Lou’s Sushi
2801 P St, Sacramento, CA, 95816
Lou’s Sushi Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Sacramento for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2801 P St
Sacramento, CA, 95816 - Phone (916) 451-4700
- Website https://www.lousushi.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mindi A.
Lou's sushi doesn't kid around with sushi! They have your standard sashimi and sushi rolls that they do well. I had what may have been the best spicy tuna roll of my life here. They go heavy on the tuna and light on the rice where most do the opposite. And the flavor! Yum! They also have a bunch of creative sushi rolls, showing they are not afraid to try something different. Helps that the names are pretty catchy too-- OMFG is one and it sounded really interesting. I opted instead for the Midtown roll (happy hour special got me) and was quite pleased. It's a pretty big roll wrapped in soy paper, then deep fried, and served with sriracha and unagi sauce over top. Lots of flavor packed into these! Sit at the bar and the sushi chefs will gladly talk with you while continuing their craft. They are good at what they do AND entertaining. I hope to make it back in here.
(5)Sean W.
My wife and I came in here for a quick snack and sake bomb after a long work day. We drive by this place all the time and keep saying that we need to go but keep forgetting. This day, as I picked her up, she mentioned needing some food and then sushi - Lou's! We happened to be walking distance from Lou's but drove anyway. The atmosphere is pleasant and I felt nice and comfortable walking up to the sushi bar and sitting down. We were promptly greeted by what seemed like every single staff member and had our drinks served momentarily. The sushi rolls came up and we were very happy with them. The quality and flavors were excellent and my wife is super picky. We didn't have enough of their food this time to make a full judgement, so we will have to come back and try it again!
(4)A M.
We have been here 4 times. The first time was a great experience. Each time we return we are less and less impressed. We wanted to love Lou's, but after several visit, we give it a final review of 2 stars, and here's why: 1. Over use of soy sauce reduction, seems like it finds its way on nearly every dish. It's burnt. It tastes like shit. It's not cool. 2. Over use of mayonnaise. Every roll and every appetizer seems to be swimming in a mayonnaise based sauce. After a while, the mushy/greasy flavors become disgusting. 3. No fish! You can easily spend $80 at this place and realize that you haven't received a damn bit of fish. Fried oyster mushrooms, fried tofu, secret fried shrimp, a few rolls off of their specials menu, some grilled ribs, and damn, not even the sushi rolls had fish in them. We ordered the top secret roll at the recommendation of the friendly waiter. It was filled with Wakame salad and mayo with fried crunchy bits. No fish. WTF?! It's like Panda Express makes American Chinese food... Lou's is white guy sushi. It was nifty at first. We won't be back.
(2)Shawn K.
My favorite Sushi place in town! There is almost always a wait but it is,totally worth it!
(5)Summer M.
I've been to Lou's a couple of times now and they turn out consistently good food. On our last trip I indulged in a delicious "Irishman" roll which was avocado and yam, topped with salmon and spice-dusted brussels sprouts. The sausage appetizer had this awesome miso dipping sauce, which made the brussels sprouts much more palatable to me (sprouts aren't my cup of sake). B loved his Daft Punk roll so much that he didn't leave a piece for me to sample! Harumph. Oh well, it looked pretty. Haha. The only downside I've seen so far is that Lou's is a small restaurant and it's popular, so it gets packed quickly and often. Other than that the service is great, the food is amazing and the prices aren't too bad. (Oh and random props to the waitress who was pouring a table's untouched water onto the tree outside. I appreciate reusing water during this crazy drought.) Keep on rolling that good stuff, Lou, and I'll keep eating it!
(4)Katie G.
Stop, stop, stop, you guys. Stop going to the boring sushi places. Go right to Lou's! Everything here is amazing. Fresh, interesting, and for every level sushi eater. I say that because I have always run away from everything but a spicy tuna and a Philly roll - there, I said it. But, I'm always willing to try something new if someone can convince me. Lou's had me at "hello!" Next time I'm going to sit at the bar. Made a mistake sitting on the patio in the corner. There's a table, the third ugly stepsister table that sits behind the large swinging door and under an orange tree. It looks okay, until you sit down and notice it's missing an umbrella, and it's weebly wobbling all over the place. Then you move it over two inches and the waitress comes out and moves it back to the precarious position it was originally in. Anyway, don't sit there - sit at the other two tables. Needless to say we moved over as soon as a previous diner had left and we saw that no one was ahead of us waiting. So, I ordered to pot stickers, and a spicy tuna roll. Everything was extremely fresh. The gyoza was not the typical pork, it was a seafood mix. The chili oil dipping sauce was amazing. My spicy tuna roll was perfect. The fish tasted really fresh. I wish sushi places would make little tiny rolls so those of us who can't, erm, figure out how to get our mouths around big pieces, could eat them without embarrassment. Personal problem, I know. They had other things on the menu, if raw isn't your style. But everything was really delicious. I spotted Lou behind the bar wrapping away, that's always great to see. One of my favorite sushi spots in the city.
(5)Rich L.
Nailed it!!! Absolutely astonishing food! Chef Lou keeps the ball rolling, while keeping up with the latest bacon trend and maintaining high standards of traditional sashimi. Our latest visit we were focused on sashimi but the Bacon Boomers were calling us. Bacon Boomers are crimini mushroom caps filled with a smokey bacon, breaded then deep fried. Served with a creamy sauce, these will be one of our regular appetizers. We ordered $50 sashimi for two "omakase"...I'll leave it to you. Chef Lou presented us with not only a large variety sashimi and cooked octopus but mixed them with a wide range of compliments, ranging from sweet, spicy, and the nice clean taste of green onion. The following is very strong noted by the large amount of takeouts seen during our visit. Since the dining area is very small, there is patio seating also. Parking is limited to street parking only but plentiful on the weekends at the park across the street. We did have a some server / communication issues on two visit but these "growing pains" we're quickly addressed and corrected. Raw or cooked this is one of the top sushi restaurants in Northern California.
(5)Tony M.
so I know some people take their sushi super serious, I'm not one of them. people question a place's freshness or how much rice is used or if they just drown them in sauce, but I more concerned about flavor, creativity and price. lou's does well for themselves in these areas I think. that's why I've been back several times. first the spot, it's small so if you're with a group on weekend evening expect a wait and tight quarters. parking has never been an issue since it's off the grid. small outdoor seating area is nice but the flies are occasionally a nuisance. the service has always been friendly, fast, attentive, and knowledgeable about their menu so I couldn't ask for much more. the food, I've tried several rolls but no plates. I was less than impressed by the bacon wrapped won tons as an app but the spicy seafood gyoza, the mushroom egg rolls were both on point. I'm yet to have a bad roll there but my favorites are the midtown and the OMFG rolls. if their prices were more reasonable they'd get 5 stars, I'm just not big on 16.00 sushi rolls. they do have a happy hour menu (that has the midtown on it!) but it's a pretty minimal selection with slight discounts. overall given the sushi selections in Sacramento it's still my go-to spot and recommendation for out of towners.
(4)Munchie S.
Not a bad neighborhood spot. Love that it's not too crowded but still enough people on even an "off" night so that you know it's good. Wait staff are very prompt and knowledgeable about the menu. The rolls are delicious and each have their own flavoring, though they are sauce heavy. Ours could have used a little less saucing-up... or at least repositioning so the sauce is on the side and the customer can decide how much to use. Will definitely return and try more though!
(3)Debra B.
This is one of the worst meals I have ever had. I have been here many times and the food has been outstanding but tonight my opinion has changed. I waited one hour for my takeout food and when I went home and opened it they got half my order wrong. just to make it better they didn't even apologize.
(1)Lynn D.
I was excited to try this place, so I went for lunch. I arrived and was greeted by Lou, the other sushi chef and waitress. The menu is to the point, however, they have a happy hour menu all day with specials. The regular menu has a few pricey items so check the specials first. The rolls are ok, nothing exceptional.
(3)Rob R.
This may be my new favorite sushi place! Totally loved the seafood nachos. Place definitely has a hipster vibe. It's small so get there early. We arrived at 6pm on a weeknight and it was already packed. Thought the negihama roll was super fresh and tasty. Will be back!
(5)Max F.
I'm a nigiri and sashimi guy, so if you like rolls then all I can say is that the ones at Lou's look really cool. But the nigiri... oh the nigiri. The fish is super fresh, the cuts are generous without being too big, and the rice is loosely packed. He has consistently excellent and varied specials, and the best Spanish mackerel I have had in Northern California. Also, he has a sweet selection of Japanese microbrews, in addition to your staple sushi beers (in bottles AND on tap). The highs: Nigiri, beer selection, overall quality The lows: the tempura is only okay (this has to do with the batter as the veggies used seem fine). He sauces the albacore nigiri - this is a pet peeve of mine. In general I have found that when nigiri is pre-sauced by the chef it is done to mask the flavor of lower quality (or older) fish. The fish Lou uses is really good, I want to taste it sauce free! But I guess I could ask for that at the bar if I remember. Overall: A new favorite.
(5)Kindra M.
What a great find...after moving to Sac from the Bay Area I was losing faith that I would ever find a sushi spot that met my expectations. But never fear - Lou's is here! Highlights: - Fresh fish (melt in your mouth Hamachi) - Oyster shooter...YUM - Reasonable prices - Great customer service I have finally found a place that proves that quality sushi DOES exist in the central valley. I will be back!
(5)J R.
Six item roll is amazing the combination of flavors was the best sushi I've had in Sacramento.
(4)Charle R.
A nice lunch experience with coworkers. Food was tasty (kinda new to sushi and had a salmon, avacado, cucumber, and rice double roll) and service very good, too. Looking forward to experiencing more dishes from there. There were a lot of great colors and creations going on at all tables, which made me really want to widen my palette's range of known yummys! Edit: Their 100th review - the COD in me is pleased.
(5)Kristel V.
Love this place! I spent 14 years in Japan & there are only a few places in Sacramento that I can say has good authentic sushi... This place is one of them! They only have a few items on their menu, but have been adding a lot of good specials on a daily basis. They also have a happy hour menu that is worth coming for. Items I've tried: midtown roll, zig-zag roll, seafood nachos & gyoza, BBQ albacore, spicy wings.... I can go on, but really, everything they have is awesome. They're prices are very affordable too. Keep in mind, this place is small & always packed full of people so you might have to wait a while when it's busy.... But really, the wait is always worth it!
(5)Darius L.
I do actually like this place. We've eaten here a few times and the menu has been inventive and the food yummy. They have a good beer list and its convenient to home. Last time we visited, there was glass in my food. Yup glass. Can't go back. It is good though.
(1)Mr. Marie T.
Everything was great. Nice service and amazing sushi. The rolls have some sauce but are not overwhelmed with it. My favorite was the Irishman. Brussel sprouts on all sushi from now on. This is one of the best sushi joints in Sacramento.
(5)Kristin W.
It's the L-Train....beep beep...get on board!!! I've been off the Yelp circuit for a minute waiting for something to inspire me to review...Enter Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus "Reach out and touch faith!" Low and behold my latest inspiration would be in my own neighborhood. (Great now I have that damn song in my head) Walked in to Lou's Sushi around 6:45PM and were greeted by the jovial Lou himself behind the sushi bar. "Hey how's it going!? Someone will be right with you!" Okey dokey. The boyfriend and I snagged 2 seats at the sushi bar and were able to see all of the magic happen right before our eyes. The menu is small, but I'm sure it won't stay that way. I was hungry, like stomach eating my spine hungry....so we got one of the specialties the L-Train. Let me tell you, this is not a huge dish, so if you're wanting a TGI-Friday's looking appetizer you will be disappointed. This is about flavors and the party in your mouth that they will create. Me and my guy both took a bite and we were instantly saying the same thing (mouth's full of food and all)...."WOW!" We were impressed! The asparagus, the crab, the tuna, shiso, and the sauce! I mean seriously this was slap your partner round-and-round good! We each got one roll, the Mt. Fuji and OMFG. Spot-on people this guy ain't playing around here. Both rolls had great flavor and they didn't make me feel like shite after eating them. Also a very important factor. Will I be eating at this place again? Bet your arse I will. Will I tell everyone to try it? Uh that's a roger roger. Get out there and support your local bis-nasses!!!
(5)Meg S.
OMG. That's what I kept saying during dinner at Lou's last night. Yes, it was that good. I've had tons of sushi from Sac and throughout LA, and this place is the best, hands down. We had the Midtown roll, BBQ salmon, spicy tuna sashimi, edamame, Orion beer and Rayu Ban sake. The food was so fresh, and very nicely plated. Our waitress knew her stuff, and she recommended tasty sake and beer. She was attentive, but not overly so (which is a pet peeve of mine). The pros: fresh, super tasty food and drinks without a big price tag, nice ego free atmosphere. The cons: um, I don't have a bottomless stomach, so I have to stop eating at some point. This place doesn't know how good it is!
(5)Kimberlee N.
sacbee.com/2013/10/23/58… Best sushi & service ever!
(5)Arturo H.
Looking for a dinner spot, we were pleasantly surprised to see a new sushi spot in the neighborhood. It has great Yelp reviews and we decided to give it a shot. When we walked In, the ambiance had a great neighborhood feel and was packed with customers. Upon finding a table, we were greeted by a pleasant waitress... Then it went downhill from there as that whole food satisfaction thing got in the way. First. nearly everything on the menu was tempura style sushi. And the ultimate lowlight was the BTS - Albacore with jalapeño - they may have been fat sashimi cuts... but they were too fat and the worst thing, it was soaked in sesame oil. We ordered two other sushi rolls as well that we're also quite taste-less and not memorable. We really wanted to like the new place but for one sashimi app and two sushi rolls with no flavor and lackluster quality fish, the $43.00 bill was a huge kick in the butt.
(1)Roddri A.
This is my first visit to this Sushi restaurant and I must say the sushi (L -Train) was fantastic, very fresh. The customer service was great. I will return for more fantastic sushi soon. RTA
(5)Darryl L.
Not bad for the price, but a little puzzling that we were told that we can't have alcohol outside but then we see it served to someone else
(3)Bryan G.
If you go to Lou's you will come away happy. Best sushi in Sac in my opinion. Fresh, brings in various fish that you see on menus places but they never have in stock. He creates a fun atmosphere and the nigiri is twice what you would get anywhere else.
(5)Susan W.
This place was a small quaint place in midtown sac. I decided to take a friend out, and she decided on sushi. She ordered the Mt. Fuji and I ordered the M & M roll. I went during happy hour on a weekend. In addition, to our rolls, we ordered agedashi & wakame salad too. My roll was okay, it was really spicy and it didn't taste as fresh as I would like. My friend thought hers was great, but she felt a bit noxious after eating all the fried stuff that covered her roll. The best thing was the tasty agedashi. Btw, their menu was very limited.
(3)Sammy J.
This place is outstanding, and, guessing from the wait on a Saturday night, others think so as well. We waited about 30 minutes to be seated. They don't have the patio open yet and the indoor waiting area is only about four seats, so we were without a drink (the patio is supposed to be open shortly). The restaurant (in the old Pescados bldg) is pretty tight, so we opted for the bar once it opened. Had a couple of Soporros on tap to start it out and then delved into the seafood gyozas and some portabello fried wraps for apps that were just outstanding. Seriously. The gyozas were the best I've ever had in my life. Handmade, fresh wrapper, perfectly seasoned stuffing that allowed the flavor through. Perfectly crisped with a embellishing spicy dipping sauce. They just blew my socks off. The fried veggie roll with carrot, cabbage and portabellos and what seemed a tomatillo dipping sauce. Wow. Fabulous. I'm more of a fish purist, so I usually just do sashimi or nigiri. Lined up the salmon, the hamachi and the albacore nigiri. OMFG. The Albacore. I could eat that forever. Pate of the sea. I mean, it coulda been toro (fatty tuna). Like buttah! To appease the wifey, we got a himachi roll and then their equivalent of a typical rainbow roll, but this was a good CA roll (with fresh snow crab) and then covered with a variety of fish. Portions are healthy. I'm really looking forward to going back. Bravo and arigatou gozaimasu.
(5)Carol D.
Really wonderful find- Lou is an awesome sushi chef. Order the midtown roll, secret tofu and zig zag roll. But really it is all super fresh. Get here before word gets out how awesome this place is.
(5)Lena M.
Lou is my sushi husband. He knows it. It's all good. Go with whatever he says is fresh and just go there.
(5)Eastsac G.
Went last week to check out the buzz. Was pretty full on a Friday night but snagged last table. Nice ambiance/lighting and deserves extra 1/2 star for attentive staff (almost TOO attentive). Ordered Daniel My Brother: predominant taste was the asparagus. Couldn't discern any salmon taste anywhere so was pretty underwhelmed. Appreciated the fact it wasn't drowning in sauce though. Cost is $12.50 Also ordered 1/2 tuna, 1/2 hamachi sashimi - at $13 for 7 pieces it better be outstanding. Meh.... tuna was fine, hamachi was mushy. Hot sake advertised on menu wasn't available and Orion beer that was suggested was pretty bland. With all the glowing reviews I expected to be blown away......not. Experience was just ordinary at premium prices.
(2)Mary N.
Why cant I stay away from this place.. Lou is truly the man, he's personal, professional, and overall THE MAN! It's a given that his staff is just as gracious and accommodating.
(5)Heidi J.
Top quality sushi. They made everything gluten free for me! The waitress pointed out everything on the menu I could have without substitutions and was super nice about it. Everyone was just really nice in general. At the end of the night, we asked Lou for a non-menu spicy tuna hand roll and he was more than happy to make it for us.
(5)Koy S.
Total upgrade from my first visit here. My husband and I had an early date night here a few days ago and left very impressed, full and not totally ripped off. We sat at the bar and had a really nice meal. If you are an oyster fan, then you must try their $1 raw oysters. They serve then with ponzu, green onions and masago. We ordered a dozen and killed them. Next time I think we will ask for a couple lemon wedges to accompany them. All in all delicious and super affordable. Oyster shooters were ok. They are pretty big so beware of the double gulp. We also ordered the Professional and firecracker roll. The professional had a interesting flavor with the plum sauce, I'm pretty sure we will pass on that one next time. The firecracker was our favorite along with the bTS. If you saved room for dessert, then you must order their happy ending! Tempera strawberries and Gunthers vanilla ice cream. Super simple but delicious, plus then you'll be off the hook later that night!!! Lol! Also, love the full size mirror in the ladies room. Great service, great food! Way to go Lou!
