Don Japanese Kitchen

Japanese restaurant · San Marcos

Don Japanese Kitchen

Japanese restaurant · San Marcos

3

829 N LBJ Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666

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Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by Infatuation - Reviews
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null
Don Japanese Kitchen by null

Highlights

Don Japanese Kitchen is a cozy spot serving up modern Japanese fare with a focus on donburi, featuring everything from crispy chicken to savory seafood bowls—all served with a side of friendly vibes.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

829 N LBJ Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666 Get directions

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@donjapanese

$10–20 · Menu

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829 N LBJ Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666 Get directions

+1 281 725 3686
don-japanese-kitchen.square.site
@donjapanese
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@DonJapanese

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"The former University of Texas at Austin favorite is now serving its Japanese street food in Forest Hills. Expect donburi topped with ribeye, pork belly, or marinated karaage. Pickup orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services." - Brandon Watson

Where to Eat and Drink in San Marcos
View Postcard for Don Japanese Kitchen
@infatuation

"Don Japanese Kitchen operates out of a black, unmarked food truck in a former parking lot near UT. But if you’re worried about finding it without a sign, the ever-present line of people waiting to place an order should give you a clue. Don’t worry - it moves fast. This food truck is a favorite among students and whoever else lives in West Campus, mostly because of their namesake “Don” bowl - a generous portion of fried pork, chicken, or fish over rice for just $5 flat. No tax, tip, or hidden charges. They stay open until they sell out, which tends to happen around 4-5pm every day. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary" - Nicolai McCrary

Don Japanese Kitchen Review - Campus - Austin - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Don Japanese Kitchen
@eater

"Then, campus restaurant Don Japanese is indefinitely closed as of the beginning of this year." - Nadia Chaudhury

Austin Vegan Barbecue Truck BBQ Revolution Moves to Los Angeles for Winter - Eater Austin
View Postcard for Don Japanese Kitchen

Dennis C. Tommy

Google
First time. Clean, nice, friendly. Guy gave me a rundown on what people like which was good. The spicy sauce was better than expected. Curt sauce yummy. I had teriyaki chicken. Plenty of chicken. I will be back for round 2 and possible more👍👍

Dallas Turner

Google
The Torch salmon is killer. Raw salmon with some kind of glaze and blowtorched? the top of on a bed of rice and seaweed. I like the multiple options of mayo Don's has. Choices of spicy curry and wasabi. Spicy and wasabi were great on the salmon. The curry mayo was weak in my opinion. Smallish sized placed which kinda gives it charm. They got everything on the walls for charm: decorative art, skateboards, dollar bills, you name it Japanese they put it up. Bathroom was smallish and kinda backroomish as you would expect from a china town style joint in San Frisco. Small and not impressive looks wise but clean.

Dharshini M

Google
Amazing street food here. Everything dish we tried was amazing. Takoyaki - 10/10 Pork Belly - 10/10 Nan nan/Karage - 10/10 Torch Salmon - 8/10 The 3 mayo sauces were amazing. They had curry, wasabi, and spicy. For a non spice eater like me, it was still good for my taste buds. Ordering was easy. They were kind, explaining every item in detail, and the person who served our food was super nice. Since we were sharing, he brought us sharing plates. The place had limited seats, but we were able to get a place to sit, considering it was Valentine's Day.

Ana Becvar

Google
My goodness they are so quick. The same people have been working here forever and they never fail! The chicken teryaki is amazing on a bed of rice and little seaweed flakes on top. Plenty of parking, always open for dinner, always affordable, always delicious, and always makes you feel at home. They offer 3 bottles of sauce on the side as well that include spicy mayo and wasabi mayo. I highly recommend the Don style fries and they can drown it in teriyaki sauce and/or spicy mayo for you. Been coming here since the Austin location in 2017. Love yall!

pog expat

Google
Canteen style catering for university students. Most patrons are students. Portion was generous. Free seating bench style. Free bottled purified water. No real wow factor.

