TORIKIZOKU Ishibashiten

(This is a big chain, so feel free to apply this review to your nearest Toriki - they are all nearly identical in decor, menu, and service) It's hard, but I can remember what my life was like before I knew Torikizoku ("Toriki" if you are cool). I had a very narrow view of Japanese food despite being... a resident of Japan: going out to dinner meant spending a lot of money on something fancy or spending less on something simple yet disposable (Kaiten sushi, I like you but I am talking about you). Toriki is not fancy but it is supremely affordable and consistently delicious - and that is pure magic. The Toriki formula is easy to understand: everything on the menu is a set price (about $3 US). Chicken skewers? $3. Salad? $3. Fried cheese? $3. Dessert? $3. An adult beverage? Yes, it's $3. This guarantees that every time I visit Toriki I walk away with a full stomach, a reasonably full wallet, and feeling very good about myself. We often visit Toriki as a family (kids get infinite drinks refills - a bargain on top of a bargain) but I have just as much fun taking my adult friends there, especially visitors from overseas who think about Japanese food the way I used to. They leave surprised and satisfied, every time. I have even deigned to visit Toriki by myself and while it is less social the food and drink don't complain that I'm not talking as much. If Toriki has one weakness it is that every location welcomes smoking so if you are unlucky, you may spend your evening surrounded in a haze. Frankly, I love it so much I am willing to roll the dice.

Visited October 2019