Michael T.
Yelp
I'm always on the hunt for new food experiences and conveyor belt sushi has been on the short list for some time. The idea that inexpensive plates with an ever changing variety of sushi coming right to your table just sounded fun. So while in Vegas I took the opportunity to check one out and Sapporo came highly recommended by fellow Yelpers.
The restaurant has an upscale vibe and I could see it as a really nice place for a fun dinner with friends. They offer a full bar, and I noted some nice Japanese whisky on it too, which you don't always see. Tables are spacious with good access to the conveyor, but unfortunately only the diner closes to it can access the tablets for special orders.
When it comes to service, Sapporo does deliver. My server was attentive from the moment I sat down, kept my drinks constantly refilled, and made sure I had everything I needed, even after I paid while waiting for a friend. That's going the extra mile for sure, and I appreciated it.
On the belt I found a variety of their basic nigiri, a few specialty nigiri, and a mix of the maki rolls, which come as three piece portions. I tried the garlic salmon and red dragon rolls from the belt. The nigiri was made fresh and I liked the crispy garlic chip, but the slice of fish was fairly thin and I wasn't terribly impressed with it overall. The Red Dragon roll had all the ingredients in the right proportions, but again, it just felt like generic sushi.
The tablet menu had all of what you saw on the belt along with a bit more, and I liked that you had the option of asking for sushi from the kitchen vs taking it from the belt, even for the items circulating. I liked the selection of hand rolls and specialty nigiri offered and the few signature items they offered, like the wonton tacos, and the full menu of kitchen dishes for those that don't feel like sushi.
Most of the plates on the menu are $2.99 and perhaps my expectations were too high. For a sushi meal where you can sample a variety without committing to a whole roll, this is cool, and I appreciated the fact I could pace myself and make selections.
That said, I can't help but compare it to the AYCE sushi though, both menu and buffet styles. For 30-45 bucks here you can enjoy 10-15 plates here OR go AYCE and choose from a massive menu of sushi, nigiri, hot and cold dishes. Now you don't have to spend that, but it feels like an average number for sushi these days, and AYCE just seems like a better value and experience to me.
Seeing all of the amazing reviews and photos had me expecting something a bit better, so overall, this was a little disappointing.