Went here a few weeks back for a business dinner and was very impressed. We cam early enough for dinner to take advantage of a few of the happy hour specials which included discounted beef skewers, shrimp tempura rolls, and oysters. The Oysters were a bit of a disappointment and I would not recommend but everything else we ate that night was good. Favorites were the black rice spicy tuna rolls and the shrimp tempura rolls. Great Japanese beer selection and friendly service. Would definitely come back here again in the future.
(4)
Natalie L.
This was a fun place to bring an out of town colleague. We had the truffled tuna, the black rice sushi sampler, and the robata sampler. For 3 women, it was a good amount of food and everything was tasty. I was especially impressed with the beef tongue. Service was good. Atmosphere is trendy River North but it wasn't unbearably loud. As for music, well, if you like rap circa 1999 this is your jam.
(4)
Mike O.
Only negative thing I could say is the wait for a table would have been 90 minutes on a sunday night so we had to sit at the bar but food was still excellent. The ipad menu for the specials is really cool. Black rice sushi is a must try and the seared wagyu was excellent. Will definitely return
(5)
Kristey B.
From my experience, this is by far the best sushi spot in Chicago. I've dined in and got to soak up their amazing ambience and have also been equally impressed with their sushi whenever I order out and get delivery. Love this place!
(5)
Shannon S.
My experience at Union was much the same as many of the other reviewers. I thought the atmosphere was outstanding and the drinks were really great but the food was hit or miss and the prices were quite high. I had the alligator kabob, the buffalo duck wing, hokkaido union roll and the waygu beef slider. Friends I was with had the steak salad, spicy tuna roll, dragon roll and spicy shrimp roll. First off, for having the word "sushi" in the title of their restaurant this place actually has very little of it. They have the standard nigiri menu but outside of that they only had 7 rolls on the lunch menu. Having gone here for lunch I was a bit disappointed with the selection. My other issue with the selection was that about half of the maki selection didn't involve raw fish. The hokkaido roll was pretty good but it didn't' pack enough flavor or texture to wow me the way I would normally like. The spicy tuna and spicy shrimp were both very good but totally in line with what you could expect from any sushi restaurant. The dragon roll was not good at all. The eel sauce that they put on it was actually quite bitter and strong with vinegar flavor. In my opinion it was way too much and over powered the the whole roll. The alligator kabob was just okay. I've not had enough alligator to be able to judge the quality of the meat but I would have preferred if it came with a sauce or a garnish. It was just a little grilled kabob with some seasoning. My friend had the scallop which actually looked quite good and she said that it was very enjoyable. The wagyu beef slider was so adorable when they brought it out and I really had high hopes for it. Although the meat was very tender I found the burger somewhat bland. The pickles and sweet potato chips it came with though were great! My favorite things were the duck wing and my cocktail. The duck was extremely tender and came right off the bone with a fork. The breading, buffalo sauce and blue cheese dipping sauce were all exactly what I wanted it to be. For my drink I got the Princess Elena. It was delicious! After tip I think my bill was about $40. Overall I think the restaurant was just okay. With so many other wonderful restaurants in the city I don't see myself going back any time soon. If you are going to make the trip it would be best to just do it for the cocktails.
(2)
Rhonda G.
Such a great place! I love the design of the place, very modern. Our server was a great guy and although the overly attentive server assistants (bus boys?) got on my nerves, I appreciate them doing their job. We tried a nice portion of the menu and I loved everything! A few standouts: Truffled tuna- amazing Agedashi potato- unexpected and delicious Grilled scallop union roll - different and delightful Japanese curry chicken thigh - so flavorful You can tell when a lot of thought has been put into a menu, very apparent at Union. I never thought that sushi and BBQ could work well together but they made it work. Definitely planning my return visit!
(5)
Mike C.
Good sushi. Very unique combinations that I've never seen anywhere else. Nice selection of saki and the apps are pretty spectacular. The service was good even at the peek business time. I would recommend reservations if you have a party of 4 or more.
(4)
Stephanie L.
So I was contacted by the owner to go and try this place again. He felt bad that the signature black rice wasnt available. I got a $25 GC to check it out. This is really the only reason I went back and I really do appreciate how he reached out to me...but it didnt change anything.... Went on a Thursday night. Easy peasey reservations on Open Table, which I really love. The space, I love the openness of it. Lofty feel. Upscale, etc. Its like trying to be a new Sushi Samba without the entertainment. The tables feel cramped despite the openness of the restaurant. I get it, pack it in to get more people in there... The service again was horrendous. Our server took forever to get our drink order and bring over the cocktails. Not to mention, we ordered Skinny Geisha and a Kirin light...not difficult to make. Oh and she forgot our drink order when we placed another one when we were only 1/4 of the way through our first drinks so we again were left with empty glasses. The food runners/busboys are annoying. There is so many of them hoovering over you, its ridiculous. It feels uncomfortable. I think they should cut back on those guys and get more servers or bartenders to get better service. They have weird liquors too so dont expect the normal, which is fine. Of course, overpriced. The food, one word OVERPRICED! Ridiculously overpriced. The sushi was good, was it worth the $18 per roll. HELL no. The fish is minimal in the rolls and the pieces of nigiri were ridiculously small for the price they charge. Kai sushi gives you about double the size for half the price. The good thing about the sushi is they have some great different options without rice if you are trying to save on carbs, but it will cost you, for sure. The robata grill was good, but $6 for ONE SHRIMP??? HAHA, you have got to be kidding me. $3 for shitaki mushroom??? The black rice was good, but I didnt think it was anything special. My former review stands...dont waste your time. There are so many other options to choose from. If you are looking for a scene...there are a TON more options than this place in the area with a much better scene. I can for sure say, I will not go back to Union, UNLESS I go for the happy hour special or lunch or someone else is paying.
(2)
Marie S.
I came here with a friend because I heard all these wonderful things about their handmade noodles for ramen, so we were stoked, given that Chicago just has recently started to up their game in that department. So this is the first place we went to right after I landed at O'Hare. When I got to the restaurant, I was a bit early, so I asked to be seated at the bar. The bar was totally full of guys there, with the restaurant otherwise being EMPTY and I was TOTALLY ignored. For a place that's Michelin rated, you would think that the service would be a bit more attentive and see that there is a random person standing there, waiting...Anyway, so I ended up going back to the hostesses asking for a table. One of them was really nice...and the other was really sarcastic. Thank goodness I had a sense of humor, or else I could see someone getting REALLY offended. That aside, so I ended up grabbing a table. The waitress who served us was pretty attentive at first and would check on us, but after a few drinks and trying the ramen, she seemed to kinda zone out and not check on us or any of the other tables unless we literally waved at her. So i guess, in a nut shell, service was mediocre at best. In regards to the food, we ordered the Mushroom Ramen was actually kinda bland and the noodles were a bit chewy. Not necessarily the best ramen to be honest. It seemed like a shio broth, but not quite. We also tried the happy hour specials as well which were actually REALLY good! The oysters were tastefully presented and super fresh and the tempura rolls were good as well. The martinis were on the spot too. So if you go here for just the happy hour specials and the drinks...that's really where it's at. If you want stellar service on the other hand...
(2)
Annie V.
I can't wait to go back! I've been thinking about this place for over 2 weeks. Everything we ordered was super good. The oysters were fresh. The tuna tartar was nice. We had a few things from the BBQ which were also great. And the cocktails are delicious. If like your cocktails less sweet just make sure to tell them. I had a few which I thought would have been fantastic had they been a touch less sweet but I guess that's just personal preference. Very enjoyable experience.
(5)
Kaitlin P.
Highly recommend the Black Sushi Sampler. 16 pieces for $25, so worth it! Shared the Surf and Turf as well. Smaller portion but great flavors. Simple decor but nice environment. Laid back with top 40s style music playing. I'll definitely be back for the Black Sushi!
(4)
Ray P.
I'm a regular here - since I sold my car about six months ago, I'm going to restaurants that don't require me to transfer or take a $20 taxi. So Union is perfect - bus, taxi, walk, it's in a perfect location...and enough off the trendy douchey path so you won't get run over by guys with pointy clown shoes or get bopped by flocks of girls rocking giant duffel-sized purses that probably need to be gate checked. But I digress.... Here's what you do: 1) order one of the specialty drinks. You can NOT order poorly. Or, pick a spirit and ask them to make you a Union-ized drink (see what I did there?) 2) order the truffled tuna appetizer. Don't ask. Don't think. Just do it. And ask for extra chips. You won't be able to thank me because your mouth will be full of delicious truffle-y tuna. And mom said to never talk with your mouth full. I'm telling! 3) order whatever is the special robata (grilled) skewer. 3) order the black rice maki sampler. three different 4-piece rolls made with black rice. Lower carbs than even brown rice..which is diabetic friendly, and friendly for those that want lower carbs. Duh. 4) order the Yuzu pie for dessert. Again, you won't be able t thanks because your mouth will be full of, well, Yuzu pie. Of course, the menu is extensive, and there are many delicious dishes from which to choose - buffalo duck wing, soba, udon, fame noodles galore, lots of nigiri...and if you're of a mind, try the omakase. If you can, get ther for happy hour - delicious oysters and robata grilled beef skewers will keep you and your drink(s) company. It's best to make a reservation, but, popping in for happy hour is a great way to try some things. You may even see me sitting at the downstairs bar (say hello!). Not sure why you're still reading this? You should already be there.
(5)
Barb B.
The sushi and other dishes were ok. No basic California roll...but silly me--I forgot....I am not in California anymore. The menu seems to be catering to the hip crowd and not too authentic on the Japanese food. The robata grill food was quite tasty. But, I am not a fan of the fish-whiff odor that hits you when you first walk in the door. They need to take care of that.
(4)
Jessica T.
Came to Union Sushi with colleagues visiting from Florida. Everything was perfect and our waitress (Yui) was awesome! The black rice in the rolls was a great change. I appreciated how many vegetarian plates there were (not just a boring veggie roll). I will definitely be back!
(5)
Lu H.
Stay away from this place. Take your business somewhere else where it's appreciated. Last night something happened to me that hasn't ever happened in my restaurant adventure life - I was asked to leave. The food was decent but the service just left a horrible taste in my mouth. A group of 4 us felt rushed the entire night. From the bussers to the servers, interrupting us quite often. I got the sense that they wanted our money and wanted us out as quick as possible, probably a directive from above. If you see that we are still working on a plate, I know it's a hard concept, that means we are not done! Finally, after spending close to $300, I don't know if it was the GM or someone else, asked us to leave! We were all flabbergasted, laughed, got up and left. And to give you a perspective, it's not like we stayed there till it closed - we arrived around 6:30pm and it was around 9pm-ish when they started not-so\-subtly trying to get us out, from taking the water glass away to cleaning the table. Usually I could take a clue, but last night was just one of those nights that I felt like enjoying a good conversation with friends without being rushed. The audacity that this place has- sorry, you're not that great - is unbelievable. Personally, I just don't think this is the way to run a business- bottom line. Fortunately, Yelp has become a powerful tool as it's evened the game between business and consumer. Unless this place changes it's philosophy, it will alienate more customers and lose in the long run. Hopefully, my review will help them lose.
(1)
Maria D.
Outstanding! Although a bit rowdy on the Saturday night, this place is top notch and excellent value ! You will find similar food quality as you would at Sunda or Roka Akkor without a sophisticated waiter (our gal was very matter of fact) in a slightly more casual atmosphere BUT at half the price! So depending on the mood of your evening Union may be ideal for the occasion. You will find yourself in the trendiest space with an industrial feel and clubby music. The food selection, presentation and uniqueness of flavors is outstanding. They have a ton of small plates to share and we LOVED everything that came out. I would especially recommend Cobia Carpaccio and their presentation of Oysters was mind blowing! Of course their soft crab roll was a special treat, all wrapped in cucumber in a sweet and spicy chili sauce.. yum!!!! Small Tip: If you are ordering 5-6 dishes, either wait to tell them or specifically ask them to space it out - otherwise their fast and tenacious wait staff may cover your little table with all of the dishes you ordered at once:) Get ready for an excellent meal!
(5)
Jaime M.
Very impressive. Loved the music, atmosphere and food. Really enjoyed the eclectic menu options on top of regular good classic sushi! And they own a great bar next door for a night cap, nice spot!
(5)
David R.
Not exactly traditional sushi, but really good nonetheless. Lots of good barbeque and noodle options. The space is self-consciously hip, but it comes off fun. Start with the sashimi cup - super tasty. Excellent cocktails, to boot.
(4)
Jennifer H.
This was my first visit to Union Sushi and I know I will be back! Our server Sean was amazing and courteous. The food was incredible! The mushroom dumpling were so good! The desert Pumpkin Mochi Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream and Caramel OMG I could eat it all day every day!
(5)
Sofia J.
Love coming here!! 2 times was not enough!! Delicious $10 cocktails (Surprise+Delight) Delicious menu: oysters (love the jalapeno-cilantro ponzu), bbq'd squid skewer, sushi (especially the black rice sushi), yummy bento boxes... this list will continue. All this for very affordable prices!!
(5)
Laurence B.
Sit at the upstairs bar! Very knowledgeable bartenders, amazing whiskey and sake selection. Sushi is UNBELIEVABLE... like the others say, try the black rice wraps. Everything was fresh and delicious. And original. Seems like downstairs is a little noisy and trendy. The cool play is to sit at the upstairs bar in the corner. And order the whiskey that the bartender tells you to order. And the new beer that they just got in. The one in the can, from japan.
(5)
Dave G.
I waited an hour for a "sushi roll" that was actually only half a sushi roll and a beef skewer that was two small bites. This place earns two stars from me because the food did actually taste good, and I liked the ambiance. But Union failed at the primary task of a restaurant, which is to feed me. Rather than wait another hour for another round of way overpriced toy food, I left and went to Gild Bar for some actual food.
(2)
Ashley S.
I ate here last night with two fellow sushi fanatics. They couldn't seat us immediatly in the dining room so we opted to eat upstairs in the bar/lounge. The dining area looked smaller than expected and the table for two were really close together. Likely wouldn't take a date there for that reason. The super nice and capable bartender was our server so the service lacked a bit when she got busy. I hated the cocktail menu and wished they would have mad more effort to include sake-focused drinks. However, the bartender suggested an awesome, off the menu, citrus and gin cocktail (I hate gin) that we feel in love with and had three of. I loved the few rolls we shared and hope to return to try the bbq. I am a sushi purist and judge places on the quality of fish. Here it was average so I dont think I'd do sashimi here. However, the rolls we had were delish, especially the river north roll. It didn't have rice, something new to me, and was so fresh. The rolls were the perfect size and crisp in a refreshing way. I hope to return soon with some non food snob friends. I'd never take my sushi-fanatic boyfriend who spent years in San Fran. Arami and Mairi are better bets for him. Good for girlfriends. Needed addition to the neighborhood. Tasty but not exactly traditional.
(3)
Jeff R.
My buddy Eric and I decided to check out Union one day after work because we had heard it's a funky cool spot with some interesting food. I'd agree on all fronts with varying degrees of success. It's an interesting concept with interesting food, but sometimes "interesting" doesn't translate into well executed food at reasonable prices. You can't help but notice the cool graffiti art on the walls, the second story level overlooking the main floor or the class enclosed kushiyaki grill in the middle of the space erupting in flames every few minutes. Then there's the menu - self described as featuring a broad range of Kushiyaki (grilled meat, seafood and vegetables on a skewer) and a variety of sushi and sashimi. What could be better than having tasty sushi with some traditional starters/salads mixed with some grilled meat on a stick? The problem is that our flavors came in waves of really nice with really bland, and on top of that they came at steep prices. Our first stab at the menu included six skewers of food, two sushi rolls and a Wagyu tartare. There was plenty of roller coaster flavors in that trio. The good: we loved the alligator on a stick, really juicy and tender white meat, the beef filet and tongue - nice and flavorful - and one of our sushi rolls was interesting and simple with a kick of spice without mayo or wasabi. The bad: our $12 wagyu tartare was quite awful - no flavor whatsoever, similar to cardboard. Put it on the salt chip and there's some flavor, add soy sauce and it's manageable. But I wasn't expecting wagyu tartare to be that bland. The other sushi roll was ok, not a lot going on but interesting. Biggest problem is paying $6 for only 4 pieces. We also had one tofu on a stick and a shiitake mushroom. My tofu looked like a candy bar with the peanut(?) sauce and sugar color. The tofu was ok but the sauce was way too strong. Eric said he enjoyed the mushroom. Even though it seems like we ordered a lot food, it didn't go a long way. We quickly added to our meal with a chicken thigh from the grill and another beef filet. In addition we tried the duck soba noodle dish and a duck wing in buffalo sauce. I really liked the noodle dish with shredded duck pieces. It had enough flavor to make it curious but not too many moving parts to get confused. The duck wing in buffalo spicy sauce was also very nice. It's more interesting than ordering chicken wings and probably a little tastier given the size and nature of the meat. And for $5 it clearly was the best value of the night. To finish things off the right way we ordered the ice cream sandwich flight. Cute huh! The star was clearly the chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream. That was delicious. The green tea and red bean are interesting but pale in comparison to the traditional. Union has some good things going for it with some nice dishes and a funky fun atmosphere/decor. The drinks selection is impressive with plenty of sake and imported beer to choose from. My largest complaint is the value for flavor is just not there. Our bill for two was $180 all in (including a few drinks) and we didn't exactly leave stuffed or inebriated. I really like the soba noodles and some of the classic kushiyaki-style grilled meat (must try alligator and beef filet). I wish the sushi menu was more approachable and affordable because that could be a nice meal to mix and match sushi with BBQ (it's in the name I suppose...).
(2)
Anisha A.
You know you're in an authentic Japanese spot when there are penis straw remnants from a bachelorette party and La Bamba is on the loudspeakers. To complement the cutting edge beats, the mixers are flat and may have been leftover from a house party last summer. This propelled our Norwegian with a soft spot for gin and tonics into an understandable rage. For me, it further enabled the straight liquor habit. Perhaps the worst crime is the stark lighting on a Saturday night which puts unnecessary spotlight on the cheezed, dated look. No one should have to face the cringing reality of Union Sushi or one night stands under such bright, sobering conditions. Yes, it's opening week and there's a shortage of dimmer consultants across the Midwest, but come on. The food didn't make up for it. Union should be renamed Bland Prison Rations. Plan to order double or triple of everything unless you want to be the goon splitting a scallop four ways. There's essentially four pieces per maki and one serving of most of the rest. The wagyu sliders and truffled tuna were picturesque but blah. The specialty maki, aside from inconsistent temperatures, was fine and anything with duck (buffalo duck wing, duck fat yaki soba) was a half step above the rest.
(2)
Paul L.
I should have expected it, however it was still a surprise to pay $15 per Long Island Iced tea. I guess I didn't realize that they used glacial ice. The service was good and atmosphere was nice, however I don't NEED to go back.
(3)
Amy H.
Union is my favorite sushi place in Chcago. The alligator skewers are delicious and the Clifton #4 rolls are on point. The atmosphere is cool too. Graffiti on the walls. Funky seating. Very modern. I don't know what is with the negative reviews. What are you all smokin? They even have clever magnets and matches! It's not expensive either... I'm racking my brain to try and figure out why it's not at least getting a solid 4. Drawing blanks. I suppose our server last time did screw up my order... But it wasnt a big deal, she just brought 4 more rolls out. Maybe it's a service thing. Either way, that Clifton #4 is heavenly and it will keep me coming back.
(5)
Eric S.
If you're an asian / sushi fan, this place has something for everyone. Whether is Asian BBQ or sushi there are lots of great finds. Also make sure to check out the drink menu and sake flights. Only complain would be the portion size is so wildly different from plate to plate.
(4)
Rosario W.
We went to this place On a Friday night about 8:30pm. We had reservations we were seated about 5-10 minutes after we arrived. One of my few Complaints was That is was loud So loud, we had to scream at each other to be heard. We were a party of five and it was my husbands Birthday. I have to Give the manager a glowing review because when I made my online reservation the online menu for restaurant week was still up, and i figured they were one of the restaurants that extended it. When we sat down and asked the server about it she said it wasn't available. The manager came over and checked to see that yes the menu is still listed online. He let us order those items on the menu at the restaurant week price. The soba noodle salad was great, most of us ordered that. the Salad My friend, she enjoyed and loved the warm croutons. Most of us ordered the sushi rolls. So fresh and amazing. My husband the birthday boy ordered the skate wing but the server did not hear him correctly (the music) and she got his order wrong, of all orders. One of us had the surf and turf, the sauce was amazing. the portion of meat was small, and left you wanting more. Dessert was great the sundae flight was yummy, so was the yuzu Pie (like key lime) but with and extra kick. I would go here again to try the Barbeque meat and maybe more sushi rolls, I would hope to find a night not as loud.
(3)
Valerie R.
Down one star from last time. I've eaten at Union for lunch on several occasions now and the service has consistently slipped. They still don't offer the veggie menu unless you request it (there are a lot of different options on there that even meat eaters would be interested in), the edamame isn't listed on the menu anywhere, they no longer have the brussel sprouts (but have them on the menu... they were my favorite!) and the smell from the exhaust fans is still shot out onto Franklin. My friend's theory is that they were installed upside down.. haha. Union, you're slipping!
(2)
Mel C.
I went to Union Sushi & Barbeque last week with a group of 12 for my birthday dinner. The staff was very accommodating-especially since I had changed my party size 3 times that day. They sat us in a great area and I was very impressed by the look & feel of the establishment. The Old City Market roll was a big hit at our table, as well as the Union Sliders. I also ordered the Frog Legs (1st time experience) and found them to be delicious! The reason I'm voting it 4 out of 5 stars is because I had asked our server what the Wednesday night martini special was & she did not know. She said that the bar upstairs offered something different then the restaurant area. I asked her to recommend a martini that was on the sweeter side, and she couldn't. She did though later come back to recommend one, but I just felt like server's should know off the top of their head 1 or 2 of their favorite cocktails to be able to express to customer's with questions. Okay, back to the good comments- after dinner we were informed the UpBar had complimentary champagne! A perfect touch to end the evening on my birthday! Thanks! :)
(4)
Patrick B.
We had a wonderful dinner there last night. By far the best sushi I've ever had! Couldn't recommend this place more!
(5)
K K.
My wife doesn't care for sushi. I brought her to Union Sushi in our search for a good sushi restaurant that can also make her happy. This is the place. My wife loves the spare ribs, the Agedashi potato, and a number of other cooked items on the menu. I'm very happy with everything I've tried on the sushi/sashimi list. Just as important, they have a great sake and whiskey bar and a bar staff that knows the bar list well. A nice touch: For an additional charge you can request fresh wasabi. They grate wasabi directly from the root at your table; a unique experience.
(4)
Rob S.
Had a great time here, went with some friends and had some good drinks, some good food and a great time (even if the lady next to us had to much to drink and threw up) i had one of the best Rolls i have ever had the Devon Roll with black rice, holy cow that was so good.
(4)
Jedd J.
I went with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The sushi was very good. Good selection of sake and spirits. The space looks a bit like a place you'd find on Main Street in a college town, but I did like the pumping rock music.
(4)
Li S.
It was a good Culinary and Libation experience. I enjoyed the Duck Wing. My only criticism is that when fried as much can be a bit dry. The Black Sushi sampler is a must have with the Chesapeake Bay roll. I now will request Black Rice when possible. The sparkling Sake is a must do. Tuesday a bottle is half price so it's 17 instead of the 34. Other at the table loved their drinks. Only problem is this place is not very big. Don't recommend waiting at the bar areas since it only has about 4 seats. We had practically every BBQ Bar item except Kangaroo. Tuna is just average. Beef Fillet tender and scallop and shrimp are a must. It is very over priced for Sushi but worth the experience. Three of us and bill was $77 per person. Will come back but maybe during the Happy Hour.
(4)
S P.
This place is just ok, nothing special. The decor is a too minimalist and the atmosphere overall felt cold. The waitress was just ok, didn't really smile, she was just doing the bare minimal to get her paycheck. The food left something to be desired. Alligator: I was really excited because I've never eaten alligator before but it was just ok, the tastiest part of the dish was the tempura that it came with it. Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop: Very delicious, but $6 for one piece... are you kidding me? Sushi; River North: Nothing special, it wasn't bad but it wasn't good, it was missing excitement similar to all you can eat sushi places. Old City Market: Very delicious, and I wouldn't mind eating something like that again, definitely the best part of our meal. Clifton #4: Again nothing special, I couldn't even taste the fish. Overall I wouldn't go back, the taste was something you can get at an all you can eat place; boring and always something left to be desired. They are ridiculously overpriced for how bland everything is. This is a classic case of a menu that looks extremely exciting (I literally couldn't decide what I wanted to eat because I thought everything sounded so delicious), but the food isn't special at all.
(3)
Peggy N.
Yum! As a relatively recent sushi convert, I appreciated the many easy options for rolls here. According to sushi loving bf, the rolls here are a little more tempura-y than the "authentic" places. Oh well. The black rice was a rare low-carb option that actually tasted better than the original, and I loved the unique vegetable rolls (like sweet potato!). The free edemame at the table was very welcome, and the service was great! Also liked the decor and feel of the place- great date night spot without being too trendy. Will be back again!
(4)
Leo L.
Love the vibe, aggressive menu, different and all around funky, trendy and legit
(5)
Adam L.
My folks came into town for a weekend and I live a couple blocks from this place so we decided to check it out. We went during happy hour where they have $1 oysters and $2 beef filet skewers. While other places may tone down the quality of their food during happy hour, Union keeps it very consistent. The oysters were fresh and succulent, and the skewers were cooked to order (medium-rare) and freaking delicious. We sat at the bar and were delighted to have the executive chef/restaurant partner Chef Chao personally recommend and serve us our food. My family and I are no one too special so to have the attention that I believe Chao shows everyone was quite a treat. After the skewers and oysters, we moved on to the entrees which we ordered from the entree menu: alligator ribs, and grilled prawn. I never had alligator but the slow-cook it and serve it with a kind of mashed potatoe that was heaven. The meat was tender and fell right off the bone. The prawn was massive and cooked just right. I forget which sushi roll we ordered but that was unquestionably delicious as well too. Chao made sure our night went well and carried on the conversation he started from when we sat down at the bar. For dessert, he went to the back and personally made us all our individual tiramisu milkshake to cap it all off. Our experience here was quite phenomenal. It's a great place for couples or a small group of friends!
(5)
Courtney S.
THANK YOU! First of all, thank you for finally accepting reservations! Second of all, give Revae a raise! I had gotten to Union a little earlier than my reservation to have a nerve soothing cocktail (rough week) before my baby brother (very nearly vegan) and his gf (pretty vegetarian, but restrictions change frequently) arrived. She asked me what I felt like and crafted a gin cocktail that made me love gin! (hadn't had it since college....you know how it is). The hostess was wonderful- I had described my bro and his gf and she kept an eye out for them. Our server was just as fabulous. She had been running items up to the Up Lounge and knew my plight. She really took care of us. The food? Well. The only thing that had gotten me through a stressful day at work was knowing I could have a buffalo duck wing and boy howdy, was it as good as I remembered- so was the prosciutto wrapped scallop. We each ordered a roll. My bro had a veggie based roll. She had the Hokkaido...I had the belly roll. Heavenly. Do yourself a favour, make a reservation, get there early to see Revae, get a seat at the grill bar, and go to Union! It is now easily my favourite place.....just don't expect the lead hostess to say goodbye or thank you on your exit.
(5)
Diane H.
Came here randomly on a Friday evening after work with some friends and was pleasantly surprised by the find. The menu is quite eclectic mix of Asian cuisines with a spin. The decor is loungey (pics on website are accurate). One thing we all did notice and comment on is that they don't pack people in. There were plenty of tables, but there was also lots of open space so you didn't feel like you were on top of people. We had to wait for a table so we went to the bar and got drinks. There wasn't really a waiting area which could be an issue in winter or if the bars are busy. I tried on of the Surprise and Delight and it was really good, but at $10 each, we all decided to switch to wine bottles after the first drink. We ordered a bunch of small plates while at the bar. We of course started with edamame to share; it was average. I am not a very adventurous eater, but I tried the alligator and steak skewers. I was really surprised by how good the alligator was; the seasoning was great and I liked the gamey texture. A table opened up so we relocated. We ordered some entrees to share. I don't remember what roll we had, but it was good. The Duck Fat Yaki Soba noodles were amazing....again with the adventurousness eating paying off (we ended up ordering a second order). The brussel sprouts were also really good. We tried the Agedashi Potato and it was good, but definitely not a sweet potato tot. I will definitely be back and would like to try some of the other items on the menu.
(4)
Casey Z.
The sushi wasn't very good. It kind of tasted fishy...yikes! I don't think I will back.
(2)
Mike R.
Waiter was extremely helpful and attentive. Atmosphere is great. Sushi, sake, croc, and kangaroo what else do you need? Also, happy hour is a deal.
(4)
Miss S.
Awesome ambiance, fabulous location, and tasty creative drinks! The bartender was super friendly and readily pointed out some great drinks and answered all my questions about the drink menu. Great first impression of the restaurant and all the drinks we tried including the sake were yummy! Menu has a wide selection with a unique flair! For starters definitely liked the tuna appetizer. We ordered 6 different rolls, all good and neat to try something new. The Osaka roll although untraditional was enjoyable. The only downside...our server was not the best. She was a bit too harsh when someone at out table asked about one of their very different menu items. It was almost as if she was reprimanding instead of enlightening us. Our experience could have been much better without her. My favorite part of this place is the ambiance and the bartenders, I would recommend going to this place just to check it out!
(4)
Betsy P.
I guess with its great River North location I was expecting a bit ... more. Union does a lot right, but there were enough things lacking that it made paying $50/person sting just a bit. Atmosphere is good. Fun decor, beautiful people, freaking unbelievably supermodel of a hostess. All good. Our party of 4 was seated right away without reservations at 7 pm on a Saturday night. That was definitely a surprise! We started off with drinks (duh). I had a lemon/cava concoction that was very tasty and refreshing, but at $10, I was hoping for more booze. I went to ordering straight cava after that (for just $8 ... go figure) and that worked well. The appetizers were by far the best part of the meal! We all shared the brussle sprouts, mussels, and truffled tuna, and they were all really wonderful. I should have ordered those for my entree! For my main course, I went with the prosciutto-wrapped scallop, jumbo shrimp, and tofu. They were all ... just ... fine. Nothing spectacular. Points for the tofu looking like an ice cream bar with sprinkles though. At least it looked cute. Tasted meh. I also had the hokkaido maki which was very delicious! Light and refreshing with great flavor. Overall, if I went back, I'd stick with the appetizers and maybe a soup. I would like to try the desserts someday too, so I suppose I'll give it another shot. And, props to our server - she was pleasant, attentive, and answered all the questions we had.
(3)
Johnny R.
As my office sits across the street, and I'm half-Japanese, I've looked longingly at this new shiny place. Graffiti art, liberal use of stainless, it all works for me. Add in a staff in t-shirts with tats, I'm there. I finally went there today, had some lunch with a friend. I had some skewers, chicken, tongue, shiitake mushroom and alligator. It was all very good. I've had kushiyaki style street food in Japan before so I was very excited to Union's offerings. I'll have to come back and try some more things on the menu and add to my review. I was dissapointed with the wait staff. I was expecting that Chicago-style I'm-your-guide approach that so many servers have these days, that's quite addicting after a while. That exuberance when it comes to suggesting pairings is something I did not experience. I hope I can swing by there again next week. -JR
(3)
Jiratt P.
Genius chef, variety flavors, superb drinks, good services, easy to find parking. What Else Do I Need?
(5)
David D.
Got lucky today and had the chance to try this great new place. Started with a Japanese vegetarian maki roll that was so good. Moved on to a radish/potato/mushroom (all japanese) salad that had a beet powder toping. Very refreshing and tasty Got to try a filet from the skewer bar that had a ginger soy sauce Then we had duck fat Yaki Soba. Yummy. only problem was me trying to eat noodles with chop sticks Some prosciutto wrapped scallop with a wasabi/avocado paste on top on a skewer. So my complaint here was it was too big to get in my mouth in one bite, so I wasn't sure how to eat it. But the best part of the meal was the mussels. The Saki based broth was so good. It was like a cream sauce, but very light. Best mussels I have had in 16 years of living in Chicago. It was like the mussels we used to eat in New York, nice and thick, not the crappy anemic version that most midwest restaurants try to pass for mussels. Go to this restaurant. Such a fresh take on asian/sushi.
(5)
Paul B.
First impression: Good ambiance, big open space with colorful decor, good tunes at a reasonable volume... Good start Union Drinks: Liquor and cocktail is selection is very good, cocktails are creative and light to match the steamy summer months. Apps: Truffled Tuna and Dumplings. Tuna was fairly standard as the truffle didn't seem to pop as I was hoping. Dumplings were phenomenal though mmmmm. You must try the dumplings Service: Service was excellent! Knowledgeable wait staff, attentive and never over bearing. Mains: I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try the beef tongue, as it was recommended and it was meh. Alligator was outstanding as was the sushi we ordered. Overall, definitely a hot place to check out and I would go back!
(3)
Bethany P.
A truly amazing night! The food was divine - I highly recommend the warm mushroom salad
(4)
Laura I.
Loved the spicy tuna, Devon was good too, liked the sauces, the River North was not a good choice for eel, the COLLARD green wrapping outer layer was just not working for me, really good salmon nigirl, I would go back, but would like to see seaweed salad on the menu and more traditional eel rolls. Maybe some yellow tail scalion would be good too.. I did like that they had a black rice sushi sampler, love black rice will try it next time. quick, fast, friendly, chic atmosphere.
(4)
Erica P.
Visited Chicago this weekend and came to Union sushi. While I would argue that this is not sushi in the traditional sense, the food was pretty good.. We sampled a ton of items from the menu. First off the waiter was extremely nice and knowledgeable (and what he didn't know, he found out for us). That said, out of all the places I visited in Chicago, and all the times I raved about the value of the food vs NYC, it was here that I was actually shocked by the $150 dinner bill for two people when we didn't over order and only had one bottle of $32 sake. Anyhoo, on to the food. We began with some edamame, with their house spice blend, which neither my dining partner nor I was particularly fond of. We followed that with the oysters on the half shell, which were decorated with scallion, masago and fried shallots; this was my favorite of the night. Next we tried the truffled tuna, this didn't taste terribly truffled and was seasoned again with their house blend, which we weren't fans of - if you go and have had tuna tartare before, skip this. Next we had the Turtle soup - the broth was great, but I now know I do not like turtle meat- it reminded me of ox tail, but tougher. Then we moved on to the BBQ skewers. We had one each of the Alligator (good, but nothing special other than that it was Alligator), The prosciutto wrapped scallop, (prosciutto was fatty not crispy), the Fishcake which was stuffed with cheese (we both found this offensive) and the whole squid, which was well cooked and seasoned. After this we moved onto the rolls section of the menu and tried the Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic + wrapped in soy paper) I didn't like this one so much, the belly(hamachi, cucumber, orange tobiko, scallion, chili paste aioli, crispy tempura crumbs, fried pork belly strips + eel sauce) which was pretty yummy and lastly the soft shell crab roll which included rice puffs, sesame paste and fried ginger; this was pretty good, but as soft shell crab rolls go, I have had better. The ambiance was very cute, and we may very well return, however I won't be scheduling any trips back to Chi specifically for this.
(3)
Phil F.
The place was super freaking cool inside, but the food was pretty good on some things and others were not so good. Unfortunately the BBQ stuff was what fell flat. It seemed that the grill should have been a little bit more hot, stuff was kinda undercooked or just didn't have the flava'! Especially not cool was the squid, that's not really a great situation when undercooked. The marinade was not super flavorful either, so it didn't detract from the slimy. The chicken wing was also undercooked. Kinda pink inside. Sushi though was really really nice. I really like the Hokkaido and the Old City Market. Drinks were inventive and fun. Overall, I think that my experience might have been because it was only within their first couple of weeks. So perhaps the BBQ is more fired up these days. Would go back.
(3)
Matt R.
Went within a week of opening night. When you do that, you have to know you're taking a risk and that things won't be up to snuff right away. Honestly, other than the wait for drinks (10 minutes at the bar) everything was pretty great. The food was pretty good. The Truffled Tuna app was really good, as was the proscuitto-wrapped scallop. Maki rolls were very tasty and come with 4 pieces for around $5, which is fairly reasonable. That also allows you to try a bunch of different things. Wish they had a bigger selection to try, however. Drinks were pretty good, though I wish they would expand the beer list with some more authentic Japanese craft beers. Service was good, great pace and well-polished for being open only a week. Had good recommendations on quantities and favorites. Decor was really cool, though I do agree with others that it was maybe a little bright. Pretty young crowd, so not some place I'd take the in-laws. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Thelizjake P.
Enjoyable; this is the first word that comes to mind from my first dining experience here. The atmosphere is fun and trendy, the sushi extremely tasty, and the pricing fair to decent depending on your order. I was most impressed when the waitress proactively suggested, at the beginning of our meal, that she could split the bill into individual checks (by person, or people) so as to not have to figure out who owes what at the end of the dinner. Given my wife and I had just gone through one of these nightmare exercises at a dinner of 20 the weekend prior, it was a sigh of relief and astonishment as we were just talking about how more restaurants should offer this service. At the end of the meal, the server did manage to incorrectly tally up my individual bill after two attempts, but hey - I was willing to overlook it just because she had split up the overall bill into 10 smaller tabs
(4)
Ittai B.
I only review places I really like or places I really hate. This is the former. The rolls are delicious and very unique. The black rice is amazing, I'm a sushi fanatic and I had never seen black rice in San Francisco. I have to say this - definitely try the black rice. Also, you can order half rolls! It's great for when you want to focus on diversity and try a bunch of different rolls without eating 5 whole ones. Also, if you're in the mood for dessert, try the coconut ice cream. I wish I could give extra stars for the service - everyone was incredibly hospitable. I had a great time chatting with the sushi chefs Aum and Auo (both of whom make awesome sushi), and Adam and Danialle are just awesome. They definitely made my visit to Chicago a lot more fun.
(5)
Erin K.
Union has a very fun and modern interior, different than the average restaurant. I personally really liked the cocktails. Although they were kind of expensive for the size of the drinks, they were really good and different. The food was definitely unique, however I wouldn't say it was absolutely delicious. It was okay. I like the fact that you can do small plates and try a lot of different things. But some of the plates were just TOO small. Like the BBQ shrimp and the BBQ scallop. You only get one shrimp and one scallop. I didn't leave the restaurant feeling full. Good place to go for a drink and some small plates.
(3)
Sami A.
Union! I wonder what's the story behind the name. Anyone knows? Hey, at least they didn't name it something random and Japanese that doesn't make any sense. I mean, why would you name your sushi place "rabbit store"? Back to Union. I really like Union, I just wish I wouldn't always struggle on what to get and over-order and over-eat. Things I love: skate, agedashi "tater tots", soba salad, old city market roll, mushroom dumplings, grilled chicken & shitake mushrooms, oysters, the grilled squid. killer Yuzu pie and coconut ice cream bar. Go eat there now! They have delicious cocktails and any bartender that knows what a Martinez is is a-ok in my book. Actually, that's what probably takes this place from 4*s to 5*s for me. I agree, it's trendy which is great for them but bad for me having to always get reservations and I'm the type that only decides last minute on where to eat. I have been lucky to randomly walk there around 7pm and find an empty bar spot but those moments are rare. It's alright though, I think Union is worth it.
(4)
Kim M.
Excellent! The food, the atmosphere, the staff. Everything about this place is great. It's my new favorite place for sushi in Chicago!
(5)
Angel S.
This place so unique and amazing that it might just take over Coast's throne of our go-to fave for nigiri!!!! My husband and I are total sushi junkies that, while we love that Union can put together the classics in a way that makes us swoon, we also love that we can order a few things that are a little 'out-of-the-box.' The awesomeness doesn't just stop with the food either! The off beat cocktail menu and sexy ambiance make this the perfect spot for anything from date night to a great dinner before a night out. We absolutely love it and will hopefully get the chance for a repeat appearance sometime soon!
(5)
Olga K.
I've been to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar twice now and loved it both times. The first time my Husby and I went in for Happy Hour. We enjoyed our cocktails as well as the Beef Filet Skewers and Shrimp Tempura Rolls. We also ordered The Black Sushi Sampler which was amazing. Our second visit to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar was just last night for Restaurant Week. We brought 4 more people along who had never been to Union and loved it as well. We started off with the Green Beans, Oysters, Truffled Tuna, and "Buffalo" Duck Wing, and Dragon Rolls. All were delicious but my favorite was the "Buffalo" Duck Wing.I chose the rest of my meal from the Restaurant Week Special Menu and was not disappointed. I had the House Salad, Pan-Seared, Skate, and the Black Rice Pudding. I like the atmosphere at Union and the attentive service and will definitely go back again and bring more friends along. Keep up the great work!
(5)
Scott N.
Really good concept, great location, great food. I've been here a few times with people and both times the good was very good. The fact that they have plenty of other stuff to satisfy non-sushi fans makes this a good call for groups with picky eaters. The rolls are imaginative and come with less pieces to give you a chance to try more which is keeping in tune with the hot new concept of small plates every place is to run with. My favorite thing there are the grilled scallops. They're big, perfectly cooked, and well seasoned. Good for a date or more casual dining too. Shout out to my buddy the head bartender/mixologist- Revae. She's amazing at what she does and makes a mean drink!
Dashed in here on a Sunday night at opening to finally try the duck fat yakisoba - it was everything Yelp promised and more, the perfect mix of mustardy spicy duck fat and noodles. Service was super prompt, but I was like the only person in there. I will go back.
(4)
Haley S.
I've been here twice (I live walking distance) and had good experiences both times. First time was with a visiting friend and her boyfriend. We tried a bunch of the sushi rolls, which were not bad at all. I had the buffalo duck wing (one large wing, so plan accordingly) which was really, really good, I loved the buffalo coconut milk sauce. Tried the skewers, which were all tasty, but small. The mussel were flavorful, and probably the best value on the menu. Last night, I returned with my boyfriend. We had spicy tuna rolls (they do NOT skimp on the chili oil), and I had the "Surf and Turf", which was excellent. He had the lamb ramen, which was fine, but could have had more flavor (he's a chef, so he's picky). Overall, a good addition to the neighborhood, but it can add up.
(4)
Candace M.
Great sushi , skewers and sake (which can sneak up on you). Great private space available for birthday parties or small events upstairs from the restaurant. Intimate and sexy decor. Love it.
(4)
Nayeli S.
I was recently there for the first time for my BF celebration and we liked it a lot. You can try different kinds of dishes (alligator or kangaroo meat.) Sushi was very good. The place is very contemporary. You can dress up or simply go casual. The food is kinda pricey, but is worth it. It's a great place to go with your girlfriends, your coworkers, bunch of friends, or as a couple. Customer service was good, so I def, recommend it.
(4)
Penny D.
Union Sushi was awesome. I love the space and the atmosphere there, the waiter was great and the food was really good. The drinks were just alright but just what you'd expect them to be. I highly recommend the truffled tuna appetizer. It was so good we had one for the table for an appetizer and then ordered another later at the end of the meal. I was a little underwhelmed by the sushi. The Bay Street with the crabcake was just alright. I thought I'd be able to tasted the fried goodness of the crabcake a little more. The Old City Market was pretty good but I'm not a huge fan of the saltiness of collard green - that's just a personal preference. Overall, the sushi was alright - reasonably priced and came out so quickly. I think that the sushi also may have just been overshadowed by everything else. The Beef Filet was really good. Nothing outstanding but a good cut of meat cooked perfectly - probably the most tender beef I have had in a long while. The highlight was the Alligator though. It was not at all what I expected. A little tough to chew but the flavor and whatever the seasoning was on there was delicious. Highly recommend making the bold choice and trying it. To finish, we split the duck fat yoki soba. It was SO good. I'd never had anything like that before. It was awesome. I had a really good time here. It was not too loud nor too crowded (a little weird for a friday but I think it was early-ish). The service was perfection (our waiter even brought over a free dessert when he heard one of our party was going through a tough breakup)! I cannot wait to go back here. I sometimes dream about the truffled tuna.
(4)
Lin W.
Good bbq, good sushi. Skip the desserts.
(4)
Sid V.
Ugh, the decor here feels disjointed and comical, and not in a good way. The service was tolerable, nothing special. The food was very good, especially the buffalo duck wing (highly recommeded) and the salad. The sushi was also quite good. The skewers were just so-so and small, but even so the bottom line for the food was impressive. The music was really bad the day I was there, more suited to a Palatine bowling alley. So a few rough spots, but the food made up for it and I will be back to further explore the eclectic and interesting menu.
(4)
Renee Y.
YUM! We came here for Restaurant Week and our food was all delicious! And our waiter was super friendly and attentive to us. It was super crowded and had a fun atmosphere. Good Date night place. I gave it 4 stars because it's not amazing but very very delicious. I would come back but I have a few more sushi places I need to check out.
(4)
Brie Y.
This is my 2nd time visiting Union, the 2nd time was just as good as the first. Amazing service along with the food, the shrimp tempura roll was the best I have ever had. I also had a scallop which was large, perfect size and texture, love the sauce! Always kept your water full and loved the 8 oz coke bottle they give you when you order pop! For dessert we have the killer yuzu pie it tasted like key lime and it was amazing! Thank goodness I work across the street, I will be back for many more lunches and dinners!! Great prices!
(5)
Jodi F.
If you have not experienced UNION yet, you are missing out! Chao (with the food) & Peter (@ the bar) are a dynamic duo that will rock your tastebuds! The whole waitstaff is so attentive to making your experience outstanding. The quality of the food is top tier. They flew in huge a** prawns from Africa! The dessert was a savory yet sweet black rice, coconut special that was presented beautiful and melted in your mouth. It even was healthy! They will always have chef specials and such a variety menu to fit a big group of people. If you want to learn anything about beverages, ask Peter. He is a book of knowledge and you will learn more than you ever imagined! They carry Sake from all over the world that is premium. I rest my case, you must check out UNION! Amazing!
(5)
Erin L.
I've been here a few times & every time is awesome! Especially the alligator on a stick and those delectable buffalo duck legs! And of course... the sushi. The place is always hoppin', the owner is always there at the front door & making sure all is good.
(5)
Samir P.
Pros: Location Atmosphere Layout Chefs & Staff Cons: No TVs - we wanted to go out to watch the Bulls game. Come on! At least put one TV in the lounge! It took waaaay too long for them to make and serve up the sushi. Apparently everyone ordered sushi and they really got backed up. They tried to make up for it by offering some free sake, but they should have comp'd a roll or something. However, they were very nice and very apologetic. Etc... Two items on the menu were stellar - the truffle tuna tartare and the kobe sliders. The sushi was above average, especially compared to most sushi places downtown. The portion sizes are small, so don't think the place is cheap based on the menu prices. You're looking to order about 4 or 5 items per person. If you sit at the bar, the chefs are really friendly to chat with, and it's fun watching them create the rolls. The wait staff is very attentive as well. Verdict: I am excited about this place. I think it's a place to go with friends where you have some drinks (beer + sake) and order snacks and plan on chillin for a while. I can't wait to try the lounge upstairs.
(4)
Ana C.
