たばすこ♪
JR Tennoji North Exit, standing in a town where old men and exam students come and go, is the Torikizoku Tennoji North Exit store. Both drinks and food are a flat rate of 280 yen each (excluding tax), so it's easy for housewives who slack off on household chores to stop by! Despite it being a Wednesday, there was not a single salaryman in sight! The establishment was filled with guests in their 20s, with a 95% ratio, and the staff were also young and full of energy. While there was a slight feeling of being out of place, we were seated at a table and ordered our first drink. A glass of Ichiban Shibori (medium) or a large draft beer (Asahi Super Dry) for 280 yen. The first drink might be Ichiban Shibori, but afterwards, you might as well go for the 700ml Asahi Super Dry, right? So, we ordered a draft beer and the recommended dishes marked on the menu - Torikizoku grilled chicken thigh and breast with sauce, Torikizoku chicken breast with spices, as well as the bonjiri (tail meat), and we added some cartilage as per our preference. The dishes arrived quickly despite the crowd! The grilled chicken (thigh and breast) were huge and quite satisfying on their own. Then, the bonjiri might be more suited for the younger crowd, as it might be a bit too fatty for middle-aged and older folks. We proceeded to enjoy some fried chicken, and finished off with a rice dish. The rice dish was confirmed when we placed our first order, and even though it took about 30 minutes, it was worth ordering early because it was delicious. Typically, the bill for two people is around 3,000 yen, which is quite reasonable! In November 2017, after a long time, we visited Torikizoku again, and it happened to be a slow period (rainy days or during the World Cup), so we received a 10% off coupon. What a delightful surprise! Since the renovation about a year ago, the seating capacity has slightly increased, and the waiting time has reduced. The interior is like a box with unnecessary space eliminated. However, as always, the place was bustling with young people, creating a lively atmosphere. It might be a bit cramped now, but it's better than waiting in line outside. There are no designated non-smoking seats, but if you mention that you dislike smoke at the entrance, they will guide you to a quieter counter seat at the back, allowing you to enjoy your time without worrying about smoke. I personally prefer the fourth counter seat at the back (secret). It's spacious, quiet, and smoke-free, which is perfect for me. And, the highlight - the "280 yen flat rate" had slightly increased, but it was still very affordable. The beer selection had changed from Kirin to Suntory, and from Ichiban Shibori to Premium Malt's, and from Asahi Super Dry to Kinmugi. The menu had also been revamped! First up, the all-you-can-eat cabbage in large or medium size. As a housewife, this menu item is a godsend during the high vegetable prices. The size of the meat in the grilled dishes remained the same, but there were new additions like garlic chip topped yakitori, fluffy chicken nanban, various ramen, and a variety of side dishes, making the menu even more exciting! Whenever I receive a service coupon, I will definitely go back again...