This morning, after a work out at the sports club in Aoyama, 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.
To keep my comparisons of burgers around Tokyo fair, I generally order a cheeseburger with everything that comes with it normally. I don't add anything extra so I can taste the basic offering.
The burger was served up in a reasonable amount of time, perhaps ten minutes. The burgers at Goro's Diner are anything but short in stature. I suspect the buns are specially made for them as they were thicker than most places. After a couple of photos by the iPhone (and instructions from the staff on how to attack the burger), I took my first bite. OMG, love at first bite. This is one fine burger.
First, let's address the meat. The single patty was clearly made of fresh and high-quality meat. It is grilled but not charbroiled so no burnt taste but instead, a juicy and noble burger. They have shown the meat a lot of respect in cooking the meat to perfection. Also evident in the first bite is an ever so slight hint of curry perhaps? I think the onions (note the layer of onion below the patty) may have been seasoned with curry when they are cooked. Whatever it is, it is mild and reserved but adds an incredible element to the taste. Nothing in the burger overpowers anything in the overall taste experience. Everything just fits together properly.
The fries with the burger were also perfect. The right amount, the right seasoning and just crunchy enough.
Is this the best burger in Tokyo? It is hard to say since I continue to explore the multitude of places specializing in creation of burger heaven. But the size of the diner, the classic rock music, the attentive service and the spectacular burger
rank it as one of my favorites. Cheeseburger and a Coke was ¥1800.