Sashimi cup was delish and i liked rolls with black rice ( chefs option for $25 )
(4)
Michelle L.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere is really cool - very open. We arrived early for a reservation and were offered to sit at our table even though our entire party hadn't arrived since they were not seating anyone else at our table for 5. The food was interesting and delicious. I see other posts sharing that it was expensive. This is not a place I would go to every week, but more rarely since it is a bit pricey but, I think, worth it. I think the oysters and Hokkaido roll were my two favorite things. I also think it is cool that the owner sat us at our table, and the chef came out and ground fresh wasabi table side.
(4)
Corin C.
Well, I must give this place 5 stars and Chef Chao (Sushi Wabi) and Mike Schatzman have done a great job on this new place. It's inventive, unique and just great food with an energetic and fun atmosphere. We had a table of 10 in the semi-private dining room on Saturday night. I have to say that the concensus of our entire party was that Union did NOT disappoint in service, food and drinks. My first impression when walking in was that it was definitely modern, edgy and a vibrant place without being too over the top. I loved the layout of sleek tables, large windows, the mesh chandelier and the comic book graffiti on the walls. I read some reviews where some felt uncomfortable because it was a young people's place. We are definitely not in our twenties and we felt it was energetic yet accomodated to all age groups in a friendly atmosphere. There's a bar downstairs and a small loungy area upstairs where we started the evening. The barstaff is extremely accomodating and friendly. We loved chatting with the staff and they definitely made us some great hand crafted cocktails. The Yamato Sling, South of the Border and Sparrow Bee were all unique and wonderful! No, I wasn't a lush and downing drinks but got to sample different ones from people in our group. The drinks are $10 each which wasn't an issue but just telling people that in my review. There also is a nice sake, wine and beer list with lower prices if that's what you're looking for. We got downstairs and had a great table in the front of the bar. Our server was so informative, friendly and fun! We loved him and he just added to the great vibe of the place. We ordered an array of items and they brought out complimentary spicy edamame. The truffled tuna appetizer, panko oysters, buffalo duck wing (spicy with blue cheese dressing) and the brussel sprouts with oyster mushrooms and pesto were all excellent. I loved the truffled tuna! We ordered some grilled skewers. They have a Robata grill which is one of the highlights in the dining area and the meats and seafood are kushiyaki style. The beef filet and prosciutto wrapped scallop were outrageously great. These are not big enough to share and mainly per person but priced at $4 or $5 for each skewer. We also ordered a variety of sushi and soba noodles. The Old City Market was unique and delicious. It was spicy tuna and salmon wrapped with cilantro, fried okra and wrapped in a collard green. Truly inventive and tasty. The Osaka Central which was fishcake and eel was a huge hit! The Duck Soba noodles were fantastic and we ordered more plates because everyone loved it. The desserts were very good but I was full by this point. The Panna Cotta Dreamsicle and Killer Yuzu Pie were my favorite. I liked the tofu chocolate mousse since I'm not a big fan of dairy and it's a great selection for vegetarians and non-dairy fans. Would I come back to Union? In a heartbeat. It has a nice sushi bar for lunch or if you can't get a table for dinner. We had attentive service and just a great experience. I know there was another reservation after us but they never made us feel intrusive or rushed to get our table as we were winding down with after-dinner cocktails and dessert. I would like to see some artwork in the upstairs lounge but think since they just opened the upstairs bar the other night, they may still be working on getting that completed. Overall, it was a great time had by all!
(5)
Lisa S.
Love the urban ambience and "up" bar! Chef Chao is amazing!!
(5)
Yanyao N.
I've fallen madly in love with the awesomeness that is Happy Hour at Union Sushi. Today, I noshed on: - 1 dozen oysters for $12. ONE DOLLAR a pop! Plus, they come topped with all these fun and delicious things! - 1 beef skewer for $2, that seriously, was melting in my mouth. Yes, my mouth was a melty, beefy, meaty hole of amazing. I'll order more next time. - A full shrimp tempura roll for $6. Crunchy and savory. This roll would probably have been enough for me, and at HH prices was an absolute steal. I had only visited previously with a friend for lunch before. I was enticed by their $12 Bento Box lunch specials (yet another great deal)... namely the one with duck fat yakisoba (Yes, this is a thing. Eat it immediately.) My friend raved on and on about his buffalo duck wing (move over, chicken!). Service was super great on my first visit - our server even brought us out a complimentary sashimi cup (complete with sprinkles!) for dessert. I don't know how he managed to tell that I had a huge salty tooth, but this move was awesome. For those of you who like the sweet, I have heard nothing but great things about the yuzu pie! AND, for those like myself who enjoy a really well crafted cocktail, may I recommend: - The Yamato Sling: Plymouth, Rock Sake, Green Tea Syrup, Lemon, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters (!), Seltzer - Surprise + Delight (THE cocktail to be drinking this summer. Trust me.): Effen Cucumber, Pimm's No. 1 (my beloved Pimm's!), Lemon, Simple Syrup, Muddled Lemongrass, Muddled Strawberry, Seltzer Reading their dinner menu online literally has me drooling right now. Spicy pigtail ramen, soba salad, cold beef cheek udon, and an array of grilled meats (including alligator and today's kangaroo special!). Needless to say, I will be back repeatedly until I've made a considerable dent in sampling their menu. Thank you Union Sushi for a super fantastic Happy Hour! I will see you soon! ;)
(5)
Amy D.
Bottom line: Different sushi options for a price. Time: Dinner around 7:00PM Occasion: Birthday dinner. Party of 2. Service: Varies. - Lunch service is better than dinner service. - Not as attentive. Food: Nothing like it. - Don't get the noodles. Not that great. Disappointed with the duck fat yaki soba. - BBQ skewers were overall pretty good. Prosciutto wrapped scallop - drool! - For sushi, the hokkaido was unbelievable! Definitely an experience. Worth a shot. My suggestion is that for a good experience, definitely take into consideration the time and day you go.
(4)
Mark H.
Not cheap, even if you just get the happy hour food. But $1 oysters, $2 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls go a long way to make it a great experience.
(5)
Roxy A.
Went here for dinner last night with the bf and had a great experience dining here. I really like the atmosphere of the place, with the urban art and the layout of having an open space. I like the concept of the menu too, I think its great that they offer half portions of rolls & there are BBQ items to order. We started with the cauliflower salad which was really light and I liked that there were slices of fresh kumquat and fennel in it as well. We also ordered the Truffled Tuna which was basically a tuna tartare served with some housemade chips. We also went with one of the specials that our server recomended six pieces of whitefish that was similar to yellowtail it was flavored really nice with yuzu. They also topped the sashimi with some pieces of grapefruit that went really nice with the sashimi. I was in an Uni (sea urchin) type of mood so we ordered the sea urchin alfredo soba. I heard alot of great things about that dish and it did not dissapoint! The sauce was creamy and had a bit of a cheesy taste to it, but good cheesy. The soba noodles were also topped with a piece of fresh uni and salmon roe. I don't usually like salmon roe but it went really well with the dish. For our sushi we ordered a half order of the soft shell crab roll & a full order of shrimp tempura (half black rice & half white rice). The only complaint I had is that they went a lil heavy with the eel sauce on the rolls that I couldn't even tell the difference between the white and black rice. Other than that everything else was good. We also ordered an order of uni nigiri which was really fresh and delicious. Our server took note of my liking to uni and suggested we order the special for dessert they had sea urchin ice cream. I asked him if he was joking but they really did have it on the menu! It was definitely interesting but really tasty and topped with caramelized sugar crumbs. We'll definitely be dining at Union again soon! Side note I also liked their taste in music..they played A Tribe Called Quest & even played DMX Party Up in Here lol (Yelp Elite if you still have your sticker from Union from the Xmas yelp event you get a 10% discount off your bill!)
(4)
Amanda Z.
I've only been for happy hour, but what a happy (couple of??) hours that ended up being. Their specials are divine: from 5-6:30 you can get oysters for $1, beef skewers for $2, and their shrimp tempura roll for $4 (small roll) or $8 (large roll). The oysters were FANTASTIC. Probably some of my favorite in recent memory, to be honest. They are served perfectly chilled with a dash of tobiko, and my fave, crispy shallots. YUM. The other two options were great as well, but the oysters really stood out to me. They have lots of great options for drinking accompaniments too...whether you fancy a cold Japanese brew (Kirin Light, anyone) or some sake (THEY HAVE FLIGHTS TOO), or even one of their own special cocktails, you definitely will find something to quench your thirst. Service was lovely, even though we pretty much ordered off the happy hour menu to start. Definitely a happy hour DO in Chicago. I will definitely have to come back to check out more of their regular menu.
(4)
Mironda R.
So I ran an NPV analysis, did a few cost-benefit ratio scenarios and it added up to nope if its not HH and I'm not tired of Shrimp Tempura Rolls, then I have to think about Union and all of the other goodness offered around it. Went here with some friends. They have 4 options for the HH, which is clearly a ploy to lure you in. What they did offer was tasty. I had the Shrimp Tempura rolls and my friends had the skewers and oysters, which they said were great. Since the waiter kept asking were we going to order or just stick with the HH offerings, under pressure, I decided to splurge a bit and spent 15 smakkers for 8 pieces of Old City Market - spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu.. some other stuff, wrapped in not rice, but a collard green. It was interesting, but not a winner. Now the ambiance was really nice, modern, and open. I can see it as a place to be seen and to see, but I'm not totally convinced it's for muah! The music is pretty fun too!
(3)
Sunshine A.
Great service, great atmosphere, great PRICES, and great music. I really enjoyed my experience here and it's one of my fav places in the city. Planning on a girls night out here. A must try is the truffled tuna!!
(4)
Lisa Z.
This is now my go to for sushi. It's phenomenal. Glad one bad experience didn't keep me away because it is so good every time. I go for the truffled tuna, mmm, the sashimi cup, mmmm, and the black rice sampler. Perfection.
(5)
Jeff W.
This is an EXCELLENT place to get Sushi. Sitting at the Sushi bar is great! The BBQ Sushi is delicious, and they have a large sake menu. The service is great too!
(5)
Mike S.
I don't know what you can really say about this place. Every time we go here, the food is excellent. I usually order the grilled BBQ sampler and it always tastes great! My girlfriend loves the truffled tuna. Black pepper shrimp, scallop, and pork cutlet are also some of my favorites. The Clifton roll. The extensive drink menu is always exciting too.
(5)
Gretchen D.
We loved Union Sushi. The decor is very wild/trendy/over-the-top. Think Japanese anime meets lots of orange and paint splatters... Service was excellent. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. He came around and checked frequently but unobtrusively. So many other places should learn from this! Yes-the drinks are pricey at $11 each, but they were generously poured so I didn't feel ripped off. Loved the Morning Glory #2..it was like a Manhattan with ginger added. Nice choice of Shoschu too. The food was all excellent. We had the truffled tuna, which I liked a lot but was not totally blown over by. Loved the BBQ'd cauliflower. Other stand-outs were the following specialty rolls: Old City Market, Clifton #4, and Tsukuji Market. My husband hates fish, so we asked if they could make some cucumber rolls (not on the menu). No problem! Deserts were just okay--not fabulous. We'll be back!
(4)
Sarah S.
Union Sushi has made me a huge fan! I was a bit skeptical going into dinner as something about a place being the newest, hippest, hot spot puts me off a bit...but Union has made me a believer! When we first called to make reservations, they said they didn't have anything but when we tried again we were able to get a table - woohoo! Upon arrival and even by the time we left, not every table was full so not sure why there was such an issue with us getting a reservation. We were able to find street metered parking which was great and super close. A couple of friends and I went to the bar while we waited for others. The bartender was very friendly and able to speak easily about the drinks, ingredients and background behind each drink. Apparently they created all of their own special cocktails and they have some cool options on there. I had a Skinny Geisha which was just 99 calories and $11. It had Hum, House Infused Citrus Vodka, Fresca, and Yuzu in it. The bartender told us about hum which is apparently a spirit made right here in Chicago. The drink was delicious and really pretty, highly recommended! We had a comfy half booth and half table seat right in front of the clear encased fire grill that meat is cooked over. Our waitress was also extremely knowledgeable about the food and very friendly. Because we had a large table I was able to try many items! Mushroom Dumplings - fontinella + chive cream sauce $9 Everyone at the table loved these! I wish I got one set of dumplings all for myself instead of ending up with half of one. These are a *must get* item. Truffled Tuna - truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco + wonton chips $11 Solid, tasty appetizer but because Union has so many other unique and inventive dishes, I don't think I will get this again. Alligator on the Robata Grill - garlic-soy + Kirin Light $5 Fun to try but I don't think I'll put this in my regular rotation. Kangaroo on the Robata Grill - on special that night. Super cool that they offered this but again, I don't think I'd get it again. Super White Tuna Special - $11 Amazing dish that was on special! I hope for everyone else's sake that they add this to their regular menu. The flavors in this cooked small plate popped in all the right ways. Spicy Tuna Half Roll - spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake + mayo $5 SO SPICY! If you're week with spices, this is a truly spicy tuna roll. It was rolled so well and tasted quite yummy. Half roll = 4 small pieces. Waffles & Ice Cream dessert- house-made raspberry + blueberry ice cream berry mix, ginger maple syrup $8 That housemade icecream is so good! It trumps the ice cream at many places I've been to. I would get this dish if only for the raspberry and blueberry yummyness. Killer Yuzu Pie - coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream $7 A signature dish of theirs and the pie portion was delectable. I loved the strong flavoring of it but some of my friends thought it was a bit much I really wanted to try the Ice Cream flight (next time for sure) but they had Uni Ice Cream on special and how could I pass that up!? I don't normally eat sea urchin but I'm always down to try new & interesting things. That ice cream was the bomb diggity! My friend who dared to try it also said it was fantastic. I love that you are able to get half rolls of things for half the price, allowing you to be able to try more dishes! The food, service, drinks, atmosphere, beautiful plating & presentation of the dishes and inventiveness at Union Sushi are all AMAZING! Plus, I have the special Yelpers Union sushi sticker on my license so I get 10% off there. Who wants to go back with me?! :D
(5)
Julie S.
My boyfriend and I always come to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar whenever we are in town. We always have awesome service and the food is always excellent. We have probably been here about 5 times. On the most current visit (6/7/14), we made reservations for 6:30. When we arrived we were greeted by a friendly hostess and immediately sat. We started with the truffled tuna and king crab. Both apps came out super fast. The truffled tuna is amazing and everyone should try it! It was the perfect size. I like that the peppers are on the side so you can choose how hot you'd like each bite to be. The king crab was a decent portion and very good. Slightly spicy and perfectly cooked. The slight charring added a nice flavor. The little crispy puffs on top added a nice texture because the crab is so soft. For sushi we ordered the hokkado roll and the Chesapeake bay roll. Both we amazing and super fresh. We also ordered: beef tongue, beef filet, and the spare ribs. The beef tongue was soft but not mushy and very flavorful, excellent charr from the grill. Same can be said for the beef filet. The spare ribs were fall off the bone delicious, vinegary and a alcoholy taste in the BBQ sauce, which was good. For dessert had the chocolate brownie which was so decadent and delicious! If you love chocolate, order the brownie! Overall another great experience. We will be back time and time again.
(5)
Abby L.
Came here for dinner with a close friend a few weeks ago. Was very impressed! Food was delicious. Ambiance is unique--so fun inside, but still good spacing and able to hear conversation... really loved my sushi and our appetizers. Will for sure be back! Our waiter was very nice and accomodating, too. Would recommend for date night, group of friends, and happy hour.
(4)
Marissa S.
One word: Awesome. I am desperate to now find a place in my home city (NYC) that will offer Black Rice Sushi....hands down it is better than white or brown rice sushi and I am officially converted. Truffle Tuna is obviously amazeballs. Come hungry to this place. Freshly shaved wasabi?! What?! I have never seen that before even in NYC...amazing and so delish. I also ordered a Japanese soda....super good, made with real sugar wheeeeee!! This is a great place to come with friends or a date....definitely can get a bit noisy, so if you are an old like me, be prepared for that.
(4)
Samantha H.
I absolutely love the decor in here. I would recommend sitting upstairs if you can because it's quieter and smaller so I think it's more comfortable and intimate. There were four of us so we split a few things. We got the truffled tuna at the suggestion of our server. It was okay but nothing special. It was similar to the poke tuna at GT and that is so much better. The rolls were very solid. Even my husband liked them and he doesn't even like sushi. The beef tongue was spectacular. Very tasty and moist. I have to say the let down for me was the kangaroo. It did not taste like kangaroo at all and I'm not sure that it was. But everything else was very good. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Shiyi Q.
I strongly recommend this Japanese Restaurant! Food is so delicious, and they are all shareable.
(5)
Hasan S.
A friend and I went here last night, and I will start to say the service was amazing. Rachel who was our waitress, was very helpful and knew a lot about the food. We were so impressed by the food and service, we let Rachel pick the dessert for us that night, Keyu Pie, so good!! Food was excellent and very tasty. We got the Black Rice Sushi Sampler, I highly suggest it, good mix of different types of sushi!! This is my first time writing a yelp review, this place convinced me to write up an excellent review! Def going back here again, this time we are going to try something from the grill!! ***Also, this is the only place in Chicago that I know of that makes and serves fresh wasabi at your table, delicious!
(5)
Lauren M.
Never had a problem here until today. Ordered to go and within 3 hours I was sick. The sushi I normally have tasted a little off today and I now know why. I won't be eating here again.
(1)
Sarah S.
Favorite happy hour hotspot of hubby and I. Delicious and the most fresh sushi. Black rice is the way to go. Ahm, one of the sushi chefs, always creates an incredible custom roll for us by request and it never disappoints. The soft shell crab roll and the shrimp tempura roll with black rice are faves. Truffled tuna app is a must. Best miso soup I've had. Not to miss the well rounded Union!
(5)
Rachel P.
My husband and I went to dinner last night at Union Sushi. We made a reservation earlier in the evening via Open Table. We ended up sitting at the sushi bar so we could watch the chef on to Robata Grill. Our experience was undoubtedly the best we've had at a new restaurant in years. First the server, Yu, came over and asked if we would like anything to drink. We wanted Sake to start. She was very knowledgeable and suggested the Crazy Milk unfiltered Sake. It was a great choice. Being the curious person that I am, I asked Yu to explain the menu to us, because we weren't familiar with the style of BBQ we saw in front of us. She was on it, she brought back the iPad that outlined the daily specials. Then she reviewed each section of the menu perfectly. I had a complete understanding of how much we should order and some of the favorites or most popular items. We had the Truffle Tuna to start, which was amazing. Then I had the mushroom soup and my husband had the miso. The brought my soup with the mushrooms in the bowl then poured the broth in front of me. The presentation was awesome! Next, we had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. OMG, we should have ordered one per person, because that half scallop was amazing and I wanted more! We also had a half roll of the soft shell crab and half roll of the octopus. Both were great, but I preferred the octopus. The chef at the Robata Grill was very friendly. My husband is a talker, but sometimes that pays off ;) The chef made us a special shrimp skewer. It seriously was the one of the best things I have ever eaten. I didn't want it to end. We also had the short rib and the rainbow roll. Both were good, but nothing could top the shrimp and the scallop. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be going back! Great atmosphere with very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Can't beat it!
(5)
Alexa L.
I'm coming back here to order the mushroom roll. It might sound weird and I don't know why but it is DELICIOUS and I would be happy to eat it every day for a long time. I also recommend the duck wing (90% as good as the mushroom roll) but please note that one order comes with one duck wing and is NOT easy to share. This place has a fun atmosphere and you can watch the chefs prepare the food on the first floor. Also, the service is very kind and playful to match the space.
(4)
Dana Z.
Definitely in top 5 sushi places. Cool atmosphere, attentive though rigid service, and delicious food. They use a little tablet in addition to the menu to show pictures of menu items - easy to flip through, helped me decide.
(4)
Jac C.
I've been here a couple of times with my husband and we just LOVE the shrimp tempura rolls. They are warm and crunchy deliciousness!!! I would; however, suggest that anyone who visits Union to be brave and order a couple of their unusual items like the Kangaroo (no it doesn't taste like chicken) it is honestly amazing! The "Buffalo" Duck Wing is ridiculously good too. So crunchy on the outside and insanely tender on the inside. I even liked the Duck Fat Yakisoba and I'm really not a fan of BBQ Sauce. All in all, this is a great restaurant especially if you are one to try new things and share an exciting dining experience with some friends or a loved one. Order a bunch of small places to share and you can't go wrong!
(4)
Rebecca L.
Dinner on 1-5-13 I am deducting one star for the some less than stellar hostess work and weird sized plates. We had: Mushroom dumpling and agedashi potato appetizers--both good BBQ-Scallop and Jumbo Shrimp--excellent Sushi: Devon roll--not the best sweet potato roll I have had River North roll--interesting and different. I really liked it. Dessert: Chocolate Brownie--not going to order that again. I missed reading that it was a tofu mousse and didn't like it---its on me and my personal preference. It was just too rich and too big even when shared for my tastes. I lean toward not chocolate desserts though so take that for what it is worth : )
(4)
Glen W.
This is a fun place with a nice atmosphere, an extremely diverse range of Japanese offerings and good service. The food, on the other hand, is not that tasty. The one really good thing was the alligator.
(3)
Kristen W.
We went here for the happy hour food and were pleasantly surprised by how much we liked it! We ordered the beef filet skewers ( from the 'barbecue' side $2) and were blown away by the flavor. Then we moved onto sushi were we had shrimp tempura rolls, which were served warm like I've never had them before but nonetheless they were tasty. We also tried the sweet potato roll which is hard to mess up! The food happy hour is awesome, the drinks are expensive ($11 average for cocktails) but that's pretty standard for the area!
(4)
Evan S.
This place gets FIVE stars for great sushi, awesome drinks, and incredible music. More on that in a bit. I ordered to my heart's content. Cocktails: I went with the two whiskey options, good ol' tried and true. Apps included the Truffle Tuna (parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips), Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop (literally melted in my mouth - is that what she...? NVM!), and the Jumbo Shrinp. For my roll action I share the Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hokkaido, Spicy Tuna, Dragon, Devon rolls). The Hokkaido was my fave of the bunch. No desserts as I was still on my "no sweets for Lent" stint, but the selection looked enticing. What really put Union over the top was the 90s hip-hop and R&B! It was a WELCOME surprise and my party was grooving all through the dinner with constant "OK! Oh snap! Uh oh!" action. The service was also top-notch. I'll definitely be back here! Keep it tight, Evan
(5)
Kimberly M.
I can't stop thinking about that Fiddlehead salad!!!! I mean everything was amazing, but that salad.....
(4)
Dan M.
In need of sushi in a contemporary and relatively upscale setting? Union may be just the ticket! In downtown Chicago there's plenty of sushi joints but they tend to be a) ultra modern (all white, sterile, etc...) or places dong fru-fru nonsense with flowers, cut/ molded fruit and veggies and lights on your plate for God's sake. Union does old school sashimi and nigiri with a upscale presentation without all the nonsense so you're able to enjoy the very freshest fish, unusual options without being crowded out by a bunch of soul-p atched hipsters. Further - they have a fantastic grill with a plethora of options and the noodle soups are fantastic as well. Whether sushi or Barbeque you're in for a treat just leave your club clothes and/ or hipster gear at home, Union is for "real people"!
(4)
Sahar M.
Very creative. They are some unique dishes that give this restaurant a great individuality like tuna cup with edible cup. I like the food and atmosphere. The sushi is good with reasonable prices. Everything from the grill is awesome. I also love the drinks. Ask them for traditional mule. Ammmmmaaazing.
(4)
Jacob J.
It's Restaurant week 2013 in Chicago and my only advice is GO! $33 bones for dinner service and it is a must. (RW2013: Two days left kids) 2013 Michelin recommended restaurant. Swanky & hip interiors are sure to please, this spot is a mere stone's throw from Spy Bar and Hop Haus. For $33 bones I enjoyed: Miso Soup. Black Pepper Shrimp - w/ Black pepper, pickled chili, green onion Pork loin - w/ Coconut milk, enoki mushrooms, fried onions green onion + Japanese curry peanut sauce Pumpkin mochi cake - w/ Cream cheese ice cream, caramel + pumpkin brittle. Since I visited with friends and family. We also sampled the sushi sampler, many ordered off the Prix Fixe menu so there was a ton of sushi on the table of different kinds. All of which were uber tasty. Ordering meats off their robata grill is a must! Beef tongue was succulent. Black pepper shrimps were meaty but we saw another shrimp on the grill which was enormous, at least ten inches in length. (?) Mouth watering. Then we make it to dessert and as if dinner wasn't tasteful enough. Killer Yuzu pie (key lime) or Pumpkin mochi cake. My cousin took one bite of that cake and never looked up again, his eyes intensely fixed on his mochi. Spoonfuls of moist, glutinous mochi and cream cheese ice cream adorned in pumpkin brittle and caramel. This dude slammed his, a bit of mine and contemplated ordering one to go. Too good. My only gripes and there were two. How quickly bus boys took plates away, sometimes nothing was said. Also, if Surf & Turf is offered as well as meats in general, why not have a decent steak knife for cutting. The common butter knife just doesn't do it. Great with friends and family. Good for impressing a sexy date. No need for valet, street parking is ample.
(5)
Andre W.
I was enticed by friends to come here because of their happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks My friends couldn't make it out so I invited my gf for an outing. First of all the decor is very hip, urban with graffiti on the walls, but with a slick feel to it. Also I thought it was cool eating while listening to Gang Starr, Dilated Peoples & Blackstreet classic hits. Again, this joint has a hip, swanky & urban feel to it. The staff was awesome in explaining the goodies on the menu. They took really good care of us. The beef skewers were very juicy and tender....we had 4 of them! The shrimp tempura was really good as well. I destroyed a half roll with a smile on my face. One of the managing partners gave us a tour of the place...really a nice guy. He also makes special dishes if you get a seat in front of his cooking station. This could end up being a serious go to place for after work activities.
(5)
Amoli P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a sushi and barbeque bar. As a general rule, I tend to assume that any restaurant offering in multiple cuisines means that the sushi will just be sub-par, if not awful. Union Sushi is the exception to this rule. We made an easy reservation for 7pm on a Thursday evening, and were seated right away. The decor is trendy but with a Japanese vibe. Drinks are served in cool wooden carrying vessels that are somehow modern and authentic at the same time. While we each had a regular menu at the table to peruse through, we were also given an iPad (yes, I said iPad) for our table that offered closer looks at items (with pictures), details on the daily food and drink specials. It seemed a little excessive to use iPads as menu items - we looked around us and counted at least 7 iPads being used at various tables - but it was also something new and kind of cool. We were instantly served tasty edamame with a different spice blend. Our cocktails arrived quickly and I found the Skinny Geisha to be light and refreshing, without being overpoweringly sweet. My boyfriend got the Eastern Medicine and found it delicious as well. We started with the cauliflower salad which had a nice citrus and vinegar flavoring. The truffled tuna was excellent, though as some reviewers have pointed out - the truffle taste was a little overpowering and hid the taste of the tuna. We did not get too experimental with the bbq items. My boyfriend and friends shared a kangaroo skewer as it was a special of the day and said it was fine (and tasted just like lamb) but wasn't mind-blowing. Next up were the sushi rolls. The best part about Union is that you can order sushi rolls in half or full amounts...and the half rolls are exactly half the price, rather than other restaurants who charge you 80% of the full price for only half the amount of food. This allowed us to really try a variety of the menu for 4 people, without spending a ridiculous amount of money. The sushi roll menu at Union is limited in that they do not use yellowtail or other less common fish in their rolls. They pretty much stick to tuna, spicy tuna, one roll with salmon, and the other cooked items like eel, shrimp, scallops, calamari and fried oysters. However, the rolls they do offer are nothing short of delicious and amazing. What Union lacks in fish variety in their rolls, they make up for with orginality in every other way. We tried rolls wrapped in collard greens, rolls wrapped in soy paper, and rolls wrapped in black rice (a healthier option to sushi rice). Each bite made our taste buds dance, and the fish and vegetables were extremely fresh. We went with the Dragon roll (in black rice), the Soft Shell Crab, the Hokkaido, the Devon, and the River North. The Soft Shell Crab was pretty standard, and the Devon was tempting mostly because of the curry sauce (all 4 of us were Indian, so obviously we had to try this). The hokkaido and River North rolls were absolutely delicious and easily my two favorites. They used a burdock root (or gobo) in the River North roll that added a wonderful crunch and the collard green wrapping was genius. The Hokkaido was wrapped in soy paper and had wonderful flavor blends of garlic and jalapeno and cilantro. The Dragon roll was less original but very fresh and tasty, and the black rice added a different texture but did not have the same overpowering taste that brown rice tends to. The black rice is a great option for carb-conscious eaters, as brown rice tends to ruin a sushi roll. We did get the fresh wasabi at our table, but quite honestly I don't know that our taste buds were sophisticated enough to appreciate the difference. It did taste better than regular wasabi, but I don't think it's worth the $5.00 surcharge. We only tried a couple pieces of the nigiri (super white tuna and hamachi) but both were fresh and good solid size cuts. It was a great experience with friendly service and fresh and original food. I look forward to going back and trying some of the rolls we didn't get to, as well as some of the bbq items and appetizer items. It's a great place to go with only 2 people, as the half rolls allow you to try a better variety than you usually get.
(4)
Avanti H.
omg yes i am a newcomer to sushi and let me just say this place does it right . love love it . everything taste excellent , even the service is good and i went on friday when they are packed , and our waitress was very attentive. love it fav sushi place .
(5)
Andrea R.
It was a Friday night and the hubby and I decided to take advantage of a visiting grandmother...and have a date night. At 8pm it was too late to get a reservation at anywhere we've been wanting to try so we decided to walk a few blocks to Union Sushi and hope for a table. We didn't get lucky with a table, but we did get "lucky" with 2 uncomfortable seats at the bar upstairs. The menu is quite interesting with a mix of Korean BBQ and sushi. We decided to try both, but first enjoyed some drinks (beer for the hubby and a glass of wine for me). In terms of Korean BBQ we ordered the ribs and were feeling a little adventurous so ordered alligator as well. Both were OK- I probably wouldn't order these again next time. And then we picked a few rolls from the menu as well. I do like that they have the option of ordering half or full rolls. We went the half roll route so that we could try several different options. The variety of rolls we ordered were tasty, although I did mention to my husband that I preferred the sushi at our restaurant of choice these days, Seadog Sushi Bar*. I was also still a bit hungry after we finished so ordered one last roll: a shrimp tempura roll. It was very large and had way too much mayo on it (ick) for my liking. The hubby said he would have preferred to pick up a pint of Ben and Jerry's on the way home instead of eating that roll. I kinda agreed. The bartender upstairs was our server and he was pretty fabulous...and seemed knowledgeable about both the drinks and food here. I'd come back for some apps and drinks at the bar, but if I'm looking for sushi (which I usually am) I'd probably go elsewhere. -------------------------- yelp.com/biz/seadog-sush…
(3)
Brian L.
The menu at Union can be a little overwhelming--there's just wayyy too many things to try. And, since even the most traditional sounding items are made a little different, there's an urge to order more than you really want. I guess that's not a bad thing right? The Food: +` Bento Special - 5/5 - The special came with a variety of cold and hot items including fried oysters, sweet potato agedashi tofu, beef tongue w/ peanut sauce, marinated salmon sashimi, and some other great stuff. There's a reason why you order the special! +` Spicy Pigtail Ramen - 4/5 - Union makes its own ramen noodles, so I had high hopes. The noodles had a great bite--a sign of freshness, but the broth was really heavy. +` Rainbow Roll - 3/5 - Why are these so small?! The Rainbow tasted standard but I've had better and bigger elsewhere. +` River North Roll - 3.5/5 - Definitely an interesting roll wrapped by collard greens, but I'd probably order something else in the future. Overall, the food was solid, and service was exceptional!
(4)
Avery A.
I have been here twice in the past year and this place is fantastic every time. Great vibes from first walking in. The place is pretty modern/hip as are the customers. You can sit by the grill or get your own table. If it's your first time, it may be fun to sit by the grill, unless you're still getting to know your date. Cocktails are strong and tasty. Just as good as any cocktail bar in Chicago. The menu is huge with a ton of options to choose from. Be careful though, it can add up pretty quickly. The BBQ menu is amazing an exotic (Kangaroo and Alligator on the menu among other things). Their tuna appetizers are incredible, as are their specialty roles. Stay for dessert! Their desserts are incredible! Tiramisu milkshake was fantastic and I have had a couple of seasonal items which I recommend trying! All in all this is one of my favorite spots in Chicago and a 5/5 every time I come.
(5)
Juan A.
This place is awesome!!! In particular I am still fixated on their delectable Uni Alfredo Soba!!!! Just for this dish alone I glad give Union 5 stars. If you love uni this is a must try!! seriously my best dish of the year. The flavors are so intense, I am salivating as I remember it now. This place is all around a good time great drinks and fantastic dishes at reasonable prices (considering it is a Japanese cuisine restaurant in river north in close proximity to downtown). The place is just well thought out and always a good time. Looking for great food, good ambiance and overall good experience Union is a sure thing! Try to sit at the chef's table and see the master at work. Thank you for the VIP attention Chef Chao, everything was phenomenal! also thank you to Michael our gracious friend and manager who made sure all needs were taken care of.
(5)
H K.
Super fun evening. Took a group from work and we had a ball. The tempura and dragon rolls were wonderful, but the open-face crab stole the show. One downside is they offer no premium liquor. They should fix that immediately. The beer selection was limited, too.
(4)
Liz S.
Overall, we had a good dining experience and our server was great. The free edamame was a great start. We got the spare rib and scallop skewers and a large spicy tuna and crunchy salmon skin rolls to start. The spare rib and spicy tuna roll were very good. The scallop was also good but it was only one tiny scallop, which we didn't realize (the spare rib was really big). The salmon skin roll was a bit salty. My husband go the duck fat yakusoba, which was very good and not spicy. I got the chicken ramen, which I was really looking forward to, and it was terrible. I never send any food back, and eat literally everything, but we had to send this back. It had no flavor (even when we added the spicy sauce) and tasted somehow both oily and watery at the same time. I'm pretty sure the table next to us sent the chicken ramen back, as well. We'll be back, but I'm a bit nervous to try the other ramen options.
(4)
Anne M.
All these fun new restaurants popping up in River North! Union might lead the pack in the hip/trendy category. Think bright orange, neons and flashiness, (huge) sculpted metal mesh detailing, thick stone tables, exposed upstairs bar area - there's a lot going on, and it's all very fun and detail oriented. Bling bling! I went here for lunch with two others - when we walked in around 11:40 it was empty. When we left close to 1pm it was totally filled up - but didn't feel grossly packed, which was nice. My trio split 4 different sushi rolls - all super fresh and delicious. This is the best looking and tasting sushi I've had in a while. You don't realize how bad/mediocre some sushi is until you have some really kick-ass sushi. [ Union's being kick-ass ] The menu also has half and full roll options, so you can try many different half rolls if you want to. We also split some samplings from their barbeque menu - the curry chicken thigh, beef spare rib + scallop. The chicken and scallop were delish. The menu prices reflect the high-end appearance of this place, but the food and service was really great. Go here if you're craving some fancy sushi in a fancy fun restaurant.
(5)
Rob C.
I have been here a couple of times now and really like it here. The spicy tuna roll and the Bay Street California rolls are my favorite. Some of the best I have ever had and I love sushi so it has to impress. Food and drinks are good and the place has a good vibe all around cool place. Def a must stop for sushi while in Chicago.
(5)
Galina M.
Its pretty good although id much rather get robata grill stuff from there than sushi. Bacon wrapped scallops r to die for and so is the allegator (tastes just like chicken). They have a nice lil bar area on the top (2nd floor).
(3)
Carmen G.
Deelishus! :p had the dragon with black rice and had to ask for more. The sushi in a cup wasn't my favorite; it was alright. I also had a sampler from the grill and it was pretty good. Would definitely go back again!
(5)
Mrs. H.
Excellent! The vibe is great in addition to the diverse menu! There's lots to choose from, including fresh wasabi for those of you who care to avoid the typical powder and water substitute served in most restaurants. I enjoyed grilled kangaroo, beef, and squid, oysters on the half shell, sushi, and complimentary edamame. Viewing menu specials on their iPads makes for a savvy touch to the dining experience. Happy Hour is in full effect on Saturdays. Check the back of your menu, because our waiter didn't highlight this "special."
(5)
Madison B.
This place was good. I had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. Deliscious! I also had the calamari sushi and yellow tail sushi. Everything was yummy...including the drinks. Btw the bartender was AWESOME. He knew all about the drinks and the food and was super nice. I had a good time.
I went to Union Sushi for lunch with my coworkers recently, and it was pretty good! It's right around the corner from my office, and right off the brown line, so it's convenient to get to. We booked our table through gdine.com and it was super easy to split the check 7 ways in advance. I ordered the Surf and Turf Slider bento box, and it came with a Wagyu beef burger, crabcake, and a spicy shrimp roll. All were very good, and you get a free drink through gDine, so that made it even better. I think I prefer the sushi rolls over everything else, but all in all, it's a great spot for lunch, and $1 oysters are always a good deal!
(4)
Andrew O.
Get the short rib ramen. The meat is falling apart and make sure to drink the broth to the last drop. Just be careful not to eat one of the peppers. The spicy tuna in the roll is also very high quality and the coating makes a great crunchy contrast to the tuna.
(5)
Shereene M.
I was expecting it to be a little nicer (not sure why) but its pretty casual (which isn't a problem). They actually play really good music if you're into older hip hop and r&b which was really cool. Anyway, the food was good. I tried a few rolls (one for sure was devon) and they tasted good but not my favorite sushi. We tried the spicy pigtail ramen also which is sooo spicy! Overall the food was good but not my favorite sushi ever.
(3)
Steve S.
So this was our first effort to find good sushi in Chicago. After reading the yelp reviews, we decided on Union and we enjoyed our dinner. The variety between the rolls and the barbeque help differentiate Union from our favorite Asian fusion restaurant, Umami Moto in Milwaukee. We did have a bit of doubt when we first walked in though. We had 7:00 reservations and the place was not busy but the douche bag host at the front was more interested in his conversation with some other dude about how he was friends with the guy who didn't show up in the other dude's party. I found it incredibly rude that he turned away from us to discuss how good of friends he was with the guy who didn't show up. Thankfully the hostess saw my death stare at the dude and checked us in and got us seated. From there, everything was excellent. Our sever, Daniel, was spot on. He did an excellent job of checking in but wasn't intrusive. One of the better servers we've had! As for food, everything was good but a few items stood out more than others. We started with the truffled tuna which was very good. I liked the equal portion of tuna and avocado. The wonton chips were good but I still preferred the ones Umami Moto serves in the tuna poke. The spicy tuna roll was tasty but the Bay Street roll was a bit off due to the warm crab cake and cold cucumber. We also opted for the fresh wasabi which was very good. Gave a different type of heat. For the 2nd round, we each choose a barbeque item and also created our own roll using the super white tuna. Props for Daniel for allowing us to create that. My partner said the beef filet was "nothing special". However my spare rib was the star of the entire meal. It was literally falling off the bone and the accompanying slaw was incredible. Our super white tuna roll was also exceptional. We ended with desserts which were just okay. The pumpkin mochi cake had good taste but the mixture of hard ice cream and tough spongy outer ring made for a weird texture. My partner had the soy chocolate brownie and while he liked it, he could definitely taste the soy. There are lots of sushi places in Chicago so our quest will continue but Union does a nice job of distinguishing itself with it's fun & funky interior and combination of decent rolls and barbeque items.
(3)
Julia D.
This place was fantastic for, well, everything! I was with a group in town for business and everyone was in the mood for sushi. Yelp led me to this place. We had the Truffled Tuna, Mushroom Dumplings and Cobia Carpaccio. The tuna was to die for. If you choose one app off the menu do yourself a favor and get that. We had a main course of the black rice roll sampler and a few additional rolls. I finished with the Union Canolis made with pistachio, pineapple and black sesame seed. YUM! When I am back in Chicago I'll try this place again. I skipped BBQ this time but next time I'll be trying that. Yelppers did not steer me worng on this place, well worth a try.
(4)
KC C.
We brought a group of six to our favorite sushi place, and had a great time. An overlooked area of Union is the upstairs bar area, where the mixologist makes a hibiscus garnished cocktail that is the finest mixed drink I believe we have experienced in Chicago. Aside from my fun friends, this cocktail was the highlight. The food was excellent, again, and Daniel provided excellent service and experience. The hostess sent me a text during our meal asking for feedback-simple, give Daniel, our server, a raise; LOL. Cannot miss when enjoying Union Sushi and BBQ. Off to the gym!
(5)
Shannon L.
I spent a relaxing, boozy, 3 hour, Friday afternoon lunch at Union. I can't even begin to tell you everything we ate and drank (other than the bottle of prosecco I downed by myself) but it was all wonderful...including the oysters that were forced on me (I don't generally eat or like oysters but these were - by far - the best oysters I have ever had). All the rolls and food we ordered was great - fresh and uniquely done - but by far the best part about this was how amazing the service was. We didn't even realize that they had closed the restaurant to prepare for dinner but they continued to serve us and even let us sample some of their different sake - bubbling and regular. Also fun - I was Instagram-ing photo's of our food and drinks and posting them to Twitter and Union was responding to me and reposting my photos to their FB page. Who doesn't love a little social media interaction with their meal?
(5)
Aus B.
It started off a bit suspect but in the end we lucked out. They cancelled our reservation because we were more than 20 mins. late. Fair enough i guess. Due to our late arrival, they sat us at the bar upstairs and we got amazing service. The food was fantastic as well. One of the owner's stopped by and served us a comp'd flight of sake. Thanks! Everything we ordered was fresh and well prepared.
(5)
Mike A.
Spending a few days downtown over the holidays with the family in order to enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful city. Not to mention a chance to try some new restaurants. Looking for a sushi place, decided on Union based on the positive reviews. Overall the food was ok, nothing really outstanding and nothing that would have me rushing to come back again. We ordered several "grill" apps, but none really stood out. Out of the the 1/2 dozen or so, alligator was probabaly the best one. Several sushi rolls had mayo and other sauces all over them. While it looks pretty, it masks the taste of the roll and overpowers the flavor of the fish. Service was very good and the server suggested a bento box for my son, which was presented in a nice stackable container. In summary, it was an avg experiance, the grill was a nice change from your std sushi places, but if you are in the mood for sushi, I would not make this place my top choice.
(3)
Kamilah S.
I saw this place on Check Please and was impressed so I decided to check it out. My girls and I came here on a Friday night and we were very impressed. First, they were playing rap music, NICE, the music changed after 3 songs to a soft, mellow mix. Second, once you are seated you get complimentary edamame, dusted with a seasoning that changes daily. Friday's choice was sour cream and onion or chives, I forget, but it was delish. Drinks were nice and strong. The specials are shown to you on an I-Pad. Matthew, our waiter was great, he made great drinks choices. I have the salmon wrapped in a collard green leaf, the mussels they come in this great flavorful, slightly spicy, ginger, lemongrass broth and you get toasty, crusty bread, the kangaroo, the alligator, one of my bff's have the plate-o-protein ( I call it that because its just MEAT and 2 florets of broccoli and cauliflower, she substituted some of the meats and veggies), my other bff had the lamb chops and the spicy tuna roll. We were so stuffed. I will definitely be back. All of the food was excellent.
(5)
Jeremy N.
The thing I think I love most about Union is that they have some rolls which are very much off the beaten path. The Hokkaido roll is the one that always comes to mind, which is a brilliant combination of scallop, jalapeno, cilantro, avocado and masago-mayo all wrapped up in soy paper. When I looked at it on the menu it didn't sound all that appealing but my wife ordered it and the flavors blew me away! I think they also have a roll that is wrapped in collard greens... if you're looking for a departure from your boring sushi routine, give Union a shot. They also have the most delicious Japanese white ale called Hitachino - it is not cheap, about $10 a bottle I think, but if you're out to celebrate or splurge it is worth it, truly one of my favorite beers.
(5)
Niti B.
So I've been out of town for almost two weeks...decided to catch up with a friend and we went for a walk to Citizen bar. Along the way we came across Union Sushi and she said it had been on her list to try so we took a shot and on a Saturday night at 7pm got a table for two. I guess we were eating pretty early or it isn't that popular just yet. I enjoyed every little thing we had! And we ordered plenty... I started with the: Princess Elena | Cranberry Blood Orange Tea Infused Broker's Gin, Amaro Montenegro, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Egg White. Normally I see the words egg white and get squirmish but gave it a shot since our waiter said they infuse the gin themselves. Was so good I had a second! Off course we started with some complimentary edemame and got great recommendations from the waiter. The concept is sushi and japanese street food. As far as the street food I only tried the jumbo shrimp skewer...let me advise you, it is not to share and only one shrimp but packs a punch of flavor. We also had the TRUFFLED TUNA- truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chile fresco + wonton chips. this was the least impressive of all. Didn't feel any flavor in the tuna and would have liked it if it actually had a little heat or acidity. The rolls we tried were: CLIFTON #4 | fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori + garlic mayo OLD CITY MARKET | spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion, fried okra + wrapped in collard green SOFT SHELL CRAB | cucumber, lettuce, fried ginger, avocado, rice puff, sesame paste + sweet chile sauce all were different and unique to themselves. I don't think the place is amazing but is definitely worth a try.
(3)
Tiffany K.
I came here with my S.O. and we had so much food, it's hard to remember it all! We definitely had the alligator, spare rib, and pork shoulder from the BBQ bar. Alligator was a bit salty, but pretty much tasted like chicken so that was a nice surprise. For maki, we ordered half orders so we could try a lot. We tried the Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin (cucumber, avocado, masago, cilantro, chile oil, eel sauce), Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper), Clifton #4 (fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori, garlic mayo), and the Rainbow (eel, hirame, tuna, cucumber, avocado). Standouts were the Clifton #4 and the Hokkaido, part of their specialty rolls. We also ordered nigiri and swtched out white rice for black rice, which was a GREAT idea! The fish tasted fresh and everything was prepared excellently. They even grated FRESH wasabi for us table-side, and it was a game changer. For dessert, we got the pumpkin mochi cake. Holy crap, the pumpkin mochi cake. It was a tough decision between that and the donut, but IT WAS DELICIOUS and I still remember it. Drinks were on point - I ordered Kitsune's Flip, and it was not too sweet but pretty boozy. The only bad part was the slow, slow service. It was packed on a Saturday night, but not insanely busy. It took at least 10 minutes to get waters!!! All in all, I'd come back for sure. The food is amazing!!
(5)
Winston G.
Drinks are pretty great here, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the food. The food was alright - some typical izakaya type dishes and a bunch of "fusion" sushi rolls, but nothing stood out too much for me. The fried pork belly was good, but the slices of pork belly are really thin and small. Probably my favorite dish of the night. Prosciuitto wrapped scallops from the barbecue bar was also very good. The duck fat yaki soba was very average. The rolls are fine -- all of them are very unique and different. I like the fact you can get half and full sizes, so you can try a number of different rolls without overpaying.
(3)
Ray D.
Awesome sushi box for lunch and amazing BBQ and sushi pieces for dinner. Anything cooked here is awesome! Great fireplace adds to the ambiance.
(4)
Eric V.
