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Blue Island Sushi and Roll
Category: Restaurants Sushi Bars Sushi Bars [Edit]
35002 Pacific Hwy S(between 348th St & 350th St)
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 838-5500
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 2:30 pm
Mon 5 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sun 12 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
96 reviews for Blue Island Sushi and Roll
Review Highlights
"The price is great, the service is always good."
(in 4 reviews)
"This is one of my favorite sushi places to go to."
(in 3 reviews)
"They have a great selection of sushi and the service was..."
(in 3 reviews)
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96 reviews in English
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Review from Kelly M.
9/8/2011
At first, I was a little skeptical about this place. Not sure why, I think I've been to so many conveyor belt places that I stopped expecting so much. Well, first off I was not disappointed with my visit here. The staff are quite friendly and if its not too busy, you'll get seated promptly. Even on one of my visits, I only waited for about 5min and they were pretty busy.
There's a good selection on rolls here, a lot of them I don't even recognize but that is kind of the fun part. Fish tastes fresh and you get good portions. I only grabbed 3 or 4 plates on all my visits. My favorite is a dish I don't recall a name for, its diced tuna (of course!) drizzle with a sesame and spices dressing. I only wish it was one of my first plates I had grabbed because I was already full after eating it. The thumbs down dish, their fried calamari which is supposed to be crispy when fried, right? The breading was soggy and totally killed the dish.
I would compare the prices to more like Blue C, I doubt you'd spend only $10 for just yourself. Well, maybe if you just stick with the basic rolls. I seem to spend closer to $20 when I go.
The restaurant is nice though, quite colorful and bright. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. -
Review from Sylvia T.
Tacoma, WA
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Okay first let me say I'm not a Sushi fan. I've never really been into raw fish...
As you enter it has high ceilings and modern open feel. There is a special of the day sign up front near the hostess counter.
This was my first time there; my coworkers wanted sushi and told me they had more then sushi on the conveyor. They were right they had popcorn chicken, orange, chicken, and some other cooked sushi varieties.
For dessert they had cream puffs and chocolate mousse pie.
I had several plates; the plates are priced by color. You can either order from the waitress or get items off the conveyer if they have something that looks good just grab it. At your table they will bring you drinks, it's stocked with chopstix and little saucer bowls for your dipping of either soy, wasabi, or ginger.
There are good selection of rolls and some you can't recognize from the menu. if you are particular picky eater, just order off the menu. vs. conveyer until you get accustomed to it.
Would I go again? Sure with a friend that loved Sushi. I'm still not a huge fan of sushi. but the other stuff is good enough for me to tag-a-long with someone that loved sushi. -
Review from Mike R.
Puyallup, WA
12/22/2011 4 Check-ins Here
For belt sushi, this place is pretty good. Fresh and healthy are my primary sushi concerns, but I've never had a complaint about their freshness. They offer pretty much the standard sushi fare and I've been here probably 50+ times over the past 2 years. I wouldn't say it's anything special, but it's definitely passable though their prices are a bit on the high side. There are some consistent problems, however:
Service - This is hot and cold. They have 2 or 3 great waiters. The rest of them like to congregate at the beverage station and it takes an act of Congress to get them to refill a drink or bring your check. At least 5 times we couldn't find our waiter and sat for nearly 20 minutes waiting for a check and another 10 for them to run the credit card. Lunch time is particularly bad as they don't often have their all-star waiters working lunch it seems. (Disclaimer: I haven't been during lunch for at least a year because of how terrible the service was.)
Tables - These people are nazis about their tables!! Sometimes you want to sit across the table from someone and talk to them face to face as opposed to sitting at the bar looking in parallel directions. Do *not* expect to sit at a table if you have fewer than four people. Additionally, do *not* expect to sit at a table if you say you have a party of four and not everyone is there yet.
