I like Tokyo Ghoul, and here's a nifty, spoiler-filled review custom-tailored to tell you why.
(No seriously, spoilers for Tokyo Ghoul, and the smallest bit of Tokyo Ghoul: Re)

Art
Admittedly the art at the start of Tokyo Ghoul...leaves more than a bit to be desired. There are many scenes and situations where even though the art may have style on it's side, it still lacks proper construction and overall winds up feeling awkward to look at. However I am happy to report that this does, in fact, clear up in the latter half of the story. This is beneficial given how hard the it leans on the art style to convey the story's various themes and more intense moments. Not to mention fight choreography and depiction quality also increase as a result, leading to more fluid fighting sequences that feel energetic and fun to watch pan out.

Characters
If I had to pick out one element of Tokyo Ghoul that acted as an integral part of what makes it good, it would easily be the characters. Sure, the in-world events are interesting and all, but it is in combination with the well-written and compelling characters that makes the conflict and story so much better. Most major moments in the story, both those in the past and present, are tied to an important character or group of people leading to these events being more relatable and understandable. This in turn means character's actions are more realistic, with a follow-able line of reasoning as to why they are acting the way they are.

Not to mention that the conflict the characters find themselves engaged in is more gray in nature due to the author exploring both sides of it, with the actions characters take on both sides being understandably extreme. It's hard to condemn or condone the actions of these characters who are fundamentally a product of the world they live in, and who are influenced by factors outside of their control. Ghouls have to feed on humans to survive, but humans don't want to be eaten. It's natural to eat other animals to live, just as it is to put down those animals that harm or kill our loved ones. Granted, there are still villains and characters who maliciously act as with any situation, but a large part of Tokyo Ghoul's cast are characters who are firmly entrenched in this gray area. And I think that's part of the value Tokyo Ghoul has: it plunges us, the viewer, directly into this gray zone through Ken Kaneki and makes the conflict more dynamic by not just painting all the ghouls as mindless monsters, but as creatures that are also just trying to live.

And on the subject of Ken Kaneki...I'm torn. Because I think fundamentally he and his arc are well-written and compelling to watch unfold. He goes from a happy-go-lucky human to an edgelord in the span of like 50 chapters, it's hilarious. Jokes aside though the nature of the things he winds up having to do, and the experiences he has are interesting to see unfold. The way other characters imprint on Kaneki and shape who he becomes and even what he fights for is the main reason Tokyo Ghoul has that dynamic conflict. Through Kaneki we see both worlds: the humans trying to live, and the ghouls just trying to save themselves. As a result the story feels more life-like and complex.

Though on the other hand I don't like that his main goal of wanting to get humans and ghouls to coexist is essentially tossed to the wayside until Tokyo Ghoul: Re. I'd sooner have preferred it to have not been mentioned at all since if you only read the original, it seems like the idea was never addressed nor meaningfully expanded on. Plus it never relates to or sways Kaneki's actions throughout the plot, and overall I think his arc is better described as in the pursuit of protecting the world he chooses, even at his own detriment. Still though it's only a small complaint on my end and doesn't overly detract from the narrative.

Plot
The plot of Tokyo Ghoul is remarkably simple, all things considered. Boy meets girl, girl lures boy to secluded area, girl attacks boy, girl subsequently gets flattened under steel beams with boy, boy gets a procedure done by a dollar store doctor with no definition of what medical malpractice is, boy becomes half-ghoul hybrid, boy must then grapple with the new life he leads while bettering himself in pursuit of a brighter future. Y'know, the simple stuff.

Seriously though the overarching narrative is really easy to follow, and while there is a bit of complexity towards the latter half as certain twists are unwound, it's still presented in the same straightforward method. Which isn't a demerit since as stated before, the characters are the lifeblood of this series and are the driving force of the story. The simple narrative gives way to better character interactions which I will always prefer since that in turn makes the reading experience more memorable.

Honestly I don't really know what else to say here given that the story really is just a simply vehicle for delivering intriguing character interactions, and not much else. I could talk about the interesting ending, or the fact that more than a few plot points are relegated to being tied up in Tokyo Ghoul: Re which annoys me, but penultimately that's beef better suited to hashing out in a Tokyo Ghoul: Re Review. After all it's better to criticize a work for what it is, not what it isn't and as for what the story of Tokyo Ghoul is you already know my stance. Good, not perfect or peak literature, but it does it's job well and not much else.

Final Verdict
I think those looking for a solid, character driven experience will be pleased to find just that in Tokyo Ghoul. The presentation of it's characters, narratives, and themes is nothing short of rock solid and quite engaging to watch unfold. The central ghoul v human conflict is gray as concrete which heightens combat encounters and coincides with Ken Kaneki's main dilemma of what's right and wrong in the world. Which side acts in favor of justice and which merely dwells in the darkness? A truly unique and engaging read, and one I can easily recommend.

Now Tokyo Ghoul: re on the other hand? That's it's own special little dilemma that requires vastly more discussion on if I can recommend it to you or not. Hope this review helps and offered enough perspective to say whether you should give it a go or not.