Scott W.
Yelp
I was eager to try Toyota Sushi after reading all the glowing reviews, but I have to admit, I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped. I decided to treat my wife to a lovely day out with lunch and shopping, and Toyota Sushi was one of the top places on our list to visit while in the area.
We arrived around 1:30 pm on Thursday, 1/2/25. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't ideal--there was a delivery happening at the same time, and the kitchen's main doors (normally kept closed) were wide open for the delivery driver. The view of the kitchen and the disorganization inside was off-putting, and it wasn't just due to the delivery; it left a lasting impression.
The main entrance to the restaurant is located to the left of the delivery area, and you have to push aside a curtain with a symbol on it to enter. It felt a bit strange. Once inside, there's a small vestibule adorned with Polaroid photos on the walls, but it wasn't clear who they were of or why they were there. Were they employees or customers? The lack of context added to the overall confusion. As we made our way into the reception area, we noticed a wooden decorative piece hanging from the ceiling, which was covered in a layer of dust--definitely unappealing.
We were greeted promptly and seated without delay, and the staff were exceptionally friendly. However, the longer we stayed, the more we noticed how dirty and dusty everything was. It started to make us wonder, if the dining area and restrooms were in such a condition, what might the kitchen look like? If you visit, take a moment to look UP--the umbrellas and metal framework supporting the lighting may look good from a distance, but up close, they're covered in years of dust. Sadly, this issue seemed to extend to almost everything in the dining area and restrooms, including the plastic flowers.
Another noteworthy aspect was the volume of the music. The first table we were seated at had a beautiful view of Pearl Lake, which would've been great, but the music was so loud that we had to request a move to a quieter booth.
On a positive note, our server, Royce, was attentive and friendly--thank you, Royce, for your excellent service! If you decide to dine here, I recommend requesting him as your server.
As for the food, we had a good experience. I ordered the Chicken and Steak Hibachi with fried rice ($15.95), which came with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the salad with ginger dressing, which was delicious. Nancy chose the "Any 3 Sushi Rolls" ($17.95), which included a California Roll, Crunch Spicy Tuna Roll, and Shrimp Tempura Roll, and she also selected a side salad. The salads arrived quickly and were fresh, with the ginger dressing being particularly tasty.
Soon after, Royce brought out our meals. I have to say, the hibachi and sushi were both delicious. My steak was cooked perfectly to medium, and the chicken had great flavor. Nancy really enjoyed the shrimp tempura roll, though she wasn't as fond of the crunchy spicy tuna roll. I, on the other hand, thought the spicy tuna roll was quite good.
Overall, while the food and service were good, the cleanliness issues were hard to overlook, and I'm not sure I would return. It's a shame, as the food had potential, but the restaurant's condition left much to be desired.