Yakitori Totto

New York City's diverse culinary landscape offers an endless array of international flavors, and for those seeking an authentic taste of Japan beyond sushi and ramen, Yakitori Totto stands as a compelling destination. Tucked away on the second floor of a building in Midtown West, this beloved establishment specializes in yakitori – perfectly grilled skewers of chicken and other ingredients – bringing a piece of traditional Japanese izakaya culture to the heart of NYC. It’s a place where the aroma of charcoal-grilled delicacies fills the air, promising a unique and deeply satisfying dining experience for locals and visitors alike.

Yakitori Totto is celebrated for its dedication to the art of yakitori, focusing on fresh, high-quality ingredients expertly cooked over charcoal. The ambiance, while often bustling, offers an intimate feel, allowing diners to witness the chefs in action, meticulously grilling each skewer to perfection. Whether you're a connoisseur of Japanese cuisine or looking to explore something new and exciting, Yakitori Totto provides a flavorful journey that embodies the spirit of genuine Japanese culinary craftsmanship right here in New York City.

Yakitori Totto is conveniently located at 251 W 55th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA, placing it firmly in the lively Midtown West neighborhood. This central Manhattan location makes it easily accessible for anyone in the New York region, whether you're working nearby, seeing a Broadway show, or exploring the iconic attractions of the city. While the address specifies the "2nd Floor," the restaurant is identifiable by "two simple signs of a rooster on the wall and a glowing black and white sign on the street," though it's sometimes easier to spot by the eager crowd outside.

Given its Midtown West setting, Yakitori Totto is incredibly well-connected by New York City's extensive public transportation system. It's a short walk from major subway lines, including those at Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1, 2 lines) and 57th Street-7th Avenue (N, Q, R, W lines), ensuring a smooth commute from various parts of Manhattan and beyond. Numerous bus routes also serve the area. For locals, this means enjoying an authentic Japanese meal without the hassle of a long journey, making it a perfect spot for a delicious dinner before or after an evening out in the Theater District or a visit to Carnegie Hall. While parking can be challenging in this busy part of the city, the excellent public transit options make it a stress-free destination.

Yakitori Totto provides a focused yet diverse range of services centered around its specialty: charcoal-grilled skewers.

• Dine-In Service: The primary offering is an immersive dine-in experience. Despite being a "small space," it offers an intimate atmosphere where patrons can observe the chefs grilling skewers at the counter. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak dinner hours, as walk-ins may face long waits.

• Extensive Yakitori Menu: The core of their offering is a vast selection of yakitori skewers, featuring almost all parts of chicken (thigh, neck, liver, heart, gizzard, skin, tail, soft knee bone, chicken oyster), along with pork, beef (including skirt steak, short ribs, and even lamb chop), and a variety of vegetable skewers.

• Diverse Appetizers and Sides: Beyond skewers, the menu includes a wide array of appetizers such as Agedashi Tofu, Zaru Tofu, Gyoza, Jidori Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), various salads, and unique items like Mizore Gake (deep-fried eggplant & mochi).

• Rice and Noodle Dishes: For a more substantial meal, they offer various rice bowls (dons) like Oyako Don, Una-Ju (grilled eel over rice), and Ocha Zuke (rice in hot broth), as well as Inaniwa Udon.

• Lunch Service: Yakitori Totto is open for lunch, offering lunch sets that often include yakitori skewers over rice with salad and miso soup, as well as bento box options like Yakitori Don Bento or Salmon Shake Bento, providing great value for midday diners.

• Beverage Selection: As an izakaya-style establishment, they offer a selection of Japanese beers, sake, and other beverages to complement the food.

• Takeout and Delivery: Yakitori Totto offers takeout and delivery services through platforms like DoorDash and Grubhub, allowing customers to enjoy their skewers and other dishes at home.

Yakitori Totto is celebrated for several distinctive features and culinary highlights that make it a standout Japanese restaurant in New York City.

• Exceptional Yakitori Quality: The most significant highlight is the quality of their skewers. Reviewers consistently praise the "very well cooked" and "tender" chicken, with specific call-outs for chicken liver, chicken thigh, chicken neck (described as "deboned and just really tender"), and chicken wings with a "subtle smoky flavor." The focus on premium quality meats grilled in a traditional manner is evident.

• Variety of Skewers: Beyond the standard chicken parts, Yakitori Totto offers an impressive range of skewers, including various chicken cuts (like soft knee bone, tail, heart, gizzard, chicken oysters), as well as pork (pork neck, pork loin), beef (skirt steak, short ribs, lamb chop), and diverse vegetables (asparagus, shishito, shiitake, eggplant, garlic). This extensive selection allows for a broad culinary exploration.

