Interview with the owner, Mr. Iwata
About the origin of the store's name
First, please tell us the origin of the store name "pas a pas".
Iwata
It means "step by step" or "steadily" in French. I named it with the meaning of moving forward step by step and steadily.
Commitment to hamburgers
Why are you so committed to hamburgers?
Iwata
Hamburgers can be eaten by both children and adults, I guess.
In reality, while it seems easy to make, it is difficult and profound. Various things change every day. Sometimes the taste surprises even me. When you delve into it, there is no end, which is significant.
At first, it was "Western-style restaurant." Please tell us the reason why the sign changed to "hamburger shop" after reopening.
Iwata
At first, there were Western-style menu items like omelets and cutlets. I was doing it with low profit and high sales, but what I really wanted to sell was hamburgers.
So, I decided to focus solely on hamburgers and changed the menu to only hamburgers. I would be happy if people thought, "I want to come here because I want to eat hamburgers."
I also love the hamburgers at "pas a pas," and I come to the shop whenever I crave hamburgers. By the way, could you tell me about the popular and recommended hamburgers at your shop?
Iwata
Both the popular and recommended one is definitely the "braised hamburger."
From the disaster until now
If possible, could you talk about what happened after the July 2018 heavy rain disaster affected your shop?
Iwata
My home was in a different area from the shop in Mabi, but both my shop and home were flooded due to the July 2018 heavy rain.
On the night of July 6, 2018, I was evacuated to the Kibiji Clean Center, but I heard that my father was still at the shop, so I went back once. However, my father had already evacuated, and while I was doing that, the water was approaching, and I couldn't escape.
I evacuated to the roof of a convenience store with my wife, son, and beloved dog. We spent the night on the roof...
In the end, the shop was flooded up to the top of the second-floor window.
That sounds tough... What happened to your residence after that?
Iwata
Since my wife is from Aichi Prefecture, I sent my wife and son back to Aichi, and I started living in a tent inside the flooded shop with my dog. It was difficult to evacuate elsewhere with a dog.
From the end of July to the beginning of September, I lived in a tent without electricity while cleaning up the shop.
I see.
Iwata
When I really thought it was hopeless, my heart would break. I tried to enjoy this life, thinking that it was just for now.
Beetles flew into the house, and I would talk to my dog, saying, "It's like the end of the world, but it's fine."
I thought it would be okay to take it slow, and I went on with "step by step."
When did you decide to reopen the shop after the July 2018 heavy rain?
Iwata
Immediately after the disaster, the carpenter who had previously helped with the shop came to help with the cleanup. I realized that to make a living, I had to continue the shop, so I decided to reopen right away.
After that, the carpenter and related businesses all cooperated, and we started the renovation work every day from around 6 a.m. to past midnight.
Then, on December 1, 2018, we successfully reopened. Thanks to everyone's cooperation and support.
We created a space on the first floor where we could sleep, and since the end of January 2019, my family of three and our dog have been living here as a combined shop and home.
Finally, please tell us what has made you happy and what you find rewarding about running the shop.
Iwata
I am really happy when customers come back multiple times and share about us on blogs and other platforms.
In particular, it brings me joy to witness the growth and life journey of customers, like when a man who used to come alone brings his girlfriend and later brings his child.
When we reopened the shop, many people from Mabi said, "We were waiting for you." I was truly grateful.
The store that made me fall in love with Mabi
For me, "pas a pas" is the restaurant I visited for lunch with my husband before we got married, and it taught me about the deliciousness of vegetables from Mabi.
It is also a symbol of special "happy meals."
The tender hamburger that pairs with the demi-glace sauce, which takes four days to prepare, is a special taste that cannot be found elsewhere.
Please make sure to visit Mabi, which is steadily moving forward with its recovery, to enjoy Mr. Iwata's exquisite hamburgers.
Data on the hamburger shop pas a pas
| Name | Hamburger shop pas a pas |
|---|---|
| Address | 1016-9 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-698-5817 |
| Parking | Available 3 cars |
| Business hours | 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Last order at 2:00 p.m.) |
| Regular holiday | Sunday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservation | Available |
| Seating | 14 seats in total 2-person tables: 3 4-person tables: 2 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | High chairs available |
| Website | Western-style restaurant pas a pas Twitter |
