A place I eat at so often they know my name: Toshi's Ramen

All right. Full confession time: I LOVE this place with a zeal that borders on the obsessive. My first year of law school, I had a class on Tuesdays and Thursdays that got out at 2:20, which was a really good time to run for some Toshi's. It's just before they close for 2 hours between lunch and dinner, and we pretty much always missed the huge lunch rush this place can get on rainy days. We ate here so often that the nice woman who runs the register during the week knows me well enough to greet me by name, and when we forget a part of our standing order, she'll remember to ask if we, in fact, want fountain drinks, etc.

It's one of my favorite places in Eugene for a bite to eat. It's quick, and it's delicious.

After two years of eating there, we've pretty much tried some variation of everything on the menu. I can say with perfect authority the things you HAVE to try, if you've never been there. For starters, try the gyoza. At 4.95 for six, they're a very reasonable appetizer to split with a fellow diner, though you might be tempted to knife your friend for their last dumpling, if you finish first.

The ramen here is very good, and you can't go wrong with any way you have it prepared, though I like it best with both butter and garlic, in either miso or shiyo broth. The noodles are not what you would expect from a packet of ramen: they're thick, hand-made numbers with the perfect toothiness. The cha-han, or fried rice, is surprisingly delicate and flavorful--not at all laden with soy sauce--and it seems very traditional. But my very favorite thing to eat here is the Chicken Teriyaki. It comes with a generous portion of sticky rice, and some spicy pickled cucumbers that were surprisingly nice as a counterpoint to the sweetness of the chicken.

So, if you haven't tried it, go on out and have Toshi's. Try the gyoza. Just don't go around 2:30 on Tuesdays or Thursdays. I would hate to have to fight you for my favorite seat.



Location: 1520 Pearl St, Eugene

Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:00, Monday - Saturday