Food
The Rockefeller - Not just for the Rich
20/09/11 18:35
Pier Street in Hermosa Beach, California, winds its way, well, down to the Pier. Along the winding street a number of restaurants and bars line the road and one night this fall I was introduced to The Rockefeller. Read More...
Jeff's Pirate Cove - Good, but not worth walking the Plank for.
09/09/11 16:05
Jeff’s Pirate Cove in Guam is a landmark and a very nice location. It has the reputation of having a great burger too so it sounded like the perfect combination. I have to admit that the cheeseburger was good. Good meat, good bun, lettuce and tomato but no special condiments or sauces which really makes a good burger. Read More...
The Local - A Hamburger with an Irish Touch
23/07/11 18:55
Well, everybody wants into the hamburger game and The Local in Minneapolis, Minnesota is no exception. My son, Brett, lives in Minneapolis, and on a hot summer day we visited The Local, one of many restaurants in the Twin Cities that takes advantage of the short summer with a sidewalk cafe setting. Read More...
Gotham Burger--Pricey but good
09/06/11 11:20
Around the corner from my office in Ebisu is a place called the Gotham Grill. It bills itself as a “Steakhouse” but it makes a pretty good burger. The place has a rustic look and the heady aroma of grilled beef drifts out the door. In fact, the smoky, backyard BBQ flavor of this burger is it’s best attribute. Read More...
Ko Tavern - A Swedish Burger without the herring
29/05/11 10:02
Sometimes good hamburgers pop up where you least expect them. On a recent trip to Sweden, Hitomi and I sampled the local brews far too late into a Sunday night and discovered that most of the restaurants were closed and we had not eaten yet--Not a good combination of events. That’s when we saw the lights on in the Ko Tavern in the Sodermalm area near our hotel. Read More...
Roti - Go for the the chicken--try the burger.
15/05/11 08:24
Roti was one of the first restaurants I went to when I arrived in Japan in 2001. I was drawn to it because they had an English menu and some microbrews. Thinking back, I probably would have gone there just for the microbrews. It has always been known for its chicken and the consistently good other items on the menu. I was aware they had a good burger but I had never tried it.
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MLB Cafe - The Burger is Major League
28/01/11 17:22
The MLB Cafe, Major League Baseball for short, serves up a pretty good burger. As you can see, this monster is top heavy with the hand-formed meat and all the goodies.
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Teddy's Bigger Burgers - Yes they are that!
27/12/10 12:23
My first tactile sensation at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers (of Hawaii) http://tbbjapan.co.jp/web/ was the billowing greasy smoke that hit me as I opened the door. It reminded me of the smell just prior to the first kitchen grease fire I fought. Luckily, everything at Teddy’s was under control and the only reason for the smoky reception was a long line of patrons and possibly an overtaxed exhaust fan. Either way, the full grill and horde of hungry people hanging around fired up my anticipation of a good burger. Unfortunately, although it had some positive attributes, the fare at Teddy’s is pretty standard. Read More...
Blacow's
25/08/10 18:34
Credit goes to “TokyoBelly” for this shot of the Blacows burger. None of the shots I took turned out as good. Perhaps that is because I was thinking more about eating this tasty burger than taking a picture. I have been to Blacows many times and, if the burgers continue to be as consistently good in the future, I will go back many more times. Read More...
De Mode-Odd name but good burger
15/06/10 18:33
Although Roppongi is a convenient place to live it is not known for the best restaurants. Always in search of the best burger in Tokyo, I have walked by DeMode several times not been tempted to enter. However, one Saturday night, a couple weeks ago the fragrance from this small burger shop was entrancing. Read More...
Fellows-These guys have got it right
07/03/10 18:31
Dr. Hitomi Hayashi, http://www.fdclinic.com/english/index.html, takes aim at the Double Burger from Fellows, a small burger shop tucked away on a narrow street near the Komozawa Olympic Park. Hitomi and I debated putting up with the multiple bus and train transfers on a cold and windy Tokyo morning but after we sunk our chops into the these burgers it would have been worth it to walk the entire way. Read More...
The Village Diner-Just plain good!
24/01/10 18:30
Obviously this burger from the Village Diner in Claremont, California looked tempting because I was unable to draw my camera before taking a couple of monster bites. I have had the pleasure of eating at this distinctive throw-back to the 20th century diner, situated in the cute village of Claremont, but this was the first time I had tried the burger. Read More...
