WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – As a professional food journalist and photographer, I pride myself on visiting and reviewing as many new restaurants as possible.
In the last month, though, I’ve already returned to one Walnut Creek restaurant four times.
Why? They have the absolute best lunch deal you can possibly imagine. And I can’t stop eating it.
Box Lunch
The restaurant is Tanoshi, a new Japanese spot by the Orchards on the far North Eastern end of the city (2280 Oak Grove Rd.)
It’s in a non-descript shopping center, flanked by a Chick-Fil-A and a Bevmo. But inside, the restaurant is lovely. I reviewed it on my first visit, but now that I’ve visited many times, I’ve honed in on one specific lunch option.
Literally every time I’ve visited, there’s been at least a 10 minute wait–even on a random Tuesday at 1pm.
And that’s not for lack of tables–Tanoshi is a fairly big place. It’s because the food is excellent. And the prices are eminently fair.
So what’s this lunch item I can’t stop ordering? It’s Tanoshi’s Gozen Box.
The setup is simple: choose a protein, choose a side, and build a box that can range from classic chicken teriyaki to salmon teriyaki, chicken katsu, mixed tempura, gyoza, karaage, California roll, spicy tuna roll, avocado roll, sashimi, and more. An extra item can be added for $4, according to the restaurant’s menu.
Less Than McDonald’s
On a recent visit, I got a heaping plate–beautifully presented–with beef teriyaki over rice.
This was served with a spicy tuna roll.
It also included soup.
And salad.
And some random extras, like pickled veggies and orange slices for dessert.
All this food set me back $14.
For reference, when I visit McDonald’s and get a Double Quarter Pounder meal, it costs me $14.79.
Now, I love McDonald’s too, don’t get me wrong. But a high quality Japanese lunch–served in a lovely setting–for less than a fast food burger is unheard of in today’s Walnut Creek.
Based on how many people show up at Tanoshi to order it, I can only assume this thing is single handedly deflating the American dollar.
Lots of other food at Tanoshi is excellent and fairly cheap, too. $11 will get you a nice bowl of udon soup.
$16 gets a big bowl of ramen, complete with meat and eggs. That’s at least $5 less than at most of the East Bay’s fancy ramen joints.
I’m reluctant to even write about Tanoshi, because now you, dear reader, will probably be ahead of me in line next time I visit. But again, this comes with the professional territory.
I can only assume that Tanoshi will eventually raise their prices. I hope they don’t, though. I’m planning to eat there at least 4 more times over the next month. And a $14 box of delicious food is sounding mighty tasty right now.
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Went to Tanoshi 3 times and found it overpriced and not worth it, Shin sushi , ph, smaller, less pretentious , much better. Try it , Tom.