Taisho on Hertel — Restaurant in Buffalo

First, I do not like posting negative reviews. For proof, read my others. The tl;dr is: If you are hell-bent on dining in, sit on the patio if you want service. If you are ordering out, don't. There is better, less-expensive sushi elsewhere Nobody working here is in control. There is nobody "directing traffic". If you don't get up and flag someone down - which is really uncomfortable to do - you won't be served.

The full story: Since it opened, we've had 50/50 service eating in-house. Also, this is the only place in the last 20 years to give me food poisoning, but this visit was a request. It was $130 for two adults and a kid!!

When we arrived at 5:40pm on a Saturday, there were 8 people (4 couples) on the patio, and about 3 booths (out of 25 +/-) full inside - aka: it was dead. There was also a function in the balcony area, about 15-20 people.

We arrived at 5:40. By 6:02, we hadn't seen any wait staff, even for water or drink orders. After gently reminding someone at the host desk that we were there, another 10 minutes before a waitress came over to take orders. We made our full order, as this was going really bad so far. At 6:30 we got most of the drinks (minus the one the waitress forgot), and by 6:35 we had all drinks and appetizers. We finished up but no-one ever stopped by to check on us.

Finally at just around 6:45 (a little over an hour from sitting down), our three sushi rolls came and they were fair to mid. We ate some of it, got the check as quickly as we could, paid, and left. By that time it was 6:54.

I should say that in the time between sitting down and getting our order in, 2 couples that came in after us made the smarter decision to leave, but two others already had drinks and received their meals before we got appetizers...? They were sitting on the patio.

The location itself is prime Hertel, making it a really nice spot to stop and sit. The drink selection is actually very good, with a lot of sake and other Japanese beers to choose from. But damn, the service here just absolutely kills all of that. It is nowhere near worth all that for what we paid....

First, the good:

As a veteran of both Taisho locations, I can say with certainty that they are both great restaurants - and they're the most authentic Japanese you can get in Buffalo right now.

This new Hertel location is awesome. The booths are comfortable, the room is super spacious. Thoughtful staff. And the food is the same quality as the other location.

The only problem Taisho has (and this is at both locations, by the way) is one regarding consistency, or lack thereof.

With most of their menu items, such as the katsu curry, sushi, takoyaki, ika maru, and others, you can expect them to be great every time. With other dishes, especially the ramen, anything could happen. Once that bowl reaches your table, it might be the most delicious ramen you can get in WNY. It might be underwhelming. It might even be kind of funky and smelly.

It's totally random - you never know what you're gonna get! And that's what bums me out about Taisho. I've been eating here long enough to remember when it was 10/10 every time. Now, I hardly go anymore - it's just too much trouble to take the chance. If I want good Japanese food that's gonna knock my socks off, it's more reliable to just drive to Toronto and get some there.

The last time I went to this location, I got some sushi, katsu curry, and spicy miso ramen (an old favorite). Sure enough, everything was great - save for the ramen.

The broth tasted nothing like the flavor bomb I had come to know and love (and that was ordering it off doordash at the height of covid!)

It was as if they left out all the miso. Tasted like spicy water.

We had to ask for more miso on the side to add to it, and once we mixed it in, it started to taste like it used to. But only started to.

I sincerely hope both Taisho locations return to their former glory at some point, because it stinks to see an old...

Yesterday, I went out with a friend to Taisho. Looks: You walk in to this beautifully modern bar like place. There'd an upstairs too. Colorful led lights, nice art om the wall. On our table we had a little cute vase with a glass flower. The Napkins also had printed flowers on it.

Doesn't take long for you to be directed to your seat. Staff: Respectful, professional, yet relaxed and casual

Food: I had the chicken teriyaki bentonite box and my friend had the shrimp teriyaki bento box with the tuna rolls . ! And for an appetizer we had tokoyaki balls which is octopus balls.

The octopus balls had fish flakes on it and some sauce. Truth be told I thought it was alive because the airflow is pretty good and the flakes are light so it was moving weirdly like the fish flakes on top. The ball itself was nice hot and good! I've never had octopus ever so it was a first. It reminds me of a very soft fried fish I use to have growing up. I liked it!

For the bento box I wasn't a huge fan of the the California rolls ( crab meat and crunchy veggies) but the execution of it was good! The spicy chili sauce or what reminds me of duck sauce was there with a little kick and I used it with my potstickers and spring rolls. Delish! The chicken teriyaki was okay but I liked the shrimp teriyaki better . More flavor in the shrimp . There was rice too which was good but I like to dip it into the sauces like the teriyaki sauce.

This is a great place for a date or just hanging out with friends for a drink . Ih by the way! There's really only alcohol at this place so I just asked for a water.

Overall, I had a good experience here and hope others will also come to...