Shōbu by Kengo Now Open At Hollywood Casino Toledo

Today, Chef Kengo officially opened his third Toledo area restaurant, Shōbu by Kengo, inside Hollywood Casino Toledo. Local residents joined the celebration by attending the ribbon cutting accompanied by Chef Kengo and his amazing staff, Toledo Mayor Kapszukiewicz, and Rossford Mayor MacKinnon III.

Guest can expect traditional sushi, yakitor, as well a unique cocktail selection. The Kengo brand is known to provide high-quality service, fresh ingredients, and feelings of small-town hospitality yet big-city vibes. A few new items solely for Shobu will grace the menu alongside Kengo staples like negitoro rolls, bacon-wrapped tomatoes, wagyu, and skipjack.

The name “Shobu” is Japanese for “challenge” and was chosen as a tribute to Kengo’s accomplished father, Isao Kato, aka “Papa K.”

“Making my dad proud and honoring the Kato name is always on my mind,” Chef Kengo Kato said. “My dad was at the forefront of Japanese cuisine in NYC and one of the first to bring sushi to America. He is a recognized artist and culinary trailblazer. To open a third restaurant and follow in his big footprints is a challenge but one which I am honored to do with Hollywood Casino in this great city! Toledo has shared so much love with me and my family over the past 16 years. I hope that Shobu will be a place where guests share that same love. My partners and I at the casino are proud to be able to share our staff, which has been curated from a joint passion for culinary arts and hospitality in the service industry. We welcome the guests to this urban lifestyle here in Toledo.”

This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend the soft opening of Shobu by Kengo. We enjoyed a spectacular 9 course tasting menu. I loved every single bite. The cocktails are pretty amazing too!