Tokyo Express - E. Camelback Rd.

I haven't been here in over 20 years! The interior was clean and bright. The employee who took our order was nice. We ordered spicy chicken teriyaki and curry chicken. The curry chicken was delicious and just how I remembered it to be. My husband didn't think the spicy chicken was spicy, but someone more sensitive might think it was. I'm so happy we stopped in for lunch and we definitely will be back!

Pleasantly surprised at quality, portion and flavor of the Bento Boxes we ordered for an early dinner (A & B) - but, the added side salad [upgrade, with a beverage] was a bit sad as all it contained was cut-up iceberg lettuce with a bit of sesame dressing. For a walk-up counter place, it's quite endearing and pleasant. It shares facilities with the next-door Cherry Blossom Noodle Cafe (which is a sit-down full service offering, and is delightful on its own) and for the upcoming Halloween day, has a skeleton jazz pianist ready for your requests.

Pretty good food and a good price that's why we keep coming back. The employees however always seem miserable. My wife and I have gone here many many many times and I have yet to ever see an employee smile or even thank you. At least that's the way it is on the weekends because that's the only time we visit. If they ever raise their price to these ridiculous prices restaurants are charging these days, we will never go there again. Perhaps when we go to other restaurants we're paying a premium for someone who smiles and we get miserable unthankful employees here which yields us an affordable meal.

I’ve been going to Tokyo Express since the early 1990’s when I first moved to Phoenix. Back then it was a larger more polished version of what it is now. Though the look of its business may have changed, the food is still phenomenal! I no longer live in Phoenix, but I visit it every year. I always make a point to go to Tokyo Express EVERY TIME! The sukiyaki beef is as amazing as it was 30 years ago. They also put the black sesame seeds and sea salt condiment back in the restaurant which is essential! I couldn’t be happier with them.

UPDATE: Spoke with the owner. She was unaware of decisions being made affecting customer experience on the Express side. The site has two restaurants (both good) and all of her energy had been focused on the dine in side. We’ve worked all issues out. More importantly the owner has one eye back on that side. It’s back to one of the best chicken bowls in the country. Tip: order your teriyaki chicken “easy burnt”. You won’t regret it. I’ve been a patron of Tokyo Express since 1994 ordering $50 to $80 worth of food 3 to 5 times a month. Staff has never been overly friendly but it’s fast foodish so friendly is not necessary (order is always takeout anyway). The food is decent but not like it was when I found the place. Tonight the young lady “helping” me with my $58 order was the rudest person I have ever dealt with treating me like my frequent order is not at All welcome. I couldn’t believe the attitude. My info is with the staff at the restaurant (owned by the same folks) next door. I will not ever go back (last straw so to speak) but the owner should know the disaster happening next door (I cannot imagine they don’t already know but staff retention must be brutal at the moment) I will update the post if I hear back from anyone.