Long waits - They typically only use half of their sushi belt except Friday and Saturday nights in my experience. This can be utterly obnoxious when there are 20 people waiting to sit down and half of the restaurant is unused. I've waited quite a long time for a seat before.
Strange hours - Don't be surprised if you show up for some sushi at 3:00 and the place is closed. They have a strange schedule that I can't keep track of, so be sure if you go, you go during normal meal hours.
Full Bar? Yeah right! - They do have a full bar. The only thing they're missing is a bartender. I ordered a drink on a few occasions only to be told that they don't have a bartender so they can't make it. It's sad because a couple of years ago they had a great blue margarita.
American Express - They have a huge stack of AmEx trays for presenting the check, but they don't accept AmEx.
Overall: It's passable sushi for a reasonable (though a bit on the high side) price if you don't mind slow service, a bit of a wait, and not being able to look at your dining partner(s). -
Review from Julio R.
Federal Way, WA
2/1/2012
This is by far my favorite sushi belt restaurant. I been to others in northgate, kent , and southcenter and this one is the tastiest and most affortable. I like their moderate pricing since i can actually try a couple of their premium sushi pieces without breaking the bank in the process.
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Review from Em L.
Auburn, WA
2/8/2012
super duper pricey
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Review from Bobbie K.
Kent, WA
1/5/2012
The service at this place has been exceptional the 5 times we have been there. They are very courteous, friendly, helpful and efficient. The rolls are very good and the chefs make a nice variation and are very attentive to their customers wants. I like this place because they not only offer the standard sushi rolls, but also tapas like plates of orange chicken and other typical full dinner items. It's definitely worth checking out. My only negative is the parking, not enough and very tight considering all the surrounding businesses. We will definitely be going back, on a weekly basis!
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Review from J S.
Lakewood, WA
2/1/2012
This is my favorite belt sushi place so far. The taste and quality is very good for the money you pay for the plates. I know all the good sushi places are in the Seattle and north area, however, this place gets the job done if you are craving rolls. They have a lot of different variety and I always get down when I come by here. I just wish this place was closer since I have to drive at least 30 minutes to get there.
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Review from Lisa U.
Renton, WA
1/25/2012
I've been here twice for dinner with friends. The service is good, the venue is clean, and the sushi is just ok. It's fresh, and I love the ahi poke salad, but for the other rolls, they were your average California roll, shrimp tempura, etc. I must be too comfortable with knowing Sushiland's menu...sorry if I'm biased, but it beats Genki Sushi by f
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Review from Maria C.
12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Honestly, the only reason they aren't getting one star is because I like their orange chicken. Their sushi is below par and the prices are above average. Last time I went in there I couldn't even eat my cucumber and avocado rolls because the seaweed was terrible. It was dry, hard, and chewy. It made me gag which is ridiculous because I love sushi! I had to dissect the rolls and eat just the rice and the vegetables so I don't waste the food
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Review from Melissa F.
Bellevue, WA
8/11/2011
For a conveyor belt sushi place, I really think this is one of the best you get. This is way, way better than Blue C.
The ingredients here are fresh and the menu is varied and creative. Service is prompt and super friendly. Prices are on par with similar places.
Restrooms were even clean!
I have no complaints. :) -
Review from adrianne a.
Federal Way, WA
11/30/2011
This is my family's favorite place for sushi! The Ahi Tuna is so fresh and has so much flavor, I think I could eat it everyday. The variety is awesome! So many great things to eat! Calamari, Edamame, Tuna, Seafood Salad. Where do you even start!
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Review from Marcus M.
Seattle, WA
6/23/2011
They said they do 'to go' orders on the door but the hostess seemed put out when that's what I asked to do. She rarely made eye contact.
The food was OK. It's what you would expect from Americanized sushi. They offer two bento boxes and two party platters, but there is no description of what they contain on the menu. The staff seemed very unexcited and they played obnoxious pop music. On the plus size the prices were very reasonable. -
Review from Ana M.
