Stanley T. Earns Title of Teriyaki Boy Champion

One of the things I can’t stand is the person who eats lunch at the same place every single day.  Everybody has a go-to, “I don’t have time to venture far”, or “I’m feeling lazy today” lunch spot around the corner from their office- but that’s not what I’m talking about.  I’m talking about the co-worker that eats at the same exact place, every single day- and usually the same dish.  That deli, or fast food place, where they get the same salad, or the same combo every single day.  And you try to convince them “Dude… there’s this place you’ve got to check out, that’s so much better.”  And they say, “Sure, let’s go tomorrow.”  And then tomorrow rolls around, and it’s “Naw, i’m just going to go to that same deli I go to every single day, and eat the same sandwich I’ve been eating for 200 days straight.”  Where’s the fun in that.

There’s alot of people in my office that fall into that trap, but the one that stands out to me is this guy named Stanley T.  I pay attention to what everybody eats in my office (big surprise… I clearly have a problem), and it didn’t take me long to realize that every time I saw Stanley T. eating lunch at his desk, it was the same exact thing, from the same exact place.  But here’s the crazy thing- I didn’t look down on him for it.  I actually thought it was awesome.  Even started joking around with him about it.  Why?  Because his every day lunch, was the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl from Teriyaki Boy.  And then it dawned on me.  I’m prejudiced against delis and fast food chains.  Get a salad from Variety Cafe every single day, and I’m going to think you’re lunch challenged.  Eat at Teriyaki Boy every single day, and you are my new hero.

Stanley T’s obsession with Teriyaki Boy, a Japanese fast food chain with two locations in Midtown, made me think maybe I’m missing out on something.  I mean look at that guy.  If it’s good enough for him to eat it every day, it must be good enough for me.  So one day, I decided to head down- and do as Stanley T. does (every single day of the week).

What I got, pics and a +/- after the jump…

There are two locations of Teriykai Boy in Midtown that seem very different on the outside.  The one on 7th Ave. btw. 48th & 49th is pretty dingy, while the one on 46th (btw. Lex+3rd) actually seems newer and a little more inviting.  Depending on which locations you visit, you might feel differently about how clean or dirty the place is.  That being said, I’m pretty sure the food they serve is identical.

I went to the 7th Ave. location, and had every intention of ordering the Teriyaki Bowl (just like Stanley T. does), but when I got there, I saw they had a Lunch Special.  For $6.50 you could get Chicken Teriyaki over rice, with choice of Shumai or California Roll, plus salad and a free miso soup or soda.  Always one to go for variety, I opted for the combo, choosing shumai and miso soup.  They have sushi at Teriyaki Boy but if Stanley T. doesn’t eat it, then I’m staying away.  (That combined with the fact that it just doesn’t look too appealing.)

If you like cheap Chinese and Japanese food then you should like Teriyaki Boy.  The chicken was good enough, with a thick and sweet teriyaki sauce poured over the top.  (Stanley T. always asks for extra sauce, but I wasn’t that brave.)  The quality of the chicken was not as great as it could be, but certainly better than I expected.  If you are not into chicken teriyaki, they also have katsu (fried cutlets), BBQ’d eel, curry and a bunch of noodle soups.  One of my co-workers had the Curry Udon, and seemed pretty pleased with it- but I’m guessing it’s just good for the price, and nothing out of this world special.

All in all, Teriyaki Boy is not bad- and I can certainly see how someone could eat there every single day (especially more than I can see eating at a generic deli every day).  I guess there are some things we can learn from co-workers.  Stanley had one other piece of advice.  Don’t be fooled by the variety.  The $5.50 Chicken Teriyaki Bowl (with a free salad) gives you a lot more food than the $6.50 lunch special.

Thanks Stanley.  You’re a man after my own heart.  And my new hero.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

  • Cheap and super fast Japanese food
  • You get a lot of variety in the combos, like shumai or california roll
  • I prefer quantity over quality
  • I don’t mind dark meat chicken
  • I love thick and sweet Teriyaki Sauce

THE – (What somebody who likes this place would say)

  • It seems dirty
  • I need my chicken to be of the best quality and all white meat
  • I don’t like thick and sweet sauces
  • There are better places in Midtown

Teriyaki Boy, Multiple Locations

  • 732 7th Ave. (btw. 48+49th), 212-265-8181
  • 150 E. 46th St. (btw. Lex+3rd), 212-867-5771 **Now Closed**

and just outside Midtown

  • 885 9th Ave. (btw. 58+59th), 212-307-7202

10 Comments

  • what is the deal with people only liking white meat chicken ? dark meat has more flavor..

  • Sapporo, which is just around the corner, is much better than this place. It’s worth the extra $1 or $2s!

  • Dark meat has more fat! Dark meat rocks!!!
    …but white meat is better for you *grimace*

  • ………so why dosnt pork have dark meat?…..or fish……It’s a USDA plot i tell’ya!!!

  • just tried Teriyaki Boy on 7th – I had stayed away, afraid, but this gave me some courage. It’s major yuck, won’t be going back. Teriyaki sauce had a weird flavor… saw someone else get the chicken katsu, that might have been better. Should have listened to my instincts on this one!

    marcus is right that sapporo is much better.

    now, what I wonder about is the chinese place right next door to TB on 7th. I think it’s called Pearls? Anyone?

  • I love going there for their chicken katsu with curry sauce, the shrimp tempura udon noodles and, when they have it, the salmon rice rolls. Only $1!!! Pop it in the mocrowave for about 10 secs to warm up the seaweed wrap and it’s good to go.

  • Brian, Pearls is excellent, imo. Their food is not the same reheated frozen stuff you get at most other affordable Chinese joints (e.g. the ‘garlic sauce’ actually has slices of Garlic in it!). The service is divine–the hosts will learn your name and greet you after a few visits. Good variety on the lunch specials as well.

    I love Teriyaki boy and eat there at least once a week, but i think the chicken is vile. I only get the salmon. The chicken has all kinds of grisly areas, connective tissues and who knows what else.. I don’t mind dark meat at all, but it’s this weird hybrid combination of both, where one’s more tender than the other.. *gag*

  • Try the Tokyo fried chicken – AWESOME!! I also had their sushi roll pltter for a party and it was pretty good, and an amazing value for under $30.

  • Does anyone know if there is nutritional information on these guys on a website or IN the restaurant?

  • Chicken Katsu Curry. Amen.

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