The restaurant is pretty cramped, small &tight and unfortunately, the lines can get long. Not the greatest place for large groups because the place is so small. Their service isn’t always the greatest… The last time I was there, the waiter barely spoke English… so we had to point at our menu to order. But other than all that, this place is awesome! I never mind the wait and the service because their yakitori is the best! You can also put your name down next door and see which place takes you in first (There are two Yakitori Taisho – one at 5 St. Marks and the other at 9 St. Marks). The food is super cheap, especially for New York and it’s always delicious… Everything I’ve ordered off the menu have been really good! But the chicken meatball skewers and unagi tofu are still my favorites!!

I would give this restaurant a 3 star if it’s not because of the crampness. Like the other raters, this place is just too tiny, but then again it is suppose to simulate setting like that in Japan. Also, in NYC space is often limited. The yakitoris aren’t as good as before. Last time we were there, the food was cold and some weren’t cooked thoroughly. Waiters/Waitresses have become a bit ruder. They were friendly before. The drinks are still good though. I liked their spiked Calpico. I mean spiked as alcohol.

the chicken skin yakitori is to die for =)*

Place is awful. Got sick after going here. Trust me, go elsewhere.

Mmm.. yakitori. I’ve been here serveral times and I mostly go just for a few drinks and something to munch on. The price is pretty decent and while the waiters didn’t seem to understand too much of what we were saying, they managed to serve us all the same. As others have mentioned, the space is a bit tight so you might not want to come with a crowd of people, but for 2 or 3 people, it’s still a good time.

great yakitori and drinks