• Standout Appetizers: While yakitori is the star, several appetizers receive high acclaim. The Agedashi Tofu is particularly highlighted as "very good" and "particularly good," described as deep-fried tofu in dashi broth. The combination of scallop and oyster mushroom skewers is also noted as "really good." Other popular non-yakitori items include Takoyaki and the delicious ochazuke.

• Authentic Japanese Ambiance: Despite being a "small space," the restaurant provides an intimate and authentic Japanese izakaya feel. Diners appreciate "watching the chefs grill the skewers" at the counter, which adds to the immersive experience. It's described as feeling "straight out of a side street in Tokyo."

• Efficient and Polite Service: Customers consistently commend the staff for being "fast and polite." The attentiveness, such as water never being low for long, contributes significantly to a positive dining experience, even when the place is busy.

• Lunch Options: Yakitori Totto offers a dedicated lunch service with various bento box options and yakitori sets, providing a great value proposition for midday dining.

• Reservation System: The restaurant accepts reservations, which is a crucial feature given its popularity and intimate size, helping diners secure a spot.

Yakitori Totto, while focusing on its core high-quality offerings, does provide various ways for New Yorkers to experience its menu, including certain structured menu options that offer good value. While explicit "promotions" like discounts might not be regularly advertised, their approach to dining sets and lunch specials functions in a similar way, making their authentic Japanese cuisine more accessible.

• Lunch Sets: Yakitori Totto offers dedicated lunch sets during weekday lunch hours. These often include a selection of yakitori skewers served over rice, accompanied by salad and miso soup. Examples include the Yakitori Don Bento or Salmon Shake Bento, providing a comprehensive and satisfying meal at a set price, which can be an excellent value for a quick and delicious midday break.

• Combo Skewer Sets: While skewers are typically ordered à la carte, they also offer "Yakitori Appetizer" sets, such as Meat Lover, Seafood, Meat & Vegi, Vegitable, and Chicken Heaven Yakitori combos. These curated selections allow diners to try a variety of skewers, potentially at a more favorable price point than ordering each individually, and are a great way to sample their best offerings.

• Happy Hour / Power Hours: While not explicitly detailed in the provided information, many Japanese establishments in New York often feature happy hour specials on drinks and select appetizers during off-peak hours. It would be advisable for locals to check Yakitori Totto's official website or inquire directly for any such offerings.

• Seasonal Specials: Like many quality Japanese restaurants, Yakitori Totto may introduce seasonal skewers or limited-time dishes based on ingredient availability, offering new culinary experiences to their regular clientele.

For the most current information on their lunch specials, combo sets, or any other unique offerings, New Yorkers are encouraged to visit the official Yakitori Totto website or contact them directly.

To plan your visit or make inquiries at Yakitori Totto, here is the essential contact information:

• Address: 251 W 55th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA

• Phone: (212) 245-4555

Given its popularity and intimate space, especially during dinner hours, making a reservation well in advance (at least two days prior, according to some older reports, though current availability might vary) is highly recommended to secure a table and avoid potentially long waits. They generally do not accept same-day reservations. You'll need to go up a flight of stairs to enter the restaurant.

For New Yorkers, Yakitori Totto offers a compelling and authentic Japanese dining experience that perfectly suits the local palate and lifestyle. Its prime location on 251 W 55th St in Midtown West makes it incredibly accessible via numerous subway lines, allowing for a seamless transition from work, shopping, or a Broadway show to a delicious meal. This convenience is key in a city where time is precious, enabling locals to enjoy a quality meal without extensive travel.

What truly makes Yakitori Totto a local favorite is its unwavering commitment to authentic yakitori. The "incredibly tasty" and "delicious" skewers, particularly the "very well cooked" chicken liver, thigh, and neck, along with the "outstanding" chicken wings, demonstrate a mastery of the grill. The ability to witness the chefs in action adds an engaging, intimate touch that transports diners to a genuine Tokyo izakaya. Despite its "small space," the quiet moments (when not seated near loud parties) and the overall intimate ambiance create a comfortable and authentic dining environment.

The diverse menu, extending beyond just chicken to include various meats, vegetables, and highly-praised appetizers like Agedashi Tofu and ochazuke, ensures there's something for every preference. The "fast and polite" service, with constant water refills, contributes to a hassle-free and enjoyable meal. While it's advisable to make a reservation due to its popularity, this simply underscores its reputation as a must-visit. For locals craving true Japanese grilled perfection in a cozy setting, Yakitori Totto delivers an unparalleled culinary journey that feels both exotic and deeply comforting. It’s a place that genuinely adds to the rich tapestry of New York’s international food scene.

Yakitori Totto

251 W 55th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA