From a former employee's view
Written: Jun 01 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lots of menu variety and reasonable price
Cons: Long line waiting
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| Diner's Full Review: Kitaro |
Rainbow Roll just for $4.95? The average sushi rolls are 2 -3 times cheaper than others. Why is that CHEAP? Here's a story from a former employee's view.
I worked at Kitaro as a part-time waitress from October 1998 - February 1999. All I wanted to get was some quick cash and one employee meal per shift. I have tried every single item on the menu and some of the dishes I ate was from our Chef's special which unfortunately not for public diners.
My favorite roll is spicy chicken roll, kitaro roll, mexican roll and power roll. Rainbow roll, gazilla roll, pink dragon roll are really good but for me, it's quite expensive compare to other items on the menu. However, if you compare the whole menu price to any other Japanese restaurants in Downtown Union Square and Japantown, Kitaro will be number one.
I once asked my boss why he priced the sushi rolls that cheap? He told me (this is his secret success trick) he was able to maintain low food cost and cheap rent in Richmond area. He ordered his produce and sashimi directly from suppliers and he had been in business with them for many years. That's why... plus I guest the labor cost was cheap, too. Waitresses receive minimum wage, cashiers and kitchen staff are slightly better than waitresses. This is a win-win game. Waitress, cashier and kitchen staff have tips to compensate their wages.
One more thing I have to mention: they make their own salad dressing. It's GREAT! You cannot taste it somewhere else. I love it! From the Chef's special, we have Grill Yellowtail for $3.95. It is not on the menu. Some nights we will do the promotion. If you are lucky enough to go there earlier, you may be able to get this. Ask for the waitress if they have Grill Yellowtail for special.
Besides sushi rolls, beef teriyaki, chicken karake, shrimp tempura and oyako donburi, tonkatsu donburi, unagi donburi and even miso soup are great! One thing I don't recommend is the udon. It's tasteless. I hate it! If you are going to spend $5.95 for udon, why don't you get 3 sushi rolls for $1.95 each???
The service is okay! What do you expect when you are paying only less than $20 for dinner? The boss (a Japanese guy) is really down-to-earth. He usually stays at the restaurant until closing. He likes to talk to his customers and even pour tea for them.
One tips for you: if you don't want to line up during dinner time (it seems it's everynight now since they move to a bigger location), you should try go there at weekend lunch time.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Diner
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Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 2 members
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