Well, it’s good to have the lights on at the old Checkers spot on Chambers, where Sarku Japan, a big chain of fast food Japanese out of Boston, has taken over the kitchen. The restaurant offers mostly teriyaki dishes along with bento boxes, dumplings, tempura and a variety of sushi rolls.

They have done virtually nothing with the space — in fact, I think they are even using Checkers’ furniture, down to the garbage cans. I mistakenly thought it would be a bit charming or fun in there, with a Japanese aesthetic?

That said, it may scratch an itch for fast food. The portions are large and the prices are low — which is, of course, the dining concept. A California roll is $6 and plate of chicken teriyaki with rice and mixed vegetables is $11. The teens would definitely find a spot here. But don’t get me started on the plastic waste. They asked if we were staying in or taking out, and former resulted in the boxes on a tray, below, for three of us.

Sarku Japan is pretty big: the company has more than 180 restaurants in the US, largely in shopping mall food courts but also with some street locations; there are four in Queens. It was founded in Boston in 1987 by James Chim, who had previously worked as an executive at the Canadian quick-serve restaurant chain Manchu Wok; within five years he had 50 locations.

Sarku Japan
77 Chambers | Church & Broadway
212-999-6464