Otis!

Saeki-san and his wife run a small cafe, restaurant and late at night it transforms into a live house.

Located directly across from the Astel plaza and Kosei-Nenkin Hall and not far south down the main road from the famous peace park, Otis is easy to find.
It is a daytime treat for cafe lovers who endulge in American style pie and tex-mex dishes (great for vegetarians too).

It has also been a great place to get up and personal with bands that play here- I have seen RON and the RUINS play their crazy, non-sensical rock here and it was an unforgettable experience.

Next time you are in Hiroshima, you have to stop in for a bite or a drink and get a bit of real Hiroshima culture.

Otis gets especially busy during the biannual international Hiroshima Animation Festival held at the Aster Plaza across the street.
So, if you go, you can see the walls signed and animated by famous animators from around the world who have visited (and helped decorate) Otis.

Overall, Otis is a nice little cafe which serves tex-mexican food as well as the normal cake sets and drinks at the bar. Some evenings this place even turns into a live house, where a truly eclectic range of musicians jam the night away.

The dishes are small but not expensive and the food quality and taste is good. It's one of the few places in Hiroshima where you can get authentic tasting guacomole, tacos, burritos, and all the Tex-Mexican favorites.

Coffee and desserts are also popular here- the owner makes some delicious homemade pies and cakes- you won't find any pies like these in Japan!

If you send an email reservation through their homepage, you can get the advance ticket price on the door for their live music events.

Vegetarians will love their new lunch set of vegetarian chili and rice (or chips), salad and enchallada for under 1,000 yen. In fact, it is such a good bargain that you can add a nice piece of pie and a cup of coffee or tea and it is just over 1,000 yen.

Recently talking with the owner chef, Saeki-san, she lamented not being able to make everything completely organic, but she says she uses as many organic ingredients as are available.
jjwalsh 4/09

"Wholesome and Delicious"
Alicia - Wed Apr 2010
I have lived here for 6 months now, and I can't believe it took me so long to make my way to Otis! After having their veggie Enchilada, chili beans (beans! with perfect cumin seasoning!), and brown rice lunch special, I wish I could travel back in time and make Otis! one of my weekly eating habits. I am from OK, where we know a thing or two about tex-mex, and Otis! is among one of the more delicious tex-mex places I have ever eaten, any place in the world. The food is also made fresh by the sweet owners, who will explain items in English. They are understandably proud of the fact that they make their food fresh from good wholesome ingredients everyday. At 850Y for an enchilada, this place is also a great deal. This place is also very vegetarian friendly.

"Not worth the money"
Anonymity Personified.Sat Apr 2008
The prices at Otis are ridiculous for what you are being served. I went there twice just to be fair to the restaurant. Second time was not a charm. If you are craving Mexican, look somewhere else

"great place"
Matt - Sun Mar 2008
there was a group of about 10-12 of us and we all had a good time. everyone enjoyed the food. Otis was exetremly nice and even played a few songs for us using traditions japanese instruments.

"Relaxing"
CB - Mon Jun 2007
The place is great. They have a great selection of music and are more than happy to play whatever you bring in. The food tastes really good and the staff is very friendly. A nice small place to go eat with friends.

"For any and all moods"
Anonymity Personified.Mon May 2004
I've dined in Otis on a romantic date, also with a friend and I wouldn't hesitate going by myself for coffee, to browse through the magazines they have sitting next to the bar. I find the staff nice enough and my food has always been great. Their menu is rather unique in Hiroshima. Check it out yourself, I think it's worth the try!

"Good Place"
Gazzer - Sun Oct 2002
I don't agree that it is unfriendly, I have never found the staff anything but friendly. It always helps if you speak a bit of Japanese even if they can speak English, its polite! I like the food a lot- pretty good mexican and delicious cakes. I also think the atmosphere is warm and relaxing.