Federal Way, WA
8/3/2011
I come to Blue Island Sushi & Roll quite often and really enjoy it. It's quite good as far as conveyor-belt style sushi joints go...especially in Federal Way. The staff is usually pretty friendly and I find that their prices are incredibly reasonable. In my opinion, the rolls themselves are better than Blue C Sushi....but not as good as Sushi Land. But then again, it's Federal Way, right? Taking location into account, this is definitely one of my favorite places to go for a quick bite with friends or by myself. My favorite place for sushi in FDub.
However, there are definitely a few things that really irritate me about this place. Their hours of operation drive me insane!!!! It seems that more than half the time I'm craving sushi and am actually able to swing by, they are closed!!! That and in the past, 30 minutes before closing at 2:30pm, they won't even let you sit down and tell you that you need to order to-go. I'm constantly encouraging myself to understand why it is that they close at 2:30pm and re-open later on in the day, but the fact that they close mid-day drives me up the wall.
Also, I don't recommend their deserts. Their cakes, although aesthetically appealing are always frozen. Yuck. Definitely not a fan of frozen chocolate mousse. -
Review from Elexis A.
Seattle, WA
11/6/2011
I love coming here!! The sushi is fresh and the atmosphere is welcoming.
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Review from Rainbow R.
Federal Way, WA
1/20/2011 11 Check-ins Here
I couldn't find the hours on here, but I checked them on the way out:
Mon-thur 11-2:30,5-9
Fri, Sat 11-10
Sun 12-10 -
Review from Scott O.
Federal Way, WA
10/3/2011
We have went here many times. Never been impressed with the service but tonight sealed it. We won't be back.
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Review from Janette M.
Covington, WA
4/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love this place! They have a great selection of sushi and the service was great. Came around for a late lunch on a Thursday, about 1pm, and the place is packed.
Overall the food was great. For dessert we had the "tofu cheesecake." Tried it only because it sounds interesting.. it was served frozen and didn't taste good at all :(
Price is reasonable. -
Review from Sandie L.
10/13/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I really like this sushi place when I am in this area. Why?:
-crowded = that means yummy food to me, and the food is yummy!
-great selection of sushi
-clean and spacious environment
-great place to hang out with friends or for a date!
-good customer service -
Review from DeAnne E.
1/3/2011
"Irasshaimase!" Oh yes, I had to Google that one. Every time a customer came through the door all the employees shouted that Japanese phrase.
I was in the Fed Way area so my fam member and I decided to have lunch at this restaurant. The ambiance reminded me of Blue C Sushi: clean & modern. The conveyor belt selection was like Genki Sushi: exotic variety. Sushi Land has nothing on this place.
It seemed like they were understaffed the day we went. My server forgot to bring me green tea so I had to ask the manager for some. I also noticed that our server was catering more to the customers on the south & west stretch of the conveyor belt bar area. The north-enders were neglected. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at this conveyor belt sushi place however, if I were in the area and craving sushi I probably would. -
Review from Ria S.
Seattle, WA
1/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Decent sushi fix. Everything seems to be deep-fried, which can hit or miss depending if its fresh or not. It's kind of hard to order things fresh. We ordered a a ton of things off the menu that we didn't see on the belt, or if we did see it, it was because we wanted it fresh. Our server just grabbed some of those items off the belt and put it in front of us. It's also kind of hard to figure out what is in each roll. Labels or a description would be really helpful.
It's a bit pricey for the quality of the sushi, but will come back every once in awhile when we are craving sushi. -
Review from Chris M.
7/22/2011
Conveyor belt sushi, you get what you pay for.
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Review from Joodie F.
Auburn, WA
3/4/2011
I really enjoy the sushi here. We love the mussels. And always have the two rolls with scallop one I think is called madness with raw scallop and jalapeños and hot sauce the other I think is a dynamite with the baked scallop goodness, both are on top of a California roll. The yelllowtail is great. Some sesame red bean paste balls for dessert. And some sake to wash it all down. Yummy!
