Thank you Menuism! I would never have discovered this Japanese gem without you! I have now been there 3 times in the last week or so. Absolutely fantastic.

As previous reviews have stated, their bento box lunch special is definitely their best value. We’re talking (atleast the two times I’ve had it) chicken katsu, rice, tempura udon soup, sashimi (salmon and tuna, 2 each!), and salad. Absolutely delicious!!

I did break from the special once and have their yakisoba. They had oysters in their bento that day and I’m not a big fan (though I’m sure it’s as delicious as everything else IF you like oysters). Yakisoba is like comfort food to me. I grew up on stir fry. My love of Japanese food began with (probably very Americanized) yakisoba. Very very yummy. Still yummy when I had my leftovers for breakfast!!

So any of you who haven’t tried this place despite its ringing Menuism-user endorsement, let me tell you this. If you like Japanese food, GO. Period. Just go. You’ll thank us later.

One of my best friends from college, her parents own this restaurant, so that might make me a little biased. But the one time I’ve been able to have a Bruchi’s sub, I was very satisfied. It’s delicious!

They’ve also moved! The address currently listed (11801 NE 65th Ave) is no longer valid. They were renting that building. They’ve since moved into a building of their own adjacent to a strip mall (6115 NE 114th Ave). It’s not too far away but they were able to design the layout from the ground up which made Don, the owner, very happy. The new place is modern and stylish. I’ve even gotten a tour of the back! They’ve got a whole seperate kitchen for their catering half of the business.

Trust me, you know you want to try this place. Enjoy a great sub and help support my friends, too! :D

But first a little info. Normally I love Wendy’s. I think their food is great, for a fast food place at least. But yesterday really disappointed me. Don’t get me wrong, the food was fine, even a little extra crispy on my chicken, just like I like it. So why the one star?

Well I have just one thing to say to the lady taking my order: “Welcome to the service industry. Please learn english!”

My friend had a very difficult time placing her order for a side caeser and nuggets with iced tea. When I got up there I asked for a #8 and she asked if I meant #3. How in the world do you get 3 out of 8?? And if I hadn’t been paying attention, they would have put tomato on my sandwich even though I told them not to. It was already on there and I had to tell them again.

I don’t know, maybe it sounds petty to you. I just don’t think someone who can’t understand simple english should be taking orders. Recipe for disaster. Flame me if you must. But I find it very annoying to have to constantly repeat myself.

I like to go out to this restaurant when I’m craving Japanese food for lunch. It’s really tasty, but the prices are a touch high. They do have a punch card, though, so that’s pretty nice. I just wish I’d remember it more often!

This is a really neat little place. There’s a lot going on the second you walk in. The counter takes up about half the restaurant! Plus there’s New York memorabillia all over the walls. Pretty cool, actually. :)

The menu is huge. If you’ve never been there I suggest grabbing a to go menu and reading that while waiting in line. The food is good. There’s lots of variety, but it’s a pretty typical sub shop.

My follow-up review for this restaurant. Read my previous review for this restaurant here

I’ve been there a few more times now and it’s time to add some more dishes!

Also an update. Sadly I must inform you that they no longer have the pork chops my husband loved so much on their menu. We mourn their passing.

I tried this place for the first time last Monday. Loved it so much, I went back on Wednesday, despite being more expensive than my budget would like. But don’t get me wrong, this place isn’t as expensive as, say, Coho. But it is comparable to Red Robin, I’d say.

Let me tell you about why this place rocks. The food is unbelievably fresh and totally homemade! How often do you get the chance to experience a sandwich made with homemade bread? Or even a burger on a homemade bun? How about a homemade cookie for desert? Or even the crème de la crème, homemade cinnamon rolls? I have not yet had the pleasure of breakfast yet, but if I’m ever craving it for lunch, I’m there!

It is a cozy little restaurant with an even cozier parking lot. I recommend carpooling. But inside the restaurant is really nice. There’s different little rooms with a few tables set up in each plus a patio outside that I’m sure would have been in use the day I saw it if it hadn’t been overcast and raining. I hear it can be quite busy, but I show up before noon and haven’t had a problem yet.

Trust me, try this place. You won’t be dissapointed.

I really like this place. I was impressed the first time I went there by both the food and the decor. Very modern styling. I absolutely love the carafe of water they bring you right off the bat. The lunch menu isn’t the biggest. Well, unless you’re looking for tea. Their tea menu is twice the size of their lunch menu! My first time there I had the best pineapple curry in my life. Totally scrumptious and perfectly spiced. If you’re looking for cheap thai food, go elsewhere. But if you want quality, this is ideal.

This could be the start of a beautiful relationship. In other words, I was so impressed by this place when my husband and I came here for dinner last Monday (4/30) to celebrate my first day at my new job, that I’m considering making this a monthly thing. It’s a tad pricey, or I’d be here a lot more. As it is, I’m considering going there for lunch next week, just to see what that’s like.

The decor is incredible. The chandeliers made from forks are an excellent conversation piece as are the squiggly forks in the floor. Don’t worry, they’re not real. :)

Our waittress was incredibly attentive and provided excellent service. I arrived about 30-45 minutes before my husband but didn’t feel like waiting in the car. I was sat immediately and she came to greet herself soon after. I was feeling good and wanted a drink, but didn’t know what. I told her what kind of drink I was in the mood for and she talked to her bartender. A new love of mai tai’s was born!

What really impressed me, though, was how she knew exactly when to come over and when not to. She asked if I wanted her to check in while I waited for my husband. I said no, I’d be fine, and that’s exactly how it worked out. He arrived, sat down, within a few minutes she was there. Perfect!

And the food!!! My husband says they have the best pork chops he’s ever had in his life. And I loved my seafood grill! I do regret the salad, though. It was excellent! But at the end of the meal I could hardly walk I was so full. lol Definitely coming here again. :)

My husband and I love coming here. The food is always good. This is one of those places that locals treasure. It’s been given awards that say exactly that. Why? The food is lip-smacking good, reasonably priced, unpretentious, and very friendly. It may not look like much on the outside, but the readerboard usually has something funny to say and the inside is nice and comfy. And did I mention the food is very tasty? lol They’ve got one of the biggest menus I’ve ever seen (especially when it comes to breakfast) and they even make their own salad dressings!

In the end, the Totem is the solution to the eternal question of “What’s for dinner?” when you are out of ideas. :D