In today’s world where brands go head to head by revamping their marketing efforts, there is an OG fast food restaurant in the Philippines that is still withstanding the test of time – and Filipino consumers are making the restaurant, Tropical Hut, go viral.
Tropical Hut started trending when Twitter user @dumidyeypee posted photos of how he was the only customer in the Tropical Hut branch in Escolta, Manila.
Tropical Hut in Escolta, ako lang ang customer nila. pic.twitter.com/Wl8VcuWT6c
— JP (@dumidyeypee) June 12, 2022
The tweet then earned thousands of retweets and likes, which led for Tropical Hut to land the trending topics in the Philippines.
It’s as if a wave of Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z was summoned to take a walk down the memory lane as they reminisce their experiences in dining from the OG fast food restaurant.
A lot of netizens shared their nostalgic stories from the different stages of their lives, recalling memories with the significant people in their lives were shared in Tropical Hut. Twitter user @ReplyCarlos1988 associates Tropical Hut with memories of his “departed loved ones”.
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
While famous Fil-Am content creator @otakoyakisoba shared that his mom and dad always used to take him to the restaurant after kindergarten.
I just read from our FB comments that Tropical Hut is still operating in the Aurora Blvd in Cubao, their QC branch. My Mom and Dad used to take me there after kindergarten.
I would always get the fried chicken and rice. Mom and Dad would get the burger! 😭
— Olly (@otakoyakisoba) June 13, 2022
User @encapedia also shared that her late-father’s favorite fast food was Tropical Hut, and that he always looked forward to eat there after his dialysis sessions.
My Tatay’s favorite fast food was #TropicalHut
It was something to look forward to while enduring his 2-hr, 3x a wk draining dialysis sessions. After each session, he’d go there to eat before coming home. He would’ve been 80 this friday. Miss you Tatay adv Happy Father’s Day https://t.co/Wwtvd5mf0Y— Arlene Rodriguez-Encarnacion (@encapedia) June 13, 2022
Others commented on their go-to favorites from the fast food restaurant, which varies from their burgers to sandwiches to salads.
Trending pala ang Tropical Hut? Good. They deserve all the attention even if it’s given at this ungodly hour. Ang sarap ng burgers nila. I’d choose it over JB o McD anytime pero ang fave ko iyong hotdog sandwich nila na may melted slab of cheese AT quick fried beef. Pak na pak.
— supernegatrona AKA pink 5🍥 (@supernegatrona) June 12, 2022
TROPICAL HUT FOREVER!!! This has always been our favorite fast food chain. Ito yung pag merong may sakit sa amin, Dad and Lolo will always order us their classic cheeseburger for us to feel better. Their spaghetti and bistek is also 💯! Actually, lahat masarap!!! 💖 https://t.co/7ysLSMYWCw
— 🐝 NCTita 🐝 (@jjjngjhyn) June 16, 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
The sudden virality of the restaurant has prompted tons of Filipinos in Metro Manila to order again or try Tropical Hut’s food for the first time. Some even compared it to other fast food restaurants in the Philippines – stating that Tropical Hut is “better” and “more affordable”.
Ordered a Tropical Hut burger and a Jollibee burger to see if the former realy tasted better and here’s my verdict: pic.twitter.com/Orrr7EWIf1
— Lia San Mateo (@LiaSanMateo) June 15, 2022
Jumping on the Tropical Hut bandwagon pic.twitter.com/OV2gC4EMtl
— mk_kvn (@mike_it_happen) June 15, 2022
My first ever Tropical Hut meal in my entire life. Yep. Masarap and sulit!!! pic.twitter.com/HNU79ehhif
— Petty Pats ; (@nawawalost) June 15, 2022
Sir JP made this happen. Thank you. I may be 30 yo now but i’m never ashamed to share that this is my 1st time trying Tropical Hut and tadahhhh, i wish we had a branch in Cavite back in my childhood days because it would have been my fave. Saraaap!!! Pricey pero YUMMM!!!🫶🏻🫰🏻 https://t.co/vSQeTA7Ufc pic.twitter.com/gBua945fZt
— Chahlieee 🤓 (@ChahleeIAm) June 14, 2022
Netizens are encouraging everyone to support the “OG fast food restaurant” as it has been standing still since 1965, only difference now is that there are fewer branches and patronizers.
However, unlike other fast food restaurants, Tropical Hut has retained the taste of its food offerings and the vibe of their interior (although some are suggesting the chain should give its branches a make over).
Tropical Hut still offers a wide variety of food such as Rancho Ranchero, Sili Burger, macaroni salad, chicken/tuna sandwich, club sandwich, daing na bangus, dinuguan, bistek, spring chicken, and many more – really, a go-to fast food restaurant for every craving you’re having.
User @ningbondoc also shared that their branch in the Quezon Memorial Circle is “sensitive to the needs of the not so young ones”, pertaining to senior citizens who patronize the restaurant.
Tropical Hut in QC Circle is a senior citizen friendly and for that reason you can see how it is being patronized by SCs. I love this store for being so sensitive to the needs of the not so young ones. The crews will never shoo you away even if you’re already staying that long.
— ningbondoc (@ningbondoc) June 14, 2022
As Tropical Hut gains its well-deserved buzz on the internet, Filipinos are hoping that they stay in business for a longer time, and that it adds more branches so that a lot of people from outside the metro could try the fast food staple.
Currently, Tropical Hut branches are open in Metro Manila and nearby areas, and is available for dine-in, takeout, and Grab delivery. The list of branches are listed below:
What do you think about Tropical Hut? Share us your experiences/thoughts below!
Featured photo from Tropical Hut