いけずな京男
When you get off at Fushimi-Momoyama Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, you will find yourself at the entrance of Fushimi's main street, Otesuji Shopping Street. As you enter the arcade of the shopping street and turn left at the first corner, you will come across a salad restaurant called Sancho. It is probably one of the oldest Western-style restaurants in the area, with a retro exterior that seems to have been used as a former sake brewery, giving it a nostalgic charm. The interior of the restaurant, with its high ceilings, beams, and vintage lighting, fits the image of a Western-style eatery perfectly. Although it was already past lunchtime, the restaurant was about 80% full, with mostly locals dining there. Opting for the hamburger and chicken dishes for two, we decided to share and enjoy both. The fried dishes and hamburgers were delicious without the need for excessive descriptions of juiciness or succulence. As the name suggests, this restaurant, Sancho, offers a wide variety of salads, with many toppings available. However, the main focus is on salads topped with lettuce, with the lunch set including this salad. The lettuce is generously dressed with a mayo-based dressing, garnished with tomatoes, giving a fresh and crisp impression. While lettuce alone should be crunchy and crisp, there seems to be something more to it. I once had a shabu-shabu meal in Kyoto where a stainless steel bowl filled with lettuce was served, and I discovered how well it paired with the meat. Perhaps there is a similar secret to the deliciousness of this salad. The almost ripe tomatoes served with the salad may also contribute to its flavor. Personally, I enjoyed this type of salad. The service provided by the waitress was also pleasant. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience. Nearby, there is another popular restaurant called Kotelet, which is relatively new. It started as a small restaurant with only a counter along Takeda Kaido Street, but due to its popularity, it quickly moved to a new location near Sancho, becoming a beautiful Western-style restaurant. Both Sancho and Kotelet come highly recommended.