Beeffalo by Hot Rocks: Steaks, Ribs, and more!

Beeffalo by Hot Rocks

Somewhere in the north, there's a restaurant offering American cuisine of everyday comfort food suited to Filipino taste. For a southerner like me, a trip to Beeffalo by Hot Rocks in Antipolo was worth the journey.

so many random vintage stuff in just one picture

Before the food, one would notice the restaurant's interesting design and interior. A lot of vintage stuff that some I didn't even know they existed. That 8 track player (which I had no idea prior to my visit) is still working! There's an old cash register, camera, and even a pedal toy car. We were told that most of the items were donated by friends and customers. It's the randomness thrown on the walls and pillars of the restaurant that surprisingly creates the chill vibe, which I love.


rustic mancave was the original plan for the interior	dial-up telephone and fishing rod

One of the restaurant owners, Louie Abad, welcomed and accompanied us in our food adventure while giving us background and stories related to the food and restaurant. It was then I learned that before Beeffalo, there was Hot Rocks. Who would have thought that the idea to just grill at their own backyard to save money (instead of dining out) would result to a hole-in-the-wall open-grill type restaurant that was Hot Rocks? Beeffalo is the re-branded and improved Hot Rocks where Louie's wife, Girlie Abad takes care of the menu and recipes, while their friend and business partner, Caren Diaz, manages the finances. Beeffalo's first branch is in Marikina, while the second one, less than a year old, is in Antipolo -- the branch we visited.

Seafood and Corn Chowder (95Php)

Seafood and Corn Chowder

Seafood and Corn Chowder is the best seller in terms of soup. And I understand why as it is really good. The seafood and the corn flavors are distinct yet are in harmony. Add to that, it's filled with seafood and other ingredients.


Seafood and Corn Chowder	Broccoli-Cheese Soup

Broccoli-Cheese Soup (120Php)

Broccoli-Cheese Soup

As a non-veggie lover, I had doubts ordering Broccoli-Cheese Soup as it has, err, broccoli. But after tasting it, it's a wow! Cheesy, creamy, and it doesn't taste nor make me feel I'm eating greens. Something I would want my son to eat, and I would recommend as well.

Three-Cheese Biscuit Pizza (135Php)

Three-Cheese Biscuit Pizza

Three-Cheese Pizza is simple, thin, and crispy. I like it as it is as I get my cheese pizza fix while not being overwhelmed nor too filled.


Three-Cheese	Margherita

Margherita Biscuit Pizza (155Php)

Fresh tomato and basil

Margherita Biscuit Pizza

Just like the Three-Cheese Pizza, the Margherita Pizza is ultra thin and crispy. The presence of tomatoes and basil makes it fresh and light.

Barbecue Platter (195Php)

3 sticks each: Pork Isaw, Tenga, Bulaklak

Barbecue Platter

This Barbecue Platter is more of a street food kind as it is composed of pork isaw (intestine), tenga (pig's ears), and bulaklak (ruffle fat). This may not be for everyone, but for those who love these street food, having this in the menu is a plus!


Barbecue Platter	Beeffalo Wings

Beeffalo Wings (with Blue Cheese Dip) (195Php)

Original Buffalo Style (Hot/Sweet)

Beeffalo Wings

Beeffalo Wings bears the restaurant's name and upholds it. In a serving, we had half sweet-spicy, and the other is original hot. The looks may be deceiving (I was deceived), but the glazed red one is the sweet-spicy, while the lighter orange-yellow is the hot flavored. The sweet-spicy version is well balanced -- there's a kick of hotness and a touch of sweetness. But as it is already glazed, I find it good on its own; no need for the dip. The hot flavored has a tolerable level of spiciness -- not screaming hot to the point of loosing other flavors. It is enjoyable especially when dipped on blue cheese sauce.

Taco BBQ Salad (for two - 275Php)

Lettuce, Nachos, Taco Beef, Salsa, Cheddar Cheese, Barbecue Sauce, and Ranch Dressing

Taco BBQ Salad

I find Beeffalo's Taco BBQ Salad unique or something I haven't encountered before. Might seem weird due to the combination of ingredients but it works. When I eat taco, I crush the taco shell and mix all the ingredients together. This salad somehow gave that feeling I'm eating taco but more of greens.