In short, hit or miss. I thoroughly enjoyed the Agedashi Potato (creamy sweet potato "tots" served in a smoky dashi broth) and the Venison (very flavorful and butter knife tender, the silky egg yolk brought it all together). The succulent Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop - topped with a wasabi avocado puree and frizzled ginger - was quite good, too. Strangely enough, the misses were the two main items that grace the restaurants namesake, sushi and barbecue. The wifey and I tried the Clifton #4 roll, and it was just an odd combination of flavors that never really came together. The calamari had also crossed the line into semi-chewy so that didn't help either. The Beef Tongue, which itself was very tender, was just overpowered with the taste of char. Now I love char from a BBQ grill just as much as the next guy, but the flavor profile had clearly gone into burnt territory (just from a few grill marks, mind you). The Monkfish suffered the same fate, as that burnt taste was too much to appreciate either the quality of the fish or the sauce with which it was finished. Our meal did, however, end a high note. The Yuzu pie is fantastic, well balanced between tart and sweet, and very much like an Asian key lime pie. 3 apps, 5 skewers, and 1 dessert netted us a final bill around $60, sans booze. On food alone it's not necessarily easy on the wallet, considering the amount of food you get. Our server was very pleasant, but the oontz oontz music and overall vibe definitely say, "I'm here to party". The Friday night River North crowd was in dress to impress mode, so you may want to save the flip flops, cutoff tees, and jorts for another occasion. How I managed to escape any comments for not wearing a collared button down shirt is still beyond me...
(3)
Beckee W.
I feel a little bit bad giving this place 3 stars, but I need to remember that that means average and that's what I'd say about this place. Prob a 3.5 if I could. I am off carba during the week and a friend was craving sushi so this place did well by us. Standouts: Brussels sprouts in pesto should have been wrong but were good! Tuna tartare with truffle was soo close but needed a touch of citrus or acid to cut all the creaminess Shrimp from the BBQ menu was BRUTAL with crazy pepper sauce that completely overwhelmed the shrimp. My friend dipped a finger in the sauce and choked Prosciutto wrapped scallop was Devine Drinks were pricey but really yummy I didn't try a roll but my friend got the Dragon and she said it was good and it looked decent. Won't rush to come back but if I'm in the area and hungry I'd stop back. They are new so hopefully the feedback improves them because I like the space and the concept!
(3)
D. C.
Awesome sushi and pretty good prices. Try the black rice option...delicious. Every roll I've had here has been wonderful. My wife doesn't like fish, so the vegetarian option is perfect for her. We love the mushroom and sweet potato rolls!
(5)
Carl G.
Randomly headed here on a Saturday night - happened to be during restaurant week, bonus! Quite a busy place, all the tables full, and the atmosphere was definitely happy. Fantastic music selection really created great ambiance also! It was really eclectic and instead of being background music, added to the fun. There isn't a ton of room to sit and wait, so I'd show up close to your reservation time to avoid standing outside or in the doorway. We ended up at the sushi bar, and though it was quite informal and there was no personal space, it was exactly what we needed, and it turned out to be a positive. The service was adequate, and probably the reason why this place got 4 instead of 5 stars. They were attentive for the most part, but didn't do a good job of giving us advice about portion size, even when we directly asked if we had ordered too much, and so we way over-ordered. Also, all of the food seemed to come out at the same time - and at the sushi bar this was a bit of a problem - there just isn't enough room! It would have been better to have appropriately ordered and had the food come out sequentially rather than simultaneously. The food was really the star of the show. We split a bow of ramen and that is something I'd get again for sure. It had rich flavor, was full of "things" (pork belly, vegetables, noodles, egg, etc.)...loved it. We got 4 other items, and they all were pretty amazing. The grill produced well cooked and seasoned meats, and any accompaniments were quickly slurped up. The black rice sushi was pretty neat, something that I hadn't experienced before - the roll we got tasted extremely fresh, and was a great addition. Despite our over-ordering, we ended up finishing everything. Yes, we felt fat, but it was tough to put down! Overall, really impressed with the food and the atmosphere. Definitely somewhere to go with a small to mid-size group, where you're looking to share some food have a little fun!
(4)
Carol K.
Highly ambitious. That's the best way I can explain my take on Union Sushi and Barbeque. We stopped in on opening week. Since I was there before my friend, I took a seat at the smallish bar and talked to the bartender who was personable and quick with a drink. They don't carry typical bar brands so you may have to adjust from your favorites but they do have a lengthy specialty cocktail list that looked good. We were seated promptly (know that they only take reservations for groups of 7 or larger) in the center of the restaurant between the Robata grill and the sushi bar. The menu is made up of starter plates, sushi, items from the grill and entrees. We ordered a wide range of items off the menu: mushroom soup, raw oysters, tuna tartar, mini skewers of beef, lamb and shrimp, various sushi rolls and finally one of the entrees (their version of surf and turf). My favorite from all of that were the oysters. They were small kumamotos and topped with green onion, and a cilantro ponzu sauce. Terrific! My second favorite item was probably the truffled tuna tartar although my personal preference would have been to have a little less truffle sauce as it overpowered the delicate tuna. The skewers were good- but know that each one is just a couple of bites so know to order many if you are hungry. As for the sushi rolls- they were small (4 pieces each) and while some were better than others and some were unique (rolled with cucumber instead of rice or collard greens), none really stood out for us. And the entree, while it looked lovely (steak and shrimp positioned on top of pureed sweet potatoes) the taste again just didn't wow me. Service was spotty, but that is expected in a place that is still getting it's cadence right. Dinner for two was about $140 including drinks. And if you drive? Take small bills. The valet told me he didn't have any change for my $20 for a $12 valet fee. All in all- my favorite part of the place was the place itself. Huge graffiti from a local graffiti artist line the walls, The metal mesh swooping about adds interest and the multiple of windows make this a nice spot to sit and catch up. It's got a cheerful vibe that I really liked. I'll be back, if only for those amazing oysters!
(3)
Mary T.
3.5 stars Confession: When I heard this place was a sushi and barbeque place, I thought it was a bizarre combination. I was envisioning spicy tuna rolls sitting alongside pulled pork sandwiches, not kushiyaki skewers. Union's space is modern, edgy and cool; decorated with graffiti art; the atmosphere is lively and loud. I think the awful weather helped us to grab seats at the sushi bar immediately. We sat at the sushi bar for a while unattended; not an inordinate amount of time, but enough to make us wonder if we should be placing food and drink orders with the sushi chef or if we would have a server. Fortunately, right about then our friendly server came on the scene. I probably would've felt service erred on the inattentive side if we'd been anywhere but the sushi bar; at the bar we had the flexibility to order food from the chef without waiting to locate our server. The drink menu is nice, there are about 10 creative specialty cocktails to choose from along with a small beer list and an overwhelming number of sakes divided into four categories. Knowing nothing about sake, I went with the South of the Border, West of the Sun; a tequila and grapefruit cocktail that I would definitely order again. Having skipped lunch, I ordered edamame to stave off my hunger pains. Fortunately, my dining partner wasn't a fan, because the portion is rather small. Usually edamame is edamame is edamame, but this dish had a nice, subtle twist. Instead of using sea salt as seasoning, they used a spiced salt, which was gave it a slight kick that made my lips tingly (in a good way). We decided to forgo barbeque and stick with sushi this go round. The menu of rolls was smaller than I expected - maybe 15 in all - and broken up into two sections - Union (specialty rolls) and classics. I don't recall seeing it on the menu, but it's worth noting that all rolls are 4 pieces. On the upside you can try a nice cross section of rolls, on the downside the rolls seem pricey. We started out with four rolls - Osaka Central, Hokkaido, Old City Market, and Spicy Tuna and later added a rainbow roll. All of them came up quickly and were presented beautifully. My favorite roll was the Hokkaido with grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, and garlic and my companion agreed. My least favorite roll was the rainbow roll, closely followed by the spicy tuna (normally a fave). The inside of the rainbow roll was tuna; not raw tuna, but more akin to canned tuna. The tuna's taste and texture overpowered the roll; I would not order this roll again. The spicy tuna good except for the fact that it wasn't spicy, not even a little; it was more like a simple tekka roll. Falling in the middle were the Old City Market and Osaka Central, but I will say the texture of the fishcake in the Osaka Central caught me off guard. It had a firm, gelatin-like texture to it, that I wasn't expecting. All in all the place is good, but I think the sushi menu needs a bit of work and errs on the pricey side. I can't speak for the barbeque portion of the menu, but if you go in expecting a small plate format, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(3)
Misty B.
I've been to Union numerous times and will continue to go back as much as I can! The quality of food, comforting atmosphere, originality and genuine staff has made this my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Being a strict vegetarian... the menu items as well as the attention to detail from the chefs and servers is very much appreciated. Everyone working truly wants you to enjoy your experience and food. Some of my favorite dishes are as follows: Soba Salad (tempura enoki mushrooms, nappa cabbage, tomato, red + yellow onion, chili pepper, cilantro, garlic oil + spicy ponzu) from the vegetarian menu... I could honestly eat this every day... and i'm not going to lie, I went three days straight to get this item. It's refreshing yet spicy... light yet filling. The flavor profiles and textures are off the charts! From the Robata grill all the vegetarian items are great but I love the Tofu (miso balsamic sauce, rice puff ). It's grilled to perfection with a light sauce. Not to mention They're so adorable I almost don't want to eat them. My favorite roll is the Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish + eel sauce), Curry adds just the perfect and exciting amount of flavor. My favorite dessert has to be the Killer Yuzu Pie (coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream)... I legit crave this way too often. (ugh i want one now) Apparently it's similar to key lime pie... which i've NEVER enjoyed before, so I can't agree... Then again I don't care what it's compared to because it's fantastic, tart, light and yes I need to get one soon and eat the entire thing alone. (fatty at heart) I also love the Mushroom Dumplings... Vegetarian and Carnivores alike will love this starter! My suggestion is to go with a fun group of friends, order as much as you can on the menu and share. I'm adding pictures.. so check them out! And don't forget to say hello to Chao and Mike! They're some of the nicest guys I've met in Chicago with a respectable work ethic and passion for good food & top notch customer service! I wish them all the best!
(5)
Wesley R.
The state of Union Sushi & Barbeque? Strong and tasty flavors, my fellow foodies! My first contact with the fine concept of Union was through their blog: mikeandchaochow.com A great great read, that set my saliva glands to drool. Finally, the day had come, and accompanied by a trusted fellow foodie, we were prepared to enter the world where sushi and barbeque could unite at once! There are a lot of options on the cocktail menu, potentially intimidating for the less adventurous among you. We opted to try the Crazy Milk Oita, an unfiltered Nigori sake. At 300 ml, it was a good split for two people looking for a tasty beverage to complement our meal without trying to get drunk. We received a complementary Edamame which comes with a joshua tree spice blend. For our meal? Round 1: Starters - Truffled Tuna Kushiyaki (skewers) - Beef Filet - Chicken Thigh - Scallops x 2 (1 scallop per skewer) Union Rolls - The Belly Roll - Devon The Truffled Tuna was outstanding. I love tuna, and the combination of flavors with the avocado, wonton chips and optional chile fresco made for a great foundation for the rest of the meal. Of the Kushiyaki, the Scallops were in fine form this night. The wasabi-avocado puree and the sweet plum sauce brought out the best in the scallop. The Belly Roll had a nice mix of flavors, and the pork belly was seasoned well, and came out tender. Round 2: Sushi Hokkaido Hamachi sashimi Did I mention that the scallops were fantastic tonight? They worked really well in the roll, and the soy paper was a nice texture alternative that complemented the flavors. The hamachi sashimi was also tasty. For dessert, we had the Ice Cream Sundae Flight. Can you ever really go wrong with ice cream? The service was fine, where our server always made sure to check to see how we were doing without interrupting us too much. The ambiance was nice, and the music was at a decent level, enough to create white noise without forcing you to shout at your dinner companions. Also, they'll eventually offer lunch, which I can't wait for! If you need a new place to try, especially one that will try different things (such as alligator and kangaroo kushiyaki), give Union a try!
(4)
Amy S.
Really crazy good sushi and appetizers! They have a great lunch special, so I came here with one of my friends and we ended up doing flights of wine, appetizers, soup, and sushi all under $35 each. It is always really fresh, and there is convenient meter parking outside!
(4)
TJ Y.
Great experience here! Went on a Friday night with a reservation and had a great experience. Food - From the bbq side, I got the filet and the mushrooms. The filet was delicious, but the mushrooms weren't that great. for the sushi... I thought it was great that they had half rolls! I think it's great when restaurants let you do half rolls because then you can sample more things on their menu. For rolls... I tried 7 different rolls... the scallop, mushroom, calamari, soft shell crab, cucumber, radish, and california. The mushroom, calamari, and cucumber rolls were delicious!! The service and ambiance was really nice as well. The server was attentive, knew the menu, and provided suggestions. Overall, I would definitely return here and try some other things on their menu. Great restaurant!
(4)
Tracy H.
When I first went here about a year ago, I had a really great experience. Ramen was up to game and so was the sushi. When I went back this past month with my boyfriend, we ordered two specialty rolls as well as two different types of ramen. I don't remember the name of the other roll, but we got the Tsukijii (spelling) market roll and...was quite surprised when we took a bite. Totally something different, but definitely not "sushi" per say given there is no rice and it was just...very interesting although not terrible. The reason I can't give this place as many stars as I would have before is because of the ramen. Oh my goodness...what is up with the ramen noodles? I basically couldn't even call it ramen because it looked and tasted like plain soup. I ordered the chicken ramen (probably my fault for ordering something so weird) but even so, the broth tasted like water with salt, the noodles were totally like something you'd see in your typical chicken noodle soup, and there were grease bubbles floating all over the top of the soup not to mention of greasy it was in general for a liquid... Overall, most of the sushi seems to be pretty good, but I will not be ordering the ramen here anymore even though I used to love how they made it :( The rating is only for the food though I've always had good experiences with employees, and they play the absolute best music!!!
(3)
Angelica P.
Very good and unique sushi rolls, a lot of spicy things on the menu you though so if you don't like the heat you're kinda out of luck. Their nigiri (rice with fish on top) is amazing though - super white tuna and salmon was really fresh and tasted awesome! The meat is so-so, somethings were a little salty - ribs are succulent and meat falls right off of the bone though A little over-priced but it is downtown
(4)
Nikki C.
they never give me any twaat love back when I throw some out for their awesomeness on the internets, so my ego says Eat me! but damn, they do know how to feed us fat asians with big mouths and bigger appetites for freshness and fired meats. cool bar upstairs with approachable bar staff. yes happy hour is damn happy. eat an oyster or 48... and chef chao is right on. cool dude and damn creative with the proteins. bamn!
(4)
Jeff C.
huge fan. love the constantly rotating drinks and in the winter, the hot sake delights. the combo grill/sushi is great for any diners. They have a nice selection of creative and imaginative dishes. Fun room.
(4)
Tony L.
I had enjoyed Union's fine sushi in-house, but wasn't sure how they could approximate it through delivery. Had a sushi dinner delivered for myself and a date on Easter evening and it was superb. I couldn't believe that they were able to duplicate their wonderful presentation in a delivery! Each portion was wrapped carefully and perfectly. Also, the sauces and condiments were all included in separate wrappers for us to apply, so nothing arrived soggy from the delivery time. Wonderful attention to detail. Highly recommended!
(5)
John S.
Door people can be a bit pretentious but the service and food make up for it.
(4)
Alison T.
Came here for a friends Birthday - ambience and decor gets 5 stars, it's a really cool place. The menu is great with lots of different options for both sushi lovers and non-sushi lovers. The tuna tartare was some of the best I've ever had. Everything else was just good. It's defnitely a bit over-priced, but we did have a good time. I'd go back if someone asked me to, but I don't think I'll get a group to go again.
(3)
Shawna B.
This place was such a pleasant surprise on so many fronts. First, the food. If you like meat, this place makes a great BBQ pork appetizer. The rolls with black rice were extra tasty...spicy tuna roll and another with avocado and eel were great. Also had an amazing sauteed fiddlehead fern dish. It was a special for the night and was absolutely unique in its flavor. Must order! Second, our waiter Matt was awesome. He was pleasant, efficient and explained everything without being annoying. Thanks Matt! Last, the vibe of the place was energetic without being over the top. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Manjari B.
Please go here and try the shrimp tempura, sashimi cup and tuna! This was my first time at Union Sushi and they didn't remotely disappoint me! It was buzzing with people even on a Sunday night. We loved the service especially since we placed the last order and after happily eating all of what we ordered, we wanted more shrimp tempura!! The ppl were so sweet , they took the last last order :) I totally recommend this place to everyone!
(4)
D K.
Saw all those critics about service etc but I had a very good experience on a Sunday night. Place was decent full, hostess helpful, my waiter, Paul, very attentive. I opted for the robata grill choices, everything was very tasty. Def liked the alligator skewers. Weekend nights might be different, but I would definitely come back.
(4)
Nate L.
Oishi ryori arigato gozaimashita!!!!!! Your happy hour rocks! 1 dollar oysters 2 dollar beef skewers 6 dollar shrimp rolls 2 dollar PBR Did I mention 1 dollar oysters? I had braised beef tongue, 1 dozen oysters, beef short rib, 1 shrimp rolls, 2 PBRs and 1 Snow Flake Sake. Everything is flavorful and decently priced. Great place for an Happy Hour!
(5)
Dave Z.
WOW. Truly, we had a wow experience there. Took my wife for our 15 year anniversary weekend in downtown Chicago (walked there from the dana Hotel on State - another great place!). I made the Friday night reservation via Open Table and mentioned our anniversary. Well, the host & hostess greeted us with a Happy Anniversary and said they would do their best to make it memorable. That alone just set the tone. How nice! The waitress seemed a tad distracted at first, but corrected that as the evening went on and redeemed completely by the end. The place was jumping, but not chaotic or overwhelmingly so. Just lively. Cool tunes (my wife commented that it sounded like my iPod! A little alternative, a little pop, some electronic groove stuff). Our cocktails were funky and fun. We're not Sake people, but been told this is THE place and it showed, looking at other tables next to us. May have to try next time. But we loved what we got. Definitely an adventurous drink menu. We heard about this place on 'Check, Please' so happy to see it lived up to what we saw. Got out mini iPad to view some of the food, made a few selections and off we went. Each item was increasingly delicious. Started with the truffled tuna: Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips. Fantastic! Although, we have had this similar thing in many many restaurants in San Fran, Vegas and elsewhere. It wasn't the best we've ever had, but pretty close and would get again in a heartbeat. There was a wagyu beef appetizer I think was a special, but it was outstanding. Hard not to just order more, but we were out to sample a lot. Had some shashimi yellow tail and tuna that was great. But the best 2 things on the menu: the Spare rib was seriously out of this world. I know, a spare rib? Really? But it was fall off the bone tender but the sauce was like nothing we'd ever had before. I love sauce of all kinds. The saucier the better. Well, I wanted to drink a gallon of this stuff (Miso, house-tonkatsu -- yes, i had to look it up just now). I am drooling remembering that smoke, sweet tasty rib. Last, my wife really wanted some sushi rolls, which I am not usually a fan of. I don't like the rolls, because I don't like the seaweed "binder" and don't dig wasabi, which is sometimes in the rice... not this. It was the black rice, we'd read about. She couldn't eat it all, so I tried one. We had to get more!! No seaweed (or I couldn't taste it?) and the black rice had a crispyness to it that we could only describe as "rice krispy like"! (Okay, we aren't "refined people") but it did! The waitress explained they fry up some of the skin in sauce and add to the rice. We always heard of "crispy skin" on Top Chef and now we know why it's used so much... beyond delicious! I crave it again! So, we are done. Full without being too full. We wanted to still have a night out without feeling overfull. The waitress insists we get dessert for our anniversary. She was so sweet. We said no, but she was insistent we get it and even just take a bite. So she brings out this Pumpkin Mochi Cake while I am in the bathroom. I come back and my wife has this look on her face. "Try. It.". Okay..... ohmygod... wow! flavor explosion! Warms and carmely and inside is this cream cheese ice cream oozing out. I am not a dessert guy. Months later, we can't stop talking about it!!! We will definitely be going back soon! Just amazing! Service was friendly, fun and zippy. Atmosphere fun and lively. Food was to die for and not at all expensive for what it was. Truly a spectacular experience!
(5)
Heather M.
I really enjoyed my meal here! It's a great place for groups, the prices are super reasonable, you can order tons of stuff and the cocktails are delicious - they're on the whole fancy cocktail bandwagon. I'll have three. As a Miami Hurricane, it would have been remiss to pass on the grilled Gator. So I did not. It was great. Sushi - my favorites were the roll with the scallops, the market city roll and the one with the pork belly. PORK BELLY IN SUSHI. Why had I never had that before? The duck fat noodles were really delicious. A little greasy, but they are duck fat. noodles. I also really enjoyed the truffled tuna, in spite of myself. I thought tuna tartare was kind of cliche and lame, but this one was excellent. I will definitely be back to sample more of the robata offerings. Based on the gator and the prosciutto scallop, it's clear they know their way around the grill. Oishkatta!!!
(4)
Brooke S.
I have been really excited for this place to open simply due to the fact that they serve kushiyaki the right way...from a sexy 600 degree open flame Robata grill!!! YES!!! Aside from the kushiyaki, Union has a great assortment of apps, mains and of course sushi. I began with the Wagyu Beef Tartare. It was an excellent opener. As promised it was "almost traditional". It was seasoned perfectly, the temperature was on point, a quail egg on top AND along with the surprise of ginger and hints of soy, it was amazing!!! Daikon crisps and pickled baby daikon accompaniments. I had two rolls. The Belly Roll was fun with the piece of fried pork belly on top. The Devon Roll was a great choice for a veggie roll. I really like the sweet potato with the curry mayo. Duck Fat Udon. Good but not a stand out. I think it needed some acidity to brighten the flavor. Shredded duck was stellar and moist though. And now for the kushiyaki... Beef tongue with rice crisp. Tender and awesome. And now for my favorite part of the meal...the whole squid kushiyaki. This was one of those perfect food moments for me. Never mind the fact that it was gorgeous, the squeeze of lemon created the perfect sauce on the plate. Combine that with the charred tips of the tentacles, sigh, I was in heaven. For dessert, the Killer Yuzu Tart made the perfect ending. It was not too sweet and the perfect size. Yum. Sake was great served over one rock with the aroma of the cucumber garnish. I had the Kikusui, 200 ml. It was bright and clean and went well with mostly everything I ate. Cool packaging too. Service was spotty at points but it was only the second night. Total tab for two (my brother also ordered two kushiyaki) $79. I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Gina K.
Maybe it's because I come from New York... or perhaps my Asianness. But this place was just so so. I mean... the noodles were mediocre. There was nothing particularly special about the sushi and the drinks were just OK. I WILL say that the location and decor are pretty hip. Fun crowd. Maybe there aren't great sushi places nearby? I dunno. It was just sort of a miss for me.
(2)
Dirce M.
I love this place. It's so modern looking and their sushi rolls are amazing. I like that you can switch the white rice rolls with the black rice. The sake is a little expensive so be careful. Overall, it's a good place to go with the girls have a couple of drinks and eat good sushi :)
(4)
Elena M.
I came here on a Wednesday with my boyfriend, after hearing about how great the sushi was. We sat down at our table, and our waiter (although very nice) was very hard to hear. When you're working at a loud establishment, your voice should be BOOMING; by the end of dinner, I think I mastered the art of reading lips... If I could describe the food in one word, I would say, MEH. It just didn't do anything for me. We ordered the oysters to start, one of my favorite things, and they brought out the half shells with a bunch of other crap on it. I understand this is a trendy restaurant, but some things are better left simple. Why mess with a good thing? We ordered an array of different sushi rolls, one being "old city market." It just wasn't anything special. Very bland and not what I expected from a place like this. Very dissappointing. I do however, give 5 stars to the SPARKLING MIZBASHO PURE JUNMAI GINJO GUNMA. My god, if anything good came out of this place, it was introducing me to this sparkling sake. It was originally $98 for a bottle, but they had a half off drink special for it. Bottle gone within 20 minutes. Overall, this restaurant doesn't live up to the hype. If you want really good sushi, go to Seadog or Coast.
(2)
Lena L.
We had reservations, but we were 15 minutes late and called ahead to notify them. Some restaurants do a much better job of holding your table. This place could care less...we ended up being seated at the bar next the inferno pizza fireplace which was uncomfortable. The temperature difference was something like 20 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a big difference and it was very uncomfortable. Our ice waters melted within 5 minutes of being served to us. It was obnoxious how many times I had to ask for a refill because I was so hot I chugged down my ice water. The sushi was a three star. It was good, decent, somewhat satisfying, but I have had better. I was drawn in by their black rice option. It was cool looking and added a very unique component to the taste of the rolls. Try it if you visit this place.
(2)
Greg R.
Great service, good quality sushi. Presentation of food is a bit much and actually makes simple sushi a bit too difficult to eat. All in all a decent neighborhood place that would be good for a date.
(3)
Adoley J.
I really really wanted to love this place.This past weekend went with a group of girls looking to catch up and eat great sushi. I got 4 items from the BBQ bar (one prosciutto wrapped scallop, two mushrooms, and the beef filet) and a half roll of spicy tuna. The scallop and beef filet were delicious but the mushrooms were overcooked. Overall the sushi was good but overpriced. Basically everyone spent a hunk of change for not that much food. Which is fine if that is your kind of thing, but I think one of the most wonderful things about this city is that you can get great high quality meals at a decent price.
(3)
MaryLu C.
Saturday night. Went to a charity meet and great, 9:00 p.m. hubby out of town, a babysitter at home and barely a drink. What does that mean.... got to do something before going home. If for no reason to make sure the child is sleeping. Walked past a few places that I go to regularly, but all were packed, almost home, I thought I would try Union. The space, was great, it felt it open and inviting. The service was quite attentive. Others complain about pricing, folks you are in River North, guess what their rent is. This is not Villa Park. One glitch, is they delivered a glass of sparkling white with the water. I live nearby and this happens everywhere but still I do not appreciate the shy/drunk tourist treatment. The glass of red wine I ordered was fine. I liked that the specials were on the i-pad, ordered some black rice rolls which were delivered very promptly. The rolls were what I like to call junk food sushi. The fish was of the ground spicy variety and the rolls were smothered with sauces. Not my preference, but very tasty and loaded with calories good if you are drinking heavily. I know many people like these saucy rolls so if you are one of them, enjoy, the effort was appreciated, but watch the up-charges.
(2)
Tim H.
Good service, modern loft ambiance, solid food. My favorite dishes were: -duck fat yaki soba noodles -grilled alligator - actually came out juicy from the robata grill I tried chicken, shrimp, steak, and cauliflower from the robata grill as well. The meats came off more burned/charred and dry than I was hoping for. The couple of sushi rolls I had were good, but nothing that special.
(3)
Huzefa U.
Amazing sushi. First time having duck and there buffalo duck is amazing. Highly recommend place to eat!
(5)
Aurore L.
If you are an oyster addict like me, and you are crying your eyes out every time you think of how far the ocean is from us Chicagoans, dry your tears this very second; don't pass go, don't collect $200 and go directly to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. (Actually, stopping at the bank would be a good idea since you might want to gulp a few dozens of our beloved). Also of importance: time. Get there between 5 pm and 6:30 pm. This is the magic time of happy hour, where everyone is giddy with excitement and ready to drink themselves silly. Or not. But forget about booze: the only liquor I need doesn't come on a shelf, but in shells. $1 oysters, ladies and gentlemen. And not crappy, tasteless, big pieces of blurb like one sees way too often in these parts of the country. Nope. Succulent works of art, elegantly dressed in a hot and tangy jalapeno-cilantro ponzu sauce and masterfully sprinkled with red tobiko, green onion and crispy shallot. DI-VINE. Too much? That's what I thought before tasting one of these wonders. Clean flavors, contrast of textures, spice, heat, freshness and all around bliss. Nothing wrong with that. Au contraire. I am planning on stopping by quite a few times in the next moons to come. $2 beef filet skewers and $6 shrimp tempura rolls are not too shabby either. Wash it all down with a beer or a vodka and home-made tonic, and you are good to go. Straight to heaven.
(5)
Cheryl W.
I have been several times. The food is generally very good and the barbeque bar items were a particular highlight for someone who sticks to sushi and sashimi as a rule. The escolar is amazing! Also had shrimp and scallop, which were wonderful. The sushi was good but not to die for. Service is always friendly but it has been a bit spotty. The last visit I was with people who had never been and the server came to take our order without giving us the "specials" on the ipad, which is about 30% of what's on offer. She dropped it off and then disappeared for a while. But very friendly and if the sake is flowing you won't notice as much! Also, have been on a weeknight and while it was busy, it was generally quiet and subdued. Went back on a Saturday night and we were straining to hear each other. So experiences can definitely vary...which was fine for me but something to keep in mind depending on what you are looking for on a particular night.
(4)
Tom G.
Love the mushroom roll!!!!! They get busy so make reservations. The staff is great! Also great drinks! Parking is a little chaotic! I would suggest eating at the sushi making counter and the barbecue bar. Very fun to watch!
(5)
Kerry L.
Reserved a table here based on reviews that mentioned its a good place for groups - I was not disappointed. Our table was ready on time and the staff was able to accommodate a last-minute addition to our reservation of 8. The space is unique and the food was memorable. Union is loud and lively and great for a more high-energy night out.
(4)
Amy L.
1. It's a japanese restaurant expect to pay more 2. Alligator meat... interesting not quite a fan 3. Ramen.... not worth it, save your money visit Wasabi 4. Black rice sushi.. YES VERY GOOD. Definitely will come again for the black rice sushi not not too sure about the other items Do make a reservation, it'll save you the hassle of waiting
(3)
Spencer H.
When I think of some of my favorite sushi places in the city I think of Sushi Samba & Sunda & if I have another experience like I did when I ate here I am going to have to add this place to that list. Walking in the place I thought it was awesome. The ambience was incredible. The seats were so comfortable & I felt like me & my friends could have sat there for hours with out getting uncomfortable. I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll & a Shrimp Tempura Roll & it was comparable to some of the best I have ever had. The food was fresh & the quality of the rolls were incredible. The rolls didn't just fall apart when I dipped them in the soy sauce & wasabi. The portions were nice as well. Most upscale sushi restaurants tend to give smaller portions but not this place. Lastly the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly from start to finish. Overall the food was delicious & fresh & the service was great & I look forward to eating here again.
(5)
Jane K.
Union Sushi seems very hip. It's all up on every technology available. Social Media of course, grubhub, opentable, ipads showing specials at the table. About the ipad.... it wasn't integrated very well, the whole waitress handing us the ipad then trying to look at the ipad together with my dining companion were all kind of awkward. The food left us with more to be desired. The edamame was unseasoned but came sprinkled with some delicious MSG-like powder but it would have been better if the edamame was slightly seasoned. The miso soup seemed more to be like korean fermented soybean paste. Not complaining about the taste but just saying it wasn't miso. However, I did enjoy the size of the tofu in my soup. We got the black rice sushi sampler and it was alright but nothing that made my mouth particularly happy. The 4 rolls included were Hokkaido, Devon, Spicy Tuna, and Dragon. We also tried the spareribs and it was okay but nothing to write home about, the sauce (can't remember which we got) were also unmemorable. The whole food experience was very unmemorable and this means two things, it was neither bad nor good. The decor was pretty cute. A lot of graffitti type artwork and derelict looking materials on concrete walls. Glass window bbq grill. Nice decor, staff was ok, not too friendly, not rude. I'd say it's a cute little izakaya but not somewhere I'd go to dine again.
(3)
Olga B.
My most favorite Asian-themed restaurant to date! The head chef/owner Chow (sp.) is so humble, talented and always makes sure you are enjoying yourself while at Union. He caters to my vegetarian needs, as well as makes fabulous recommendations for my fish and meat eating friends. Peter, the bartender, is hands down the most creative bartender in Chicago. He makes the most delicious Sugar Free Cucumber martini, yes you read that right, Sugar Free! Everyone that has tried it absolutely adores it. I strongly recommend it and just know if you are in the mood for something tasty, light and refreshing, you will thoroughly enjoy it. I can not speak more highly of Union. You MUST go! :)
(5)
Sarah J.
This place is fanFREAKINtastic. The menu is superb, the ingredients are fresh and flavorful, well presented, and overall DELISH!!!! the decor is so urban and cool (i.e; graffiti walls, exposed brick and beams, concrete floors, urban sculptural pieces and modern furniture) I have been here twice, once passing by on a Friday night LATE, I was able to be seated by the grill in about 20 minutes, this place was packed but they made it work!!! I was so in love that I hosted my birthday dinner here as well. I made reservations for a Sunday at 6....it was super quiet and comfortable, they moved tables around to give us more space and privacy. The staff was super amazing and accommodating...what more can you ask for! AMAZING!
(5)
Abi T.
I had some sashimi and a few rolls along with a nice sake. I thought the sushi was decent but nothing great. I think the price is doesn't match either the amount of food or the quality...meaning I expected more/better. I don't recommend this place just for sushi but maybe the BBQ would help this along. I will have to try that if I go back and update this review. I was disappointed to see no real Soba or Udon options. Also, there wasn't much of a tofu selection either. If you're an experienced sushi eater who values the bills in their wallet, then skip and go elsewhere.
(2)
Markus L.
In the midst of looking for a good sushi fix, my wife and I decided up on going here for dinner. We were staying at the Hyatt and walked the 20 blocks to this establishment. This place is at the corner of N Franklin Street & W Erie Street. It's got a petruding entrance way from the building into the sidewalk. The moment we walked in, the place was packed. We were able to nab two chairs at the Sushi Bar, which I Highly Recommend! Once there we were given green edamame pods with a sprinkle of some sour powder. Water was served and the table was set with water, napkins with chopsticks and forks. Given that this was a Friday evening and we got there at 8:00 PM, our waitress took a bit to get to us. Once she did get to us, we were able to order. I ordered the Spicy Pig Tail Ramen Soup (Best Ramen I've Had), and my wife ordered two half (4 pieces) Tsukiji Market rolls, a half (4 pieces) Hokkaido roll, Kangaroo Skewer (Delicious... tastes like gamy kobe beef), & two Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops. Our order came out in 15 minutes and we were done eating in 10 minutes... so, after roughly 25~30 minutes of eating, and chatting up the Sushi Chef, he gave us a free half order of the Old City Market Roll wrapped in collar greens and we were able to make a custom sushi roll (Sushi Paper, Rice, Pan-seared Scallop, Boiled Shrimp (x2), Avacado, & Cream Cheese) for $8.00. Washed all that food down with a nice tall glass of water and we were ready to pay our bill. Tipped the Sushi chef and paid the bill, $71 ( including tip). A few things to note about this place: 1. The Sushi bar is made of poured cement. 2. There is a big open flame grill that separates the Sushi bar & the Bar bar. 3. The head chef is Thai. 4. The Sushi chefs are Thai. 5. There are two hostesses & one general manager onsite. 6. Plenty of waiters and waitresses. 7. The atmosphere is quite loud since they play classic rock. I felt like I was at a night club, eating Sushi and watching my uncle grill out. Quite the mixture. I really enjoyed this place, the experience alone was worth the walk and the food was just to dye for. Lucky they do delivery... Delivery $5.00 Charge, Minimum Order Amount $25.00.
(5)
Brian B.
As a thank you for letting me crash at his place, I took my best friend and his roommate here for dinner. We ate at the sushi bar. I remember eating the following: - "Buffalo" Duck Wings: excellent, tender, good flavor - Spare Ribs: tender and juicy though we expected more flavor based on aroma and presentation - Black Rice Sushi Sampler: unique presentation, tasty - Omakase nigiri: all were above average, well presented, and fresh We had a different sake pairing with each course. Their sake list is quite impressive and all sakes tasted paired exceptionally well with the menu selections. The staff are great, courteous and knowledgeable. Our server was outstanding! Friendly, fun, and engaging. He even remembered me by name days later when I was in the bar upstairs.
(4)
Stef M.
Wow! Great food! Tried alligator for the first time, on the barbie, was great! Excellent alcohol selections, daily specials, great sushi! Want to come back for more!
(4)
Karen L.
My husband took me here for the first time on my first Mother's Day. When we arrived, we were greeted by the host. He seated us at the table in front of the door hidden away from the entire restaurant (next time we'll ask to not be seated in front of the door). The food was amazing. Being the food critique that my husband and I are, we ordered pretty much everything on the menu. Portions are small like the size of tapas. We started off with the truffled tuna and sashimi cup. The truffled tuna was a bit bland but the sashimi cup was scrumptious in the ponzu sauce. For our course, we ordered the Tsukiji Market roll (AMAZING - must try) and from the BBQ bar: spareribs, alligator, beef tongue, prosciutto wrapped scallops (my favorite), jumbo shrimp and shitake mushroom. I have to say those were all yummy.
(4)
Gideon B.
Just went for dinner tonight with my wife. It probably is best to call for reservations but you can sit at the sushi bar or were they grill the meat. The service was great and our waiter gave us great recommendations. Get the truffle tuna as everyone else said to get. We had the barbecue sampler which was good. But if you don't want all that meat you need to get the barbecue spare ribs. We didn't get it, but the waiter said to get the roman noodles with duck.
(5)
Annie M.
Three of us went on a Friday night around 7. It was good but nothing special. None of us had been there before so we wished the waitress would have explained the menu a little. I had the mushroom soup and a spicy tuna roll. Both were good but nothing special for the $30 I paid. I wouldn't mind going back, but it's not at the top of my list.
(3)
Jianghui W.
black rice sushi are awesomeï¼ sesame brittle are pretty good， the postachio cream taste so fresh and nature.
(4)
Nika L.
Great service, great food, and great atmosphere! Why? -had a party of 9 people that was accommodated immediately at 8:30pm on a Saturday -friendly staff -one of the best sushi places in town, that is not a run down, mom & pop shop What to order: -the oyster appetizer -the black rice sushi deal for $27...absolutely worth it why I like it? -St. Germain cocktail upstairs at UpBar = perfect!
(4)
Cody H.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff behind the bar can turn any bad day around. They also have relatively fair priced drinks, but the best feature is their happy hour food specials. Make sure you try it out.
(5)
Amelia S.
Had dinner at the sushi bar on a Friday night. I ordered the Truffled Tuna, Hokkaido roll, River North roll, and the Taro Mochi cake. The Truffled Tuna was a revelation to me - I never would have thought of pairing tuna and truffle oil. It was a delicious way to start a meal. I loved the combination of tuna, truffle, avocado, and spicy wasabi. The rolls were also very good and very different. I liked the use of black rice in the Hokkaido roll, and the collard greens to wrap the River North roll (in lieu of nori). I was also given a small bowl of edamame sprinkled with "kimchi salt" as soon as I sat down. This was very tasty as well. The dessert came highly recommended, but was just so-so in my opinion. The cake was overly sweet, though the dish was plated very nicely. Service was excellent and quick. I enjoyed the hip vibe of the restaurant and watching the sushi chefs work. Overall a very good experience.
(4)
Liceysiddharth N.
Amazing food and service, not to mention the awesome ambience. We had ordered sushi,escolar with mushrooms and whole roasted quail over black rice which were all made to perfection. This is the first time we have had escolar and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Had the 12yr old Yamazaki which was slightly over priced but the generous serving subdued the fact. The service was brilliant, constantly making sure we had everything we needed and also recommended drink specials/cocktails. This made our visit memorable. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu.
(5)
Callie P.
I took my mom to Union for the first time for Mother's Day weekend and we had a great time. I was very surprised that our bill was under $100; it felt like we ordered a lot of food and each of us had a glass of wine at $11/glass. So that's is a plus right there! The first thing we ordered was the chef's choice 10 piece nigiri sushi plate. I told our server that I am a big fan of eel and salmon and he definitely let the sushi chef know, we had 2 pieces of eel, shrimp, salmon, super white tuna and regular tuna. It was amazing! Then we ordered some cauliflower and the truffled tuna. OMG I wish I could eat Truffled Tuna every day! It was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted! This is a great place to eat, however, if you get stuck sitting in the middle, it can be a little too close for comfort with other people.
(4)
Alinka R.
We saw this spot on check please and had to try it. Came in for lunch and got the tasting menu, and the chef came out and said the dinner menu is too much for us and made us a custom lunch menu. Everything was amazing, one of the best meals I've ever had. Service is impeccable as well. I don't write many reviews but this place deserves it.
Came here for a business lunch right before Christmas break, so there was a bit of a crowd. The vibe here is cool and a bit off the beaten track for business lunches. We ordered a bunch of things since there were a few of us. we ordered the fried pork belly micro greens (yum!! i love pig belly! and this was done right.) we ordered a few things from the bbq bar--spare ribs, alligator, beef filet, pork shoulder and chicken thigh japanese curry. i ordered a couple of rolls as my entree-soft shell crab and old city market. i should have ordered the belly too. overall, a pleasant experience and the food was awesome! i would definitely come back.
(4)
Charles S.
Great staff and great sake menu. Always cooking yakatori beef sticks, kangaroo... Best mix of Japanese dishes.
(4)
M. Medford J.
Food 4 **** Nectar 4**** Ambiance 4**** Stuck in Chicago for 5 days for a conference and was so worn down I actually asked the concierge for a recommendation. He pointed out the easy option, Aria at the Fairmont and the distant better option, Union Sushi and BBQ. The cabbie pulled up to Union and muttered in broken English, "I think this is where you want to be." He was right. This is where you want to be. I was probably crazy for going out for sushi on a Monday night in the Midwest, but I was desperate enough to eat the leftover fish from the weekend. What a surprise. The place was buzzingly busy, but I found a spot at the BBQ bar. I couldn't believe they had Hitachino and a quick perusal of the menu made me take off my conference badge and suit jacket...this was going to get serious and messy. Let's start with an alligator kebab, pleasantly crisped (and yes, it tastes a bit like chicken) and a Hitachino XH. I immediately regretted the conservative, sushi deluxe order. I should have been wild and tried more of the unique rolls. But who knew the alligator would presage a fantastic meal. I comforted myself by staring through the translucent glass around the bbq and watched the blind date devolve on the table near the window. A pretty group of people, but most seemed engaged by their plates in front of them. They have a tiny bar, with a bartender hip enough to pull off wearing a derby. But I wasn't looking to get laid. I wanted fish. But likely this would be a cool spot on Friday. The sushi-deluxe is a work of art that arrives with a humble bow from the chef. Tiny mushroom stalks projected up from the salmon, daring you to disturb the plating display. Seemingly plain fish is sculpted into swirls over razor-thin strips of radish, with a hint of spice and lemon wedge. I was stunned that this quality of fish could be found on a Monday. I started ordering more aggressively. There were no gimmicky Philadelphia Rolls or disappointing tuna-glop in seaweed. This chef is an artist, combining fresh cilantro, thin slices of carrots and garlic into simple rice paper. I would never think to put these ingredients into rolls, but he made it work. I paused on my second Hitachino to stare over at the muted chef and he only tilted his head up at me. He knew I got it and appreciated that. No words had to be exchanged. The waiter came by, without a hint of obsequiousness and made a suggestion for the Market Roll. The plates continued to pile up and now my regret was that I had eaten lunch. I wanted more but could not eat another bite. This is a place that needs a few visits though - I need to try the cocktail menu. I need to devote a night just for the BBQ, and I need to delve into these special rolls. I recommend taking the time to go through these culinary levels to find a favorite. I think it all depends on mood. Enjoy.
(4)
Caroline N.
I went to union sushi with a group of girls for dinner and we were pretty happy with the meal. The layout of the restaurant was great (love the semi open kitchen) and service was pleasant and quick. I had a cocktail which was waaaay to sweet, but this was quickly compensated for by the arrival of perfectly dressed (and $1!) oysters for the table. I had the mushroom soup which was well flavored but a salt-bomb and a roasted cauliflower salad which was decent. I also had a passable piece of tuna sashimi. In fairness, only the oyster and Tuna fall into the sushi+BBQ category (it was a midweek dinner, I am a weekday vegan) so I'm giving this place a 3 star rating primarily on food that it doesn't specialize in. My girls all really liked their BBQ, so there's a chance this place would be bumped up to a 4 in my book if I tried a few more things. I would definitely go back!
(3)
Matthew L.
The interior had graffiti on the walls and a modern touch. The food was innovative, tasty, and reasonably priced. I tried the alligator and kangaroo both seasoned enough that there was almost no gamey taste. The Uni Shooter and Uni Alfredo tasted like mac and cheese and almost no salty or briney aftertaste. The black rice sushi was delicious. The Duck Fat Soba was spicy and delicious. All the while playing 90's hip such as NAS and Wu Tang in the background. This is now my favoriate sushi place in Chicago..... The only slighty negative thing I can say is that the food took a while and came in a weird order, one appetizer, Uni shooters, mains, and noodles last but it was well worth the wait. You should try this place you will not regret it.
(5)
Lauren B.
Came here with a girlfriend last weekend per another friend's recommendation. Union did not disappoint. The service is spot on and the ambiance and general vibe of the place is inviting and unique. I also really loved that we were not rushed what so ever! We ordered our food one item at a time, and our server was more than happy to oblige. Here is what we sampled: Roasted Cauliflower Salad was delicious and light. I simply adored the combination of the kumquat with the cauliflower. Mushroom Dumpling- tasty but not something I would order again. This is not something I would normally eat, but I gave it a try Oysters on the half shell- YUMMY! Especially if you are an oyster lover, the crispy shallots on top was a nice textural element. I had mine without jalapeno/cilantro ponzu so on that I cannot comment. Chesapeake Bay Roll- light, not too much mayo, and the collard green wrapping brought a different taste to the roll. Loved the black rice, such a deep almost nutty flavor. I recommend to anyone planning to dine at Union, if these are items you would normally eat, try the cauliflower salad and the oysters for sure!! And don't be afraid to try any of the other lovely combinations of flavors on the menu. They know what they are doing here.
(4)
David T.
Good concept, but food is just ehhh. Below average food is one thing but prices are higher too. Not the best place for sushi or barbecue. Cool room but that's about it.
(2)
Gspot H.
Fun. Hip place. Good service and fast. bathroom's were clean. The Ramen was great. The Pepper Shrimp appetizer is one you might wanna do a 2nd order on. The Cauliflower salad was alot better then I would of imagined it to be. The Music in the background wasn't soft but was brightly leveled perfectly for a crowd that likes good music n not soft.
(5)
Lauren R.
I enjoyed our evening at Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar! Drinks were unique and strong. We started with the sweet potato "tots". Delightful! Umami, crunchy, soft - almost everything you could ask for in this type of dish. The black rice sushi combo was good. It played to our group's multiple tastes; including spicy, typical, unique, and vegetarian rolls. My only complaint was the chicken ramen. It was good - don't get me wrong. But I was looking for some more flavor in the broth. The noodles were great, though! Great atmosphere, strong drinks, enough food for leftovers, and at the end, our bill wasn't outrageous. I'll be back!
(4)
Amanda F.
