J.S. Foodies' Mr. Burger is a Donald Trump-inspired dish that includes a meat patty with a peppered pastrami Ruben, American Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and red cabbage on a rye bun. (Allen Onstott/Stars and Stripes)
J.S. Foodies' Mr. Burger is a Donald Trump-inspired dish that includes a meat patty with a peppered pastrami Ruben, American Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and red cabbage on a rye bun. (Allen Onstott/Stars and Stripes)
The most popular item at J.S. Foodies is the J.S. Burger, which includes a beef patty that's thicker than what you'd get at most fast-food outlets. It's served with avocado, lettuce, cheese, onion, and tomato. (Allen Onstott/Stars and Stripes)
J.S. Foodies' kids meal comes with a burger, hash browns, salad, egg, a cup of banana chunks with strawberry jelly and plain yogurt, and a drink. (Allen Onstott/Stars and Stripes)
J.S. Foodies is also famous for its pancakes, which come in several flavors, including strawberry, custard and maple. (Allen Onstott/Stars and Stripes)
If you’re looking for an authentic American hamburger near Yokota Air Base, Japan — one that my two school-age kids call “better than McDonald’s” — head to J.S. Foodies at LaLaport mall in Tachikawa.
This burger bar, which has locations throughout Japan, is the perfect spot for a family night out.
The restaurant’s menu has a similar simplicity and freshness found at places like In-N-Out Burger back home. These are big burgers served on toasted-to-perfection buns with a crispy surface and soft center.
The most popular item on the menu is the J.S. Burger, which includes a beef patty that’s thicker than what you’d get at most fast-food outlets. It includes avocado, lettuce, cheese, onion and tomato.
There’s also a spicy chili-cheese burger and a kids meal that comes with a burger, hash browns, salad, egg, a cup of banana chunks with strawberry jelly, plain yogurt and a drink.
But the star of my meal was Mr. Burger, a Donald Trump-inspired dish jabbed with a toothpick holding an image of the president-elect and the phrase: “American election. Which are you?”
It’s a meat patty with a peppered pastrami Reuben, American Swiss melted cheese, Russian dressing and red cabbage on a Jewish rye bun. The 1,490-yen (nearly $13) price tag is a bit expensive, but Mr. Burger is huge and delicious.
Orders come with French fries and, for 680 yen (about $6), you can get a plastic cup filled with Heineken to wash it down.
If you’re not into meat, J.S. Foodies is also known for its pancakes (1,000 to 1,400 yen), which come in several flavors, including strawberry, custard and maple. The pancakes are soft and come with plenty of whipped cream.
J.S. Foodies is pretty fancy by burger-bar standards, although the cutlery is plastic and some of the food is served in cardboard boxes. Waiters deliver orders to your table on a tray after you order from a cashier.
There’s free parking on weekdays, but you have to pay for it on weekends. You’ll get an hour of parking for spending 1,000 yen (about $8.70); two hours for 2,000 yen ($17.40); and four hours for 3,000 yen ($26).
J.S. FOODIES Location: 935−1 Izumicho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-0015.
On the second floor LaLaport, a mall with more than 250 stores, in Tachikawa. From Tachikawa Station, take the Tama Intercity Monorail to Tachihi Station. From there, it’s a two-minute walk to LaLaport.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices: Burger sets cost about 1,000 yen (about $8.70), kids meals are 680 yen (about $6), and pancakes range from 1,000-1,400 yen (about $8.70 to $12.15). Kids meals are sometimes free with adult orders.
Dress: Casual
Information: 042-540-6276; www.foodies.journal-standard.jp/#/about
