Tokyo Diner

Webpage: http://www.tokyodinerpa.com/index.html

Locations: Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Lancaster, & York

Review by Aaron

Atmosphere: Casual

Entrée Price Range: $12-$20

Rating: Good food and Hibachi “entertainment” at good prices. Highly Recommended.

Tokyo Diner has become a popular restaurant chain in the Capital Region. Serving Japanese hibachi and sushi dishes sure to satisfy even the most discriminating palate, this restaurant is both entertaining and fulfilling.

(I primarily frequent the Tokyo Diner location in Mechanicsburg, so my review will be limited to visits there and a few times at the Harrisburg restaurant.)

Upon entering the restaurant, the first thing you must decide is: Hibachi or Sushi Bar? Those who have eaten Japanese before make their choice according to personal preference. For first-timers, hibachi is a good (safe) choice. If you absolutely love seafood, head straight to the sushi bar, which features a selection of some of the most exotic and exquisite seafood imaginable. The hibachi provides a more subtle selection of seafood along with chicken, beef, and vegetarian dishes.

I do not eat seafood, except for tuna occasionally, so the hibachi is my choice for enjoying Japanese cuisine. When seated at the hibachi, the arrangement of chairs is around a large grill, in a sort of a block “C” pattern. It is not unusual to be seated next to as many as seven or eight other diners while the hibachi chef prepares meals for everyone at the table simultaneously. My experience has been that other people are friendly and will often chat while being entertained by the hibachi chef.

All hibachi entrées are served with a tossed salad, topped with a fantastic ginger dressing, and a bowl of soup broth containing a few thinly sliced mushrooms and caramelized onions. Tasty and light treats for you to enjoy as the show is about to begin. The highly trained hibachi chef comes out with a cart loaded with food he will prepare before your eyes. He is an expert at food preparation and his knife skills will amaze you. The speed at which he slices and dices the food can be astonishing. Without revealing too much about what you might expect to see, I will say that each chef has a technique and show that aims to please.

My dinner selection is always Steak and Chicken because it is simple, yet delicious. People I’ve dined with enjoyed some of the other combinations such as shrimp and steak or chicken and scallops. Due to the enormous portions, which include friend rice and mixed vegetables, appetizers and dessert are almost out of the question. However, my friends who eat sushi always order one of the many available combinations of rolls. They say that Tokyo Diner has some of the best and freshest sushi in the area. I would add that the hibachi dinners are always very good and fun to watch.

There are many items on the menu that I have never tried, and may never try. I usually stick with what I know to be good. I recommend trying the hibachi and experimenting with sushi if you have the intestinal fortitude. Another good reason to give Tokyo Diner a try is because they feature discount coupons in the Coupon Clipper Magazine and offer one on their website. They also have a lunch menu with discounted prices available Monday through Friday only.

My final evaluation of Tokyo Diner is that it is a good experience for anyone looking to be entertained while eating and to be full when leaving the dinner table.

Notes:
Credit Cards Accepted; Excellent Service; Non-Smoking; Nice Décor; Friendly Staff; Private Rooms Available.