Jesus Gutierrez

Google
I drove an hour for this and trust me it’s worth it. So good. So delicious. Wish you guys were in San Antonio aswell so I could go every week

Christine Kehr

Google
With over 500 very positive reviews, I doubt I have much to add. Don Japanese Kitchen is an eclectic, small restaurant that fills quickly. The staff are really friendly, always so nice. Don serves Japanese cuisine offering chicken & seafood dishes, plus sashimi & rice bowls. We ordered Don Chicken, Nan Ban (giant popcorn chicken), N.Y. Strip, and Torch Salmon. All orders were served in a to-go box on a bed of steamed sticky rice with cabbage and pickled ginger. Our party ordered a side of Don Fries, waffle cut fries topped with Don’s house-made teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo. The quality is consistently very good and bottled water is free. Highly recommend.

Valeria Cardona

Google
First time! The curry sauce went so good with the chicken egg roll though I liked all of them. I got the belly entree and was gifted a poached egg to add on, and it made an already crazy good plate even better. Service was also quick and friendly, I could find parking immediately and was given a complimentary water. Wishing the chef and staff eternal life cause wow. Thank you‼️

Bella G.

Yelp
I miss when this place was in austin so much. Right behind the coop. Ugh. One day maybe. Dons is classic. Thanks for all you do for the community. The vibes are always awesome, the service is excellent, and the food is beyond tasty.

Chelsea L.

Yelp
Can't go wrong with katsu don! It was my first time coming to this location ever since they moved away from Austin. Happy to say the taste is just as I remembered! Still affordable with the same great taste. I love the different sauces they have esp the wasabi flavored one. You get a playing card so they can call for your order. The egg is an up charge. The beef one is really salty.

Anthony K.

Yelp
We went here based on the Yelp reviews. The employee at the counter was really helpful when we asked what we should order. Everything was fried and just too greasy. The entree was tasty, but the egg rolls too greasy. There are numerous sauce options. This is a great place for the college kids. It was full of them. I say that in a positive light because it is close to the campus.

Amanda L.

Yelp
Don has my heart. I tried something new today and it was the pork belly which was HORRIBLE. The sauce was overwhelming and the pork belly was so incredibly fatty I was a little nauseated. HOWEVER fries were delectable as always and so was the chicken karaage. Same with the sauces, they need to figure out how to bottle up those sauces. Vibes are always great and the people are so friendly. Cashier was 10/10. WILL COME BACK FOR MORE

Felicia C.

Yelp
Don Japanese Kitchen is a conveniently located spot near Texas State, making it a go-to for students and locals craving a quick bite. In a town like San Marcos, where Asian dining options are limited, this place holds its own pretty well. That said, coming from the SF Bay Area, I have to admit it doesn't quite reach the same level of quality that I'm used to, but it's still a decent option given the local scene. The service is decently quick, which is great if you're in a hurry, but the restaurant's small size can be a drawback. During peak hours, finding a seat can be a challenge since it's self-seating, and the place tends to fill up fast. Don Chicken - Solid choice--your standard chicken katsu. It wasn't extraordinary, but I liked that you can customize your meal with various sauces to suit your taste. The pricing is also reasonable, making it a budget-friendly option. While there's nothing particularly standout about Don Japanese Kitchen, it's a reliable and satisfying place to grab a meal. If you're in San Marcos and looking for some Japanese comfort food, this spot won't disappoint, even if it doesn't blow you away.

Heather R.

Yelp
First time using delivery for them (Yelp option routes this establishment through grubhub)--it was elusive for quite a while. I recommend preordering before they open or doing it early in their service hours; otherwise you get the message ordering is closed. May have to do with their parking lot, which gets pretty packed just with dine in and to-go customers. NY STRIP was cooked medium rare as stated in the menu. Haven't found a speck of gristle. Very good with teriyaki sauce, crunchy onions, and nori toppings and their standard arranged rice/cabbage/ginger base. I'd grabbed a fork/knife when I felt there were zero utensils in the grubhub bag, but in proper style the steak was already cut to be chopstick ready. Apologies to Don for my brief, rash assumption. EBI 4pc I should have opened and sampled this box first, since while I was eating steak steam was having a go at their perfect crunchy coating which suffered a bit for it. Still delicious, of course. Beautiful fat sweet shrimp with enjoyable properly cooked texture. VEGGIE CROQUETTE My first chance at it, as Mr T didn't share the Lenten croquette I ordered with his stir fry this spring. All the deep fried pleasure without the meat sweats, it was lovely. Only veg I recognized (as I took off tiny pieces to share with the pups) was delicious sweet corn. If I ever made croquettes--my house never has spare mashed potatoes for some reason--I'd aim to make them as good as these. It's obviously best fresh, but I'm enjoying leftovers the next day and feeling spoiled with new-to-me dishes. It's hard ordering anything other than their amazing pork belly when it's available. Try anything, including all their sauces if you're dining in. I haven't tasted one thing I've regretted here and their employees have been great every single visit.

