OEC Japanese Express — Restaurant in Bartlett

I've tried Chinese fried rice, Benihana's rice, and Tokyo Grill's rice. Chinese fried rice is too soy sauce laden and both Benihana & Tokyo Grill's are too bland. I tried O.E.C's Yakamesi (fried rice) the other day but only bought a small order in case I didn't like it. Turns out, I like it a lot! I can't really say I love it as I haven't tried them more than once. I had leftovers which reheated well the next day. Their yakisoba is tasty, too.

If you dine in, which I did on my 2nd visit, they bring you a little plate of sweet/salty cold peanuts before your food comes. There are little bits of red & green somethings mixed in. I wish I knew how these were made! They are soo good. I didn't see them in the menu, but if you want to take some home, you can buy about a cup's worth for $1.50+tax or they have another size for $3.00.

Towards the end of your meal, they bring a plate of watermelon slices. Since it was just me, I got 4 pieces. Other tables received more. I ended up taking these home. I was told by a friend that in the winter time, they bring orange slices.

I decided to review after my dine in visit. I went on a Saturday at 11:30am. There were only 2 tables of customers dining in. Service was prompt, and the server came by frequently. The only other time I went was to pick up a friend's to go order on Friday around 12pm (peak lunch). Yes, they were understandably busy, but despite this, I observed the wait staff visiting tables frequently. She called the order in, but it wasn't ready when we got there, so I ordered yakisoba. We weren't even there 5 minutes ( I don't think) when both orders were finished.

I wish there was a...

This was our first time visiting O.E.C. It appears that this is mostly a takeout place, with limited seating to accommodate a handful of folks who would like to dine in. We chose to dine in, and we're glad we did. We ordered a chicken hibachi dinner, a steak hibachi dinner, and an OEC roll. The perfectly cooked dinners came with a standard side salad (don't sleep on the ginger dressing) and fried rice. The YumYum sauce is a delicious addition that was brought to the table. The OEC roll had good texture and flavor. Portion sizes were more than fair for the cost, and the vegetables (both in the salad and in the entree) tasted like they had been freshly prepared in house.

I realized after ordering that we had failed to order water... and the server brought water on her own when she brought the salads. I never even had to ask, it was just offered. The same with YumYum sauce when I asked for a to-go container for the portion of my dinner I couldn't finish: I was brought condiment cups already filled to add to my bag.

I have grown disappointed with eating out over the last few years, either paying too much for low quality service & food, or simply just deciding to eat at home. Even with the dinner rush, OEC was an extremely lovely surprise and we've added it to our (short) list of places we'll...

Every single time I go to pay for my order, I cringe at the crazy high amount and ask myself if the food really is worth the hefty price tag that comes along with it. And the answer is YES!!! 100% YES!! $42 for lunch for 3 is ridiculous especially considering that only consists of 2 rolls, 2 salads, 2 soups, 2 Japanese egg rolls & 1 large shrimp fried rice (which muy hubby REFUSES to share!). That's it. That's what 42 bucks gets you at OEC. And my family keeps coming back and back!

To make this place even better is the staff is pleasant (though not overly so), the food comes out quickly and fresh since everything is cooked to order, and you can get some of the best fresh fruit smoothies & THE best baklava in town simply by walking next door (Gelato Cafe) while waiting for your food to be prepared. I think sometimes I order from OEC just so I'll have a reason to go see Victor, the owner, of...