Bonchon Tucson - E Tanque Verde Rd — Restaurant in Tucson

Tl:Dr. version: Great food, but sometimes service is very slow. Come when you have some time to wait or order ahead and pick up.

Located on the corner of pima where wilmot turns into tanque verde getting into the parking lot is a bit difficult to manage and parking can be somewhat limited. Seating inside is basically 3 tables with some shared outdoor seating between this and the other shops next door. Staff is friendly and greets you upon walking in, but there are some hiccups. 1. The layout is a bit off putting the menu on 2 separate walls in a 90-degree corner with one of the menus being difficult to read/see from the register. 2. Somewhat weirdly, the soda fountain and forks are on one wall near the register, but the napkin dispenser is situated on top of the trash can near the exit. Not the most sanitary of options, but due to the tiny interior, a necessary creative response to a lack of appropriate counterspace. It's still a bit odd. You would think a wall mounted dispenser or a simpler utensil dispenser could be used, which would conserve enough space to move the napkin dispenser to be next to everything else. That said, it's very clean inside, lit well, smells nice, and gives a certain fast casual vibe like Chipotle or a mod pizza.

I've waited to post this review until I've eaten here a few times as I wanted to make sure my first experience wasn't the normal as far as wait time. The first time, I came in with a friend and ordered tacos while she ordered the japchae. Despite no wait at the counter, it took nearly a full hour to get our food. There were 5 orders, ahead of ours, mostly consisting of fried chicken orders or tacos, nothing substantial or overly large that would explain the substantial wait time. I went to the counter twice, concerned we had been forgotten something that was a bit of concern especially the 2nd time when the register employee couldn't recall our order but assured it would be coming "soon" (it took 15 more minutes). The food, however, once it came, was sublime. The tacos were perfectly cooked, the chicken juicy and seasoned wonderfully. The japchae was fresh, bright, and flavourful. The bibimbap which we randomly also received was good, though the rice was plain steamed rice and not crispy rice.

The second time I came, I came alone and ordered tacos with the pickled radish. The place was empty save for one other customer who already had his food, and it took approximately 10-12 minutes to get. Again, it was exactly the same experience food wise as before; delicious to the last bite, and left me wanting another order. Honestly if I could have trusted the food would come before I had yo get back to work I would have ordered a 2nd set to go.

The most recent time i came in, I was again solo and ordered the katsu, which was bursting with flavor. That said, the service was slow. It took nearly 30 minutes to get my small order. Despite only having 1 order in front of me.

I can only surmise at this point that the food service is going to be hit or miss but always leaning to slow depending on their level of busyness and that this isn't going to meet the fast casual experience it looks to fulfill. Is it a good lunch spot on your lunch break if you work nearby? Likely not. But is the food worth the wait? For me, it's a resounding yes.

Given the very limited seating and the time issues, I'd recommend placing an order online or calling it in and picking it up once ready and planning to go elsewhere to eat. Expect to spend about $15-20 per person...

A refreshing take on Fried Chicken

Nestled in a quaint little spot that's perfect for a quick dine-in, this Korean restaurant offers a delightful blend of flavors and ambiance. With the option of outdoor seating, it's an inviting choice whether you're looking to enjoy the sunshine or prefer the cozy indoor setting. (although probably not during summer) The interior is adorned with eclectic Korean designs that add a unique charm to the place, and the good lighting enhances the overall dining experience.

The restaurant also features a selection of Korean programs on TV, though this could be improved to better match the eclectic decor and enhance the cultural immersion. The restrooms are clean, which is always a plus.

Now, onto the food! The soy garlic chicken was a highlight, with its crunchy French fries that left a lasting impression. The flavor on the soy garlic chicken was fantastic, and the crispy skin was nothing short of amazing. The spicy chicken definitely had a kick, but it was not overwhelmingly hot, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a bit of spice without being overwhelmed. However, the chicken itself was a tad dry, which was a minor downside in an otherwise great meal.

The staff were friendly and pleasant, contributing to the overall positive experience. I had a pleasure sampling their chicken before and this location didn’t disappoint. I'm definitely planning to return to try more of their offerings. This cozy Korean spot is a gem...

We visited this establishment with our granddaughter in tow. Everyone loved the entire experience. We don't have any misconceptions or unrealistic expectations of perfection. We simply would like to experience your best efforts. Given the current economic situation, while eating is a necessity, eating out has become a luxury. There are certain expectations that separate a flop from a hit when dining out. We want to experience nice ambiance, a quality of food we can't cook ourselves and we want to be treated as valued guest. Bonchon delivered a pleasant casual ambiance. The restaurant was tastefully appointed and was exceptionally clean. The restrooms even had instant hot water. The menu was fairly straight forward. We ordered an assortment of the fried chicken, and mild and a spicy fried rice along with x3 medium drinks. Nothing on the menu is remotely cheap or bargain priced. Still, I felt that we least got what we paid for. The lag time from ordering to presentation was minimal at best. The food was served hot, fresh and delicious free of any defects or issues. Everyone found the food exceptional in both quality and flavor. We were warmly welcomed as we entered the establishment by a highly enthusiastic and personable staff. I found $54 for lunch to be eyebrow raising but again l felt we at least received abundant high quality food. I'd gladly return again.

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 Bonchon's proudly extends a military discount, which is always highly appreciated....