(4)C H.
Delicious. Such a friendly place from Lou himself to all of the staff. They were welcoming to our toddler and as excited as we were for him to be having his first sushi experience. We will be back as there are so many more items we must try. The best we have had in a long time.
(5)Gary V.
i have a confession... i am severely addicted to sushi. I eat it 5-6 times a week. I'm not even exaggerating. and why do i have this addiction? Lou. just over 10 years ago, my idea of eating "sushi" was to get the california rolls from safeway. i was happy, and i didn't spend all my money on them. life was pretty good. then... Lou. I first met Lou when he was working at a different location, and he was just rad from the get go. eventually, he got me to step away from the cali rolls and try new things. i've never gone back, and he's yet to ever make anything that i didn't like. To make matters worse, Lou actually made me a sushi snob. i tried eating at other places, all sorts of place. it didn't go well. i was just too picky. SO, let me guess... after reading this you want to go and enjoy some amazing Loushi, right? i don't blame you. grab a good friend and head on down there. you will NOT be disappointed. I'll be the tall/tattooed guy sitting right in front of Lou. come say hi.
(5)Janet L.
Great sushi. Intimate restaurant. And Lou the owner is super handsome (even with his giants hat). I'll be back!
(5)KeiKei B.
Overall a good sushi place. I am always surprised to see how food brings all cultures together. I lived in Japan for many years and it is refreshing to see that the masters have decided to pass on their knowledge to us foreigners. I love that. My Malachi was tasty and big and a great place. Unfortunately, the Miso Chicken was a sorrowful miss. The chicken had a bad smell that reminded me of chicken I'd left out too long overnight before cooking. It was not good either. They were not cooked well in anything and it was not edifying to wonder if I was going to get sick later. They did make up for it in service and the rest of our dishes. Our server was the best ever and she was the most awesome person ever. She noticed that I did not like or was not eating the wings. She offered more items such as the fire tuna gyoza. Those were horrible to taste as well. Our server noticed and just took them off our bill without us asking. But goodness the fried Brussell sprouts; they are amazing! So amazing I ordered a second helping and ate all of those too! They had outdoor seating and we were able to have Chico with us during the whole dinner. Kudos to them for that and for the awesome meals. The fire roasted veggies are worth it the visit; the sushi is worth the service.
(3)Amir E.
Seriously best sushi place I ever been to. And this is coming from someone who eats sushi at least twice a week. Lou, the owner and the chief, is the nicest guy and he's talented and generous. Fish is so fresh and it's reasonably priced considering the quality. Yeah you can get cheaper sushi, but it will be way less fresh and worse quality over all. Trust me, go there and you won't regret it.
(5)Amanda B.
Tried this place at 7 on a Saturday night. It was crammed, which I thought was nice! There is a sushi bar and a few tables of varying size, and only a tiny area to wait in (a few chairs under the window.) The wait was pretty long, but worth it! Sat at the bar and tried the midtown roll, the caterpillar roll, salmon and albacore nigri and a negihama roll. All were really delicious and even in the rolls the fish tasted good. Fresh, soft, really tasty. Lou served us and made our sushi and I thought he did an excellent job. This place only needs to iron out waitress service. With Lou making sushi, and drinks and table service coming from a few harried waitresses, it was a little hectic but not unbearable. We did sit a long time waiting for a check even though the place had really emptied out by 9. I would totally recommend it for fish, but come willing to be patient! It also struck me as a place where your hissyfit because of bad service wouldn't matter much to anyone, so Prince and Princesses of Yelp, beware.
(4)Marcus L.
After eyeing this place since it first opened, I was finally able to try the awesome sushi at Lou's. The bf and I made our way here on a Friday night around 8pm. We were anticipating a wait but surprisingly none was in sight. We immediately sat down browsed the menu to see what we wanted. The service was a little lacking. It ordered green tea but it took a while for them to bring it out. Other people who sat down after us got drinks before we did but the food made up for the service. We ordered the OMFG, Zig Zag and uni. Everything was sublime!! We were both shocked at house fresh the uni was. It was fishy smelling but the good fishy smell....like it was just caught from the ocean. The OMFG roll was exceptional!! You can taste every component of the roll individually. It was the perfect combination with the perfect amount of ingredients. Zig Zag was also a surprise. The wrapper was not seaweed, it was a soy wrap that added a nice touch to the roll. We were a little thrown back since the filled was all mixed together. We thought the fried soft shell crab will lose its crispy fried texture but it didnt. It was still crispy and very flavorful!!! Lou's is THE place to go for sushi in Sac. Will def come back before I leave this city in March!!
(4)Vagabond M.
Amazing meal every single time! Lou is very gifted.
(5)Todd Z.
One of the best sushi dinners I've had in a long time. The secret shrimp and the Chuck Norris roll where phenomenal. Come check it out
(5)Robin S.
We would consider this top notch, light, refreshing and so nice (staff) . Came here for lunch with the husband, had a Chef special roll, Mermaid and 6 item. Well prepared, and quenched my sushi needs On the smaller side but I like that , reminds me of the local SF sushi places. Great vibe, outside seating and 3 beers (cider) on taps.
(5)Meghan H.
Our first time to Lou's and we found it to be really good. We had two really good rolls, the midtown and the 6 item with the broiled garlic mayo jalapenos, yum! There are a few tables for dining outside which we enjoyed. It's a small restaurant and the servers are friendly.
(4)Suzy Q.
Best new sushi place in town. The place is very small and intimate but the fresh sushi definitely makes up for it. It was a Saturday night and there were 6 of us celebrating a bday. We were lucky enough to score a table right away. However within minutes I noticed people waiting along the wall to be seated. The place only holds 30 so if you are planning on a big party forget it unless you make arrangements in advance. The sushi really is spectacular. The sushi nachos were a fav for sure. I also loved the roll OMFG. Lou was behind the sushi counter plugging away but looked up to say hello. It's got a great vibe a small establishment. And I love that I don't have to drive deep into midtown as it's on a random corner P/29th. I highly recommend checking this place out if you can appreciate fresh fish that's not overpowered by sauces to hide the freshness!
(5)Ritchie A.
Lou's wins for hardest-spot-to-see-while-driving-home-on-P, as the signage isn't visible until you're on top of it. Had I known he was hiding there, I might have stopped in months ago when it opened. Recommended menu: gomae, grilled eggplant, scallop nigiri, and a serving of whatever else is on the daily sheet. I'm not a big fan of rolls and appreciate the freshness of the fish Lou brings in for the nigiri. On my second visit to the bar, Lou plated some halibut nigiri in front of me, went back to his station, and was back 10 seconds later to rotate it with a "whoops, I forgot you were left handed". Attention to detail like that is fantastic. Minus half a star for no fresh wasabi, and half a star from stiff competition in my memory (I'm from Vancouver originally) but otherwise it's awesome to have a viable sushi spot in midtown. This is going to be regular.
(4)Katie B.
OMG super super good. The name threw me off for a sushi restaurant but my friends took us here and it was awesome. Very small restaurant though so not good for big groups.
(5)Angela A.
A friend took us there last night. I'm not a sushi person and usually get a bento or teriyaki at the other sushi places we go. Our friend ordered me the spicy edamame (it was better than Mikuni) and fried tofu which was Amazing. The flavors were bold and the tofu cooked to perfection. Everyone at our table was oohing and awing and mmmm every time they tried each plate that was brought to our table. I even tried the zigzag roll and went back for seconds. Nice intimate place, friendly staff, very busy, lots a people waiting to be seated which is a sign it's that good and people will wait. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Ally G.
Hopefully Lou's is just experiencing opening pains but I was pretty disappointed with my initial visit. 1) The restaurant was freezing (the AC was blasting even though it was only 70 degrees outside) and patrons at several tables were rubbing their hands up and down on their arms to try and warm up. 2) They did a nice job redecorating the old Una Mas building but the tables are scrunched together which makes it hard to get in and out once guests start coming in. 3) Also, it's so VERY loud. They definitely need to add some sound proofing elements. I could barely hear my dining companions and they were right next to me. 4) My friends ordered a roll and some miso soup. Both of them stated the miso was overly salty and they were disappointed in the roll (the menu description made it sound like just the spicy tuna would be fried but it turned out the whole roll came fried. The description wasn't very clear). They also ordered the Secret Tofu-- they said it was good but came cold (this is a fried dish that's supposed to be served hot). My friends had planned on ordering another roll but after the first few items, they decided to skip it as they were a bit disappointed. 5) I ordered some hot tea, which when initially served to me was lukewarm. The server came by 1/2 way through the meal to refill it from a Bodum-type teapot and it was again lukewarm, veering more on the cold side. I ordered a Markimoto roll which was ok. I liked that it wasn't doused in any type of mystery sauce but the tuna wasn't the least bit spicy. Also, I ordered Lou's version of pepperfin called the BTS. It was a nice sized portion but the fish didn't seem very fresh. It was kind of mushy and cut awkwardly (different sized pieces and sinewy/stringy). Maybe it was an off night but the food tasted off, service was slow (it took a LONG time to get our bill) and it was insanely loud. I may go back in a few months to see if these things get worked out, I do like to see small, local businesses thrive...on the other hand, sushi isn't cheap & there's a lot of other sushi places in Sac and SF to go to.
(2)Andre S.
3rd time me and the woman have eaten here. Un freakin' believable foodage. We get the sushi nachos every time along with other stuff. The nachos are insanely good. And no it's not warm or covered with nacho cheese, or any cheese for that matter. You HAVE to check this place out...and then check it again and again. We hope to be one of the "Norms" as it's in walking distance. Parking note: Knda late at night. Windy maybe. Rainiy maybe. You find a primo parking spot across the street on the corner. Ummm not so primo. Look for the pesky No Parking Here to Corner sign (why? I have no @#$%ing idea). And yes they will ticket you at 8:45 on a Thursday night!
(5)Michael C.
Food was great. They were super busy at 9pm. It's a small place so anticipate a wait for a table if it's busy but overall the service is good. Want too go back again and try more of the menu. The OMFG was great.
(4)Coral H.
Take this review with a pallet of salt. I am a non sushi eater so this review is about the non sushi options which there aren't many. Tempura veggies - $7 for 7 pieces and a piece is one broccoli floret. Not good value here. Could be more generous with the veggies. Edamame - ok portion. Nothing remarkable. Miso soup and chicken wings are other options. The sushi looked beautiful like a work of art. My friends said delicious.
(3)Jill C.
Was really wanting to love this place...but ordered yellowtail and salmon nigiri and the fish was dry and not very fresh. The miso was intensely salty and the BBQ albacore was overdone. On the bright side, the service was super friendly and helpful. The place has only been open a week, so I'll come back again to see if things have improved a bit.
(2)Nicole N.
We found parking right in front. The service was decent considering the large weekday lunch crowd. The sushi was very good and the Poki was excellent. I recommend the zig zag roll. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Tina H.
Really fantastic sushi in Sacramento, finally! I typically order a special and the seafood nachos. The fish is of great quality. My favorite roll is the Daniel, my brother although I've been impressed with everything I've had. Gotta come back for omakase soon!
(4)N. M.
So it doesn't help that I watched the documentary "Jiro dreams of sushi" the night before I try this place but so it goes...and the place was even so much more amazing after I saw what a man devoted his entire life to: sushi. I expected a lot and my expectations were more than met. Lunch review: I was sitting at the bar at 11:50 sharp because I heard it gets crowded. Luckily I spotted Lou behind the bar working and told him it was my first time. He was so friendly. I'm surprised. Yes. Because after these awesome reviews and articles I thought he'd be stuck up. I told him to make me whatever he wants (yes I trust strangers apparently way too much). And he didn't even look surprised. Apparently in real old school Japanese sushi joints that's how you order (read in a sushi book). He made the L train and it was insane. No rice. Only fish and awesome sauce. Yummmm! Then I spotted a lady devouring these tempura peppers. Shinzo peppers lightly battered to perfection was the second dish on the menu. Delicious! The final dish was a sushi of the freshest albacore tuna I have ever had. I didn't dip it in soy sauce (I usually do) and I am so glad I didn't. The sauce on it was so light I barely saw it and it had a yummy smoked garlic flavor. And most importantly the rice was warm. A big deal to judge a sushi place. I'll be back for dinner and highly recommend this place to anyone who likes sushi outside of the sushi cafe or TJ to go box. PS: Lou asked me where I usually eat sushi and when I said Kru he only spoke highly of them. I like that he is supportive of other good chefs and not so egocentric to put down any other place.
(5)Jesse K.
Pro's: location, friendly vibe Cons: too expensive for the quality, decor, and location Other: Sushi is OK. It's hard to impress me because I have such dull, boring tastes. I have only tried 2 of the Hi-Ya roll and the chicken wings, and by my standards they were good, but definitely could have been better. The medium quality and high prices will probably keep me from coming back here. The other menu items sound tasty though. Suggestion: I didn't check while I was there, but they should make sure they have some type of happy hour with halved prices which would be in-line with competitors in the area. I think this could be a great spot with a few adjustments.
(3)Mariah R.
Lou sets an unbeatable standard. The L-train is ridiculously good. Definitely try the bacon wontons, because bacon. Best salmon sashimi I've ever had, and I've had A LOT.
(5)Jill M.
Consistently the best sushi in Sacramento can be found in front of Lou. Have followed him from SOTR (Sushi On The River may it RIP) to Taka's to Zen. He is HOME and HAPPY sushi chef!
(5)Charlotte K.
As always this food was fantastic! I would definitely recommend the seafood nachos and anything Lou is willing to make you at the time!!
(5)Jim H.
This will be the third time I have given this place a chance. No more. Went on Tues 10/7 for dinner. Lou wasn't there. Or at least I didn't see him. You could tell. The service was just horrible. Won't go into detail. They just don't care. Why do they work in the service industry!?? Food was ok. I live 2 blocks from this place. I was really hoping it would become my favorite spot. Fail.
(1)Jessica G.
Lou's Sushi has *amazing* vegetarian and vegan options now!! I highly recommend the ZigZag and Midtown rolls made vegan and made spicy! I wish I'd taken a picture of how beautiful and artistic they were, but they were so delicious they were gone too quickly! Next time :) Their staff is always so friendly and helpful too. Great vibe, good people, amazing food!
(5)Yvette S.
This is the best sushi place in Sacramento! It is a small, intimate and with best food in town.
(5)Lena W.
The other night my boyfriend and I went to Lou's Sushi. The first thing I noticed was how small the place was. I actually really like the layout of the place. The sushi bar was busy so we sat down at a table. Once we sat down one of the waiters came by to greet us and ask us what we wanted to drink, we order two waters with a miso soup. The miso soup came right out and so did our order of the spicy tuna roll. Next we had the BBQ salmon and albacore mix. It had house made spicy sauce which tasted different than the traditional spicy sauce it comes with at different joints. I have to say the albacore was perfect and probably the best in town. That's one of my favorite dishes to order and this one really stood out with flavor and how it was cooked. We next order a fried sushi roll. It was a good size for the both of us to share it had avocado, Asparagus, and topped with tuna or salmon I'm not sure which but it was delicious! Def this sushi place is our new favorite inexpensive spot to pick up a to go order from. We used to take out from sushi cafe, and other places around town but with the amount of food we got and for a nice price we will now make this our 'go to sushi' place when we don't want to spend an arm and a leg at kru, even though kru is always worth $$$.
(4)Food S.
First of all, it is wrong to judge a sushi restaurant because the chef is not Japanese. Even though Lou is not Japanese, he is skillful and he knows sushi. The good: Fresh fish. Very clean (including the restroom). Fresh ingredients were used. The bad: No lunch menu. Could use a bento box menu. Plan on spending $10-$20 for lunch per person. The Mt. Fuji roll had too much sauce. Daniel roll and block roll all tasted pretty good. The hot tea was nice. I like Lou. He works hard and he is friendly to customers. He needs to hurry up and tweak his menu and train his staff. I will be back in a few months to check on the progress.
(3)Thuy B.
Found out that there is a new sushi place near work, so i had to try it. By far, in this area, YUMMY! BTS aka to me "PEPPERFIN" TASTY... fresh sashimi that melts in your mouth. Seafood Nachos was delicious. A combination of raw fish, mixed with some spicy paste with avocado on a fried wonton chip, to die for. Mt. Fuji and Block Island rolls were yummy and had lots of flavor. Will be coming back to try the rest of the menu.
(4)Johnny S.
Love the spicy wings and the salmon. Great sushi for real sushi lovers. Very small location but I hear they are expanding the patio area!
(5)Brian M.
Lou pushes the envelope with new and innovative sushi creations. Put down the wasabi and soy sauce and let him create you something like you've never experienced before. Will be back
(5)Wesley B.
I thought this place was great. Got the Mt Fuji, seafood nachos, a large beer, and something else (I forgot after the liter of beer). I like that the place is small, all street parking, but not in a overly busy area.
(5)Scotty M.
Lou is a master of his craft. The sushi is amazing, I'm never disappointed. Great food, relaxing atmosphere, and clean bathrooms!
(5)Andrew M.
I've been here multiple times and have not been disappointed. I'm a big fan of the Mt.Fuji. It's a little pricey but well worth it. Much better than the other sushi restaurants in Midtown. It's a small and cozy place with no tv which I like. I love the vibe. Great spot.
(4)Alex F.
This place just opened and is off to a great start! The menu is relatively small, but packed with yummy choices that are full of flavor and super high quality! I shared the midtown roll (which was amazingly crispy on the outside yet still fresh and delicate inside), the zig zag roll and the markimoto roll. All 3 were delicious and beautifully presented, the fish was fresh and the spicy tuna was perfectly spicy and light. I am excited to go back and try more items from the menu!
(5)Fernanda M.
