Table to Stix Ramen — Restaurant in Evanston Township

The ramen here is pretty average, but since I'm a huge ramen fan, I still give it three out of five stars for the food rating. However, the "Modern Tonkotsu" tasted and smelled off. It might be due to the recipe or maybe the hot weather affected the freshness of the meat.

It was a long day, so I decided to bit my tongue and keep the confusion myself. Yet, the waiter asked if everything was okay, so I mentioned the funny taste, and he simply replied, "That's our recipe." It felt like he was blaming me for questioning the quality of their ramen. So I tried talking to the chef about the taste, but she just reiterated that it was their recipe and insisted they couldn't be wrong. All I can say is that I was just sharing my opinion as a customer, but their indifferent attitudes made it clear they didn't care too much.

This experience was quite unusual for a ramen place. I've had great memories at various ramen spots in Tokyo, San Francisco, Paris, and even in a ramen desert like Chicago (Kajiken in Chinatown, a little bit far though). They’ve always been welcoming and served delicious food. This time was exceptionally confusing. Having a cherished recipe and a reliable supply of fresh ingredients are two different things, but I won't bother discussing it further since I probably won't be returning.

Luckily, there are at least three other good ramen places in downtown Evanston:

a. Kuni’s: A Japanese restaurant on Main Street that offers delicious, home-style soba. If you enjoy other Japanese dishes, this place is perfect. They've been around forever. Besides, there are good coffee shops around Kuni's.

b. Kansaku: Located on Sherman Ave, they serve creamy ramen with excellent service. Sometimes it can be a bit too salty, but if you're having sashimi and other dishes, the saltiness works well.

c. Hokkaido: A relatively new spot on Church Street. I've been a couple of times but haven't formed a strong opinion yet. Their service is good, and they offer a buffet choice.

So, fellow ramen lovers, choose what...

I have to start off this review by clarifying that I am picky when it comes to ramen. For starters, I do not like pork broth and that is the base for most of the ramen at this restaurant.

Table to Stix is a cozy spot, suitable for ramen lovers in the Evanston area. There are starters which include other foods to choose from, but the main focus of the menu here is ramen. I ordered the MODERN TONKOTSU since that is one of my favorite flavors of ramen in other places. I hate to say that I did not like what I ordered.

I typically order vegetarian broth when I get tonkotsu ramen, but here they said the broth was already premade which includes pork. I decided to give it a try but the flavor of the broth was so off-putting that I did not like it. I tried to eat as much of the noodles and other toppings without picking up the broth and it was okay. The toppings could have been better; for example, the mushrooms were not whole which I would have preferred since I feel like I only really got noodles, broth, and green onions in my bowl without anything else that made it more fulfilling.

I don't like that there doesn't seem to be many vegetarian/vegan options so for that reason I probably would not come back here. The service was good despite it being completely full but the food does not make it worth it for me. That is not to say that I don't recommend coming here; it is evident that the restaurant is popular and liked among the...

High-Quality Craftsmanship Ramen with Attention to Detail and Authentic Japanese Ingredients.

I stumbled upon this hidden gem by chance during lunchtime, and I was blown away by how exceptional their ramen is.

I prefer lighter soups over rich, fatty pork-based broths, so I usually go for shoyu ramen. (I have only ordered shoyu ramen, so this review is based solely on that.)

Their broth is perfectly balanced—flavorful yet not overpowering—and served in just the right amount. The noodles are cooked to perfection and beautifully presented in the bowl. The way they arrange the noodles is meticulous, ensuring a neat and visually appealing presentation, which enhances the overall dining experience.

The finely chopped green onions are another standout, cut so precisely that they reminded me of ramen shops back home. It’s a small but meaningful detail that reflects their dedication to quality.

One of my favorite discoveries was their choice of seasoning: the authentic Japanese S&B pepper I grew up with. This finely ground pepper, perfectly blended with garlic, adds a nostalgic and flavorful touch that elevates the ramen even further.

This restaurant is a hidden treasure, where attention to detail and authenticity come together to create an incredible meal. On a snowy, cold day, nothing beats the comfort of a steaming bowl of...