David Y.
Yelp
Hidden gems are rarely this literal. Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken is tucked away on the 5th floor of a building that looks nothing like a food haven. You can either take the elevator or go up 5 flights of stairs to reach a doorway that doesn't at all hint at a place where really good fried chicken can be found.
I've been here twice now for lunch with friends, and we are unanimous in our praise of the food and the service. I think the people that run Tokyo understand the limitations of their space and menu, and so go over and above with their friendliness and service (e.g., both times we ordered takeout but decided to eat there; both times they bent over backwards making us feel welcomed with an impromptu table, water, check-ins on how we were finding things, etc)
But with me, it's mainly about the food. While I liked their signature Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich (good portion size, nice fry, tasty sauce, but the slaw was limp and stringy, and the bun was too thick), the real hidden star of this place are the boxes. I got the Underground Combo Special, which has basically everything they serve (chicken karaage, Tokyo hot chicken, takoyaki and tofu on a bed of purple rice). The chicken was crispy and "popped" in your mouth (from a flavour and texture perspective), the takoyaki was nice and chewy, the tofu provided a good taste contrast to the chicken, and the purple rice just was a great base to everything. I heard about Tokyo because of the sandwich, but will definitely be coming back for the boxes. Hope this place doesn't stay hidden for long, coz I'd hate to lose out on having more of it!