Meat and Cheese Second — Review by RainaisCrazy
Tokyo, Japan — Japanese-Italian fusion, Chicago-style pizza
Rainai tries a Chicago-style Japanese pizza at Meat and Cheese Second in Shinjuku featuring a meat-wrapped crust, generous cheese pool, and meat sauce. While the meat and cheese components were delicious and lived up to the restaurant's name, the crust lacked the crispiness and toastiness needed to complement the rich toppings. Despite the crust falling short, it was still worth trying and eating entirely.
What was great: The meat and cheese were delicious, the cheese pool was generous and flavorful, the meat sauce had good flavor and herbs with a slightly sweet taste
What could improve: The crust was not crispy or toasty enough and could have been cooked longer, there was not enough sauce to balance with the other flavors
The Dishes
Rainai ordered the signature Chicago-style Japanese pizza at Meat and Cheese Second, which arrived as a visual spectacle with an impressive cheese pool and meat-wrapped crust. The pizza featured a layer of meat sauce, generous cheese coverage, and meat wrapping the crust edge. The meat itself was delicious and well-seasoned, delivering genuine flavor and satisfaction. The cheese was described as insane, providing a rich and creamy element that dominated the eating experience. The sauce had a slightly sweet profile with good flavor notes and visible herbs, contributing nicely to the overall taste.
The Experience
The dining experience at Meat and Cheese Second captured the excitement and novelty of trying a uniquely Japanese interpretation of Chicago pizza. The presentation was immediately striking, with the cheese pool and meat-wrapped crust making a strong visual impression before the first bite. The casual atmosphere allowed for a focused food experience centered entirely on evaluating the pizza's components.
Value & Pricing
While specific pricing was not mentioned in the transcript, the pizza appeared to be a substantial offering with generous portions of meat and cheese, suggesting reasonable value for a specialty pizza restaurant in Shinjuku.
Notable Moments
This cheese pool is insane.
The restaurant name is called meat and cheese. So, the meat and cheese is good.
It was definitely still worth a try and still worth me being lactose intolerant, eating it.
The Verdict
Meat and Cheese Second delivers on its promise with excellent meat and cheese components that showcase quality ingredients and execution. However, the crust is the limiting factor, lacking the crispiness and toastiness that would elevate it to excellence. The pizza is still worth trying for those curious about Japanese takes on Chicago-style pizza, and the meat and cheese quality alone make it a worthwhile visit despite the crust shortcomings. Best for adventurous eaters willing to overlook minor technical flaws for unique flavor experiences.