Toshio’s Teriyaki

toshio’s is an institution on rainier — hella hood and hella good! i guess i never realized that our ubiquitous teriyaki joints in the greater seattle area is kind of a seattle-​ish thing. most other cities don’t have quite the concentration of faux japanese joints like we do (i read that on the internet so it has to be true!).
anywho, i been coming to this place since it was a run down ass little shack back when rainier ave was gully AF. pops always knew these guys was getting cake, tho. they were always super busy with the take out and they had their routine down cold. quick, efficient service, menu with all the staples you’d expect at a teriyaki joint (katsu, fried gyoza, etc…) in beef, pork, and chicken (my fave but more on that later). it’s changed hands several times since i’ve moved from the hood and i’ve only been back a handful of times since the remodel. everytime i’ve gone, it’s been the little old japanese owner lady working the cash register. she looks a bit surly but once you chat with her (if it’s slow enough), she opens up and is rather nice. i know i know, it’s weird having a japanese lady running a teriyaki joint (she’s married to a chinese guy) instead of a korean family but it’s 2016 so check your racist assumptions at the door, please… lol.
ok, so back to the chicken. even though this place has changed ownership, it appears that all the old recipes are still intact. this is one of the only places i know that serves their grilled teriyaki chicken skin on. SKIN ON! that makes all the difference in the world. the flavor (read:fat) is all contained in the skin and when it hits the flaming grill like moon hits my eyes, well that’s amore! (i know that ain’t how the song goes WHATEVER) ahem… in other words, it’s magic city — population: my mouth. it’s prolly not the best thing for my health but idgaf because yolo (is this still ok to say? i better check with the kids later and edit this if nah).
still mom and pop owned and still in the «hood» (i use that term loosely because how hood can it be if the houses are $ 500K+ now?!). go get you some.

I had the chicken teriyaki. The meat was juicy not over cooked. It was not too busy when i went. Service was friendly and food was ready pretty quickly.

I walk past here during my commute to work, and lately there have been large rats scurrying around in the leaves and bushes just outside this building. This is a public health menace, and it doesn’t make your food seem appetizing at all.

This place is amazing. I’ve been going here ever since I was a child and I’m 23 now. The owner and her daughter have been working ever since I could remember, which gives it a very dedicated vibe to me. Always really friendly and straight to the point.
I’ve honestly tried so many teriyaki places and none of them have compared. The chicken teriyaki still has the skin on it which adds a lot of flavor. The meat is really tender and never dry. The teriyaki sauce is on point with flavor and consistency. Even the salad dressing is on point. I end up mixing the salad dressing with some of the teriyaki sauce and rice and damn, it’s absolutely perfect.
It used to be a little shack until the remodel. I kind of liked the shack but the remodel means they are doing well which I’m glad for them.
All in all, never had better and probably going in today.
Keep up the good work, never change.

I’m so glad they are in my neighborhood. Every time I’ve been in, they’re always friendly. The rice is perfect and they even offer to add teriyaki to it.

Hands down the best teriyaki in town. It’s always busy, you’ll have a small line in front of you. If you’re in the the neighborhood give it a try, you’ll love it.

A few friends recommended I try it since I live close by and really like cheap teriyaki. Cheap it is not! I ordered what I always order at teriyaki joints… Chicken & Beef Teriyaki with extra beef. They charged me $ 18.74 for a single serving of beef & chicken (as per the pictures on people’s reviews). However, the beef teriyaki was really good, I am sad that my puppy got eat more of the beef than I did. The chicken started out good, skinless, how I like it and cooked just right; then at the bottom of the meat pile, there were pieces of chicken with skin and fat… it was unappetizing.
I don’t think I will be going there again. Overpriced for the quantity of food I got with questionable quality of chicken.

Excellent food and owner and family treat you very well. You can get your chicken with or without skin. Teriyaki sauce is the best I have had in the USA and the Bahamas. Try to go off peek because it gets crowded.

