A&W Okinawa – The first outlet in Japan
Singaporeans love A&W, especially the curly fries, coney dog, and Root Beer! However, it had been almost 15 years since we had an A&W outlet here in Singapore, when the last one shuts its door in 2003. And so when we visited Okinawa, we would make sure to have the famous American hamburgers and root beer.
Not just any restaurant, we visited the first ever A&W outlet in Yagibaru Kita-Nakagusuku that had been at this same location since 1963. Since then, local franchises had grown that number to around 30. But there are still no signs of A&W in mainland Japan.
As with most restaurants in Okinawa, this A&W is clean, spacious and even a drive thru. We ordered a chicken burger and coney dog, together with curly cheese fries, and of course, the root beer. The meal was really nice and totally enjoyable knowing that this is probably the same menu that this restaurant had been serving for the past 50 over years.
Lots of merchandise are on sale inside the restaurant too. T-shirts, cups, magnets, and other goodies. The design and layout of the restaurant did not look like a fast food chain. Instead, it resembles more of a family style restaurant.
Getting Rooty, the A&W bear mascot, to sit with us for our dinner.
Surprised to find a hamburger fast food restaurant selling some yummy looking dessert too!
For those from Singapore, I am sure visiting aa A&W restaurant and eating coney dog on Tuesday were some of your childhood memories. If you ever visit Okinawa, be sure to go to an A&W and eat the famous burgers and root beer.
