
Everything’s sulit.
This Tropical Hut trend made me… pic.twitter.com/ivLmTQ7qLL
— Thedongervacio (@thedongervacio) June 13, 2022
Did the trend make you do it too?
Support the brand
Whether you enjoyed their food during your childhood or you simply want to try their wide range of offerings following this throwback trend, you can show your support for the local brand. Visit any of their branches across the metro, or place an order for delivery. They even have branches open 24 hours!
For your information and for your cravings.
Thank you @dumidyeypee for reminding us what a treasure Tropical Hut is. pic.twitter.com/zpwR9hWGh1
— JR Santiago (@oslecjunior) June 14, 2022
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