Arms-Strength is in the Meat
25/10/09 18:28
This modest little entry is, to date, the best burger that I have had in Japan. On this beautiful fall day Hitomi and I ventured to the western border of Yoyogi Park and entered the small (12 seats) quant Arms Burger and something close to burger Nirvana. Read More...
Liquid Room-A Solid Entry
14/10/09 18:26
I was not expecting much when I walked into the funky little restaurant, sans live house next to my office in Ebisu. When I saw a cheeseburger on the menu I expected some wimpy excuse for the King of Lunches in this establishment that gave the impression that food was only offered because it had to. Read More...
Authentic Burger - And that's what it is
14/07/09 18:24
I’ve heard it said that a hunter’s most effective tactic to attract his prey is using the sense of smell. Last Sunday, while Hitomi and I navigated the nest of capillary-like streets in Akasaka looking for Authentic Burger, we froze as the scent of grilling beef wafted past us. With that, we quickened our step, oblivious to our surroundings, as we followed our noses to what we suspected was our goal. If we had been in the sites of some camouflaged hunter we definitely would have caught a load of buckshot in our unsuspecting butts. Read More...
In 'n Out-The King of them All
28/06/09 18:22
OK, I confess. My love of In ‘n Out Burger has been a life long passion. I grew up on them and I guess, like your first love, I can never quite get them out of my mind. Read More...
Freshness Burger-Dependable and Affordable
11/04/09 18:21
On this day, I had a cheeseburger and lemonade for a total price of JPY980. A reasonably priced lunch in Japan and a very good value. Although I prefer the U.S. In ‘n Out Burger (yet to be reviewed on these pages) Freshness Burger is the best value for burger appreciation (BVBA) in Japan. My cheeseburger at JPY590 stands in stark contrast to the other burgers I have reviewed at prices above JPY1000.
Although not the best, the Freshness Burger is very good. The meat is meat, meaning no fillers, and the condiments and bun are fresh. Although the bun is not baked “in house” it is not the type you and I might buy at the local supermarket. There is no unique sauce, mustard and ketchup are on the table, but a very good relish and tasty lettuce and tomato adorn this better than average burger.
When the final accounting of burgers is complete, I don’t think Freshness will when the “best award” but as Manny Mota achieved baseball immortality as a dependable pinch hitter I believe Freshness Burger will do the same. Read More...
The Great Burger-The name says it all
04/04/09 18:19
Tucked in a rat’s maze of alleys, between Shibuya and Omotesando, is Great Burger. On a recent cold and drizzly day I, along with two of my colleagues, Chiemi-san and Masae-san, ducked into this inviting shop and proceeded to have, as the name implies, a great burger.
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Burger Mania-You will go crazy over this one
23/03/09 18:10
OK, from left to right, please take a bow, Avocado Cheeseburger, Platinum Burger and the old stand-by Cheeseburger. These were the three entries that were put through their paces at Burger Mania located in the Shirokane area of Tokyo. As you can see the establishment is modest but the burger is headline material.
Read More...The Munch Burger-You never know where you will find a good one
09/03/09 18:07
Near where I work in the Marunouchi District, next to the Imperial Palace, there is an area where various kinds of food trucks show up every business day at lunchtime. From Thai Curries to waffle cones, there is a wonderful variety of food, local and international. About a week ago, to my surprise, a new vendor appeared at this leafy comfortable setting--the little red truck pictured above. And from this modest little establishment comes a very reputable burger pictured below.
Read More...The Quarter Pounder-Fairness to All
06/03/09 18:05
So, you can say what you like, but even the most snotty of burger connoisseurs would admit that there is something appealing about a McDonald’s burger. Whether it is the consistency, the flavor or something else no one knows. I think it is the smell. No matter where you are in the world, when you are within 100 feet of a McDonald’s you know it. Read More...
7042 Franklin Ave.-Don't forget the Napkins
15/02/09 18:03
I had read that 7042 Franklin Ave. had ample seating, so when we arrived I knew right away the burger was going to be good --- there was a line. Situated on a narrow, quiet street about a 10 minute walk from Gotanda Station, this burger restaurant is in, what looks to be, a former house. It has a nice patio and a balcony in front. The dining room is spread out around a bar and an open kitchen with counter seating for about 8. Although we sat at a table the counter seats look right into the grill and make-up area where you can watch these great burgers being built.
