Citrus By The Pool Woodlands is a chill halal western dine-in restaurant in Woodlands, Singapore. The establishment offers a selection of Western and Italian dishes and is tucked within the Woodlands sports and swimming complex compound.
Interestingly, the restaurant is after all located by the pool, hence the “By the pool” name. It is a Singapore sports council operated sports complex and swimming pool. Transport-wise, the restaurant is within walking distance from Woodlands MRT and Marsiling mall.
Also, EPS parking right at the compound at a wallet-friendly $1.20/hr. Also, seating here is offered in a combination of tabled and booth seating which seats groups up to 4-5 in size. The place accept reservations.
Great burgers on a budget
At its core, Critus by the pool is a burger joint offering meals on a budget. The main highlight dish here is their burgers. You have a selection of 6 burgers to choose from. It comprises of 2 beef burgers, 2 chicken and a veggie and fish burger selection. I was not able to try their pasta options during my visit. So I be touching on mainly on their burgers this time round.
Burger recommendations includes their staple menu options, such as Da burger Bomb ($12.90). It is a large chicken burger topped with a fried egg and juicy patties. Strangely my Bomb chicken burger is served with sliced cheese, think kraft sliced processed cheese. This makes it look tad odd, not to mention make the burger look like a school tuckshop burger.
Burger bossing around
Also, their main beef burger goes by the “Boss” name. Their Boss burger comes with satay sauce, which is a nice touch for a local flavour on the burger. Moreover, an item exclusive on their digital menu is their cheese burger ($14.90). It is a single patty beef burger similar to the Boss burger, though the names seems to be different on their physical and digital menu, which adds to the confusion when ordering.
In addition to their Cheese burger, I would also recommend their Shiok Burger chicken burger ($12.99). Their beef patties are great, they crumble and have a hint of being hand-made on site. Additionally, your burgers are served on standard off-the shelf burger sesame-topped bread buns, not too bad and a tried-and-tested recipe. They are lightly toasted and all topped with lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
Additional burgers but less popular options includes Fat prawn ($16.99), Thai fish ($15.99), and a Veggie Wrap. Their Bomb and Cheese burgers gets my recommendations for incredible value, something I would not recommend others if they were to cost over the $20 range. But Critus restaurant $12.90 burger prices (inclusive with fries) does make it a very value and compelling menu offering hard to recommend.
A great price point
Still, Citrus managed to pull off similar quality beef burgers here at a fraction of the cost (About $5 cheaper per burger). This puts Citrus By The Pool in a very good price point for the offerings. $12.90 and $14.90 for your burgers with a side of fries.
Hence, this puts Citrus By The Pool Woodlands in a similar market burger segment such as Wolf burgers and Fatburgers (another Halal burger joint).
However, though Citrus burgers are not premium wood or flame-grilled like the other burger joints we visited at Social Outcast, they still offer good value. Though, notably, their quality of the burgers are not behind the offerings of Fatboys burgers and Jewel’s Shake shack.
Moreover, notably, their menu offerings are similar to that of old habits hipster cafe we visited previously at SAFRA Mt Faber, in a setting is tad similar to the Kampung @ BM located by a swimming pool. Wrapping up their mains are a selection of pasta, which offers a sizable selection comprising of local favorites, such as Tom yum seafood pasta and Salted Egg seafood pasta, both priced at $12.90. Also, their more premium Seafood Aglio Olio sets you back $14.50. Western dishes range from grilled free-range chicken ($14.90) to more premium Beef Ribeye steak ($21.90).
Try their milkshakes
Also, you can’t get any more American then finishing up your burgers with one of their in-house milkshakes. Their ice-cream is airy, one to expect of ice cream priced in their range, think walls or street side uncle ice-cream. They are served with either an Oreo or a wafer chocolate biscuit with your milkshake in-tow. Notably, their ice cream al-la-carte costs $2.10 a pop.
Notably, I particularly liked their E-ordering system. Here, you scan a QR code on your phone to place your order phone. What is special is that it syncs the order across multiple devices, so your entire table see the orders on everyone’s phone. Service is generally fast and friendly, with the exception of pushy staff always asking you multiple times during your dine-in to give the outlet a Google review.
All in all, I found their burgers great for the price. They are not outstanding burgers, but not shabby either with a chill ambience to boot.
Verdict:
Must Go! | Actually pretty Good | Worth Trying | Shortlist Optionally | Should Avoid
Citrus By The Pool Woodlands Locality Map
3 Woodlands Street
13 Woodlands Swimming Complex,
Singapore 738600
Opening Hours: 11:30am–10:30pm