This place had the worst teriyaki I’ve ever eaten. The chicken wasn’t fully cooked/​wet, the rice was mushy/​soggy, and half of my container was salad. I got take out and the two small trays in the box (back slots, usually where they put the meat) was all salad. The big tray was split between chicken and mushi rice. Rip off. The sauce was bland and the chicken seemed more steamed than grilled. The staff was really nice, but I will definitely never return here. Save your money and try out a good teriyaki place like toshis in factorial. One star

Small portions, gross vegetables, too salty and wow, why is the service so rude and the prices so high?
No, won’t be back here.

Located literally right off of the I-​90 and Rainier Ave/​Massachusetts streets. Been coming here for years since the 90’s when the building used to be even smaller than it is now. I even remember the huge exhaust fan they used to have on the side of the wall that faced Rainer Ave. If you were stopped waiting for the light to change, the smell from the grilled chicken and/​or beef will make you want to pull in especially if you havnt had lunch or dinner yet.
I moved to Southern California in 99 and have never found a better teriyaki place than Toshio’s. Every time I come back to visit family I always hit this place up at least twice before leaving. Yes, its that good!
I always get the #9 Chicken and Beef ($ 9.29). You get 1 whole chicken breast grilled and sliced into strips. The beef is basically a small seasoned sirloin steak grilled and then sliced into strips as well. They already put teriyaki sauce on both meats and ask if you want some on your two scoops of rice as well. Comes with their standard salad that has dressing on it that is basically rice vinegar and mayonnaise. The teriyaki sauce they use is perfect. Not too sweet and not too salty unlike some places.
I have also tried a side of their Vegetable Tempura ($ 4.99) and Shrimp Tempura ($ 4.70). Both are really good as well for the batter they use is always consistent and comes with tempura dipping sauce.
Service is decent for you order at the counter and they give you a number. They will ask you if you want it to go or for dine in. Dine in they bring out your food on plates and for to go they put it in to go boxes and wrap it up in a plastic bag for you.
The only negatives that might be are that if you dine in the soda refills are not free and the obvious one which is the size of the restaurant. Parking is also bare.
Random info. Their business hours are Monday through Thursday 10:30 am to 9 pm. Closed sundays. Call ahead for faster service (206) 323‑6303. They take cards and I don’t remember if there was a minimum. Bathrooms are singular for men and women.
In closing, I think that all you Seatown peeps are lucky to have this place. I have been to a lot of teriyaki joints in my time and Toshio’s is the best out of all of them. Even though there are some negatives mentioned, the food more than makes up for it. Don’t take this place for granted if you live here.
Unilocal 2015 Review #47
547 overall

Delicious deliciousness.
We eat here about once a week! Katzu is on point, teriyaki is scrumptious and the right amount of sweet/​tang. Their butterfly shrimp is so crunchy-​savory-​yum. Folks are friendly at the counter — and they’ll even mix up your needs if you ask (we can’t eat rice, so they sub salad.) Place is usually always busy, but it never takes to long to get your food. Eat in for a community feel, or take it home for Netflix binging.

This place bad been around since I was a kid growing up in Seattle. It has gotten a few face lifts in the time it’s been at this location. The chicken is amazing, sauces are delicious and the food is always hot and fresh. There is usually a line to get your food but they do a good job of making your wait as quick as possible. There isn’t a large sitting area to sit when it’s crowded don’t even think about it.

I’ve been several times now. The food is consistent and the wait is short. I usually call ahead and pick it up, but I’ve walked down a few times and ordered in person. Either way, the staff is always on their toes and working hard to get your food out fast.
If you order the teriyaki plate over the phone, and you want teriyaki sauce on your rice, make sure the specify. They won’t do it automatically.