Lou is one of the most talented and creative Sushiman I have ever had the pleasure of sampling food from! I just had the chance to sitting down for an unplanned takeaway food trip and it was just as yummy as I remember from the previous meals I have had a chance to try from him. This is just week-one, but it was a wonderful omen of wonderful things to come. To the people that chose to choose a book by its cover, and tried to judge Lou's talent based on the color of his skin or the origins of his lineage, frankly, you don't really know what you are talking about! Lou's food is delicious and creative and one of the freshest fish in the city. I promise you, give him a chance, tell him what you crave, and something magical will magically appear in front of you!
(5)Shalin C.
All I need to say is Seafood Nachos. They are fantastic! They oysters were delicious, too. They've got so many good choices on their menu though, you can't go wrong. It's a great location, too. We've really enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and chatting with the staff. We are definitely glad to have Lou's in the neighborhood
(5)Jeff H.
Love this spot! Busy and tiny and cramped and DELICIOUS!
(5)Dan P.
Looks Great. Nice sushi bar and tables. Can't wait until they serve food.
(5)Katy R.
Came here for dinner one night. The owner is super friendly and I liked how he was interacting with the customers. The service was also great. It's nice how it is small and intimate inside, however, this may cause issues on a busy weekend night (we went during the week and it was busy, but there wasn't really a wait for a seat). There are many unique sushi options and the sushi we had was very good. My only complaints are that so many of the sushi options had some type of ingredient that made them very spicy. I love sushi, but unfortunately, I can't handle super spicy foods very well. I felt that there weren't too many interesting sushi options that didn't contain a lot of spice. We even ordered one of the items with less spicy ingredients, and it was still so spicy that I couldn't eat more than 1 piece. Obviously, this is subjective and isn't an issue that will affect everyone, but I just wish there were more diverse options for those who can't do spicy things. My only other complaint was that I wish they didn't use so much sauce on the sushi. The sauces were good, but there was so much that it was over-powering and almost made it hard to eat. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place and will definitely go back.
(4)Trust But Verify 1.
We ate so much here that I can't remember all the names, but the Secret Shrimp is a must! OMG, order whatever sushi roll you want, because you can't go wrong with Lou's. The rolls come out warm....and the sushi rice that Lou is dishing out is prime grade "A" stuff.
(5)Sofia M.
Amazing food! Fresh fish, just the right amount of crunch and creativity! The owner is so friendly and comes and says hello to the customer, which is a rarity these days. This is our new favorite spot!
(5)Gary G.
Awesomeness. The owner Lou is legit and knows how to make delish sushi. The BTS is soooo good. The happy hour is amazing with $1 oysters that taste like magic.
(5)Nate S.
Based on two visits, I am a big fan of Lou's way of doing sushi. While executing modern dishes with finesse and flavor, he keeps one foot firmly in tradition. Any fan of sushi will find something to like, and the happy hour menu offers great deals for early diners. A local gem run by an enthusiastic chef, Lou's is quickly making its way onto my short list.
(4)M H.
Not bad! It can get tight in here but the sushi is delicious!!! I came in during lunch and took it to go since it was crowded.
(5)Matt C.
Lou continues to set a high standard for sushi. The menu is concise and packed full of classic and unique flavors. Be sure to try the 6-item roll and the secret shrimp!
(5)Im hungry L.
A nice neighborhood sushi stop. We tried the "fancy pants", markimoto, and a couple of scallops and inari sushi. The two special rolls "fancy pants" and "Markimoto" were both very refreshing and tasty. The scallops were the freshest and creamest I have had in a long time. The inari sushi was okay - a little on the sweet side for me. The whole bill came to around $46 bucks plus tip. We sat at the sushi bar and met another foodie restaurantaur - we started to compare places to eat!!!! I think this will be a regular stop each week - I wonder if they run specials??
(4)Stone Cold R.
A month and a half later. Gave this place a second shot. Service still sucks (my waitress could barely tell me anything about the menu). Fish is not cut correctly. I guess that's why they sell so many rolls because it hides the fish. I bet a kindergartner with school scissors could cut fish better then the pieces I had on my nigiri. Whoever cut it wrecked the fish. Also our apps were a sloppy mess. The poki had no flavor and the seafood nachos looked like someone had spilled it then picked up the stuff and tried to throw it back on the plate. The secret shrimp was a goopy mess. FAIL. AGAIN.
(1)Dixie L.
We've had nothing but great-tasting, fresh fish the numerous times we've eaten here. Can't vouch for the rolls as we like our sushi in its simplest state: nigiri. Fell in love with their Japanese beers, fried brussels sprouts, friendly demeanor and, most of all, the unique fish they seem to always have. Their medium-sized oysters and fried squid legs are also tasty. One thing I don't agree with is charging $4 for a standard-sized cup of miso soup (which is why I no longer get it here). Still, this is the only sushi place we have gone to since we were introduced to it!
(5)James R.
Came in her for the first time with a buddy from work. Place is great. Atmosphere and food! Come here now
(5)Ashley B.
Food was decent, but sushi needs to be cut like a sushi pro. I've read the owner had a lot of experience, but should hire those that are experienced in cutting sushi. Even the nicest piece if fish doesn't taste the same when cut chunky and clunky.
(2)Existential P.
Tried it, had a horrible experience and hated I wasted $45.00! Our waiter did not listen to anything I ordered and it was screwed up several times. Too salty miso soup and too much wasabi on the nigiri. For a saturated sushi market in Midtown, way TOO overpriced. First week cash only. Why couldn't they have figured something better out? If improvements aren't made in a month, I don't see this place surviving. Also, what's up with the owner's face as the logo?! It seems arrogant to me. Also, it's always a red flag when I walk into a sushi restaurant and no Japanese sushi chefs.
(2)Maggie H.
Come to this place if you want to have non-traditional American sushi. I loved the seafood nachos and the fried brussel sprouts. Also ordered the zig zag which was too seafoody tasting to me, but my boyfriend, who loves seafood, loved it. The OMFG did not live up to its name for both of us. We thought it was too saucy and was too aggressive in flavor. Paid $50 for two appetizers and two rolls. Too expensive.
(3)Heather R.
I've heard about how amazing Lou's Sushi is for over a Year from my boyfriend and his friends. He left Zen sushi and they lost track of him. After hearing it for so long I decided to look him up, turned out he owns Lou's Sushi downtown. We all went that night and I can officially confirm that his sushi is by far the BEST sushi I've ever had. My fav is the L Train & the Crab on steroids. It's like a mouth orgasm, completely melts in your mouth. It's now my #1 favorite sushi place to go to. Definitely worth trying, you'll be completely hooked. Lushi's sushi is amazing!
(5)Diane M.
Love this place! I've been here three times and, each time, the sushi was great. Ordered off the daily menu last night and everything was so fresh. Friendly and attentive wait staff. Lou's is now my go-to place for sushi in Sacramento.
(5)T B.
We've been here three times. The food is good, although not Mikuni good, but the service is SLOW, SLOW, SLOW! I don't think we will be back again.
(3)C R.
Lou's is excellent!! Always fresh and generous sushi pieces. Great selection of unique rolls. Lou's has become my favorite sushi spot.
(5)Torin R.
Great fresh quality fish! Master artisan Sushi chef! Lou has been doing this for quite a long time in the Sacramento area for those in the know. The Secret Shrimp, Lobster rolls, Markimoto and 6 item rolls were some of the best I've had in town by far! The pepperfin every bit as good as Mikuni. For those looking for the Mikuni/Taros/Takas quality sushi with a tall cold Asahi, with a very inviting neighborhood feel...GO! I have spoken!
(5)Shaina Marie W.
New restaurant in midtown. Great customer service and even the owner is often seen helping his employees make sure your dining experience is enjoyable. Had lunch there for the second time this week, the sushi chefs are awesome people to chat with or answer any questions. I've never had sushi so they gave me a quick 101 on non fish and crab rolls. Thanks Lou's!! This corner spot give a nice pop of color to this side of midtown.
(5)Jessica W.
We visited Lou's for the first time on Saturday night. We sat at the sushi bar and ordered the grilled Albacore appetizer, a spicy tuna roll, a 6 item roll, and a Daniel, my brother roll. Every single thing we had was amazing. We started with the appetizer which was grilled perfectly and went so well with the sauce. The spicy tuna roll was also great and the specialty rolls stole the show. The flavors and textures were so unique and came through so clearly. The sauces were a nice compliment but did not drown out the flavor of the fish, herbs and other great ingredients. I can't say enough good things about our meal and I look forward to many more meals at Lou's. My fiance and I both agree that this is the best sushi we have had in Sacramento and will definitely be making Lou's our go to spot.
(5)Shari H.
There are few things better in life than perfect sushi. Lou does it right. And perfect. Sushi nachos sound weird, but are great with a beer! Order extra spicy for a side of thinly shaved jalapeno. If you like it spicy, order the 6 item roll. Nobody does sauces better than Lou. Combine with beautiful product and it's a win all-around!
(5)Jessica R.
Absolutely loved it! Came to Lou's for our first dinner out after moving to Sacramento. Lou greeted us as we sat at the bar and engaged us from start to finish. My husband eats seafood but I am a vegetarian. We both had great options and were happy! It's in our neighborhood so we will be back son!
(5)Jenifer H.
Yeeehaw! Lou's is finally open, and totally worth the wait. I got the six item roll, I think that's what it was called. Delicious! Lou was great and offered to make my regular roll from Zen.... but hey, when in Rome. Am I right? My roll was deeeeeee-lish. Spicy, lemony zesty with just a touch of sweetness from the sauce. Just the right amount of sauce too, not overdone. If I had more room in my tummy for another roll, I would of ordered another. I guess I'll just have to go again! Just to be forewarned the place is a little on the small side. But, there's a cozy, friendly vibe. For those of you who say this place won't last..... good riddance to ya...stick to Mikunis with the other douche bags. Lou has a great following and doesn't need your pretentious vibe. Nor, do I want to sit next to you!
(5)Yvette P.
Went on a Friday night for dinner. Customer service was great and Lou was very welcoming and nice. The place is small so we did have to wait a bit for a seat, but no biggie, since it was worth the wait. The food was amazing. The boyfriend and I have been to many sushi places around Sac and so far this is the best. We ordered a few appetizers: Secret Shrimp and Seafood Gyoza (very good). We also went with nigiri salmon and sashimi tuna. Both were good and fresh. Hoping they add smoked salmon since that is our favorite vs. reg. salmon. As for a roll, highly recommend the 6 item. Oh and definitely must leave room for dessert: The Happy Ending. We will definitely be back and spread the word to our friends.
(5)Christopher W.
it is wonderful. such a pleasant surprise this is the new place for sushi in sacramento. if not as good as mikuni, better. service needs some kinks ironed out of it though that's for sure. that's why i didn't give it 5 stars. but taste wise many of these rolls are excellent!!!! not entirely weight conscious but excellent lol
(4)Alexis J.
Excellent sushi and Lou's the same friendly guy we knew from Zen Sushi. The Seafood Nachos are amazing and we liked the Negihama and the Markimoto. You really can't go wrong!
(5)Brittney M.
Sushi is great! Easy parking too. The secret shrimp is delicious... Very garlicky and so delicious! If you can sit at the bar, Lou is awesome and makes delicious creations. Haven't ever had anything bad from him. The service was good too.
(5)Leslie S.
Sushi chef, Lou Valente, is such a bright star. You simply cannot get better, more satisfying sushi or a more pleasurable dining experience. His new restaurant is beautiful and comfortable, as clean as a whistle and his staff is attentive and engaged. I'm am so, so very pleased that he has opened his own place and that it is in our city! We are fortunate, indeed!!
(5)Rob S.
I had been waiting for months for this place to open and have been twice this week. Lou is the best sushi chief in the area and now he has his own restaurant where it is highlighted! The fish was extremely fresh, each dish was presented with pride in presentation. The service was excellent with check-ins on beverages and prompt removal of empty sushi platters. If you like quality sushi this is a must to put on your restaurant list!
(5)Pete L.
I was very much looking forward to trying one of the newest sushi bars in town. While I wouldn't say I was disappointed, Lou's left me with a mixed experience. The Mt. Fuji roll, a Lou's signature, was excellent. They also let me substitute tempura shrimp for asparagus hassle free. Big points there. Vegetarian Daughter No. 1 said her Veggie Roll No. 1 was excellent. I can also speak to her avocado roll as she was unhappy when I stole a piece. The avocado was perfect, which is always easier said than done. Now the minus points. I was as speechless as our not unfriendly but let's say shy sushi chef at the insulting order of nigiri hamachi. I was admiring beautiful cuts of yellowtail in the display case when I was served two pieces of carved up scrap pieces with much too much bloodline. Save the scraps for a spicy hamachi roll. It's only because the other rolls and ingredients were so fresh and tasty that this one order of hamachi was so egregious. Shame on me for not speaking up, but while on one hand it was nice to not have the sushi chefs yelling, "San Jose" every 30 seconds, no conversation was awkward, causing me to think twice about making a complaint. Overall, Lou's is worth another try.
(3)Kristal A.
The server is very nice, the place is very quaint. The owner is behind the sushi bar hard at work. I am a huge sushi fan, however I love the purest sushi itself, not necessarily the rolls and the sauces. I typically order the Chirashi dinner, and my usual taste test would be either Tekka maki or negihama. The negihama while not inedible, it was not phenomenal either in freshness or texture. In another roll the tuna (maguro) was not the bright deep red I was expecting, it was a pale red, not quite the pink color you would see at the grocery store, brighter, but not the deep red I've seen at other restaurants. It is the rolls' tasty sauces and spice that make the flavor of the rolls great. Unfortunately the sauces simply mask the lack of freshness I demand with my sushi. While the sauces in their rolls are wonderful, I don't think I will return since I have other sushi restaurants that I frequent and are much closer that meet my demand for fresh sushi grade fish due to the fact that I primarily eat sashimi.
(3)Devo S.
How can one NOT go and try Lou's Sushi when: 1) Our illustrious leader Alex L called it out as a "must try" during his Good Day Sacramento appearance? 2) One of my great friends is buds with Lou himself and suggested we go there? With both of these in mind, Hubby and I met up with Brian B and Holly B for our virgin trip to Lou's. Now, keep in mind, I'm not really a sushi person...gotta "be in the mood" for it, and then it's not guarantted I"m gonna eat that much sushi. I needn't have worried; I've found my new sushi nirvana place! One sushi roll that I will ALWAYS come back for: and damn if I can remember its name! Zig Zag roll? Soft shell crab with avocadoa and mayo...oh my friggin' god! Plowed through one with Holly, and ordered a second one that disappeared almost as quickly. I LOVE.THIS.ROLL! Which, again, is saying a lot because I'm not a sushi-hound at all. I will always come back for that roll. All for me. Not sharing. Also delicious? Everything! Hubby and Brian plowed through whatever Lou was whipping up for them; salmon carpaccio, four different rolls, whole fried shrimp with their beady eyes looking up at you from the plate...it was practically endless. It's really nice sitting at the sushi bar and having Lou himself indulge you. Their BBQ albacore was delish, as was the myriad of Happy Hour items in which we indulged. Add to that HH prices for drinks (always gotta imbibe cider when it's available, so HELLO to my glasses of Two Rivers Pomegranate Cider that evening! Surprisingly, with all our noshing, we never tried the infamous seafood nachos! Definitely a reason to come back! Plus, between the four of us, we spent beaucoup bucks, so I'm SURE Lou would love to have our gang of four back in da house! Ok, so I guess we'll oblige...it was worth every penny, and there's sooooo much more to try.
(5)Mei W.
Came here for HH with a friend one evening. Located in downtown, this venue is fairly small with a seating capacity of less than 25. Great happy hour prices including $1.99 sake bombs & $1.50 oysters. My friend and I ordered other items from the regular menu and they tasted mediocre. The Fuji Roll was a bit overwhelming with too much sauce drizzled on top. The seafood nacho was good while the chips were still crunchy; but the chips eventually became soggy from the fish sitting on top which made the entree less enjoyable. Service was great. The waitresses came around often to replenish our drinks. Street parking is only available considering you're in downtown, but there were plenty of vacant spots available the evening I was there. Probably will be back for their sake bombs and oysters in the near future.
(3)Jenni T.
I went to Lou's Sushi with fellow Yelper Patrick M and my coworker Alesha for Lunch one Tuesday because they have Happy Hour all day on Tuesdays. Yes, ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR ON TUESDAYS!!! Need I say more? The inside of the restaurant is super duper small with only a small sushi bar and a handful of tables so get there early to make sure you get a seat! I had a Two Rivers Pomegranate Cider which was great, and I got the Veggie #1 Roll which was on the Happy Hour Menu. The roll consisted of avocado, cucumber and asparagus wrapped in a soy wrapper for $1.00 extra. It didn't come with any sauce or fancy garnishes so I requested a side of sauce so I would have some flavor in the roll and I'm glad I did! Otherwise it was rather plain. I'm interested in coming back for dinner because I saw some more Vegetarian Rolls on the dinner menu that looked more exciting and I'm interested in trying the Secret Tofu. Ill be back!
(4)Alice A.
Please, please keep your vegan offerings! I loved sushi pre-vegan and I love it even more post-vegan! The rolls Lou's sushi offered during the October Vegan Chef Challenge was not your typical avocado roll. Far from standard sushi rolls, the rolls Lou crafted were like flavor explosions in your mouth! The clear star of the Vegan menu was the OMFG roll; spinach and oyster mushroom roll topped with avocado, grilled asparagus, silvered onions, and spicy garlic mayo. The texture, flavors, and quality was spot on. Even non-vegans would enjoy this wonderful creation. The brussels sprouts with garlic mayo was a delightful app to start with; crispy brussels with a savory dip sauce- you can not go wrong! The restaurant is a bit small, but the atmosphere is quite nice and friendly. You are greeted by the Chef himself as you enter and the waitress takes you to your table. They offer Two Rivers Cider on tap here which is a plus in my book. The food is top-notch and the service is outstanding. We did come across a error with our order but the chef and waitress quickly solved the issue and comp'd the mistake. Thank you Lou's for crafting such amazing plates of art. I would like to return to try more of what vegan dishes you have to offer- especially the popular mushroom bulgogi rice rolls I was unable to try last time. :)
(5)Debika M.