I came at 5PM on the dot to partake in Union Sushi's happy hour menu. $5 vodka cocktails, $3 steak skewers, $3 shrimp tempura rolls, and $1 oysters were right up my alley. My table also ordered the sushi platter and numerous "skinny" cocktails. My feelings on the happy hour menu are a little mixed, but you get what you pay for. The complimentary edamame dusted with a spicy powder was devoured immediately. I loved the shrimp tempura rolls, but wasn't wowed by the rest of the deal menu. The oysters were out of season (although very beautifully presented), and the steak skewers lacked spice, tasting more like charcoal, and left me looking for a dipping sauce. The theme for the skinny cocktails seems to be Fresca. Its genius!! We started skipping the $10 regular price and concocting our own Fresca creations with the $5 vodka deal. The sushi platter is a good deal and an interesting mix of flavors. I really liked the black rice used in the maki. I loved the Devon sweet potato roll which I never would have order alone, but was happy it was included in the platter. The spicy tuna is actually spicer than I've ever had and I failed to taste much of the tuna. My favorite roll, however, was actually the happy hour special, shrimp tempura. My group overstayed our reservation, so the waitress kindly ask that we move the group upstairs for a free round of drinks. Normally, I would be outraged at having to give up our table, but we kept our mouths shut and accepted our free drinks. The lofted bar area is a bit tight, though. I wouldn't try to bring a large group here especially without reservations. A good portion of the seating is also around the open sushi kitchen and grill and bar area. The swanky but fun asian decor, black mirrors, open flame, and soft trendy electro music in the background give it a pretty hip ambiance. This was a great place to remind my co-workers that living in the city is just much cooler than living in the suburbs. The overall experience was very enjoyable and I would come back for the "skinny" cocktails in a heartbeat. I would recommend Union tweak their happy hour food options, though.
(3)
Emily B.
Everyday I stare out from my window at work and see Union. So I figured I'd round up some friends who aren't afraid to throw down on some beef tongue and try it out. Over all, I enjoyed the sushi selection the most (which was the last thing we ordered, sadly), followed by the interested appetizers like the duck wing and, from the grill, the beef tongue. I was not a fan of the noodle bowls, unfortunately, but that's just my preference on ramen-esque meals. Service was fair. A few things were forgot to be entered by our server, but he made up for it by bringing out some sake bombs while we waited. The interior is really cool; kinda funky sushi samba flair, but smaller. I liked sitting facing the windows and seeing the snow fall; also the reflection from the flames on the 600 degree grill. One note: for a Sunday night, the vibe was quiet, but a bit sluggish. I was disappointed that there was no toilet paper in any of the women's stalls. Just kinda one of htose no-excuse things. If you wouldn't let it happen opening week, you shouldn't let it happen on a Sunday at 8pm.
(3)
Molly P.
Although we arrived a few minutes before our reservation, we were greeted warmly and seated immediately. I was really impressed with the Black Rice Sushi sampler. It was a great way to enjoy a few old favorites (Spicy tuna and Dragon Rolls) and try some new rolls (Hokkaido and Devon Rolls) too. Another highlight of the evening was the Tsukiji roll. It was as beautiful as it was delicious. The cilantro and radish wrap gave the roll a fantastic freshness. Not only was our food first class, the service was stellar. Our waiter was attentive, honest and funny. Our water glasses were constantly attended to and the manager stopped by to greet us and describe the black rice sushi sampler in further detail. Can't wait to go back. For more on our visit to Union Sushi + BBQ Bar check out my blog: bit.ly/GUWfTo
The Buffalo Duck Wing needs to be on the Food Networks "Best Thing I have ever Ate". The new black rice sushi has my waist line and taste buds jumping for joy. The sushi selection is the best in Chicago along with their Sake menu. I have not seen some of these Sake's in many sushi establishments across the nation. Chef Chow (If you are lucky enough to sit at the Chef's table) is amazing and when sitting at the Chef's table it is truly a culinary delight. A must try if you haven't been and once you go a go to place for food and fun!!
(5)
Meredith K.
Things started out strong but have been sliding. I've been here 3X and I'm afraid to go a 4th for fear that it will be awful. But I can't stay away from those crab cake sliders for too long! The first time was for a Local Tourist dinner. We loved it!! It was a sampling of everything and we were in the upstairs bar talking to Peter who is awesome. He showed us some new tricks! And let us sample the liquor in our drinks. After this dinner we went searching for 2 of the liquors that he showed us and I had to order it online! I loved everything but the dessert but that's because I don't like cheesecake. We went back the very next night because I wanted sliders and my boyfriend needed more skewers. We also got a couple of half rolls. I love that you can order 1/2 the number of rolls! The 3rd time we were there the menu changed, we tried things that were just EH, like the tuna special that had way too much mayo sauce on it. What I hate is when its not all that crowded and they "squeeze" you in (there were 3 of us at a two-topper) and yet no one shows at the 2 tables that were next to us. Why we couldn't push one of those tables next to us to be a four-topper is beyond me. Anyhow we tried the new rolls and one of them was not fabulous. It needed something. The other roll was so fresh and yummy. I'm sure I'll be back. I just wish they'd stop messing with perfection!
(3)
Margo A.
truffled tuna, shrimp tempura roll, oysters, edamame, beef filet skewers--AMAZING! the beef was extremely tender and melted in our mouths! The happy hour food specials are a really great deal! I came here with a couple girlfriends and it was great!! The drinks are amazing too!! I LOVED the Nishiki Fizz! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Andrew C.
Loved it
(4)
Nhan P.
This place is amazing. I have wanted to try it since I had the beef skewers at a Yelp event. We came for restaurant week, but decided to order from the regular menu to try the BBQ items and sushi. Overall, I really enjoyed our experience and would definitely come back. Good food at a reasonable price point for the area. Our meal: Alligator: It tasted too much like chicken, chicken breast to be exact Beef tongue: My oh my, delish! Don't worry it comes on a skewer with 3 cubes. It was very tender, but if you don't like muscle-Ly textures, you might not like this one but the sauce was yummy. Berkshire pork shoulder: The meat was fine, however, it was over seasoned and very salty. Prosciutto wrapped scallop: I regret only ordering one, the scallop was HUGE. Everything worked here, the sauce and fried ginger really complemented the meat. Get this. Thank me later. Seaweed salad: The seaweed was fresh, unlike the ones you get at most sushi joints. It was not on the menu. Shrimp tempura roll: Wow. It had caramelized onions and it worked. The shrimp was very fresh. Unagi nigiri: Slightly better than most sushi joints. It came with a large piece of fish. Snow crab leg nigiri: We could have skipped this one, although it was real crab, it really didn't taste like anything. Bay street California: A delicious roll with cucumber instead of seaweed. Soft shell crab roll: This was just okay, nothing special.
(4)
Dennis T.
I first heard about this from a friend who went for the happy hour. A couple weeks later I met up with some others for dinner here. First thing you notice is how stylish everything is. It kind of feels a lot like a loft with exposed air conditioning tubes, concrete pillars, and walls decorated with graffiti-esque art and enlarged photographs of urban Japan. It's pretty dark in there but it contributes a lot to a very cool atmosphere. The menu is varied with a large selection of rolls as well hot items from the grill. We ordered a large number of different rolls and they were good but I can't say they were fantastically better than anything I've had at less expensive sushi restaurants. The one exception is the Hokkaido roll which had grilled scallop, avocado, roe mayo, roasted peppers, and garlic wrapped in soy paper. The result is rich, smooth, and spicy. The most stand out item was the grilled alligator served on top of mashed sweet potatoes. It was extremely tender and easily fell off the bones. There is a full bar with some really cool imported Japanese beers. Try the Wednesday Cat if you like wheat beer with a bit of spice to them. I would love to give this place 3.5 stars but the kitchen was very slow with our order. Our waiter was attentive and checked up on us often once our food finally came but drink orders also took a good amount of time. All in all, the ambiance is great, the sushi is good but not spectacular, and the grilled items are very unique. I think it's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)
Kelly K.
Time for a quick review: Sushi- very unique and fresh Service- Slow. We came during lunch and it took ages. I'll be back to try more of their menu, but not when I'm in a rush
(3)
Donna L.
Took me long enough to try this place! How did I miss it so many times?? It's such an awesome place with awesome people and the food is reeeediculously awesome! First.. the host was very welcoming and and gracious. The server was very nice and sweet. Gave great recommendations on food and drinks. Truffle Tuna was the best 'tuna tartare' I've probably ever had... and the cooked Super White Tuna was also a great started. Enjoyed trying the BBQ Alligator and Kangaroo skewers! Also tried some of the rolls which were also well made and fresh. The only one I could remember though was the Tamago because that's always my FAVE. Their Tamago was the best and most different than I've EVER HAD. Thats for sure. It had some kind of vegetable in it! and we love the fact that we could get 'half portions' and black rice with each roll. Definitely a plus for the health conscious. All the food and drinks were unique and delicious. Dessert was awesome too, as we had the ice cream flight and Yuzo cake.. which is pretty much key lime pie so don't get it if you don't like key lim pie. Next time I would try the banana bread.
(5)
Jonathan L.
Place is amazing. Friendly staff, great service, and food is excellent. If you haven't been here yet I recommend checking out the Happy Hour menu happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks
(5)
Maria S.
We sat at the bar and chatted with Ken. Service was attentive. We even met with the chef who made the coconut bar ice cream. Love it! Libations is what we definitely were in for as a stop...but who could say no to the BBQ grill that we were sitting next to. So everything we had was unbelievable. This is my list of recos: Jack's Thorn Nashi Blossom Sake Flight 001 (loved the Deep Forest Sake) My hunger pain recos: Oxtail ramen (you definitely need this if you want to drink for 5 hours straight---best way to get rid of hangovers, too. BTW, not your average college quick meal pick me up! Try it!) Pork Shoulder with coconut milk and cilantro (you won't just be having 1!) Uni Nigiri (the foie gras of the sea) Fresh Wasabi (delicious---it has a mild flavor and much better than the paste kind) Oh, they do have free parking. We didn't know that and found out we spent about $12 for the time we were there. Overall, we will be back!
(5)
Blanca S.
Can't get tired on union sushi. People attending has always been kind, the food is fantastic and their prices are awesome.
(5)
Ashley K.
Y to the -UM. Things I love about this place: *the atmosphere *the music *the truffled tuna *rolls made with wrapping other than seaweed *the deserts *the servers *1/2 rolls so you can try more of them (especially the Hokkaido - so unique and refreshing!) We sat at the sushi bar so we got to see all of the dishes as they were prepared and there are a LOT of other things I want to try (which is hard to imagine given how much two girls took down on Friday night). The only (minor) flaw - I didn't care too terribly much for the zuki sake. It wasn't bad - just a little fishy and nowhere near as good as the other things we had. Looking forward to returning here very soon!
(5)
Alyssa C.
Great sushi/bbq place with a fun colorful atmosphere. Our server had great reccomendations - their spicy tuna roll was unique and delicious! Also, their menu accompdates half rolls, which is great if you want to try a variety. Jumbo shrimp skewer, while amazing, was only one shrimp...Beef filet skewer was delish, but the buffalo duck win appetizer was my fav!
(4)
Michael J.
I'm probably being a little generous with this 5 star review, so I'll add a caveat. I went here last week and ordered a ton of food. a couple of the dishes (beef tongue and brown rice roll sampler) justified 5 or 6 stars. Tasted amazing. A couple of the dishes were just ok. The couple things that really bumped this place up to a 5 star in my book was the fresh wasabi and the service. I normally don't give or deduct points for service if the food is awesome, but we sat at the sushi bar and the chef cooking everything was cracking jokes the whole time and very funny. Food came quickly which was a plus. If there weren't so many restaurants to try in the world, I'd return and continue exploring the menu.
(5)
Arian M.
Great atmosphere, very trendy and hip. We ordered, of course, 60 oysters which were very tasty. We could have easily done another 60 (maybe). My favorite was the truffled tuna. Oh so fresh and delish. I never had anything like it. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Matt C.
Now THIS is how a Sushi restaurant (or any restaurant for that matter) should be. We came in starving after a winery tour looking to sate our inebriated appetites and continue letting the good times roll. We took one look at the menu, deemed it overwhelming, and asked our server, Dan (later "Dan The Man") to bring out his favorite dishes and libations for us. As far as the drinks go I have no idea what boozy concoctions Dan fed us except that the first drink he brought had a hint of basil and was unbelievably good, on par with some of my favorites at Violet Hour. The second had egg whites and was almost as good as the first. Dan the Man. The food was spectacular: First off when you sit down they bring you edimame with Parmesan cheese smothered all over it. I have never had edimame like this before. I don't want to get hung up on the edimame, but they were some damn good green beans. Buffalo Duck Wing -- What!? Buffalo duck wing!? This was so good -- the duck was cooked perfectly and was the biggest duck wing I have ever seen. The tempura breading was perfectly crispy, and the buffalo sauce made you want to lick the bowl. Get this. Sashimi Cup -- Raw salmon, avocado puree, and ponzu sauce. Palatte cleansing, fresh, fun to eat (you mix everything together and it looks really cool). Another must-get. Hokkaido and Chesapeake Bay Sushi -- I HIGHLY recommend the Chesapeake Bay. I have never had a sushi roll wrapped in collard greens. I could eat this right now and it's 9:00am. The Hoakkaido was great as well, but the Chesapeake was the obvious winner for us. Spare Rib - The BBQ sauce was the perfect blend of spicy and tangy. The meat was fork-tender. The presentation looked like something out of a food-porn magazine. Off Menu Fish Dish -- After a few rousing compliments about his food and drink choices Dan brought this out for us. He said it was off menu and something he wanted us to try. It was a piece of seared Skate with a mixture of fried onions and chilis on top and I think some sort of miso sauce. Dan not only hit it out of the park, but right then and there sealed Union as a five-star restaurant for me. BBQ Prawns -- Simple presentation: just perfectly cooked prawns with a nice spice rub. Delicious. The bottom line is this: there are those rare restaurants that have such a good combination of food, drink, and service that they make you want to come back the next day to do it all again. Union is one of these places.
(5)
Dan C.
Okay ... 4 almost 5 stars. Food, atmosphere, people are great!! No complaints about that at all, BUT... To our dismay there was a different waitress that was serving the tables on both sides of us that we noticed and heard was giving "on the house cookies" to her guests as she handed them their bills. We are HUGE dessert people and honestly looked forward to that, but to our surprise, no cookies. Booooooo!! I would go back and actually have put it out as an option on dinner nights out but my date refuses because of the cookie incident. SO ... Union Sushi has awesome food!! I guess I'll never know about the awesome looking cookies, let me know how they are. --Cookie Monster
(3)
erin z.
Love this place! The truffled tuna was amazing, great service, good drinks, and cool atmosphere. Also Love the hip-hop tunes. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Peater J.
On the top 10 list of most egregious things a restaurant can do to a customer is "closing *well* before your posted operating hours. " It lies somewhere between giving a customer food poisoning and finding foreign objects in one's own food. I made a special trip to eat here, but restaurant was closed at 9:45 when it was clearly posted on their own website that it was open until 10:30. When I walked in, the grill stations and sushi bar was already broken down, so I'm guessing that they probably closed around 9:15-9:30. Around an hour before 10:30. WTF? I once worked with a restaurant manager who once told me, that closing before your posted hour is pretty much "The Kiss of Death." His reasoning was that by doing so, exhibits symptoms of greater underlying problems at a restaurant. It also sends a wrong message to customers, like me, and does a lot to undermine a customer's confidence - for numerous reasons. Regardless, I ended up at Hooter's and endured an hour of bad chicken wings, bad service and foodball highlights wishing I was eating sushi instead.
(2)
Alexander C.
I used to live a couple blocks away from this place. Food is gross. River north style trendy vibe. It's expensive. The bbq is actually ok but the sushi is strange and nasty. I'm a big sashimi nigiri kind of dood so maybe that's why? Atmosphere is actually pretty cool. Yeah it's busy but you'll eventually get a spot and the bar is usually available. I have no idea why I went more than once. I have no idea how this place currently has 4 stars. Save some cash and go somewhere tastier like Yushu or Coast.
(2)
Aly H.
Amazing experience! We sat at the sushi bar on a Thursday, drank some saki bombs with the owners and chefs. After that we simply asked to be served. The fish chefs and staff were simply superb. We did not look at a menu- we were simply served based on what we said we liked or disliked. One of the best meals I Have Ever Had in Chicago over the last 10 years!
(5)
Linda G.
This was a great fantasy food experience ... Each taste was unique and special. We started at the 2nd floor bar and were impressed with the MIXOLOGIST's (we don't say bartender anymore) talents. After moving to our table we were well waited on. Our friend loved his black rice tuna rolls so much he insisted that the people at the table have some. This resulted in them sending over a tray of some other delicious sushi snack foods. I was on my 3rd Mixology concoction so I was thanking them and babbling like an idiot. All in all it was a terrific time. we will go back. With drinks/tip it was $55. per person but we very definitely ordered a lot.
(5)
Greta T.
Went to union sushi for Restaurant Week 2012 and I was less than impressed. The decor is hip, but right from the start, I was a little turned off by the host texting on his cell phone. We sampled the restaurant week menu everything was just average. I did not have the sushi, so maybe that's what they do best, but I can't comment on it. The drinks were very expensive for the size and not the best I've ever had. I think Union Sushi will work for the tourist crowd, but it won't be one of my "go-to" restaurants as a Chicagoan.
(2)
Carmen B.
I've visited Union for lunch and dinner, and was very pleased during both occasions. The Bento box at lunch is a good value (though you will need another side if you're hungry). Returning for dinner, I ordered the truffled tuna (as good as the reviews indicate). We also enjoyed the soba salad, calamari roll, and the BBQ seafood and meats. I ventured into sake with great direction from our waitress. I'll definitely return!
(3)
Sarah P.
This restaurant is the epitome of all things glorious about living in a big city. Union is trendy, hip in the best of ways, classy, and creative without losing sight of flavor. Our bartender wore dark wash jeans with a dress shirt, tie, and vest. I appreciate his style. It means something when you dress well, it sends a message - tells me you take pride in yourself and what you do. He made the best alcoholic drink I've ever tasted: the Surprise & Delight - cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, pimm's #1, lemon, simple syrup, muddled lemon grass, seltzer. Fresh, literally I could taste what fresh means. We ordered the lamb chops, truffled tuna, wagyu beef sliders with egg, mushroom dumplings, shrimp tempura roll, Hokkaido roll, old city market roll, and the Devon roll. The rolls were excellent, and the mushroom dumplings surprising yet tasty. We sat at the bar, I'm sure you figured that part out, and our bartender gave great all around service and attention. Quite exceptional.
(4)
Kristy D.
I'm just going to come out and say it...I am obsessed with this place. Its a smaller, almost garage feeling sushi/robata restaurant but I have loved everything I have ever ordered from here. My favorite item on the menu is the truffled tuna appetizer...it is to die for. I also usually stick with the sushi rolls (they let you place half orders which makes trying different ones nice). I have also ordered a few items from the grill and those didn't disappoint either. Yum!!
(5)
Xi M.
The food is decent. I like the BBQ here. King crab is awesome
Ordered a delivery dinner - two phone calls and two hours later I find out that they gave my food to someone else and asked for another 45 minutes to remake our food. The guy on the phone was nice - and I'd love to say whether their food was good or not - but the fact that I'm hangry as hell and my first experience with them is one where they want me to eat dinner at 11pm (over 3 hours after I ordered it) is enough to make me not want to even try it.
(1)
Wendy M.
We went here tonight to celebrate our daughter's birthday and it was a very memorable meal, In the best possible way! Our waiter Dan was fantastic and he single-handedly made our experience one to remember. We couldn't quite choose what to order so Dan offered to create a menu for us and we agreed. He asked us a few questions about likes and dislikes and then proceeded to work with the chef to create the perfect meal. The first plate was Truffle Tuna but he knew I didn't care for truffles so he brought me a sashimi cup that was divine. Many items, both on and off the menu, followed. We loved everything that he selected, from the llama to the sea urchin ice cream. The restaurant itself was fun, funky and comfortable. Industrial decor with Japanese flair really works here. The center of the restaurant features their grill, where you can sit and watch them work behind plexiglass. I'm not certain which items required the blowtorch for finishing but it was cool to watch. Thanks Dan and the chef for a great night!!
(5)
Rits M.
This review is for the restaurant and the bar. I didn't eat there. I had the Kuro smash and J had the surprise and delight. Mine was good, well mixed and not too much of one specific flavour, with the bourbon hitting the palate at the end. The surprise and delight was cleaner and fresher. The ambiance is good, its a little tight upstairs by the bar and the waiters and bartenders keep movign around you with great dexterity. The good thing is you can order food at the bar as well, so that you dont have to wait for a table on a particularly full night.
(3)
Mandi P.
A little expensive, but so good! We have been to Union a couple of times and have never left for under $200 for 2 people...that is with drinks, though. We always sit at the sushi bar as you get a nice view of the sushi chefs, the kitchen, the bar, and the restaurant. The sushi is soooo good. The service is fast and efficient. The sushi chefs even talk to you sometimes and teach you things/educate you about things if it is slow. We will definitely be back and would suggest it to anyone looking for sushi, but be prepared to pay up.
(4)
Jennie C.
Hopping atmosphere with floor to ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light. Tasty drinks. Fish quality was excellent, but skip the black rice modification: despite being innovative, the earthiness of the rice overpowered the delicate fish pieces. Must order the beef tongue, which came as big chunks of melt-in-mouth tenderness flavored with warm curry scents and strange looking colored puffs of some sort. Service was a bit too efficient, almost felt like we were being rushed out the door.
(3)
Malik S.
For the price, I would say the food is average at best. Sushi - Average. We tried over 6 different rolls. Ramen - Good Drinks - Really Good! Desert - Below average. We got Chocolate cake, pistachio ice cream (really good), and some sour cake (can't remember the name but it wasn't good).
(3)
Jackie M.
I really like the restaurant decor .. but the food was quite forgetable. I had the skewers and it was average or tad below average. The meat was tough and overcooked! The nigiri over black rice was jus gross. The fish was not fresh and the black rice was bland. The price is bit steep for its quality. Been there once and im done. This is more americanized .. would not be the right choice if you are looking for legit authentic Japanese bbq. Don't order the dessert because it was painful to finish..
(2)
Mad I.
Happy Hour review: -Get there at 5 and the place is empty (on a Saturday, yes the happy hour includes Saturday) -Very cool ambiance -robota grill steak is a STEAL at $2. Super high quality and done just right at medium/medium rare -Oysters are a $1 and very tasty, but the topping is larger than the actual oyster....i.e the oysters are really really small, mussel size, not Blue Point size -Shrimp Tempura roll is very good, deep fried but light, not overwhelming. The larger one is worth the $6, the $4 is half the size Free edamame is a nice touch 5 stars after I experience more food perhaps... :)
(4)
James C.
Best sushi, best staff, best service in Chicago. I've been a regular for many years and give Union my highest recommendation. Chef Chao is Chicago's top Chef!
(5)
Vito C.
I got the Sushi sampler and it was amazing. Great flavours, well constructed and the black rice was cooked perfectly. The Tuna bowl also hit the mark. I'd go back in a heart beat!
(4)
Tracy H.
Amazing! I took my sister here as a Christmas gift and it was a huge hit! From the service to the decor to the food and drinks, it was near-perfect. We went during happy hour and I cannot recommend the oysters enough, and a buck! The sushi was some of the best we've had, esp. the nagiri salmon. Wow, Could eat that all night. Verdict? Go! Will be back. Can be a bit pricey, but worth it for the quality and experience.
(5)
David C.
I went here with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. We were really happy they took reservations as it was busy on a Saturday night (naturally). Since the menu is so diverse with some rare finds we decided we would order for the table and share most of it. I only ate food from the BBQ menu so I can't really comment on the sushi. We had: -Spare rib - large piece that was very delicious! Had a sweet BBQ sauce on it that complimented the tener meat well. -Kangaroo - Kind of tough which you might expect but the seasoning was good. -Llama - Delicious! I will never look at a llama the same way again. I highly recommend trying it. -Alligator rib - honestly you might as well order the chicken, it tastes the same. Portion size is good. -Beef tongue - our favorite for the night, it was surprisingly good. Whatever seasoning they put on it was amazing, and it was very tender and juicy. The drinks were also very good. The standout for drinks was the cider mule, it was incredible. I ordered a blackberry mash and it was okay, but I was really disappointed after trying the mule. If you come here hungry be prepared to spend a good amount of money as portions are pretty small - about 4 bites per order for most. We actually ended up eating at our next stop as well.
(4)
Katie T.
We wandered over on a Saturday night and got seats at the sushi bar. The atmosphere is lively and fun in the restaurant. The sushi chefs were nice, but unlike some sushi restaurants, this bar does not have the best view. The sushi was decent. There's not a ton of variety. They seem to offer a lot of rolls with mayonnaise and such so good if you like that. Service was friendly but slow. Our server seemed busy and forgot to give us soy sauce and dishes. We were not offered water after we finished the bottle. The drinks are tiny and expensive. 1 hour, four rolls, 4 drinks, $100+. Meh.
(2)
Adriano M.
Quite possibly one of the BEST if not the BEST Asian restaurant in the USA. What an awesome place, the chefs are masters....the restaurants serves sushi and Asian BBQ. Some sushi is served with black natural rice, different but very good and healthy. The tuna tartar is a great starter as are the grilled scallops wrapped in bacon amazing!. they also have a grilled shrimp served with a bbq sauce that is outstanding... I can go on and on....all I can say is you will not be disappointed this place has it going on. Sushi is outstanding and creatived. Definetly coming back soon!!.
(5)
Kimmie H.
Trendy place. Bit pricy for dinner because of a small portion. Happy Hour is great. Would definitely come back its happy hour only. Please consider add chicken gizzard and chicken skin on the menu if you try to be a Japanese street food style also. I had a great time here. Nice decoration (a bit dark) the guy on the phone was nice. Good service over all.
(4)
Jessica S.
So glad I found Union!! Its innovative, delicious, and a great, edgy atmosphere. We sat right in front of the enclosed grill which was fun and added t the entertainment of the evening. At the end of our meal, we were greeted by the owner and it was such a nice, warm gesture. Our waiter was informed and super friendly, which in my opinion has been so hard to find lately. The unique cocktails were fantastic. I got gutsy and tried the grilled alligator, which tasted like chicken but a little gamier and loved it. The rolls we tried were large a delish. I will be going back to Union soon!
(5)
Amy R.
Having lived in Chicago for a couple of years now, coming up with new and creative ways to celebrate one's birthday can be incredibly challenging and stressful. The trolleys are overdone...drink packages at a random bar are less than unique...and renting out a space in downtown Chicago can be awfully expensive. I had seen Union Sushi come up on a list of recommendations of top new bars/restaurants through MetroMix. It sounded like the perfect spot for a bday celebration--new, great location, and trendy. I dropped in after work to speak with the manager, Mike, about what options he had to offer. I was more or less expecting a large table reservation--in a private area, if I was lucky. Mike surpassed expectations--he led me upstairs to their "UpBar" and said if I had enough guests planning to attend he would let me have the area for the entire Friday night. He worked with me on the menu and space reservation until we came to the perfect solution. Although I had been expecting 12 girls for the meal (before all of the other guests were expected to show up to just drink), only 8 showed up and the waitress/management were able to accommodate the last minute change with ease and kindness. Following dinner, the swarm of other guests arrived and we had the entire UpBar full of people and our own private bartender. The staff was incredibly nice. The bartender even let me "help bartend" for a fun picture or two. And the head chef, Chao, came out of the kitchen and up to the UpBar to say hello to me and my guests! I highly recommend Union Sushi for any event--be it birthday or corporate or just for fun. The atmosphere is really cool with all of the graffiti and the menu has plenty of great options to please anyone. Speaking of the menu...I highly, highly recommend the Truffled Tuna appetizer--it is to die for.
(5)
Jonathan E.
One of the best sushi places I have been to. Good service. Nice menu. Really good, high quality food. Recommend.
(4)
Evan M.
My rating is more like a 3.5, but you can't do a half on here, so eh. I'll start off with the bad, just to get that wiped from memory. Being from coastal Florida, I know better than to order raw oysters in the Midwest, but I did it anyway. They came out with a faint fishy smell that we all noticed, but against my better judgment, I ate one anyway. Tasted very metallic. A good oyster should taste delicate and briny. These were also about 1/3rd the size of a proper oyster. And good thing--if they had been 3x as large, it may have repeated on me. I was pretty much nauseated the rest of the night. Anyhoo, on to the good--all the sushi we had was divine. Service was very quick, and when a few more friends showed up late to join us, they were more than happy to accommodate our friends. The lunchtime deals are also pretty good. This is quite the happening place, but I'm just not blown away. If I'm in the immediate area, sure, I'd go back, but I wouldn't bypass a few other sushi places to do so.
(3)
Kelly C.
This place was quite tasty! I went for Restaurant Week and they didn't disappoint. For their RW menu it was $22 for both lunch & dinner. The courses were the usual salad, entree & dessert. I started off with the soba salad and it was okay def had spice to it. My friend had the mushroom salad and said it was tasty - kinda wish I would have gotten that! For the entree we both got the surf and turf and it was great with the sweet potato cream and crispy potato strings. And the presentation was fabulous with the shrimp skewered on top of the filet (picture to come). Everything was seasoned great and we were both very impressed with our meal! For dessert we each got something different so we could try a couple different items. My friends choice was the clear winner - KILLER YUZU PIE - it tasted very similar to a key lime pie and was divine. I got the sundae flight and it wasn't anything to write home about. The green tea one was icky (to be fair I have never had a green tea one i like), the other 2 were ok but I recommend the pie. We also got the PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SCALLOP and it was excellent with the puree on top. I would go back for this alone! I like the decor of the restaurant - it seemed very cool to me with the graffiti artwork on the walls and the exposed pipes. I wasn't really a fan of how close the tables were to each other. Overall a nice dining experience and I would go back and try out the sushi!
(4)
Gigi Y.
For my first experience here, i had a great time! (because I was also with great company) The two menu items that stood out to me during their happy hour menu were the $1 Oysters on a half shell; flavorful green onion, crispy shallot and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. The second was their ridiculous just-right spicy $2 Beef Skewers. It takes a lot for me to be impressed with beef and red meats, but man were they delicious!
(4)
Ajay K.
More like 4.5 stars. Visited for restaurant week and ended up ordering one restaurant week menu, and a variety of other things (sashimi, rolls, truffled tuna etc.) Everything was wonderful. Sat at the sushi bar and the chefs are very friendly and helpful. The truffled tuna was out of this world, along with some very inventive rolls - they use collard greens in lieu of seaweed for some of the rolls. Another nice touch is that you can order half rolls and get a lot more variety in that way. Killer Yuzu pie too!!! The only downside if there was one the entire evening was that the rolls could have used more fish.
(4)
Kammie G.
I went there for my birthday dinner and MAN was it worth it. The ambiance and decor is the restaurant is aweesome and might be one of my favorites so far; it has a nice upscale feel to it and I like that there are various sections in the resto that allow you to sit by the window, the bar, the sushi bar, or the barbeque bar. Who does't like variety? The food was delicious, the sushi was great. I came here mainly to try the black rice because I am a health freak and I was very much satisfied with the result. All of the rolls we tried were delicious and definitely different than the usual boring rolls you get at a mediocre sushi place. Another thing I tried for the first time here was alligator (interesting flavor and pretty good) and oysters (they tasted good but I'm just not a fan of the slimy texture). It was a day of trying new things! The drinks were yummy and I liked the fact that they had a "skinny" menu, from which I enjoyed the Skinny Geisha and my date loved some whiskey drink that he ordered. He's one picky guy, and he said he liked the drink so much he was thinking about it still the following day haha. That's how good it was. Definitely coming back here very soon!
(5)
Greg N.
Living in the area...Union has presented itself more than a few times when my girlfriend and I have pontificated..."where should we go tonight....what are you in the mood for?" Last night...we answered..."sushi...and WHAT ABOUT UNION?!!" So the succulent pescaterian adventure began... We had heard about the Head Chef's resume (Sushi Wabi) and we are HUGE fans. We have to admit that the somewhat "kitschy" Ikea gone bad interior decoration theme was a bit offputting (and may have somewhat deterred us at first)....but we quickly got over that and it ended up feeling quite cozy and charming by the end of our visit. I will shut up about the circuses and move on to the good stuff... The FISH. Our waitress was so friendly and she asked us to put our dining fate in her hands. She assured us on her recommendations with "if you dont LOVE this I will take it off the bill". From the duck wing (done buffalo style) to the Sashimi cup (citrus marinated tuna goodness so good you want to drink it out of the glass)...to the spicy tuna roll and signature roll topped with crispy pork belly....they were all the equal of just about any of Chicago's finest sushi houses (including Japonais, Ai or Wabi). I am writing this completely absolved of the influences from my multiple jumbo Sapporos. ;) The chef has a special pumpkin icecream popsicle (not on the menu) that was the perfect dessert...and left us with a longing to come back with friends to blaze new trails (perhaps the BBQ side of the menu). Take a bow, Union...you have two new members of your fan club.
(4)
Naftali G.
Always great atmosphere and food. Beef tongue from the robata was awesome. Waiter was solid.
(4)
Angela S.
Must try: the sparrow is the best craft drink, alligator skewer, mushroom dumplings, prosciutto wrapped scallops and the belly sushi roll (da bomb!).
(4)
Vivian C.
The food is ok (I've experienced better sushi/sashimi in CA). I would have given them 3 stars because of the quality of the food and ambience, but it was overpriced and service was VERY SLOW and inefficient (nice staff has nothing to do with efficient service). The only thing that makes this place "cool" is the fact that they have skewers, which, in non-fusion sushi restaurants it's not a common sight. I am guessing that if people are giving this place 5 stars, then they could be sushi amateurs. We went there for a bachelorette party at 8pm. One of the girls ordered Miso soup and it didn't come for ONE hour (or longer than that because we were pretty much done eating when it came out). Another girl found a hair in her roll. Another one wanted to try the alligator skewer, but they had run out. Then we wanted more hamachi sushi, but they had run out, too. And so then I ordered uni (which they didn't have), so, instead, I ordered maguro (white tuna) sushi... but after waiting for nearly 30 minutes, I canceled it because there were no signs that it would actually come to the table. Wow, really??? I do have to commend them for bringing us free dessert though (for the hair). Besides that, I ordered the beef skewer, but it was TOO salty for my liking (and I like salty food, so if it's salty for me, it's REALLY salty). I am a very easy person to please, but not when it comes to restaurants - I know my food and quality of service. I do not recommend this place if you're a "pro" sushi eater.
(2)
Kate K.
I had a dinner party at the restaurant for my sister's bachelorette party. We had the upstairs section and we felt like we had a little VIP area! I had pre-selected the menu in advance (I worked with the manager Mike) The service was GREAT. The bartender gave the whole group free shots, the chef came out and said hello and gave a few girls a tour of the kitchen, and the waitress was constantly bringing us food! All the guests were impressed with the presentation, the attentiveness and most importantly - the food! A lot of my friends said it was one of the nicest dinners they had been to. Go check it out! So fun, hip, great cocktails, great sushi and great staff!
(5)
Anna P.
Love this place - we live a few blocks away and it's a great place for when we feel like splurging and treating ourselves to a nice dinner. The atmosphere is great, the service is always excellent, and the menu is a perfect place for someone like me who likes to try a lot of different things (aka I have commitment issues). All of the BBQ stuff is excellent, the sushi is outstanding, and they have a pretty good drink list. I really want to try the happy hour so this place doesn't take all my money1
(4)
Kathy K.
I've been here twice in the past month with big parties and the service was absolutely horrible both times. Both times the servers were way too busy with other tables to even deal with our huge one. They simply don't have well trained wait staff and even if the waiters were actually experienced, the place is understaffed. For example, I asked one guy for a fork and he never came back. Later I saw him scrambling to help another employee. The food isn't terrible but not worth it for slow horrible service. The decor is nice.
(2)
Helena B.
As you expect, this River North sushi establishment is quite modern in terms of decor. The dining area is basically a glass box with views of the street and El. Decent people watching (unless you are the one stuck sitting against the window and then you need to make sure your shirt is long enough so you aren't flashing your back/butt area at the crowd outside, but I digress). While I've only attempted dinner one way, I'm going to throw out there that my way was the best and encourage you to do the same - order sushi and barbeque items a la carte. Our server let us know when items were smaller (note: most items on the barbeque menu are singular. They say squid, they mean ONE SQUID, so adjust your order accordingly). My favorite thing was probably the speed at which food arrived at your table. You ordered and POOF! there it was. This made it super-simple to order a few things at a time and judge our desire for more as we went along. The truffled tuna was my second-favorite thing, so you should try that.
(3)
Ryan S.
Been here a couple times now and I have not had a bad time yet. Good sushi, good atmosphere was a bit loud at times but overall would recommend to anyone looking for a good sushi spot.
(4)
Dawn W.
I was introduced to Union Sushi by a friend and was thrilled with the overall experience! We had a great time sitting at the sushi bar talking to the chef. The cocktail menu has such a great variety of drinks all for around $11 each. They are nice heavy pours that taste amazing! We had a sample of just about everything as far as food is concerned. Nothing rave reveiws for the food. The specials are presented to you on an ipad, which gives you a great visual instead of just listening. I enjoyed my experience so much that I took a friend the next week and she loved it as well! Great job Union Sushi!
(5)
Christina P.
Ugh, I am torn. I really wanted to love this place going in but I think they need to get some front of house issues ironed out before I can up my star-age. First off, really cool and different space. Loved the graffiti on the walls and I love the massive fire pit on the bar. Bonus points for the light, airy feel to the space. And it's in a great area of the city. If it was socially acceptable to bathe in the specialty cocktails they serve... I would. They are amazing. Bartenders know their craft and everything was amazing (my fave - Surprise & Delight). The main issue for me was with their host situation. We were told the wait was 20 minutes but that oddly crept into two hours. While fine, as we had a spot at the bar for drinks, we were blatantly ignored. Not cool. The food is great but needs a little work. Everything was 'good' but nothing blew me away in terms of can't-live-without-it tastes. Above all, for a new hot restaurant, the one thing that stuck with me was the amazing cocktail selection - not the service nor the food.
(3)
Don G.
I've been here a few times now, and Union never fails to impress. I enjoy getting lots of small plates and tastes from many dishes. Usually we get a nice combo of rolls, yakatori, and starters. I cannot say enough about the sliders. A must every time! The rolls are imaginative & tasty. My favorite roll is the Old City Market roll with collared greens. I also recommend the bacon wrapped scallops from the yakatori grill. The staff is always helpful in suggesting something new or selling me on the daily special (grilled alligator!). The manager, Mike, always remembers me when I go in & usually sends over treats ranging from special rolls to a round of drinks! 5 stars for the great combination of service, atmosphere, and the delicious food. This is not your typical sushi spot!
(5)
Lauren M.
I've been here twice now and both times I had an awesome sushi experience. I've tried all of the rolls and my favorite is the Black Rice Sushi Sampler. The Ruby No 5 is a delicious drink. This is a trendy, fun spot!
(5)
Larry V.
Decided to drop into this place based upon looks alone. Very chic, trendy look. Food was very good, went with 2 friends, and split some sushi rolls, then went with the Surf and Turf for dinner. Decided to sit at the Sushi bar, and service was excellent. The Surf and Turf was very good. The steak was a little small, but the prawns were huge. For perspective, two prawns were about the size of the steak (maybe 4-6 oz?) A little pricy, but definitely worth coming back.
(4)
scott s.
Hard to believe that no one (lately) has mentioned the amazing food happy hour. 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day except Saturday for almost four years, Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has $1 oysters, $2 marinated beef skewers (a pair) and $4 five-piece deep fried tuna maki. Deep fried tuna maki, you say? Heresy, but it's good and a heck of a deal. Yesterday's oysters were from Rhode Island and were small but flavorful. They top them with caviar, ponzu sauce and a bit of shredded lemongrass (I think.) As if this weren't enough, free mini-portions of edamame sprinkled with cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese on edamame, you say. Heresy, but again, it works. Expensive drinks (read=normal River North prices) but top notch craft spirits. Don't miss the home-made tonic if you are a G&T fan.
(4)
Julie M.
Came here for dinner with my bridesmaids to kick off the bachelorette weekend. Food and service was impeccable . The black rice sushi sampler with fresh wasabi was amazing. The cocktails were SO GOOD! Definitely need to come back here for more yummy experiences.
(5)
Miles L.
Terrific experience, sat at the bar, the bartender's name was Peter. He explained the menu, had a fantastic personality, extremely knowledgeable in the description of how the food was prepared. Extensive knowledge in the nature in the mixology of the drinks. Job well done union, thank you for a terrific experience...
(5)
Kate M.
I'm going to ignore the fact that Union Sushi & Barbeque is trendy. If I ignore the trendiness then it's a solid 4 star experience. I attempted to make a reservation on Friday around noon for Friday evening and the only time available were 6 and 930. I choose 6 because I am way too old to wait until 9:30 to eat dinner. When we got there they were empty, and so we were seated directly next to the only other occupied table. The food was all very good. We started with the duck fat yaki soba which was really tasty. It was a good size appetizer for two people, I'm not sure if it would be enough for a filling entree. We ordered a couple maki rolls, the Chesapeake Bay was my favorite. The Clifton #4, Hokkaido, and Old City Market were also good. The service was pretty good. It did seem like our server disappeared for a while. The host wasn't very helpful on our way out. Maybe he wasn't the host? He was standing at the hostess station, looking at the computer. I attempted to give him my coat check ticket, he just looked at me like I had three heads and pointed to the hostess who was walking our way. Then another woman tried to talk to him about getting a table and she got the "why are you talking to me?!" look too. Not that welcoming. The dining room is very...stylish? There's a lot of "look at this!" going on. Again, trendy. It was pretty, not very comfy though. I'd love to go back to Union Sushi & Barbeque soon. The food was really good. Hopefully I'll make it back before it gets too cold to make the short walk for me. I'm such a sissy.
(4)
Rob T.
So. Good. Can't think of a better impress-your-date place. Creative, beautiful, yummy food. Had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, pork shoulder BBQ, beef tongue BBQ, old city market roll, tsukiji market roll, soft shell crab roll, spicy tuna roll with black rice(!), and chesapeake bay roll. All were fantastic. Mmm...still dreaming about it the day after. Heck, everything on the menu was appealing. Bay, our sushi chef, was great, and really friendly. Service was excellent too.
(5)
Kelsey W.
Very cool place. The sushi selection is extensive and reasonably priced. They have a black rice option that I haven't seen anywhere else and I'm a regular sushi eater. The BBQ samples were great! Highly recommend trying the kangaroo. No tap beer unfortunately, all bottles or cans.
(4)
Elaine C.
Walk-in on Saturday night dinner 8pm. Got a sushi bar seating area by the bartender. The bartender was friendly and seems to know everyone. Sushi were really good and we tried the fresh wasabi from the root! Everyone must try! We did the small plates of many dishes. Everything was tasty there.
(4)
D T.
I have had 2 extremely different experiences here. Both enjoyable, if not strange...The first time I came with a girlfriend and sat upstairs at the bar. The second visit, a "date" I had, along with a girlfriend and a buddy of his. I'll explain. My girlfriend and I wanted to grab a bite last minute on a Saturday, in River North. Not an easy feat. We popped in here, and happily chose to eat at the bar. The vibe is pretty relaxed for the neighborhood. You can wear jeans or get dolled up and fit in. Worth mentioning: the floors are SLIPPERY! I can run in stilettos, but there are a few places in the city that need to redo their floor situation. Union is one of them. The bartender was dry, but friendly and accommodating as can be, if that makes sense. I got the prick vibe for the first 2 minutes, but he ended up being fantastic. I wanted a lychee type martini, without looking at the drink menu, and he whipped up the perfect cocktail. We ordered apps, a couple rolls and Tekka Don for myself. For those who don't know, it's Maguro (tuna) on top of a bed of rice. Like Chirashi, but only tuna. This was not on the menu, but he said they would happily whip one up. Everything was very good until this came out. It wasn't bad, it appeared fresh, it was just "off". My gf insisted I say something, but I just don't go there. Specifically because I could not pinpoint the problem. He noticed I wasn't touching it and asked if it was ok. I insisted it was. Minutes later, he asked again, I denied any problem, but he called my BS. He wouldn't take no for an answer, took it back and said I would not be charged for it. I was mortified, but he was so casual about it, and it eased my mind. Now the second time was wayyyyy different. I had dinner plans with another gf, and was talking to a guy I had yet to meet. He asked to meet that evening, but I told him my plans, and he was welcome to join us. He did, and brought a friend. We went to the wrong place, don't ask, it was last minute, so we were late. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in, as he looked even better than his photos and was dressed well. That's when shit got weird. I immediately felt he was not interested in me, and that made it uncomfortable. Things were going so well, my gf eventually asked him to leave. He did order about half the menu, and everyone enjoyed it. Except myself. I was too dumbfounded by what was happening to eat. Ironically we are seeing each other now, over a month later, but that's hardly the craziest dating story I have over the past few months. To get back on track, Union is very good. Nothing super special, but a cute atmosphere, great staff and really good food.
(4)
Bridget M.
Such an amazingly friendly staff. I sat at the sushi bar during happy hour. Great food specials! I had the beef skewers and Shrimp tempura roll. Both were beyond excellent. Also, they give you complimentary edamame that is seasoned and great! There is a cool modern look and there are outlets all over, which came in handy. They even showed you the specials on an iPad. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Nicole W.
My new favorite sushi place in Chicago... in a lot of cities actually! Ordered a TON off the menu Scallops off the iPad menu - delicious, a little bit buttery, but just so good Truffled Tuna - wondering why yelp loves this dish so much? It was very oily and while it was good, it was nothing spectacular. Still good, just not "amazing" like others have said. Agedashi Potato (Sweet Potato with Ginger) - Wow! This could be a dessert. The mix of ginger and sweet potato is super yummy and reminded me of comfort food. Delicious! Spare Rib - Large portion for the price! The meat fell off the bone and was delicious mixed with the slaw served with it. SUSHI! Do not miss out on the fresh sushi. Never had sushi taste more fresh than this! If you want to try more styles, they offer half portions which are 5-6 pieces instead of a whole roll. This was ideal for me since I always feel like I want to eat off the entire menu at somewhere new. I had the following rolls: Tsukiji Market, Hokkaido, Old City Market For dessert, we had the Taro Mochi Cake which was very good. The name is a little deceiving with "mochi" in it, as there is no mochi in it, but alas, this cake was delicious and very much worth getting. Drinks: Surprise + Delight was exactly what the name says, a surprise and a delight. Lemongrass with cucumber was refreshing and a very good drink to start off the dinner. Yamazaki 12 Yr - My new favorite whiskey just happens to be this Japanese whiskey. Had over ice but their ice cubes were too big so we just took it out. Definitely try a Japanese whiskey if you want to adventure out! Went very well with the meal :-) --- I would go here multiple times if I could ---- Highly reccomend!
(5)
Stephanie H.
I had the opportunity to come here recently for a happy hour event an organization was hosting. We had the whole top floor (Up Bar) to ourselves, and the bartenders Peter and Matt were so friendly and hospitable! I had also heard of Union from a previous Yelp Elite event I attended and was planning on coming here anyway! I showed up a little earlier before the event started so that I could try out some of their cocktail hour specials myself, which is Monday-Friday, 5:00-6:30PM. The specials are $5 Sobieski Vodka cocktails, $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon, $1 oysters, $2 beef filet skewers, and $3/$6 shrimp tempura rolls. I tried one of everything, and while I think the drinks are pretty standard, the food blew my mind! The oysters were spectacular (look at my pictures!). I ordered two and they came served on a wooden box filled with crushed ice and a lemon wedge. It wasn't just an oyster that you throw cocktail sauce on...they had filled it with red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. It was so good I ordered another two (for $1 each, how could you not?)! The beef filet skewers were also delicious and tender. Chef Chao also came upstairs and introduced himself, and he seems pretty awesome. Their staff were great, the venue looks really modern and cool. I'll definitely want to come back to try out some of their other dishes!
