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Restaurant Review: Hibachi Express (Inoko's)

by Cree Boyechko
09/02/2007

I have pleaded with my husband, Richard, for the better part of a year to take me for Japanese food. The only place we were familiar with is Inoko's Japanese Steakhouse, and being poor college students, that was out of the question. I was overjoyed when I discovered there was a Inoko's Hibachi Express in the city.

From my reading of online reviews, it seemed like the Hibachi Express was all the great food of Inoko's without the expense (especially given it's got the same restaurant name). On Monday evening we, my husband and I, loaded ourselves up into our GMC truck and rode the 10 miles to Barnett Shoals Road. After weaving through the shopping center parking lot, and figuring out the right way through the maze of construction mess, we finally arrived outside the shiny new Hibachi Express building.

Their dining area was filled with a dozen light colored wooden tables and chairs, and a few patrons stood at the pick-up counter. At first I stood in the pick-up line, as there were other people there. Then, realizing they had already ordered, I laughed and moved around the wooden wall, which separates the counter/kitchen area from the dining tables, to regard the menu.

There was a decent selection of items on the Kid's menu and 10 entree choices for the adults. The prices ranged to $4.19 for the Vegetable Deluxe entree to $7.95 for the Ribeye Steak and Shrimp. Each entree was said to include vegetables, fried rice, and our choice of 3 sauces. Additionally, there were salads available and anything on the menu could be doubled for an additional fee.

Agreeing on our order, we stepped up to the counter. A young woman, college age, was standing ready in her red uniform shirt and cap. I ordered the Teriyaki Steak and Chicken while my husband choose the Shrimp and Chicken. "And one drink please, the biggest you got," I offered to the order-taker with a smile. She giggled, handed over a paper cup, and replied "We only have one size." As she rung us up, my husband decided over the drink selection. All the basics were there: Coke, Mr. Pibb, Sprite, Water, Sweetened and Unsweetened Tea. The woman at the counter finished running my card and then became startled when I walked away without my drink cup. "Don't forget your drink!" she shouted, yanking one from the dispenser to hand over to me. I just smiled and pointed to my husband, letting her know we already received one. She looked a little confused, but then shrugged, replaced the cup, and went on about her way.

Plastic utensils, napkins, lids, soy sauce were available next to the fountain drinks. I picked out our dining necessities and choose a table looking out into the parking lot while we waited for my name to be shouted when the food was ready.

In the 10 minutes it took for it to arrive, Richard and I discussed the atmosphere (which we both agree was a mix between fast food and cafeteria), and whether or not serial killers got enough play time when they were young. My husband bolted from his chair when my name was called -- he can be a little anxious in new environments and oftentimes forgets that fries come with a value meal if we visit a fast food joint he hasn't been to before -- and brought back trays of heaping food. Both entrees were served on paper plates and the sauces came in plastic containers, similar to those seen in take out. I also noticed that the area where the drinks and utensils were housed featured Styrofoam containers for leftovers.

The next 10 minutes or so were spent in silence as the two of us tasted our own food, and then proceeded to sample each others. There was communication going on, but only that which long time couples seem to understand. I would tilt my head, with lifted eyebrows, as I offered him a piece of zucchini. He would taste it and shake his head then take a drink of our shared soda, and then motion towards the shrimp on his plate. After everything was sampled, we finally started to verbalize.

Although the steak was not what was expected, being more sliced roast beef than steak, and the zucchini had a funny tang to it, there were the exceptional portion sizes. I thought they were stingy with my Teriyaki sauce, but the meats were still very good. I layered on the ginger sauce, my husband used the yellow, and we finished our conversation about serial killers while picking off the last edibles from our plates.

Though neither of us had leftovers, the next two hours were filled with groans about eating too much and being more careful next time. Overall it was a good experience. The food wasn't anything to rave about, and certainly couldn't hold a candle to the Japanese Steakhouse, but was a good substitute on a limited budget. It is not a place where one goes to get waited on, or be romantic; in fact, most people ordered their food to-go and went off. We spent $15, less than half what we would spend at the Steakhouse, and were satisfied with the experience. It wouldn't be a frequent place for eating, but good enough to fight my cravings.