Just found a new favorite item here so wanted to update this review. 6-item roll: tempura shrimp and spicy tuna inside. Broiled jalapeño and salmon on top. Perfect burst of lemon flavor when you bite into it! Its so unexpected and so fantastic at the same time. Highly recommend it. Sat at the bar this time and it was super fun! I'll never get enough of this place:)
(5)Nicole S.
I have yet to find good sushi food in Sacramento...I recently moved here after living in Hawaii all my life (where Japanese food is legit). Most yelp reviews rave about the sushi here, saying it's the "best sushi in Sacramento" but I think it might be more like the "best sushi for people who don't know what authentic sushi is." I give this place credit for trying to be creative, but the quality of the sushi was not up to my standards. This place is definitely for those who are into the whole sushi "trend." Parking: - Easily found parking on the street Service: - Good service. Lou was a friendly guy and the servers were pretty attentive. We went around 9pm on a Tuesday night and there was no wait. Food: - Tried the Midtown and "Hi-ya" rolls, which were happy hour specials (regular prices are a bit high). The rice was too mushy and was not prepared how sushi rice should be. The midtown was crunchy on the outside, but most of the roll was made of that mushy rice. Yuck. The Hi-ya contained the same mushy rice and the taste was okay. We also ordered the cream cheese wontons and spicy wings, both not Japanese dishes, but were alright. Ambience: - The restaurant is small but lively. The crowd varied from young people doing sake bombs to families enjoying a nice meal. Overall, I would most likely not waste my money here again. To those who are new to sushi, I'm sure this place will suffice.
(2)Crystal C.
Lou's has been open and thriving for about a year now, and deserves an updated review. I visit rougly once a month (maybe twice) and continue to see additional menu items, small improvements, and a loyal and growing group of regulars. I am so happy to have a place like this in the neighborhood. Lou himself is funny, entertaining, approachable, and really knows his shit. At most sushi restaurants I don't like to sit at the bar, but at Lou's, it is a treat. The happy hours rock, the menu has improved and expanded to cover people who aren't into raw fish, and the prices are fair. The atmosphere is always energetic and comfortable, and I know before I walk in that I am going to have a good time and leave with a fully, happy fish-belly. I firmly believe that they have the best veggie tempura in town, and I really dig their other grilled and tempura items, particularly the shishito peppers and asparagus. My favorite menu items (so far) are: the BTS (like Ju Hachi's but with green onion - delicious!), the L-Train, Miso Chicken Wings, the BBQ Albacore, the OMFG roll, and an order of sashimi or nigiri of whatever Lou says is freshest (usually hamachi or tuna). I am not a fan of large or complicated rolls, so I haven't even tried some of the more popular items like the sea food nachos, mt. fuji roll, and the 6-item roll. They look good but a bit much for me personally. Some of my friends swear by them. I would love to see some kind of sashimi sampler on the menu, like you see at other restaurants. Like $20-25 and the chef picks an assortment of sashimi instead of having to order each type separately. I have been pleasantly surprised by Lou's creativity and what he has in stock, and I think a chef's choice sashimi platter would demonstrate that in yet another way. Also, while Lou himself is a total bad ass, some of his other employees don't quite have his magic. The rolls come out consistently good no matter who makes it, but I have noticed that items like the BTS and L-Train, if Lou doesn't make it the fish/asparagus is sliced a little too thick/long and while it is still good, it isn't as good. I realize they are learning and they have a tough act to follow. All in all, Lou's is a great neighborhood sushi shop!
(4)Jeremy D.
Lou's has a small seating area so be cautious when deciding what time to eat there. They have an equally small menu but it's sufficient. What Lou's does very well are there inventive rolls and yummy sauces. He really knows what tastes great together. I've tried various rolls including: Irish, Block, 3 Amigos, OMFG, etc. The ginger variant they have is soothing to me and I was able to eat the ginger like it were potato chips. Come here to eat mixed rolls, especially the non-raw. If it's only raw that you crave for, then you might want to try somewhere else. I can say this because I've had much fresher and higher quality grade sushi at other establishments. All in all, I will routinely come back because I work in the area and I like combo mixed non-raw sushi.
(4)Sara P.
Lou's sushi has an amazing vegan menu! Any other sushi place has 1 or 2 things I can eat, which is always a bummer. You have to ask for the vegan menu and it doesn't list everything that they have online, so I pulled up the menu on my phone and mostly used that when ordering. The food is creative and tasty, with seasonal offerings such as shishito peppers. Everything is good and the service is very friendly.
(5)J T.
Beware, not kid friendly! I took my daughter out for lunch, to meet up with her mom and some friends at Lou's Sushi. Should have turned around and left when we walked through the door and was not greeted. Once seated, the service was very slow even though it was not busy at all. They didn't have any high chair or booster chairs for my 3yr old daughter. While waiting for the food, my daughter was using her mom's phone to watch some kids music video (Frozen) and sang along. When the food finally arrived, it was not worth the wait. The sushi was wet and the fish was a little fishy. The plating and presentation was mediocre. Nothing about this place deserves the pricing they charged. It was a hole in the wall and not some fancy place in downtown. That being said, not even half way through our service, we were approached by the manager of the place and was told to tell my daughter to be quiet and turn down the phone music. I wouldn't have a problem with that if the place was a high end fancy quiet spot, instead it was only a casual lunch spot at best! The music at Lou's Sushi was louder than my daughter and the phone music. Lou's Sushi was pretty noisy with restaurant background music, other customer conversations, and the street noise! After that altercation, with only half of our food coming out after 30 minutes of placing our order, we told the waitress to box the rest and asked for our tab. I walked out with my daughter first without turning back! I never take the time out to write a review but i have never been so dissatisfied in my entire life. Lou's Sushi service was the worst I have ever experienced!
(1)Armine H.
This place is just okay. I find it so funny how effective hype can be and cause people to lose their senses. This place is just okay. 1) Parking is obviously inadequate/nonexistent. So, when you tell me it'll be 30 minutes over the phone for my pick up order, please be courteous and don't make me wait for 45 minutes, while you take shots with customers and prepare the dine-in customers' new orders while you see me waiting for you to prepare my food. I believe the word is "courtesy" or just plain "giving a shi+." 2) Happy hour prices do not apply to take out orders, but they won't tell you that over the phone when you order-- even when you ask them, "you are still within happy hour time, right?" 3) Here are their prices for my order: Hi-Ya = 8.00 Secret Shirmp = 10.50 Philly Roll = 9.50 Salmon Skin = 7.50 Block Island = 11.00 OMFG = 16.00 4) The salmon skin used in the Salmon Skin Roll tasted more like old oil as opposed to salmon skin. I couldn't bare to eat more than one roll. Gross! The Philly Roll was really good. The rest were just mediocre and not worth the inflated prices. They greeted me as I entered and said goodbye as I exited, but I'm not stupid. Pretending to care about your customers using those well-known tactics will not cause me to forget that you obviously don't care about my time or my satisfaction.
(2)Jasmine C.
If you want sushi that tastes horrible come here. That might sound like a bold remark but my group waited a long time to be served sushi with wet rice. The owner and waiters greeted everyone but my group. The service was terribly slow for it not being that busy. And for the price I would go to a more upscale restuarant that has quality food. Also we were asked if we ordered our food by a second waitress. So the waitress took her break right after we ordered without saying that someone would be replacing her. In my opinion, all around bad service. And if you have kids it would he smart for you to not bring them here. Lous doesn't even have high chairs so they don't cater to kids at all. My niece was with us and the owner only acknowledged us by asking us to keep her quiet. I think you could get better quality sushi elsewhere for a cheaper price.
(1)Eric K.
I went to Lou's on a Sunday around 7pm and it was packed and the wait was about 20 min to get a seat inside. We would've sat outside but they aren't allowed to serve alcohol outside which is kind of lame. Also it was ridiculously hot outside still anyways so we chose to sit and wait for a table inside. The food was absolutely delicious. My friend got the tekka maki roll and I got the spicy tuna roll off the happy hour menu and it was also delicous. The best things were the bbq albacore tuna and the seafood nachos. Holy hell these seafood nachos can be a meal as you get a total of 6 and they are pretty big nachos. For $13 it seems pricey but it is definitely worth it compared to some other places seafood nachos as the portions for the seafood nachos here are perfect! Happy hour is all day on sunday and tuesday sooo good! Cute little place that will be packed up quickly since it's so small. Has a nice neighborhood feel to it.
(4)Fancy N.
Came here to try a different sushi spot in Sacramento and was excited. We ordered fried tofu, tako (octopus) nigiri, and sake (salmon) nigiri for my daughter and ordered a couple of rolls. For the rolls, it was hard to eat. The fish on the rolls didn't taste very good. One of the rolls had minced toro inside and the presentation of that roll was awful. It was sloppy looking and looked like the raw meat inside of a potsticker and the texture of it was not great. I'm not sure if I would come back.
(2)Kristie F.
Solid 3.5 stars experience! I definitely wanted to like it more and will definitely come back again, for their happy hour! Happy hour lasts until 6 and I was lucky to get a table for my party of two when I stopped by. The restaurant is on the smaller side and I wouldn't bring in a group bigger than 6 or you will probably have to wait! Seafood Nachos: We only ordered after seeing photos on Yelp and other customers ordering it, but it just wasn't very good to me! The whole dish had too much sauce on it (especially way too much sour cream/mayo sauce!) I liked the thin, crispy won ton chip and would've enjoyed the dish more if I could actually taste the Chef's choice! California Roll: Average, but good! Midtown: Panko crusted AND spicy tuna sushi roll sounded delicious and it delivered! Would order again. BTS: The albacore pieces tasted fresh and the sauce was light = perfect! We also ordered the "secret shrimp", but didn't get to try it because instead the waitress instead heard "spicy tuna" and brought out the wrong dish. It was an honest mistake though because secret shrimp and spicy tuna does sound sort've similar if you say it fast enough... I guess... Overall, I really liked the urban modern atmosphere of the place and the HH menu items were good. I'm interested in the other creative items they have on their menu (like the Mt. Fuji!)
(3)Ron V.
.If it's your first time coming in -- order the 'secret shrimp' first, then close your eyes and enjoy this delightful dish and afterwards dig in to their specialty rolls which is by far the best rolls I've tried in Sacramento. Nom to the max!
(5)amanda e.
Fresh, inventive, creative, friendly, delicious & incredibly fast! My 13 yr old & I went in during lunch, only one table available. We expected quite a wait. Having read the yelp reviews we ordered the seafood nachos & bacon cream cheese wontons as we were seated. By the time we decided what to order for our main our wontons were served! Our waitress was lovely, Lou was super friendly! Greeting everyone who walked in. Everything we ate was phenomenal! I'm going to dream of those seafood nachos!!! As far as the bad reviews? I smell "haters"! We will definitely be going back!
(5)Georgia F.
Amazing I will definitely be back again . Secret Tofu so delicious with a luscious mouth feel . Sexy dish.
(5)Kelli S.
Secret Shrimp. Just go and order that. You can get better sushi elsewhere in Sacramento for the same inflated price as Lou's.
(3)Anthony K.
Decent quality nigiri for Sacramento. Overpriced though. They charge $16.50 for a Rainbow Roll and most nigiri is $7!!!
(3)Tiffany D.
Came here on a Tuesday night because they have oysters for $1 all day long! Last time when I came here on a Tuesday, they were all sold out by 7 but this time I was so happy that they didn't run out ^.^ This place is really small. They only have about 12 tables, a sushi bar, and outdoor seating which includes about 3 tables. Definitely not great for big parties. When I arrived, all the tables were taken so my boyfriend and I sat at the sushi bar. We ordered oysters, the firecracker roll, the mermaid roll, and salmon nigiri. This was my first time having raw oysters (due to my bf's convincing) and they were good! I liked how the ponzu sauce and the siracha had a good balance to the oysters. The firecracker roll was spicy and delicious. It has tempura jalapenos inside and regular jalapenos on top. I wouldn't recommend this roll if you don't like spicy. But if you do, then it's a must try. The mermaid roll was also good. this roll had wakame (seaweed salad) and ikura (fish eggs) on top and was perfect. I felt that the firecracker and mermaid balanced each other out since the firecracker was so spicy lol. Lastly, the salmon nigiri was very fresh. Most salmon nigiris taste the same to me so this isn't anything too special. Service was excellent. The server grabbed our drinks and the sushi chef took care of our orders. The chef was so nice and accommodating. I loved the environment.
(5)Jackie B.
New fave sushi spot! It's up there on my list with Mikuni and Taro's.... I basically recommend EVERYTHING I ordered: -Eggplant (if you like GINGER!) -Secret Tofu (will definitely be getting the Secret Shrimp next time...the sauce is to die for) -Poki - onolicious, comes in a cute cup too! -Mt. Fuji - you HAVE to get this, everyone around me was asking what it was because they wanted to order it too Everything was so yummy, I wish I could order everything on their menu. I will definitely be back, preferably at happy hour. It gets CROWDED, so get there as early as possible! I got there around 5pm on a Friday evening and got a table easily, however an hour later there was a huge wait outside, it's a small spot. But worth the wait!
(5)Ed P.
I'm going to be quick and to the point. 1) The fish tasted a bit fishy. Not a good sign 2) These guys put way too much sauce on their rolls 3) Cozy atmosphere and good service 4) Decent combination of flavors 5) The price was on the high side given quality & taste I would go to Akebono (my favorite), or Mikuni before I go back here. This place is overhyped!
(2)Alex L.
Rather than go through the traditional step-by-step recollection of my experience, I'll throw the names of some menu items your way to get you salivating: Seafood nachos - Chef's choice of seafood served on a crispy fried wonton chip. Hawaiian Poki Tuna - Marinated tuna, silvered onion, wakame and tobiko Chicken Wings - Grilled miso garlic heaven Daniel, my Brother - An homage to Elton, with spicy salmon, asparagus & cucumber 6-item - Tempura shrimp, snow crab and avocado, along with crunchy tempura flakes If your heart isn't racing, it should be. Everything they serve up is like a more creative, improved version of your typical sushi roll from your typical sushi joint. At Lou's, they obviously take pride in serving quality eats. Yes, because they're small, service can be a bit slow depending on the night and you may have to wait for a table. I don't think stars should be docked unless there is neglect or rudeness on the part of the staff, and in our case they were nothing but friendly and communicative during our short wait.
(5)Mike B.
Hands down, Lou's is my favorite sushi in Sacramento. The restaurant features a handful of delicious rolls and sides, each with their own unique twist on the familiar. Lou's menu also features original fusion creations that are a delight. For an example, order the seafood nachos. You won't regret it. There are only a couple drawbacks to dining at Lou's. First, they are not open on Mondays, so there's that. Secondly, the space is small, and locals are starting to catch on. This means that -- on any given night -- you're waiting on a table at least 10-15 minutes, if not more. You'll also wait a little longer for your food. That being said, good things come to those who wait. Each dish is masterly crafted and the presentation is top notch. If you're in the mood for sushi and looking for something different, you really can't go wrong with Lou's. Just be prepared to wait a little when you get there.
(4)Wayne K.
Wow. Markimoto, garlic miso chicken wings, unagi/avocado roll, aji nigiri and an Echigo beer.. Hmm' that was hella good. Though I'm not a fan of american rolled sushi loaded with sauces, I gotta admit that the combination of fish and veg (blanched asparagus) in my Markimoto was very tasty. The fish is very fresh. If you want to test freshness order aji nigiri sushi. It's a tiny fish where one fish is just enough for a pair of nigiri. At Lou's they take the left over backbone of the aji and fry it up crisp and serve it with the sushi. That with some strings of daikon and lemon was a cool add-on. I'll have to check out some of the other sushi but I was impressed with my first visit.
(4)Justus C.
I've heard nothing but good things about Lou's but after 3 visits over 6 months I'm super bummed on this place. The first time I went there we waited 45 minutes to get a table for 4 even though there were 2 tables (2 tops) that could've easily been put together. Instead we watched 2 couples walkin right in and get seated. The food was good but the service made the experience a bummer. The second time again we waited for about 45 minutes this time for a larger party so that's to be expected. However the waitress messed up 2 of our party's orders and when we brought it to her attention she blamed us, claiming both people ordered incorrectly. At the end of the meal she separated out check into 5 tickets without is asking. A little presumptuous. It was a birthday and I was paying so it made it super awkward. Everyone was a little bummed about Lou's that night. And the 3rd time, a complete nightmare in fact I'm writing this from my bed at 4am w cold sweats from food poisoning. I've been up all night losing it from every which way from the secret tofu and veggie zig zag roll. It's not even fish and I'm this sick. It was take out this time. I thought maybe skipping the bad service would allow me to enjoy the sushi spot everyone always raves about. But no. Sorry Lou's but I don't think I can stomach the idea of coming back. We had a good run.
(1)Tu-Anh T.
Tiny but what an amazing sushi house! All the fish here is so fresh. Really great appetizers. Their rolls are delicious and unique as well. Went here for their all night HH on Tuesdays... And we're definitely coming back! Some standouts were their chicken wings, Daniel my brother roll and the secret shrimp.
(5)Regina W.
I was planning on going to the Blue Cue later in the evening for Trivia Night, so decided to come here for dinner since it was close by and the Yelp ratings were good. When I first walked in, I immediately noticed how tiny the space was but that there was an outdoor patio with three tables. I noticed a sign on the door that said to wait to be seated, but the place was pretty packed and understaffed, so it took a moment before someone could come over. I decided to sit at the last available table on the patio because it was farther removed and seemed less hectic for a person dining alone than what appeared to be going on indoors. The inside of the restaurant seemed to be full of people in their 20s and 30s...many who looked like couples or were on dates. For dinner, I ordered the complimentary green tea and water as beverages. The green tea was good--how can you go wrong with free!? But the water tasted strange--like it needed to be purified or filtered because the taste was off. Weird. For food, I ordered the Miso Soup, Secret Tofu, and Veggie #1. The Miso Soup was average, the Secret Tofu had sort of a weird sauce, and the Veggie #1....that was tasty. Order the Veggie #1 if you come here. I didn't have a terrible experience, but felt like the food was a bit expensive for what I got.
