Hibachi Daruma. Minneapolis, MN.

When I was 15, I went to a teppanyaki grill on a date. I wore flared jeans and a panty hose choker necklace, projecting my usual je ne sais quoi. “Je ne sais quoi” is French for “I don’t know what” and that is my general reaction to photos of my teen style. But, hey, some other 15 year old was into it enough to rip open his velcro wallet and buy me all the teriyaki chicken and miso soup I could handle. I think fondly of the teppanyaki experience. Multiple courses makes it feel fancy, but the razzle dazzle of the chef keeps everything lighthearted. The “dinner and a show” aspect of the Japanese steakhouse is certainly the big draw. Onion volcano! Egg in the hat! The clickety-clackety utensils on the grill. It’s a feast for all the senses. But let not the food be overshadowed! A plate of savory fluffy fried rice with a sweet and smoky meat medley wins me over any day. Hibachi Daruma has done us all a favor by bringing these flavors to the fast casual realm, fully satisfying my nostalgia and my tastebuds. But it tastes far fresher than the suburban teppanyakis of my youth ever did. Tender beef, well-seasoned rice, grilled vegetables that are never over-cooked. And no one makes you catch a shrimp in your mouth in front of laughing strangers. Yet.

Price: You can’t get a meal below $10 here, but the quality and quantity will be worth the extra dollars.

Health: I don’t know what goes into all those sauces that taste so good, but you’re getting a balanced plate of meat, rice, and veggies and that feels good.

Speed: This is a fast casual spot, so it’s generally pretty speedy. Also conveniently located near any downtown venue, including First Avenue, 7th Street Entry, and the Fine Line.