4 best Tokyo burgers
Where can you find the ultimate Tokyo burger? Right here.
1. Gotham Grill: Steep price, big patty
One of the newest additions to the Tokyo burgerscape, Gotham Grill in Ebisu bills itself as a hamburger and steak house. Focusing on basic meat lovin' rather than fancy recipes, Gotham Grill provides just one burger option: a 225g patty grilled in full view of the public at the front of the shop. Topping choices are minimal: cheese (cheddar or gruyère), bacon or an extra meat patty.
Quality comes at a price. The steep ¥1,300 covers just the burger. Fries and sides are extra.
3-16-10 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, tel. 03 5477 0536, 11:30am-12am
2. J.S. Burgers: Style with fries
Spinning off a burger joint from an earthy fashion label isn't the most obvious business strategy, but Journal Standard has greatly contributed to the meat-and-bread scene by giving birth to restaurant chain J.S. Burgers. The company operates three branches, with the Shinjuku and Aoyama locations offering outdoor seating.
Options are updated seasonally, though you can always create the burger of your choice by selecting from a list of toppings.
Also worth noting: If you like them delightfully crisp, J.S. Burgers may have the best fries in Tokyo.
jsb-cafe.jp, Aoyama location: 5-9-1-2F Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, tel. 03 6418 7078, 11:30am-9:30pm (Monday-Friday), 11am-9:30pm (Saturday), 11am-8:30pm (Sunday and Holidays)
3. Baker Bounce: Buttery buns in American diner setting
Those who need the American diner experience to fully appreciate a Tokyo burger should make a straight line to Baker Bounce. Originally based in the quiet suburb of Sangenjaya, the chain expanded into Roppongi's trendy Tokyo Midtown shopping complex two years ago. Baker Bounce offers possibly the best all-around burger on this list -- delicious beef with buttery buns grilled to perfection. It also gets points for a rarely seen menu item in Japan: root beer.
bakerbounce.com, Tokyo Midtown location: D-B113 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, tel. 03 5647 8311, 11am-10pm
4. Pakutch: Tower of power
Behind the Mark City shopping center, Shibuya's Dogenzaka back streets offer a hodge-podge of night-owl drinking establishments and yakitori spots. But head there in the daytime to experience Pakutch and its 'Tower Burger.' This is a legit tower of meat -- three patties stacked high, each with its own slice of cheese.
OK, the 'Tower' sounds bigger than it really is -- patty diameter is on the small side -- but we're suckers for innovation. And, when it comes to burgers, thinly veiled gluttony.
www.pakutch.jp, 1-11-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, tel. 03 6276 2955, 11am-12am (Monday-Thursday, Sunday), 11am-5am (Friday, Saturday, and days before holidays)