I know people have an issue with the items not being labeled as to what they are and I agree. You can look at the menu and try to figure it out by looking at the pictures.
They use to only keep half of the side of the restaurant open, but lately they have opened up the whole which is great.
The staff is super nice. they do use some of the restaurant area for storage of paper towels and toilet paper and that is kind of ghetto, they might want to find a closet - or build one. The bathrooms are nice, which is always a plus when dining out. -
Review from Sam H.
Tacoma, WA
7/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
What made me become a fan of this place? One reason, service. They offer pretty awesome service where the waiter actually strikes a conversation and jokes around with people. If you order sushi at the bar, they bring the rotory sushi to you!!! So yeah your like keep it coming.
But I"m saying this with the question of is this a place where I bring people who has never tried sushi and try to impress them??? Not really. This place is more like... i'm hungry.. lets get something quick to eat and possibly catch up and it happens to be close. :)
So yeah Blue island sushi. :) I'm a fan a modest fan of the place.Listed in: Sushi in Seattle
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Review from JoAnn A.
Bellevue, WA
7/15/2011
This is one of my favorite sushi places to go to! The price is reasonable, there are a lot of options, and service is always pretty good. Sometimes there's a wait, but the times that I've been there, the wait was never ridiculous. I'd definitely recommend this place.
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Review from Emily S.
Felton, CA
6/28/2011
Decent sushi for the price, and very quick. When we want a quick bite and are craving sushi this is where we usually end up. Not always the best selection, and not the best I have ever had. But I have never gotten sick and the sushi is definitely edible. It's what you would expect for the price. I do love the ambiance, service is always fast and friendly. Nothing fancy or super high quality, but it's good for a lunch or quick dinner out.
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Review from Rona L.
8/23/2010 3 Check-ins Here
This is the only conveyor belt sushi place in Federal Way (that I know of).
The selection and creativity are lacking, but it has the basics. It's a nice option for a sushi craving if you want it in a hurry and you're in the area, but it's definitely not a "make-a-trip-out-here" kind of establishment.
The service has always been good though, so I feel bad for the low rating...sorry! -
Review from Rebecca L.
Bellevue, WA
6/6/2008
I come here often for lunch, because there's really no where else to go in Federal way that offers a healthy, cheap, lunch option. During lunch, their fares decrease a quarter, so you can get a few good plates for under ten bucks. The sushi is fresh and is cheaper (and better) than what I could get at trader joes or safeway, so it's definitely a plus.
But the fact of the matter is, it's average sushi. Nothing spectacular, no song and dance moments when eating the food.
Good points are their bathrooms are clean and the music they play are awesome korean songs. Plus, their staff is very attentive.
but i go for the food (damnit) and its mediocre. If you do go, get the stuffed jalapenos and salmon bake roll. they're pretty good. -
Review from Charlie C.
New York, NY
7/18/2008
The 4 stars is relative.
Compared to the Tsukiji wholesale fish market (Tokyo), this place would get a 2. Compared to Maneki (Seattle), it would get a 3. But being in Federal Way with not many other choices, and keeping in mind that it's kaiten sushi, *not* a standard Japanese restaurant, the quality is good. Thought not melt-in-your-mouth-like-butter good. I think that the nice surprise for me was that the prices were discounted 25¢ per plate at lunch.
In terms of the fish, I thought that some of the tuna was a bit too cold, like right-out-of-the-fridge cold. What does that do? Well, it takes away from the taste, as well as the texture (since it's too stiff), and thus the experience. And it makes me wonder how fresh really is this fish. Specifically, it was the tuna sashimi salad they had.
There were a couple of rolls, though, that were excellent. The most expensive plates were definitely the best in quality by far. However, I agree with a previous Yelper that they need to put a cover on all of the plates, and not just most of them, for sanitary reasons.
