Cover Jammers Beach Shack
Jammers Beach Shack
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Known for its delicious burgers, this famed Boracay institution is reborn under the helm of Bianca Araneta-Elizalde and The Wholesome Table Group
Jammers used to be the beloved original burger joint of Boracay. However, time and the passing of its founder left it tired and weary. Until Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, who is a dear friend of the owner, came to the rescue.
Miguel Walsdorf was a New Yorker who found respite on the island back in the ‘90s. He opened Jammers in 2002, just before Bianca’s husband Juan began Aria Restaurant. Miguel passed away years ago and the brand was left to his wife’s care. However, during the pandemic, she decided to sell it so she could move back to France. And since Jammers was just right beside Aria, the space was first offered to the Elizaldes. Not a second was spent on their decision.
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“It was a no-brainer for us,” says Bianca. “When Juan and I used to come to Boracay all the time, we would always go to Jammers. It was a neighbourhood spot. And if somebody were to take over the spot, for sure they were going to change the concept completely because the menu and the place needed help. It would be sad if the brand and his legacy would disappear from the island because they were both such icons here.”
The Wholesome Table Group assumed control and on October 2022, when they felt that the lockdowns have finally come to a halt, they started with the construction. And after just three hectic months, the place had gone through a dramatic makeover—from orange walls and a basic design lorded over by the huge red and white signboard to a more inviting nook composed of swings, thatched roofing, and the use of natural materials such as rope, cogon and raffia, all lending integrity to its new name, Jammers Beach Shack.
Above Jammer's smashed burger
Above Chilli cheese fries
Jammer's smashed burger
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“We maintained the name. We did not want to be married to a burger but we still made it a burger place,” says Bianca. “We got the items they were known for and made them our own. Obviously, we can’t do just burgers because we need to have something for dinner and breakfast.”
For that, she and The Wholeliving Corporation’s head chef Onie Castillo worked together to piece a menu that’s inspired by the beach and the tropical vibe of Hawaii, something Bianca strongly associates with the late owner. “I knew Miguel was from New York but for some reason, I always imagined he was Hawaiian.” She would, later on, discover from Miguel’s wife that he had always wanted to live in Hawaii.
The burgers, which Jammers is known for, still reign the menu, but they now come with gourmet twists. The OMG Burger, for instance, is stacked with a 100 per cent beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, and their signature sauce—all that in between a house-made brioche bun. The sandwich section also includes another Jammer’s classic, the chilli dog, as well as a tuna sub in sweet potato bread, and the vegan burger with onion jam and vegan cheese.
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The selection is dotted with items inspired by the islands: huli huli wings, jerk chicken tacos, molokai fish and chips, ahi poke, carne asada, and Puerto Rican fried shrimps. Developing these Latin American dishes is not much of a stretch for chef Onie since these are flavours he is very familiar with, given his previous work.
As for breakfast, the savouries like arroz ala cubana and sausage and eggs platter are enticing, but not-to-be-missed are the Moana smoothie bowl with acai berry, banana crunch granola, and chia seeds, as well as the horchata French toast with cashews and torched banana.
Bigger parties can rely on shareable mains such as the cajun seafood boil and the hickory BBQ platter. And to cap your meal on a refreshing note, the dairy-free pineapple whip, akin to a soft serve but made of blitzed frozen pineapple and coconut milk, succeeds in quenching your thirst.
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Jammers Beach Shack is located in D’Mall Boracay, right beside Aria and is open from 9am-2am, and until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.
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