Daniel T.

Yelp
If you live in San Marcos, then you know this is the late night spot to go for the Japanese dons. They used to be a food truck in Austin, but now a brick and mortar spot in San Marcos. You can't go wrong with anything here and you get a free onsen egg for your first visit. The wasabi mayo, curry mayo, and spicy mayo sauces are also amazing.

Ashley W.

Yelp
I have been eating this place for so many years! I have tried it as a food truck, store in Austin, and store in San Marcos. The Bobcat fries have minced meat, scallions, and lots of sauce! It is so yummy, basically an entree in itself. The food is always so consistent. I love all the dons (chicken, pork, tofu, fish)! The wasabi, spicy mayo, and curry sauce are a must try. Each bite, I dip it in another sauce! Service is always friendly, fast, and VERY personable. Love the umbrella lighting decor and huge playing cards. You always enter a food coma afterwards. If you don't, then you didn't eat enough :)

Karen W.

Yelp
Food was pretty good. Not many places to sit down. Definitely a good place for orders to go. Cute environment. We didn't have to wait long for our food even though they were busy.

Ilaan S.

Yelp
Needed to do this review to bring natural order to the universe, Yamoir. Don japanese has saved my life on multiple occasions. Whenever I needed a shoulder to lean on, Ryan and JCs massive lateral deltoids have always provided solace. I can't imagine my authentic Japanese food being cooked and served by anyone that can't rep 225, but luckily at don japanese kitchen this is a worry that you never have. I have been coming here almost every week from Austin for the past 4 years for anything from financial and investestment advice to Omi's handmade ice cream. This place is family and I'm Bengali Dom Toretto. For the people who miraculously stumble upon it passing through San Mo, please understand that your life is about to change. You will begin craving don chicken, waking up restless in the middle of the night, sleep-shopping for plane tickets to San Marcos. Your wife will beg you to try to replicate the spicy mayo recipe, worsening your marriage as she hovers over you in a whiplash-esque fashion. She'll cool off later on her date with her boyfriend. These are the sacrifices you begin to make in pursuit of one morsel of dons. You will have other rice bowls and pray they come anywhere close to the magnitude of that sweet sweet torch salmon. They never will. There's is legitimately not a single miss on the menu, my personal favorite is JCs smile, a delicious appetizer before you commit war crimes to the main entrees like the NY strip with 4 pieces of crunchy delectable ebi. Kids, let me translate for you, if you don't like dons, that is not Ohio skibbidi toilet rizz. Tell your parents you will not love them anymore if they don't take you to dons, and you will start smoking the marajuanas. I know these actions sound dire, but let me reiterate, these are the necessary measures you have to take to ensure you eat don japanese. Attached below is:

Tracy N.

Yelp
THE best bang for your buck! They give you so so so much good food and at a great price. I've had this place since I was in undergrad at UT Austin and went there consistently until I graduated. I just visited this location for the first time and I love how everything tastes exactly as I remembered. The Don with onsen egg (sometimes avocado) and chicken karage are my favorites. The chicken karage is the best I've had, can't find it anywhere else.

Carrie M.

Yelp
I LOVE DON. Don is the best restaurant in the world. I will follow Don to the ends of the earth. I have seen Don move from its brick and mortar location on 27th and Guadalupe to becoming a UT Coop food truck to its reign now in San Marcos. This was my first time at the San Marcos location, and I loved it. The restaurant has very nice Japanese decor, and I loved how the TV was playing first-person footage of walking through the streets of Japan. The staff were very friendly. I had the pork don (my former go-to) and takoyaki. It was sooooo good. I miss the $5 don days, but even now at $8.50 it is a great price. The portions are large. Love the fries too. The sauce is delicious. They give you bottled water free of charge when you order, which is so nice. I hope that one day, Don will make its return to the UT campus. Don is legendary.