(3)Jill D.
Oh my goodness... I wish I could rate this place 1000 stars! The BF took me here last night. I'll start by saying I'm a sushi connoisseur... I've been to almost every known place in Sacramento for rolls and other Japanese cuisine and let me just say: THIS IS THE BEST SUSHI I'VE EVER HAD. Love at first bite, no wonder I've heard such glowing reviews. In Sacramento or otherwise... This place takes the cake. If you like sushi you cannot pass it up! You won't regret it despite the small size and the hole-in-the-wall feel. Get the seafood nachos, then again we sampled a few different dishes and all of them were phenomenally fresh, savory and authentic. Additionally, the tempura-fried roll we shared (Midtown roll) was so crisp and delectable! The tempura fried-ness wasn't soggy, wasn't greasy at all, and it was lightly battered and fried to a gentle crisp. That's how you know they do it right... You know how they say, 'Oh it depends on what chef you get in a sushi restaurant on a particular night...?' Well ALL of the chefs here make bomb stuff ALWAYS. Very consistent and the chefs know what they're doing. Very consistent service and quality cuisine. I've never been so pleased with my sushi. The happy hour is all day and they include rolls, drinks, and apps on said menu. Great deals on there, especially the beers and sake bombs (which are 3x the size of others' sake bombs but just $1.99 here!). I've been to crappier sushi places that charge the same for lower quality food... I swear whenever I'm craving sushi again, I'M COMING HERE. You should too because this place is always poppin' and crowded. But the wait is never longer than 15 min and they get your drinks right away. :)
(5)Amanda P.
We have made a point of coming here after our Sunday bike rides for the past few months. The sushi is fresh, delicious, and interesting. The oysters, the sushi nachos, Chuck Norris roll... All fantastic! Every item we've seen come over that sushi bar has been carefully crafted and assembled by the chefs. It isn't like other sushi spots in the area; they are always adding/rotating new, exciting items to their list of specials. It's not crowded, it's across from the park, has an option for outside seating. The staff is friendly, the chefs are cool, and when you're there it feels like you've stumbled upon a hidden gem. We've only seen Lou once because we heard he doesn't usually come in on Sunday- but when we DID see him, he seemed like the kind of guy you'd want to grab a beer with. I very much encourage whoever is reading this to branch out from wherever you normally go and live a little!
(5)Karri L.
I'm in some serious trouble. The kind that is going to affect my wallet and waistline....I went to Lou's. AND it's only a few blocks from my house. AND it was awesome. Started with the bacon and cream cheese wontons. OH YES, BACON AND CREAM CHEESE! How can you go wrong? They were served with a yummy sweet/spicy chili sauce. Next, the agedashi tofu - this is always a go-to for me - the batter was very light, fried perfectly, and covered in sliced scallions. The soy broth was served with the perfect amount of ginger, and altogether, the dish was done well. Lastly, I tried the Zig Zag roll. This sucker caught me off guard, but in a really good way. First up, the soy wrap was neon green (odd, but cool), and biting into the roll, my initial thought was that the texture was "mushy" but the flavor was amazing. Then I re-read the description and it was actually spot-on: fried softshell crab, avo, tobiko & green onion MIXED with Ziggy sauce, then wrapped in paper. Once I got past the unusual, but not off-putting, texture, I really enjoyed this roll. Our server was really nice, attentive, and helpful when we had questions. The restaurant is very small so I would imagine it gets packed in here during a normal eating hour, although for happy hour, there were just a few people. There is some street parking and I believe a small lot behind the building (really small). Overall, it was a really nice experience and I'm looking forward to going back...just not too often
(4)Roberta M.
Gluten Free Options!!!!! They took care of me and my GF needs. Lou and Nick are the best and very willing to create rolls to accommodate the GF eaters. It has been a long time since I have been able to sit and actually have a selection or rolls to choose from. I will be coming back for sure!
(4)Timaree H.
We just finished the best Japanese meal we have ever had! I am not kidding! We ordered 3 rolls (Vegan #1, #2 and Vegan OMFG), Tofu and Asparagus Salad, Goma-AE, and Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Mayo Dipping Sauce. One of our group is not a fan of Nori (yet), so we asked if the rolls could be made with soy wrap. They happily obliged and we were thrilled with the textures, flavors, presentation, portion sizes, customer service... everything! I can't recommend Lou's Sushi highly enough! If you haven't been there yet, GO! How fantastic is it that they have a stellar vegan menu?! I will be back!!!!
(5)Serena R.
Walking distance to the most tasty marinated tuna in all the land . . I'm freaking lucky. I came here while my go-to sushi server was in Korea, so its only kind of cheating. . I really like Lou's, we came in on a Thursday evening and snagged couple spots at the bar. We were greeted promptly by a chef and he served us up some mean sushi while we were there. I tried the Markimoto, it was simple, and amazing. .my taste buds were like "wtf give me more of this!" We also had Tuna Nigiri, again . . whatever they marinate their tuna in is sinful. BF had some crazy tempura concoction, which he loved. Our server was nice, she was attentive, she did forget my hot tea I ordered but whatever. Ill definitely be back, not on Thursday though because that's the day I go to my other sushi spot.
(4)Emmas C.
This place is amazing, very friendly staffs. It's a small place but chill, would be a great place to relax and enjoy some good food. There's seating option outside. Ordered a few rolls and oysters, was better than I expected. Presentation was on point, tastes as good as it looks. Wouldn't mind coming back again. Great atmosphere, the only thing is street parking.
(4)Loretta B.
Lou's Sushi! The most delicious sushi I have had in a long time! Everything he made was unique, fresh and full of flavor. The sushi nachos were amazing! The service was quick and such a delight! I have now set my sushi standards very high because of this restaurant! Thank you Lou!!
(5)Briget P.
Waited 45 minutes for a party of three to be seated on a Sunday. This is a tiny, squishy restaurant, so there is very limited seating in general. The seafood nachos looked too good to pass up on an order, those chips are stacked! I liked them, however the sweet tasting sauce is too much, would be better without. "BTS" was decent quality and fresh. Mt. Fugi was pretty good but the mountains of tempura flakes went overboard! Very heavy! The OMFG roll would be my favorite out of everything we ordered - great combination of everything from spicy tuna to snow crab. I like that this place has a unique menu and has a small neighborhood sushi diner vibe which keeps it humble - just a major pain in the ass to get seated.
(4)Ronnie S.
The prices here aren't up to par with the quality of food you get. It's kind of pricey, but the atmosphere of this place is nice. It's predominately a mixed crowd. The chefs are all diverse and not stereotypical Asian.
(4)Brittney P.
My mind is blown, this sushi was amazing. It's easily the best sushi in Sacramento. And the atmosphere totally resonates with the food. It's a very cool, relaxed, eclectic feeling with a twist. Very different from any sushi restaurant I've ever been too, let alone, any restaurant in general that I've been to. I loved it. Lou's is creative, inventive, and addicting. I've already told my friends and family about this place and will be frequenting here whenever I'm in town. Like, holy shit, I feel like I just saw Star Wars for the first time, in my mouth mind.
(5)Vince W.
Great service--Lou's recommendations are great and he is friendly with good recommendations. All the food was really good. BBQ albacore a little over done for my taste. Forgot about me a little but really a 4 1/2 star place for its location. Only Mikuni's and Kru on a good day has been better.
(4)Nikki S.
As good as it gets for sushi in dt Sac! Even the simple rolls have really good flavor and plated with style. My husband the non-raw eater said that the zig zag roll is the best roll he's ever had. Although Mikunis has more of a scene which is always a good time I would chose Lous based off of taste. Its a small place so be prepared to wait.
(5)Kelly A.
Favorite Sushi in Sac. Friendly and fast service. Veggie options are fantastic. Had their brussel sprouts and corn on the cob and both were AMAZING. Thanks Lou for the best and freshest food!
(5)Smelly C.
Located on the corner of 28th and P. Street Parking. Small restaurant with a sushi bar, tables, and outdoor seating. The AC always seems to be on blast because it's always cold when I eat there. So if you like the cold, great. Otherwise, layer up or eat outside. It's frickin' cold. At least it is to me. Lou's has a modern take on Japanese cuisine. The regular menu is good. It's roll centric. You won't find bento boxes and entrees here. I like that they also have specials. And I look forward to see what's special because that's the variable. Sometimes it's stuff I've seen there before but sometimes it's a surprise! something new. And I like that. Beer, wine, and sake are available. Hot tea is FREE!
(4)Helen H.
I finally got a chance to go to Lou's. The restaurant is smaller than I imagined. My friend and I came during their happy hour (3pm - 6pm Tuesday-Saturday). We started with miso soup. It had a good amount of seaweed in it. She ordered the wakame salad, spicy wings and the Hi-Ya! (Karate Chop!). The spicy wings were just doused with sauce on top. She asked for her roll to have spicy sauce on it, but it didn't come out with any. I ordered an oyster (Yes, just one.) and the Mt. Fuji. Oysters are only $1! The liquid in the oyster made it a bit salty to my liking though. My roll was massive. I liked the light tempura flakes but they and the sauces overshadowed the other ingredients of the roll. It's a solid sushi place, but not a favorite. Their fresh list is worth checking out.
(3)Rachel G.
This has become my favorite sushi spot in Sacramento. Both the customer service and food were on point. My boyfriend and I were quickly greeted as soon as we walked through the door, no wait time on a Saturday evening, and mind you this establishment is smaller than your average restaurant. Reminds me of San Francisco food spots I frequent, except parking is easily found. Now onto what we ordered.. (Thank you Yelpers for providing me with several pictures are reviews, which made ordering a breeze.) Aside from sake and beer, we ordered the secret shrimp, seafood nachos, and mt. fuji roll. I enjoyed everything. So much flavor in every bite. I loved the white sauce, so I had to ask for an extra side of that for the sushi roll. The shrimp of the secret shrimp is huge & what is in that sauce coating?! I'd probably be content eating just that over white rice. nomnom. Lastly, I appreciated the attentiveness of the staff. I never once had to wait or call out for anything because they made the time to check up on our table quite often. If any of my out of town friends are visiting and craving sushi, this spot will be my #1 suggestion.
(5)Arturo M.
I didn't like anything about this place. Rice tasted bad! How can you go wrong with rice!!?? Also there was barley anyone in there and it took them more than 10 minutes to come take my order! If there was an option for "0" stars I would rate them that!! There are much better sushi restaurants than this crap hole!
(1)Daphne B.
Best sushi hands down...in Sacramento, love Lou the staff and of course all the innovative flavors!
(5)Heidi C.
Like everyone says, Lou's Sushi is a marvelous addition to the Midtown sushi scene. I have no idea why I waited so long to eat here because Lou's clearly needs to be in my life! I was very impressed with the food, atmosphere and service. Lou's Sushi is walking distance from my house, which is deliciously dangerous. An even more delicious fact is that they have happy hour all day on Tuesdays and Sundays . Their happy hour is from 3pm to 6pm every other day. Holy smokes, I will and CAN eat sushi every day!!! The restaurant itself is small, intimate and tastefully decorated. They have a small sushi bar, a few tables with nice window seats and some nice shade screens for the Windows in case it gets too sunny. The art in the restaurant is all done by local artists and is totally rad! It can get a bit cramped if you are sitting in the middle of the restaurant at the smaller tables, but honestly if you give me good sushi I don't really care where I'm seated. The food is fantastic! I have been there twice now and still have yet to try everything on the menu. I took my friend to Lou's after a wild Bachelorette party night and we were definitely in need of some sustenance. We ordered a lot of food and it was all delectable. I highly recommend the seafood nachos or the Daniel, my brother roll. Did I mention $1.99 sake bombs?! To conclude my review, I want to mention that I am so happy with this new edition to my neighborhood. The restaurant rocks and I'm so glad to see they are doing well. Keep it up Lou's!!!
(4)MyShawn C.
What what, they have fried sushi rolls already on the menu & I liked it. Reggae playing in the place. It's a bit small & was packed to the guild but that won't stop me from coming back again and again. One of my new Midtown favorites. Can't wait to bring my sushi loving friends here.
(4)Brook Y.
We had a table of six all there for the first time so we ordered several items to share. We started with three orders of the bluepoint oysters; they were hands down absolutely the tastiest oysters I have ever had. I haven't been able to stop thinking about their barbecued albacore, and the secret shrimp was also fantastic, both incredibly flavorful and perfectly cooked. We followed that up with the scallop nigiri, which has just a little wasabi kick to it, two orders of the mixed tempura and two of the Markemodo rolls, which were recommended by the waitress as the staff favorite. Everything was great and our server was attentive. It's a nice location, small and cozy. There's no shortage of fantastic sushi places in Sacramento but I definitely expect to return to Lou's.
(4)John F.
Standard middle of the road sushi. Service was great but the fish could have been a little fresher. Not planning on returning any time soon. Might be worth trying if it's in your neighborhood but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(2)Jen W.
What a diamond in the rough. I fell in love with this place. We dropped by during happy hour and was immediately greeted at the door. Service was excellent and they all worked together to make sure we were taken care of. I didn't get to meet Lou though...apparently he's out of town! Shucks. Maybe next time. We ordered a dozen oysters for $1 each! Awesome! They were supper fresh and I loved how simple they came out...a little ponzu and hot sauce...perfecto. We also picked up the BTS...it's the same as the pepperfin dish at Mikuni's...just 10x better. The portions were plentiful and the fish was fresh. For our rolls, we ordered the zig zag roll and the markimoto. The zig zag roll was delish...this is your unconventional roll. Something about it is just so freakin good though. It's a mixture of avocado and soft shell crab...yum!!! The markimoto starred spicy tuna, asparagus, and albacore. This one was also yummy! For all of this +w sake bombs + a generous tip, we ended up spending something in the $50-$60 range. Totally worth it. My new favorite sushi place in Sac...hands down!
(5)Nancy R.
Lous Sushi is a cute, small restaurant that seats a total of about 30 people. We visited Lous' because they have Happy Hour all day Tuesday and Sunday. The rolls (on HH) are between 6-8 pieces and cost ($5-$9). They also have beers (on HH) for about $4. Oysters (on HH) are $1.50. Rolls that I tried and recommend: the midtown and the spider. I went on Sunday at 8pm and didnt have to wait to get seated for a party of 2.
(4)martha r.
needed to go somewhere quick for lunch and this place is perfect. quick service. AMAZING rolls- high quality for a decent price. oh and the sushi chef today was so cute but that has not effect on my rating ;)
(5)Josephine S.
Come in twos. We were a party of five and waited over an hour while everyone else who walked in after us were seated immediately. all because the only table that could sit us was occupied by two women drinking beers and chilling out, not eating.
(1)kevin c.
Decided to give this a place a try after seeing the restaurant rated #3 for best sushi in Sacramento. Secret tofu was absolutely delicious! Love the garlicky sauce (perfect for garlic lovers) and how the tofu is crispy on the outside. Oysters are fresh and delicious! BBQ albacore was also perfectly cooked. I've tried quite a few places and am usually disappointed so I'm glad to have found another place besides Mikunis! And I just have to order the deep fried Midtown roll. Highly recommended. Crispiest sushi roll I've tried.
(4)Jen B.
I'll get the Happy Ending next time... Was stuffed after dinner with my husband and a friend and the Happy Ending is a dessert with tempura strawberries and ice cream. I really will be back to try that, as well as other menu items. This is not the run-of-the-mill sushi rolls with a bunch of sauces slathered all over in zig-zaggy patterns! In fact it was very refreshing to see something new, creative, and delicious! I highly recommend: -Seafood nachos -Bacon wontons -Daniel, my brother (roll) -OMFG (roll) -Spider roll (ok so this is a roll you see at other places but they kept it nice and simple. I'd say this is the best spider roll I've had) -Fried brussel sprouts As a warning, this is a small restaurant. Luckily I came at a non-rush time and our wait was about 5 minutes. Service was great, prices were reasonable and I will be back!
(5)Andrea O.
I come here almost every week to treat myself by sitting at the sushi bar and having Nick take care of me. I also appreciate service from Darian and Erica, and I enjoy talking to all of their smiling faces. The food is fantastic, Happy Hour (all day Sunday & Tuesday) has some great deals and the service is phenomenal. The sashimi cuts are generous, very high quality and fresh. Try the ribs, Peruvian Scallops on the half shell, and L-Train. If you're a sushi snob, skip the Maki rolls, they tend to have lots of sauces, but you will be more than pleased with the nigiri and sashimi offerings. Dessert is also a grand slam. Lou's never disapoints!
(5)Dimples M.
Classic neighborhood dinning! Good eats in the capitol. My recommendations are the grilled asparagus, the bts roll and the two rivers cider...lol-I mean the edamame. Also a great happy hour. Do be aware that the place is small so arrive early but also enjoy the patio seating on a sunny day.....CA style!
(4)Serena N.
Lous is delicious. Everything I have ordered has been better than any other sushi restaurant in town. The happy hour menu is well priced with a good variety. I would recommend the seafood nachos. The outdoor patio is fun to sit out and enjoy a few drinks and appetizers with friends.
(5)Hannah L.
Just came here for the first time tonight. I have been meaning to try it since it is not even a block from where I live. Ordered only from the happy hour menu (which is a great deal), and loved everything! We ordered the spicy tuna roll, which was good but the least interesting of what we tried. The midtown roll and the hi-ya roll were both very good. My favorite thing, however, was the secret tofu! It was absolutely delicious. I would go back every day for that if it wasn't deep fried. And for only 4 dollars on the happy hour menu, you need to try it! I will definitely come back here, often.
(5)Jenny W.
