Tokyo Stop — Restaurant in Tempe

There are a lot of Japanese restaurants in town, but after one meal here, I can’t say this one deserves another stop. I ordered the large chicken Katsu, which happened to be a whole lot of rice and chicken, and that was it. Pretty boring. Other places commonly include a variety of sauces, cabbage, lemon wedges, sesame seeds and seaweeds and hard boiled eggs, etc. But this? A tasteless heaping pile of starch and protein? Man, what a letdown.

Their prices are good, however. And the staff were super friendly. But it feels like the food is dumbed down for white folks. I’m looking for bold authentic flavors, and this fell flat. Very disappointed.

Edit: 3.3.23 came in a second time, ordered the chili yakisoba, and boy oh boy, I was blown away by how AWFUL the chicken was. It was burnt to a crisp, more dry than the Sahara, with a terrible charcoal flavor. Literally the worst chicken I’ve had from any restaurant. I’ve downgraded my review from two stars to one. I’m appalled that this chicken left their kitchen and made its way to my lunch. The rest of the yakisoba was pretty good, but still very much on the dry side, and the flavor was extremely lacking.

I don’t know why, but I’m going to give them a third try. Might be because my two experiences don’t line up with the rest of the reviews. I’ll provide another update on my next experience, but I must admit, my hopes are not high at all.

3/29/23 Update. Tried their chicken teriyaki. Surely they can’t mess that up, right? But no. Once more, the chicken was overcooked, not as bad as last time, but definitely charred and dry, and the rangoons were cold and sad. My 11 and 12 year old daughters make better rangoons at home. And the teriyaki sauce? Tasted like generic store bought sauce. To be fair, it’s the best dish I’ve ordered from Tokyo Stop thus far, but after three honest attempts to get some decent food from this place, I’m giving up.

If you’re an American who loves the idea of eating Japanese food, you might like this place. If you’re looking for anything remotely authentic, get the hell away from here. If you enjoy charcoal on your chicken, you’ll absolutely adore Tokyo Stop. But if you’re my friend, I’m steering you anywhere but here. Literally anywhere but Tokyo Stop. I cannot fathom how they’ve managed to get the star rating they have, but then I stop to consider the intelligence of the average white American (you won’t see Japanese folks eating here, ever, FYI), then I’m not surprised at all.

ZERO stars for their food. FOUR stars for customer service (they’re actually pretty awesome). Zero plus four is two. And there...

I've been eating from this place for over a year and there's a lot to mention about this small shop full of authentic Japanese cooking.

First and foremost: Great food. These people use FRESH ingredients, and you can taste it in the food they serve. They don't boil their meat like so many other take-out diners. Portions are generous for the price. Always consistent, I've ordered from this place dozens of times and have never been disappointed.

Excellent customer service: It doesn't matter if I call in ahead of time or just show up, I always feel like the employees and shop owner are happy to be there. As someone who talks to a lot of jaded drive-through windows, it's nice knowing the person serving me food doesn't hate his working life. Did I want extra sauce? No problem. Add a side last minute? Only too happy. Honestly, its the staff here that makes the place shine. The excellent food is really just a bonus.

Awesome hours: This place opens at around 9am, which is perfect for people like myself who are looking for an open kitchen early in the morning. About the only other made-to-order food open at this time is Denny's, and these guys are of vastly higher quality in relevant comparisons.

Check this place out. Try the pot stickers (Gyoza) or some of their Katsu Curry. Their lunch specials offer really...

I had a delightful experience at Tokyo Stop, located at 1335 W University Dr #6 in Tempe, AZ, while waiting for my listing appointment at 3:00 PM today. With my stomach growling, I decided to pop in for a quick lunch, and I’m so glad I did!

I ordered the #44, which includes their delicious chicken curry and chicken katsu. The curry was rich and flavorful, embodying the essence of traditional Japanese curry, while the katsu was perfectly crispy and satisfying. Both dishes were a treat for the taste buds! As I’m mindful of my rice intake due to type 2 diabetes, I appreciated the balance in the meal.

This was my first visit to Tokyo Stop, and I was impressed by the cozy atmosphere and friendly service. The restaurant is known for its affordable and tasty Japanese cuisine, featuring a variety of favorites like yakisoba, teriyaki chicken, and miso ramen, all praised for their fantastic flavors. The katsu is particularly popular, known for its crispy texture and generous portions, making it a favorite among locals.

I’m excited to return and explore more of their menu options. I also noticed a charming Japanese pastry shop next door, which I plan to visit to satisfy my sweet tooth.

What a yummy day...