Thu T.

Yelp
Yummy food, cool vibes, great service. What else are you asking for? The katsu is crispy and flavorful. They have different sauce bottles on the table for you to either mix in with your rice or dip your meat. One thing I must point out. They are crazy generous with their rice portion lol. It's like 2 heaping cups of white rice. I recommend you ordering an extra side to go with it or just save it for to go. Long tables and benches. Suitable for hanging out with friends or just for spending some me time. Fun decor and dark lighting make it suitable for many occasions. Plus it's walking distance from the campus, perfect for college students based on the price and the vibe.

Gabriel L.

Yelp
Don's Japanese Kitchen wasn't just a meal--it was a full-on orgy of flavor that left me wrecked, euphoric, and questioning every life decision I've ever made. I walked in hungry, but I left a changed person--no, scratch that, I left a satisfied, quivering husk of a human being, absolutely wrecked by how f***ing good that food was. Let's talk about that teriyaki chicken, yeah? That wasn't chicken--it was a tender, glistening lover on a plate, dripping with sauce so good I could've licked it off the floor. It was so crispy and succulent it felt like a dirty little secret between me and the chef. Every bite was like getting seduced in slow motion. The chicken didn't just melt in my mouth; it danced on my tongue like it was giving a private fing lap dance*. It was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and so damn sexy I was ready to get down on one knee and propose to it. I don't even know if I was eating it or making love to it, but whatever it was, I'm not sure it was legal. And then, there was the pork belly. Holy mother of God. That pork belly did things to me I can't talk about in public. It was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and every bite felt like it was whispering, "You dirty little foodie, you like that, don't you?" I wasn't just eating it--I was in a full-blown relationship with that pork belly. By the time I was done, I was sweaty, breathing heavy, and considering leaving my number on the plate. Even the vegetables got in on the action. That broccoli was so perfectly roasted and seasoned, it made me feel things no vegetable ever should. It was like a threesome on my plate--unexpected, wild, and entirely too satisfying. I took one bite and had to pause because my body couldn't handle the intensity. I'm not kidding when I say I almost called my ex to apologize for ever eating bland veggies during our time together. And the rice. Sweet, buttery Jesus, the rice. That rice wasn't just a side--it was a sensual fing experience*. Every grain was so soft and fluffy, I wanted to rub it all over my body. It was so perfectly cooked, I swear it was flirting with me. I found myself leaning in closer to the plate, whispering, "You dirty little carbs, you're too f***ing good for me." I would've happily died face-first in that rice and considered it a life well-lived. By the end of the meal, I wasn't just full--I was emotionally obliterated. Don's didn't just feed me; it absolutely fing destroyed me*. I stumbled out of there like I'd just had the wildest night of my life, shirt wrinkled, hair messed up, and a dazed look in my eyes. People on the street were staring, but I didn't care. I'd just had the best f***ing experience of my life, and I was ready to shout it from the rooftops. Don's Japanese Kitchen isn't just a restaurant--it's a sensory gangbang, a reckless, no-holds-barred flavor assault that leaves you breathless and begging for more. If you haven't been yet, sort your life out and get there. But be warned, --once you go to Don's, nothing else will ever f***ing compare.

Nikola I.

Yelp
Holy mother of miso, Don's Japanese Kitchen is whipping out pork belly so sinfully good it's like a steamy one-night stand on your tongue. I'm talking about meat so tender it practically begs you to tie it up, whisper naughty nothings in its ear, and then ravage it until you're left panting and sticky with sauce. It melts in your mouth like a stripper sliding down a greased-up pole, leaving you shamelessly moaning with each bite. I swear, this pork belly could seduce a vegan--just one whiff and they'd be down on their knees faster than a college freshman who "just wants to experiment." But the real freak in the backroom is that damn steamed rice. Holy rice-gasm! Every grain feels like a tiny, fluffy pillow massaging your taste buds and whispering, "Daddy's home." It's so perfectly cooked you'll want to shove your face into the bowl and motorboat it like you're making a porno flick for the Food Network. Combine it with the pork belly and it's basically the orgy your mouth never knew it needed. There's friction, there's heat, and there's a climax of flavor so intense you'll need a post-meal cigarette. get your ass to Don's Japanese Kitchen. The pork belly will seduce you, the rice will cuddle you, and by the end, you'll be screaming, "Yes, chef! More!" Trust me, you won't regret it--just bring a towel.

