Ever dreamt of eating inside a fluorescent airplane without actually flying anywhere? That’s the culinary adventure you’ll embark on with Chubby Airlines inside Ikspiari at Tokyo Disney Resort. Is it worth eating here?

Let’s find out.

Chubby Airlines

You won’t miss the fluorescent yellow (green?) exterior on the second floor in Ikspiari. When you reach the Starbucks on your left take a right and you’ll go back outside. It’s directly under the Ippudo Ramen restaurant.

The interior is fun, vibrant, and downright strange. You’re inside what looks like an airport/airplane. The registers are the “check-in” counter and a few of the seats are inside a large airplane.

The design is not something I’d expect in Ikspiari.

What is there for food?

Your options are the “mugen chicken” which means “Infinite Chicken.” Followed by the fried potato with the choice of Truffle, Habanero, Corn Portage powder, or butter, honey mustard, or mentaiko (walleye pollack roe) dip. The churro with a cheese, strawberry sugar, or chocolate sugar flavouring. Then we have the drink bar.

Chubby Airlines is a fast-food restaurant, which is a much-needed addition to the food options in this shopping complex, that services boneless fried chicken, churros, and long fried potatoes (french fries). You read that right.

When you’re hungry having fewer choices makes life easier.

In addition to the boneless fried chicken, churros, and long fried potatoes, there’s a “drink bar” option. The term “drink bar” means unlimited refills and trust me when I say this is a bargain.

At ¥350 (US$3.00), you’re able to drink as much Coke, tea, coffee, or other soft drinks to your heart’s content. In most restaurants drink refills aren’t that common. In Ikpiari, the only other places that do drink refills are T.G.I. Friday’s and Outback Steakhouse.

How is the food at Chubby Airlines?

You’ll notice the flowers at the front of the restaurant. As part of the tradition in Japan, when a new business opens the companies they work closely with, give flowers to display.

I ordered one of everything off the menu. The boneless fried chicken, a churro, fried potatoes (french fries) with honey mustard dipping sauce, and the drink bar. I ordered the “set” to save myself a bit of money.

On the packaging is the slogan “Can you eat all of it?”

In Japan, portion sizes are usually on the small side. Not at Chubby Airlines. Their boneless fried chicken is anything but small. It’s an entire meal in itself. If you’ve had the fried chicken from 7-11, LAWSON, Family Mart, or any other convenience store in Japan, you’ll know how tiny those are.

The Chicken

As I mentioned above, it’s a whole meal in itself. Coming in at 15″ in length (that’s what the posters say) It’s quite large, juicy, and down-right tasty. It has seasoning on the outside that gives it some flavour. I mean, it’s fried chicken, what else do you need? It does the job and for ¥500 (US$4.00) that’s a fairly cheap meal.

The Churro

Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of churros, even the ones at Tokyo Disneyland. The closest I’ve ever come to enjoying a churro was at Disneyland in California. Anyway, the churros at Chubby Airlines have the same type of seasoning that the fried chicken does with added sugar. At least that’s what I was able to figure out.

Crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It was simply, OK. I wouldn’t get it again.

The Fried Potato (French Fries)

These incredibly long french fries are a staple found at a lot of festivals around Japan. You’ll never go wrong with deep-fried potatoes, ever. There are different seasonings you’re able to choose from. I opted for the honey mustard dipping sauce, which was delicious.

They’re quite tasty. The portion size is quite large, so I’d recommend sharing these with someone.

I washed everything down with my “drink bar” and made sure I got my money’s worth out of it. I tried the Melon Coke, Melon Soda, and had me some good ole Canada Dry Ginger Ale. There was no Coke Zero option (Diet Coke isn’t a thing in Japan). You’re asked if you want a hot or cold cup (you get one or the other). The hot cup is for the coffee machine if you prefer that.

Is Chubby Airlines Worth It?

Ikspiari is in desperate need of more fast-food restaurants. While there are more than enough sit-down casual dining restaurants there aren’t many places for a quick meal (except the Food Court which I’m not the biggest fan of). The fried chicken was the best part and I’d recommend that in a heartbeat. As for the other items, they were meh for me. The best value is the drink bar, so you can sit, relax, and drink all the Melon Soda you want.

Delicious, delicious, melon soda

I do love the interior as it’s so strange and vibrant, you can’t help but smile at how silly it all is.

If you’re on a budget and want something filling, tasty, and the option for unlimited refills, then you’ll want to roll with your suitcase to the check-in counter at Chubby Airlines in Ikspiari.

If you’re in the mood for a burrito bowl or tacos, then I highly recommend Guzman Y Gomez. That’s one of my favourite places to eat in Ikspiari.

Now, one of the best pieces of the decor is this saying below that is now my mantra.

The mantra that I live by

Review Summary

By

Chris Nilghe

Review Date

2020-07-12

Reviewed Item

Chubby Airlines

Rating

3