THE Marianas Business Plaza, formerly the Nauru Building in Susupe, may seem like an unassuming spot. But hidden inside are not one, but two burger joints dishing out insanely delicious handheld creations — the iconic 360 Revolving Restaurant and the Japanese gem Gentle Brook.
A meaty comeback tale
After a brief closure, 360 Revolving Restaurant has reopened much to Saipan’s delight, serving up their legendary burger feasts once again. The Mother’s Day relaunch was a smash hit according to co-owner Andrew Colburn, despite setbacks like the endless Beach Road construction making it tough for customers to visit.
But burger fans have remained loyal, like Karen Ann Alla Manuel. The Hopwood Middle School vice principal and self-proclaimed foodie gave 360’s classic Loco Moco an enthusiastic review. What stood out? The personalized touch of getting her patty cooked exactly to her preferred temperature.
“I was surprised when asked how I would like my patty, well-done or medium rare,” Karen noted. “Often times, restaurants in Saipan forget to ask this and just serve well-done across the whole menu.”
But 360 nailed it, delivering her patty cooked precisely how she wanted. Karen raved, “Perfect sauce, the meat was cooked very well, and the egg just mashed up all together with this.” Even better? The quick serving time despite her customized order.
Then there’s the Monster Burger, a $16.99 mammoth loaded with beef, ham, crispy bacon, a fried egg, and oozy American cheese. Karen admitted being “set aback” by the sheer size initially, saying “This burger can be shared with a partner.” But the sweet potato fries were “refreshing” and the overall flavors? “Perfecto!” Whether you’re celebrating a new grad or just craving an epic burger feast, 360 Revolving has you covered with their fun, customizable menu and unbeatable specials. Don’t forget to check their Graduation Specials, a huge discount awaits!
Zesty Japanese burger bombs
Just below 360 sits the under-the- radar Gentle Brook Cafe and Restaurant, a Japanese restaurant run by the manager and head chef, Nagisa Melody Kishimoto, her mom and owner of the restaurant, Satoko Kobayashi, and sous chef Brent Azarcon.
But don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you — they’re cranking out some of the zestiest burger combos around.
Take the Dynamite Burger, which had Joann Aquino, a seasoned foodie critic and ZFFC program manager, gasping “Wow…This is like an explosion of flavors and sauces, the cheese is just oozing all over.”
This deep-fried breaded beef patty absolutely loaded down with spicy jalapeños, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, and a fiery “dynamite” sauce that’ll light up your tastebuds. Joann, who has savored burgers everywhere from her travels to locally, couldn’t get enough.
If you prefer your burger thrills with more sweet than heat, Gentle Brook has you covered with the Teriyaki Burger. A teriyaki- marinated, deep-fried breaded beef patty gets piled high with cheese, onions, and crisp lettuce for a flavor combo that’s completely addictive.
At just $12 a burger or $13.50 for a burger and drink set, Joann notes “the price, at this economy, is ideal.” As an accomplished program manager, president elect of the Rotary Saipan, and ESGR Ombudsman for Guam-CNMI always looking out for the community, she appreciates the value.
A plea for road relief
While burger fanatics rave, the Beach Road construction has emerged as a huge thorn in the side for both 360 Revolving and Gentle Brook. Colburn vented his frustrations, “It’s nice to see that we are being recommended. But truth is, we need help and I feel that no one is helping. They have fixed the other intersections except ours. Since the pandemic up to now it has been a series of setbacks and we are bleeding hard.”
Gentle Brook’s Nagisa echoed the struggle, sharing “We are really just managing the setbacks and it’s a challenge for us.”
This modest little plaza is housing some seriously tasty handhelds deserving of your attention and support. Brave the construction and hit up 360 Revolving and Gentle Brook for an unexpected burger flavor tour!
