Punggol Waterway Point - Burger Up Review

I know I've been talking about my healthy diet and also showing off erm, more pictures than I should about my new looks but you know how I always say that on Social Media we only show people the part of us we want people to see right? I'm still on a low/no carbs diet but I still "cheat" a lil once in awhile. My mantra to cheating? Make sure the calories are worth it! And I don't think I show you that side of me enough. 

So as most of you should know by now that I really hated my new estate - Punggol, no thanks to my silly article some moons ago. With the new Punggol Waterway Point now opened, many of the points have become invalid and I'm not complaining at all. (YAY! To me!) 

So the very 1st place that I've decided to spend my calories on is none other than the much talked about "Burger Up" 

Burger Up @ Punggol Waterway Point

The very 1st branch of Burger up is actually at 351 Yishun Avenue 3, which is not exactly THAT far from Punggol but still quite  a distance, so I am really glad they came to Punggol. 

So what is the selling point of Burger Up? It is basically a local fast food chain which sells decent burger at a decent price point. 

Banging it hard that they are "A Singapore Brand". #SupportLocalTalent 

Before I start to talk about the food, I would talk a little about my experience at the store. I wasn't exactly very happy and me being me didn't make an effort to hide it. On hindsight, I am really sorry to the management and team. I mean I am usually vocal about things but I should have at least sounded less angsty. Anyway here goes:

1. Ordering 

Baby steps towards machine taking over our world like in The Matrix. Burger Up uses such kiosk to take our orders. I mean the idea of kiosk is to save manpower but the process was rather painful. The burgers were divided into two categories and it ain't exactly easy for you to find out what you want to eat. And to make things worst, you will have to wait rather long if the joker before you can't decide on what to eat or decide to customize a burger. Yup, Burger Up allows you to customize your burger which is rather interesting IF the person before you can decide quickly. And to get a drink that you want, you actually have to scroll through the various types of drinks they are offering instead of the good old "Uncle, I want coke. Upsize". 

I think this idea is pretty good in a long run if people remembers or know what to order as if they are in MacDonald's (I am pretty sure everyone knows what burgers there are at MacDonald's by now) but as of now, where people are still very unfamiliar with their menu, it is actually counter-productive. I was rather annoyed by the fact that the counter CANNOT take our orders and it is compulsory for us to use the kiosk unlike at MacDonald's where using a kiosk is actually an option. 

There was also an option which says "Dine In" or "Take away" which I selected and was reflected on the receipt which I had to pass the counter to confirm my order. The lady at the counter asked me very nicely if I was gonna have my burger there and my reply was "erm, isn't it already reflected on the receipt which I selected it over at your kiosk? How come you asking again?" Like I mentioned, I think I was really being a little too bitchy. I just can't stand how some operations are time consuming and repeated steps. #WorkHazard

2. Food Collection

You know how most food chains have been dishing out this UFO looking vibrator that tells you your food is ready? That's not what Burger Up has and should get. Even the Satay store at Bedok Hawker has that but Burger up is still using a TV screen to announce that your food is ready. 

To make things worst, the seats at Punggol Waterway Point are divided in 3 section because it is actually a bend. So there are seats outside which you have to make a small detour out, and then there are seats on both left and right side of the counter. As you can see from the image above, it ain't really easy for you to see you number with a small font like these on a TV which is hanging close to the ceiling. And how many TVs are there? 2. Which means if you are seated outside, you jolly well just stay in there and stare for your number before going out to get a seat. 

I mean some of you might think that this is something very small and I'm kicking a fuss but I think this makes a very big difference in the user experience at a restaurant. And wait till you see what I wish to complain next before you judge me. 

3. The Tray 

I'm pretty sure none of you guys actually pays attention to the tray you used at any fastfood like McDees or BK because it is such a tiny little detail. Here at Burger Up, THE FREAKING TRAY HAS NO FRICTION. Even with two hands holding the tray, the drinks were sliding all over the freaking tray from left to right. 

Yes, it doesn't change the taste of my burger but the fact that the drink might spill all over me and on the floor was very worrying and I really don't like it. 

Like I mentioned, it is a very small detail but I think it makes a very big difference to an establishment from being mediocre and being really good.  

4. The Service 

Not the prettiest looking burger. 

No matter how angsty I was I believe that I am a very fair person. If there's one thing that Burger Up did right besides the burger, it is the service. I can't say enough how patient and polite the service staffs were. Despite me being a major pain in the ass, they were all smiles when replying to my unbelievable annoying statements that I would probably have punched myself if I was at the receiving end. (Or maybe I would just tweet and bitch about it.) I always believe in giving credit where credit is due. In this case, Burger Up Waterway Point's service deserves a 5 star rating. 

5. Burger 

After all that's been said and done, I guess the most important thing about a Burger Place is still its Burger right? The burgers are rather decent. We had 2 meals which cost us approx $15. We tried the Bacon burger as well as the Mushroom Chicken Burger. The patties were pretty decent. Not the thickest patty but totally worth the money. I would thought that anything with bacon and chopped onion will get the vote on my books but the Mushroom Chicken burger gave me a pleasant surprise. The sauce actually gave it a new life! 

Overall I would say that the burger is worth the money but if there's anything that I would want to improve on would probably be the bun itself. The current bun tasted like a very common bun where most local burger joints or home made burger uses. Unlike establishment like MacDonalds' where you can actually tell the difference in the taste of McMuffin bun, Fillet-o-fish bun, and big mac even with your eyes closed. I'm no pro bun maker but I know a good bun when I taste one. 

So if you are looking for a decent burger at a decent price point, you should drop by at Waterway point and try out Burger Up. The crowd is still manageable despite it being a newly opened mall.  

Other Information: 

Waterway Point West Wing, #B2-06

+65 6384 4509

10am to 12am (Mon to Thursday, Sun & PH) 10am to 3am (Fri to Sat & Eve of PH) 3AM LEH!! SERIOUS BO!!! Don't need always eat Jalan Kayu Prata as supper liao!!! 

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