Teriyaki Madness

The food here often seems sinfully rich yet healthy. I start with a tempura shrimp appetizer ($4.49), which is tasty and hearty with four crispy tempura-battered shrimp stretched out in the Japanese style. Teriyaki Madness has me select my bowl entree in three simple choices: for protein I choose tofu from among a variety of chicken preparations and teriyaki beef. I choose a base—the foundation of my lunch which will like in the bottom half of my bowl. Bases include white, brown, or fried rice, or Yakisoba noodles, and I go rather enthusiastically with the noodles because I've had them before here and love them. Yakisoba noodles are a Japanese dish of fried buckwheat noodles (similar to Ramen noodles)—they aren't crispy but soft like thick and enriched spaghetti. For my final choice, the accompaniment, I prefer stir-fried vegetables as opposed to steamed. This magical combination of tofu, marinated and mildly redolent of both teriyaki and sweet onion, veggies, and noodles, along with a fountain drink, tax, and tip, cost me $20, but I was extravagant. A budget-minded eater could have a healthy meal for half that. Though I ordered a bowl, the plate holds even more food, and with a plate you have more options, like two proteins, and green salad or macaroni salad. There are kids bowls with fountain drinks, most for $6. I am a slow eater by temperament, and I love lingering over my bowl and slowly taking apart its treasures with my chopsticks. Despite their sometimes busy-ness, Teriyaki Madness doesn't seem to mind my contemplative eating of my lunch, and they leave me alone to savor every bite, and that brings up an important point: it occurs to me that in many fast food places, the height of the drama lies between the ordering and the delivery of the food. Yet at Teriyaki Madness, the mechanics of getting the food to the table is merely a prelude, and the drama rests in the slow eating and savoring, which is what really should happen, isn't it?

I ordered the spicy teriyaki chicken and crab rangoons and was pleasantly surprised by both items. The veggies were fresh and well cooked, the chicken had just enough kick to be labeled spicy and the sauce was awesome. This was my first visit but I will most definitely be back! The staff were very friendly and the kung fu movie playing added to my lunch time enjoyment.

This place is great! Give it a try, you won't regret it, fried rice is delicious and veggies and meat too. They also have options for you so you can eat whatever and however you like. They have beef, spicy chicken, and the teriyaki chicken can be chicken breast or regular. Also any "special request" that you might want they make it happen. Great staff and great cooks!!! I met the kitchen manager and when he cooks the food is just full of awesomeness, so if you go ask for Joy (his name) and tell them that you would like him to make your order. You won't be disappointed!!!