A first visit to the new Yoshi Asian Cuisine did not produce great results. I would not tell you not to try this new addition to Waco that has taken over the Marie Callender's building at Richland Mall. You should be prepared to be underwhelmed. I did not find it significantly better than Summer Palace. Yoshi had some new wrinkles and some different dishes - frog legs, baby squid, and bok choy all were a change from the regular buffet line-up. Most of the rest of the offerings tasted about the same as any other Asian buffet in Waco.
Yoshi does have a stir fry station similar to Genghis Grill or B.D.'s Mongolian. You pick the raw ingredients you prefer and load them into a small bowl - heaping them high and skillfully balancing an impossibly large pile of meat and veggie. The chef then cooks it up for you. Not quite enough sauce choices made my companion's dish a bit on the dry side but it is nice to be able to pick and choose.
I was surprised that there was not much of a crowd at this new restaurant. Usually a new opening in Waco draws a nice crowd early on. This may just have been a slower week night but it was not a good omen. At $11.00 for the buffet at night, Yoshi needs to really build some great word of moth. The price tag for two adults came to over $26.00 before any gratuity. I did not feel that what Yoshi offered was measurably better than at other choices. Lunch may be a different story. I will check it out next week.
Yoshi does have a stir fry station similar to Genghis Grill or B.D.'s Mongolian. You pick the raw ingredients you prefer and load them into a small bowl - heaping them high and skillfully balancing an impossibly large pile of meat and veggie. The chef then cooks it up for you. Not quite enough sauce choices made my companion's dish a bit on the dry side but it is nice to be able to pick and choose.
I was surprised that there was not much of a crowd at this new restaurant. Usually a new opening in Waco draws a nice crowd early on. This may just have been a slower week night but it was not a good omen. At $11.00 for the buffet at night, Yoshi needs to really build some great word of moth. The price tag for two adults came to over $26.00 before any gratuity. I did not feel that what Yoshi offered was measurably better than at other choices. Lunch may be a different story. I will check it out next week.
There are several arrivals in the area. Mi Tequila will try to survive where Trevino's could not.Hondo's Sports Bar and Grill will soon be taking over the Beef O'Brady's space in Hewitt.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is a popular chain of burrito/taco fast food restaurants. A chipotle (chi-POAT-lay) is a dried, smoked jalapeño pepper. I have eaten with at one in the Austin area. They are nearing the completion of construction on N. Valley Mills. The chain got its start in 1993 in Denver. There are over 500 of these nationwide. The price for a quick lunch is in the $6-$8 range.
2 comments:
Wow, so glad to find your website !
Thank you !
I just noticed Yoshi's building yesterday and was wondering if it was any good. Thanks for the heads-up. I was, believe it or not, hoping it was a chain Oriental. (likely better than a local homegrown place) IMHO.
I travel with my job and used to eat at the Chipotle's in DC a lot. It was ALWAYS packed. This is a very good sign that it is coming here. I categorize it as "fresh" mexican/carribean which is very popular in other parts of the country. "Bahama Fresh" (believe that's the name?) is another like it.
Love food. Glad to hear it whenever something good happens here.
Karen
I agree with your review of Yoshi Asian Cuisine. My husband and I eat out a lot so we're always checking out the new spots. This was a big disappointment because we love good Asian food. Taste of China is still our favorite buffet, but unfortunately it's closing this month. The owner says it will reopen under new management, but we'll have to wait and see if it is still as good.
--Ramona
Post a Comment