Sunday, March 15, 2009

Hungover Sunday afternoons at Ata-go & Seyhan







Six years ago I swore never to walk into any of the fast food chains from McDonald's to Subway,but that did not diminish my cravings for a burger or a kebab on Sundays.Its the day when I wake up with a hangover from the Saturday binge and really need these meaty,heavy meals with another beer or Coca cola with lots of ice.Bet you know the feeling too and for me just any joint wouldn't do it. The food had to be good and done with care. Today I will introduce to you one of the best places I have settled down for after some horrendous experiences.
Ata-go Sasebo burger plus cafe
The concept of Sasebo was born south of Japan,close to Hiroshima where all the US army bases are.With loads of soldiers posted dying for a good American style burger.Sasebo burger comes in a big bun (bigger then Big mac)with a choice of 150-200 gram patty and stuffed with all the goodies a fried egg,crispy lettuce,fresh tomatoes,bacon,ketchup and mayonnaise.There are different franchises owned by individual owners who put their own touch to the burger.

I met Takeshi owner of Ata-go three years ago.During that time he used to run ata-go in Minami horie in a place which used to convert into a disco in the night.With this part time business becoming popular he decided to go big and opened up shop in the Namba walks shopping arcade.Originally a jewellery designer he modelled his shop in an American Navajo style joint where he sells Six kinds of burgers and a big list of side dishes from buffalo wing ,Blt,etc.

My favourite after trying all is the Ata-go burger with 200gram beef patty loaded with bacon,lettuce,fried egg,tomatoes.All of this comes to in a plastic bag to catch all the juices that fall of and get your fingers messy.

The menu is all in Japanese but order the Ata -go burger,its the biggest 950¥guaranteed to fill you up.Or add 300 for fries or soft drink set or 450 ¥for a beer.Corona or any bottled beer is 500¥.Choice between chicken or burger patty.Burgers range from 800¥to ¥950

Ata-go is located at the end (south side) of namba city walk food court,just below the tracks.

Telephone:0666442448
Seyhan
With a few hundred Turkish people calling Osaka home no wonder there are so many Turkish restaurant popping up everywhere.But there is not a single joint which sells a great kebab every single kebab is smothered with the horrible instant cocktail sauce and filled more with cabbage then with meat.In Europe I always walked down after the pubs closed to the kebab joint where you could choose from at least three varieties of kebabs.Stuffed with onion and parsley salad,sliced tomatoes great tasting meat and Tzaziki(yoghurt mint sauce)it was a meal in itself,a perfect sandwich.So after trying out quite a lot of places in osaka I have settled in for Seyhan.Seyhan is a professional Turkish chef who used to work for a Turkish restaurant that closed down.He opened up his small joint right in front of the the Osaka prefecture gymnasium.

Seyhan serves a wide rage of dishes starting from 600¥-¥1000 yen.

He too smothers his kebabs with cocktail sauce but if you insist and ask him he will make you a great kebab with onions,tomatoes and yogurt sauce.Also try the Durum kebab,beef onions and tomatoes wrapped with homemade pita ¥950.Iskender kebab is another one of my favourites,cubes pita sauteed in butter,topper with sliced beef yogurt and tomato sauce ¥900.

Seyhan is open everyday from 11:00am-10pm

Telephone:0666362200

Osaka-shi,Naniwa-ku Nambanaka 1-14-12




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