Homework's, Tokyo

Yesterday, had someone asked me for the best burger in Tokyo, I would have automatically said "Homework's" without having to think about it. But today is today, and there's a brand new place that actually has Homework's beat, IMHO. (And its right up the street from my house!) The place is called Fat Rob's in Ebisu-Minami over the "American Bridge" that crosses the Yamanote line from Ebisu Garden Place. Cross the street at the stoplight, look for a silhouette of a fat guy, and you're there.

The Burgers here (so far the only thing they've really got on the menu) are thick and juicy. I had mine with avocado and cheddar, my friend with just the cheddar (The decent quality cheese they use here really seems to make a lot of difference in the outcome of the product, but I digress). They use a nice cheddar, fresh hand-torn lettuce, thick tomato slices, thin onion, ketchup and a spicy mustard with a hint of horseradish. They also add potato salad, which I suppose adds a pickle relish and mayonnaise -- between the horseradish mustard and the potato salad "secret sauce," it sounds gross when I write it, but it IS a truly great burger! Maybe not Tommy's in LA great (personal fav.), buy it's like an upscale version of an In-n-Out Double/Double. Far and away the best in Tokyo -- even better than the burgers at the Foreign Correspondents Club grille (I actually like Homework's better than FCCJ, but which place is better is often a topic for debate). Anyway, the burgers at Fat Rob's are between 900 and 1100 yen and come with (decent) fries and a soft drink.

Oh -- the icing on the cake (there is actually no cake -- they probably could use some desserts, but anyway...). The owner, Rob, lived in Southern Cal for about five years and speaks better English than most Japanese. The place is very gaijin friendly insofar as their signage and menus are in English, and Rob will chat with you in between seating customers. Really friendly guy. I hope this place does well.

Favorite Dish: The Burgers. See above.

I said hamburger are the main thing here, but who knows. We have been in economical recesion for quite a while. Perhaps when you come and visit it will be a shoes-shop. In that case, do not hesitate and ask for soft shoes...It could take you the whole day to eat them.

But look wha tI want to really say is that if you are alone there is this bar-like counter were you can be seated in a blink. So, do not wait till they ask you, go and tell them youar alone that she left you and that youare desesperate. Do not cry...Remember: men do not cry!!!

Favorite Dish: Hambuerger, shoes, and who knows...If ti becomes a Pachiko Parlor you will be eating steel balls.