Love this place! Fresh fish, delicious and creative rolls, clean, organized, friendly, and quick service. I arrived around 5pm and there was plenty street parking. There's limited seating though, so I wouldn't bring a crowd. Happy hour weekdays from 3-6pm! $1.99 sake bombs, $5 large hot sakes, and more. We ordered: Midtown roll- delicious and my favorite!! Deep fried to a crispy perfection. Secret tofu-another favorite! Deep fried tofu tossed in a creamy sauce. Mt Fuji roll-good! The avocado, salmon and sauces make this an extra creamy roll BTS - fresh albacore tuna sashimi slices in a ponzu sauce and topped with thinly sliced jalapeño and green onions. The sauce, jalapeño and green onions melded well together Lou dog- pass. Deep fried battered spam on a stick - too salty and heavy All the rolls were carefully prepared, and definitely satisfied my sushi roll craving. Grand total for everything above plus 4 sake bombs and a large hot sake, tax and tip came to $70. The two of us left stuffed. I loved this place overall and will be back!
(4)Jamie K.
Amazing sushi...great atmosphere and one amazing chef. Whala....magic. The food was some of the best I've ever had in Sacramento. You have to try it out. Happy Hour before 6pm!!
(5)Hanna G.
Where to start.... The service, horrible. The sushi, extremely fishy (very bad sign!). And the price for the product they are producing, ridiculous. For a restaurant that is supposed to have above average sushi, this place fell way short of the mark. Save yourself the time and just go to Kru.
(1)Rich S.
Speechless. Stop and take a few minutes to enjoy Lou's if you're close by. You won't regret it.
(5)Kiana M.
Mehhhhhhh. I would probably never come back. The sushi was craptastic. What is up with minced raw fish in the sushi?? Gross dude. The rice was nothing to write home about. I'm from Hawaii so maybe I'm spoiled. But there is a way to do sushi and so far sacramento has been nothing but disappointment. The staff, however, was not bad, very cheerful and nice. Just the sushi was very disappointing.
(2)Dan C.
Sacramento is...well let's be honest, not the best sushi town in the world. San Francisco and NorCal overall has pretty mediocre sushi, probably stemming from the fact that the really good stuff clashes with our sustainable ethos. But Lou's, damn it is good. The rolls are great, but the fact that I can get outstanding omakase in Sac? Wow. Oh and the rotating hitachino beers? The cherry on top.
(5)Mischa M.
You just lost a customer today. The yelp page here says you do take out. But apparently if you call to place an order, depending on who you get they may not take your order. My partner and I had been wanting this place all day. When we called the guy who answered the phone said he was too busy at the moment and couldn't place any orders. I asked how long the wait would be if we came in and placed a to go order. He said over half an hour. If I did this at my job I'd be fired! Yikes!
(1)Tosca B.
I ABSOLUTELY FREAKING LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I am from San Francisco and accustomed to fresh, delicious sushi. This place ranks #1 on my list. My coworker in Sac brought me here and I go everytime I am in Sacramento- a must eat. I tell everyone to eat here-- soon Lou will need to move and get a bigger place! Lou, the owner, is a very nice guy and cranks out some seriously delicious, creative sushi. The fish is always fresh and the flavors mix so well together you will never need soy sauce or wasabi. Even the fresh fish deserves little to no dressing. I like the 6 item roll. It is everything i want in a sushi roll and more. We had the edamame covered with chili sauce. They were spicy, but it was the most perfect kind of burn :) The tempura is spot on the fresh fish is just to die for! We had the "happy ending" dessert. OH MY. Deepfried strawberries with fresh vanilla ice cream - how could you go wrong? The place is small so get there before you're hungry. I suggest sitting at the bar so you can chat with Lou!
(5)Muey S.
This place looks nice from the outside, with the large graffiti art that is on the side of the building of "Lou" holding a plate of sushi. I really liked the art, and the little pieces that were on the table inside. Seems a bit more modern, and definitely not an Asian inspired sushi joint. It wasn't too busy yet when we got there, so we got seated immediately. There isn't a lot of seating, so when it gets busy, it tends to be a long wait. The menu was small, but the choices looked pretty good. The surprise shrimp was delicious. We also ordered the Midtown, Block Island, and 6-Item rolls. I liked the first two, but the 6-Item was a bit too spicy for me. The presentation and plating was pretty good. The time it took to get the rolls out was a bit too long for me. The shrimp came out first, two rolls came out ten minutes later, and the last roll took about another fifteen minutes. It felt like we had long breaks in between getting the food. I would go back again and try out some of the other rolls, and various items on the menu. The food was 4 stars, but I had to give it 3 because the service.
(3)Yvette G.
For only being open a few weeks, I have to say I am definitely a fan. My friend and I shared the seafood nachos which consists of seafood served over smashed avocado and a wonton chip. It's very flavorful and delicious! We also shared the Daniel, my brother roll. This roll came highly recommended by our server and it definitely didn't disappoint. The roll has salmon, asparagus and cucumber topped with shiso, bass, sriracha, ponzu and scallions. It tasted very fresh and had a great flavor to it. I can't wait to come back. Hopefully by then the menu will have expanded to include hand rolls and dessert : )
(4)L V.
came for happy hour and heard they too do seafood nachos! all of the staff were super friendly and fast at taking orders since the place was smaller. which is great because food was fast too. though sake bombs were 1.99 the rest of happy hour was still a little higher compared to other as in food. so for our rolls we ended just ordering from regular menu. so the nachos, bacon wontons, bts dish, happy hour wings, the two rolls and five sakes our total including appropriate tip was about $120. pricey for a happy hour so um yeah we didnt happy hour hop anywhere after that lol. but at least we were full.
(2)Ashley K.
Honestly not good. Everything is drenched in sauce, the fish is not fresh which is why it's disguised by the intense amount of sauces. On par with a Arigato or slightly below a Blue Nami. Service was friendly, but they left dirty plates for the whole meal. Definitely overpriced and a complete waste of a meal. If you want some good local sushi I still think any of the Mikuni franchise is the place to be!
(1)Adam G.
Found this place at random thanks to the Yelp app because I needed a sushi fix and had time to kill before heading to a movie showing. It's a small, quaint establishment that has both table seating and chairs at the sushi bar. I usually sit at the sushi bar to ask the chef's what is recommended or popular especially when I'm craving something specific such as unagi (eel). The chef (shout out to K/Kay for being my chef) prepared me the OMFG and I gotta say it lived up to its name. There was a great balance of spicy from the tuna and sweetness from one of the sauces. The unagi was was grilled to perfection topped with tobiko, green onion, and sesame seeds. I was very satisfied after consuming this roll with my edamame and beer but was wanting more. K/Kay suggested a dessert to me; and all I heard was deep fried strawberry. Three whole strawberries are covered in a batter that is lightly sweetened and cut in half before their arrival. They are accompanied with vanilla ice cream that was somehow as good as an ice cream parlor. The strawberries retained their light crisp while exciting your taste buds with their natural sweetness. I highly suggest ordering this delight because it stuffed me up without making me sleepy or regretting I ate it all by myself ha. I plan on returning here to try out some of their specials that change weekly and even bring some company to share the deliciousness. Editor's Note: Wasn't sure how to address this but upon my departure my credit card was a victim of fraud after I used it here. I understand that it can happen from anywhere but this was the only place I used my card that entire week so make sure you keep a copy of your receipt just in case (since my incident occurred in the same day/night of dining) . Or just pay in cash to avoid the issue all together.
(4)Corrie B.
My go to sushi place when I'm in the area visiting friends. I love the creativity of the dishes and that the rolls aren't drowning in sauces. I enjoy coming to this little corner restaurant.
(4)Herr N.
Phenomenal sushi! Challenging custom rolls that are great. The best grilled asparagus your parents never fed you. Great spicy tuna sashimi. Comparable to the best sushi we've had in Vancouver (Tojo's) or in Japan. Nice little place, tight decor, great service, good sake selection - definitely will go again!
(5)Lindsay R.
The most creative, delicious vegan sushi options around! :)
(5)Kevin M.
I used to think Kru was the best sushi in Sac. This place is great and it might be the new champion. My friend and I started off with the Hamachi Kama, zucchini, and Poke appetizers. The poke was served with a nice and spicy seafood salad and a light tasting sauce that really complimented, instead of overpowered, the fish. I've never had a stick of butter, but I think the zucchini was that soft. The Hamachi Kama was so tender. We had The Executive roll with light rice and light sauce. The plum on top added a nice salty flavor next to the rich deliciousness of the uni on the inside. We also asked Lou to make us a roll with scallops without mayo, sauce, or lots of rice. He came up with this delicious roll of scallops, tuna, thin sliced lemon, and asparagus. Everything was just so fresh and you could really taste it. On a side note, Lou is there everyday except Sunday and he was also a sushi chef at Zen Toro downtown. Overall it was a great experience and I can't wait to try it again.
(5)Ngocly L.
The BTS and secret tofu are delicious!! And of course, their other items are good as well. The restaurant is small and it's always busy so the wait for a table can be long. I love their all day HH on Sunday. Good spot to go for sushi in downtown.
(5)Bill C.
Hey all The place is nice a redo of a Mexican restaurant The food was ok Just a person adding a bunch ingredients to Japanese food He detunes the Wasabi I want the taste of Wasabi Yes we all know sushi is a specialty But what happened to traditional sushi!?
(2)Katy K.
Had BBQ tuna, hamachi sashimi, and the mt. Fuji roll. Everything was f'n delicious. Our waitress was really great too. It's a small place and the menu is kinda small too, in a good way. Not over whelming. Really love this place and will definitely be back soon.
(5)K. R.
Loved this place! As soon as I walked in, the community support was clear. I say at the bar and ordered miso soup, green tea and the Mt Fuji roll. It was unique, delicious, and great value! Don't pass this place up!
(5)Stephanie S.
I went to Lou's sushi last week for the first time. The food was amazing and the service was good..... I can't wait to go back....
(5)Elaine H.
This is it. All you people looking for sushi in Midtown, stop looking. This is my new favorite sushi place!! It's inventive while still mixing traditional with modern tastes. The decor is a bit tacky. Just close your eyes and eat. My faves? The seafood nachos and zig zag roll.
(5)Leonard A.
The food and service were okay. Service was a bit slow for a small restaurant. The wait staff spent most of their time behind the scene when the restaurant was packed with customers. I would have rated their service with 2.5 stars, but I'll give it 3 overall because they did prepare the Block Island sushi roll the way I requested, i.e., not raw. The sushi roll and the Agedashi Tofu were good, but I've had better. Worth another visit? We'll see.
(3)Marie N.
I love it when friends recommend a restaurant and it doesn't suck! Lou's does not suck. No suckage here. Lou's is the extreme opposite of suck. Like Chris C. says, the seafood nachos will blow your mind. I watched (severely drooling mind you) our sushi chef make this dish 3 or 4 times for other tables and warned him that if he kept turning around, one of those bitches was going to go missing. (He laughed, but I noticed he didn't turn around again. I think he saw the twinkle of raw hunger in my eyes.) We saved the best for last and ate them at the end of our meal. And then they had to roll us out of there like Violet from Willy Wonka. JK. We rolled ourselves because we're pros. Speaking of pro's, Lou's employs them. Every roll was fresh and delicious. Perfect balances of flavor, sauces (no rolls drown here!), spiciness, crunchiness, and all plated to entice. The service was terrific, the atmosphere laid back yet joyous, and we felt very well taken care of indeed. Oh and since it's Bacon Week (only the best week ever up there with Beer Week), we ordered the Double B'z. If you don't get a chance to sample these or the other special bacony items this week, I feel sorry for you. I cannot WAIT to go back.
(5)Austin F.
So I have lived a block away from Lou's for about 6 months and have quickly become a regular visiter. The small dining room and sushi bar give the place a cool intimate dinning experience. I also love the fact that more times than not when you go into Lou's, Lou himself is behind the sushi bar working his magic. As far as the food is concerned, everything in here is phenomenal. The fish is always fresh and delicious- the menu is unique and the specials are always killer. My favorite roll is the 6 item- just finished one right now actually. If your a sushi lover and have never been here, check it out now!!
(5)David C.
Trying out this place for the first time. No complaints about anything. Service great. Sushi rolls full of flavor. Ate the Mt. Fuji, OMFG and a zig-zag roll each. Will be returning here again. When in the neighborhood.
(5)Shannen C.
We came here for happy hour and the food was good. However, the $1 oyster on HH is now $1.50. It was still pretty good. Service was great! I will come back for the HH or dinner.
(4)Justin S.
I went to this place 12/26/13 for a late lunch. There were about 7 people in the place dining out of about the 30 seats available. First impressions were, the interior smacks of Midtown hip renovation with exposed duct work painted to neatly fit the vibe. It is a corner location across from the park, I liked that. Inside, it had the atmosphere of a library across the street from a communist public book burning. I mean awkwardly quiet!!! The sushi chef was the quietest I've ever seen one. So much to the fact that I eventually asked him, "Are you just a quiet person or are you just really focused?" He replied that he had a million things on his mind to get done. I understand these things, trust me I do. However, Sushi chefs generally personify multitasking. They can pour you Sake watch the game on the TV behind you, be engaged in a conversation with you while still managing to skillfully cut the fish and keep all the orders straight. Something was amiss here. I asked him if he was Lou and he stated that Lou was out. I noticed this chef had a band-aid on but no glove over it. I wasn't squeamish about it, but it did catch my attention, as sushi is a hands on thing. Lastly I noticed that a lady was sitting at the sushi bar and she left 90% of her BBQ Tuna uneaten and about the same amount of her Zigzag roll uneaten. So much so that when another patron was leaving she asked for a to-go box and brought it to the lady outside. About 5 minutes later the lady came back in and smiling, she set the box down on the counter and said "I left it behind for a reason". OUCH!!!!!!!! Polite rudeness at its finest. So on to what I ordered. I ordered the Sushi Nachos, the OMFG (don't really care for the name but I was told by the waitress it was good), and the BBQ Albacore. The BBQ Albacore had a sauce very similar in execution to Mikuni's red sauce....but thinner and not much on the side. The portions were larger, but the execution fell short because the fish was a bit overcooked. The OMFG was not edible.... Must stand for Oh My Fuzzy Goat..... wait no it doesn't, I actually like goat! I ate one piece and discarded the rest of this roll. The Sushi Nachos. They were excellent in my opinion. The only thing that was executed extremely well. It is really sad, this dish is a gem and it doesn't deserve to be on the menu with the other items. This is the whole, you lay with dogs, you get up with fleas scenario...... This dish alone saved this place getting a 1 star review. I know Lou was not there, and who knows, maybe he is really great at what he does, but he left the other guy at the helm and even Davey Jones wouldn't want this in his locker. The waitress was really nice and informative. They've only been open since October, I'm in doubt......I'm in doubt.
(2)LaTisa S.
See what flirting with the Chef will get you??? Lol. He made me my own creation including shrimp tempura, fried soft shell crab, spicy tuna, unagi (smoked eel), and all the fixings. Yuuuuummmy. I said, "What are we going to call it?". He says, I don't knowwwww...". I say, "I will call it the K roll, since your name is K!!". All smiles. Now I need a kickstand for my stomach I'm that full. LOL Life is good!!! ~ -- at Lou's Sushi.
(5)Chris W.
The food is so good it makes up for any long wait time or shitty service. Order the Seafood Nachos and the 6 Item roll for a little taste of sushi heaven. Even a basic Tuna or Avocado roll is done so well, it's probably some of the best I've ever had. That said, the staff really should have said something to the not one but two groups of two people who swooped in on four-tops after we politely waited to be seated (as the sign says on the door) and were denied said four-tops. I was actually really pissed they didn't have a back bone to tell those people that someone has been waiting for a table and they need to get up and wait their turn too. That never happened. I wanted to get up and just leave but we ended up sitting at the bar. When I told the waitress who seems to work there more often she apologized profusely (unlike the one who was greeting folks at the door whom could care less) and informed the owners who both went out of their way to apologize and try to make it right. It was a nice effort but if your restaurant doesn't take reservations and doesn't enforce the "wait to be seated" rule then I'll either swoop in on a table or leave. Good food is only part of the equation, and they do that part exceptionally well hence four stars for now.
(4)Siemny C.
This is my new go to sushi place in my 'hood. Came here for the first time the other day and thoroughly enjoyed everything we had. Tuesdays are all day happy hours. We came around 9 pm on Tuesday and the $1 oyster shooters were all gone by then. I was kinda sad, but I guess that's to be expected that late at night. That just means I need to come earlier! But the BTS is on the HH menu and it was awesome! Albacore, ponzu, and jalapenos! Mmmm! The place is kind of small, which wasn't an issue at 9 pm on a Tuesday night but I can see it getting kind of crammed during peak dinner hour.
(4)Falcon A.
There are simply not enough great words to describe this place. I love love loved it and as far as I'm concerned there is no reason to anywhere else (unless this place is closed). The sushi is delicious. Everything tastes so fresh. There are many of the standard rolls and menu options you have seen before (but they taste even better) but there are a lot of creations made by the very talented Lou. Really that is what this place is all about. Lou, a warm, friendly, funny, humble and tremendously talented sushi chef. My suggestion is to go to Lou's and just tell him to make you whatever he recommends, I promise you, you will be delighted. There is also an awesome happy hour all day there on Tuesdays and Sundays I believe. The sushi is so good I didn't even use soy sauce and let me tell you I love dipping into a soy sauce wasabi mixture, you just won't want to. Perfection
(5)Lexie S.
The sushi was great, not happy about how much the rolls were and i spent my entire one hour lunch waiting for them to prepare it. I was late getting back to work and will not be going here again. This definitely ruined my friday.
(1)Heidi Z.
First, the place is small and really can't accomodate parties larger than 4. Also, they have 2 tables outside but because they don't have permits, you can't have alcohol on the patio. Big downer when it comes to enjoying their HH. Honestly, I don't get why this place is getting so much hype. The only thing that was good here was their service. The sushi is mediocre, at best, and not worth the price. The gyozas tasted 2 days old and weren't crispy. We ordered the OMFG roll and it was just mush in my mouth. And at $15 I'd much rather go to Mikunis and get the Train Wreck for the same price and have it be delicious! The poke and BBQ were fairly good, as well as the bacon wontons but how can you mess that up? It's bacon/cream cheese in fried dough!?!? Go a few blocks to Sushi Café on Alhambra or continue with the popular places, Nishiki's, Sapparo, Mikunis, Tamayas, etc.....
