A few years back, DevilCraft was pretty much the only place where you could get a Chicago-style pizza in Tokyo. Today, there are more options available if you want to enjoy some deep-dish pizza and The Butcher is one of them. It has a few locations in Tokyo and Yokohama, but I have only tried their branch in Kichijoji because it features a rooftop… and I love night views.
There is a tarp during winter, but the rest of the year you can enjoy the view
The rooftop is not very big and the view is not super impressive, but it is still nice. For me, there is nothing like eating in the open, and with the serious lack of terraces in Tokyo, I am quite happy to take any chance I get.
What I like about The Rooftop Butcher is that they offer much more than just pizza. While DevilCraft stays more authentic and offers the common American appetizers such as onion rings or buffalo wings, The Butcher has a more varied menu with healthier options. They offer salads, charcuterie and meat platters, as well as desserts. This place has a lot to offer, however, make sure you save some space for the pizza! The wait for a deep-dish pizza is rather long (about 40 minutes), but it would be a shame not to be hungry when it arrives…
Chicken Liver Paste (680 yen)
Ok, I’ll admit it; Chicken Liver Paste is not American. But it is one of my favorite starters so I won’t complain. It is not the most amazing chicken liver paste that I have had, but it was still nicely done. The taste was a bit mild but the texture was nice and smooth.
Snow Crab and Avocado Tartare (580 yen)
The Snow Crab and Avocado Tartare was fresh, but a bit bland. The aneth and pink peppercorn were a nice addition to bring some pep to the dish. The serving was a bit small, but for a less than 600 yen tapas, it was not that bad.
Black & White Cheese Pizza M size (2,000 yen)
For each pizza, you have 2 size options: M and L. Quite frankly, one L pizza is probably more than enough for 2 people, especially if you order some side dishes.
My favorite pizza at The Rooftop Butcher is the Black & White Cheese. It is by far the cheesiest pizza I have eaten in my entire life. This heavy-loaded pizza is made with mozzarella, cheddar, gorgonzola, parmesan and béchamel. Yep. Two slices and I was K.O’ed. The pizza crust is black, but it tastes just like a regular crust.
One thing though, I went back a couple of months later and tried this pizza again, but it was not quite as cheesy. I am not sure if they changed the recipe or if the amount of cheese changes depending on the pizza maker, but I was a little disappointed.
Double Meat Classic M size (1,800 yen)
We also ordered The Double Meat Classic, but I was too full to really enjoy it by the time it came. Still, I made a point to try it. As its name suggest, it is very classic. They use home-made ground beef paddies, tomato sauce, mozzarella and Grana Padano. It was good but I was not very impressed. It is however a safe choice if you don’t think you can handle too much cheese.
I am not a beer expert but The Rooftop Butcher has an extensive list of local and imported beers on tap. Surprisingly, they also have a quite large wine selection, and a few nice cocktails.
The Rooftop Butcher is not the most authentic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza in town. If you are looking for a proper American dining experience, DevilCraft is more suitable. However, it has its good points. The food is not mind-blowing, but I personally like the rooftop, the varied menu and the good drink selection.
The Rooftop Butcher
Opening hours: Open everyday from 17:00 on weekdays and from 12:00 on weekends. Closing time varies depending on the day (from 22:00 to 24:00).
Website: click here
Address: The Rooftop Butcher, Kichijoji Piatto 7F, 1 Chome−5−3, Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0003
Telephone: 042-226-8815