Toshio’s is my favorite teriyaki spot in Seattle, I live down south a bit and it is well worth the drive every time… The delicious, tender, perfectly cooked chicken is on point here every time. You can order with or without the skin, I prefer the skin because it helps keep the flavors and natural taste of the chicken plus it gives it a very juicy tasteful bite. The gyoza, tonkatsu, chicken katsu, yakisoba with or without meat is savory as well!
Note: If it’s your first time, check out the menu while you wait or before you are there go on their site so that you don’t hold up the line during lunch or dinner. You will get your taste buds taken from you and sent to the teriyaky gods to be dispersed into a sea of embarrassment if you get to the front of the line and don’t know what you want.
Also be ready to answer whether you’d prefer sauce on the rice or on the side. You will not believe how many times people ahead of me get utterly confused by this question.
Lunch time during the week gets busy because this place has been serving up dynamite since I can remember. So go there a bit early or wait until after to get yours under 10 mins… unless you don’t mind waiting. Dinner time gets pretty busy as well, the location is small but they do a good job at handling most of the orders in good time… sometimes it can get a bit crazy but be patient they do their best to send out to go orders and in shop orders as well.
I have been coming here for over 10 years and have never been disappointed! I LOVE Toshio’s!
A couple of things I was hoping for during the remodel was a pick up window to release some of the congestion inside the shop and smooth out the pick up and order process but I guess that won’t happen. Maybe they’ll open up a bigger place soon and take care of those issues. Ordering online would be good as well but they seem pretty old school so I doubt they would add any of those options. They have a cash register still. There are so many awesome POS systems out there that would be helpful to their order info as well but anyways I still love this place! Enjoy!

BEST teriyaki in Seattle! Been going here since high school in the 90’s. The portions have gotten a little smaller since then, but surprisingly the prices have stayed the same.
My go-​to staple here is the chicken teriyaki with no skin, extra meat (portion control!), sauce on the rice, and a side of their salad dressing for dipping the chicken into. I’ve seen people have them put the salad dressing directly on top of the chicken and rice. I have yet to try that. I have everything (chicken, rice, salad, and dressing) all in the same bite because it all goes together so deliciously!
To-​Go Tip: I ask them to put the salad in a separate little box to prevent it from being soggy from the steam by the time I get home.
It helps that the owners are nice, too.

This place is popping. I waited to order (not long considering the line) and just while waiting for my food (10 minutes) 10+ people have come through the door. Place is small but there is parking and it’s in a great location. It’s clean for being so busy too!
Now, most importantly, about the food. I have not had a favorite teriyaki spot since I lived in Bellingham (11 years ago!) but this place is definitely going to be my new favorite spot. I ordered the chicken teriyaki and it was fantastic. Little more fat than I’m used to but maybe it was just that piece of chicken.
I will absolutely go back and I recommend you try it too! The only thing I will do differently is place my order online so I don’t have to wait at all!

Wow, food lack of authenticity taste, no marination, sauce poured over, using cheap meats, over priced, charged $. 50 for debit card after I asked What’s the fee for, $ 1.10 for a cup of tea from an oolong bag. Cooks are non-​asian. Smh. The worse I’ve ate. The shrimp tempura batter are covered in grease, old grease, and no seasoning. They even sell Korean food here. I’ve lived here in the neighborhood for 21 years, and I cannot believe this sellout culturally offensive place. I paid $ 13.00 for chicken teriyaki that tastes like… And the portion are skimpy. The only thing taste normal was the rice. Fired!

My family favorite!
FOOD: My usually is chicken teriyaki. I’ve never been disappointed! I usually order togo so my food is in a container with the salad in a smaller container. It usually comes with two scoops of rice and a fist size amount of chicken. I like how they put hot teriyaki sauce over the rice. Prices are decent.
1. Chicken Teriyaki $ 6.35
2. Beef Teriyaki $ 7.89
3. Pork Teriyaki $ 7.65
4. Short Ribs $ 8.59
5. Salmon Teriyaki $ 8.19
6. Tonkatsu $ 8.09
7. Chicken katsu $ 8.19
There’s other items on the menu but I can’t vouch for those dishes.
SERVICE: Since I usually order togo, I would call in and by the time I get there my order is ready. For what I remember, service was average. There not super friendly, they just want you to pay and then wait. The store itself is pretty small so it tends to get crowded and hectic. But if there isn’t many people you can sit at a table and wait.
PRESENTATION: There’s a sitting area but very limited. I usually get to go!
LOCATION: Right off the freeway and near the I-​90 E freeway entrance. Parking is limited in their lot but it’s free.
WOULD I COME BACK: Yes =)
ADVICE: I like chicken!

My favorite Teriyaki in Seattle area which means best Teriyaki Chicken in the world as it’s birthplace. Really unique as they leave skin on. As others mention good value by itself or as a combo with tempura or gyoza. Everything is good and served fast.
Very diverse clientele.