Taco BBQ Salad	Sizzling Beef Ribs

Sizzling Beef Ribs (330Php)

Tender Beef Ribs in Tangy Tamarind Gravy, Served with Plain Rice

Sizzling Beef Ribs

From its name, Sizzling Beef Ribs, I didn't realize that it will appear as sizzling beef sinigang. The beefy-ness is very evident, add to that its tenderness. The matching tamarind gravy puts it to the higher level.

Porterhouse Steak (250g - 395Php, 450g - 650Php)

Porterhouse Steak

It's a huge Porterhouse Steak serving and for its price, I think it's a steal! Amazing how simple it is, seasoned with just salt and pepper, but I find it really good. Lovely grill marks, tender meat, the beef flavor itself, and the perfectly matched mashed potato -- I am not a steak lover, but this converts me into one.


Porterhouse	T Bone

T Bone Steak (250g - 355Php)

T Bone Steak

Baby Back Ribs (single serve with java rice - 285Php, full rack - 765Php)

Baby Back Ribs full rack

Baby Back Ribs is my comfort food, and Beeffalo's recipe confirms it! No knife needed as the meat just falls off the bone. I love the glaze how it is sweet but not too much nor too overpowering. I had this at home and my toddler son loves it!

Baby Back Ribs

Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup (225Php)

Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup

Just when we thought we had enough, we were given sandwiches. But since these are new in the menu, we partitioned our stomach to give some space for these.

I love the Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup and the combination. The sandwich is toasted enough to have that a bit of crunch on the outside but is filled and loaded with cheese inside. The Tomato Soup itself is good and can be ordered separately for Php 75. Combined, it's heavenly as the two complement each other. I would have had this as snack everyday!


Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup	Cheesesteak Sandwich

Cheesesteak Sandwich/Wrap (245Php)

Choice of Ciabatta with Fries or Tortilla with Nachos

Cheesesteak Sandwich with Fries

Cheesesteak Sandwich is a huge serving and combined with fries, it can be too filling. It is oozing with cheese sauce, meat, mushroom, and bell pepper. Bell pepper can be tamed a bit so its cheesy-ness will be more evident.

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake (165Php)

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

I love cheesecake in general but this Dulce de Leche Cheesecake of Beeffalo makes me love it more! At first glance, the thickness of cream bothered me a bit but when I tasted it, it's divine! The texture and the density of the cheesecake itself is how I wanted it to be -- not too soft, not too tight. The cream topping (which bothered me at first) is very light and hardly noticeable. Warning: This cheesecake is addicting!

Brazo de Mercedes (125Php)

Brazo de Mercedes

Brazo de mercedes, in general, is not my thing as I find it too soft and sometimes sticky. But again, I had a change of heart upon trying Beeffalo's Brazo de Mercedes. How could I not with its thick, compact, and so-good custard? This gave me a different perspective on brazo de mercedes.

Homemade Local Ice Cream

Local Ice Cream

Exclusive to Antipolo branch are the Homemade Local Ice Creams. I think except for buko pandan and ube, all other flavors (eg. gabi, mais, langka, etc) are white and so you really have to taste them to distinguish the flavors. But these are good ice creams and are true to their ingredients.


Buko Pandan Ice Cream	Ube Ice Cream

It took us more than 3 hours of eating from appetizer to dessert. For the food, most, if not all, are thumbs up! Definitely huge serving and affordable. I wanted to identify my favorites but I might end up re-writing almost all of what I've listed above. The desserts are superb! Another good thing to note, almost all (eg. sauces, dips, sides, pizza dough, etc) are made by them from scratch. If I only live near Marikina or Antipolo, I would have gone to Beeffalo by Hot Rocks more often.

Beeffalo by Hotrocks
M.L. Quezon Street, San Roque, Upper Antipolo, Rizal
+632 534 1160