(5)
Mariam K.
I came here for a friends birthday and I'm not a huge sushi fan, so I was planning on just ordering an appetizer or something. However, I didn't realize it was a Japanese bbq restaurant also.. which is why I loved this place! We got there a bit early and they were still setting up out table, so we went upstairs to the bar area, which was cute and cozy. Me, my husband and another couple split the bbq bar sampler, the surf and turf, dragon roll, and bay street california. Even though I don't care for sushi... I liked the dragon roll a lot and the surf and turf was really good.. just as I had expected! The BBQ bar sampler had assorted things : beef tongue, chicken, shrimp, and scallop... to name a few... so be sure you're open to eating all types of food if you order it. I recommend this place even if you don't love sushi, because there's something for everyone here.
(4)
Christina D.
I love Union- the sushi is delicate and full of flavour. I attempt to try something new every time I go there- the menu has plenty of variety. Mr Chow and everyone who works there are incredibly friendly, professional and pleasure to be around. I love their happy hour with $1 Oysters and specials of delicious beef skewers. This is my new local sushi spot!
(5)
Rebecca N.
I have been here between 6-7 times and I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review! This is a great, small, trendy sushi spot in River North that is lower key than Sunda but a few steps above Naniwa. They also feature the Robato Grill on their menu which is a pretty cool option. I have never had a bad experience here. Service is always prompt and the servers very knowledgeable and friendly. Once I came with a bunch of friends from out of town and they gave us complimentary sake test flights. What I really like is that you can order HALF rolls! If you are picking up for yourself you can try a few halfs which is fun. My favorites: Soba Salad Truffle Tuna Sashimi Cup Spicy Tuna Dragon Bay Street Cali ** I don't like the rolls wrapped in collard greens**
(4)
Megen B.
We had a private party of 10 there last night and everything about it was fantastic - we organized it through Britt at Union and she helped us with ordering the best things on the menu, something for every taste and she even had the chef come out to personally make something for one of our guests who had a particular food allergy. Our server was amazing, so nice and no one ever had an empty glass or plate. Food was timed perfectly and every dish was to die for. I recommend the Shrimp Tempura role and the Truffle Tuna. amazing! cannot wait to go back
(5)
Laura T.
I've been to Union twice - its ambiance draws you in, but the value leaves a lot to be desired. While some items (like the truffled tuna and salmon nigiri) will definitely bring me back, the slow service, and overall overpriced meal will make it a slow comeback.
(2)
Dan R.
HA! How can I describe it? Wonderful? Delicious? The ultimatum sushi experience? We decided to go there last night after trying their samples at the Yelp event that took place on Thursday night. We were equipped with our 10% discount and we walked in without a reservation. I won't do that next time thou, the place gets busy and we were lucky they could accommodate us at the sushi bar comfortably. But yeah, we were sat right away which already gives the place points on my list. Our server Dan had a very calm and soft voice (hihi) and he was so cool. He instructed us about the menu, which we were not familiar - of course, it was our first time at the place. We had 4 half rolls and 2 choices of bbq. I won't even describe it. WE FINALLY found a place that has a spicy tuna comparable (if not better) to our beloved butterfly. if you are a cilantro fan, please order the HOKKAIDO maki. OH MY! you'll understand why when you taste it. I thought the combination of flavors was fantastic. We had Japanese beer, which was light and crispy ...and the bottle was super cute i wish i could bring it home. Service was friendly, quick, food was delicious..and we could watch the sushi guys working on it ... they were very friendly and we even chatted with one of they guys while he was making our food. Place's vibe is awesome, I love the decor, and price is reasonable. We felt like we needed another 2 half rolls, so it counts 6 half rolls, 2 choices of bbq, and 2 imported beers (which were expensive, $10 a piece) and our bill (with the SUPER COOL YELP DISCOUNT) was about $68 ...like...seriously? wow! Love it, want it, will be back for more. So sad to read the bad reviews, and surprised that this place has only 3 and a half stars. If I were those people, i would give the place a 2nd chance.
(5)
Elina K.
Been here a couple times and it really is superb sushi and BBQ. Everything I tried here is top notch. Fresh, flavorful, diverse menu. The decor and layout is awesome...loud, trendy atmosphere but you can still feel like you are having a private experience without anyone sitting on top of you. There's a little bar upstairs where you can enjoy after dinner drinks with a private party, which is a nice add. If I could knock off half a star for a subte yet pervasive air of yuppie pretention I would, but the chef doesn't deserve that.
(5)
M R.
I went there for lunch for the first time today and really enjoyed myself. The ambiance, food, and service were all really good. I had salad and rolls for lunch, and both the vegetables and the fish were very fresh. I also had the red bean ice cream sundae for dessert, which was delish!
(4)
Frank N.
Okay, I am now a huge fan of Union Sushi for 2 reasons: 1. The outstanding customer service! 2. The memorable and filling food choices We came here for restaurant week and made reservations well in advance knowing there would be some hefty crowds. Coming in with a group of 8 was large and the Union folk truly took care of us from the get go. Our table was a tad confused looking at the menu and not sure what direction to go. The server and manager came over to describe the experience and steer us in the right direction. We opted for the $45 per person and they told us that they would make it work and make us happy...THEY DID! We had one vegetarian and one non-seafood eater with us and Union catered to that as well. It was course after course coming to us and there was so much eye candy that I went into culinary overload. Some of the notables: Oysters on the Half Shell - HOLY COW were these unbelievable, not to mention too picturesque to eat Buffalo Duck Wing - Just the right amount of heat Truffled Tuna - Pure artwork and something about fresh fish that just makes a meal Mushroom Dumplings - Even our non-mushroom lovers found enjoyment in these tasty morsels Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops - Can you really go wrong with anything wrapped in prosciutto?? And I mean anything! Cucumber Roll - MY FAVORITE of the night! All of that goodness wrapped in a cucumber and cilantro - Perfect palate cleanser!!! Green Tea Ice Cream - Totally took me by surprise! I am now addicted so thanks for that All in all, a fantastic experience and the 8 of us left full and happy. Next visit - the goal is to destroy the 48 oyster record!!
(5)
Weixu L.
Don't get me wrong. Their food is awesome and fresh. I do have a problem with the black rice sushi everyone was talking about. Not a fan. My friend and I were both not impressed. It was a very bad invention. We totally regret having that. I'm still giving it 4 stars, not out of my dining experience, but out of the belief that they in general make great food, other than the black rice sushi. Some people may love it, but a traditional consumer would hate it.
(4)
Joanna D.
Came here with some colleagues. Very cute atmosphere! The waiter gave us an ipad to play with/to look at the menu. The food smelled fantastic! I tried the Shitake Mushroom. Cauliflower and Tofu from the barbeque bar. The Shitake Mushroom and Tofu were okay tasting, but the Cauliflower was fantastic! I would recommend ordering the cauliflower over the other two. My collegeues tried the oysters as well as other various meats. They really enjoyed their meals. Would probably come here again to try the other vegetarian options.
(4)
Kristy F.
I ordered the roasted cauliflower salad for $7 and the Asparagus Roll (4 pieces for $3) and both were very very fresh!! The asparagus roll was surprisingly packed with flavor. I was happy with the service and I'd like to hit this spot again soon. =)
(4)
Amber P.
The service at this restaurant is terrible. A friend and I met up here after we hadn't seen each other for a long time. We arrived at 5:55 PM. The hostess asked us if we had a reservation and we said no. She then went on to tell us that we could have a table if we would be out by 730. That was sort of off-putting and weird, but we ignored it and still asked for a table. Her manager then came over and told her to give us a table upstairs, and "if we complained about it" to move us. But at this point the restaurant was not full and there were plenty of open tables. She walked us upstairs, showed us the table and immediately left. The upstairs area is extremely small and there was a 20 people party up there as well. We were put in the corner right next to the party. They were extremely obnoxious and were basically stepping over us and our things. We hastily received a menu and were told to wait. After about 20 minutes of no one speaking to us we decided to leave. Not one person asked us why we were leaving or tried to convince us to stay. It is clear that they did not think we were worth anything. I am outraged at the service at this restaurant. I hope that no one goes here.
(1)
Amy P.
I received an offer for a free black rice roll from BBE and decided to take a look at the restaurant's website. I saw that they had happy hour as well, with $1 oysters. My mind immediately registered the opportunity for a great deal, so reservations were made for an early Saturday dinner. We arrived early and sat at the bar, which was small but cozy. The bartender was very personable and really seemed to know his stuff. We ordered two drinks, one sake flight and oysters on the half shell. The oysters were topped with ponzu sauce, scallions, roe and crispy shallots, so while tasty, may offend the true aficionados seeking the pure briny goodness of the oyster itself. Two dozen oysters later, we headed over to our table with empty stomachs and a growing bill. For dinner, we ordered the following: Agedashi sweet potato Sashimi platter 2 orders of scallop sashimi 1 order of barracuda sashimi 1 order of yellow tail sashimi Half Rolls (4 pieces): - Bay California - Softshell Crab - Black Rice Spicy Tuna (free with BBE code) The agedashi sweet potato was pretty unmemorable. (It's like agedashi tofu, but with sweet potato! Different!) The sashimi was really good, but also very pricey. The sashimi platter was nearly $40 for 15 pieces and the a la carte options ranged from $3.00 - $4.50 per piece. SP did think that the scallop was the best he's ever had though. The rolls were also good, but very pricey for four bite-sized pieces per order. The Bay California roll was surprisingly good, and made me realize what a big difference "real crab" makes. The roll itself was very simple and the taste of the crab itself really shone. The black rice roll was also very good, although, I can't tell how much the visual novelty of the black rice may have bolstered the perceived taste. At nearly $2 per piece, however, each bite was a painful reminder of how large our bill was going to be. All in all, we really liked Union Sushi + Barbeque. We liked the space itself, which had a gallery/creative/industrial loft type of feel. The food was very good and the fish was high in quality. The menu also has some unique items such as alligator (and the barracuda that we found in the off-menu specials). The downside, however, is that this place is really pricey. With all the small dishes and half-rolls, things quickly add up. It makes for an unforgettable experience though, as we will never forget that time when our coupon for a free roll and $1 oysters turned into a $300 dinner.
(4)
An P.
Welcome to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, River North's freshest sushi bar. Fresh doesn't mean expensive, but fresh means hip from the brightly colored decor to Bonobo playing in the background, Union does its best to stimulate and impress. I sat down with my friend, who pointed out that Bill Kurtis was sitting two tables over. Bento box was the first thing on my mind and the server let me know duck soba was his favorite, so duck soba it was. Bento box for $12 in downtown Chicago? Friends, I think we have a winner here - bento box includes salad, entree and spicy tuna roll. I added a half order of Dragon Roll just to try out some more sushi. The duck soba will knock your socks off with roasted red peppers, duck, and a slippery array of noodles ready to please your taste buds. The salad was crisp and the dressing wasn't overwhelming which is an A+ in my book. Chef Chao appeared from behind the sushi bar and offered up some more delicious treats! Looking to keep up your health kick for 2012? Look no further - Union Sushi & Barbeque serves up its wicked dragon rolls on black rice! I don't know what they put in that eel sauce but I could stand dousing it on everything in sight and still ask for more. The best lunch I've had so far in 2012, I think it will take awhile to knock Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar off the #1 spot!
(5)
Adrien B.
My girlfriend and I sat at the chef's table last night. We are not picky eaters and left our meal entirely up to the chef. Everything was amazing. I will try and describe the experience in as few words as possible. The flavor and texture combinations were sublime, you could tell the chefs really enjoyed what they were doing. The sake pairing complemented the entire meal perfectly, even though I am not a sake fan. The whole mean was a trip, I felt elevated to a higher state of being and needed a good hour of peace and rest afterwards to acclimate my body back to standard life. I highly recommend coming here and will be coming back myself to try the regular menu. It was a pleasure being able to converse with the chefs, there was a great ambience in the restaurant, definitely more of a young urban vibe to it. I would give more stars if it were all possible.
(5)
Andrew B.
Quick summary: GREAT mixologist, GREAT presentation, GREAT service, good sushi, a bit rough on elbow room and noise level. Showed up at 6:30 PM or so on a weeknight, no reservations, sat nearly immediately. Dining companion and I got seated -- wedged, really -- at the bar. Just missed happy hour, but the $10 cocktail special was still going, and the "Morning Glory 2" seems well worth the dime. Presentation of our chef's choice sashimi plate was nothing short of awesome. Lots of care taken to erect memorials to awesomeness made of sushi and edible veggies. Graffiti on the wall by SoloRM adds a nice touch to the atmosphere.
(4)
Brian S.
I continue to eat lunch here about once a week and i'm batting 1.000. never had a bad meal. great service, great vibe, it's clearly the standout power lunch spot for startups operating in river north. favorites include the black rice sushi rolls, the seaweed salad, the mushroom ramen (solid vegan!) and truffle tuna app. They should include the fresh wasabi for free.
(5)
Amelia B.
Union is such a tease. Being close to my place, I held such high expectations: it looks right, it sounds right, it smells right, and I had heard pretty good things from other people. But with such expectations came mostly disappointment. Service was nothing short of horrific, the sashimi was flavorless and tiny, and the vibe was just...off. We walked in for a 9pm reservation, and the hostess looked completely surprised, like we weren't supposed to be there. After much hemming and hawing, she showed us to a table, where we waited another 15 or 20 minutes for a server. And throughout the night, we had to flag down our server any time we needed anything--almost completely absent. My date went with robata meat, and I went with sashimi (figures). While the skewers were (I was told), excellent, they were also miniscule. My sashimi plate did not fair so well. The most glaring omission from the chef's selection--no salmon. I have never had a plate without salmon. Instead, it was all incredibly cheap sushi--eel, octopus, white tuna. And it was all pretty flavorless. Cocktails were equally uninspiring, though we did just go with a straight up dirty martini and a vodka soda. The server offered me a choice of olives (excellent), but I received one measley blue cheese olive. It was almost hysterical actually--who gives one olive in a dirty martini? I'm giving a second star because the space is pretty cool, but that's about it. I'd say, if you are heading to Union, stick to the cooked foods. The sushi (or the sashimi at least) was entirely disappointing.
(2)
Dan M.
I've been to Union about 5 times now. Everytime I'm in Chicago for business, it's my go-to spot. The menu is outstanding, it offers your classis sushi rolls - served with a twist - but also pushes your daring & adventurous side with items such as beef tongue. Last time I was there I had a grilled Alaskan King Crab that was outstanding. But whatever mood or however bold you feel like being the food has always been incredibly fresh. I've always found the staff incredibly friendly and helpful in recommending the best items of the day. I also love the drink menu (my personal favorite - "The Shimbashi Athletic Club" - try it!) besides the great names - they're also great drinks. Last time I was there the bartender whipped up some Pumpkin infused hot Sake. WOW! Overall, I highly recommend this place - it's perfect for those predictable weekly sushi cravings but also when you want to really indulge with some friends.
(5)
Chris V.
According to their website, they close at midnight. I walked in at 11:30. There was no one at the hostess stand. I saw a manager walk by and made eye contact with him. He ignored me and walked off. How did I know he was a manager, 2 of the busboys tried to tell him someone was at the front. Eventually one of the busgirls came over and told me the kitchen was closed.
(1)
Brian G.
Terrible service, food undercooked, food arrived at different times.
(1)
Zac K.
What an awesomely fun concept! BBQ and Sushi- what more could you ask for. We walked in opening weekend and were able to get seated fairly quickly at the bar. Drink list is awesome- the cocktails I had, which thank you, Union for getting my nice and brownoutty were something of the vodka world, I'm quite certain. I love sushi wabi so I had to try a roll- I had the spicy tuna and it was delicious. For the main course- surf and turf. Perfect sized portions of the food, the filet was melt in your mouth amazing. Like butter. The shrimp that was with it was great. We also did the bbq filet to share along with the cauliflower which was such a nice surprise. The staff was beyond awesome and the price points were decent too. I can see that this place will probably quickly become trixie central, so I might suggest going sooner rather than later. They don't take reservations, so make sure you have a back-up plan during prime dining.
(4)
JJ B.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!!!!! A truly unique and delicious experience! Staff is warm, welcoming, and well educated on the menu. Service is second to none A++. The atmosphere is hip and modern in a laid back kind of way. And the food!!!!!!! Don't even get me started!!!! The best and only way to describe the food is life changing! Sushi lovers prepare yourself for the dining experience of your life! The bar has been raised in River North thanks to Union Sushi!
(5)
diane m.
Take a pass on lunch. The service is VERY disjointed. We ordered off of the lunch menu, nothing complicated or tricky. One person at our table received everything almost immediately, including the same soup that was a starter to my lunch that I didn't receive for a good 10 minutes. The food is fair but nothing any better than any other sushi restaurants in the area. For $19 I expect a lot more at lunch in the form of service, flow and quality of food. The salad was the highlight with the crisp mix of microgreens and a tangy citrusy viniagrette. The miso is too salty to enjoy although the warmth was great on the cold day we were there. Service is really spotty and I am under the impression that the servers are also food prep staff. One cool thing on the menu is the Alligator Skewer. Before you go EWWW, wait, it is REALLY good, kind of shrimp or calamari like in texture, not too far off from chicken even. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Maybe they are better at night or maybe I just ordered the wrong things but it wasn't a great experience, especially compared to all the rave reviews I've read.
(2)
Sharon S.
I've been here a few times and I'd say I'll be by more. It definitely stands apart from other River North restaurants. It's got a low key vibe but with great food, staff, and decorated quite well. I've always been a fan of graffiti art and Union Sushi definitely does it well. Walking in you'll see the back wall which was painted by a local artist. Something you don't see often. I've always taken a seat at the bar so I can't speak to the rest of the dining area, but from what I've heard and seen, it's always great. The bartenders and wait staff are super knowledgeable about everything on the menu and give great recommendations. Just tell them what you like and they'll recommend something great. I highly recommend the alligator and kangaroo. It's grilled and comes on a skewer. SO GOOD! I've also had the mushroom, squid, and fishcake. All great but I'm always a big fan of meat. I've also tried the turtle soup which at first I felt bad for eating but when you have it, it's actually pretty amazing. I've also tried the belly roll (LOVE) and soft shell crab. It's not your typical sushi. Smaller portions but finely made. You have a burst of flavors all in a bite. I've tried the lamb ramen and actually wasn't that impressed but I'd give it another chance. The bar itself is worth a trip. They have a wide selection of sake and the bartenders can recommend something based on your liking. They also have a cocktail menu that they created themselves. Quite inventive and creative. I'd say it's one of a kind.
(4)
Rosalie S.
We had a party of 18 for my husband's birthday. Mike, the manager, worked with me to have a preset group menu that included Pork Belly, Black Pepper Shrimp, Truffled Tuna, Oyster, Mushroom Dumplings as apps. Then the Filet, Chix Thighs, and bacon wrapped scallops from the BBQ. For sushi, we had Old City Market, Belly, Spicy Tuna, Soft Shell Crab, and Clifton #4. Then the desserts...O...M...G...the Pumpkin Mochi Ice cream sandwich was gone faster than was possible. The service was great. Mike was very accommodating. Peter, the bartender, was gracious. All members in our party said they would come back. The drinks were really good. This is not your traditional sushi joint, and we really loved the whole experience. Would highly recommend and we will be going back.
(5)
Andrea T.
Loved Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar. My boyfriend and I went there for our 1-year anniversary dinner. The happy hour shrimp tempura roll and beef skewer were our starters, along with the truffled tuna. I would go back just for those 3 things alone. But, next came the 1/2 spicy tuna roll (probably the best I've had - kinda wished we had had the whole one) and the 1/2 crabcake roll, the pork shoulder skewer (yum), the scallop skewer and the spare rib (a little on the dry side). We were too full for dessert. :( I loved the atmosphere, the food, our server, the crowd - everything. MUST go back soon.
(5)
Dina I.
This is probably the only decent place that delivers to me and offers sushi. Hence, I've only ordered delivery from here for my weekly sushi craving (ika, uni, sake, ikura, hamachi, masago, ama ebi) if I'm not in the mood or have plans to go out. I've never had a complaint in regards to the delivery sushi...I don't know if I'll ever be in to dine since it's not my type of restaurant scene, but as a go-to delivery sushi joint, this girl is happy!
(4)
Beebe G.
i've worked across the street when union opened and never had the appeal to dine here until a couple weeks ago when my boss was in town and we decided to try this place for lunch. and i'm so glad we did! the industrial decor is cool. we had samplings of several sushis and skewers and salad. since our lunch, i've returned twice for take out. the bento box is a deal you can't beat with a stick at $13. it comes with sushi, salad , entree and miso soup. what i really enjoyed was last friday when i ordered the ramen chicken soup. wow, what a nice enriching meal! i especially liked the spicy pepper oil that cleared my nasal passages. can't wait to try other items on the menu!
(4)
Gary R.
Union: Kind of a misleading name. I did not see any civil war era soldiers, Abraham Lincoln portraits, men with gangrenous limbs or burning confederate flags in there. That part was fine with me. The food was interesting for sure. If you are a foody (food snob), then you'll probably really enjoy this place. The portions are small, so you have to order a bunch of plates in order to get properly full like a true American. In addition, they serve Alligator skewers. I was brave, and decided to try some. It really was what I'd call "Revenge" eating for all the souls of baby birds and humans devoured by Alligators through the course of history. I gotta be honest, it wasn't really very good. It was chewy, and had red sprinkles on it. Another possibility was that the alligator they filet'd had Scarlett Fever? The filet mignon skewers and waygu (way gooey) beef sliders were really good. They had a lot of pickles on the platter of sliders, which was welcomed by me. They did serve 3 floyds beer, which uses water from the cricks of Munster, IN. That probably was the best part of the meal.
(3)
Meryl M.
The spicy shrimp sushis are delicious and...warm! It was kind of a surprise as I thought sushis were only served cold. The mushroom ramen was really tasty. The waitress helped us choosing some sake and everyone liked it. I really loved the place, atmosphere and staff! I will definitely go back there.
(5)
Jeff N.
Faves- Truffled Tuna app. Old City Market roll. Skewere of Scallop wrapped in bacon. Tofu skewer (looks like a mini ice cream bar). Just Okay- The Key Lime dessert Uncertains- the vibe. If you are over 40, you feel out of place. Sake list good for sake snobs, but confuses the rest of us Service- Nice job Michelle Awkwardness- Manager or Owner (over 40 female) who essentially ignored my wife (even after making eye contact) who arrived a few minutes before me. Will I return?- Yeah probably, but not rushing back. For a total tab of $89, I'd rather spend a bit less and visit another trendy favorite, Hot Chocolate on Damen.
(4)
Chanannait P.
I was not impress. The 1$ oyster happy hy was not fresh. I still can tell despite fried onion on top. The rolls were so so. I will not come back.
(2)
Celeste E.
3.5 STARS. The family shared a wonderful dinner here. Order with the mentality that you'll share everything, it's the best way to sample their menu. Don't miss the truffled tuna over avocado, you can definitely taste the yummy truffle oil! I was surprised at how much we enjoyed the Duck Fat Soba. It doesn't taste an ounce fatty, don't worry. It's flavorful and rich with vegetables and duck pieces. The sushi rolls were just all right for me. I like rolls where you can taste the fish, and at Union, they add too many ingredients and for me it "hid" the fishy flavor. We had the #4 roll, and I didn't like the asparagus taste, though the fish tasted good. The Old City Market had fried okra and collard greens, neither of which I thought suited a sushi roll. On the upswing, Union tempuras their shrimp tempura rolls in their entirety! If you order any rolls, I say skip the funky stuff and go with the shrimp tempura. We tried quite a few skewers off the BBQ menu. My family liked the alligator! So don't be scared. Also of note- the prosciutto wrapped scallop (good, but too much wasabi for me) and the jumbo shrimp. Definitely splurge for one of the specialty cocktails. My favorite is the refreshing Suprise + Delight with cucumber vodka. Great, fresh, open ambiance with friendly wait staff. I'd recommend this place to the more adventurous eater, their menu is full of dishes with pork belly, duck fat, uncommon vegetables and the like. A unique and fun dining experience with food you'll be talking about for days.
(3)
Marina J.
Huge fan of this place, especially for their phenomenal taste in music. Great vibe from the moment you walk in, followed my delicious food and tasty cocktail options. Awesome place for a group a friends to spend an evening out. I'll be back.
(4)
Matt B.
This place is so good i drove an extra 300 miles one way to visit it the next rime i was within one state of Chicago, Everything was delicious and unique! The staff knew not only what everything was but also where it came from and how it's made in extreme detail, even the alcohol they import. The alligator and buffalo duck are especially fantastic. I was unsure if I wanted to order the beef tongue and our bartender told me if I didn't like it he would take it off the bill. Upon hearing about my 600+ miles driven for the visit the bartender got the owners who proceeded to feed us all free sake and oyster shots as well as free Japanese microbrews. I had an extremely positive experience both times I went an highly recommend it not only for food quality but excellent service and mastering of their trades.
(5)
Jen F.
Amazing food. The chicken skewers are crazy! I would eat those all the time if I could. Peter the bartender is equally amazing and makes a drink called the skinny geisha that you have to have. If I lived here I would be there every day for the drinks, food, and service.
(5)
K T Y.
Great service, terrible food. Ox tail ramen tasted like nothing. The ox tail meat tasted burnt. Tried the alligator, kangaroo, and pork shoulder skewers..all lacklustre. Soft shell crab roll had very little crab. Not like most places where the spider crab protrudes from the roll. The atmosphere and decor and big windows did make for a asthetically pleasing dining room. Will never go back..ever.
(2)
Holly S.
Wow! Okay, let me list what we ate: Wagyu beef slider Agedashi potato Skewers: scallop, squid, chicken thigh, and beef fillet Uni alfredo soba Rolls:Osaka Central, Old City Market, Hokkaido, Shrimp tempura, and one more that isn't on their online menu so I don't remember.... Saki: True Beauty "Setsugetsu Bijin" (Jg) Oita We got here right after opening time, around 4:15. We requested seats at the kushiyaki grill, which was very fun to watch. Food was served in good timing, and they gave us their yummy edamame when seated. I don't care if a restaurant is cool visually and graffiti inside is kind of silly to me, but it was all nice. Many different types of seating available it seemed: sushi bar, small tables, a large table with a see-through curtain around it for reservations, and there was an entire upstairs I did not see. The hostess came up to us a couple times to see how we liked our choices, the saki, etc. which was very nice and friendly. The server did not rush at all. I saw workers (probably owners, or investors?) come out to talk to tables - a very friendly vibe! The food was delicious. They had a lot of different flavors covered and the marinades/sauces for the skewers were perfectly paired. The beef fillet melts in your mouth. The servings are smaller, but we were expecting it already. I would highly recommend the Old City Market roll (it had more fish in the roll than any rice-wrapped I've ever had! Great quality) and the Uni alfredo soba - very nice sauce and tasty noodles. Our bill came out to $100 but we had all the tastes we wanted and left happy and full. I will go back for sure!!! A plus of going at opening - we parked directly across the street from the door!
(5)
Ryan F.
Decent at best. Decor is confusing- not sure what is happening there. We had a group of 9 people, they told just we had to wait "because they were busy". I don't care if you are busy, you are a restaurant! Our service was decent and the food was decent, nothing special. I have had better sushi at other places. The duck wing was really good, but spicy. Overall decent, and probably would only go once.
(3)
Jonathan T.
I was picturing a Southern BBQ and sushi fusion, so I was a little disappointed that it was just sushi rolls and kebabs. But, still a great meal. The skewers and sushi rolls were both above average and the cocktail selection was creative. Probably the best part of the restaurant is the interior design; gives it a kind of trendy (but not pretentious) atmopshere.
(3)
Alfred K.
We are not naive enough to think that we would necessarily get a table walking in on a Friday night, so we called from our car and asked about the wait. She said they have a few openings right now and there's no wait, so we went straight there, literally got there in 5 minutes, and walked in and was met with the rudest host. He stood there and refused to greet us, and when we asked for a table for 2, he told us that we are going to have to wait 40 minutes. When we told him we had just called, he said all the tables had just filled up in the last few minutes, even though we can visibly see multiple open tables. If you're going to play games like that, then don't count on me ever coming back. Jerk.
(1)
Bex A.
How horrified would my mom be if she knew I went to a restaurant without a clue as to what I'd be eating? Extremely horrified, so let's hope she never reads this. Since I'm deathly allergic to dairy, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts, I've understandably never experienced any sort of chef's tasting or omakase before. But after looking at the chef's table form on Union's website (there's an allergy section), I thought.. well maybe I could be accommodated. DARN STRAIGHT I WAS ACCOMMODATED! I went over my allergies with a couple of hostesses before we came in, and then again with Chef Chao. I think he may have been a little annoyed at how paranoid I was, but everything that he placed in front of me was perfectly fine for me to eat, even the fried stuff (they used tempura breading without the eggs). He also made some dishes separately and without alterations for my boyfriend (no allergies). We felt like royalty, dining on quail, kangaroo, fatty and super white tuna, and all sorts of fried crustacean delights. The drinks are absolutely outstanding as well. I have to take points off since we felt the miso soup was lukewarm and too salty, and part of the kangaroo felt overdone. But since the rest of the experience was so AWESOME (the presentation! the complex, delicious cocktails! the grill, which is cleaned periodically so huge flames shoot up! the myriad of different delights I have never had before and never thought I could have - like fried oyster!), I don't want to take off a whole star. 4.5, if I could. Union is probably the best meal I've had since GT (to which I also owe a review, they were very good with allergies as well). But I ordered from a menu at GT. Here, I literally left my life in Chao's hands, and boy was I ever rewarded. I could not thank him enough. One of the best experiences dining out that this AllergyWoman has ever had.
(5)
Aaron H.
All the sushi contains some form of green plant. They were very heavy on the avocado which gave the sushi a bAd after taste. There is a limit variety of speciality sushi. Service & venue is great. Very pricey $8 for four maki's (smh) Would not recommend.
(3)
Kristin L.
The menu was very interesting and I tried at least half of what was offered. I am a big fan of BBQ (since I'm Texan) and authentic Japanese food. This place had an interesting mix of the two. I enjoyed the cold edamame a lot. It's worth a return trip.
(4)
shari m.
This place is clearly much hipper than we are yet we still felt comfortable. We sat at the sushi bar and were treated quite well by Memphis Steve behind the bar and our female server (sorry, didn't get your name). We appreciate that we did not receive any of the anti-Restaurant Week attitude common at some places. The staff seemed to be having fun and so did we. The menu and flavor combos are much more creative than most local Japanese spots, such as using nontraditional wrappers like marble nori (seen that before?) and collards for their maki. We look forward to returning to try more appetizers, ramen, their specialty maki, and some cocktails. Thanks, Union, for a great experience.
(5)
Christine P.
Summary of Ratings: Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4 I went to Union Sushi after a co-worker recommended it to me, and I was absolutely pleased with the experience! I was really intrigued not only by the originality of their sushi but also with their cocktails! The atmosphere was really trendy and cool, but the tables were a little bit longer for my taste, especially since I went to try this place out with my boyfriend. Here is a breakdown of what we ordered...and it's a lot of food haha. LOVED: Surprise + Delight (cocktail) - I loved this cocktail - just the right amount of fruity for me. There was also a very slight cucumber aftertaste which made it a very summery drink. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who doesn't like to taste too much of their alcohol in their cocktails. The Second Language (cocktail) - My boyfriend got this and he loved it! He's a huge gin and tonic fan, so he was happy to get this drink. You could definitely taste the gin and there is a very sweet aftertaste due to the sugar cube they put inside it. Still very very good. Truffled Tuna (appetizer) - AMAZING - MUST GET (even if you don't like tuna!) My boyfriend was hesitant at first because he's not the biggest tuna fan in the world, but oh my gosh...so good. So SO good :) Berkshire Pork Shoulder - Also very delicious. Keep in the mind though that its a very small skewer, so even if the price is cheaper than other foods, you only get for what you pay for :) Clifton #4 Roll - Delicious. I loved that there was a hint of a cilantro taste to it (I believe they actually decorate the rice with cilantro). Has a crunchy inner and is a surprisingly warm dish. Shrimp Tempura Roll: They used black rice for this one, which kinda took me off guard. But I would also recommend this dish. Even though it is a classic roll, they put a Union spin to it, which makes it a very interesting dining experience. Old City Market Roll: Not for those who like rice in their sushi. It's served cold and they do not use dried up seaweed for this. But still very good. OK: Kangaroo Skewer (Special): It was...interesting...I don't know how I feel about eating kangaroo meat...but my boyfriend and I were so intrigued by it that we decided to try some anyway. It was also very citrus-y, which was interesting. Cauliflower Skewer: Good, but a little too salty for my taste. Lobster Tempura Roll (Special): This only goes in the OK pile because it wasn't as good as the other rolls. It took me by surprise that the whole roll was very warm though. Overall, I had an excellent time at Union Sushi. My boyfriend, who has lived in both Seattle and originally from NY (both of which are known for their very very delicious sushi) absolutely LOVED this place and wanted to visit again the next time he came to visit Chicago. The prices are slightly more expensive than what I would like, but our entire bill surprisingly came out to be less than $80. This places is definitely worth a try. Go a splurge a little by getting a few cocktails to start off your night! :)
(4)
Roshani C.
Food was good. Service was good. Ambience was great. The veggie sushi rolls were pretty good.
(4)
CD K.
After a long day on the boat & numerous recommendations, couldn't wait to try Union! Loved that you can get half orders of sushi! Had Uni three ways..... Uni sushi, Uni Alfredo Soba & Uni ice cream!!! Excellent and did not disappoint!!! Everything else was Ok. Jumbo shrimp, good but at $6 for one piece, a bit pricy. Beef tongue was tender but a lil heavy on sauce. Had the chesapeake roll, tasted a lot like burnt garlic. Service was a very slow, not that we were in a rush or a huge crowd, but even getting our one bottle of Saporro took 20 mins. NOT a good sign!! Seated close to the host was great, he kept our water glasses full, thank goodness! Might give em a 2nd try if we are in the area.
(3)
Christina F.
The food was delicious. Went with a friend and my boyfriend for lunch and was happy to see a vegetarian bento box option for lunch. I was able to ask for no cheese with the dumplings so it could be vegan. I'm giving it one less star simply for the fact that we sat there for 15 minutes before we had to ask the hostess to get our server so we could order. Wasn't the fastest service we were looking for considering we had an hour lunch break for work. I'd definitely go back for dinner when we have more time to sit and enjoy. We all sort of crammed our food into our mouths and had to jet.
(4)
E J.
Visited during happy hour. Sushi was doused in excessively sweet eel sauce and spicy mayo...so no idea what the roll tasted like. The BBQ was a complete disappointment (not particularly flavorful). Hip atmosphere, but not for serious sushi eaters. Ok, but I wouldn't return.
(4)
Felicia Y.
Great food and nice atmosphere! Make sure to get there for happy hour and sit at the bar near the grill...this how you'll decide what to have next!
(4)
Alexis G.
Was finally able to make it to Union Sushi and wasn't disappointed. Two of us shared a number of small items and sushi. From the barbeque menu it was the alligator and scallop. The alligator was tender and flavorful while the scallop was a bit mushy. While both were a little salty I would try the alligator again but skip the scallop. The sushi was great and we both loved the idea that some were were wrapped in greens rather than rice. Inventive, and a great alternative. Service was good as it was a Sunday and not that crowded. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Bryan J.
Very impressive new addition to river north. Lots of true Japanese dishes; I was describe it as an izikaja (sp?) with sushi. Huge variety of things are you're able to order half-roll portions of maki which is great. Would have given 5 stars except the music playing was a little strange and didn't mesh with the sophisticated/minimalist styling-it was all 90s hip-hop (mostly biggie/tupac/bone thugs) while the space would be better suited for low-key electronic/easy jazz. Other that that, will certainly stopping by again soon.
(4)
Vincent W.
Our food and drinks were good. Everything was creatively presented and tasty. Service was only okay (it took forever for them to bring us the bill). Portion size was a little disappointing, especially when it came to the drinks. For two people with one cocktail each, it was $100 (incl. tip).
(3)
George M.
Delicious! Our buddy worked here and got a heavy discount so we would come in and literally order one of everything on the menu. The BBQ meat skewers are all really good. The beef tongue is my fav. The duck leg is yummy, the noodles are good, the toro was very fresh and perfect. Try the oyster shooters.
(5)
Josh Y.
I went back to Union and now I know why. Food was amazing. Drinks were superb. Staff was on point. Despite not living in Chicago, I'd make annual trips back just to eat at Union!!!
(5)
Carmen C.
We arrived early for the duck wing competition and ate two delicious duck wing for free~~The best wing I have ever tried. Then we sit at a table near the door(this is exactly what i don't like), I prefered more quiet and inside space. We order lots of sashimi, sushi rolls and starters. The sashimi and sushi rolls are good and i hope I can receive a discount if i order so much next time. The starter: sliders so so, spare ribs so so, tofu so so. Overall, the food is good. I wil come next time if they can offer me a discount, haha.(I spend over 100$!!!)
(4)
Milan P.
The quality has went down since this place first opened. They have some food that still tastes good, but it seems to lack the flavor as it once did.
(3)
Mary Kay H.
Union Sushi & Barbeque, the name, does not represent enough of what you find here. It is a factory of creation by Chef Chao, who is a wizard with textures & flavors. His dishes are carefully constructed from the flavor combinations to the artful appearance. His plates of food are him & his passion. To sit at the bar & watch Chef Chao & his staff create is like watching a food symphony being written. I arrive not knowing what I will experience & leave knowing that I've had the best. The same thoughtfulness applies to the cocktail list. Unique, fresh beverages.
(5)
Bree L.
I absolutely LOVE the truffle tuna! I go there just for that!
(4)
Matt Z.
Delicious Sushi, Great experience trying to Kangaroo, Alligator and Beef Tongue... the whole squid was not so good to me... The sushi rolls were delicious.
(4)
Muj A.
I went here with a fairly large group for the first time this past weekend. We did a packaged deal that included some of their appetizers, grilled meats, and sushi. Everything was excellent and they have a cozy yet upbeat atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Christy L.
Absolutely delicious & unique cocktails. You must have the KURO SMASH. I also highly recommend the BUFFALO DUCK WING appetizer, and the DEVON sushi roll. Service was excellent. We even stayed past 10:30pm (their closing time) and felt no pressure to leave quickly.
(5)
Lu L.
Good afternoon place, but do not have dinner in this restaurant. The barbeque is OK, but their sushi and sashimi taste terrible.
(3)
Allison H.
Came here with a girlfiend during their 1 year anniversary week so I they had $5 specials on wine and the truffled tuna. We ordered the truffled tuna since it was on special and a few glasses of wine. The truffled tuna was very good with the wonton chips. Since it was only $5 at the time I didn't have too high of expectations but I thought it was great. It's really just mashed up avocado on the bottom and chunks of raw tuna tossed with truffle oil. Simple but delicious. We also ordered 4 sushi rolls - spicy tuna, dragon, soft shell crab, and hokkaido. The Hokkaido was the overwhelmingly best of them all. I liked that you could get black rice in the rolls as well (which is apparently healthier than brown rice though I don't know much about it). The soft shell crab was wrapped in cucumber and didn't have any rice which was a nice change. They had more rolls with no rice that were wrapped in vegetables but we didn't order any of those - it's a nice, lighter take on typical sushi. Overall, very fresh and unique rolls though it was a little pricey at around $15 a roll.
(4)
Kelli K.
Myself and my boyfriend made somewhat last minute plans with our friends to go out to dinner on a Saturday night. There were 8 people in our party in total and we hadn't made a reservation. We walked into Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar and discovered that they were fairly full with reservations for the evening, however they were able to accommodate us at the sushi bar which we didn't mind at all. Their bartender noticed that I was scanning the sake section of the menu and pointed out the sake flights. I did end up ordering one of the flights and I was not disappointed! I received 3 small glasses of sake and they were all delicious. My favorite was the sparkling sake. My boyfriend ordered an Alpha King beer which he really enjoyed and couldn't resist ordering a second. We shared an appetizer of black peppercorn shrimp which was awesome! I also ordered a mushroom soup that was nice and light (I didn't want to fill up before our sushi arrived). We ordered the dragon sushi rolls and hokkaido. I loved the hokkaido... mainly because I love scallops... which led me to my next order. The prosciutto wrapped scallop. Up until this point the highlight had been the black peppercorn shrimp, but the prosciutto wrapped scallop blew it out of the water! The scallop is grilled and topped with an avocado/wasabi puree and fried ginger. The scallop was cooked perfectly and tasted nice and sweet which complimented the salty and fatty prosciutto perfectly. It was delicious! At this point we were pretty satisfied. We had been passing things around and sharing with our friends and everyone was having a good time. Then we ordered the poached pear for dessert. It came with assorted berries and kiwi in a ginger pear syrup and it was the perfect ending to this delicious meal. All in all I was very pleased with our experience. They were able to unexpectedly accommodate our large group, the bartenders were attentive and the server was knowledgeable on the dishes and also made some good recommendations (like the prosciutto wrapped scallop!) It is a bit on the expensive side, but it is worth it to make the trip and spoil yourself on a weekend out. As a culinary student the food is always the star for me and Union Sushi definitely did no disappoint. I would love to go back and try some of the dishes (and another sake flight!) that I didn't get a chance to try.
(4)
Matt H.
Great rolls and great drinks
(5)
Dereck H.
Very good food. Creative, well-prepared, and tasty. One star removed for service. A bit odd - - there was a "large group" party going on in the loft area, and we were told that our food would be significantly delayed because of that. Two observations - first, I would think that the party attendees would be the ones to wait - after all, they have reserved the evening, groups to talk to, drinks flowing freely, etc. Not sure but seems like that's the better call. Second, even more odd - I looked up there, and it was just people seated at the standard tables. In other words, a full evening. It's not like there were 150 people crammed into the loft - it was like 24, seated at standard tables. Just like it would be on a night that they had those tables filled. The rest of the restaurant wasn't terribly crowded - so why the delay (and there was a LONG delay).
(4)
Amy M.
I went here a couple weeks ago for my birthday dinner with some friends and had an amazing time. It was so amazing, in fact, that I had to bring my boyfriend and siblings there last week to try it out! The first time, I called and made the reservation that day and had no problem getting a table pretty early in the afternoon (on a Saturday). It was very empty when we got there, but got busier as the afternoon progressed. The second time I went - on a Friday - we called that day and couldn't get a table until 9:45PM. Inconvenient, but understandable - and also well worth the wait! When we got there, it was completely packed. I loved the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant. It felt very trendy, lively, fresh, and just plain cool. The staff were all super friendly and helpful both times. The food was delicious. We tried the skewers, oysters, and of course, the sushi. All of it was delicious. I loved being able to get half-orders or full orders; it makes sharing and trying different types of rolls much easier! The second time I went, I got the black rice sushi sampler to share and I was very happy with it (though the spicy tuna roll wasn't anything spectacular). My favorites were the shrimp tempura roll and the Hokkaido roll. Both times, I had to get an extra half order of the shrimp tempura because it was just SO good - I will need to come back at happy hour to get it for just $6! At the end of my birthday dinner, our waiter brought out their special dessert (free of charge) - pumpkin mochi cake - and we all devoured it in about 3 seconds. I still think about that dessert to this day. It was life-changing. When I went back last week, I was heartbroken to find out that they were no longer serving it. Instead, we got the banana bread and ice-cream, which was absolutely delicious, but still not in the same league as the pumpkin mochi cake. Sigh. In all, both times I went I had a great time at The Union and will most likely be back again soon!
(5)
Stephanie S.
I came here for a birthday dinner w/ a friend, and it was hands down the BEST sushi that I've ever had!! So fresh, w/ an abundance of flavors. The cocktails were great too. And don't forget to try the barbecue too- especially the wrapped scallop- to die for. Definitely make a reservation though, it gets busy quick!
(5)
Mookie L.
I've been here 3 times and not sure why I keet coming back - oh yeah, because its right around the corner. I've tried basically every type of sushi here, the ox ramen, alligator, sliders, etc. The food doesnt warrant the steep bill at the end of the meal and the taste of the dishes were nothing to rave about. Its an average sushi joint with nice decor, great location and decent service. Probably a good spot to have a couple drinks and some apps before heading out.
(3)
Ly C.
I'll give it an additional star for the cool graffiti-style decor and the tasty drinks. To address Mike's comment, no I do not have any personal interest for or against this restaurant. I'm just telling you how it is and how I felt about the food. As a good business owner you should be more open to accepting criticisms as a way to improve your business and "flavor profile" instead of attacking a (former) customer.
(2)
Shorge S.
Union Sushi & BBQ delivers on the Japanese "izakaya" concept with a delicious and innovative menu of appetizers, grilled skewers and maki rolls. This is Japanese street-food with five-star flourishes, filtered through the lens of Americana. Even from the street, Union Sushi is as approachable as a corner delicatessen or neighborhood bar - big windows, colorful graffiti murals, servers-in-t-shirts and an open-space design. Inside, the chefs grill kushiyaki - marinated beef filet, beef tongue, chicken, scallops, and seasonal root vegetables on skewers - on a 600 degree, fireball-throwing grill. Completely absent are the Americanized caricatures of traditional Japanese culture - no buddhas, koi fish or candied mints at the door. Chef Chao goes so far as to avoid the tuna / nori / miso-soup heavy cliches of most American-Japanese cuisine - while you can get the "classic" sushi, Union's specialty rolls largely break from the concept that maki must have (1) lots of rice and (2) be rolled in black nori seaweed paper. At the same time, Union Sushi is far from a bland, Americanized imitation of Japanese food - by using traditional Japanese ingredients in surprising ways (fishcake, for instance, or red bean paste in savory "donuts"), Union Sushi reintroduces the very concept of modern, urban Japanese cuisine today. It's just very refreshing to see someone execute this very unique but quintessentially Japanese vision of Japanese street-food at such a high level. The service is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and apparently, the place becomes a packed nightclub scene in the evenings. Of course, it's not a 5-star place because, while it executes its concept brilliantly, the concept itself can only go so far: 5 stars, for me, is dining fit for heads of state. Still, there is much to love and discover about Union Sushi.
(4)
Tim L.
WOW - all I have to say is FIVE STAR LOCK! Our group of 15 started off at the bar with some of the best sake I've ever tasted and the bartender was extremely knowledgeable on it's origin. When we moved to our table for dinner, we were greeted by both the chef (Chao) and the owner (Mike)...great guys! We had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, sliders, and the five start buffalo duck wings (meatiest wings ever). Our table tried nearly all the rolls along with the Toro and the Uni, which were both better than anything I've ever had in Southern California (shocking, I know!) I can't say enough about our experience at Union, from the food, to the atmosphere, to the crowd, this place is definitely going to be a hot spot in the River North neighborhood for years to come! Thank you Mike and Chao!
(5)
Erica P.
This place is FABULOUS! my boyfriend and I went here for the first time last night and I couldn't say anything bad about it. They have so many unique dishes and everything is delicious. We had the tuna truffle, alligator, prosciutto wrapped scallop (my bfs fav), old city market roll (my fav), dragon roll, and spicy tuna rolls. Our waitress was really helpful w recommendations and even helped me pick a cocktail, the surprise & delight, which was the best drink I've ever had. I really can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Jeff S.
