Toshi’s is run by the guy who started it all: Toshi Kasahara, considered the godfather of Seattle-style teriyaki. He’s lent his name to plenty of teriyaki spots since his first in 1976, but this Mill Creek restaurant is his current base. It’s a vital pilgrimage for any true teriyaki fan.

This place calls itself a deli but really it’s mostly a beer shop with an impressive selection that also serves some of the best teriyaki in Ballard. Do yourself a favor and get a combo, which lets you add an egg roll or an order of gyoza to your box — and don’t forget that this place also does Korean fried chicken. (What’s can’t Choice do?) At lunchtime and when school gets out, students from nearby Ballard High can flood this place, so be warned.

It’s hard to know what to make of Itadakimasu upon first glance. The exterior suggests mid-1960s Tokyo diner, while the inside channels a soulful jazz lounge. Just know that the teriyaki here is leveled up, served on a fancier plate than the typical affair, and with options ranging from crisp takoyaki balls to chicken katsu. Simplify your life, though, by ordering the crisply fried mochiko chicken and going home happy.

Healthcare workers in the nearby hospitals can attest to the legitimacy of Yoshino’s Teriyaki, whose spicy options balance out teriyaki’s typical sweetness. There’s nothing fancy about this corner eatery, just huge chunks of mouth-watering protein, served on a bed of warm rice or yakisoba noodles.

Hidden downtown, Okinawa Teriyaki isn’t shy about its mammoth portions. The thick slabs of juicy grilled chicken are phenomenal, but Okinawa also serves a steaming, flavorful bowl of spicy chicken ramen if you’re feeling teriyakied out. The prices have remained consistently low, which makes this the ultimate spot for a quick lunch or takeout meal.

South Seattle is stocked with hidden gems that quietly dish out awesome food at low prices. Toshio’s is one of those places. The building is surprisingly modern, with big floor-to-ceiling windows in an open, loft-like structure. The staff is welcoming and friendly, making this a perfect spot for a quick bite or a cheap date night. The scrumptious tempura bites are a crispy complement to the teriyaki.

Family-owned Nikko Teriyaki has been satisfying starved West Seattlites for years. You won’t find much elbow room in this bustling mom and pop shop, but you will find some great teriyaki and even some surprisingly tasty Chinese dishes. For the noodle lovers, add the chicken or beef yakisoba to your meal, served hot off the grill.

Local celeb J. Kenji Lopez-Alt may not “get” Seattle’s love of teriyaki, but even he was wowed by the innovations at West Seattle’s Hawaiian-influenced Grillbird. They do the standard chicken teriyaki here, but also experiment with steak teriyaki, sesame tofu and cauliflower, and “Hawaiian Gold BBQ,” which tosses fried chicken in a sweet honey mustard–pineapple sauce. Their sides include mac salad and bok choy — no sad coleslaw cups here. When a format is a staid and traditional as teriyaki, this kind of stuff constitutes a revelation. Come get the next generation of teriyaki.