Look B.

Yelp
Love this place. Great food, friendly staff and sweet environment. The food is a different style than at the typical Japanese restaurant but in all the best ways.

Andrew R.

Yelp
My spouse and I got a to-go dinner here, and it was just perfect. The line was long, but moved quickly, and the staff was friendly and courteous. I had the veggie sauté and veggie croquette, and my wonderful spouse shared some of her seaweed salad with me. The stir fry was delicious: a deep tastiness pervaded the veggies, which were just crunchy enough, and the pickled ginger was wonderfully intense. Served on a bed of white rice, this absolutely made my evening.

Rachel H.

Yelp
This is one of the best and cheapest dining options in San Marcos. I usually get the Carriage or the NY strip and both are reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. Also the workers there always try to have a good conversation and are very kind.

Samantha L.

Yelp
loved don since it was a food truck behind the UT campus and some things really stay the same: from the taste (delicious) to the portion sizes (huge- lots of rice) to the wait time (still only a couple people working so long wait to order, long wait for food so factor that in) it's such a great choice for comfort food. - pork don: classic, honestly still my favorite (chicken don is solid as well) must add an onsen egg to whichever rice you choose and mix it in! so creamy and delicious - steak: not something i would usually get but they did such a good job cooking it, i'd vote for this one if you don't get the classic don - pork belly: also quite solid - tofu king: i really enjoy the tofu but wish the fry on the outside doesn't get soggy so quickly - veg croquette: i would also get this again, really yummy

Robert M.

Yelp
Very casual dining, you order at the counter, great food, great prices. If I lived here I'd be a regular.

Ben A.

Yelp
Phenomenal in food quality, atmosphere and customer service. They are so kind and the food is amazing for the price. They gave us a free poached egg with our entrees as it was our first visit and complimentary water bottles. You can tell the owner and staff actually care about their customers and making each visit the best possible experience for them. extra points for the jujutsu kaisen decor :) ps the takoyaki is delicious !

Jordyn M.

Yelp
Dons is so good, me and my best friend plan road trips from Austin just to go get it. Our go to is the Dons chicken, add the egg and some avocado. You can truly not go wrong

mya l.

Yelp
Amazing food, super friendly staff, great vibe in there. Very chill spot! I always have to go here if I'm in San Marcos

Kat S.

Yelp
Don should be considered for all local business awards for their exquisite food and impeccable service! will always make it a point to come eat whenever I'm in town.

Sam E.

Yelp
Ohhhhhh ya!!!!! Its so good! Its great!! Its so cool! The prices are fanfUcKintastic and the portions big!! The sauces are addictive. I have been meaning to come forever and it will be in the solid rotation now! The owners and workers were kind, informative and gave me a free egg on my rice as a welcome! DOMO ARIGATO!

Dorothy N.

Yelp
We went on a Tuesday night around 7pm and it was extremely crowded but the food came out in reasonable time. Food: 4.5/5 - I've been to Don's so many time I can't even count and it never fails to impress me. I ate at Don's before they relocated to San Marcus from Austin back when they were just a food truck. Now I make the drive from Austin all the way to San Marcus just to eat here. My favorite thing to get is the Pork Belly Don and the Don Style Fries. There's a delicious eel-like sauce and spicy mayo that goes over each dish that I look forward to every time. Better yet, it's extremely cheap. Best deal ever. Service: 5/5 - The cashier is always so friendly and warm. Never have any issues with the service. Ambiance: 4.5/5 - Don's is near a college town, if not in one in, so there are definitely a lot of college students that venture there. There's limited seating so it can sometimes be a little hard to find a place to sit and eat. That's probably the only complaint I have. Otherwise, the interior is super cozy and comfortable.

Erika B.

