Osaka Japanese Steakhouse: A little bit of Japan in Shelby Township
Osaka manager Jinny Shin, right, describes the staff and customers as like family. PHOTO/BREANN DOTSTRY
Looking for a place to have great food and a good time? OU News Bureau reporters have visited some distinctive eateries in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties to learn more about what these places have to offer. Reporter Breann Dotstry visited Osaka in Macomb County’s Shelby Township and talked to manager Jinny Shin.
Tell me about the history of this place.
This restaurant offers a number of different ways to enjoy their food. You can enjoy sushi at the sushi bar, fine Japanese cuisine at a quiet table for two, or sit at the hibachi grill and enjoy the company of others as well as the excitement that takes place with the cooks. Owner, Brunce Han, opened Osaka in 2004 and has been successful for eight years in the City of Shelby Township. The reason for choosing this location was because Shelby Township was a new city and it was beginning to grow, so what better place.
Describe what it offers.
Osaka offers a friendly environment along with great food. We have had the same employees for years, which, shows consistency to the customer, which gives them a sense of reassurance. Our staff and regular customers are like a family, and that same vibe is given to any new customers, as well. We also make all of our dressing and sauces homemade so it is fresh every day, where most other restaurants do not.
Why would someone want to come here?
People like to come here because we are friendly and the food is great. We are also very cautious about any food allergies, and that makes our costumers very comfortable. Our cooks also prepare the food any way our customers request it even if it is at the hibachi grill where the cook is making food for eight people at a time. Also, because we are smaller we are able to have better relationships with our customers. We also keep our restaurant very clean. Our prices are a lot more affordable as well.
What do you do that’s different from other places like this?
Our décor is very different from other Japanese Steakhouses. We like to create the illusion that our customers are in Japan. The employees wear traditional Japanese clothing and the wall hangings are all Japanese based. Again, we emphasize a family atmosphere we have here at Osaka.
What’s the one thing everyone should order here?
Depending on if you are hungry for sushi or our steakhouse menu, there are a few different things I suggest. You must try our white tuna sushi or the “super bowl” sushi. Our customers love it. If you are interested in the steakhouse menu, I recommend any of the seafood dinners. Calamari and swordfish are two of the best entrees.
How many people work here?
There are 26 employees here. Most of our staff has been here for all eight years. We have had some of our staff leave and go to school, but every summer they return and come back to work. This is why I say that our customers and the staff are like a family and why I think that consistency is a major reason we have been successful and our customers continue to come back.
What does the future hold for this place?
We plan to expand over the next few months. We want to add a bar to the restaurant because a lot of our customers have suggested that adding a bar would spice up the restaurant and it’s the only type of dining we do not currently have. We also want to add more grills because the wait on the weekends can get up to three hours long and we want to cut that down. Eventually, we would like to open another location. But for now we are very happy with the success we have had over the last eight years here in Shelby.
Debbie Dumars of Bloomfield Hills is a longtime customer at Osaka.
How often do you come here and why?
I come a few times a month because the food is awesome and the atmosphere is great.
What is your favorite dish on the menu?
I love the steakhouse and the sushi so normally I get the steak and shrimp with fried rice from the hibachi grill and eel sushi.
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse, 45323 Market Street in Shelby Township. (586) 566-9572
Short URL: http://www.ounewsbureau.com/?p=1986
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