Kentucky Fried Chicken Mitaka

(3.5÷5 stars)
Beyond Unilocal 100 Challenge 2015 — 15/​?
OK, why Review a world-​famous fast food chain, in Japan, of all places? Because they’re fun, they’re exciting, they’re cheap, they’re…awww, nevermind. It’s a bit of a challenge when they have standardized everything literally across the board. However, variations in location and staff will provide experience differences.
This KFC has been around at this location for quite a long time. The building itself was remodeled and upgraded a few years ago, and as you know, the menu is constantly being changed for seasonal and promotional specials.
Normally I just order to go, but today I decided to dine in on the second floor. Upon ascending the stairs, my Unilocal radar kicked in to pick up more Unilocaly tidbits.
Observations:
+ Dining Amenities: ⁴⁄₅ overall
— Full dining area on the second floor; seating on the first floor also available
— Dedicated smoking room — walled off by a nearly floor to ceiling window wall
— Brightly lit, comfortable atmosphere
— Semi-​industrial seating and furniture — designed to make sure you don’t get too comfy
+ Other Features — 3 overall
— Ample parking in back for cars; bicycle parking in front gets full rather quickly
— Good access for cars, bicycles, pedestrians
— Drive-​thru window (rare in Japan!)
+ Menu — 3.5 overall
— Standard menu (4), consistent at all locations in the Tokyo area (heard there are minor local variations at locations in other parts of Japan)
— Chicken always good (4 stars); sandwiches pretty good too (3.5)
— Fries (1.0!!!) Sorry; maybe they can order out from McDs down the street?
— Sets (4) are a good value, especially for take out
+ Other — 3.5 overall
— Ambiance (3.5) — much better and warmer than industrial plastic defining the sterile, pseudo-​suburbia hipster style of McDs.
— Cleanliness (3) — they do an okay job of keeping things clean and orderly in the seating area; of course, the kitchen area is spot clean
— Staff (4) — young, friendly although pretty much just following the manual. At least they’re pleasantly consistent, and yes, they do smile! Yay!
So without diving into a close up of limited items on the menu (I don’t come here often enough to fairly judge the entire menu), perhaps you see this as a good value and alternative to the often crowded and more «plastic» burger place down the street. I could see myself enjoying decent value and relaxing here. No rush, no irritating music and no obnoxious giggling kids. YMMV