(2)Taco P.
Pros: Best sushi in Sacramento. Good, friendly service. Cons: I wish it were larger - I don't eat sushi except at the sushi bar. It is often difficult to get a seat. Try: Anything and everything. Traditional or nouveau - it's all good. I love this place and would go more often if not for limited seating. Go early.
(5)Erik N.
What a great Happy Hour they have! I happened upon this place, only living a few blocks away, and I'm glad I did. It's not exactly what you would say, authentically Japanese...more like Suburban Japanese, but who cares?! Their sushi was so good for their more-than-reasonable prices! I recommend the Karate Chop roll on the HH menu (not entirely sure if that's the exact name)...great flavor and only five dollars! And that caterpillar roll (reg. $8???): so cute, they made it have a little face and alfalfa sprout eyelashes! Haha! Anyway, great service from the wait staff, great prices, and, pardon the expression, great white people sushi :) ...I'll be back for sure.
(4)Eric F.
Wow, such a sweet find in Midtown and with its close proximity to UCDMC, I'll be back again and again without a doubt! A quick lunch stop with the family ended up being quite an exploration through the menu. It turned out that the HH specials run all day and every single one we ordered was delicious - the BBQ albacore, Hawaiian Poke Tuna and yellowtail tataki. From the rolls list, both the Roy G. Biv and Caterpillar were expertly crafted with quality sushi rice, exceptionally fresh fish/avo/veggies and overall careful construction. Even more impressive was how light the frying job came out in the Block Island. Lastly, a couple orders of fresh unagi nigiri rounded out the meal. Combined with a welcoming, cozy atmosphere and awesome staff, this will be a regular destination for top notch sushi. Quite honestly, many other chefs within the realm of Japanese cuisine could learn much from Lou himself.
(5)Dennis R.
I was not impressed by Lou's Sushi at all. The restaurant is small but hip and inviting. Cool atmosphere. We started with the BBQ albacore for a starter and a couple of draft beers. The beer prices were a little over priced. $6 or $7 for cheap drafts. The BBQ albacore was really good. For dinner we had a couple of rolls. The midtown and I can't remember the name of the other. Both were very bland. They were both supposed to be spicy but neither had any flavor to speak of. Maybe I need to try I again. The girl at the table next to me was moaning and groaning about her roll. Going on and on about how it was the best roll she had ever had. I'm guessing she hasn't experienced a whole lot of sushi. Maybe Safeway sushi is her regular go to???
(2)Bethany P.
Everything we ordered was pretty damn delicious! The secret shrimp was amazing, as was the BBQ albacore. The Malachi Crunch from the specials menu was my favorite. The Daniel roll had a mint flavor that wasn't listed on the menu, which was unexpected. The midtown roll was pretty good. Overall, great food. Slightly pricey, especially when you're drinking beer.
(4)Sammy K.
Get here before 6:15 if you want to sit at a table! Extremely crowded because the place isn't that big, but the sushi is amazing! I had the karate chop, California, and wakame salad so far. Just ordered te tempura, and what I've seen from other tables it's going to be delicious! Good service, yummy wine and great rolls!
(5)Rachel B.
On very rare occasions, I go to dinner, and say, "Oh my gosh, hands down, top ten meals of my life." That's what happened tonight. Secret Shrimp... Indescribably delicious. BBQ Albacore... Ask for miso vinaigrette to top it off. Special on Tuesday roll Irishman... Blows your mind delicious. You must try! I am a happy and very full girl.
(5)Stephanie S.
We live literally 5 steps from Lou's. It has become one of our favorite spots, especially for appetizers. Two words. Secret Shrimp. Oh and another two words. Seafood Nachos. You've got to try it if you haven't. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Heidi N.
After reading multiple articles in the Sacramento times I needed to try this sushi joint while I was up in sac. I came in on a Sunday night which is usually the night I stay away for sushi joints due to the fish quality. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The fish was still fresh! I would describe this as an american modern take on sushi A cool tip is that they have happy hour all day Tuesday and Sunday! So lucky for me I was able to drink at a more affordable rate! We started with a sake bomb $1.99. This consisted of a almost full pint and 1 sake cup. I must say i was overjoyed with the amount they gave you. For food we ordered: -6 item roll: delicious! It was topped with 6 different types of fish and drizzled with an amazing garlic sauce - uni: this was not the freshest I have had. It could have been that I was there on Sunday...'my bad - amaebi: delicious and they deep fry the heads! Well worth the money We also had two other rolls that I can't remember. I would make a trip back to this joint if I was in the neighborhood P.s plenty of public parking and they do not take reservation so have a backup plan if you're hungry
(3)Brandon L.
This place is right around the corner and an easy stop for anyone getting off the freeway at P st. It is a small place and cramped inside, but the decor is nice and the place is clean. Seafood nachos are super bomb!!! As was the Mt. fuji. The rolls were all aa good size and were a good meal for the price. I'm looking forward to sampling more of their specialties next time I stop in!! I'm definitely going to have to pull up a bar stool solo one night and gorge!! If you are in Sac and looking to go out for Sushi, I would put this at the top of the list. It can cure any sushi craving you have, and the warm and friendly atmosphere will make you want to come again! Thanks Lou! (I don't know if he is real or not)
(4)Jessica T.
Oh god the seafood nachos make me do the happy dance in my chair. Unlike most traditional nachos, each wonton "chip" is already set up with the toppings, so no hunting around in a pile of toppings for that one perfect bite. I loved the "6-Item" roll. Strange, since I usually avoid rolls with tempura shrimp inside, as it's sometimes fried ahead of time and sits around getting mushy. I didn't have that problem with the 6-Item and I was very happy that the tempura and sauces didn't overpower the snow crab. The "Daniel, My Brother" roll had a light, almost thai salad roll sort of flavor with a bit of sriracha on top. The menu warns that it's spicy, but if you're a sriracha guzzler like me, it's closer to the mild/medium side of the spectrum. If you're big on big rolls, go for the Mt. Fuji and watch other customers' heads turn when the server brings this bad boy to the table.
(5)Paige S.
I'm really excited for Lou's Sushi and I hope that it gets better over time. So here's a preliminary pro/con list, because I plan on going back in the future, and hoping for something a little better. pros: - gluten free soy sauce / tamari! - the L-Train was delicious - really tasty miso; I enjoyed the copious amounts of seaweed! - amusing dish names, like the roy g biv and the hi-ya! (karate chop!) - the california roll was tasty cons: - the L-Train was a much smaller portion than I expected; being that it was $11.50, I thought I'd get more than 4 small pieces. I attributed this to the possibility that asparagus is out of season, and maybe not that cheap right now? - the miso had butter in it (which was tasty) but ultimately did not sit well. the lactose intolerant should beware. - the hi-ya! was either too warm or too cool... the tempura was hot, I'm assuming, when they started to make the dish, but then it warmed up the rest of the roll and we ended up with an awkward, luke-warm roll. it tasted good but I think it would have been better had it been completely chilled or hot. - the seaweed used in the california roll was too tough and there was barely any cucumber. overall, I enjoyed our experience. the waitress and Lou were very inviting and dishes came out in a timely manner. I'm hoping to see more items on the menu in the future because what I would normally order at another restaurant (like masago nigiri) wasn't on the menu, and I consider that to be a pretty typical item at a sushi restaurant. I'll definitely be coming back in the future, but I think I'll give it a few months and stick to my normal sushi spots for now.
(3)Chris C.
Seafood nachos will blow your mind. It's like they have a magical device behind the counter programmed to generate the most amazing bite of umami in the known universe. I suppose that magic device is actually just Lou's epic sushi making skills. If you enjoy sushi to any degree, you absolutely have to give this place a shot. On top of the amazing Seafood Nachos, the various rolls were all unique and downright awesome. While everything is priced in line with other local options, our entire table walked out sharing the same feeling of... "I don't know if I am going ever eat sushi anywhere else ever again, ever, seriously, why would you, this place is the best, etc.". One warning to those who aren't familiar with the location, the dining room is very small and Lou's seems to be quickly gaining popularity (rightfully so). Plan on demonstrating a little patience with getting a table. It's worth it.
(5)Mariko F.
We live close by and finally got the opportunity to try the local sushi joint. I am a sushi lover in the true sense of the word, which means I love the flavor of good quality fish. With such high reviews, I thought this would be a lovely spot for sushi and date night. We ordered the BBQ albacore as an app, then the Mt. Fuji, 6-item, MnM and BDD* rolls as well as some nigiri. BBQ albacore was delicious. The sauce was delicious and brought out the flavor of the fish, which is saying a lot because I don't care for much sauce. This dish, unfortunately, got my hopes up for the deliciousness of the rolls. This was a mistake! All the rolls were covered in so much sauce we couldn't tell what rolls we ordered let alone what was in them. The Mt. Fuji is covered in panko bread crumbs and sauce. I didn't know where to start picking up pieces because it's enveloped in bread crumbs. The BDD, which was my favorite of the rolls we ordered, was still covered in sauce, not to mention they use some sort of balsamic vinegar on the roll and it's good for the first two bites, then just overwhelming. The other two rolls were spicy and again covered in sauce. One of the rolls had lemon in it and, like the other rolls, there was too much flavor and I couldn't taste the fish. After a couple bites, I literally gagged the lemon flavor and sauces were so terribly overpowering. I ordered sides of nigiri which were delicious. It's obvious they have decent quality fish, but you wouldn't be able to tell with the large amounts of sauce on everything. All in all the bf and I ended up eating only 1/4 of our $86 meal. As far as ambiance, it's a small, casual, local place. I'm not a stickler for ambiance. I'm about the food. If you are a true sushi lover (in which you love the flavor of good fish) do not go here. My bf and I spent the rest of the night talking about how the sauces filled us up.
(2)Jane M.
This place is soooooo good! Ordered: BBQ albacore- so good! I was unsure at first by the name, but it's a definite must try! Seafood nachos - excellent!! Tuna over avocado on a chip! Zig-zag hand roll- super good! Soft shell crab that has alittle crisp with a soy wrapper Salmon skin hand roll- real yummy! Salmon skin had good seasoning and was crispy, so good! Great spot for groups of 4 or smaller.
(5)Liz S.
I don't know why this place has gotten such good reviews. Their sushi is way over priced and not very good. I've been here twice, and it's okay--I wouldn't suggest to anyone to go here. We got the OMFG and spicy tuna rolls. I had two pieces of the spicy tuna and couldn't eat the rest because it wasn't very good. The OMFG was better, but it was also 15 dollars. Not worth the price. Their happy hour isn't very good, either. Not many options, 4 dollars for the cheapest beer, and no mixed drinks (not that big of a deal, but good to know).
(2)Embert M.
Went in on a Friday night at 9:17pm. Patrons were inside and the posted hours were til 10 pm. As soon as we walked in, we were rudely told that the place was closed and asked to leave. My g/f and I live 2 blocks away and had family in town. Experience put a VERY bad taste in all 4 of our mouths. We had been customers, but will no longer be. I hope Lou doesn't treat any other potential customers this way.
(1)Kayla M.
This was probably the worst sushi I've had. The fish was very fishy, the seaweed was super dry, and my boyfriend's spicy tuna roll was warm (not sure if it was from the rice or??). I ordered a hot tea and was served it in a coffee-mug size cup, except there was no handle, so I had to awkwardly hold this hot mug while trying to drink my tea... I see now why hot tea is usually served with very small cups and a tea pot. Unlike other reviewers, our service was fine, but I'm not going to go back to a place with bad food just because they have good service.
(1)Bridgitte R.
A friend was taking me out for my birthday and we picked Lou's. It's a small location and was very busy so we waited for 40 minutes. It was 2nd Saturday, so the wait was expected. The hostess was conscientious and up-dated us regularly which was nice. Once we were seated it was just a meh experience. The menu was a little pricey given the quality of the plates. We ordered the spicy edamame which was just boiled edamame with Sriracha and big chunks of garlic. Probably the best item we had even if it was a little too sweet. We order yellowtail nigiri, tako (octopus) nigiri, california roll and spicy tuna roll. Its basic entry level sushi. I don't like to get more complicated rolls until I know if they can make these basic items. Tonight they didn't do that great a job. The yellowtail was a nice piece of fish (two nigiri for $7.00), but there was a very little rice given the large piece of fish so it was a little imbalanced worst of all the fish was a little warm it would have been better a little cooler. The tako nigiri (2 pieces for 7) was very disappointing. The octopus was cut so thin it lacked the chewy quality that makes eating octopus fun and sweet. The California roll was made with snow crab, cucumbers and avocado. The cucumber was fresh and crisp, but the roll itself was bland, a little lacking in texture (even with the cucumber), and again was a little too warm. The final item really was the worst. The spicy tuna was so finely chopped it was a red puree that was so over worked that it had a terrible off-putting texture, tasted pre-made and like it had been both refrigerated and held to long at room temperature. It tasted mushy and fishy and I could not finish my 3 slices. I would never order that item again. Also, it wasn't spicy. It was just mayo and again the overly sweet sriracha (I'm so sick of using sriracha to create heat in dishes, it adds to much sweetness and a really unsophisticated heat). It was a nice experience because I had a lovely dinner companion but I don't think I would eat that Lou's again. Sushi is supposed to be about the simplicity and craftsmanship and I don't have the sense that the Sushi chefs, at least not the ones working on Saturday night, really have the techniques down. All the food was a little off and would have been improved with just a little more care and skill. Because of that I think there are more places in Sacramento that I would try well before I decided to eat at Lou's again.
(2)Katie A.
I guess you could consider me kind of biased because of proximity, but here's my review: I live a block away, across the park from Lou's. I was so excited to finally try it, considering my other two sushi haunts are Tamaya and Miso -- which are both good in their own right! Came here Friday evening with two people, and we sat at the sushi bar in front of Dave. Overall, GREAT experience: started with the Rice Zillas which was delicious and fed my wasabi habit, as well as the amazing sauce the rice balls were placed atop (I used this sauce to dip other things over the course of the meal). Friend had salmon sashimi: beautiful in cut and fresh in taste! Oyster shooters for a dollar, and loved the additions of green onions and dots of sriracha. We each had a different roll: boyfriend had Midtown Roll (which I saw SO MANY get rolled and head to the tables while we were there), I had the Daniel, My Brother which was amazingly clean and fresh flavors, and my friend had the Rock & Roll -- she had mentioned earlier that she was looking for a gluten-free soy sauce, and Dave remembered that and took the time and care to ask what sauce she would like to prefer on the R&R. That alone is 4 star worthy! Cons: Had hot tea, which was just green tea bags to steep that you'd get at a Safeway -- but I'm not too worried about that, it's all tea to me! (That's more for the tea snobs to consider). Friend's wakame salad was forgotten, and we reminded Dave of out Vegetable Tempura -- but we ordered A LOT of food and never got charged for the salad. Our waitress also seemed to take a rather long time, which I see as two things: you just opened, so that's totally understandable...but the place is intimately tiny, so it leaves one to wonder how we could get forgotten for so long? This was most felt when there started to be people queuing up to get a table, and the three of us were just desperately hoping to pay so that we could free up space for Lou's! Flipside: it felt nice not to be rushed if you wanna see it that way. Lou's will get that final star someday I'm sure, as I will definitely be going back for the comfortable atmosphere, clean flavored fish without being drenched in sauces, and PROXIMITY to my apartment! Thanks, Lou and Dave!
(4)Binh V.
Amazing service!! They are super accommodating! Food was delicious!! They may be smaller than other places, but it works! I think of it as more selective and definitely makes them more personable! Can't wait to go back! Oh and they are one of the few places that does lemon on some of their sushi, Which I LOVE!
(5)Mariah K.
I tried Lou's Sushi for the first time last night and let me tell you I AM IMPRESSED! My roommate has being raving about this place and I was skeptical b/c what she had thought was "good sushi" I did not. We mutually agreed that this place is the BOMB.com . We had the Zig-Zag and M & M. So delicious. The M&M is a little spicy so I wouldnt recommend if you are sensitive to spice but the Zig-Zag was delicious and in a soy wrap which i love. Trying the secret tofu next time we visit! I cant wait to try more I was just so stuffed from splitting the two rolls. We'll see you next time Lou! Keep up the good work. ** The only reason I gave 4 stars was because it did take a while for us to get a refill on drinks. We had to ask server for hot tea twice before actually getting it. No big! I figured it was because they were so busy! **
(4)Derrick C.
Yay for all day Tues and Sun happy hour. Yay for Hitachino beer. 6-item roll was the best roll we had followed by the M-n-M followed by the Hi-Ya.
(3)Andy H.
Randomly chose this area because it had good reviews on yelp and it lived up to its expectations. Came in with two friends of mine and the restaurant is much smaller than I anticipated. Sushi bar holds maybe 7 people and the restaurant itself has 30ish seats available. They also have an outside area that I didn't see it being used (probably probably because it was hot). Seafood Nachos - Chef's choice of seafood served on a crispy fried won ton chip. It was very good. Firecracker Roll: Simple, spicy and savory. Sake (salmon) Sashimi: It was good, but it did not taste as fresh as I would like it to be. IMO there is too much sauce and too much deep fried toppings. I'm not a big fan of either because it becomes too much for me and fills me up. And because this place is so small, it can get loud and it becomes hard to talk to someone next to you. ps. This is probably one of my more boring reviews -_-. LOL not much to say about this restaurant besides good food and service. Hopefully my next review will be more entertaining!
(4)Sam B.
