Don Japanese Kitchen — Restaurant in San Marcos

I'm going to complain a little, but weigh the stars here more than my problems, as I think they're pretty personal and your experience will for sure be better.

It's ok, and I don't have any major complaints, but I feel it's easy to mess up your order. For instance, I got pork belly with an egg and the combination was just kinda gross. If I didn't break the egg over the rice and pork and just ate it, it may have been better. Also I feel the pork belly wasn't really rendered well. It's a very hard cut to cook well, to be fair.

My wife loves it, though, and I know I probably just ordered wrong. I still think menu control is on the restaurant, though. I'll definitely be back. I'll just go for something different.

Edit: I've gone back, and they were out of karage (which the wife ate last time and said was amazing) so we ordered the panko shrimp. They were completely slammed again, as they've had huge business since opening, and they ran out of shrimp, too, but the staff there was some of the most accommodating and apologetic I've ever met. I don't usually change stars, but this review was a 4/5. I'm bumping it up due to the fact our pollock, shrimp, karage and fries were all amazing, and the services was so incredibly exceptional.

By the way, pollock is what's used in fish sticks, so if you're on the fence, know its' basically a frozen fish stick/fillet that's cooked for real and seasoned well instead of being frozen then baked with only salt. ...

Always very friendly! The food is so good and surprisingly filling, and I’ve been happy each time I’ve come here. When it’s quieter, the chef sometimes comes out and will personally talk about the food and business. I have a better appreciation of this place after talking with him!

09/2021: After 2 years, this place is still fantastic. I lived nearby and would go in semi-regularly. JC and Edward always recognized me and remembered my name, made conversation, and were super friendly. I graduated college and went in one last time because it really is my favorite place in San Marcos.

If you’re scrolling through google for places to eat, try this one. (Get the fries, too. Trust me.)

05/2022: Sometimes when restaurants get more successful, the quality of customer service changes. NOT HERE! They are STILL so friendly and upbeat, and take time to focus on each customer even when the place is totally packed! Even coming over and checking on things after food is brought out. They added new menu items, too. The salmon sashimi is seriously godly! I drive down to San Marcos every time I’m in texas and somehow it gets...

So I take my girlfriend to Don's for dinner one evening. Server is nice and helpful with the menu. We order the don fries, pork belly, and sweet-and-sour fried chicken. Food comes out pretty quick, and everything is tasting great. Prices were really good, especially considering the portion size. I see they have a selection of different flavored mayos though, and think "oh man I gotta try those!" First I try the wasabi mayo. Wasabi isn't my thing, so as expected, I'm not really into it. Second I try the spicy mayo. I've had spicy mayo at tons of Japanese restaurants, and it's always good. This is no different. Spicy mayo is good. Lastly I try the curry mayo. MY GOODNESS. THE CURRY MAYO. It took a lot of willpower to actually put the curry mayo on my food, and not squirt the whole bottle of golden goodness down my (at this point) disgusting mayo-ridden gullet. This stuff is a wonderful condiment on everything they serve.

Summary: Prices good. Food really good. Curry mayo really...