Homeys

This small but friendly neighbourhood diner serves everything from nachos to chilli, but the superb burgers are the real draw: try the mushroom and cheese version (¥1,250), which comes topped with delicious ‘shrooms stir-fried in ample barbecue sauce (the proper usage of which many Tokyo burger chefs still haven't grasped), as well as fine cheddar and crispy lettuce. The expertly cooked patty is slightly on the thin side, but nicely flavoured and never too light. We also liked the sweet chilli burger (¥1,100), a balanced creation that has just the right amount of kick while still not obscuring the other flavours. Additional toppings from cheese to avocado are available from ¥100, and the extensive drink menu ranges from cocktails to American bottled beers like Blue Moon, Anchor's Liberty Ale and Brooklyn Lager. Sweet fiends will appreciate the decadent milkshakes (from ¥600). All in all, Homeys provides a top-notch soul food experience in Takadanobaba, an area where cheap food is found in abundance but great grub is surprisingly rare.