Not a bad place by any means, but not a place that sets itself apart. Let's start with the positives. Some of the rolls here are quite unique. I haven't seen something quite like the Mt. Fuji, for example. It's rare to see something that I haven't seen done before, so I appreciate that quite a bit. The prices seem fair, and the staff is pretty attentive. The flavor of the rolls is pretty solid for the most part, and obviously, taste is a huge part of my rating. The negatives are just as numerous, however. Ingredient quality was uneven. The vegetables were not as crisp as I was hoping, especially the cucumber. Sauces were utilized too much. Though the Mt. Fuji was interesting, it was swimming in sauces. It made me worry that ingredient quality was being masked. Several items were incredibly heavy for Japanese food. The Secret Shrimp, for example. It's tasty, but heavily fried. Tough item to do for lunch as an appetizer. The size of the place is also tough to cope with during peak hours. Anything over a group of 4 is going to have a difficult time being seated. The menu is also quite small, so variety may be an issue if you like to try different things. Not a place I would avoid, but not one I would seek out either.
(3)Andrew L.
This place was good! It's one of many average sushi restaurants in Sacramento. Except, at this place, you don't really see any Japanese people doing the sushi preparation. That being noted, they do a good job. I think they undercharged us for the food, but it was hard enough getting the tab in the first place, so we just doubled the tip.
(3)Jon B.
Best sushi in Sac hands down!! The 6 item roll is my favorite along with the seafood nachos. The place use to be pescados fish taco back in the day and that was a hit. I've got a feeling Lou's is gonna be a staple location for Sushi in Sac. I sent out production and film crew in while they were out from Boston and it was so good they went two days in a row . Keep up the work Chef!!
(5)Emily B.
Super poor service. I would give this place 0 stars if it were possible. I decided to try this place based on a recommendation from my sister, so I called in my dinner order for take-out and hoped for the best. The waitress who picked up the phone said it would take 25-30 minutes for my food to be prepared. Giving them some time, I showed up 40 minutes later knowing it was probably busy because it was a Friday night. When I got there the waiter asked if I wanted to be seated. I explained to them I had a takeout order and a different waitress came out and brought my bill and made me pay before I received my food. As it turns out- they hadn't even begun making it. I sat and watched as this sushi chef made my food before my eyes which took a good 20 minutes. What was the point of even calling it in?? When the guy was finally done making my Krab on Steroids and two orders of Seafood Nachos, he told the waitress my order was done and left it on it on the counter. I sat and waited for another 5 minutes as my food sat on the counter as the waitresses greeted and shot-the-sh*t with another waitress that just came on the clock. When I finally got my food the waitress didn't even acknowledge the fact that I waited there for so long or apologize for the inconvenience. The workers have such poor customer service skills! She was more than willing to take my money the minute I walked through the door, but could not simply hand over the food I already paid for? As for the food- when I brought it home and showed my sister she looked at the nachos and said, "The serving is so small compared to what they normally give." Wtheck? Did I just get ripped off? Not only did it take me over an hour to get my food- but apparently I got stiffed on the amount too! That sucks because I technically paid $2 per nacho since there were 6 nachos and I paid $12 for each order (I ordered 2). I suppose that's okay though, their food was overly salty and I couldn't finish it for that reason. Will definitely NEVER be coming back & will be spreading the word among friends how horrible this place is.
(1)Angela G.
Oh Lou. Lou Lou Lou. THANK YOU! This small little gem has captured our sushi hearts and steered me away from some old favorites the last few times dining out for raw fish. The sushi nachos are excellent. The MnM, OMGF, 6-item were mouth watering. My partner in crime and I are determined to try all new rolls the next time to try to break out of our routine and make sure we gobble up everything they have to offer. I'm told that the Tokyo Stout is good as well and a rare find at a reasonable price.
(5)Justin V.
Sushi was not bad. BUT, you get half an order of a roll for a little more than a full one at your everyday good sushi spot. Just be warned: Half portions for full price.
(2)Chris S.
Don't let the name fool you. There is some serious sushi going on here. I'll leave it at that for now. Try it, you'll see what I mean.
(5)Jenny J.
I've been to Lou's a few times now and overall they are a 10! The fish is fresh, the service is good, the beer selection is always changing! The rolls are very unique and yummy. I love their unique veggie appetizers too, their grilled asparagus is so yummy. I haven't had one bad experience here. It's a small place and they just have a good vibe going on. Everyone I bring loves it too. This is added to my list of go to sushi spots!
(5)gina l.
Got here at 11:45 for lunch. There was only one other table seated. Ordered our food and my friend finished her roll before I got mine. The waitress never checked on me. I tried to flag her down and eventually told her that now that the restaurant was full, every one seated after us had their food. She left came back and explained that the order went to someone else and would get me some edamame and get my roll to me. Meanwhile the table next to us didn't get one of their rolls, I saw a chef put a roll on a plate and then take it off and I saw another table complaining that their to go order was wrong. My roll came an hour after we sat down. Pros: my meal was comped and delicious. The L Train! There was ample free street parking Tip: eat at the sushi bar and make eye contact with the chef so he doesn't forget you
(3)Jeff M.
Lou's Sushi is located in Midtown and offers a great variety of really good sushi dishes. I have always been impressed with the fresh sushi and the friendly atmosphere in this place. I have taken out of town guests to the location with high expectations and have not been let down. Recommend the place to everyone!
(5)Nita B.
I was given a much-appreciated complimentary dinner certificate 1 1/2 weeks ago for a horrible experience (1 hr long wait for food) but that's a whole different story. Went in tonight so they could redeem themselves, and right off the bat I got a huge 3 inch piece of plastic inside my bacon wonton appetizer! I was chewing on the plastic thinking it was some fatty bacon. Uhhh nope it was definitely a piece of plastic!! Not a great way to start the healing process, I must say. Fortunately, the sushi was good, as Lou made me a special lemon, shrimp tempura, scallop creation. The sushi itself is always great, but be wary as the service and wait times are iffy. It's a shame, Lou is a sushi artist, but this is the last time we will be dining there. I'm not superstitious, but maybe the table I was at both times is cursed (table in the far corner). Diner be warned!
(2)Clifford C.
The theme for today boys and girls is QUALITY! Lou's Sushi is QUALITY from top to bottom; from the fresh fish he gets daily to the warm greeting you get from Lou himself and to his new staff, you would think he's been open for years. Nope,(not yet anyways) today is his first day being officially open. The attention to detail so far is spot on! From his last day at Zen Sushi to now, it seems like he's never skipped a beat! Wifey and I have been waiting for months for Lou's to open and we weren't disappointed. One thing you won't find here is all the flash! Lou creatively puts combinations that will highlight the true star of any roll, the fish! And believe me you get your money's worth! Recommendations: Nigiri-always fresh and portions are never skimpy! Secret Shrimp- flavor city! Midtown- great cooked roll tons of flavor and not too heavy 6-Item- great combination of different ingredients that harmonize together. We have found our favorite sushi spot!
(5)Vik G.
I am going to echo a previous reviewer on their experience with ironic similar one I had today. Bottom line the service leaves something to be desired. I was off from work during the lunch hour so went home to walk my dog and play in Wynn park. Decided it would be nice to check out Lou's Sushi and order out and then eat in the park with my dog. On walking out my front door I called the restaurant - 12:20 - placed my order. Was told they were busy - to give them 20-25 mins. Perfect told them I will be in the park across the street. Got there at 12:40 just a little early I agree, and told them I will be outside when the food is ready. 12:50 I am still standing outside, but when I went back in at 12:55 to figure out what was going on and then I realized they were just making my food now. It as though I had never called ahead and they just put the order in when I got there at 12:40. I was close to canceling my order since i was not cutting everything very close but they delivered the food at 1:00. I am sorry but 40 mins is a little long for take out. And if you know you are that busy just tell me upfront or update me when I check in. Instead of enjoying the sushi in the park I ended up eating at my desk at work and loosing the hour I had off. I will give them 2 stars because the sushi was good, but not spectacular in my opinion. Had the 6-Item and Markimoto. The ingredients were fresh. But despite that didn't find myself craving the next bite. However, they lost 2 on service, and 1 because I still think it is overpriced vs quality of food.
(2)William W.
Was super excited to try this place out based on all the reviews but it was a little bit of a disappointment, however they just opened and it may have been an off night. We visited this place on a Saturday night around 8:30 and it was busy but not packed (maybe one or two tables left) Pros: - The food is very unique and tasty. They definitely had some interesting dishes and most of them were delicious! Not what you would typically find at other sushi places in the area. I recommend trying the Zig Zag Roll, Chicken Wings, Secret Shrimp, and Seafood Nachos. - The staff are friendly and fun. - Prices are average. Cons: - Service was slow and it took a while for our dishes to come out. Granted we ordered a lot of food but the dishes all came out at separate times with a good 5-10 minutes in between dishes. It seemed to be the same deal for the tables around us. - Its a bit small and cramped inside. I would only recommend coming here with a party of no more than 4, the tables are small for the oversized plates and you'll be uncomfortable with a large group. - I was surprised but because its such a small place it can get pretty loud inside very quickly. Definitely had to raise my voice a few times so the person across from me could hear what I was saying. Overall the food was great, however the environment and service was a bit lacking. This place is worth a try but I'd recommend coming at a slow hour with a small party. I'll definitely be back after they're a little more established to try more off their unique menu.
(3)Grant H.
This is my second visit. Just as good as the first. My go to sushi place. The owner is always here so he keeps a great watch on everything. I feel like if I ever had a issue he would know about it before I had to say something. I have read negative reviews and feel that the writers must have been in a bad mood that night because this restaurant screams midtown success. Thank you Lou
(5)Julie S.
Located in the old Una Mas! location. Although the seating area is small they are not lacking in menu selections, flavor, or friendly service. This sushi restaurant has a cool, local "neighborhood" vibe to it. The sushi chefs not only prepared excellent, fresh tasting AND beautiful food, but did it with an engaging and friendly approach. I would definitely eat here again. Prices were fair - not over the top.
(4)Sam W.
Like a lot of sushi eaters in Sacramento, I am pretty familiar with Lou's work. I have eaten at Lou's Sushi multiple times now. The food has always been prepared with care and precision by a happy and friendly Lou (or David, his right-hand sushi chef). All of the dishes are presented to compliment the taste. The general preparation style shies away from over-sauced rolls featured at other restaurants. Most, if not all, dishes feature the flavors of the fish FIRST, and then it is complemented by a vegetable, fruit, or sauce. I have had just about every item on the menu at this point. All are good, but here are my favorites: NIGIRI You can rate a lot of sushi restaurants on the quality of their Nigiri. Lou prepares each Nigiri dish with a generous cut of the freshest fish with a dabble of wasabi over a small tasty ball of rice. I always recommend the usuals (Tuna, Salmon, Hamachi, Scallops, etc.), but don't be shy; ask for any special fish he has in his case on that particular day. On my last trip, Lou had an Alaskan Chard (sp?) that he prepared with shaved pieces of scallion and a drop of ponzu sauce--It was awesome (and something that I had never had before)! I look forward to the day that he has a 'Chef's Choice' nigiri plate! BTS AKA 'Pepperfin Tuna.' This dish is clean, refreshing, and a touch spicy. The albacore melts in your mouth. I have ordered this as a nice appetizer or as a meal with a side of rice. ROLLS 1. The '6-item roll' is my current favorite roll on the menu. It features fresh fish, lemon, asparagus, and is topped with slices of broiled Jalepenos. If you like a little kick in your sushi, this is the one to try. 2. Close seconds are the 'Daniel, my brother' and the 'Markimoto'. The Markimoto is just a good combination of spicy tuna and albacore with a touch of ginger-flavored sauce. It is beautifully simple and tasty. The 'Daniel, my brother' is probably the most unique sushi roll I have ever had. It is made of Salmon, Striped bass, shizo leaf, and cucumber topped with sriracha. There is an indescribable unique spicy freshness to this roll. Definitely worth a try! AMBIANCE First, this is not a big place. As you walk in, you are greeted first by the sushi chefs. The sushi bar is angled so that the chefs can see everyone that walks in. Personally, I prefer sitting under the 'big red stage' that is the sushi bar, but the tables are also nice. The service has been great each time at both seats in a group or in a pair. To conclude, just give this place a try. It is a friendly, neighborhood spot with a wonderful owner/operator that obviously cares a lot about the food he sells. If you don't see something that you are craving on the menu then let the chefs know what you like, and let them give it a whirl! I hope you enjoy Lou's as much as I do!
(5)Brittany Y.
My roommate and I are big Mikuni fans. We live right next to Lou's Sushi so of course we had to try it. Skeptical about trying a new sushi restaurant, we were nothing short of amazed. We ordered the spicy edamame to start. It was a little tart but also spicy. I could probably do without it next time. We both ordered one of their specialty rolls called the "Chuck Norris" roll. We couldn't believe how fresh it was. Their sauces are amazing. We will definitely be back and make it one of our regular places to dine out. Highly recommended!
(4)Elena E.
My boyfriend and I dined at Lou's this past Friday night, which apparently was one of their first days open for business. I live a few blocks away and have been noticing the developments in converting the former Una Mas! location into what is now Lou's Sushi (completely different look and feel, you'd never guess what it used to be) for months as I've passed by it, eagerly anticipating its opening! There aren't many restaurants in the area (28th & P) and sushi is my favorite food, so what better than to have a new sushi place in walking distance from my home!? We were seated right away as a walk-in on Friday night at the last available table (I thought it must have been a combination of just opening in an area that isn't saturated with restaurants - so the word is still spreading, and good timing, as the restaurant has only 6 tables and 9 seats at the sushi bar - and yes, I counted, lol). The servers were very friendly and eager to offer suggestions from the menu, which they explained is a more limited opening menu to start and will soon offer more (though I thought at a full page, it was a good selection to begin with). My boyfriend and I shared sake to sip on, the Chicken Wings and L-Train for appetizers, and the Daniel, my brother roll for our entree; they were all great (I posted my photos for reference). The service was attentive and the food coming out was paced well for our leisurely, Friday night meal, though it was a bit of time between eating and getting our check (I'm willing to overlook this for a business that just opened, as it's a minor detail and all else was well). A couple of things to note - Lou himself was behind the sushi bar creating his sushi menu items to order (cool to see his resemblance to his logo), and we appreciated that the roll we ate was not dousted in sauce(s); the fresh ingredients were the featured tastes instead (as it should be)! Finally, I asked and they do accept to-go/pickup orders (which I'll definitely take advantage of when I'm wanting to dine at home). Looking forward to returning soon to try out more of Lou's menu items!
(5)Charisse R.
Unreal. I just placed a call for take out...and they denied taking my order because they were "too busy". This would have been my first time trying out Lou's Suishi. Sorry guys....if you want to make it in the downtown restaurant scene you're going to have tho work harder and take phone orders. Just a tip from a downtown foodie. Don't go here.
(1)Rich H.
Wow...Blast from the Past seeing Lou again. First met him on the River back in the early 2000's and his food was delish then. Like I mentioned to my son, he has only gotten better with age. Love the new Diggs. Small, quaint, very well lit great bar and even though it was not that busy when we were there, I can imagine a good vibe here for dinner. Started out with the Spicy Eddamame which had a spicy sauce and bits of garlic. Garlic was not over-powering at all, and the flavor was excellent. Next was the OMFG Roll, which by the way is aptly named. All I can say is I will have this roll in the future. Love the crab in this roll! Spicy Tuna Sashimi was way different that I have ever had, but different is good. It was a bit sweeter to me, but that is not a bad thing. I am just a glutton for punishment in the heat department. Finished off with an L-train. OMG the asparagus was crunch and had a hint of smoked flavor maybe, very nice. Wrapped in tuna and snow crab. The menu is not too large but creative enough to keep you coming back and trying new items. I will definitely be back for dinner to try new items, but will start off with the OMFG roll. Keep up the good work guys!
(5)Amir B.
I tried this place last night with my lady, and the service was excellent, but the sushi was average not the best, but definately not horrible. The decor is modern with a pleasant ambiance. Overall, i would definitely recommend trying out this place if you have not done so already.
(4)Gloria L.
Sushi "Lite." A place for rolls, Lou's Sushi is overrated and underwhelming. While the restaurant is nicely decorated and crowded, it's a miss for us. Most of the food ranged from bland (agedashi tofu) to over flavored (spicy tuna "sashimi" which included some sweet hoisin?). Nigiri was overpriced at $7. More than SF prices. Service was poor, probably understaffed. Weird food pacing-we had to wait until the end of an hr long meal to get a seaweed and rice roll for our son.
(2)Bethany M.
I've heard people rave about this place so I was excited to try it for lunch last week. Unfortunately, i was not super impressed. The fish was not good quality and therefore the sashimi was not that great. The waitress was trying to handle all the lunch tables by herself and therefore was quite forgetful about our table. I wish this place the best of luck, but likely will not return.
(3)Patrick M.
The Short: A hidden gem for sushi food tucked away away from the busy sections of the grid. The long: I had walked by this location on multiple occasions and it was just an empty building and then overnight SHAZAAM a sushi restaurant was born. Well it was a Wed and the place was packed so I made a point to make a mental note to return. The following Fri we made our way down before the typical dinner rush and caught happy hour. We grabbed a seat at the sushi bar and were warmly greeted by the chef. We placed our orders and the sake started to flow. Our appetizers came out quickly and the beautiful sushi in various forms started rolling in. While chatting up the chef we found out that we were actually being served by Lou himself which to have an owner serving you was quite col. We asked him to throw us something together along with our menu orders. The special shrimp was sweet and delicious. The bacon wontons were pretty damn good. I personally didn't care for the sweet sauce that came with them and my opinion changed when I used some ponzu on them. I think I may be addicted.I'm so happy to have found this place and I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. What works: Amazing food and up close and personal service What to improve: Finding a way to get more space
(5)Mignon F.
This place is so amazing while being down to earth. Sushi flare with no pretentious ass holes. Very good service, small location, but well worth the wait if you have a larger group note: Tuesday happy hour- awesome. Secret Shrimp. Do it.
(5)Nate W.
Amazing. I love this spot. Great sushi and the secret tofu dish is unbelievable, it's a must have even if you aren't big on tofu.
(5)Ken B.
Lou Valente is unquestionably the top sushi chef in the region. Lou's Sushi has been open for only 5 days and I've already eaten here multiple times. The fish is extremely fresh, the menu is compact yet full of variety, and they don't mind if you order off-menu or just have something made to your taste. Love this place!
(5)