Sasa Sushi in Dallas Is Packed Every Night | Eater Dallas

"I pulled hard on the door to find a standing-room-only situation inside; groups wrote their names on a list and waited in the small lobby or outside, and you can expect to wait 20 to 30 minutes for a table. The dimly lit dining room has faux brick, long olive-green leather benches, and strings of multicolored twinkle lights that add to a cozy, casual vibe filled with couples on dates, family dinners, business meals, and friends. Behind the bar three to four sushi chefs work diligently to fill both dine-in and takeout orders quickly, and Sasa does a lot of takeout business — it’s not unusual to see half a dozen bagged orders picked up while you wait. The menu feels like a neighborhood sushi spot with extras such as ramen and yakisoba, and unexpected items like the shiitake mushroom salad, which tosses meaty shiitakes with peppery arugula, juicy orange slices, and a hint of truffle oil. Our favorites include the Sasa Sandwich, a compressed triangle of rice paper, rice, spicy tuna, crab meat, avocado, and a bit of spicy mayo, and the Oyshi roll, which tucks hunks of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, masago, avocado, and crab into a thin cucumber wrapper; we also enjoy yellowtail, salmon-avocado, and California maki, as well as tuna, salmon, and yellowtail nigiri. I often order takeout so often I have a list saved in my phone, but I also enjoy dining in for the friendly, efficient service and the chance of running into neighbors. Order a Japanese beer or sake — the sake comes in a carafe on ice, ideal for sharing — and choose the sushi bar if you’re alone or in pairs, while the front window seats give groups a good view of the bustling room without too much foot traffic. Guaranteed run-ins with neighbors and consistently fresh, delicious sushi: I recommend the Oyshi, the Sasa Sandwich, and all the nigiri." - Rachel Pinn