From kitchen helper to Burger Chef: George Santos returns to the grill

George Santos had already retired when he decided to open Burger Chef at Marianas Business Plaza earlier this year.

A little over two years after stepping away from the kitchen, Santos said boredom—and a lifelong love for cooking—pulled him back. The result is a modest burger stall that has quietly gained a following, particularly on Saturdays.

“It turned out good, you know, and actually, it's really fun, you know. I enjoy it, and the customers enjoy the food,” he said.

Santos opened Burger Chef last Jan. 8, operating weekdays from 11:30am to 3:30pm and longer hours on Saturdays, 6am to 2pm. While weekday traffic averages six to 10 customers a day, Saturdays can bring in 35 to 40 customers, especially when evening crowds gather in the plaza.

Santos’ journey into the food business began far from Saipan.

He started as a kitchen helper in Olongapo, Philippines, where he said he learned to cook informally—sometimes by persuading cooks to teach him in exchange for a bottle of beer. From there, he built experience working across the Middle East and Africa before coming to Saipan in the early 1990s.

Over the years, Santos worked at Hotel Nikko Saipan, Hyatt Regency Saipan, and with LSG Chefs, gaining experience in hotel and airline catering operations. He formally entered the airline catering sector in 2000 and retired in 2023.

The name “Burger Chef” traces back to his hotel days. Santos said the idea came from a burger concept he encountered while working at Hotel Nikko Saipan.

“I think I said, ‘oh, if I open a burger restaurant, I need to put Burger Chef,’” he said.

The menu is simple, featuring classic beef burgers with options such as teriyaki, Hawaiian-style, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Santos said he may eventually introduce curry-inspired burgers, but has kept the menu focused for now.

What sets his burgers apart, he said, is freshness.

“I was doing it every day, you know, mixing some, you know, burger patties. If you put some love into what you're doing, it's going to turn out delicious,” he said.

Santos uses only beef, typically with an 80/20 or 83/17 lean-to-fat ratio, depending on availability on the island.

Opening a food business during an economic downturn was a risk, he acknowledged, but one he felt comfortable taking.

“People need food every day. And if your food turns out good, they come and eat even though, you know, it's very hard. I mean, the economy now, it's really hard. But, you know, food is really what we need every day,” he said.

Burger Chef offers affordable meals—burgers with fries—aimed at everyday customers rather than upscale dining. Santos said feedback has been positive, especially from customers looking for a straightforward, no-frills burger option.

“It's not really some fancy burger. But it's cheap and, you know, you can have your burger and a little bit of French fries.”

Burger Chef accepts advance orders by phone at (670) 285-1206 for pickup. Santos said delivery is currently not available.