I'll probably go back next week for lunch again. -
Review from Amary N.
Seattle, WA
12/24/2008
If you have been to SushiLand it's the conveyor belt concept. The sushis
are fresher and more creative than Sushi Land. And 50cents more.
It's definitely better than a lot of sushi chains out there. But selections are limited. Of course, if you're a serious Japanese food lover. You don't come here.
Good service, clean and 3 stars for the food. -
Review from Kyle K.
Spokane, WA
8/22/2008
Really, the only decent sushi place I've been to in Federal Way.
I've been here several times and though the rolls have consistently tasted good, their selection and variations aren't that huge.
And I don't like how almost every roll has some kind of sauce squirted on top of it. After a few plates, you can feel kind of sick with all the sauces.
Their service is good and they are always packed during dinner time, so expect a wait, especially if you want a booth. Decor is great since it is new with nice plasma tv's and multi colored wall sections. Plus they have a full bar, which has a nice touch to it.
The price is a bit higher compared to other chains like sushi land. -
Review from Brian R.
Kent, WA
10/9/2011
Our favorite place to get Sushi in the Round. Always friendly chefs and staff. Great selection of foods (saying a lot since I don't eat fish really). Prices went up recently (bummer) but still worth the drive from Kent. Never can remember what I like so Sushi in the Round is my only way to eat this style for me.
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Review from Allen S.
Federal Way, WA
4/3/2009
If you aren't paying attention and accidentally walk into Blue Island you'll be struck with the immediate thought, "Hmm...what a mediocre dance club." The décor is fairly modern and chic - they have a full bar - and the music is a heavy rotation of R&B artists (Chris Brown, Ne-yo, Akon, and Kanye West). Then, upon closer inspection, you'll notice the gigantic conveyor belt amply stocked with raw fish that runs through the center of the restaurant and realize you indeed walked into the right place.
To appreciate Blue Island Sushi you have to make a clear distinction of what it truly is versus what it is not. Much like your expectations when walking into McDonald's and realizing you aren't going to consume a 'real' hamburger, when you go to Blue Island you aren't getting 'real' sushi. Yes, they have sashimi - nigiri - and every other type of 'i' you can think of - but if your expectations are one of an authentic sushi dining experience (see: Shiki's, Nishino, Shiro's) you'll be disappointed.
Not to say that the quality of the sushi at Blue Island is bad - for a conveyer belt style restaurant I've been impressed more than I've been disappointed. You are going to find a wide selection of plates available at any given time, and the chefs are more than happy to freshly prepare any item on the menu if you so desire. But, like I said previously, go in there with realistic expectations. Unlike the intimate atmosphere offered at more traditional sushi restaurants, Blue Island is literally a cornucopia for the senses. You'll constantly be distracted by the bright plates rotating in your field of vision - the music and chatter of the customers can make conversation difficult at times - and the sporadic plates of Orange Chicken / Chicken Tenders / Fried Peppers stuffed with Cream Cheese and Sausage (to appeal to the non-sushi customers) can shock your olfactory system.
The best way to explain the Blue Island Sushi experience is this: Have you ever had a really strong craving, let's say, for a Fudgesicle? You think about how delicious it would taste, how much you enjoy the flavor, and how happy it would make you to indulge? Then, you drive to the store only to find that they are out of Fudgesicles and that you'll have to settle for a close knock-off and not the authentic version. Well, that perfectly captures Blue Island. It's not the real deal, but in a pinch, it sedates the craving. -
Review from Monica F.
Auburn, WA
5/15/2009
We liked the place but I agree with the other posters that the food is average and a lot of the same with slight variations. It will cost you an average of $25 per person.
I did quit going when we were left in the waiting area for 45 minutes along with about 15 other people. When I looked around the place, I saw that close to half the tables were empty but were roped off. I asked the hostess why these tables were not being used when there were enough people waiting to fill almost all of them. She just said that section was "closed". I wondered why since it was a help yourself ordeal. The only real interraction with the wait staff was when drinks were served and the bill was presented.
