Bryce A.
Yelp
Sushi Station has gone down in quality over the past few years. They have shrunken the menu, and they are unable to make things that are still on the menu.
Dined here last week, disappointed.
It is proper sushi service (according to Japanese culture) to serve sushi with pickled ginger. They have stopped providing this at the table. Instead, it is only available upon request. And it is a sparing amount they give you.
I asked for Spicy Scallop Gunkan (as listed on the menu), but they cannot make it. They claim they only reserve certain ingredients for other items. One time, they told me it was the scallops...to which I said they can just make a quick order with the scallops they have in house. This time, he tells me it's because of the masago...being reserved only for spicy tuna. Completely stupid. If you have the ingredients AND the item is on the menu, make it for the customer.
My daughter also took an item off the belt that said contained "crab salad". She said it tasted super fishy. I tried it, and I knew what the problem was. It was made with Surimi, or IMITATION crab meat (processed white meat fish combined with crab flavoring, salt and preservatives). This is NOT crab salad, and falsely advertised as such. When I complained, a manager came over to tell me that is how they make their "crab salad". Now, there is NO description I could find that says it is made with surimi. We did not eat it, yet it remained on my bill.
I also complained about the spicy tuna maki I got. Now, most places these days use AAA Saku Block frozen Tuna because it is cheap (which is a lower grade yellowfin tuna that has been treated with CO2 to give color and keep it shelf stable through the freezing process). Unfortunately, this wasn't even that product. It was white/gray in color, very strong tasting...which leads me to believe it was white tuna they use. It was horrible.
The spider roll was bulked up with so much panko inside that I couldn't taste any of the tiny softshell crab they use.
The selections on the conveyor belt are minimal now. It is quite repetitive.
Here's the very worst part...When we walked in the door, I asked my 9 year old son to hold the door open for his older sister (trying to enforce chivalrous customs on him). So as he opened the right door (the proper door for entry or exit), a Japanese guy forces his way out, stepping right in my daughter's path! I believe this to be one of the owners or management there. Complete rude!
I'm not sure if I will ever go back, considering I have taken issue with multiple things over my past few visits.
Skip the fun of the conveyor belt fast food sushi...You're better off making the drive to Kumi Sushi in Crystal Lake where they use REAL and FRESH ingredients with a larger, more diverse selection.