Yelp
Amazing! Hands down one of the best Japanese spots in all of Texas! I used to go to the don Japanese food truck back when it was located behind the Co-op near UT Austin. The lines would always be 15+ people long. I remember the prices being way lower back then too. Even though a lot has changed between now and then, this place keeps rocking! They have the best combination of flavors ever. I honestly hate that's it's so far away from me now, but to be honest, every time I pass by San Marcos I stop by to grab a bite. They're the best, and their mission to provide delicious and affordable lunch to students is what makes this business a GOAT. Will always be in love with your food, thank you so much to the Don Japanese Kitchen Team who always bring a a smile to my face and tummy!

Priya N.

Yelp
Dons is my absolute favorite. One thing I looked forward to, was going to Dons after a long day of class. The owners are great, food is amazing, and the bobcat fries are phenomenal- what more do you need?? The portions are plentiful and their sauces are amazing. The Chicken Teriyaki is very good and I would certainly get it again. One of the best places in San Marcos hands down.

Brian L.

Yelp
I've been going to Don since they first opened in Austin back in 2015. Sadly that is when I graduated UT, but it was enough to get me hooked. I would make the trek from Houston back to Austin fairly often and would always make it a point to stop by Don. Ed and Omi would always recognize me every time I went! I've since moved back to Austin, but so sad the austin location isn't around anymore. I now make the 45 min drive to this San Marcos location at least once a month for my Don cravings. Such good portions for the price, with great flavor with every dish. I've been obsessed with their veggie king for years! Just the fact that I'm willing to travel hours for this food speaks for itself. Anxiously awaiting another austin location

Jeslyn N.

Yelp
lol i took a pic halfway... anyways. ALL TIME FAVVVV. i go all the time and just trust everything is fresh and sooo yummy! the staff are soo nice and it's so cute inside! Food: 10/10 Overall: 10/10

Taven T.

Yelp
Drove all the way from Houston just to eat here again! Visited Austin and I knew I had to make the trek to San Marcos to eat here. They use to have a location in Austin but sadly they had to close that location down a couple years ago. It was well worth the drive! The prices are actually affordable to college students, which is so rare nowadays. You get so many fries for 5 dollars! The workers are all amazing people just like I remember. You can tell that they actually like working here. It's near TSU so a lot of young people dine here, but the atmosphere of the restaurant is so nice. I can definitely see myself driving down here again for another meal if I'm in Austin. Hope to see them return to Austin one day.

Mo B.

Yelp
My friend and l stopped in for lunch... we were immediately welcomed and had our order taken. The gentleman was very friendly and wanted to make sure he got our order correct... (we had ordered the steak, medium). He apologized and told us he was the only person working. You would never know it because he was on it! We didn't have to wait long before he brought out our meals. I realized we had forgotten to order beverages so l returned to the front (where you order your food) and he immediately came to help me. I ordered two beverages and he wouldn't charge me for the two drinks. The service was impeccable, he was very warm and friendly and the food was delicious! I highly recommend this place!

CarolAnn P.

Yelp
Man! I love this place! If I'm lucky enough to be in the San Marcos area during their open hours, this is one of my go-to comfort food places! Today I ordered the pork belly and anori fries... both were absolutely delicious and enough for me to have another meal later... the staff is so friendly and always have a smile, even when the line is out the door... it's super cute inside, like you are eating in the middle of an anime comic book

Vincent M.

Yelp
Dons is the best place in town to get food, hands down. The food always hits, the vibe is great, and the people working here are amazing. They are some of the friendliest people I've ever met and are so consistent with their work ethic. If you haven't found a reason to go to Dons yet, let this be the reason. On top of that they are super accommodating to diets like vegetarians and vegans so there's something for everyone. They hold it down!

Lauren S.

Yelp
I used to come here all the time when it was located in Austin by the UT campus. My friends and I loved the food so much we ventured all the way to San Marcos to try it again. I had the tofu, which I never had in Austin, so I can't compare directly, but the rest of my group said their food was tasty but a little different from how it was in Austin. Also, while prices have gone up, they've added a number of new menu items, which is exciting. The restaurant is also tucked into super cute location on a hill and was super bustling. One thing my friends all agreed is that Don tastes better as cold leftovers. The portions are huge so that's easy enough to manage.

Johnny N.

Yelp
I'm visiting from California and my nephew told me that it was good so we went there and I ordered #1 with pork. The food came out pretty quickly. The pork was crunchy. I added the wassabi sauce and it tasted ok. I tried the Spicymao and that tasted better. I tried the curry sauce and didn't like it. The service was great. The ambiance is a Japanese whole in the wall with 2 long tables and long hard bench seats.

