Tomo Japanese Restaurant

For those of us living in Indiana, specifically in the New Albany area, finding a Japanese restaurant that consistently meets our expectations for both food quality and service is important. Tomo Japanese Restaurant, located on Charlestown Road, has been a part of our local dining scene, offering a variety of Japanese cuisine, including hibachi and sushi.

When choosing a place for our next meal, we rely on fellow locals for insights. Reviews for Tomo Japanese Restaurant highlight mixed experiences. Some patrons have noted concerns regarding food quality, particularly issues with appetizers being served cold or heated up rather than freshly remade, and a watery salad dressing lacking flavor. There have also been mentions of service being rushed and difficulties in getting attention for additional requests, especially after payment. Furthermore, one review raised a serious health concern regarding the handling of food. Another customer noted a child falling ill after eating chicken, although the direct cause was not confirmed. While the hibachi cook's tricks were appreciated, these various issues led some customers to state they would not return. It's always a good idea to consider recent experiences and potentially check local health inspection records to make an informed decision when trying a new spot or revisiting an old one.

Tomo Japanese Restaurant is situated at 4317 Charlestown Rd # 6, New Albany, IN 47150, USA. This location places it on a fairly prominent road in New Albany, offering a degree of accessibility for residents and visitors alike. Charlestown Road is a well-trafficked route, suggesting that the restaurant is relatively easy to find. Being in a commercial complex, there is typically parking available for customers, which can be a convenience.

For locals in New Albany and surrounding areas of Southern Indiana, its position on Charlestown Road means it's a straightforward drive for those looking to dine out. However, as with any dining establishment, ease of access doesn't always guarantee a perfect experience, and it's important for us to consider all factors when choosing where to spend our dining dollars.

Tomo Japanese Restaurant in New Albany offers a range of Japanese dishes, primarily focusing on hibachi and sushi, catering to both dine-in and takeout preferences.

• Hibachi Dining: Tomo Japanese Restaurant features hibachi grills where chefs prepare meals directly in front of diners. The experience often includes culinary tricks and showmanship. Hibachi options typically include various combinations of steak, chicken, shrimp, and other proteins, served with fried rice and vegetables. One review mentioned a cook doing "different tricks with the food," suggesting an attempt at an entertaining experience.

• Sushi and Sashimi: The restaurant offers a selection of sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Their menu lists a variety of options, including classic rolls like California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and more unique offerings. It's worth noting that one menu found online (potentially for a different Tomo location, but indicative of common offerings) showed "California w/ Real Crab Roll" as an option, alongside other rolls, nigiri, and sashimi.

• Traditional Japanese Entrees: Beyond hibachi and sushi, the menu generally includes other cooked Japanese dishes such as Teriyaki (chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp), Katsu (chicken or pork cutlets), and Tempura (shrimp and vegetable).

• Noodle and Rice Dishes: Tomo offers popular noodle dishes like Yaki Udon and Yaki Soba, as well as various types of Fried Rice.

• Appetizers: A range of Japanese appetizers is typically available, including Edamame, Gyoza (pork or vegetable dumplings), Shumai, Harumaki (Japanese spring rolls), Crab Rangoon, and Tempura appetizers.

• Soups and Salads: Standard Japanese soups like Miso Soup and Clear Soup, along with House Salad and Seaweed Salad, are usually on the menu.

• Lunch and Dinner Menus: Tomo Japanese Restaurant provides distinct lunch and dinner menus, with lunch specials often available from Tuesday to Friday. These can include hibachi lunch combinations, sushi lunch specials (e.g., 5 pcs sushi & 1 California Roll), and bento boxes.

• Takeout: The restaurant offers takeout services, allowing customers to order food for pickup. Online ordering may be available through third-party platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, though some information suggests they may not offer direct online reservations or delivery services.