Seeing as how I live about 5 minutes away from Union Sushi & BBQ, I figured that I would have gone here much sooner. However, they didn't take reservations at first and there was a always a long wait, so I never bothered. Well one night, I decided to drive by Union to see how packed they were at 6:00pm on a Thursday and they were almost empty. Perfect! FOOD: Let's start off strong - we ordered the fried gnocchi with pulled pork belly, and it quickly became my favorite dish of the night. I've never had a fried gnocchi, but it just worked. Combined with the savory pulled pork belly which was perfectly moist and tender, and it was a home run. The peas were great too. Not too much salt, but that seemed to be the exception and not the rule...I was less impressed with the duckfat yakisoba with duck meat. I mean, it had all of the right things - duck, fat, duck meat. So what's the problem? Salt. There was simply too much salt in the sauce that the yakisoba (fried noodles) was fried in. Or maybe the sauce was just too overpowering. I ended up eating everything because I hate to see food go to waste and also because I regret not finishing food, but this was actually a chore to put away. I think I drank 3 glasses of water in an effort to desalinate my mouth. Given the "BBQ" in the name, we also got 4 skewers. Two of the happy hour special beef filet skewers, alligator, and the last one was the chicken thigh skewer. My favorites, in order: alligator, chicken thigh, beef. The alligator had a dusting of some cajun spices, and that really stood out. This alligator was a juicy white meat that had a smoother texture than chicken breast, but a suprisingly mild flavor. We also had a few pieces of sushi (hamachi and uni I believe) and they were both fresh and tasty. I'll probably opt for more sushi and skewers the next time I come in. For dessert we ordered the pumpkin mochi with cream cheese ice cream. So was the pumpkin mochi actually reminiscent of real mochi? Yep, except maybe a bit fluffier than I'm used to (as opposed to being much more dense). The fluffiness also made it seem stickier as the mochi would stick to the roof of my mouth after each bite. Oh and the cream cheese ice cream? It tasted better than it sounds as you read it. The one thing I wasn't a fan of was the caramel topping. There was something off about it - like they were going for a salted caramel but then decided to stop halfway in the salting process. The cream cheese ice cream made up for that. SERVICE: We sat at the sushi bar and service was fast and friendly. However, we did go when the place was fairly empty, but they shouldn't be knocked for that. The sushi chef talked with us for a bit and gave us tokens for a free cocktail at the bar upstairs. Not too shabby. VALUE/OVERALL: I think that Union keeps things fairly simple without going too overboard or trying too hard to be trendy. The prices are reasonable, and most of what I tried was great, save for the salty yakisoba. I think this is a great option for River North, and now that the initial hype/craze has died down a bit, I think it's a good choice for an impromptu or planned dinner.
(4)
Marta C.
Great spot in River North. Service is a little wacky. We sat at the "Chef table" and it was a blast. Ciao the chef is knowledgeable, interesting and makes the experience fun. The rolls were great & I highly recommend the black aka forbidden rice. Don't try the grilled kangaroo unless you like super gamey, how do you really get your head around eating a kangaroo anyway...
(4)
Eugene C.
I give this place 2 1/2 stars. The interior is nicely decorated, probably could use the space better to provide 10-20 more seats, but it looks like they'd prefer the hip look to packing people in there. Server was attentive, and she knew we were a little unhappy with the food.... So 5 of us come in to eat for the first time. We ask for some recommendations, and decide on 3 apps, a noodle dish, 5 rolls, a pork belly entree, and 2 skewers each (10 total). We also got a small bottle of sake. We got the kasu mussels, decent. Two oxtail fried rice...which literally came in a cup, with maybe 5 teaspoons worth of rice. So our 10 teaspoons of rice is about a bite for each of us. About 2 mussels each. Not really a great start. The duck fat yakisoba noodles were ok, small portion. The pork belly dish was the best. The rolls each only have 4 pieces, taste was ok, but nothing special. Now onto the skewers...a jumbo shrimp skewer is a REGULAR shrimp (singluar, 1 shrimp), that is eaten in one bite for $5. 1 shrimp. $5 dollars. If it's a prawn, maybe. But a regular shrimp that you find in your pasta, put on a toothpick. For $5. I still don't believe it. So after we eat all of this, the best line of the night comes from my buddy who says, "So do you guys wanna order some more food, or go eat somewhere else?" We decided to get the bill, and see that the bill was $167 pre-tip. Hardly ate anything, sake was only $24 of it. For those of you who know yakitori and have been to St Mark's in NYC, or other legit bbq places will feel me when I say this place is horribly overpriced. Oxtail fried rice for $5 to have 5 teaspoons of rice...$5 for one piece of small/medium shrimp. I can't justify ever coming back here....ever. I appreciate the effort to make a cool place to eat in this area (the area needs a good place), but there will never be repeat customers coming back here. It's a shame.
(2)
Bob D.
They should have called it NON Union Sushi and BBQ!
(1)
Kay E.
I love the fun, casual vibe at Union and the great music. The cocktails are the best in Chicago, hands down. The food is unique and amazing-- you cannot live life without the duck wing. Union is awesome!
(5)
Tim B.
Had lots of fun here. Great energy, open kitchen, plenty of seating, firendly and knowledgeable staff. The food was good. Fresh fish, quality meats, well cooked, somewhat inventive. The 4th start was for the service. It was just great, attentive and even though they screwed up once took care of it with no attitude and even brought it up to us before we noticed. It's in our neighborhood and looking forward to having more.
(4)
Stephanie Y.
accidentally ended up here on a saturday night some months ago. i'd say it's over priced, but it IS downtown. drinks are STRONG. so yea, one is gonna run you $10, but you'll have a buzz going on by the time you finish it! food is meh. tiny portions for LOTS of money. if it was more reasonably priced, i'd be singing it's praises. $3 for one piece of shrimp on a skewer? meh. atmosphere is confused. they don't know if they want to be authentic, or hipster.
(3)
D R.
This was pitched to me as being a VERY veg/vegan friendly sushi joint. It's not. Which is totally fine, just know that going in. However what they do have for 'us' to enjoy is really great and flavorful. The avocado rolls aren't on the menu which is a shame because they are easily the best thing I have tasted at a sushi restaurant in years (meat or no meat). The grilled mushroom skewers are also great. Someone at my table order a roll that was... tuna wrapped in collard greens I think. I wish I could have tried it because it looked fantastic. The Yuzu Ice dessert is a very sweet but light end to the meal that you should check out. I am giving them a 3 star rating. It has nothing to do with the conflicts of my dietary restrictions and their menu, like I said, what I could eat was really good. They are getting 3 stars because of the atmosphere. On the surface Union is a very clean and modern place, but once you get in it just feels like a chain restaurant. A staff member had locked his bike up to the staircase inside the place (???) and the music, dear god the music. I walked in to Linkin Park, I heard the same Toadies song twice in just over an hour. It's like they hired the guy with the worst taste in music and then let him hook up his tiny iPod Shuffle for a shift. On the business end of things, Union presents itself way too casual for the building they are in and the food they are serving.
(3)
Tek C.
This place has arguably the best cocktail hour in town! I mostly get full off of their $2 PBRs, but their food is drool-worthy. My faves are the beef filet skewers and oysters on a half shell. I also go there for lunch occasionally because they happen to be a block and a half from my work and their Bento box lunches are delicious too! I most recently had their spicy ramen (I forget the name of it) and that too was very tasty. Perfect for a chilly day in Chicago. This place simply is the spot and it hits the spot when you're hungry or thirsty. Oh, and for all my fellow dessert lovers, you must, must, must try their black rice pudding! The warmth, texture, and flavor of the dish is enough to make you a borderline addict. It's not overly sweet either. It's a perfect balance to your meal. To top off the great food, their service is among the best in class. They're very attentive and fun people to chat with! In the past 3 weeks or so, I've been to Union about 10 times and have yet to have an unpleasant visit or meal. Mike and Chef Chao really did things right with the business. Great location, great food, great interior, great staff, and great cocktail hour! This is a must if you haven't checked it out yet.
(5)
Sara Kay G.
The ambiance is fun... Albeit the staff does have the all too common and unsavory "too cool for school" vibe. And if your "shared plates" are bites you better keep em coming.... Or your guest will quit a coming. 45 mins for sushi is borderline surreal... Especially when it is only 4 pieces.
(2)
Sonja S.
My first experience at Union was the second day that they were open. It was not good. But in the interest of all being fare in love and the pursuit of amazing food, I decided that it would not be right to eat and rant based on that one experience. So I went back two more times and they didn't have room to seat me. A good problem for them, a bad problem for poor solitary me. Hm mm I thought , the food must be really amazing - I best try again! I went back at lunch and has a bento box, with a pork cutlet and I honestly can't remember what else was in there- but it was tasty and filling and the place wasn't too busy, so I was cheerfully waited on and thus spent a pleasant lunch hour munching on a satisfying meal. On subsequent visits I had the Belly Roll ( SPECTACULAR) the Oysters on a half shell (one time exquisite, another over dressed and fussy) the Skate ( over salted but well cooked) and a lobster done three ways that was so cooked I could barely chew it. But my favorite thing, the dish I will dream about was the Duck Fat Yakisoba. I cannot adequately describe this dish - how savory , how satisfying this bowl of noodle goodness is. It gets 5 stars for sure! However, I can't give Union more than three and this is why - as mentioned before the service is slow and the servers range from very cheerful and slow, to too hip to serve you and slow. The food is not reliable - often overly seasoned. This coming from someone who loves sauce and spice and all that stuff. Worth mentioning that head Chef Michael Chow is an intense, interesting person who is always engaging and genuinely wants you to enjoy your food experience. It is for that reason ( and the Duck fat Yakisoba) that I will keep going back!
(3)
Suzy D.
When I called to make a reservation earlier, they said they only take reservations for large parties so we would need to just come in and put our names in. We came here for dinner with a friend on Saturday night around 7:30. We had to wait about half an hour for a table, but it wasn't too bad. Our server was really friendly and suggested that we order the truffled tuna and the oysters. I love the truffled tuna...delicious. The oysters were nice and fresh and the sauces that they were plated with were flavorful. We also ordered a belly roll, duck fat noodles and our friend (who is a vegetarian) had the tofu and potato yakitori, the devon roll, and the mushroom dumplings. Everything we ate was sort of meh. The rolls were nothing special. The noodles in the duck fat noodles weren't that great. I think this place is more trendy and people come here more for the drinks and atmosphere so don't come here expecting an amazing Japanese food experience. I would probably give this place 2 stars but I really enjoyed the truffled tuna so I will give it 3.
(3)
Lex N.
Love love love this place. I have only been one time but I was so happy with the service and food that I am going to make this a regular spot for sushi and bbq. I sat at the bar when I first got there and the man making drinks was super friendly and knowledgeable on different alcohols. I believe he is a mixologist. Very cool. He even brought over free oysters because we were talking to him about how we love baked oysters! Then we sat at a table with 6 people. Our server was very nice and gave me a few suggestions on beers for me to try because I was having a hard time deciding. FInally, the food was absolutely delicious. The spicy tuna was my favorite roll and the pork shoulder was my favorite of the bbq that we ordered.
(5)
kat c.
Go there for drinks. We usually go to second floor and request our mixologist to concoct our drinks based off the list. She is usually creates great refreshing ones. I haven't had great experiences from dining and remember having a flighty server whom seem super slow ( so as don't sit in circular table with a tall guy server) and then I endured a snotty Asian server at the sushi bar near the kitchen bar. Apparently, she only addresses to non Asian people in my party. I felt like she was attentive to my order because I was Asian? Maybe she has something against Asian women who knows? Food isn't that great, but go there for the bar on second and eat somewhere else beforehand.
(3)
julie p.
Great food and drinks! Yum yum! The shrimp tempura roll and tuna tar tare are awesome!
(5)
Sarah R.
Amazing! The atmosphere is young and fun and the food was great. We sat at the bar by the chef. For a starter we had clam on the half shell which was amazing. The sushi was good - we're from San Francisco so seafood in the Midwest is still somewhat new to us. Good selection though. The BBQ selections were very flavorful also. The Sake was great - we had two bottles. Finally the dessert was the best!!! the Egg Nog doughnuts - to die for!!! Was on a specials menu and somewhat seasonal but amazing (and none of us like egg nog). Would recommend this place to everything and will be back!
(5)
Jessina B.
After two not so great experiences with Chicago's Restaurant week, we were pleasantly surprised by this food locale. Instantly transported to NY's SoHo or The Village, my other half and I both agreed this was the spot to be. The service was friendly and on point, the food was both well plated and delicious (we ate outside of the prix fixed menu as well), and the ambiance was relaxed yet energetic. To say the least, we enjoyed our entire experience and we will be back!
(5)
Andre J.
Good food, great presentation. Would I go back?? Yes!!!
(4)
Audre L.
This place is c-o-o-l. Visually interesting decor. The food is also superb. Sushi rolls are awesome, and my friend swears by the spicy tuna. As an asian american, this place represents. COOL, TASTY, HIP, FIVE STARS.
(5)
Victor G.
Food here is great. Can't wait to try more food off the menu. I had 4 different types of oysters and every single one was amazing. Can't leave out that i had wheat beer from Japan. Wish i knew what it was called but did i mention it came with a shot of whiskey... mmmmm
(5)
felicia m.
I work close to here and have been wanting to try it, but i can't bare to go inside because of the intolerable, fishy smell outside. The vents are blowing out a strong smell. Please get it fixed guys, and then maybe it won't kill a person's appetite!
(1)
Lauren M.
Delicious food and a great atmosphere! The tuna tartare was so good. The oysters were so good I had to go back for more within the same week. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Kelly P.
Would give 3.5 stars. Came here for my birthday dinner and tried a lot on the menu. The flavors were good but portions were very small even for "tapas" standards with high prices. Try the alligator just to say you did. Lots to look over and was a great date location. Would love to rent out the top loft for a party sometime but maybe with just the yummy cocktails...
(3)
kris w.
My first time at Union Sushi and I am a huge fan already. I'm very picky sushi eater and this place rocked. I HIGHLY recommend coming here especially at happy hour and order a dozen oysters. I promise it's like nothing you've ever experienced. I would also recommend the spicy tuna. I will definitely be back to experience much more of the menu.
(4)
Kristina R.
Stopped back in for happy hour sushi and good lord yum! We went upstairs and our bartender Peter makes an awesome cocktail. Trust him with his suggestions. We had the shrimp tempura roll which is crazy good and a super deal. But the oysters served with a beautiful and tasty addition of red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot with jalapeno-cilantro just about knocked me out with goodness. Followed by salmon and tuna sashimi, solid fresh good and lastly ama ebi with the lovely fried head. Yes, eat it all.
(4)
Alissa P.
I've had way better sushi elsewhere. The atmosphere was neat but I ordered my rolls with NO tempura and there was definitely tempura on one as a garnish. I need to eat gluten free so this was frustrating. Employees were friendly .I ordered a spicy tuna, rainbow, and old town. spicy and rainbow were fine, old town was bitter (due to the seawead i think) and not very tasty.
(2)
Marnely M.
Was there for dinner and the food was amazing, our favorite being the Duck Buffalo Wing! Amazing texture, crispy, saucy, heavenly! The dessert special, Spiced Pumpkin Mochi with Cream Cheese Filling, perfect end to a meal. Service was attentive and very knowledgeable about all the specials and menu. Also a great special for the fall was the Spiced Hot Sake, greaat deal for around $10 and serves 4.
(4)
Stephanie C.
Went in on a Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Thought it'd be packed, but surprisingly was not too crazy. We put in our names and was told it'd be 20 minutes, so we went upstairs to the bar. The cocktails are phenomenal. The Yamato Sling had a nice touch of lemon, sake, vanilla bitters, green tea simple syrup, gin, and a little lemongrass to make it look pretty. Dang, that was GOOD. I also tried my friends' Morning Glory and Surprise + Delight. Equal amount of Bam Wow goodness. They are each $10. It ended up being a 45 minute wait, but the drinks made us happy and the time passed quickly. Ambiance = trendy, hip, busy. Fun to see the grill. Graffiti deco on walls is fine. Curtains for what I assume is the chef's table looked cool. Service = average for a busy busy place. The waiter was cool and emphasized bacon. haha. He was busy but we also weren't convinced he had THAT many tables to handle. He still checked up on us and our water glasses were always filled. Food = YES. They recommend starting off with the BBQ stuff since the sushi takes awhile to get out. I had the whole squid and it was just how I like it. Almost slightly undercooked with a proper amount of saltiness, allowing the actual squid flavor to shine through. Truffle Tuna appetizer was excellent, but I might be biased since I love truffle oil. There was plenty of the truffle flavor. My friend's beef tongue was very soft and tender, reminding me of a certain Chinese dish. The duck wing had a kick to it and was fine. The sushi was really awesome. I split the Belly Roll, Hokkaido, and Clifton #4. All were superb. Note: they are half rolls so you only get 4 pieces each order. Each one was very unique. The calamari flavor really stood out in the Clifton, a plus for me. The marble nori wrapping was way cool. Looked nice and tasted good. The pork belly strips had a lovely crisp and sweet+saltiness in the Belly Roll. Then again, pork belly is really the craze these days and can make anything taste like a party in your mouth. Hokkaido was equally good. I recommend all 3 rolls! I didn't try any of the traditional sushi rolls so I can't judge the quality of the raw sushi. Price = Expected. I spent $30 incl. tax and tip on dinner (not including cocktail beforehand) which was a little high for the amount of food you get. I was not stuffed afterward, but the uniqueness of the dishes make it worth it. TAKEAWAYS: Order more than 1 cocktail. Order multiple Union rolls. Bring money. I would definitely go back and bring my bf so maybe I can get more than 1 cocktail and eat myself silly. haha.
(4)
Ray M.
Awesome sushi! Just small though for the price!
(4)
Maria A.
This has got to be one of the hippest sushi (and so much more) restaurants I have ever been to. The food is outstanding, the staff amazing, and the atmosphere... well, go see for yourself!!! I'm a vegetarian and I my taste buds are thrilled with everything have tried!! From the Soba salad to the Truffled Tuna and Tofu to any Sushi Union roll they put in front of me!! Not to mention the Spiced Pumpkin Hot Sake.... TO DIE FOR!! Mike and Chao ROCK.... Bring everyone and enjoy!!!! P.S. Whatever you do, don't forget dessert (pumpkin mochi)!!
(5)
Liz H.
The food was fantastic, I will say that. However, the service was awful. I went for a birthday dinner where there was a prix fixe meal set up. They kept bringing us food, and brought it wayyy too fast. I'd take a bite of one thing, and then another thing would show up! There was not enough room on the "table" (we were sitting on couches with coffee tables....yes I realize this is a "swanky" way to eat, but usually the tables are much bigger) They also brought us far too much food for the amount of people in the party. By the time the sushi came, we were all totally full. Also, we had supposedly reserved the upstairs part, but there were all kinds of people standing around and crowding our space!! The server took forever to clear our plates with all of the food she was bringing...our table was A MESS. Also when it came time to pay, they overcharged us by about $70...and it was already $100 per person. The manager was nice and gave $70 back, total. But i was extremely disappointed to pay $100 for a meal that was poorly served & executed. Also, the bartenders were EXTREMELY rude. We waited forever to be served (the bar wasn't even that crowded) and when we went to order our drinks he said to us "was I paying attention to you? no." and held a finger to us while he was fumbling with another drink. I've never been treated so poorly by a server and here in Chicago, I've had some fantastic servers. Again, good food but awful service.
(1)
Pam R.
I tried this place with some friends and i love that they have the BBQ options along with the sushi. Having a gluten allergy meant i needed wheat free soy sauce and the server was sure to that i had some and kept refilling as i needed. Definitely try the prosciutto wrapped scallop! SO GOOD!
(4)
Kim T.
OMFG, did someone say black rice sushi!?! I am so down with that, you have no freaking idea. Not to mention the perfectly cooked seafood items from the grill, and the yuzu doughnuts. My only complaint is the ramen, but I'll let that slide because good ramen is impossible to find in Chicago.
(4)
Dnyce E.
Had dinner here last week Saturday and had a great time, service was good . We were assisted with menu accordingly and all was explained to the T' the food was impeccable and I will definitely come back.
(4)
Anna P.
I've been to Union Sushi twice now - once for lunch and once to pick up. Lunch was great - our server was knowledgeable and knew when to come by the table and when to give us space. Being a business lunch, we were there for 2 hours. We shared the mushroom ramen, which I subsequently when back to pick up later this week. It is delicious! The broth is full of flavor and the red chilies give it just enough spice. We also shared the barbeque sample plate - veggies, chicken, beef and tongue. The tongue was so tender - akin to Short Ribs - and all samples had nice sauce pairings. We did have to unskewer everything to share, and I was surprised it wasn't more difficult to do. The last thing we shared was a sushi roll - the Dragon I think with spicy shrimp, eel and avocado. It was good, but the mushroom ramen was the shiner here. We ended with dessert - told our server to surprise us - and the yuzu key lime pie thing was the perfect end after the rich ramen and barbeque. I would definitely go back with a client for lunch, or for dinner out with friends - it looks like they have some good happy hour nibbles too.
(4)
Jessica T.
This was my first time dining at Union and my date and I were both very impressed. The decor and atmosphere is gorgeous. Our server, Jennifer, was outstanding, and I notice everything. She knows what she is doing for sure. She made my day when she mentioned the kangaroo special, which we can't wait to have again. I've been looking for a place that has kangaroo ever since I left Australia. Everything else we had was delicious and beautifully presented as well. I'm not a huge fan of the roll I got (the Tsukiji Market) because there was no rice and it was wrapped in radish, but that is my own fault because I read the menu and still ordered it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, just not my thing. Sashimi was a good size and fresh. I will go back for happy hour oysters and to try more things on the menu that sound delicious, and will request Jennifer to be my server. I think this could be our new spot! In fact, I just might go there before work, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
(5)
rich m.
This place is delicious every time I go.
(5)
P P.
Ok... so having been here once before for a quick appetizer and really liking my experience, I thought I would give this place a try but this time for dinner. What a big mistake. The waiter was excellent and very helpful. The food on the other hand...just blah. I have had better sushi at a hole in a wall. I would definitely go back for an after work quick bite but not for a full blown dinner. I dig their urban vibe and cool art...great music as well.
(3)
Marina P.
This place was introduced to me by one of my best freinds. i hosted my birthday there and ever since we have been going there almost every week. The service is great, food is outstanding, drinks are amazing. Mike the owner is super accomidating. Seriously worth going. One of my favorite restaurants!!!
(5)
Marisa V.
Funny part about this is that I personally don't eat seafood, so had no plans of going to a place with Sushi in the name - but after the stellar experience I just had while hosting a private event there, I want to tell everyone this is the place to go! My company hosted a private event there in the upstairs balcony and could not have had a more positive experience. From the very personable and sweet hostess to our bartender Peter and very attentive waitress, the service was outstanding. Every single food item that came out was something people raved about; crabcake sliders, beef sliders with quail egg, sushi, jump shrimp and beef, chicken and pork shoulder skewers. The signature cocktails were a huge hit too. So many times when you host an event there are limited drink options - but in addition to standard beer and drink options, our guests were able to choose from easily a dozen delicious mixed drinks. From the Skinny Geisha to pumpkin spice hot sake and more "masculine" drinks with bourbon or egg yolk, there was something for everyone. On top of all this, the space itself was such a great environment for a get together. It has a mix of bright colors and industrial accents that feel like something in the meat packing district of NY. Music was good too; a mix of genres but mainly hip hop like Busta Rhymes and Blackstreet (no diggity!).This event ended up costing half of what our last event did - which brought a tremendous value. Can't rave enough!
(5)
Jamey B.
Unbelievable food and drinks! I love this place! The food is always fresh/fun to try and the bartenders are amazing at any type of cocktail. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to try new types of sushi for affordable prices!
(5)
JD R.
A awesome place. Read my full review at foodbyjd.com/FoodByJD/Bl…
(4)
Tom L.
Fabulous party at Union with friends. The staff was great, the food excellent and the vibe was everything you said. The spicy tuna was sweet and spicy with tremendous seasonings followed by a crunch. Certainly top 10 Chicago
(4)
neal s.
This is a great place and I am not really a Sushi fan. I went with a group that had been told good things about it but other than that we didn't really have any other thoughts. We started out ordering a pretty good bottle of wine and our waiter recommended a couple of items that he said would pair nicely which they did. He made a few more suggestions which we liked and we ended up pretty much having him order the rest of the meal for us. Everything was great and it was just the right amount of food.
(5)
Terrie C.
Food was amazing. Very fresh (though pieces much smaller than Sai). Were able to modify meal for my food allergies of wheat and soy without taking away flavor
(5)
Dan A.
hip hop music and sushi...fun cool spot
(4)
Lindsay D.
WOW---Im a SUPER fan!!!!! Where do I even start with this one....I called ahead not knowing if they take reservations or not, but the hostess was very friendly explaining that it wouldnt be that long of a wait for 2 people and that the bar is just as much fun as a table. They only take reservations for 7 people or more. When we arrived, (which I have to admit was kinda on the early side) we were seated right away. Although I wasnt in the mood for a drink, they have an extensive drink menu including wine, hand-crafted & unique signature cocktails and vino. Plates are small and are meant to be shared so we ordered a bunch of sushi rolls, starters, and BBQ. They have 3, yes, THREE kitchens so your food comes out as its prepared and ready to rock out to your table. Compliments of the chef, edamame with a great spice blend was served to all tables upon seating. Next to come out was the prosciutto-wrapped scallop skewers with fried ginger, wasabi-avocado puree and plum sauce; a blend of heaven. The scallop was perfectly done and the sweet with the salty with the crunch was perfect. Next were the sushi rolls!!! I love sushi....and now I LOVE sushi from Union Sushi. Their roll pairings are so well planned and executed...ok, ok, sorry, Im rambling. Try the Old City Market (spicy tuna, seared salmon, ponzu wrapped in collard greens and fried okra), Bay Street California (crabcake, cucumber, masago, spicy mayo), Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce) and MY FAVE...... Belly Roll (hamachi cucumber, orange tobiko, fried pork belly, scallions, tempura crumbs). I'll say it again....WOW. Next up was the truffled tuna. I mean truffle?? tuna?? avocado?? Wonton chips?? It was refreshing, savory, crunchy. Finally, we had the chicken thigh with japanese curry. This was my least favorite because it tasted quite fatty, but anything curry is a friend of mine. This place is a five-star place in every sense of the word. The decor is uber modern chic and the food is fantastic! I cant wait to go back for more.
(5)
Sarah G.
Went here last night for the grand opening and couldn't have enjoyed it more! We went in a group of seven and it was fantastic because we just got a bunch of things to share and were able to sample a lot of the menu. The place is decorated in a really interesting way with all sorts of contrasting lighting, different wall textures, and a mix of classic and modern style. The creative seating allows them to fit a good amount of people and make the place feel warm and lively, but also allows for good movement and makes it feel open and not stuffy. Our waiter was very friendly and excited about the menu; other staff were attentive with refilling water, clearing away dishes, and wiping down the table; and one of the chefs and owners, Chao, even stopped by to chat with us and recommend a couple dishes. We took his advice and got the duck wing, duck fat yaki soba, truffled tuna, and beef tartar, and they were all amazing. The duck meat came right away from the bone and melted in your mouth. I could eat that everyday. The yaki soba is a good portion and helped fill plates. The tartar and truffle were great as well and people in our group who otherwise would never have tried those were enticed and loved them. For sushi we tried the Osaka Central, Old City Market, and Devon. I think Old City Market was the group favorite. The collard green wrapping made it taste very light and fresh. Since Union is sushi AND barbeque, we had to try some MEAT. The chicken and beef were delicious and succulent but the prosciutto-wrapped scallop was one of the best things I have eaten --- it was the perfect combo of flavors and just melted in your mouth. We also tried the sweet potato gnocchi with braised pork belly which was great and interesting since the gnocchi was fried. Drinks are a whole other experience. They were all so different and incredible and we tried to each get something new so we could sample them all! Surprise + Delight was very refreshing, had a definite cucumber taste, and was not too sweet (we had feared it might be). Spring Wanderer tasted just like Ginger Beer -- a sort of stronger ginger ale that is sold in Caribbean stores and is from Jamaica. Delicious!! The Princess Elena tasted exactly like the candy "Smarties" without being sickeningly sweet. I can definitely see myself craving it regularly. The Sparrow Bee was incredible with its hint of honey. South of the Border was excellent, though not super adventurous -- basically a REALLY good margarita. We decided to order all four desserts, and I think the ties for favorite were the creamsicle which really did taste like a creamsicle, and the vanilla ice cream in the ice cream sundae flight. Though vanilla ice cream seems simple, this was the best vanilla ice cream any of us had ever had. I will definitely be back to Union Sushi & Barbecue!
(5)
Nikki L.
Union is my #1 restaurant spot in my hood. I am more than thrilled to see them on the block and they know it. I have been coming here at least 2-3 times a week since they opened and bring friends, who end up LOVING this hidden gem. Mike, Jay, Brit, Chef CHAO and Aaron are the BEST! I love walking into a place and feeling not only welcomed, but like I am having dinner at a friend's house. These people KNOW how to make you feel like part of the family and that's what I love most about coming here. Every time I come, I always have to get my 3 faves no matter what, which are the kobe sliders with a fried quail egg on top, the truffled tuna with mini wonton chips and the clifton #4 roll which has calamari, cilantro, cucumber and garlic mayo wrapped in marbled nori. OMG....My new favorite which has been a big hit with friends is the duck wing, it's crispy and the sauce is sweet and tangy, just the right balance of flavors. Make sure to save room for dessert! The homemade donuts filled with white chocolate yuzu and red bean are deeelicious. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes sushi and bbq, they have something for everyone. You will feel comfortable coming in here whether you are dressed up or down, it's just a fun place to be. Hope to see ya there!
(5)
Todd S.
Everything about this place is amazing! The Duck Wings are a must try! Very inventive sushi, all having great flavor, and wrapped in many different ways. The service has always been great, and they are always having a great time with everyone that is having dinner. This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago right now and will def be back! Saki Bomb!
(5)
Lauren W.
I love Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar - I have never had anything there that I didn't totally adore. The Buffalo Duck Wing, sashimi cup and truffled tuna are three of my must have apps. They have so many unique sushi rolls, and I love the fact that they have the black rice option as well as rolls wrapped in collared greens and soy paper as opposed to only rice. Every cocktail is delicious and refreshing, the service is excellent, and the staff is super accommodating. They also have a variety of delicious grilled meats and fishes that makes it a good stop for non-sushi eaters as well!
(5)
Esther A.
Food and service are great. Expect to pay between $70 - $80 for drinks and food for two. We had the spicy tuna and shrimp tempura rolls. Probably the best rolls we've had in Chicago. Delicious. We also had the surf n turf dinner, tiny amount for the cost but this is a cuisine restaurant so I guess it is expected. There is this refreshing cocktail named Surprise + Delight. Yes, this is how it is spelled on the menu. Try it. Atmosphere is fun and reminds me of Tokyo. Very industrial inside, with feminine touches of anime graffiti and soft lighting. Check it out.
(4)
Lily L.
love the duck soba! drinks are awesome and service is great! must go. Also happy hour with oysters are simply to die for!
(5)
Olga L.
Just got back from a lunch at Union. Somewhat of a last minute decision - I pass the place every day on my walk to work, so I figured I'd give it a try. I only ordered from the sushi menu - Hokkaido, Old City Market, Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin, and River North rolls (four pieces each). Everyone was very friendly and they took my order right away. I lost track of time and didn't realize it, but the waitress came out after a bit and informed me that my food was late (it couldn't have been more than ten minutes late). I honestly did not notice or mind, but they insisted on giving me a complimentary bowl of chili-seasoned edamame, which I gratefully accepted. Everything I had was delicious, but I especially loved the Old City Market roll. I was perusing the BBQ menu and it looks like they offer alligator and kangaroo, which I may have to try. I will definitely be coming back here. Great vibe, great food. Oh, and, my four rolls only cost $30, which is a much better price than SushiSamba a few blocks over.
(5)
Catherine P.
There's nothing like a Happy Hour to bring foot traffic into a restaurant. Luckily, the HH at Union Sushi and BBQ delivers. 1$ oysters, and reduced fare on beef skewers and shrimp tempura rolls is a great way to kick off a meal at Union Sushi. I like to sit at the sushi bar where all the action is. Service and presentation is top notch. What to order: chef's choice sashimi platter, wagyu beef, agedashi tofu, and the king crab. They make a mean cocktail too. Have been many times over the past few months, and can't wait to return again soon!
(5)
Nancy K.
Rare Happy Hour in Chicago's River North. $1 oysters, $4 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We ordered dozen oysters and two shrimp tempura rolls. Normally we prefer our oysters "as is" to capture full flavor, but these were smaller oysters from Virginia (if I correctly recall the server). Without Union's delicious toppings, the oysters were ok. (We ordered 6 with topping and 6 bare.) The shrimp tempura rolls were fantastic. We also had the tuna cup, which to our taste was a bit bland. Service was good, although I'm not a fan of the iPad they leave behind with specials. Our table for 2 was small so we had to find another place to store that iPad. Mgmt: I'd much prefer a simple paper insert in the menu. I'm not a child; no color photos are necessary. Seems to cheapen the overall "menu" experience. This place gets crowded! We arrived on a summer Thursday at 5:15 with no reservations. By the time we left at 6:45, the place was packed. We were full and felt it was a good value. But for oyster fans, keep in mind you get what you pay for and get the topping. We'd come again.
(4)
Jessica M.
Union Sushi is tolerable only when it comes to happy hour. For happy hour, I went with the shrimp tempura roll and $1 oysters which were topped with onions, ginger, and spices. For about $15, you can have a full meal of non-traditional Japanese cuisine. For my birthday meal, we went with the four course prix-fixe meal. I had the berkshire pork cutler slider, beef filet skewer, mushroom salad, and negi hamachi roll. It was a light meal of four small plates of hors d'oeuvres at $30 per person. The berkshire pork cutler came with a dry slab of meat in between two buns that were hard as stone. The beef filet skewer resembled ground beef meshed together onto a skewer that fell apart upon one bite. The mushroom salad was tolerable compared to the soup which resembled mushrooms floating in a bowl of soy sauce. The negi hamachi roll was barely satisfying as it only came in four pieces. We scuffled through them so we could immediately move onto our next destination for a full meal. My two stars are more than generous. Will I return? Maybe just for happy hour.
(2)
Michael C.
Union sushi is the bomb. I came here with a couple friends last night at 630 and the host told us there was a table available but that we would have to clear out by 8. Friday night downtown--I should have known better but we took the table. To start we had the truffles tuna. Holy crap. It was delicious. The tuna was cut into cubes, sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and neatly laid on top of a chili flavored avocado mix. The flavor was light and refreshing and the parmesan provided a nice kick--great way to start the meal. For my main dish I had the spicy pigtail ramen. While it wasn't spicy, the noodles are made in house and the pigtail was tender and delicious. It's a great winter dish. Union is a cool restaurant with a modern vibe. Even though this place looks to get packed on the weekends, between each table is ample space so it can still be a private dining experience with your party. Also, the service here gets 6 stars. Our bubbly waitress checked up on us frequently and gave us much needed menu suggestions!
(5)
Shannelle A.
I love Union. However, it is really pricey for extra small portions. The cocktails are hit and miss - no real consistency of taste. The environment is great and the staff is Uber friendly and helpful. I would come back.
(4)
Joanna T.
More like 3.5! I am now going to reiterate almost everything that Yelpers have written, because they're spot on, so this will not be a scintillating review for that reason! Kind of a funky, very metro fun space. I would get the truffled tuna app, which was delicious. Get the shrimp skewers, skip the filet skewers, as they were on the chewy side. The black rice sushi sampler and any specialty cocktail. Also the BBQ duck wing, very tasty. The cocktails were good, just tell your server your cocktail profile and they will recommend the right drink. Do not skip this mochi cake dessert, it was that good. I would come for that alone. The service was excellent, with a smile. As for sushi, it wasn't the best. But we had enough good apps and dessert to compensate. So if all I wanted was great sushi, this wouldn't cut it, but the apps and dessert were spot on!
(3)
Sheryl M.
We had an amazing meal! The space is fantastic and our server was helpful and engaging. We started with the truffle Tuna, cauliflower salad and grilled mushrooms! Each were fantastic! The food is not covered in sauce and is light and clean! We had the black rice on three sushi rolls. I loved them and would get them again! I cucumber infused vodka was perfect as was the pumpkin mochi desert! It is one of my favorites anywhere!!!
(5)
Francis D.
With a sudden craving for robata, I was torn between finally trying Sumi Robata Bar or Union Sushi. After much deliberation, we decided to try Union Sushi because of the options outside of robata. Unfortunately, for a robata craving I was massively let down. [Ambiance - 4/5] Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has a pretty trendy decor, and no where near the norm of a traditional Japanese restaurant. With colorful pop art, graffiti walls & an industrial loft feel, Union is a great place to get together with friends in a casual (read: loud) atmosphere. [Service - 3/5] While the server was pretty friendly, she wasn't the most attentive of the bunch. Rarely around, and somewhat slow to introduce herself and take our order. One aspect of the restaurant which I found super gimmicky was the use of an iPad for daily specials. Unfortunately, coupled with the inattentive nature of our server, we had significant time to peruse the standard menu and decide on our dishes before being presented with the iPad and specials. [Food - 3/5] We decided to try a variety of items from the menu and experience their "3 kitchens". Unfortunately, the food was mediocre at best and the robata was disappointing. We tried the following: Tuna cup - A tuna poke-like appetizer in a sesame cracker bowl. It was tasty but nothing special. Spicy shrimp roll - one word meh. The shrimp was a bit hard/chewy and the flavor profile was weird, with the scallions & sweet eel sauce fighting with the spice. Slider Sampler - The wagyu beef slider was tasty and juicy. The crabcake wasn't bad, but still had some shells hidden in the patty. And the katsu pork was a little dry. BBQ sampler - The whole reason we came to Union, and probably the reason I won't be coming back. The skewers came out cold, and on a singular plate with the various sauces mixing with one another. The meat was tender and juicy but didn't have a charcoal/robata taste (hence being drenched in various sauces). I later found out that Union uses gas grills to cook meat faster... [Value - 3/5] The price is on par with other River North restaurants, and Japanese restaurants in general. However the quality of the food did not justify the price.
(3)
Reese C.
My good friend lives around the corner from here. I'm super super jealous of her. This place is amazing. Not only is it reasonable price wise, but they have black rice sushi (less carbs). They also have vegetarian rolls (for my friend) The menu here takes the standby sushi and amps it up a notch. It was freezing cold and I wanted some ramen to warm up. Homemade ramen noodles in a rich and flavorful broth was just what I needed.The chicken ramen was hot, filling, and flavorful. That didn't keep me from getting some rolls though. I love that they offer half rolls so that you can mix and match more. This was very helpful since I was with a vegetarian. She loved her fake sushi (ha, ha). I opted for a half of the Dragon roll and it was amazing. The avocado was perfectly rip, the fish was fresh . Then I wanted more and ordered a half roll of the spicy Tuna. This seems rather commonplace, like the dragon roll, but these are stepped up a notch. This wasn't your average spicy tuna. It was SPICY tuna with chili oil that really kicked it up a notch and the tempura flakes offered a great texture. The prices here are excellent for the quality of food and the ambiance is trendy, but not too trendy. Great service as well. I can't wait to go back next time I'm back.
(5)
Caroline S.
Absolutely great from the moment we sat down. We ordered the black rice sushi sampler (comes with devon roll,dragon roll, hokkaido and spicy tuna roll) and it was incredible. We also ordered from the grill and found it delicious, but not as special as the sushi. The notable grill items included the spare rib (incredible, fall off the bone), the chicken thigh and the beef filet. The scallop was good but pricey for only one scallop. The Devon roll (sweet potato) was incredible! I expected it to be heavy and boring but the flavors were absolutely delightful. The Hokkaido roll was special, too! Our second course included two more rolls: the Chesapeake Bay and the Clifton #4 - both were wonderful but my favorite of the two was undoubtedly the Chesapeake Bay (thanks to the fried oyster). I know what you're thinking - that's a lot of fried fish, but it was incredibly light and delectable. We were even wowed by the deserts! The Pumpkin Mochi Cake tasted like the best parts of the Fall season while not being too overpowering to enjoy in the middle of August. The Killer Yuzu Pie was my favorite of the two - a light yet rich key lime experience for your taste buds. Excellent beer and Sake selection paired with a wonderful waitress made the entire experience 10/10. Would recommend to a friend, and would go back again!
(5)
Patrick M.
Update: I used to really enjoy going to Union with my girlfriend. I won't be going back. I tried to place a carryout order (for the first time) over the phone and the girl I spoke with let me know that they only take carryout orders via GrubHub. I tried explaining to her that I've been a loyal customer and would very much appreciate her taking my order. She wasn't having it. In the time it would have taken her to let me order my 2 rolls she chose to explain the policy and lose a loyal customer. Way to go, Union. Might want to rethink the way you treat your customers.
Stopped by on a whim before meeting with friends later that evening. We came in for a drink and ended up staying for a while because of some good happy hour specials. $1 oysters, $2.50 beef skewers, and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We tried one of each and it was all delicious! Our server was very friendly and attentive. I asked for recommendations from the long list of Japanese whiskeys and when we couldn't decide on one, he offered to make us a flight of 3 different kinds so we could try a couple. Definitely try the Yamazaki 12yr! We will definitely be back for a full meal. If the specials were any indication of how a full meal would be, I'm sure it would not disappoint.
(4)
Izzy N.
Their ramen is fucking nasty. I tried their short rib ramen this weekend and I struggled to even eat half of it. I started ignoring it, day dreaming, reading work emails and I usually never ignore my food. It's very one note, tastes like someone didn't even try back there in the kitchen. Add in clumpy noodles and it's a winner. House made noodles: time to re-learn how to make noodles that are actually tasty. I've told my grandmother to quit texas and move up here and cook blind folded and with the little lest effort, perhaps half asleep and people here will think it's fucking amazing and delicious. The bar is that low in Chicago. *weeps* I've made instant ramen light years better than this waste of money. I was pretty pissed for not choosing big bowl instead. Or even barely mediocre urban belly. If you're still curious, take out 15 bucks and light it on fire and watch it burn or throw it in the Chicago river watching it float away. That's what eating that bowl of sad boiled water with pathetic excuse of noodles feels like. Complete waste of money.
(1)
Tiffany K.
Union Sushi is one of the few places that I returned to for the second time on my recent second trip to Chicago. A few years ago, I ended up at Union while in town for work. My husband and I were craving sushi, found this place on Yelp, they had same night reservations available so we went. After my first experience and really enjoying this place, I knew I wanted to come back. A few weekends ago, I was in Chicago with my girlfriends and sushi was on our list of things to eat. Instantly I knew I wanted to go back to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. What do I like about Union so much? The casual yet fun/upbeat atmosphere, friendly staff/service, and most of all - BLACK RICE SUSHI ROLLS. I have not been anywhere else that serves sushi with black rice. Out in California, we have plenty of places that serve sushi with brown rice, but not with black rice. The flavor and texture of the black rice just marries so well with sushi. This time I ordered the black rice sushi sampler and it was delicious. We also had some of the barbeque items which were good but not great. Mainly I love the sushi and atmosphere at Union and would come back for that.
(4)
Nari H.
Ordering online was a breeze, and my order was ready in about 25 minutes on a weekday lunch hour. Spare Ribs Bento (was very good with a good portion of meat. Tasty too. Came with miso soup. Did NOT come with rice. Ribs were kind of burnt though. Bay California roll - I got mine w/Black rice, that was ok. Would probably taste better with white rice $8.25 for only 4 pieces is pricey if you ask me. Miso soup is good ($3). They are always nice. They also have delivery through their ordering online function and it's I think a $5 delivery charge.
(4)
Sarah R.
By far my favorite sushi place in town. I love ordering a bunch of plates and sharing. A really unexpected and tasty appetizer is the buffalo duck wing. Very flavorful. I also really like the black rice. You can add it to any of your rolls for a little more. It's worth doing in at least one roll. But for dessert... If you can make it that far without being stuffed... the pumpkin mochi cake is amazeballs!
(5)
Jessica S.
Prior to my arrival here, a friend had dismissed Union as a pretentious place that puts too much emphasize on extravagantly frilly rolls while failing to master the basics. As such, maybe I crossed the threshold with tempered expectations... But, suffice it to say, I was impressed! *The space - funky modern design with happy pops of colors and a gigantic art installation serving as the visual centerpiece. *The vibe - Not unpleasantly pretentious or exclusive at all, but definitely trendy. A good date spot! *The service - our waitress was appropriately peppy and attentive.Food was delivered at a reasonable rate, particularly for freshly-made sushi. *The drinks - A list of creative cocktails dazzled me. I was content with my gin-based kombucha beverage, though I'd not consider mixology the forte here. *The food - we ordered a few classic sushi rolls and a platter. All fresh and high-quality and unbearably craving-inducing. -Complimentary edamame sprinkled with "cheddar cheese salt," almost certainly the "cheese" powder extracted from the pouch of the elusive blue box of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Not very gourmet, but it kept me at bay while awaiting the main act. -Dragon roll (avocado & eel & some other secondary ingredients) and spicy shrimp were succulent! -Crispy smoked salmon skin was smoky, go figure. For that reason, I wasn't thrilled, but can still attest to the quality. -Chef's Selection Sashimi plate. Flawless, fresh, flavorful. *The price - more or less the going rate for sushi. All in all, I was mesmerized by Union and it pains me to be separated upwards of a 7-hour drive. I'm undoubtedly going to incorporate this into future Chicago trips.
(5)
Cody G.
Easily the best nigiri in the Midwest. Had the Madai, as well as truffle ice cream and several other amazing dishes. This restaurant ranks top five in Japanese cuisine for me - and I have lived in Japan! In addition, the staff is friendly and kind, and made our experience one that would have us return again and again.
(5)
Julie Y.
Update.. Came here for a quick bite and got the wrapped scallops and some rolls.. The scallops were over cooked and not good at all and the rolls were just average.. The sashimi we got wasn't that great either.. Maybe they were having an off night but everything was pretty gross.. Had to take a star off.. Came here for dinner sat night. Didn't have reservations so we sat upstairs in the bar area which was still okay and cute, little small tho. Never been here before so my friend ordered everything which was completely okay cause everything was so fresh and good. Started with the sashimi cup which was super fresh and tasted really good. Then got the alligator from the BBQ bar, too much seasoning on it but the meat was really good once you rubbed off the crap on top. For the rolls we got the Tsukji Market and the Hikkaido. Both really good. I'm pretty sure all their rolls are good tho! Dessert we got the Chocolate Brownie really good texture and not overly sweet. The drinks we got were really good too. Def a fan of this place.
(4)
Katherine C.
came here to have a hot bowl of ramen on a cold cold day in chicago. we also tried the sushi with black rice, the seared butterfish, and uni alfredo pasta nigiri sushi with black rice was nothing special but its suppose to be healthier for you. the seared butterfish was amazing! the uni alfredo pasta was the fiance's favorite. the uni wasnt too overbearing and the overall dish had good flavor while the pork tail ramen was interesting and hot (i dont like how some places the ramen isnt very hot) it was nothing too special. i really liked the house made noodles though. it was very different than the traditional ramen noodles - thicker and chewier it was a good meal overall but not necessarily something i would say is a must try for tourists
(4)
Jialing L.
