sushifirst

I have enjoyed myself at this restaurant, and in the past have eaten some good fish there — but that was during a short period after they opened. In the past two years, I have visited several times and found the same characteristic things — First about the food: (1) a lack of fish in general on the conveyor belt; (2) a load of non-fish rolls; (3) a heavy dependence on surimi when “fish” is present; (4) tuna absent every single time; (5) the same food circulating forever — And the atmosphere: (1) an understaffed teenage waitstaff that can’t keep up with patron requests for drinks, miso, or cashing out, even during off hours; (2) an overwhelming feeling that no one working there wants to be there; (3) a “sticky” feeling all around; (4) a long wait for any requests, even mundane ones like a spicy tuna roll or seared salmon.
But this restaurant is popular, and is crowded almost every time I’m there. All I can figure is that for me, sushi means fish, pleasantness, and a grounding experience; but for this restaurant’s regulars, sushi land means something else, something like hope, or promise, or an affordable date or family outing that is almost a “scene.” Or perhaps it’s like the potential thrill of finding a treasure at a garage sale, or winning a few bucks from a scratch ticket.
In the end, $6.00 will almost always get you a better spicy tuna roll, same number of pieces, and a warm welcome at a large number of real sushi restaurants.