Gorigori Burger Taproom

Gorigori Burger is a great-value beer and burger joint located down an alley opposite Roppongi Hills.

The American-football–themed restaurant (the owner is reportedly a former player) has 13 taps of craft beer and an extensive burger and food menu. The beer at ¥790 to ¥990 for a 480 ml glass (an American pint) and ¥490 to ¥690 for a smaller (265 ml) glass is fantastic value.

Beers on tap during different visits included Sierra Nevada, Hansharo, Ise Kadoya, Ginga Kogen, Baird Beer, Yellow Snow, Platinum, Ushitora, Voyager Brewing, Brooklyn Lager and Hop Havoc.

Usually, one or two beers are slightly more expensive at ¥890 for a pint and ¥590 for a small. A flight (6 small glasses) for sampling the beers on tap is ¥1,800.

Burgers are a little more expensive, but they slot into the “gourmet burger” class with big juicy meat patties. Prices start at ¥1,100 for a basic burger up to the ridiculously large “Challenge Burger” for ¥4,000.

There are plenty of non-beer options as well, such as pints of Dr. Pepper (¥499) for the kids or non-drinkers. Apart from burgers, there are lots of fried options, like huge onion rings for ¥490, fried fish and tartar sauce for ¥499, homestyle wedges for ¥490, and meal-size nachos for ¥1,880.

All ordering is via an iPad attached to the wall. The touch-screen menu includes some hilarious options such as “Rental Ash Tray” for ¥50,000, “Right to Smoke” for ¥150,000 and getting staff to memorize the ABV and IBUs of the different beers for ¥1,000,000.

Take out is available only for burgers. All prices quoted are exclusive of consumption tax. Also, note the early (for Roppongi) closing time. They apparently close when the burgers run out, so if you stop by before the official closing time and find that it’s shut, don’t be surprised.

by Greg Lane