Mei Li H.

Yelp
I love this place. Affordable, welcoming, delicious. That's really all you need to know and then you need to drive here to experience this place. I actually had Don's first at UT Austin when they were in a food truck. I loved that they still used the oversized playing cards as order numbers here in San Marcos and that they had a nice seating area. It's well AC'ed and eclectically decorated. The Don fries are best consumed fresh out of the fryer. The combine the best type of fry (waffle) with the best mixture of sauce. The waffle fries really increase that sauce to fry surface area. I could eat a whole box of these by myself and maybe even then some. The Pork Don is my all time favorite. The pork is cooked so well and is crunchy on the outside and yet not dry on the inside. I even got a soft boiled egg with mine and it was delicious! This place gives you a lot of food at a really good price. Every time I drive through or stop in San Marcos, I try and stop here.

Nate C.

Yelp
Quirky, funky, hip joint catering to the college crowd. I ordered the NY strip on rice. I can't remember what that is called in Japanese on the menu, but it was the only steak on there. The food was great. The service was great. The atmosphere was great. Really, it was all great. Come try it.

Frank J.

Yelp
Don Japanese kitchen is one of the GOAT eateries back at UT Austin. I was fortunate enough to come by to see the new shop in San Marcos. The food is as good as I remember and still gives a great amount for an affordable price. The pork don is fantastic and more than enough food to get you full. The servers are very kind and helpful. Hope you guys continue to expand and make it back to ATX eventually!

Eileana A.

Yelp
Amazing food - Amazing Service - and wonderful sweet ambience - with classical music in the background. We were greeted with a huge smile and felt instantly excited about our choice. The food came out and we were floored. Delicious , authentic and well priced.

Israel T.

Yelp
One of the greatest places near Texas State. I'm glad I found this before my years here in San Mo are over! P.S. this is a good place to show off to friends to make it look like you're cultured

loquai h.

Yelp
My favorite restaurant in San mo. The quality control here is amazing! The food is always amazing and the staff are super nice.

Samantha H.

Yelp
My favorite restaurant in San Marcos! Super fast, very affordable, and the most amazing food ever. Their fried tofu is the best I've ever had! The staff is always really friendly and even when it's busy they get the food out extremely quick. This place is top notch!

Raul O.

Yelp
The food at Don's is amazing, I've tried the popcorn chicken and Don's pork with the help of JC who is really knowledgeable, and they were both great. I loved mixing the sauce from the red bottle with the pork. If you don't get a drink they give you a water bottle on the house. For the price and the laidback atmosphere, you can't really beat it. Give it a shot, you'll probably love it too!

Nil C.

Yelp
Amazing service with amazing food, the employees are always super sweet and welcoming, one of my fav spots in San mo

Tim S.

Yelp
Simple inside, amazing food with big flavors, and even better prices! Cashier super friendly and took good care of me as first time visitor!

Mario A.

Yelp
Hands down some of the best food in San Marcos, the customer service is top notch. The vibe is just right too! I get the chicken teriyaki, or the tempura shrimp. Their fried chicken is AMAZING.

Graeme G.

Yelp
This place is great. Very cool front end mgr! The food blew me away. The line is because this is like a family/student/ everybody knows each other place. Happy, friendly people just getting their Japanese fix on! I will go again and again when I'm here.

Hannah N.

Yelp
Food and service are great. I've been a regular since I was a freshman in college years ago. My favorites are the takoyaki and the pork belly. Everything on the menu is flavorful and beautifully prepared. I always see the same guys working there and they do not disappoint. Their work ethic shows in the quality of food and service. The ambiance is fun and playful with the decor choice and is a great date spot or place to eat with friends. It's even nice to go there alone; the bench seating makes it feel less awkward to eat alone and I enjoy going there after work to just decompress. I cannot recommend this place enough. The food is absolutely delicious but the experience the workers provide is one of hospitality and comfort. I look forward to eating here hopefully for more years to come. Edit: I also forgot to mention I love that they support their community by having flyers for local events/orgs and have one of a kind artwork to purchase. Check out their Instagram too.