I can see what you mean about the confusion over what was included, or not included in the all-you-can-eat. The servers weren’t as clear about what could be ordered from the menu. I had one of the native English speakers come up and explain it to me in more detail.

Ribs and briskets are hit and miss sometimes, so maybe another day you can come back up there. The dino ribs were a bit too fatty the last time, but then I don’t see why that’s such a hot item for some. I get the hint that some folks don’t know a lot about Texas style ribs and probably just eat for taste while not understanding how good ribs are supposed to taste.

Teddy's Burger. Been there. Not bad. Went a second time. Nice sides.

Yes. Next up for me is Rocco's. If I can get my blood pressure down below 150 I'll go up there.

Robb S....Hato's lover. BBQ aficianado. I think the list is long on what we have against Hatos.
<<Boofie - The food you cook is always better. Yokohama really isn't that far from Tokyo. Don't know where you are. Bashamichi is definitely a step up in terms of BBQ. If you are desperate then Outback Steak house's ribs get a C+

YOU know where to buy good bacon, but the fact still remains, good bacon is not easy to get. Good smoked bacon, that is, not the stuff they sell here. I can probably cook better than many of the chefs here in Tokyo, so I do not need to go out to splurge on a nice location, food, and company either. I was merely informing people about White Smoke's breakfast menu and what to expect, largely in part, because I would like to recommend it to those who aren't so light in the pocket book, and who do not mind going out to enjoy a nice breakfast.

I intend to make my rounds to these places next week, or so. Thanks. I knew about these two places, and have been wanting to try them both.

I think maybe you are missing the point. I'm sure any simpleton could stay home and fix his/her own breakfast - especially with the little Japanese wieners. It's nice to go out every now and then, even if it's for breakfast, and even splurge a little. It's the atmosphere, the music, the mimosa, and that classic breakfast that makes it all worth it. It's not like I eat out for breakfast everyday.

The name of the shop is "White Smoke," and I prefer to eat amongst corporate professionals, even if it is an extra expense.

But if you know of a better breakfast joint in Tokyo where I can eat amongst corporate professionals who know their stuff, please do share - I would love to know.

Breakfast at White Smoke is epic, as well as expensive. I didn't mind traveling out from Yokohama for it either. Truly authentic and exactly what I was looking for in terms of a true American classic like bacon, eggs, and sausage. I would have preferred hash browns instead of the potatoes though. Everything else brought back all of home for me. Grits would also be a welcome edition, or maybe even oatmeal. Other then that, this breakfast was perfect and I left thoroughly satisfied.

Price point:

Expensive: Mimosa is over 1000 yen : 2300 yen for the eggs and bacon.

Service: Excellent. Servers all speak excellent English and are very attentive.

They charge an additional 250 yen for maple syrup whereas the ordinary stuff is free.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I would say. How about you? Had a chance to get up to White Smoke to try their breakfast menu. Loved it.

I have been to White Smoke a few times, and they are overpriced if you are the frugal type, but not everybody's a budget gourmand. You don't go to places like Azabu looking for discount ribs and blue light specials on rare imported cheeses. You are paying to eat in a premium piece of real estate and amongst corporate professionals.

White Smoke still has a ways to go before they perfect their BBQ, and I'm sure they know that. I am curious about their breakfast menu though. Their meat lovers breakfast burrito looks absolutely amazing. Has anyone been down to try it?

Well, when he said "Hatos" had excellent ribs, he lost me there. Hato's ribs are drowned in raspberry and ketchup and have no meat on the bones.

Chiming in on a very old post, but I used to frequent Mr. Shige's restaurant for years back in early 2000. I love his style and way of conducting business. His austere character is what makes the mood so mystical. Great experience.

Was just up that way the other night for the ribs, but chicken fried steak and biscuits...? I'll pass.
I'm sure it's Japanized down to appeal to Japanese taste, like their ribs.

Bashamichi Combo Plate

Went to Hatos last night November 13, 2011 and ate a whole rack of baby backs and chili fries.
If you love your ribs slathered in a ketchup(y) raspberry sauce, and you don't mind if they're a little skimpy on the meat that literally falls off the bone then this is the place for you. I personally think ribs shouldn't fall off the bone. There should be a little juiciness and resilience to the meat. The BBQ was basically good; not great.

The chili fries were outstanding as well as the shiga kogen craft beer.

It's a small hole in the wall dive in a very nice part of Tokyo - posh. I still think Taproom in Bashamichi is far better in every way. The ribs are outstanding and there's plenty of room for patrons.

I think you miss the point. Weak no. I could sense the tension between Tony and his host in this one. The lady was visibly tense from the type of questions Tony was asking. Many of the hosts appeared to be very sensitive about questions of identity and ethnic origin.

Spot on. I think you hit the nail on the head. Ch'ers overlook the beauty of AB's style and finesse. He always asks the questions that matter most about the cuisine.

The episode could've done away with the go-cart scene as that can be enjoyed in almost any country. Other then that it was a pretty well produced episode. Especially like how Tony asks the difficult questions about nationality and ethnic originality.

He does do really well when he's shooting overseas. His stateside podcast rarely reflect the same passion.

Cocktails and Ikebana is like trying to compare wine and grits.

It's not authentic when the board of health requires you to freeze fish. I do agree about the Americanization of sushi, though.

Yes. It was. And why would you question me like that?

The cocktail scene should've been completely eliminated in my opinion on the bases that it had no cultural relevance to Japan. When the bartender said he was inspired by a movie starring Tom Cruise I lost total interest in that segment. Morimoto was a perfect addition to this podcast. His English was passable. This show definitely made up for AB's Hokkaido segment of the podcast.

I do have some complaints about this episode in Hokkaido, so I hope Mr. Bourdain reads this. Firstly, the restaurant you went to with your female host was just average. The place you should've gone to is called Uni Murakami in Sapporo. They are unarguably the greatest uni restaurant franchise in all of Japan, and they serve up the highest grade of sea urchin the right way with generous portions. All of your hosts were inexperienced nihonshu drinkers which , in my opinion, took away from the show. Sake and Japanese food go better together than beer. I think you know this. You missed out on the Sapporo Snow Festival which was held in Feb 2011 - I know, I was there. What a pity. You planned poorly and I wished I had known about you before hand. I sort of resented your hosts for not talking about the how to pair sake with the food you were eating You must go back to Sapporo and redo the whole thing again. You missed out on some really great restaurants and scenery. I have been writing about food in Japan for almost ten years. You also missed out on Furano's famous curry and milk. You ate boiled crab! This is a sin. You eat it steamed. That is the only way you are supposed to eat crab. You should've visited Kushiro and Nemuro for Hanasaki Gani. Again, with all do respect, the Hokkaido show was poorly planned and I feel a little bitter about it. You have to redo that episode.