I told the hostess we will take our business else where. She didn't seem to give a hoot. -
Review from Rachel J.
Federal Way, WA
5/14/2011
Let me start out by saying I am not a fan of sushi. I'd never tried more than a bite before coming here with friends (they chose the lunch destination.) I was pleased to see that there were options other than raw fish and seaweed. I had gyoza, and egg rolls which were pretty good. I also tried coconut shrimp which I actually did not like at all since they were cold and tasted like they'd been sitting out too long, which they probably had. I actually got adventurous and pulled a plate of california rolls and ate all 4! I was surprised that I actually liked it, since I don't really like anything in it other than the rice. The best part about eating here is the way the plates move around the room by conveyor belt. The worst part is the fact that the plates aren't labeled at all, so you have to try to match it to the picture on the menu, or just guess what it is.
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Review from minji k.
Federal Way, WA
7/10/2008
I've been here probably 4 or 5 times and I love this place.
Service isn't very consistent. One time, I had a nice waiter that always came by once in a while if we wanted anything else but another time, we had a waitress that didn't get us our water, my friend asked for Cream puffs and ended up having to ask one of the chefs, and she barely came by to see how we were doing.
The sushi there is fresh and is pretty good.
They have interesting combos that work well together.
Overall, if service was consistent, I would give it 5 stars. -
Review from Erica J.
Des Moines, WA
2/22/2008
The most FUN I've ever had eating sushi! This place was fantastic - big screen TV, full bar, nice bathrooms and Sushi on a conveyor belt!! The prices were fair, the food was tasty, the sushi chefs were chatty and entertaining - you get your money's worth here.
We sat in front of the door too, but that's becuase the place was PACKED with customers...that's what happens sometimes.
We will definately go back again and again.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Michelle K.
Tacoma, WA
12/25/2010
The Mcdonalds version of Sushi.
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Review from Leigha W.
Issaquah, WA
4/4/2008
The best of both worlds.
If you like the sushi bar feel, then try and sit up front. The sushi chef that mans the bar up front is not only entertaining, but talented. His sushi is wonderful, and he will make whatever you want within a snap of a finger. I'm not the daring type when it comes to sushi, and typically stick to rolls. He noticed my spineless sushi habits, and handed me a couple pieces of sushi to try for free. They were great.
The servers are prompt, and would never think of leaving you parched. My beverage always comes within a moment or two of being seated, and as soon as it's gone-refills are offered.
In addition to the wonderful service and fresh fish, the restaurant is entertaining as well. There is a full service bar available, as well as a big screen television.
I would recommend this conveyor belt sushi restaurant to anyone looking for good quality sushi, just as it was referred to me. -
Review from Erin B.
Seattle, WA
2/21/2010 6 Check-ins Here
My favorite conveyor-belt sushi place. If my friends and I are in the mood to watch some sushi float past us as we greedily snatch up what we want, we will drive past countless Blue C restaurants, won't even glance at Sushiland, and head all the way down to Federal Way.
Blue Island has--by far--the best quality sushi of any conveyor-belt place I've evern been to. The selection can seem limited at certain times, as most of their standard rolls start out as California rolls, and then have pieces added to them. However, if you find that to be the case, they have a large menu and the wait time for ordered-items is always reasonable.
The price is great, the service is always good. I think I might have time to drive down today......Listed in: SUSHI!
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Review from Thyda L.
2/22/2008
The sushi was pretty good... nothing like Wasabi Bistro, of course... but about 5 times better than nasty Sushi Land. The place was CLEAN... probably because its very new. The bathroom was really nice as well... I almost took a picture in there (haha). I think it doesn't open until 5pm though, so don't go there early!
At least I knew that the sushi was freshly made and it didn't taste like rubber. Kids have fun eating here because they can pick what they want as they go by on the conveyer belt.
