A&W iias Okinawa Toyosaki Store
When you come to Okinawa, how can you miss the local classic—A&W burgers? This shop is almost a representative brand of American burgers in Okinawa and holds many childhood memories for the locals. Interestingly, Okinawa is the only place in Japan with branches left, and even globally, you can only find them in Okinawa, Malaysia, and Singapore, making it a very rare presence.
This time, I ordered their classic A&W burger combo, paired with the super famous ROOT BEER. At first, you might think it's beer, but it’s actually a flavorful soda. Personally, I love it, and the best part is—you can get free refills, which is really enjoyable!
The burger itself didn't disappoint either, with rich cheese, a special sauce, bacon, a thick meat patty, and crispy fried onion rings, making for a richly layered experience. Each bite encapsulates the essence of American fried food style, satisfying for those who enjoy strong flavors. The fries and onion rings that came with the combo were also fried to a crispy texture. Personally, I'm a "no salt, no dip" person, simply enjoying the taste of the potatoes themselves.
However, compared to the store on Kokusai Street, this branch clearly shows a lack of care in burger preparation. We ordered two burgers, and both were pressed down looking ugly and flat, which is simply not how a burger should be made. It even gave me the impression that it might have been intentional...
During this trip to Okinawa, I became a fan of A&W and even bought a brand T-shirt from this store. Overall, the food is still very delicious; it’s just that the burgers from this particular shop were really poorly made.