Burger restaurants have a tendency to be either cheap fast food joints or gourmet places that unnecessarily mess with a classic formula for the sake of originality. Frisco Burger, however, is different. Serving up classic American-style hamburgers, they moved into the Maizuru area of Fukuoka from Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, in July of 2011. The smell of grilling meat invites you into the cozy little establishment, which houses two tables and one counter. Owner Mike moved to California when he was nineteen and spent the next 38 years stateside. His desire to recreate the taste of the ’60s is behind his focus on making classic hamburgers. The menu is a simple choice between either a hamburger or cheeseburger. Mike shapes each patty after it is ordered and then carefully grills it and the buns together, seasoning with only salt and pepper. His burgers are juicy but not greasy, big but light in texture. Toppings are kept to the classic combination of onions, tomatoes, lettuce and pickles to compliment not dominate the meat. And the taste? Well, that needs no introduction. Other restaurants can keep their gimmicks, because some classics really can’t be improved on.
Menu
Hamburger ¥950, cheeseburger ¥1,050, draft beer ¥600, hamburger set (with fries and drink) ¥1,500
*Prices to change from Oct. 1, 2019 following tax increase
Originally published in Fukuoka Now magazine (fn156 Dec. 2011)
