【Drive-in Meals】Enjoying "Steak Bowl" from a long-established meat shop while viewing the spectacular dam in Hannō City, Saitama Prefecture

I want to drive my car to my favorite place and enjoy takeout meals in a comfortable car interior. The destination for my solitary drive-in meal was Ōnoya Meat Shop in Hannō City, Saitama Prefecture. And I will enjoy it along with the breathtaking view of the dam.

I had been curious about the take-out shop, "Meat Shop Ohno-ya" in Hanno City

I wanted to casually enjoy my favorite take-out gourmet in the car, having a meal while also appreciating the breathtaking view where the car is parked. So, I drove to the long-established meat shop "Meat Shop Ohno-ya" in Hanno City, which I had been interested in for a while.

Originally, I was intrigued by the shop when passing by on the street in front of Hanno Station. The shop's traditional appearance and approachable atmosphere drew me in.

I decided on a steak bowl from their extensive and affordable menu

Upon researching, I found a rich selection of bento boxes, with prices starting from the 600 yen range. After some deliberation, I chose the highly rated "steak bowl" (890 yen). By the way, there are many other side dishes available aside from bento, and I think it would be fun to buy various items individually.

There is a parking lot in front of the store, so you can shop with peace of mind even by car. Additionally, the staff are cheerful and kind, and while waiting for my order to be ready, regular customers seemed to be coming and going. It’s an old establishment that is celebrating its 76th anniversary this year, and seeing this popularity makes the reason for its success clear.

Facility Name: Meat Shop Ohno-ya
Location: 10-15 Inari-cho, Hannō City, Saitama Prefecture
TEL: 042-972-2871
Closed: Tuesdays, first Monday of the month

When it comes to spectacular views in Hannō, "Arima Dam" comes to mind.

Speaking of good scenery in Hannō, it is indeed "Arima Dam." It was a weekday, but drivers and riders were taking breaks in front of the stunning view. Among the riders, there were some cooking cup noodles or something with a gas burner. Perhaps many people want to have a meal here (laughs).

I also parked the car and began preparing for a meal. That said, I only used a DIY bed kit installed in my Jimny as a table. By opening all the windows and positioning myself so that the lakeside can be seen from the passenger side, the dining setup is perfect.

I was surprised by the tenderness of the meat in the steak bowl

When I took the lid off the steak bowl, the sweet and sour aroma of the steak sauce, likely dominated by onions, stimulated my appetite. The side of potatoes was also a pleasant surprise. Well then, let's eat!

Just one bite and I was shocked by the tenderness! There was also a higher-end steak menu, "Kuroge Wagyu Steak Ju" (1980 yen), but the quality at this reasonable price is astonishing. The flavor of the steak sauce was exactly as I imagined from the aroma, with a sweet and sour finish that everyone would love.

A cool breeze flowed through the window, making the experience of eating steak bowl in a comfortable and refreshing space even better. Enjoying gourmet food from a renowned restaurant without the need to line up, in my own little space, is simply the best.

If you want a convenient meal in the car, you can enjoy gourmet food from top restaurants wherever you like

Finally, I finished off with an iced coffee from a convenience store and thoroughly enjoyed my meal in the car. It seems fun to pick up other things to enjoy along with the packed lunch, just like iced coffee. Even if people come around, since a private space inside the car is guaranteed, it doesn't bother me at all. I truly loved this "meal in the car," and I plan to enjoy takeout gourmet food along with more attractive scenery again.

Interviews and text by Kazuma Tanaka

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