Visited twice for dinner. First time I came I shared the sliders: pork cutlet, wagyu beef and crab cake with a friend. All three were really good; big enough to split each in half so my friend and I could both try them all. I liked the pork cutlet and wagyu beef slightly more than the crab cake. I then had the alligator special as my entree. I wasn't sure what to expect since I'd never had grilled alligator but the meat was juicy and tender. I really enjoyed it. The mashed sweet potatoes under the alligator was also really good and added to the flavor. The second time I shared the barbecue sampler and the chesapeake bay roll with a friend. The barbecue sampler was good in order to try everything out but it wasn't super amazing. For the chesapeake bay roll my friend and I asked if they could substitute the collard greens with usual seaweed and it was delicious. The fried oyster melted in your mouth and left us wanting more. The restaurant itself has really nice decor and the service is really good. They usually have their specials and select items on an ipad that you can scroll through as well. Never needed to ask for water here, they were really good about filling it and if you ask for slight tweaks like we did for the roll, I'm sure they'd be happy to do so. Great place for Japanese fusion/sushi downtown!
(4)
Tijuanna D.
If you want the best Sushi in Chicago, try Union!!! The atmosphere, service and sushi are excellent. I'll definitely recommend and I will return.
(4)
Jake L.
5 STAR!!! Truffle Tuna is the best thing on the menu. I like to ask the sushi chefs to just send me out some cool rolls and they usually will create a fun meal for you. Makes it the whole experience a blast. Also highly reccommend the pig tail ramen!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
(5)
Thomas T.
Totally random that I ended up here, it's like everything had to fall into place for me to go here. I was in Chicago for a Bulls game (so I hadn't eaten dinner), was going to go to Soundbar later in the night for a friend's party, and just happened to find parking right in front of this place. So figured why not, it had crazy good reviews anyway. Pretty pricey though, be warned. Those 3 dollar signs do not lie. The look of the restaurant was nice though and they do have a valet service. My server was pretty good, refilled my water enough and came back just the right amount of time. Didn't try any of the drinks, only tried the food. Between the gf and me, we split the truffled tuna appetizer, a Clifton #4 roll, the barbeque bar sampler, and the pumpkin mochi cake for dessert. The truffled tuna was pretty good. You can definitely taste the truffle oil but overall it was pretty good. The Clifton #4 roll was alright. Nothing crazy, didn't blow me away or anything. The barbeque sampler was pretty good, some things I liked, some I didn't. The veggies in that there were actually pretty good, just had too much sauce on the cauliflower and too much seasoning on the squash though. The beef tongue had a really weird texture. Had curry on it so it just reminded me of an Indian dish. Beef filet was alright right, nothing crazy. Chicken thigh was pretty good, that was probably my favorite. And lastly, the shrimp was alright, pretty big but covered in a sauce that I thought was a little spicy. I don't really like dessert but I thought that my pumpkin mochi cake was pretty good. It wasn't normal ice cream which I liked, and I'm a big fan of caramel, and then the crunch from the brittle was just an extra surprise. Overall a positive experience, nothing bad but nothing that would make me come back in the near future.
(3)
Ali C.
Still fabulous with outstanding service. Great energy. We really enjoyed the sushi made with black rice.
(5)
Tobias G.
They serve water in a nice tall bottle right away. They serve Kirin Light with a glass. Huge selection of liquor. Interesting menu items like truffle tuna or black rice sushi. Definitely different. The black rice sushi sampler was absolutely delicious. Every piece was an explosion of flavor. Highly recommend
(5)
Carolina N.
I will have to agree with lots of folks that the menu is overpriced, especially the sushi rolls. You can get WAY better sushi(and more pieces) in Chicago for less. First, the edamame they have on the table was not good. Second, I wouldn't suggest coming here to just eat sushi, you have to make sure you do a lot of BBQ and other dishes to really get your moneys worth. The only reason our bill wasn't as outrageous is at it could have been was because we made it just in time to order happy hour options, which were actually really great! 5-6:30pm - $1 oysters (really good!), and $4 shrimp tempura rolls (also really good). We order the king crab legs, which yes, were really delicious but again, overpriced. We ordered a short rib, and that was fantastic! Yum yum! Cocktails were too expensive. Service is excellent here. The decor and ambiance is great! It's a good place to go after work or even on a romantic date. My BF's parents loved the sushi + bbq combination. I will only return during happy hour.
(3)
Kate W.
Solid 3.5. We had a totally good meal at Union. I rushed over to Union on a Friday night after a looooong day of meetings. We tried to go to Tippling Hall, but it was packed, so we tried Union instead. Luckily, there was room for us at the sushi bar in front of the robata grill, which was perfect because we were chilly! It was actually super cool being able to watch the robata guy go at it. That said, I got the impression that if you were more interested in a table, walking in might not be the best plan. We ordered a bunch of little things-- mussels, some black rice sushi, shrimp skewers, etc. I wish I wasn't such a space cadet and could remember better! We also had some tasty cocktails. The food was generally very tasty, although I suppose not very memorable. We left very satisfied with our meal, and our wallets perhaps a bit lighter than we had hoped. It's right in our neighborhood, so we will likely go back, but it's not going to become a staple any time soon.
(3)
Daisy N.
I've had sushi all over the US, this is probably in my top 3 faves, maybe the top. Everything is so unique here. So if you feel like all sushi is the same or all rolls are the same -be ready for a special treat. The Hoikkado (scallop) roll was our FAVE. A.MAZ.ING. OR.GAS.MIC. Not only the most amazing meals ever -the people were knowledgeable, friendly, funny. Service was impeccable. Ambiance -Wow. Every detail perfect. Seriously, I would come here for just the service or just the food. But they've got the whole package. Excellent sushi. Excellent service. (Great people!) and ambiance galore. My new GOTO in Chicago.
(5)
Michael S.
Got there at 6:15. Service was prompt and efficient. Food was well above average. Had some of the happy hour apps: Beef skewers, excellent; oysters for a buck each, excellent; shrimp tempura roll, very good. Then black rice sushi and grilled ribs. First rate sushi, and amazing bbq from the ultra-hot grill. Sample both or you'll miss out...
(4)
Danielle S.
Sushi was okay...nothing too exceptional. Service was mediocre as well...I probably won't come back here again. We ordered the dragon roll and spicy tuna roll which were both nothing special. Redeeming order was the chicken soup...it was delicious.
(3)
Shannon S.
Excellent environment! Excellent food, and deserts! Definitely worth it! The drinks are great! The staff is top notch, and I believe that this is honestly one of the best sushi bars in the Chicagoland area. If you go, my recommendation is to make a reservation in advance, as many of the good seats fill up fairly quickly.
(5)
Jeana C.
Trendy and contemporary. They have a lot going on here. They have a fairly decent size menu with sushi and BBQ bar (skewers). I got one of the bbq combos and had the chance to try the kangaroo and alligator meat. I particularly enjoy their BBQ bar. Uniquely, they have the option of black rice for your sushi rolls. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of the black rice.
(4)
Brittney B.
I came here to celebrate a family member's birthday; We had a large party of about 12 guests. The waitress offered to separate all of our check which I though was great! After bringing our orders she never once checked back with us to make sure everything was ok. One of the guests never received her order. It finally arrived after the rest of us had finished our meal. When she brought the individual checks she had messed mine up and added a drink that I did not order. When I mentioned it to her she then yelled at me telling me telling me not to get an attitude with her! Eventually, she fixed my bill. I'm not sure if she was having a bad night or what but I have never experienced anything like this ever! The sushi was ok but the service was terrible! I will never eat at this restaurant again! I actually felt like the waitress knew her tip was automatically going to be applied to our bills and therefore, did not bother to provide us with good service. Never again!
(1)
Mingyang J.
Second time here, this time our experience was phenomenal! Our waiter, Dan S. is a certified sake expert. Made four customized sake flights for us, all tasted AMAZING! Order the Hokkaido roll again because it's so good, and definitely try the tuna cup! I'm pretty sure I'll come back again!
(5)
Jason P.
One of the best sushi bars I have been too. Dan are waiter was great! Wonderful service took care of us and he was there to help us out with suggestions. I highly recommend this to anyone, ready to go back.
(5)
Tim F.
My fiance and I really enjoy coming here. The ambiance is great, and the food is even better. The only reason that I'm not giving 5 stars is because of the price. But then again it is Chicago. It would be nice if they knocked a dollar or two off some of their rolls.
(4)
Shannon K.
Swanky sushi. The place is expensive and it's obvious as soon as you walk in. That's cool, that's what Union is all about. You're paying for the atmosphere as much as you are the food. Take note, it's a great date spot. Highlights: Black rice sushi rolls (lower carb, lower calorie) Cocktails (creative and good) Mushroom salad (unique and fresh) Fresh ground wasabi (fun to watch, good to eat) Old City Market roll (best roll I've eaten in Chicago) The black rice sushi rolls are beautiful and I really enjoyed them. We did the black rice sampler and that gives you four different black rice rolls. The fish was fresh and tasty. The old city market sushi roll is worthy of five stars - it's blow your foodie mind fantastic! Really great sushi, fun vibe, great cocktails, lots of activity - I'll definitely be going back! I want to try those big ass bento boxes they serve!
(4)
Brett F.
As far as sushi goes, Union felt very run of the mill. I'm not sure they're doing a ton here to set themselves apart from the pack. The sushi offerings were very maki and robata (grill) heavy and the few items we ordered sounded better in theory versus presentation. Our sashimi platter was especially disenchanting aesthetically and the truffle tuna appetizer was ok but lacked the punch most truffle dishes typically waft along with them. Service was attentive and dishes were brought out shockingly fast. Like, within minutes. Fast food that's too fast just feels casual. When dining out with friends I prefer a much slower pace. Overall, the best dish (I use that term uberloosely) I had all night was the piece of Uni Nigiri I ordered. Top notch urchin. Should've had more of that. If in the neighborhood, I might give 'em another whirl but certainly wouldn't make a special trip back to Union.
(3)
Ellyn L.
If I could give this less than 1 star, I would. Just walked out of the place after waiting 48 min for 2 sushi rolls. They were finally delivered and the order was wrong. Arrived there this evening @ 6:25pm. They have a hour menu that is from 5-6:30. When I attempted to order before the 6:30 deadline, there was no waitress/ waiter insight. I finally asked the hostess if she could take my order or help me in order to meet the 6:30 cut off time. She did so but not with a smile. Apparently as a hostess, taking an Oder is beneath your standards. When our waitress finally arrived, I asked to place a hour hour order and her response, and I quote..."No" it ended 2 min ago( really it was 6:32) know other statement then "NO" She then disappeared for about 20 minutes. I would have ordered the full price appetizers, but she never came back. After hunting her down to place our very simple order 2 sushi rolls...GET THIS.....WE WAITED 48 min and had to hunt her down to find out where our dinner was. The waitress response was. " sushi takes 30-45min" her attitude was unforgiving as if this was our fault. She then stated "do you want I can cancel your order if you want to leave" We said no...we were still hungry. I also pointed out that if SUSHI, which is uncooked fish, rolled in rice, takes 30-45 mins they should put that on the menu. Hey dear...This isn't my first rodeo. What happen to customer service. I was as forgiving as one could be, but you made no effort to earn a TIP- to insure proper service. YOU don't belong in the service industry. We called over the manager, who finally said he was sorry and would look into the status of our order...as well as correct the order we got. GET THIS! HE NEVER CAME BACK! WE waited another 10 minutes,( I actually had to go feed the meter again) after now being there, starving. We approached the hostess and said we were leaving. For the first time in my life I walked out without paying the check! Even better, no guilt. As my friend and I departed, the hostess said to the other guest at the front door " easy come easy go!" Really, is it that easy to dismiss customers? We are your bread and butter. I work in the hospitality industry and am shocked that upper management allows this poor service to exist. Plenty of sushi options in Chicago. Glad I will never come back to this place.
(1)
Charlie N.
I use to live in the building that Union is in and would eat here ALL the time. Even after a couple years the food and quality is still to die for! Order like a pro for 2: Kuro Smash Cocktails, Truffle Tuna App, (Split) the Pig Tail Ramen Soup (just ignore the pig tail part, you will not have any regrets), Black Rice Sushi Sampler, Hokkaido (no scallops, sub tuna, soy paper) & the Tsukiji Market Roll - And please have a Hitachino Nest White Ale beer with you meal after the cocktail... Just tips for a good meal!
(5)
Eugene T.
Great experience. Very creative sushi. Alligator ribs special was definitely interesting
(4)
Mark B.
While in town we came here with a friend for an early, enjoyable, dinner. Decor: Fun and semi-"authentic" the decor is inviting and helps set the mood that you are in for some sushi, and BBQ, that is a bit out of the ordinary. The large windows allow for plenty of natural light, which is a huge plus, and there is plenty of room where you are not right on top of others. Bathroom: Clean and well kept. Staff: Our waiter was super friendly and helpful with the questions we had regarding the menu items. He was also quick with our orders and food delivery. Additionally, they leave water on your table, nice! Food/Drink: We mainly had the sushi and it was delicious! All the rolls came out fresh and hot (where applicable) and tasted amazing! We had the Edamame and Beef Skewers as part of their happy hour special and they, too, were out of this world! For drinks we just had beer and wine, pretty standard, and it was good and cold. Value: The prices are not absurd here, you get pretty good value for your dollar (especially given that it is sushi). The next time I'm back in the area I will certainly come back for more sushi, perhaps I'll even try the BBQ then!
(4)
Maureen C.
Thing is, I still have to try and convince myself that Union was good. Thus, I'm going with a 2-star, as there are many sushi places in the nearby area that are superior. Yes, I do realize that the recent reviews are raving about this place, but it wasn't up to par for me. Perhaps the large menu is a bit too ambitious? I did very much appreciate the option of ordering 1/2 rolls. Brilliant! Easily enables one to try out multiple choices (as they have a lot). The whole black rice idea intrigued me as I enjoy wild rice for its nutty, more complicated flavours than white rice. The benefits, though, are lost in a sushi roll. Makes sense this would happen, but I was still bummed. There was nothing "wrong" with the food, it was simply forgettable. I ate without truly enjoying. And I am a firm believer that one should really find pleasure in what they put into their mouths and tummies. Service was kind and attentive, so nothing off there. Decor was rather like you were dining in a gentrified center city alley complete with commissioned graffiti murals covering the walls. An observation, not a criticism. Interesting lighting keeps up the generally energetic mood. Seemed like a fun place for groups. Sorry, Union.
(2)
Steve A.
This restaurant combines sushi bar, robot grill and noodle shop all in one. The lofty main room is pleasantly modern and upscale without being dressy. I enjoyed the sashimi, and a King crab special appetizer. The skewers from the robot grill didn't really impress. Despite the elaborate menu descriptions of sauce, they were all fairly bland. The ice cream trio for dessert was the highlight of my meal. The espresso was a real standout. There are some excellent cocktails, particularly if you enjoy bitter and complex flavors. Service is friendly. It can take a while to fill orders, even though there is a team of delivery people.
(4)
Matt G.
I work in the neighborhood and my colleagues and I frequent Union. We've had some service snafoos in the past, but the food is excellent. My personal favourite is the Spicy Pigtail Ramen, but the Sushi is also pretty good.
(4)
Eunice A.
Super cute date night spot. Super salty food. Super pricey place for Super high sodium. Overall, you can guess--Super not worth it.
(1)
Rick I.
Just ate a ton of sushi here. Was great! I especially like the uniqueness of this place including the Madai sushi. They don't have that everywhere. Now I'm moving on to the other side of the menu. The cook food off the Robata Grill. The filet of beef and the pork shoulder were outstandingly delicious!
(4)
Karen X.
Not the best or most authentic sushi I've ever had by any means, but definitely very unique. This is one of the places that does "Asian fusion" quite well. The sashimi bowl appetizer was very tasty and resembled an Asian ceviche. And the barbecue sampler was also a very interesting fusion take on Japanese yakitori. The black rice sushi was my favorite - we ordered both the nigiri and roll sampler, and both were good though I would probably recommend ordering the rolls a la carte rather than through the sampler. All in all this is a very unique take on Japanese food, and mixed with a fun and hip atmosphere, makes for an enjoyable dining experience!
(3)
Gwen D.
In general, River North strikes me as style over substance--an especially appropriate description for Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. If looks could kill, Union Sushi + BBQ would slay the competition. Described by Chicago Magazine as a technicolor fun house of curvy staircases, high ceilings, and stylized graffiti, the restaurant certainly looks like a hotspot ( goo.gl/nWv7HD ). At the center of the restaurant, chefs do their work at a charcoal robata grill enclosed in glass, almost like performance art at an edgy gallery. Unfortunately, the food paled in comparison. For better or for worse, our appetizers--addictive sweet potato tots, apparently seasoned bonito fish, and a trio of sliders with bold pickled accoutrements--were the best part of our meal. Eating the main course, we were underwhelmed by the $28 sampler from the barbeque bar, supposedly the star of the show. Without a bite of their stingy sauces, the grilled meat and vegetables tasted like--well, grilled meat and vegetables, nothing worth a special trip. So what? Instead of ordering drinks, my friend and I split the tiramisu milkshake at the end, but we could hardly taste a hint of tiramisu.
(3)
Donnie Y.
Not bad at all. Everything buthe parking situation lol next time I'm uber ing here. Black dragon roll is phenomenal
(5)
Sonal D.
We made a reservation (for the same night) and were seated immediately. They have a really unique menu for their sushi with a few known scattered everywhere (they too come with a twist). What I like the most was that you can order 4 pieces for half the price vs the whole roll. If you go here try the veggie sushi- especially the Devon. For a sushi lover that was one of my favorites followed by spicy shrimp and spicy tuna All in all, an good experience, good sushi and a fun place. The servers were all excellent. No complains
(4)
Bethany W.
$13 bento boxes for lunch is a pretty good deal. The duck fat yakisoba is ok but not great. It's missing something. For some it may be great but I found it kinda one note. The tuna cup that was one of their daily specials is where it was at. I kinda wish I had ordered a couple of them instead of the bento box.
(3)
Olivia H.
For some reason, my friend and I struggled to find a decent Saturday happy hour in downtown Chicago. They are rare, and tend to end early (i.e. 4-6 PM). Thankfully, Union Sushi pulled through with their $1 oysters (from 5-6:30 PM). We literally sprinted across several blocks to make it in time, and they let us get away with it. As someone who never runs anymore, those oysters were definitely worth the cardio. Not only were the oysters themselves fat and delicious, they were also topped with masago, jalapeno juice, green onion, and onion crisps. Add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon, and you have yourself a glorious moment of bliss. We were seated at the bar, and it was quite calming to watch the sushi chefs work their magic. They slice the avocados so thinly, it's a work of art. While watching the chefs, we also fully enjoyed the rest of the food we ordered: crispy salmon skin roll, hamachi collarbone, beef tongue, and desserts. All in all, our experience at Union was awesome - delicious food, comfortable vibe, friendly service. AND OYSTERS.
(4)
Xavier C.
This is a great spot with great food and service. We started with a spicy tuna roll on black rice, which was ver good and distinctive. The spicy tuna was very fresh. Then we had the king crab legs, the prosciutto wrapped scallops and grilled beef filet. All was great, but the king crab legs were outstanding. Definitely will come back when in Chicago
(4)
Kate U.
By far one of the best sushi places I've been to in the city! Perfect for happy hour or a lunch. I like sushi places that have quality food, specialty cocktails, and are clean and well decorated. This place hits the mark on all of them. First off, the cocktails are amazing. I told the bartender that I liked gin and he made me one of the best drinks I've ever had. I'd definitely recommend sitting at the bar, because these guys are fun to talk to. We also had a spicy tuna roll which was great and some sort of krab appetizer. The bartender that we had was very friendly and was suggesting us the best of what the menu had to offer. I wish my office was in river north so that I could come here more often for happy hour. The customers that come in are really interesting; I struck up a great conversation with the woman dining solo next to me at the bar. The prices are up there but not outrageous for the quality experience that you're getting. This place can get pretty packed on the weekends, it's not a huge space so it fills up quick. This would be a great place to take a date or take a co-worker after a long day. Check it out, but try and sit at the bar.
(5)
Daniel D.
Great tasting bbq/sushi, mediocre service. In no rush to come back. Went to Union with a party for 2 on a Thursday night (with reservations) and had an overall good experience. It took over an hour to bring out just three rolls of sushi, which is obviously unacceptable (though each roll was delicious). House cocktails turned out to be a rip-off (only approx. 6oz of liquid).
(4)
Shahzad A.
This place is wicked with its black rice sushi and fancy rolls! I recommend definitely trying their ice cream after the meal. The place is expensive but has amazing menu!
(5)
Alex G.
Went here the other night a was surprisingly disappointed. Aside from overpriced food and small portions, nothing was particularly good. Also, the kitchen was very slow and didn't bring our food in any semblance of order. The ambiance was nice and cocktails were good - although overpriced for what they were. All in all, I won't be going back.
(2)
Vishal K.
Delightful Chicago gem! Not too many places offer a happy hour as good as Union's! Tried the 1 dollar oyster shooter, the beef skewer and the tempura sushi. The oysters were so good that I had to order another round!! They had a spicy lemon sauce and topped with some red fish eggs, definitely Instagram worthy. The skewers were cooked on the traditional japanese robata grill, and spices were flavourful. However, bit overcooked in my opinion, but maybe thats how they are supposed to be. They are definitely worth ordering regardless! Service is great, place is trendy, food is great...and just 20 dollars for a meal for 2!!
(4)
Jeffrey C.
Despite Union being a sushi bar and yakitori, this review is for their ramen only. Union definitely fits into that casual-trendy River North vibe. Its ramen bowls are heavily fusion-based, and as far as ramen goes, its biggest competitor is likely Takashi's Slurping Turtle, a 10 minute walk away. Spoiler alert: I preferred my Union ramen experience to Slurping Turtle's. The price point is similar at $12 - $13 per bowl. I went with the short rib ramen, while my wife ordered the chicken ramen. The highlight of both bowls (and the reason why I liked it infinitely better than Slurping Turtle's) was the richness of the noodle, purportedly housemade. The noodles are shockingly thick but easy to slurp and with ample bend and springiness. They held up against the broth amazingly well. I've never had those types of noodles in ramen before. A quick Google search revealed that they can be found in types of ramen, but further investigation led me down a dead end to what they're called and which region in Japan specializes in them. The best way I can describe them is like thick wonton noodle with more bend. Both broths were good. If you're making me choose, I liked the lighter chicken one better. It tastes like a straight shio broth, and it comes with a remarkably simple chili-garlic oil that pairs like dynamite with the broth. The short rib broth is thicker; whether it's different bases or an infusion of other ingredients is unknown. I'm undecided on how much I liked the additional ingredients in the short rib ramen. On the one hand, I loved the sharp bite of the pickled chiles, but the sourness of the tomato and cabbage disguised as noodle didn't resonate with me. The parmesan was weird. The short rib was good, with ample fat. It's a good chashu substitute. Service, at lunch hour, was expedient and very friendly, though having a five-month old in tow might have had something to do with that.
(4)
Grace K.
This place deserves all five stars. Great service, fun friendly sexy atmosphere, and of course quality sushi with creative flavor combinations that just go perfectly together like a work of taste art. I love this place! The soft shell crab roll was amazing and since it was rolled in cucumber, it was very light, summery, and healthy. I would suggest ordering sushi pieces as opposed to getting the samplers, because that way you can pick what you want. And you Must get the fresh wasabi if available because that is such a rare find and worth every penny. It tastes so different from the fake wasabi and actually doesn't burn your sinuses. It's much more enjoyable and enhances all your food. I was just eating it by itself it was so good!
(5)
Mint S.
Great food. Good service. Yummy dessert. Daniel was our server today. He's very nice and always checks on us if we need anything else, really appreciate your service.
(5)
Kristina P.
I hate to give this place a bad review, but after going there last Friday I was extremely disappointed. I have been there a few times to eat when they first opened and really enjoyed it but this most recent time not a single thing we ordered was good tasting. The sweet potato appetizer is terrible, I would not recommend getting it unless you enjoy mush in some sort of broth. We ordered 4 different rolls, all that had an extremely onion and cilantro taste without any enjoyable flavors at all. I am a huge sushi fan and eat a variety of foods but did not find their food to be flavorful or satisfying. I don't think I'll go back
(2)
Kat C.
Great variety of food. Loved the barbecue veggie options and dessert special. Attentive service (somewhat overly attentive with picking up finished plates). Great ambiance/decor.
(4)
Ben C.
OK food and a bit overpriced is why this place gets 3 stars in my book. I would say try it once, it might be more your speed. I have actually been here twice and both times the food was mediocre, the atmosphere was pretentious and the staff was bleh (boring and not interested in being helpful).
(3)
Chi N.
O.m.g I love this place so much, it's big and has a great atmosphere, they have a bar up stair that u can have a drink too. The food is just yummy. I've been a lot of sushi restaurants all over country since I'm a big fan of sushi, but Union beats anywhere else. We ordered old city market roll and tsukiji market, their sushi roll is really unique. I'd recommend all my friends come here
(5)
Tony D.
Solid place for a casual meal during the week. Tried the black rice sushi sampler, the bbq sampler and also the short rib ramen. The sushi was good. Not very memorable (either way good or bad). The bbq sampler had some excellent flavors (beef tongue, scallop w/bacon and the shrimp). The short rib ramen was by far the best dish! I would go just for the ramen. The broth was super rich and the homemade ramen noodles were top! This place has a good mix of asian foods, so if you are with a sushi or non sushi lover, everyone will find something they like.
(3)
Helen H.
My 500th review is dedicated to Union, who found a way into my heart. :) OMG! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! My favorite restaurant while we were in Chicago and also the best sushi restaurant ever! I discovered Union while I was yelping for a place that does $1 oysters. After I looked at the rest of the menu, I was super excited. Sushi and barbeque bar? Black rice? Sold and sold! The menu is innovative and it's high in quality. If I was rich, I would order one of everything! I like how they give diners the option of a half roll or a full roll. Half rolls gave us an opportunity to try more items on the menu. Truffled Tuna (Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips)- Truffle anything is good! Oysters (Red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, jalapeno-cilantro ponzu)- I could eat these all day! Beef Filet Skewer- The beef was tender and melted in my mouth. Black Rice Sushi Sampler- Black is the new brown. Rice that is. It has fewer carbs and calories. The sampler came with four different half rolls: Dragon- Spicy shrimp, eel, avocado, masago, green onion, eel sauce Devon- Sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce Spicy Tuna- Spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake, mayo Hokkaido- Grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper My favorite was the Hokkaido. It was different and I could really taste the freshness of the scallop. Chesapeake Bay (Fried oyster, black rice, red tobiko, green onion, avocado, garlic aoli+ wrapped in collard green)- Collard greens? Who would ever think to put it into a sushi roll? Another winner! Note- I didn't eat all of this by myself. Sharing is caring! If you're a sushi lover like me, then you MUST come here or you are definitely missing out!
(5)
Puckky P.
I came here for a second time. I'm warm for server and bartender. They take care me like family. I'll be back for sure, love it too much
(5)
Nasser M.
Very good food, great value for the money and covers your craving for Noodles, sushi and BBQ.. Try their Makis, all are good, they even have carb free options for the rolls with lettuce and cucumber on the outside
(5)
Christina L.
Ugh I wish I could give this a better review but the service has sucked the last two times I've been here. I would say 2.5 for Service/management. The grilled items were cold by the time we got it last time. Last night we ordered sushi only hoping for better service and faster eating. Our plan failed -we waited almost 45 min. for sushi and 30 for drinks. It was kind of ridiculous. Sushi is still very good and the sashimi cup is excellent. We got no info until I asked where the food and drinks were. While apologetic, they did nothing to even try to comp. anything. This place used to be on my go to list and now all it is is irritating. I will not be going back for a while. I hope you get some more staff and sushi chefs or open up the bar when you have a large party because you are stretched too thin in the front of the house.
(3)
John Y.
So I went here with the love of my life to have a few apps and ramen to experience the take they had on ramen and it was just wrong ... If you like Lipton noodle soup this is the spot for you . I literally asked them to take the ramen off the menu, out of respect for ramen .
(2)
Melissah L.
Okay damn. What a trendy, cute sushi place! I came here after work on a Thursday and loved it! As soon as i walked in, I was already won over by the decor and playlist- so fun! The service was impeccable and everything I ordered was amazing! I did end up dropping about $70 that night... but I was celebrating with friends, sooo I didn't mind :). I tried two of the specialty cocktails which were strong and tasty-- I didn't need any more to have a light buzz all throughout dinner. As far as food goes, I tried the happy hour special shrimp tempura half roll and beef skewer. YUM. Then, I ordered the truffled tuna (5 stars), spicy tuna with black rice (5 stars) and the tsukiji market roll (4 stars- fresh and delish, but too salad-like for my taste. This one would be better with rice IMO). My friend got a salmon skin roll which was good but a little too salty for my tastes, as well as a nice Bay Street California roll. 5-star experience, I will definitely come back!
(5)
Megan D.
Very overdue review for Union Sushi. Service was exceptional and food was outstanding. I'm not your typical sushi fan and they cater to both the traditionalist and those who are not with their selection of cooked meats on the speciality grill. Need to get back here again soon.
(5)
Sara K.
Didn't try the BBQ. Sushi was all good. Didn't realize they wrap their sushi rolls in things besides rice and seaweed. One had cucumber wrapped around the roll and one something else; both were very refreshing, which isn't something you can say about sushi most of the time. The waitress offered to make my shrimp non-spicy without me even asking! And the service was so quick we were out of the restaurant in less than an hour. Thumbs up.
(5)
Lily Z.
I came here for happy hour with a friend on Friday. Their specials are pretty hard to beat. Although Shaw's may have 50 cent oysters, we couldn't make it in time so we settled for Union Sushi. Tasty oysters, complimentary serving of edamame and a casual atmosphere? Sounds like a good time to me! If you like bourbon, I highly recommend Union's Four Roses on the rocks. I like my alcohol to be strong, but I swear a glass of that can make anyone take on Chicago's polar vortex weather in just a tshirt and shorts.
(4)
Diego M.
Try the kangaroo and tongue! Just amazing... If you like kombucha, they have a drink with it
(5)
Mimosa N.
I was in town for a few days and chose to eat at Union for my last night there because I had heard about their black rice sushi and wanted to try it out. Upon entering, the restaurant is bright and trendy with a grill on display in the corner firing up some bbq. We went on a Saturday night and while reservations are recommended, by no means were they required. We sat at the upstairs bar and it was pretty vacant and intimate. Our bartender was friendly and patient and really cared about his craft. Bf ordered a drink (I believe it was the tokyo fixer) and it was definitely strong, while I just played it safe with water. A few minutes later, our bartender apparently made the wrong drink for another customer and, instead, gave it to me on the house. Again, the drink packed a mighty punch (can't recall the name). We ordered the sashimi cup as an appetizer, followed by the barbeque sampler, alligator skewer, hokkaido roll, dragon roll, and spicy tuna roll (all with black rice). The sashimi cup was a mixture of diced sashimi in a glass served on a bed of crushed ice and topped with a wasabi avocado puree. While I normally don't enjoy too much wasabi, this was a perfect addition to the sashimi and it made a delicious and refreshing appetizer. The bbq sampler came with a little bit of the beef filet, shrimp beef tongue, chicken thigh, prosciutto-wrapped scallop, squash, and cauliflower. One bite and bf declared that Union was going on his list of worthy restaurants. The bbq was all seasoned perfectly and every bite was flavorful and succulent. The sampler didn't include the alligator - which I wanted to try - so I ordered it on the side and that, too, was delicious and juicy. Alligator meat is usually a little tough, but here it was tender and moist. And as for the black rice sushi, it definitely did NOT disappoint. I've had sushi from all over and this was my first time ever trying it with black rice. Apparently black rice has fewer calories and fewer carbs than its white counterpart, but in no way does it sacrifice taste to do so. The sushi was awesome and even better since it's more guilt-free. It's difficult to describe, but it sets itself apart from both white and brown rice sushi. Try the hokkaido! Union can get quite pricey considering the portion sizes but, seriously, the flavors make up for it. Although the restaurant isn't the most authentic of Japanese restaurants, it is definitely unique and delicious. It's not somewhere I would dine at all the time since a check for two people came out to be over $100, but it is somewhere I would like to return to for sure to try out the other interesting dishes...when I feel like splurging.
(5)
Herb V.
And it all comes down to the tea bag (more in a bit) Nice newer place in Chicago and an interesting combo of sushi and barbeque. Nice space, good staff, very good menu choices, even like the iPad with some additional spaces. Started with a few appetizer rolls - Devon, Old City, Tsukiji with black rice - delicious. Very subtle mushroom soup and bbq sampler. Then on to more specialty rolls including a great twist on the traditional California roll - the Bay Street CA roll with crabcake instead of Kani - that was excellent. And a few other delightful rolls as well. Finished off with my usual sushi dessert - Tamago. Just like to wrap up with Japanese omelet and nice touch with Union logo seared in each piece. And then there's the tea bag. I always order hot green tea. What I do not expect is to get a cup of hot water and a tea bag. And not even a Japanese tea, just run of the mill green tea. I want to see the big pot of tea brewing with small pots drawn from it. I can always bring my own hot water and tea bag. Cost the 5th star.
(4)
Yvonne B.
This review is for their delivery. We used their easy-peasy online ordering system. It was so clear and simple that we probably ordered more than we normally would. We ordered $60 worth of food: Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hakkaido Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Dragon Roll, and Devon Roll), Spare Ribs, Barbeque Cauliflower, and Barbeque Shiitake Mushrooms. Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar called soon after we placed the order to ask for our address. Somehow it didn't get transferred to them when we placed the order. Still later, we got calls from the doorman and then the delivery person verifying our unit number. We provided all of that information in the online ordering system so we thought it was strange that it didn't get relayed to the people who needed it. Delivery came in a timely manner and the food was still hot. We were provided with chopsticks, napkins, and lots of sauce packets. We didn't realize that we liked black rice sushi until we tried it from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar. We loved the flavor, texture, and the fact that we were magically consuming less carbs than white or brown rice! There are other sushi restaurants that have more scrumptious sushi rolls but these were good. We also really liked the barbeque bits: the mushrooms and the broccoli. That's right - broccoli. I don't know what happened but we were given two broccoli florettes and not cauliflower. It wasn't clear to me if the broccoli florettes were normally served along side one of the other dishes we ordered or if they were given in place of the cauliflower. Either way, the broccoli was crazy delicious. I will pass on the ribs next time. They were good, but I preferred everything else. We will probably order from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar more in the future. The ordering system is easy and maybe they have our address on file from this order.
(4)
Guy L.
My friend and I were going to a beer tasting event at Union Station and we had a taste for sushi. We chose this restaurant because we saw a lot of good reviews on here for it so we thought we'd try it out. The decor is very cool but I'm more concerned about the food. I guess they serve BBQ too but I really had a taste for sushi so we didn't try it. The service is very good, very friendly. The hostess welcomed us with open arms like we were friends with her and the waiter gave us some suggestions. Which were great! We got a couple different rolls but I have to say that the Spicy Tuna Roll was the best spicy tuna roll I have ever gotten, hands down. It had a ton of tuna in it and just enough spice to give it a little kick. I definitely recommend getting it! We also tried the Spicy Shrimp Roll as well. It was also excellent! The waiter also suggested that we get dessert and that we order the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it did not disappoint. It had a very unique flavor with the pumpkin, vanilla ice cream and pumpkin seed brittle. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Cherry H.
Music too noisy, not very typical of a sushi restaurant (but the environment resembles more like a grill bar). Sushi and crab really tasty. If you got reservation you might find a better seat on a popular day.
(4)
Andrew C.
The Food is phenomenal. Rachel, a server, is one of the BEST Servers I've ever had in my life (true story!). The Location is beautiful and the ambiance is great. I am giving it one star because my card was overcharged to the tune of 400+ Dollars over three transactions (for a single night) and the manager, Mike has the nerve to tell me that "these things happen"and "split checks with debit card may have caused the issue" and then has me email him to solve the issue when he has me on the phone... so further waiting to get MY money that was misproperly entered in the first place. I can't bring myself to trust a place that can't own its own mistakes. nor can I stand being put off when its my money in the mix.
(1)
Jian T.
We went there for the happy hour. The taste of oyster was unique but it was not the type of oyster that we expected. They were too little. I didn't feel that I ate anything with a half dozen. The black rice was new to me but the sashimi and sushi rolls were so-so. Liked the salmon and scallop but the tuna was not very fresh and tasty. The white rice was below average.
(3)
Shan D.
Average sushi and average service. Came here for a bday party of over 12 people. We had the entire upstairs, and our food came out sporadically. When we complained, they brought over sake bombs for the entire group, which was nice. But all we wanted was our food! The sushi rolls are just ok. The fish quality is mediocre and the rolls fall apart too easily. The scene is nice so at least they have that going for them.
(2)
Samantha Q.
Decent. Ramen was too salty for my taste. Food wasn't so great, but it wasn't terrible. I came for the atmosphere and service.
(3)
Diana D.
It's been a nice spot. Interesting interior, food not bad, thoughtful service. I would say it's a good balance of the picture/quality of food/price. I would recommend it.
(5)
Lisa T.
Went there on a friday night w a group of 7 for a 7:30 reservation and was so happy I did!!! Delicious drinks, appetizers, and sushi! Oh plus they have BBQ that is amazing. I will definitely be going back. Great food and great atmosphere!!
(5)
Youna K.
Chefs table. Wow. Friend was in town who is a huge foodie and wanted to try a new place rather than usuals. Booked a chef's table with chao on a Wednesday night. For 80 bucks, we received 27 dishes along with few drinks on the house, and three hour private full attention from the executive chef. A true gem in the river north.
(4)
Adam S.
THEIR SPICY PIG TAILED RAMEN CHANGED MY LIFE. Nervous b/c it says pig tail? GOOD. More for me. Note, it's warm, by which I mean spicy. I can handle and love spicy food, esp. soup, and this was about a 7/10 for me. It cleared my nose out like horseradish, made my lips smack, but somehow didn't burn my tongue. It was hot, but not enduringly hot, IE there were probably serrano or jalapeno used and not thai chili peppers. We also got a dragon roll that was half white and half black rice. I'd never had black rice before, it was great. I can't comment on the robato aspect, other than we sat at the bar next to the grill, and it looked pretty damn good. Looking for a bowl of 'spicy' soup that's actually spicy? GET HERE NOW.
(5)
Sierra G.
Sushi + BBQ, both with a twist. The menu is split up into starters/shared plates/noodles/bowls---Barbeque----Sushi. Basically, there is something for everyone, even those people that claim they "don't eat raw fish". Edamame comes out as you sit down and ponder the menu. They also have a selection on specials that are shown on an ipad. The kitchen is open and I love seeing the dishes come out and what nearby tables have ordered. Sharing is encouraged here, especially since the menu is so diverse. Order a bit of everything. I typically go with the sushi. I like their unique combination that you won't find anywhere else. The Clifton #4 and the Devon are two standouts for me. I LOVE the black rice option and there is also a couple rolls that come rice-less for the the carb-conscious. Craft cocktails also get a thumbs up for their unique menu and use of herbs and spices. Finally, the soy sauce looks like R2-D2. Don't tell me you don't agree.
(4)
Stephanie H.
Man oh man, I love this place. It's pricey, but it's worth it. I had dinner here a few weeks ago after wanting to try this place out for ages. I went at about 6pm with a friend with no reservation. It was starting to get crowded, but we were sat right away. I ordered the Skinny Geisha cocktail, which is refreshing. To eat, we took advantage of the happy hour specials and ordered some $1 oysters, a couple $2 beef filet skewers, and a $4 shrimp tempura roll. We also ordered the buffalo duck wing, which SO amazing we had to another another. it was perfectly crispy on the outside and sooo tender on the inside. It fell right off the bone as I went in for a chomp too. We also ordered black rice sushi sampler since we'd never tried black rice before. It was definitely a different flavor and texture than white rice, but I enjoyed it. They had fresh wasabi that day, which I had also never tried before. I typically don't like wasabi because it's too potent for me, but this stuff was GOOD. You need to try it. Also ask to see their "secret menu" which comes on an iPad. You're bound to like probably everything you order so just go and enjoy!
(5)
Marshal B.
Came here for the chef's table: Absolutely amazing. My wife could not have asked for a better birthday experience. Chef Chao treated us like we were family, and the service was impeccable. The only complaint I have is how full we were at the end of the meal because of how delicious everything was. It's pricey, but I can't recommend the experience enough.
(5)
Meredith B.
My friend and I came in for happy hour on a Friday afternoon after a long week. Unfortunately they don't open until 5, and since we slacked off - I mean finished our work so we could leave early - we got there before we could get seated and had to have a glass of wine around the corner! So early happy hour goers, beware. Once we arrived, we had very few seating options. The place was nearly empty but they said they had tons of reservations coming so we had to get these seats on the second floor at a little counter looking down over the restaurant. Would've been nice to get a table but I guess that's what we get for not making reservations! This was quickly made-up-for by our super friendly server who had basically the sexiest deep radio voice ever. I don't know his name, but you'll know who I'm talking about when you hear it. We started with four oysters, since they are a buck during happy hour. They are pretty small, and you don't get too much oyster taste since they've got tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu on them. Which is tasty, but doesn't taste much like oyster! So if you're not sure if you like oysters, this is a great way to get initiated in a non-threatening way. Oooooh almost forgot our drinks! I started with the Surprise + Delight which was great, light and super fresh. Cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, Pimms, etc. It's definitely a summer cocktail, very sweet and fruity and refreshing. Later I had the Skinny Geisha which has citrus vodka (house-infused), and other stuff that I don't understand like "Hum," "Fresca," and "Yuzu." I remember enjoying it but can't remember what I thought if it beyond! But the Surprise+Delight, that's a winner. Surprising and delightful. We got a beef skewer, for $2 each (happy hour detail!) and they were super tender. Then we got, well, everything else. Scallop skewer wrapped in prosciutto (YUM), chicken thigh skewer (good but not a standout), half Bay Street California roll (super unique with crab cake in it!), half Old City Market (delicious, with spicy tuna and wrapped in collard green leaves), half Rainbow (different than other rainbow rolls - this one is more creative and had delicious eel), and half something else I can't even remember. But just being able to get half rolls is great because you get to try so much more. Great to get four pieces for about $5-7. The atmosphere is casual and colorful, and it's a very relaxed place for happy hour. One great thing is that they encourage patrons to get the staff wasted (apparently!) - it actually says on the menu - "Sake Bomb for the Sushi Chef," "six-pack for the kitchen staff," etc. Prices and everything! I love that attitude. I'd make a reservation if I went back again, but it's definitely worth going with a big group for happy hour and trying lots of different things!
(4)
Lauren H.
They have fresh wasabi here, which is unbelievable.
(4)
Chris K.
Been here 10 times or more since moving to Chicago for business 6 months ago. Have brought all my family, friends, and acquaintances here. Try the black rice sushi roll sampler! Outstanding!!! They also have BBQ meats, so a lot of variety. Their $1 oyster happy hour rocks too! They are also very nice to you if you are alone. Another "Table for one review".
(5)
Ashley A.
first tried their food at an end of the year Yelp event & loved the taste & quality of it celebrated my most recent birthday here & glad I did! tried kangaroo meat on a skewer, which is totally delish & tender, so try it (if you're a carnivore) also has alligator meat, which I've tried before & it's not bad, but didn't order it here sushi is pretty good, ordered a variety love, love, LOVE the colorful graffiti & other finishings on the place whoever decorated this restaurant is awesome! they had some asian beer that I really liked! always a fan of places that carry beer I've never heard of the beer I ordered had a photo of a cat on the can, which made it better we made reservations & were seated promptly; service is good I liked that they had a decent selection of gluten free options, as one of us in our party has to order GF. I'd go back! thumbs up
(5)
Rick R.
Fun. Vibrant. Great menu. Sushi is very good. Not great but very good ....this is a tough location for very good or excellent because we have Roka Akor and such in our backyard. Robata type meats are great. Good place to go with friends or date night. They have traditional Maki as well as specialty Maki rolled up in radish and cucumber as well as 'black' rice options. Staff is friendly. It is trendy so don't expect a quiet sushi bar. We live across the street and love to go. Happy hour options are nice too. Prices are average to slightly above. Try a specialty roll even if you don't normally Maki.
(4)
Steph W.
Every single thing I ordered here was sooo delicious. Out of my two week trip here, this was the best food I've gotten We ordered the BBQ sampler (probablu enough for 4 people) and 3 different speciality sushis-- all superbbbb
(5)
Alix K.
Went here last night for dinner w/ a group of friends. Three of us like sushi and ordered the Old Town and a Black Rice platter to share - all was really good. The other two in our group aren't big into sushi - but they ordered some of everything else - the chicken, the pork loin and the Short Rib. Apparently, the Short Rib is excellent because they both ordered more of those as we worked our way through the sushi! We split a bottle of white wine - reasonably priced for the area. Staff was nice and helpful - she recognized we were really into our conversation - which was a good thing! Already planning to come back again!
(4)
Neil J.
Service was great. Food came out in timely manner. Was very tasty and will be back again in the near future!
(5)
Monica C.
I come here all the time for the great deal during happy hour (5-6:30pm, everyday except Sunday) for beef skewers, oysters, and shrimp tempura roll. While the oysters are always amazing, the quality of the skewers and can vary. The beef was a little less tender and juicy, and over all the portions seemed smaller. I've had the black rice pudding, bacon wrapped scallops, uni spaghetti, ramen, soba salad, escolar, sliders, and some of their rolls. All are really delicious, though a bit small for the price that you pay. It's definitely still worth the glorious morsel every now and again. Very trendy and good service. Always a staple when I'm in the area.
(4)
Cindy K.
We were remiss in not trying Union sooner! Wow. We celebrated our anniversary lunch there today and it was beyond terrific. The service was great. The short rib ramen was delicious with a spicy kick and they split it for us in the kitchen. One order was more than enough to share. Love the menu setup with half orders of sushi rolls as we could try three different ones with 4 pieces each, ample for two people, each having six pieces. The fish was fresh and the combos creative. The River North roll was my favorite. Can't wait to go back for more. Oh, I mentioned that it was our anniversary and the waitress brought us the most delicious house made ice cream with drizzled chocolate dip served in a sesame twill bowl! They didn't know that this is my personal favorite! Special! That's how they made us feel and that's what we think about Union Sushi. Special!
(5)
Beth G.
