Chanko — Restaurant in Tampa

I tried out the Hiro Classic with beef. Between the flakey crepes, the crisp bean sprouts and veggies, and the soft noodles the mouth feel was all over the place and I was left very confused on what it was trying to accomplish. This may be a failure on my unsophisticated palette though. The beef was very flavorful and I enjoyed it very much. The overall feeling this dish gave me was the metaphorical bitter aftertaste that the Chop Chop Shop we once knew and loved will most likely never return.

I apologize in advance for this long winded review but I feel like all the small details that came with CCS is truly what gave the place the soul that a lot of people fell in love with.

I remember visiting the original CCS location around this time in 2017, they only just opened and all they had were a few foldable plastic tables, chairs, and a few bar stools in front of where the chef cooks. It was an amazing experience being able to watch these folks cook. And through their interactions with each other it was obvious that this was a family run place, And with The way they interacted with customers, they made you feel part of that family. In the current state of Chanko, they have replaced the font of house staff with 4 self order kiosks, once your order is placed and your food is prepared, someone briefly pops out of the back, shouts your name, and returns to the kitchen before you get a chance to lift your head at the sound of your name. This makes Chanko feel like a faceless food vending machine that pumps out warm meals, completely devoid of human interaction. I found this confusing as CCS once prided itself in being a family run business who would recognize you if you were a regular.

I personally thought that the most popular item on the CCS menu was the karaage chicken (with the Chicago Lee sauce it was my favorite). I was particularly disappointed when I did not see it on the Chanko menu and when asked about it they said that they have no intentions of including it in the menu. The reason why I mention this is to emphasize that Chanko is not a rebranding of CCS, but a completely different restaurant with a completely different menu. Which makes the next point of this review interesting.

What I find most questionable of the owners decisions, is the choice of renaming the Google location from CCS to Chanko, instead of creating a new Google location. What this does is allow Chanko to inherit the years of positive reviews and ratings from CCS. If you sort reviews by the most recent you can see many negative reviews on the new Chanko menu items and responses from Chanko themselves pleading with reviewers to give Chanko a second shot, stating that they are still refining and working out kinks in their menu. What this means is that any newcomer will be drawn in by the overwhelming positive reviews (made during the CCS era) and possibly be disappointed when served an imperfect dish. I’m appalled by this decision and find it purposely deceitful as they did not employ this tactic when they moved on from their food truck, Kind Grinds, to CCS.

I wish the owners of Chanko success on current and future endeavors, but I will not be returning. Thank you Chop Chop Shop for the wonderful meals and kind memories, you...

Chanko offers the savory flavors of Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki (with yakisoba noodles), Japanese Curry, and Katsu in the heart of Florida. This casual dining spot provides a self-service experience with kiosk ordering and a kitschy, Japanese-themed atmosphere. The repurposed diner setting effectively mimics a small Japanese chop-chop shop, adding to the overall charm.

Pros: -Variety of Selections: Chanko's menu features a solid variety of Japanese dishes, ensuring there's something for everyone. Diners can customize their entrees by mixing bases, proteins, and other additions to suit their tastes. -Beverage Choices: A good selection of beer, sake, and non-alcoholic beverages complements the dishes. -Flavorful Dishes: The Okonomiyaki, Japanese Curry, and Katsu are particularly flavorful and well-prepared. -Portion Sizes: The portions are generous, providing fair value for money. -Unique Atmosphere: The kitschy, Japanese-themed decor and the repurposed diner setting create a nostalgic dining experience reminiscent of a small Japanese chop chop shop. -Good Parking: The restaurant offers good parking options, which is a plus for the Seminole Heights area. -Background Music: The eclectic, world-spanning background music adds to the unique dining atmosphere.

Cons: -Pricey: The restaurant is a bit pricey for a no-table service establishment. (For us, $43: 2 entrees, 2 canned waters, 1 beer and tip). -Heat Issues: As it's housed in a metal building, the heat can be an issue during the Florida summer. The open window kitchen probably contributes to the cooling challenges. -Cleanliness: While the atmosphere is interesting, the place could use a deep cleaning. The water from the soda dispenser tasted funny, and there were flies in the dining area. -Kiosk-Only Ordering: The kiosk-only ordering process could be a turnoff for diners who want or need traditional table service.

Overall, Chanko is a good spot for those looking to enjoy authentic Japanese flavors in a casual setting. Just be prepared for the summer heat and a slightly higher bill than expected.

Definitions (I had to research these meanings myself!):

Okonomiyaki: A savory Japanese pancake made with a variety of ingredients, including cabbage, meat, and seafood, topped with a special sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.

Japanese Curry: A thick and mildly spiced curry sauce served over rice, often accompanied by meat or vegetables.

Katsu: A Japanese dish consisting of a breaded and deep-fried cutlet, typically pork (tonkatsu) or chicken (chicken katsu), served with a side of rice and...

A storm was rolling in, and heat lighting split the air, spreading florescent purple fingers raking the underside of dark clouds pregnant with the rain to come. A shiny little diner, welcomed us in an older area of Tampa that just oozes character. As soon as you enter the Chop Chop Shop you are welcomed with the realization that this is not just a little diner on the side of us road. It is a clean, comfortable and cozy spot that is perfect to socialize with your friends.

The menu is a fusion of American and Korean (I believe). You seat yourself after you order at the bar-style seating that is in front of a clean galley. The ordering is easy and the staff friendly. There is not a lot of things on the menu, but the combinations of noodles, proteins, vegetables and sauces will keep you coming back all year to try everything. The staff remembers people and it feels like a local gem.

The flavors are outstanding! I had the Japanese fried chicken with soba noodles.and the chop chop sauce. The taste is so good yet ineffable in the best of ways.

Edit a couple of years later: They offer less and have strange hours due to Covid. People have told me that this could be the last death throes before it goes under. Let's hope that rumors are true that the taste is still just as good, even though the options are far less than before.

Edit: 2022–it’s back and as good as ever! They have preserved the flavors and streamlined the menu, so it offers maximum flavor profiles while also making ordering effortless. Their hot sauce is slowly becoming an urban legend. My friends who live hot sauces say it is tasty and very challenging, but overall one of the best sauces they have had!

Another Edit: Late 2022--The almight Chop Chop Shop closed and became something else. Chanko, it is called. This is depressing, we called and what was offered didn't sound promising, and the prices on the menu kept us away. I don't even know if I will have the heart to visit this place now that the Chop Chop Shop is no...