Burger topped with atchara? This food spot in Washington DC offers Filipino flair
Offering a taste of home, Joia Burger in Washington DC, presents an American fast food favorite with a Filipino twist with their atchara-topped smash burgers.
Flipping the script of the classic American burger, this food spot located at 3213 Mt. Pleasant St., narrates a story of cultural fusion.
Patrice Cleary, a household name synonymous with the flourishing Filipino cuisine in Washington DC, has expanded her food repertoire with the launch of Joia Burger — just a block away from her Filipino restaurant Purple Patch.
Filipino burgers in Washington DC
Opening last March, this new venture originally sprouted from a pandemic-induced necessity. Cleary and Chef Bill Williamson creatively transformed leftover meat trimmings from their Butcher’s Market business into smash burgers.
View this post on Instagram
Joia Burger continued to delight with its premium Wagyu from Braveheart Black Angus Beef albeit the closure of the market. Molded into 2.5 ounces of meat chunks, these patties end up crispy and lattice-edged in just 45 seconds.
Each wagyu burger is topped with a slaw-like mixture of chopped onions, pickles, tomatoes and lettuce — all melded with a secret sauce sitting on a buttery Martin’s Potato Roll. Utilizing this approach, Cleary reached her goal which “means you get the perfect bite every time.”
Meanwhile, vegan options also stand tall at Joia with patties presenting a hearty mix of red, black and pink beans with wild rice, carrots, oats and onions — all encrusted with a crispy cornstarch coating.
View this post on Instagram
Paying homage to her Filipino heritage, Cleary tops these burgers with atchara — a zesty, sweetly pickled salad of green papaya, onions and carrots promising a burst of tanginess with every bite.
Not to be outshined, the sides and sweets complete the meals. Currently serving up slender fries, Cleary hints of crinkle cuts soon. Dipping choices like Sriracha mayo or garlic aioli are a leap beyond the mundane ketchup sauce.
And for a decadent finisher, the regally purple ube soft serve — spruced up with your choice of rainbow sprinkles or toasted coconut flakes — is a tribute to the owner’s Filipino roots offering a sweet end to your savory meal.
View this post on Instagram
A hit with the kids and kids-at-heart, the Liam’s Lunchbox special – named after her son – includes a single serving of patty burger, half-order of fries and an ube soft serve.
Aside from becoming a neighborhood staple, Cleary reflects on her dedication to the Mt. Pleasant area, where she has been a culinary presence since 2003 underscoring her commitment to fostering a neighborly vibe to families and foodies alike.
Cleary took to Instagram to show her appreciation for the overflowing support from the neighborhood saying, “We have received so much support from our wonderful neighborhood, as well as visitors from far and wide, we are so grateful.”
You may also like: Unlock the secrets to the perfect crispy cheeseburger – Fil-Am Chef Alvin Cailan’s way
Though Joia Burger is currently shying away from food deliveries to maintain food quality, they invite diners to experience their unique offerings at their humble spot — with seating at the counter and al fresco area. She encourages casual encounters over burgers that, as she puts it, are “utterly crushable.”
As one of the pioneers spearheading Filipino cuisine in Washington DC, Cleary curates not just burgers but memories filled with nostalgic taste of home.
