Steaks and hamburgers are cooked on a blazing charcoal-flame grill near the front of Bronco Billy Steak House. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Dining out with the family recently, I finally had the opportunity to sample some meaty selections at a place in western Tokyo that had caught my interest.
Bronco Billy Steak House is a spacious eatery in Akishima, just a short drive from Yokota Air Base. The restaurant was established in Japan in 1978 and today has more than 130 locations.
We found ample free parking at lunchtime and once inside were quickly seated. The dining area accommodates more than 100 guests.
The salad bar featured a nice selection of fresh green lettuce, fruits, cold pasta and other offerings. I helped myself to some potato salad, macaroni salad and my favorite, melon soda, from the drink bar.
We found several delicious choices on the lunch and grand menus, which, together with the children’s menu, is available all day.
From the grand menu, I chose Kuroge Wagyu, a hamburger of Japanese Black beef with a sirloin option, a side of fries and a bowl of steaming rice. With the soup, salad bar and drink bar tacked on, the bill came to a little over 2,000 yen, or less than $14.
Steaks and hamburgers are cooked on a blazing charcoal-flame grill near the front of Bronco Billy Steak House. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Steaks and hamburgers were cooked on a blazing charcoal-flame grill near the front of the restaurant. At the table, the server sliced our hamburgers down the center on a sizzling iron plate to complete our well-done request.
The meat was thick and tender, and really no toppings were needed to enjoy it besides the grilled onions underneath.
My final mouthfuls were of a few scoops of green tea and vanilla gelato and some coffee jelly with cream from the salad bar.
I had no problems with any of the selections and everything including the service was satisfactory.
Bronco Billy Steak House was established in Japan in 1978 and today has more than 130 locations. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Bronco Billy Steak House
Location: 1-1-18 Tsutsujigaoka, Akishima, Tokyo, 196-0012
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Prices: Expect to pay 800 yen or more. Credit cards accepted.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A short drive from Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. Google Plus code: P9FF+46 Akishima, Tokyo.
Information: Phone: 042-549-1136; Online: www.bronco.co.jp. Parking and takeout are available.
