In January 2007, Tojo's (Japanese) in Vancouver moved from a modest, small space to a much larger, more stylish place just down the street. But that wasn't the extent of the changes. The menu was completely redone and the food quality was really bad. The old Tojo's was famous for amazingly fresh cuts of sashimi, omakase set dinners and affordable (for what you get) prices.

The new Tojo's is all about appearance and none of the substance. The service was lacking, the food was extremely expensive (CAD 66+ for about 8 slices of average toro). At the old Tojo's, I remember ordering Toro nigiri sushi for CAD 3.25 apiece. No longer. :(

I was so disappointed in how everything had changed that the new Tojo's was the first restaurant at which I had sent food back, at which I walked out at paying only a portion of the bill. How disappointing. I flew out pretty much just to experience Tojo's - it had always been known as a place where sushi lovers made pilgrimages at. My advice now? Save your money.

Do you know of any other restaurants where expansion doomed the restaurant?

I find Tojo's to be one of the most overrated restaurants in town. Prices certainly does not reflect quality there. :td: More of a tourist spot than local.

Pizzeria Uno and Due. In the 80s, these restaurants only existed in Chicago (Uno's started its expansion around the late-80s, I believe).

Now, there's an Uno's everywhere...and the pizza sucks. It's nothing more than a bad chain with standard recipes for everything.

They're making a lot more money now, but knowing what the food quality was, I've found other pizzerias in the city that are better.

I find Tojo's to be one of the most overrated restaurants in town. Prices certainly does not reflect quality there. :td: More of a tourist spot than local.

Are you talking about the Tojo's before January 2007, because the old Tojo's wasn't expensive at all and the food was amazing.