Read More...Homeworks-Simple but Good
14/02/09 18:02
The Homeworks was the first hamburger I had when I came to Japan in 2001. At that time, I thought that outside of McDonald’s, a good hamburger could not be found in Japan. Well I was surprised that day and I am happy to report that the Homeworks burger is still as consistently good as ever. Read More...
Goro's-Curry Me Baby!
07/02/09 18:00
I am happy to welcome Kyle Cheriton again--you remember him with the J*z Burger report--to give us another burger report. Take it away Kyle...
This morning I walked to Goro's Diner to try their burgers, rumored and reported to be very good. It is a small place and easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. Moreover, the place seats only ten people. There were only two people in the diner when I arrived but the place filled quickly afterward.
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Baker's Bounce-A Carnivore's Delight
25/01/09 17:57
THE BACON CHEESE BURGER
THE CHILI CHEESE BURGER
If you were in the American south you would call this entry a “Steakburger”-- coursely ground meat with the texture of a steak. Although I prefer my patty to be more finely ground I found the meat to be tasty although a little chewy. All in all though, not a bad burger.
The American Club-A Tale of Two Burgers
31/12/08 17:55
THE BACON CHEESEBURGER
THE BURGER DIP WITH EGG
I guess you would expect the Tokyo American Club (TAC) to have the best hamburger in Tokyo. Well, it is very good, but not the best. However, compliments go to the creator of the Burger Dip. It may not be the only place that makes it but it was my first experience with this genre of our old favorite. And, as a supporter of “Burger Rights”, this blog does not discriminate against any burger just because of it’s looks. Now, with that straight, let’s get started.
The Wolfgang Classic-A "Pukking" good burger
28/12/08 17:44
Hitomi can’t wait to sink her chops into the Wolfgang Puck Classic Cheeseburger and for good reason. Although you don’t expect a “chain” (alright I know it IS Herr Wolfgang) burger to have the attraction of its boutique brother you would hope that it could be done right here. And on that point, there was no disappointment. Read More...
J'z Burger (closed) - The meat isn't the only thing
27/12/08 15:16
With a couple of hundred burger shops in Tokyo I would have a heart attack or be subject to daily cholesterol checks should I personally try every one on my own. Therefore I am happy to welcome fellow Hamburger Connoisseur Kyle Cheriton, www.kylecheriton.com, with this report from the field on his solo venture to J*z.
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Sasebo Burger-The First but not the Best.
23/12/08 13:39
The nondescript entrance to Sasebo Burger in Roppongi gives an indication of the type of burger that awaits. Perhaps Hamburger Inn or Sasebo Burger are participating in a bit of revisionist history but depending on whose bio you read, they both claim to be the oldest burger shop in Japan. Greeting you just inside the door was a likeness of the famous Ryoma Sakamoto, a visionary hero, who, in the middle of the 19th century, fought to move Japan beyond its feudal trappings. Although he is holding a Sasebo burger I don’t think the cheeseburgers legacy extends that far back.
Read More...Outback-Take a pass on this one.
22/12/08 12:49
My first thought when this burger appeared before me at Outback Steakhouse
http://www.outbacksteakhouse.co.jp/en/index.html was that the lights had gone out in the kitchen. Part of enjoying a hamburger is the presentation. This one looks as though it was assembled in the dark or suffered the effects of a Tokyo trembler. Read More...
Brozer's Burger-Worth the Ride.
21/12/08 12:44
That’s me standing in front of Brozers’ located near Ningyocho Station in Tokyo. I have noticed a number of “Burger Joints” recently and have wondered whether there was a “Burger War” brewing on the streets of Tokyo. I have no other evidence than my own observation. No fry cook gangs have appeared staking out their turf nor have any burger spots been mysteriously put to the torch but I smell something cooking. Therefore I have decided to get to the bottom of this and see how all these places measure up. Read More...
Zest Burger-A Known Brand Picks a Winner
07/12/08 12:37
You might think that finding a good burger in Japan is somewhat similar to finding good sushi in Des Moines. I do not know about Des Moines and sushi but you can find a good burger in Japan. Maybe not the best (refer to my 10/18/08 entry) but pretty damn good. And today, I may have found the best--Zest premium burger in Hiroo. Read More...