Frequently Asked Questions

  • Teriyaki holds a special place in the hearts of Seattle residents. The passion for teriyaki in Seattle is unmistakable, making it a culinary icon; every neighborhood usually has a few teriyaki shops.

    Toshi Kasahara, an esteemed Japanese chef who has called Seattle home for many years, is often hailed as the pioneer of Seattle's teriyaki scene. Back in 1976, Toshi introduced the city to its inaugural teriyaki establishment, located in close proximity to the iconic Space Needle.

    Teriyaki is a term used to describe a cooking technique and a type of sauce that is typically associated with Japanese cuisine. As a cooking technique, teriyaki involves grilling or broiling meat, fish, or other protein sources while gently basting them with a sweet and savory sauce.

    However, the Seattle-style teriyaki takes a subtle departure from this traditional Japanese approach. This variation incorporates fresh ginger and garlic into the teriyaki sauce, which serves as a marinade for meat, allowing it to soak overnight. The marinated meat is then expertly grilled over gas or charcoal, culminating in a final drizzle of teriyaki sauce. The result? — beautifully charred on the outside and succulently tender on the inside. A harmony of savory-sweet with a subtle smoky undertone. A humble dish with big flavor that has continued to feed the hungry bellies of Seattle.

  • Absolutely! One of the things that sets us apart is commitment to a mainly gluten free menu. We love our GF and celiac customers and we take your health very seriously. Our signature teriyaki sauce is made with GF tamari. In fact, unless stated otherwise, all of our sauces and dressings are gluten free. Furthermore, we use best practices to avoid cross-contamination by using dedicated gluten free deep fryers, separate prep areas and in general, keeping our gluten items as far away from GF items as we can, like our mac salad. Most of our menu is gluten-free, however there are some items that simply cannot be made GF. When ordering please select the particular options to make sure we prepare your meal correctly and safely.

  • We understand the importance of providing nutritional information to our customers, and we apologize for not having that information readily available at this time.

    As a small, independent restaurant, we do not have the same resources or capabilities as larger chain restaurants to conduct detailed nutritional analysis and provide accurate nutrition facts. Our focus has always been on crafting delicious, high-quality dishes using fresh ingredients, and while we make every effort to create a diverse menu that caters to various tastes and dietary preferences, we do not have the means to offer comprehensive nutritional information.

    In the meantime, if you have specific dietary concerns or questions about our menu items, please don't hesitate to ask our staff. We are more than happy to provide ingredient information and assist you in making informed choices based on your dietary needs.

  • The short answer is no.

    The decision to discontinue offering halal chicken is not one we took lightly, and it was not made without thorough consideration. We have always aimed to meet the diverse dietary preferences and needs of our customers. However, over time, we had observed a decreased demand for halal chicken at our establishment.

    We understand that this change may affect some of our valued customers who have enjoyed our halal chicken offerings in the past, and for that, we apologize. Please know that your satisfaction and comfort in dining with us remains of utmost importance, and we have worked diligently to ensure that our other menu options continue to meet your expectations.

  • Yes.

    It's important to us that you have a clear understanding of our ingredients and the choices we make in our culinary creations.

    MSG is a food additive that we incorporate into select menu items to enhance flavor and provide a unique umami experience. Umami is known as the fifth taste sensation, characterized by a rich, savory, and deeply satisfying flavor. MSG is a natural and pure source of umami, derived from glutamate, an amino acid found in various foods like tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms.

    It's worth noting that MSG has been extensively studied and deemed safe for consumption by numerous health organizations, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, MSG is found in many common foods and is often used to reduce the overall sodium content of dishes while intensifying their flavor.

    The misconceptions and concerns surrounding MSG, sometimes referred to as the "Chinese restaurant syndrome," have largely been debunked by scientific research. Many people who report adverse reactions to MSG are likely experiencing the nocebo effect, which is a psychological response, rather than a true physical reaction.

    At Grillbird, we strive to create a diverse and delicious menu that caters to a variety of palates. The use of MSG in some of our dishes is a conscious choice to deliver exceptional flavor experiences and a genuine umami taste. We are committed to your satisfaction, and we're always here to address any questions or concerns you may have about our ingredients or preparation methods.

  • We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you were not satisfied with your meal or experience, please reach out to us here and we will always make it right for you.

  • Our commitment to the environment and our sustainability efforts are a continual journey. All of our food containers and packaging is compostable or recyclable if possible. However, due to supply chain issues and availability we cannot always guarantee to offer sustainable packaging.

  • Our primary goal is to provide the best possible ordering and pick up experience to all of our customers. Unfortunately, over time, we encountered challenges with phone orders that impacted the overall quality of our service. These challenges included order inaccuracies, miscommunications, and extended wait times for in-person customers. We believe that making this adjustment will help us maintain consistency and improve the quality of service for everyone.

  • Currently we are take out only.

  • Grillbird does not deliver directly, but instead uses Uber Eats exclusively as our delivery app partner.

  • Absolutely! We are more than happy to cater your event. We offer our entire menu to be served in larger, sharable containers or individually. All catering orders are to be picked up in-store, however in certain circumstances we can deliver. Please reach out here to start your catering request.

  • At Grillbird, we have implemented an ordering system that utilizes an algorithm to ensure a fair and efficient process for all of our customers.

    Our platform determines the number of orders we can accept in a particular time based on factors such as kitchen capacity, staffing, and order preparation times. This approach is designed to maintain the high quality and timely service that you expect from us. By distributing orders evenly, we can minimize wait times and ensure that each order receives the attention it deserves.

    In general and depending on how busy we are, we try to prioritize walk-in customers.

  • While we are not currently pursuing franchising opportunities, we greatly appreciate the interest and support from our loyal customers and potential franchisees. Your enthusiasm for our brand is a testament to our success, and we are truly grateful for it.

    We continue to focus on delivering a memorable dining experience at our current location and are exploring ways to expand our presence while maintaining the high standards we have set for ourselves. If there are any updates or changes in our franchising approach in the future, we will certainly keep our valued customers and the public informed.

  • Yes!

    Our goal is to bring our unique flavors and dining experience you love to more locations and communities. We have received overwhelming support and encouragement from our valued customers, and we want to ensure that even more people can enjoy what we have to offer.

    While we may not have all the details available at this moment, please stay tuned for updates on our expansion efforts. We are committed to preserving the quality, service, and authenticity that you've come to expect from us as we embark on this exciting journey.

  • Absolutely! You can purchase them in-store or online here

  • Please start your donation requests here.