Toshio's Teriyaki — Restaurant in Seattle

Usually Great Food, Confrontational Service

You're better off taking it to-go.

Toshio's is the best example of Seattle-style Teriyaki (pioneered by Toshi Kasahara). Seattle's Teriyaki differs from traditional Japanese Teriyaki in that it is actually more heavily influenced by Korean BBQ (which is quite sweet).

If you've never had Seattle Teriyaki, this is where I'd take you.

The portions are usually fair for what you pay; which is about $11 for most plates (cash -- they charge for cards). You get about two chicken thighs (skin on), grilled and soaked in a delicious, syrupy Teriyaki sauce, two little scoops of Calrose rice (yes, absolutely get the "sauce over rice" when they ask), and a sad-but-delicious side salad. Tempura is a little extra and it's perfectly prepared. The accompanying sauce is absurdly delicious. Absolutely worth the upgrade to a combo.

So why isn't this just five stars if I'm raving so much about the food?

Well, speaking of that -- the food has been bad a few times (only a few out of what has to be 50 visits); one time, it was obviously refrigerated and reheated -- totally inedible. But the thing that rubs me the wrong way is how the service contradicts the Biblical messages covering the place.

I get it: working with family is hard sometimes. Running a restaurant isn't easy, either. I can't imagine how stressful it is having to be in that kitchen, given the popularity; especially as a staff member who isn't related to the owners who are always fighting and never willing to accept blame for even inconsequential mistakes.

Basically: Toshio's is like an episode of Kitchen Nightmares, only the food is actually really delicious.

I don't know how else to describe it. Some days, everybody is friendly and it's the best experience. Other days, it's obvious that everybody has been fighting all day.

An example: we ordered to dine in. The Expeditor started to take our order and then just walked away to tend to something else. After being juggled back and forth, the owner then took our order, gave us hard plastic cups (which I had to exchange because they were filthy -- but no big deal). When the food was ready, she called the order out and had it all packed up.

"Oh, uh -- we ordered it for here. We can just eat it out of the containers, though. No big deal."

"No, you ordered to-go. I heard it, she heard it, he heard it."

"Uh, okay..."

"You did, so -- why would you say you didn't? I heard you definitely say 'to-go'."

"Uh, sure. Can we just eat it here, then?"

First of all, even if it was our mistake (sorry, but it wasn't) -- what do you gain from fighting with a customer over something so petty (besides a review mentioning it); especially routine customers who never demand anything from you and don't even ask for their money back when they throw away a rare bad meal?

Lastly, I asked the Expeditor if their plastic to-go containers were biodegradable, instead of just throwing them into the compost and making it his problem later. My man just gestures and gets an attitude with me about it.

Dude, you're usually way too professional and admirable for that nonsense. So don't get all salty at customers who are trying to do you a solid by not leaving you a mess.

"Practice what you preach,"...

Food flavor, food quality, and taste is not consistent. Sometimes you get good food, and sometimes you get barely edible food. Actually sometimes you get food you want to throw away, and just give it to hungry craws, and seagull.

In this photo you see what was supposed to be beef teriyaki, but it was not

This place is designed mainly for take out to serve people on the go ,like working crews like construction or landscaping , not for elegant seating, or dine in. Even their seating is outdoor in the parking lot.

I Don't recommend this place for taking a date ,or taking your lady for a dine in. It is a rough environment.

This place used to be good, used to make good food, not no more. It has changed alot. Now it is is capitalizing on its name,and prime location, it is just producing what ever food. Good or bad., But it is mostly bad, barely edible. No dine in. Just order, pay, and grab your food, and go. Not even go inside. All thru an open window , don't expect any more.

When you paid completely for something ,and when you get it, and you realize, it is not what you paid for, or what you asked for, that is called getting ripped off. This place does just that

I don't even recommend this place for even take out Teriyaki. Choose...

I have been a customer for a few years, and it's a shame I will no longer support this business. An employee claiming to be the owner caused a huge scene in front of several customers. Before paying for my order, I wanted to verify my order was ok. I had one question, and the owner told me that order I placed has never existed. I explained to the owner I have made the same order several times. The owner was adamant the order has never existed at this business. The owner took it further by making an offensive statement and claiming well you must have ordered it somewhere else. During the commotion, another employee who recognized me wanted to chime in, and clear up any confusion, but was met with extreme animosity by the owner and was told "mind your own business". I typically have ordered from a different employee, so the owner went out of her way to bring in her mom who is the one who typically takes my order. Her mom went on to tell me that's not the correct way to phrase my order. The owner then ignored me, and I paid for my food, and I left to find my order was exactly what I have ordered numerous times before. So I'm here wondering what is the issue with the owner of...