Based on customer reviews and general offerings, here are some of the features and highlights that Tomo Japanese Restaurant in New Albany presents:

• Interactive Hibachi Dining: The presence of hibachi grills with chefs performing tricks is a key feature. While one review mentioned the cook was "ok" and did "some different tricks," this interactive element can be appealing, especially for those seeking an entertaining meal. It provides a visual spectacle during dinner preparation.

• Variety of Japanese Dishes: Tomo offers a broad menu that covers hibachi, sushi, sashimi, and other kitchen entrees like teriyaki and katsu. This variety aims to cater to different preferences within Japanese cuisine.

• Lunch Specials: The availability of lunch specials, including hibachi lunch, sushi lunch, and bento boxes, can be a draw for those looking for more affordably priced meals during the day.

• Location on a Main Road: Being on Charlestown Road provides easy access and visibility for the restaurant, making it a convenient option for many New Albany residents.

• Potential for Unique Sushi Offerings: While not universally confirmed, some menu information suggests they may offer items like "real crab" in certain sushi rolls, which could be a highlight for sushi aficionados.

However, it's important to acknowledge some reported concerns that may influence a diner's experience. These include observations of slow service, cold or re-heated appetizers, watery salad dressing, and, more significantly, potential health code violations regarding food handling. One review also mentioned a child becoming sick after eating chicken, raising questions about food preparation safety. These points indicate a mixed customer experience and highlight areas where consistency might be a challenge.

Based on available public information, Tomo Japanese Restaurant in New Albany focuses its special offers primarily around its lunch service:

• Lunch Specials: Tomo offers specific lunch menus that provide more economical options. These are generally available from Tuesday to Friday, typically from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Lunch specials can include:

  • Hibachi Lunch: Smaller portions of popular hibachi proteins (e.g., chicken, shrimp, steak) served with fried rice and vegetables.

  • Sushi Lunch: Often a combination of a few pieces of sushi and a California Roll.

  • Bento Box Lunch: A complete meal featuring a main entrée (like Teriyaki Chicken or Shrimp Tempura) along with a California Roll, rice, soup, and salad.

  • Roll Combos: Options to choose any two or three basic rolls at a set price.

While these lunch specials offer value, there isn't widely available information suggesting extensive, recurring dinner promotions or specific discounts outside of these lunch deals. For the most current and accurate information on any ongoing promotions or seasonal offers, it is always recommended to contact Tomo Japanese Restaurant directly at (812) 941-0200 or check their current menu when visiting.

For inquiries, takeout orders, or to learn more about their services, you can reach Tomo Japanese Restaurant using the following details:

Address: 4317 Charlestown Rd # 6, New Albany, IN 47150, USA

Phone: (812) 941-0200

It is advisable to call ahead, especially during peak dining times, to inquire about wait times or to place an order for pickup.

For us living in Indiana, particularly in New Albany, deciding where to dine means weighing various factors. Tomo Japanese Restaurant offers a range of Japanese cuisine, including the engaging hibachi experience and a selection of sushi. Its location on Charlestown Road provides convenient access for many in our community, and the presence of lunch specials offers more affordable dining options.

However, it's important for locals to be aware of the mixed reviews from fellow patrons. Concerns have been raised regarding food quality, such as cold or reheated appetizers and watery salad dressing, which can detract from the overall meal. Issues with service, including a rushed feeling and difficulty getting attention for requests, have also been noted. More critically, past reviews have included serious health code violation concerns regarding food handling and an instance of a child becoming ill after eating. While the hibachi entertainment is a draw, these significant issues with food quality, service, and potential health risks suggest that caution might be warranted. For those considering Tomo Japanese Restaurant, it may be beneficial to proceed with awareness of these reported challenges and perhaps explore alternative highly-rated Japanese establishments in the area for a more consistently positive and safe dining experience. Ultimately, while it offers variety, the inconsistencies highlighted in customer feedback suggest it might not be the most reliable option for all locals.

Tomo Japanese Restaurant

4317 Charlestown Rd # 6, New Albany, IN 47150, USA