I fear I take Union Sushi for granted because my boyfriend lives in the building. But just because it's convenient doesn't mean it isn't also great. Some highlights: 1. You can order half rolls (for half the price). For someone with an ADD appetite such as mine, this is great, because I can try four half rolls instead of two full ones, for example. 2. Above-average veggie rolls. I just can't quit the asparagus roll, which is made with caramelized onions and garlic mayo. The sonoma and cucumber are also worth trying. 3. The fish rolls are fairly original as well (such as the Chesapeake Bay, with fried oysters and black rice). Still, I prefer the veggie ones here, in terms of taste and price. 4. Mushroom or chicken ramen is a nice choice on a chilly evening, or if you are under the weather. 5. Finally, my boyfriend loves the grilled selection from their "barbeque bar." And this isn't just chicken on a stick ... he's sampled camel, kangaroo, alligator ... of course they have beef, shrimp, etc. for the less adventurous (of the three exotic meats mentioned above, camel was our favorite). 6. Oysters! Not huge, but well prepared with tangy and crisp accompaniments. 7. Awesome happy hour. $1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls (which are excellent), $2.50 beef skewers. EVERY DAY from 5 - 6:30 pm. Helluva deal. We get carry-out more often than we dine in, partially because it's easy, partially because there is a 10% discount for Flair Tower residents, and partially because Union's atmosphere is a little too scene-y and club-y for my tastes on most evenings. (Also, they aren't BYOB.) When we do change out of sweats and opt to eat on site, however, the service has always been fine, and it's fun to eat at the sushi bar and watch all the magic happen.
(4)
Peter C.
Mediocre, loud, and overpriced (sorry, near north is not midtown manhattan). The complimentary edamame with cheddar starter was a nice thought, but tasted bad. Our table ordered 4 black rice rolls and a shrimp tempura roll. The ginger wasn't fresh and the sushi tasted like it would at any run of the mill sushi bar. On the side I ordered 3 plates from the barbecue menu: prosciutto scallop, beef filet, and chicken thigh. The scallop tasted nothing of bacon or prosciutto, and the chicken and beef that came after it all had a similar, fishy taste. I'd bet that all three were all cooked on the same surface. Be prepared to hear all of today's club hits at a high volume as well. If you are into that, you'll be pleased, if not head elsewhere.
(2)
Calvin Y.
As a transplant from Los Angeles, I thought the quality of the food was alright relative to the price. The robata items are a bit on the expensive side, the specialty sushi was nothing amazing, and the cocktails were NYC pricey. Service was a bit slow the night I went, even when the restaurant was at maybe 50% capacity for peak of dinner hours.
(3)
Nicole J.
What a cool place! Had never had black rice sushi before...absolutely amazing. Even if you are not a vegetarian, try the sushi with the sweet potato in it, it's delicious.
(4)
Maggie P.
One of my favorite Sushi places. I love the black rice sampler and the fresh grated wasabi. Their BBQ sampler is also amazing. The bartender knows what hes doing and they have my favorite lychee martini.
(4)
J J.
The alligator was pretty darn tasty. Been craving more since I left the place. I also had the Tsukiji Market roll. This was unlike any roll I've had. Two thumbs down!! It was flavorless and not worth the money. The oysters were delish , first time I've had raw oysters and glad this was the place I tried them at. The hostess was very rude though. My bf and I were the 1st one in the restaurant and she lead us to this tiny two top right in the path of everyone. I asked for another table and she had the audacity to give me attitude. Not cool & not worth the drama.
(2)
Jill C.
The food was good but not worth the money in my opinion 3 rolls and an appetizer for $82 yeah thanks but no thanks I'll stick to the places in the suburbs.
(3)
Diana J.
Tried this place out for Restaurant Week, and was very pleased with their prix fixe menu. On the table was black pepper shrimp and truffled tuna with wonton chips for apps; Surf & Turf, and Sushi Roll combo of black rice tuna roll and shrimp tempura roll. The food was very generous in portion, with some complimentary edamame to start things off. I also ordered one of their $11 cocktails which was interesting, but not worth trying unless you have money you don't want to keep and crave an interesting fruit drink. But, back to the food: Black pepper shrimp: these were large and I very much liked them. The one thing I didn't like was that the heads were still on, and when I tried to do the thing where you get all that delicious goodness out of the head...I found slimy, strange tasting goo in there. Truffled tuna: This packed a wasabi punch, for sure~! It is not for the faint of heart, and is nicely sized. The side of wonton crisps were tasty and addictive. Sushi rolls: I couldn't believe that both rolls came included~! The black rice spicy tuna was delicious and had the right amount of spice. The shrimp tempura was tart, spicy, and sweet...worth going back for. Surf and Turf and Pork dishes were so good, but not my orders, so I didn't get to try them! Desserts: I tried the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it took me back to eating Arros con Leche as a kid. It was warm, cold, creamy, and cream-cheesy all in one. I hardly had any room left for it, but it was a great treat. Overall, I felt they put their best foot forward for this Restaurant Week menu.
(4)
Marisa G.
This place is phenomenal. My boyfriend and I try to go when we are in Chicago visiting family. My boyfriend doesn't like sushi normally but has loved every roll we have tried there! The chili shrimp appetizer is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I would go there and order three appetizers and be a happy girl. Things to order from the sushi menu: - Shrimp tempura roll: the whole roll is fried. I mean a delicious roll that is then fried. - I can't remember the name, but its a fried calamari roll. It's even better then the shrimp tempura roll - THE SCALLOP ROLL. I normally don't like cooked sushi but this is the best thing I have tried there... I think i also had a dream about it last night We also got a tuna roll that was wrapped in greens instead of seaweed/soy paper. It was good but not my favorite. Overall, fantastic place with amazing food and great drinks. If you are feeling like your wallet is too full that day, definitely try a bottle of sake. The staff is very knowledgeable on different types. It can be rather expensive though.
Terriblely awful!!! Both the severice and the food... The robata is so Americanlized that I didnt feel I was eating Japanese food...they are over salty...bad bad :(
(1)
Norah S.
Come here on a corporate event. When the food is not that good it takes off half of the fun
(3)
Aleksandra R.
Sleek menu, good specials, personable server, full bar, and a nice atmosphere made me give this place a 5. The portions might not be the biggest but it was definitely a nice experience. The tables seemed a bit too closed to each other but the couple next to me stroke out a conversation and recommended some appetizers which made me feel very at ease. The bus boys while seemed a bit sloppy, they were ok. No TVs in the restaurant area which is really nice cuz it's not that type of place where you want TVs around. The server carries a tablet where you can scroll down to see the specials and a quick description of the dishes which I thought saved a lot of time. I had camel meat which was a first for me, rainbow, shrimp tempura and other meats from the BBQ bar. Two thumbs up. Oh and the server was super sweet. For dessert I had ice cream which was a nice touch at the end. A great experience.
(5)
Alex J.
Union is a tradition amongst my closest friends and I. We frequently conquer happy hour - $4 shrimp tempura rolls in particular, but the beef skewers and oysters also pleasure both our palettes and our wallets. By conquer, I mean we indulge in as much happy plates as possible, making small talk with the bartenders and sushi chefs we've come to know and love. Union is also a great spot for dates, delivering an atmosphere that's sure to ignite the romance of your life. And if it doesn't, at least you have alligator skewers to boost your mood after she leaves because you made fun of her for thinking "zen" and "karma" are real things. I've heard alligator tastes like chicken, but, after sampling Union's, I've decided chicken merely tastes like a poor excuse for alligator. Any of the ramen soups are delicious, and check out the banana cream brittle with mochi as it is much better than the date that left you. It almost makes you believe in zen and karma, and that you're finally getting recognized for that time you helped an old lady put her groceries in her trunk. Long story short, make Union part of your life.
(5)
Helen H.
Service- excellent- really nice guy and just the right amount attentive. Drinks- excellent. Ambiance is really cool. ESP like the iPads. Food is pretty good - lamb chops- great - seared Waygu - a favorite - fresh wasabi- the best! And very cool and unique way of serving it - oysters- a favorite- really good and fresh and the minuet is reallyyy good and a cool asian flair to it - sashimi cup- very good - mushroom dumplings- icky,. A really weird flavor and too rich and not enough flavor at the same time. - duck fat yaki soba - good but spicy - spare ribs ramen- good but my mom makes it better. Too bad she ain't open for biz so this is a good substitute - absolute favorite is the pumpkin Mochi cake with caramel and brittle. Sister literally licked the plate to get the last bits. Price... On the high side for how much food you got compared to some other tapas places. But for such small plates we could order more variety. Will come back if in the area.
(4)
Danny W.
When I've got a freshman fifteen sized craving for ramen Union's where I go to get the goods. It's about the only place I've found in town so far that I can justify paying almost $15 for something I used to get for a dime in college. They're noodles are perfectly cooked and whether you add spicy pigtail or short rib it adds deliciously tender chunks of meat that make paying all that extra money worth it. Served in beefy broth it's exactly what the doctor ordered for a cold Chicago night. Not only are their noodles great, but I can get sushi and shoot the shit with Adam the awesome bartender. No joke...of the 5 times I've been here 3 of them I witnessed someone come in as a repeat customer specifically because of him. The guy is legit! Overall I love this place. For a date or dude-fest...you can't go wrong.
(5)
Wattanaporn R.
I went there with my friends it was her birthday she would recommend this place and this place make me impressed with the foods was delicious and staff was nice.
(5)
Chris H.
This place was okay. I had a roll and some nigiri and it all was fine. The black rice they use is really good, so I recommend that. The green tea ice cream Sunday was really good too. My only issue was the fact that in the hour or so I was sitting at the sushi bar, I didn't see them cut one piece of fish. I'm not sure if all that is done in the prep work, but it kinda bothered me.
(3)
Tessa C.
I don't understand the hype at all of this place. Been here for happy hour because I heard it had great deals. First of all, for a place that has sushi in its name, it only had one sushi roll for happy hour. I should have checked the menu before coming. But moving on, got the beef skewer and the tempura roll. The tempura roll was okay, but I would not call this a deal. It was only half a roll, and it tasted mostly of fried batter. I couldn't taste anything else. The beef skewer was really chewy and it did not have much flavor. My friend seemed to enjoy her oysters, but how hard can it be to mess up something that is raw. Regardless, probably won't be coming back. Happy hour is subpar. If you are looking for a decent happy hour, go to Devon Seafood Grill or Sunda.
(2)
Lauren K.
Excellent food here. Went during the lunch rush and it took forever to get our food, but I guess that's expected when you eat at 12:30. My dad had the sashimi cup, which he liked. I had a lunch bento with miso soup (good), salad (ok), tempura with hot dipping oil (great!), and spicy shrimp roll (also great!). I definitely want to try this place for dinner and review it again. Some of the mains look great and overall the service is good (just a little hectic at lunch). The restaurant itself is very hip and attractive.
(4)
Ryan K.
The specialty sushi rolls and chocolate mousse brownie are outstanding. I would have given 4 stars if the staff had not been in such a hurry to clear our table. We sat down for dinner at 7:50pm and by 9pm they were starting to rush us along. It was awkward and they close at 10:30pm. Maybe take out only on early week days would make more sense for them.
(3)
Dennis L.
I went to this restaurant with friend and family. I got the black rice sushi sampler. It tasted pretty good, although I couldn't really tell the difference between black rice and regular rice. Other people got the ramen and the Duck Fat Yaki Soba, and they said that they liked what they had. The service was fair, and the ambiance was nice, although it was a little bit louder than I expected. (I guess we were next to a pretty boisterous crowd.)
(4)
Rachel B.
Our dearly departed Sushi Wabi that closed some time ago has been reincarnated! Chicagoans don't have many good sushi options, but Union to the rescue! Love the black rice sushi, highly recommend. Bay Street California roll is a must Soft Shell crab also incredible. Cute restaurant with a super chill vibe, grab a seat by the fire...super cozy this time of year-open seating. Highly recommend!
(5)
Peter K.
Just had lunch at Union Sushi yesterday. Kept life simple, I had the Chef's black rice nigiri sampler, my friend had Chef's black rice vegan roll sampler. We both had the "Adventurous" sake flights. Sake was very nicely presented, but really, my sushi was the standout. Simply put, AMAZING! Possibly the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a LOT of sushi. Fresh, perfectly thick buttery soft, flavorful cuts of the freshest fish EVER! It reminded me the subtle difference between good sushi and GREAT sushi. And everyone we had contact with was courteous, cheerful and so well informed about their aspect of the experience. A total winner in every respect.
(5)
Matthew M.
As usual, Union has proved to be amazing. The food surprises every time I go. Living in Chicago can spoil one's palette, which means it's rare to find food that is truly unique - Union nails it every time. Keep it up, thanks!
(5)
Julie Y.
I'm so disappointed by my recent visit to Union. I raved about it so much, but I don't know if I can recommend it to my friends after my last experiemce there. I read many good things about their ramen so we planned a group outing there to try it. What showed up was far from what ramen is supposed to be. Anyone who has had ramen before knows that the noodles should be springy and chewy. The "house" noodles at Union were an abomination. FLAT!? Soggy. So poorly cooked that they clumped together into a little ball. It was like someone who didn't know how to cook just dumped fettuccine into a boiling pot and called it a day. The broth was flavorful but too thick and salty. I think I went through three glasses of water. At the end of the day, noodles make ramen. Overall, I lost my appetite and didn't even want to order the desserts that I loved so much on previous visits. If you are looking for actual ramen, STAY AWAY.
(1)
Chris T.
Loved this place! Delicious food, great drinks, cool vibe... but expensive. So make sure you're celebrating something! I shared the barbecue sampler and the black rice sushi sampler with my friend and while I will say both were very yummy, we were still hungry after we finished. And at 27 bucks per plate (plus 10+ for drinks), we wished we had gotten a little more, or a lot more (we have big manly appetites, rawr). Drinks were also great. I had the Kuro smash and I think it was my favorite in our party.
(4)
Kimberly K.
Typical trendy, downtown place that has some pretty mediocre offerings. I went for the oyster happy hour and am NOT a fan of the way they dress theirs. The crunchy tempura on top takes away from the oyster flavor. We ordered our next few rounds naked and were much happier. We were not at all satisfied with our cocktails. One member of our party even sent hers back because of the horrible smell. She's in the service industry and a pretty great judge of a good cocktail. I got one of the sushi rolls because the oysters just weren't doing it for me. I was not blown away by it, but it was fine. I would definitely NOT order any sashimi. It didn't seem like very high quality fish. With so many other great sushi and oyster options in the vicinity, I'd say skip this one!
(2)
Antonio r.
I pretty much love everything g from here. The sushi is delicious and tastes fresh. My favorite thing to order is the truffle tuna with these chips or whatever they are. It's amazing and love the avocado. You should try the sampler with brown rice. I personally like the brown race more. I don't eat shell fish due to allergies but eat the whole sampler anyway.
(5)
Joy R.
First time here. All the food was delicious. Service was fast. I love the decor and the music. They served me the sushi in a cucumber roll instead of rice without fuss. Thumbs up for the beef tongue. Definitely a young and hip atmosphere.
(4)
monica m.
Delicious and creative. I would look forward to dining here again, and I wouldn't say that about many places.
(5)
Josh K.
The food was great, although I expected more sushi options. I enjoyed having the opportunity to try different meats (lama and kangaroo were both tasty). They had a great selection of whiskey and cocktails as well. Our server was friendly, but she kept pushing us to get the expensive sake when we told her that we just wanted cheap sake to supplement our cocktails. I'll definitely go back, but I'll explore other restaurants in the meantime.
(4)
Emily J.
Very good sushi!!! I recommend getting the black rice which is 1/2 the calories and carbs and white rice. Trendy and hype place to eat sushi and have a few drinks.
(4)
Nan K.
The black rice sushi was strange. The alligator and kangaroo meat were just as strange. I probably should have ordered more ordinary things, but I guess I went more for the experience. I can't say much about their sushi since I didn't have any of the normal ones, but I had a little bit of sashimi which was pretty good. This place is very interesting and fun, but I don't know if the food was good enough for me to want to go back.
(3)
Mark C.
Oh Union , you are the best. I recently dined here on NYE, and the service was absolutely wonderful. The staff was very accommodating to my group of 12. When another large party failed to relinquish her table in a timely manner , the host and staff apologized and quickly set my group up at another section. So my experience was going great even before the food came. Yes the food. There are so many items that you just can't go wrong by getting. Duck wing ?yes! Choosing one of the samplers, yes! Black rice sushi?! Takes a we. It longer, but worth the wait . And honestly the fact that a large group was able to have split checks is a huge plus. Of course I'm coming back.again and again
(5)
April L.
This was our first visit and we went for lunch for my husbands birthday. We came for the barbecue and our meat options were ALL delicious! My husband and I shared several skewers as well as the outstanding escolar. No complaints on the food. The atmosphere was unique and vibrant. There's lots of seating and seems it would be fun to sit at the BBQ bar. While we didn't have sushi, it looked good and we will definitely go back to try it. They also had a good little lunch menu with bento boxes, but we opted for the BBQ. I'm really looking forward to another visit!
(5)
Delia Z.
So, so good! Of course, things are pricey here, but the sushi was outstanding. Great flavor combinations and a wide variety of quality ingredients. Our waiter was also extremely friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend trying the black rice sushi sampler :)
(5)
S P.
They have one of the best Shrimp Tempura Rolls that I have ever had. The food is pretty great when you go to the restaurant and sit down but I must say that it is not as good when you place an order for pick up. I have placed many orders for pick up since we live pretty close and every time I ask the hostess taking my order to please call me if it comes out earlier than the 45 minutes that they quote for it to be done. I never receive a call and I usually go over 20 minutes after placing the order and the food is still sitting at the host stand getting cold. I guess I should just place the order and go over right away if I want to have fresh food. I would recommend this restaurant for a sit down dinner to ensure your food is fresh and warm. They also have a great Happy hour on Fridays if you can make it there before 6:30 pm.
(3)
M J.
Great happy hour with $1 oysters, $2 beef sticks and $4 shrimp tempura roll. I love all three of those things, but my wife is just "meh" about the beef. She really liked the Old City Market and I liked the Clifton #4, although I would recommend just a half order of each as I might get tired of the flavors after too many bites. Our server was awesome but I forgot his name (sorry!)
(5)
Jake J.
On my search for a restaurant to have a tasty snack at, I came across Union. I wasn't looking to spend to much so I checked out their happy hour. It's from 5:00pm to 6:00pm and includes $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2.50 Robata sirloin skewers and $1 oysters. My girlfriend is an oyster finatic and loved the ones served here. They are topped with scallions, crispy onions, tobiko and ponzu. The Robata sirloin is amazingly tasty and the shrimp tempura is awesome as well. The ambiance is relaxing and fun with graffiti on the walls and almost seeming as though you are in an upscale train station. It sounds a bit different but is very fun. A very trendy restaurant, complimented by fantastic food. I think this would be a great place to have a birthday dinner or bring a couple of friends to enjoy an amazing meal. My experience at Union was nothing but fantastic! You have to check it out yourself.
(5)
Monica M.
this is my sushi spot when i wanna head downtown. get the fresh wasabi, its lighter and less aggressive than the paste, but still has a kick. and they grate it for you on shark skin? i dont remember. sit at the bar. its fun to interact with the chefs and watch them make the rolls. fish is great quality. ive been keeping my eye out for a day i can go when they have live uni. i cant remember the names but the scallop roll is amazing. their hot sake is pretty good for the price. sip it all night.
(4)
Kristen D.
Very cool ambiance here. We had the upstairs sectioned off for a dinner meeting and were served a prix fixe menu, most of which I cannot remember what we were served. Others in our party loved the mushroom roll, and whichever roll had the shrimp in it was my favorite. the meats (chicken and beef) served on tiny skewers were nothing to write home about, but I find that is pretty consistent with prix fixe dinners. I'll likely return with Clark some day, but we probably won't be rushing there.
(3)
Megan T.
This place was recommended to me by a local and since it was just a few blocks from our hotel, we checked it out. I made sure to make a reservation on Open Table so we'd be there by 6pm so we could take advantage of the $1 happy hour oyster special. My husband loved these and felt they were very fresh. The complimentary edamame were also delicious. I had three vegetarian sushi rolls. I loved the devon roll with sweet potato the best...yum! My husband had the kangaroo and the beef tongue, both of which were incredibly tender and perfectly cooked. He also got the octopus which he described as "freshly delicate". Service was very attentive and our server was knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend this place!
(5)
Kaitlin M.
I really want to love this place... Please Union change my mind the next time I am in. Unfortunately as a vegetarian I was highly unimpressed with their food. They however still deserve 3 stars for their great ambiance, service and yummy sounding menu. My date, a meat eater, enjoyed his mussels and spicy tuna roll. We also loved the great service. Our beers, saki and water were never empty. And finished plates did not last long on our table. Congrats. However... I could do better at home than the three tastes I ordered. I started off with the Roasted Cauliflower Salad. The description of smoky roasted cauliflower and fennel paired with bright kumquat and orange sounds quite tasty. Somehow the execution completely failed. My cauliflower was completely under done, and the vinaigrette was almost tasteless. Overall the salad was a major disappointment. As my main dish I ordered halves of the mushroom and cucumber rolls. Wow... just two more disappointments. My mushroom roll has almost ZERO mushroom actually in it. Instead it was mostly rice filled with a tiny bit of tempura mushroom... no shitake, green onion or avocado to be found. The same went for my cucumber roll. I would expect a roll that is supposed to have jalapeno in it provide a little kick in the pallet... nothing. And again... I felt like most the ingredients were missing. If you put it in the description... I EXPECT you to put it IN the dish! Few... that felt good! All and all, because my date loved his food, we will be back. BUT, I don't give third chances so... Union, you better be on your best behavior next time!
(2)
Lindsey M.
My husband made a reservation for my birthday tonight and I was a little disappointed with the table they gave us but the food was great. We were both first time visitors so we tried a sushi sampler and a barbecue sampler. We will definitely be back for the black rice sushi and the scallops.
(4)
Valerie T.
This place is absolutely amazing! Best place for Japanese cuisine. Words cannot describe how great both the food and service are at this place. Staff and management are there for guest needs in every way possible. Very friendly and personable, definitely make you feel your eating at your own dining table with an added experience of intimate art setting. The food is amazing, the combination of sushi and bbq at hand is great. Hands down for this chef. Best place in River North!
(5)
Ericka A.
Absolutely loved my dinner at Union Sushi. I came for the Suburban Spotlight with a large group of Yelpers and was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is gorgeous. It's very modern and spacious. We sat for hours on seats that were pretty comfortable and service was spot on from start to finish. We were greeted at the door and lead to our reserved spot upstairs, our drink orders were taken immediately and filled quickly, happy hour prices were pretty poor-friendly, and there was a steady stream of food being delivered to our table along with refills and dessert requests. I went for a Surprise + Delight cocktail to start. It has a strong cucumber and strawberry flavor. It's pretty weak, but it's very delicious and refreshing. My first food order was a full Shrimp Tempura Roll and 2 Beef Skewers. The beef was perfectly cooked and tender. The roll was well battered and very tasty. It was huge and well worth the $6. I can't say the same for the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Old City Market. They both tasted good, but they seemed overpriced and the half orders are very small. Our waiter was able to fill one more last minute Shrimp Tempura Roll order for me right as Happy Hour was winding down. The food caught up with me and I was only able to eat half of it, but they boxed up the rest very nicely. I made sure to save room for dessert and ordered the Banana Bread + Ice Cream. The bottom part of the Banana Bread was moist and perfectly baked. I wasn't as much a fan of the top part, but it mixed well with the Ice Cream and I left quite contented. I don't think I'll be able to eat much here again with normal prices, but I'll definitely be returning for another happy hour!
(4)
Hauwei L.
Ate at union this week and wanted to mention a few favorite items Truffle tuna Buffalo duck wing Uni Alfredo noodles Pork shoulder, mushroom, beef tongue skewers Old city market Taro mochi cake Good, but not amazing Madai nigiri
(5)
Ania H.
This place was pretty decent. Definitely pricey. They do have a happy hour menu which looked great if you get there on time. We ordered a wide array of sashimi and a few rolls. Nothing that stood out and made them spectacular (however I am a sushi snob). They do offer half rolls which I thought was a cool perk. They also have an awesome selection of sake. The decor was awesome. Cool graffiti and overall had that modern look. The service was pretty attentive and casual. They did have their specials on min ipads which was nice to scroll through the images before ordering. Overall it was an alright experience. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. Just OK.
(3)
Kittie K.
Love it. Delicious. You don't need any more info. Go. There. NOW!
(5)
Owen F.
Nothing special, so so service, I am so disappointed. The food is really below the standard, and I am so surprise to see many positive reviews on here.
(2)
Abby K.
Not sure why this place has such high praise..the sushi was equivalent to store-bought, packaged sushi. We sampled all of the "specialty" rolls, not sure what is so special about them. Beyond the food, the service was so-so. Server was nice, but host sat us immediately adjacent to a family. There were plenty of open seats in the place and I think the other party was equally uncomfortable. Maybe their other food is what they're noted for, but this was highly disappointing and we won't be returning. After leaving without a thank you, we ventured over to nearby restaurant and had superior food.
(1)
Nikki G.
i came here with a friend few months ago and i can't wait to go back to try other dishes. I really like the environment and the sushi was fresh.
(4)
Xue W.
just so so, ramen is undercooked and customize box is a little disappoint, but service is awesome
(3)
Cali G.
This restaurant is located in a really good location where there is parking just about anywhere or you have the option to valet. The restaurant is nicely decorated, but the only thing that bothers me is the seating. There's not much personal space. The sushi on the other hand is very good. I am a bit disappointed that they do not offer the thin sliced yellow tail appetizer with the jalapeño and sauce on top. It's one of my favorites.
(5)
Tom C.
My wife and I went here last night for a date night prior to going to the theater. We got our ticket times wrong and Union was great about rushing our food to get us in and out with an excellent meal and drinks in an hour. The Sashimi Cup and Kangaroo from the Barbeque Bar were delicious! The Rainbow Roll with black rice (optional) was tasty, but fell apart pretty easily. The Tsukiji Market roll was just so-so on flavor, but nicely presented. I had a Kuro Smash cocktail to start which was awesome, and we split the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace beer (big bottle!) that surprised us but we ended up loving. Great ambiance and fun view of the eL above without being at all loud. We would definitely go here again.
(4)
Phi T.
In town for work and went here for happy hour after reading reviews. Worth the 9 block walk from my hotel to here in the snow. Their $1 raw Virginia oysters on the half shell with crispy shallots and jalapeño cucumber ponzu sauce were delish. I ordered 2 dozen, 2 of the filet skewers and the shrimp tempura rolls. The food was fresh and nicely executed. Just wish they had more items on their happy hour food menu. There were no happy hour drink specials but the oysters are the star and best deal here.
(4)
Brad S.
Food and service were pretty excellent. Only giving 4 because of the limited vegan selection. If you are getting rolls go black rice it makes it pretty sexy. I went with the veggie rolls. The presentation of the rolls is one of the best I've seen in Chicago. Also try clerks take the time to think through no standard flavor combinations and premium ingredients. Also started with the edamame which some dusted in green curry. It's an awesome little kick. Ambience in the place is great. I went for lunch. And it's a pretty quick and classy at the same time. Totally recommend for nicer lunch meeting.
(4)
James H.
Food: four stars. Scene: 2 stars for being so overwhelmed by douchebags. If you're a douchebag, go often. You'll love it. If you're not a douchebag but have a high douchebag tolerance, go often. If you're not a douchebag and have a low douchebag tolerance, it's worth a visit but not at peak times.
(3)
Rachel R.
It's so convenient to have an awesome such restaurant literally connected to our building. Union is a great place for dinner when we don't feel like going far and feel like a great meal is a casual environment. The menu really has something to offer for everyone. From traditional sushi / sashimi to the robota options to awesome specials, I've never had anything here that I haven't enjoyed. During the cold season, I absolutely love the Spicy Pigtail Ramen. It's amazing, and I am pretty sure I could eat it for weeks straight! They have a great saki and Japanese whiskey menu too. Sashimi has always been very fresh! My only comment is the wait time for initial drink / taking order has been pretty lengthy on a few occasions and the spacing of courses has been a bit off at times. Not a big enough issue to not love this place though.
(4)
Chris M.
Union is very close to my office, so my coworkers and I have been here many times, and I really like it. The flavors and variety are great. Some highlights... - The spicy pigtail ramen is delicious in the cold winter months. - Duck Fat Yakisoba is absolutely delicious. - Rolls are fresh with great flavor. - Unique, varied, and delicious specials on any given day. - Happy Hour Oysters are fresh and flavors are fantastic. - Anything off the grill is pretty good. - Some tasty mixed drinks. - A nice atmosphere. Unique, but not over-the-top trendy. Overall, can't say I've ever had anything that I've been very disappointed by. Not cheap, but reasonable for the quality.
(4)
Rob J.
Granted I came here when it first opened and just got around to writing this review but I don't get it. The service was terrible and the food was just so-so. Walk a few blocks east for much better sushi.
(3)
Rick F.
Appetizers, Edamame, Sashimi Cup, Truffled Tuna, Cocktails, Kuro Smash, Skinny Geisha, A Fresh Start, Chicken Udon, Robata Grill Spare Rib, Lamb Chops, Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Tuna, Old City Market, Soft Shell Crab. I must say everything here was excellent. I really like the vibe here, everyone was having a great time including the staff. It is known has a hipster type place but I saw all age groups mingling just fine. I'm adding this to my place to bring out of town visitors, this is a big deal, you really have to be special to make this list.
(4)
Melanie S.
Our group of four had dinner here over Memorial Day weekend, and the place was busy. We started with a round of drinks and a bottle of sake before moving on to food. I really wanted to get the Jitterbug Perfume (as it shares the same name as one of my favorite books), but I didn't like one of the components so I ended up having the Surprise + Delight (which was indeed both surprising and delightful!) instead; a refreshing concoction of muddled strawberries, lemon, cucumber vodka, Pimm's, lemongrass, and seltzer. That was one of the best cocktails I've had in recent memory. We enjoyed a good portion of the menu, both sushi and from the robata grill. For truly adventurous eaters (not me!), they have some interesting things like kangaroo and alligator. We started with a dozen oysters and two orders of the truffled tuna. I did not partake in the oysters, but they were well-received (if a little too aggressive with the cilantro). I loved the truffled tuna, which came with buttery avocado and wonton chips. I appreciated that they weren't heavy handed with the truffle; a little goes a long way. We also had the sashimi cup, which was probably the rest of the group's favorite. Similar to a ceviche, it comes with escolar, salmon, green onion, ponzu, and avocado puree. I refuse to eat escolar as I've heard it can wreak havoc on your digestive system. I'm not a fan of the possibility of crapping my pants in public so I skipped it. I haven't heard any tales of woe from the others so it appears everyone escaped the perils of eating escolar; good for them. Some of the other items we tried were mushroom soup (like a miso with a variety of earthy mushrooms), mushroom salad, and several specialty rolls. I love that they offer half rolls (I wish more places did this); it makes me much more likely to order more. Of the specialty rolls, we had the Old City Market (spicy tuna/salmon/fried okra), Hokkaido (grilled scallop/avocado/roasted pepper) and the Clifton (calamari/asparagus) and the mushroom roll, which was vegetarian. It came with tempura mushrooms and avocado, and it was damn tasty. To that, we threw in a couple pieces of marinated salmon nigiri for good measure. From the robata section, we did skewers of lamb chops, scallops wrapped in prosciutto, jumbo shrimp, and kangaroo (eek!). I especially liked the scallops but the lamb chops didn't have much flavor except for the char from the grill. I'd skip those next time. Allegedly the kangaroo was very tender and not gamey (I did not try it), but it was a tad salty. Skewers are great--you can order a ton of them and everyone can get what they want. It does add up though, so be warned. Service was very good. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations. Union Sushi + Barbecue is a nice change of pace from the usual sushi bar, and I love that you can also get items from the robata. It's a great way to customize your meal and get a little bit of everything. Overall, Union Sushi gets a thumbs up. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Nanc A.
Good spot. Good sushi not too many pieces served but the taste is amazing. Yummy drinks friendly staff
(4)
Jin K.
So we went here to dine on friday night for my wife's birthday. We actually had our first date there about two years ago. This time was as good as the previous times that we have gone. The Bartender upstairs, rocks! Super knowledgeable about drinks, the beer that he recommended was excellent, echicho (sp?) and the cocktails that he made for the others in our party were outstanding. I didn't know they had Ramen noodles but two people from our party of six ordered Ramen Noodles and after trying both of them, I wanted to order one for myself. So Good! But since we had ordered loads of rolls and sushi, i didn't. The food was delicious as always. If I still lived in the city, I would go at least once a week to feast on the Ramen Noodles and some excellent rolls.
(5)
Andrea Z.
Excellent! We went in search of some sushi and cocktails and were very impressed with Union. We tried two different specialty cocktails - one was gin and one rum - and both were quite good and at $11 each, decently priced if not cheap. Union specializes in black rice sushi and although they charge a bit extra for it, I highly recommend it. Flavor-wise, it isn't much different from white rice but we found the texture to be different and very very good. I would absolutely try this if you get the chance. Sean got the black rice nigiri sampler for $25 - I think there were at least 8 large pieces. I went with three 4-piece rolls: Devon roll (sweet potato tempura), tempura shrimp, and spicy tuna. Both of us enjoyed our meals very much. The fish was superb, extremely fresh and melt-in-your mouth good. The rolls were great. Spicy tuna was well seasoned and just spicy enough. Devon roll was interesting - I wouldn't say my favorite as it was a bit bland, but I'd never had tempura sweet potato before so I'm glad I tried it. The tempura shrimp roll was the highlight of the meal for me. Most places batter and fry the shrimp, then roll it, then cut it. Not union. Here they assemble the roll then batter and fry THE WHOLE THING! Somehow it does not end up greasy and heavy. The whole roll is warm but not hot - exactly the right temperature, and with just enough fried batter on the outside. I've never had anything like it - SO GOOD! Very reasonable prices, great sushi - highly recommended. We walked out at less than 80 bucks including tip. Not bad for sushi in Chi-town. Definitely give this place a try.
(5)
Daniel H.
I went to this place I was blown away! Service was fantastic! Sushi very fresh and the alcohol selection Double Plus Good. I recommend it.
(5)
Marcio D.
Great sushi and drinks (morning glory) in a relaxed environment with super friendly staff. Sushi chef was amazing and his recommendations were incredible.
(5)
Miss B.
I ate at Union during a visit to Chicago last fall. This place is heavenly. Rap music and sushi is all one needs in life and Union Sushi + BBQ Bar is ready to serve. Truffle tuna - JUST run there now and stop reading this review any further. However, if you are still curious about this glorious establishment, they have great rolls and other appetizers. Personally, I was not in love with the black rice sushi but it was not fault of Union (just my taste buds). When I return to Chicago, this will be my first and last stop. Hoping to dream about truffile tuna and a platter of nigiri with west coast rap serenading the event!!!!
(5)
Jamie B.
Sushi was pretty good, but overall I found this place to be overpriced for the value. $12 for a 5 oz. glass of mediocre white wine? No thanks. The fresh wasabi we were offered (and accepted like idiots) was a $5.00 charge which our server never mentioned. I just was not impressed, I think there are better sushi paces (with BYOB options) than this place.
(2)
Douglas B.
I can't say enough about this place. Yes, another 5 stars, seems that some of these places have not been disappointing at all. Union has amazing music playing every time I've been there. Old school hip hop.. nothing more, nothing less. None of that BS dance music, none of that new crap wanna-be rap... real hip hop. Makes dining there so much the better. They have a killer happy hour... $1 oysters with delicious crispy onion toppings, green onion, chile oil and fish roe... so good!! $3 beef skewers so tender so good and a $6 huuuuge shrimp maki. I always go for the pork shoulder, it is full of flavor. All of their meats are cooked over a 600degree fire. They have kangaroo and alligator as well. I will need to attempt the kangaroo one day. The sushi is fantastic, the fish is fresh and they give you nice portions. The uni is creamy and grade A. They have a few mixologists and make fantastic drinks, the have a long list of house drinks they make. .. very creative. I stick to a Makers Mark manhattan, they knock it out of the park. Not to mention the black cherry they put in there, so much better than the maraschino. Go! Go try the happy hour specials. The food is not that pricey, its the drinks that get ya, they are pricey but so damn good and worth every penny. If you like to drink, be careful, you will down them one after another with out batting an eye :D
(5)
Alex G.
I'm here for my second time. I can't tell you how much I love this place. Crab legs if on the special are a must. Love the Devon toll. Also had the cold cider mule, amazing! My go to for all of my out of state visitors!
(5)
Jenny H.
Union Sushi is fun, funky, and fresh! We had a choice of sitting in front of the robata grill or at the sushi bar (no tables were available at the time). We picked the latter and it was the best decision of the evening! Consider it a front row seat into the meticulous artistry that is their sushi. We started out with some edamame and then worked our way through the menu... TRUFFLED TUNA Based on the overwhelming recs on here, we followed suit. It was decent, but I'm the kind of person that would've liked the tuna itself to come out more. PROSCUITTO-WRAPPED-SCALLOP oh, my gawd Becky-- look at that scallop... it is so big! It was palm-sized perfection: smoky, juicy, a tad on the saltier side but oh-so-scrumptious! Then a foray into half to full portions of sushi: TSUKIJI MARKET CHESAPEAKE BAY DEVON RAINBOW We both liked the Tsukiji simply because it was subtle yet refreshing, my dining companion had commented that it was very much like a Vietnamese spring roll. I liked the Devon because of its textures and sweetness, though I could've done without the overpowering eel sauce. I've never had black rice sushi and the Chesapeake was a good introduction. Who would've thought... crisp collard green wrapped sushi? BANANA BREAD + ICE CREAM Recommended by our server and I love anything banana-themed because of its subtle sweetness. Banana bread came out moist and warm. Paired nicely with the banana ice cream. We dined to the musical likes of Weezy and 50cent. Made for a uniquely entertaining night of creative eats. Shout out to Aum, even though he wasn't directly our sushi chef, he made sure we could approach him in the interim since our server wasn't available and even offered us a sample of their cannolis (which I will definitely have to try next time since I was so stuffed). Our fast friendship was solidified with a parting fist bump and best believe, I will be seeking him out on my next visit! Sit at the bar, order something from the grill and a variety from their union roll list. Guaranteed good time!
(4)
Alex J.
If you don't want to be seated at the sushi bar, make sure to make reservations - the host staff WILL be catty. Personally, I love to sit at the sushi bar at this place. There is a female waitress there named Aniporn (spelling?) who is awesome! The happy hour special is fantastic ($1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2 grilled beef skewers). The house drinks that I have had there were good. The prawn with kale salad is excellent. So is the black rice sushi sampler. I really love this place!
(4)
Catie R.
A few co-workers and I tried this out for lunch the other day, and had a slightly better than average experience. Two of them got the Surf n Turf bento box and were disappointed at the size of the sliders- they were not filling for the price. What is saving Union Sushi from only a 3-star rating is the edamame was tastier than I've had before, and their Dragon Roll was absolutely addicting- I'd go here again, but not for the bento boxes.
(4)
Nichole C.
I think I'm going to have to reevaluate my feelings for Sushi X and Toro Sushi now that I have experienced the wonder of Union. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I don't know if it's the atmosphere (cool industrial space with tagged up walls and an open kitchen), the drinks (those bartenders WORK for their money and the drinks have ingredients I have never heard of...not to forget they also have SPARKLING SAKE and some good craft beers), the food (black rice sushi...what other evidence do you need?), or our server (he was the nicest, sweetest, cutest thing in the world and he was a great server too) but I love it here. I was also impressed with the menu (both sushi and bbq), the specials and appetizers (damn, they make me feel fancy with that iPad menu!), and the drinks other than alcohol (Japanese sodas, teas, etc.). The only thing that I would mention (if I have to be picky) is that you should probably make a reservation (of course the place is packed) and the regular old rolls like the spicy tuna are totally boring compared to the others that they serve so go big or go home. And try the black rice...it's the bomb.
(5)
Steven N.
Not a bad place with both sushi and robata grill all under one roof. For our taste, this place is a bit too trendy though. We tried the black sesame rice sushi platter and found ourselves wanting back the regular sushi rice instead. Their fish quality is ok, but not overly impressive. We also tried some items off their robata grill - if you are into gamey meat like kangaroo, bison or alligator, this is the place for you. We thought the scallops from the grill was the best item we tried. Parking is easy there and the atmosphere is relaxed, so give it a shot if you are in the neighborhood. We won't be returning since it's not really what we like.
(3)
Dominic V.
Really good and creative sushi.
(5)
Mike W.
My wife had been raving about this place for months and then we went with friends on a recent Friday night. It was good but not spectacular . I definitely thought the black rice was a cool touch and I really liked the ice cream. Also, our server had a fantastic mustache (and was a pretty good waiter). The fresh wasabi ground at your table is cool. And sake in a can is great. I had enough cans of sake + the bourbon drink (also pretty good) that I don't clearly recall what we ate. It's a bit on the pricey side although for where it is and what it's trying to be I didn't think it outrageous.
(3)
Claire M.
I've been here a half-dozen times now and always, always, always return every time I'm in Chicago. The menu is creative, the food is tasty, and I just love the energy. My favorites on the menu are the truffled tuna, black rice sushi sampler, the spare rib and the fatty tuna sashimi. In fact, that list right there is pretty much what we order every single time! I'm always surprised as well by how reasonable the prices are for a wonderful sushi meal. For example, two girlfriends and I came here over the summer and absolutely gorged ourselves for less than $45 a person including a bottle of wine and a nice tip. Another huge plus -- it's so easy to book a reservation here using OpenTable. The service tends to be competent rather than overly warm, although I have had some great servers. The last time we were here I found our server a little too pushy about upselling us on the fresh wasabi without mentioning there was an extra charge. However, we've had consistently great experiences with the bartenders -- I might even try eating at the bar sometime if I'm there by myself!
(5)
Ryan R.
High quality, fresh sushi, and knowledgeable staff. Consistently great food either dining at restaurant or picking up for carry out sushi. The fact that they have delicious, healthy BLACK RICE available is A+. My favorite spicy tuna roll in Chicago by far. I also love all their sashimi and the truffled tuna appetizer. Never a disappointment!
(4)
Heather K.
We had a great night! We went for a casual business dinner (among friends) about a week ago. Very impressed from the start with the atmosphere, music, and overall vibe. We had a reservation, but decided to stay at the bar because we were enjoying the company of Adam! He was our fantastic bartender. If you are looking for an easy going and fun night out with great drinks and great food, this is the place. We let him make recommendations and just keep bringing out the food and drinks! Loved the truffled tuna! He even made great vegetarian recommendations for one person in our party. We had a great time and really enjoyed everything! #thanksadam ;)
(5)
Jvmr C.
We came here a second time. Still great food, atmosphere, and service. It seems they took my (or someone else's) advice and replaced the cheap plastic sampler/tasting plates with heavier plates. Also I was disappointed that they no longer offer the tableside preparation of fresh wasabi. But I would still definitely recommend it.
(4)
Lena H.
Sat at the sushi bar which is a little distracting when you're starving and trying the have a conversation. When my sushi arrived, man it was delicious! I was prepared to go all out and forgo my diet. Coincidently, the rolls i chose, only one included rice, the lower carb black rice. It was the Chespeake Bay. DO NOT PASS IT UP. So good!! The place is pricy, but I really enjoyed the sushi, and felt guilt free, so I guess it was worth it!
(4)
Jessica P.
I ordered from here one night thinking it'd be amazing . The service was great but the food seemed sloppy. like a child put it together. The chicken seemed so bland nearly a hint of salt . sushi was poorly put together, soup over salted with hardly enough components. Not to mention prices are ridiculous Neat place great service - poor food quality .
(2)
Conrad S.
Great sushi place, some nights the sushi is phenomenal sometimes it is not. It gets pretty busy on the weekends but that's Chicago for you. Inside is a very cool modern kind of look, the lighting is very well done and brings out how cool their space is.
(4)
Rachna K.
What can I say? They have the best vegetarian roll ever - the Devon. The Devon roll is TO DIE FOR! Soooo good! My husband, who loves meat and seafood, is also equally enamored with the Devon. The rest of the rolls are pretty good too. My hubby has had a few items from the BBQ bar - including the beef and alligator, he said it was okay. The Devon roll alone will keep me coming back here! Great place if you are vegetarian but in the mood for sushi!
(4)
Amy W.
Looved Union, firstly for the open layout with unique designs -- the high ceilings, the wall art, and the robata grill display! The service was also great. Our waitress was efficient, knowledgable, and also courteous. My boyfriend and I tried one of the specials, the grilled bay scallops, which were absolutely delicious (I thought the use of iPads to display the specials was quite unique as well). The portion was a bit small, though; for $5 we got only two scallops. The sushi was average; nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about. The duck-fat yakisoba was amaazing, however! It had just the right amount of kick to it. And as for dessert -- oh my! We shared the taro mochi cake and a scoop of the uni ice cream. The latter was an interesting combination of flavored and textures that I had never tasted before. The ice cream definitely had a strong savory, uni flavor and was almost a bit cheesy in texture, but it was perfectly balanced out with the crispy caramel. I would recommend sharing, though. It might have been too heavy for me if I had had it myself!
(5)
Sandy D.
Boyfriend made reservations in advanced for my birthday. there were plenty of open tables yet, they were going to be seated right in front of the door, but i asked to be seated upstairs. the food was delicious. I was happy with the chef sashimi choices, however a little disappointed that it was not garnished with radish shreds nor the green edible leaves - I had to ask for the radish shreds. Also, we sat with empty dishes and no drinks for quite some time. i had to request that our dishes get removed and more drinks. Our waitress had been busy taking shots with a party near us. After a while our waitress was slurring her words, working slow and was waaaay too touchy feely with us - it made me too uncomfortable. I was not liking the service at this point - luckily Choa one of the owners came by and thanked us for coming and gave us a taste of white smoked tuna. he turned it around for sure! i look forward to coming back, the owners just need to watch their staff to not get messed up while working - its not professional. I also over heard the table that our waitress was taking shots with, when they closed up, they shorted the waitress. hmmm - i wonder why. sober staff count better.
(4)
Cami R.
Loved the place!! Great decor and friendly staff!! We ordered the skinny geisha as a cocktail, it was good but a little more alcohol would do no harm... We had a lot of rolls but the ones who standed out were the shrimp tempura and the mushroom with black rice. For dessert the brownie... it is to die for!!
(4)
Eatie J.
Been here several times and I must say... This must be love.
(5)
Jim K.
Not like a regular sushi place. Go for the unique and different here it's all great. It was my first time having kangaroo. Interesting. Not what I would have expected, and tasty. The beef to tongue skewers are also spectacular - we must have ordered at least five of them. Definitely go for the black sushi rice. Normally I don't like this kind of rice but here it is done well, and actually adds to the diversity of the rolls. Also be sure to try the rolls that use seaweed alternates as wrappers - radish and the like. The bartender is also a wizard with the white whiskey. Good, even if super strong, beverages. Maybe a bit overpriced for what you get, but yummy.
(5)
Joanne N.
Oh Union Sushi how I wish you were better. I live right in the neighborhood and would love for this place to be everything its trying to be. Here are my thoughts: Sushi- okay not great. I don't enjoy overly complicated rolls so if I'm going to get a basic tuna or hamachi roll, I want it to taste really fresh. I don't always feel that way with these rolls. Oysters- same deal as the sushi. Not the best in the world, but fine. I think they overcompensate with other flavors when I think oysters are best standing on their own. I'll only order them during happy hour. The noodle soups- I do love these. They are the reason I gave union 3 stars instead of 2. The spicy pigtail ramen is great if you have a cold. It's also sooo tasty. Union serves its purpose; trendy sushi spot in river north. Just not my favorite place in town!
(3)
Maria G.
My first Restaurant Week restaurant!!! I made a point to this year finally make a reservation to a restaurant participating in restaurant week. I called up a pal, said here's my list, and we go from there. She ended up going with Union Sushi and I was totally stoked! We had reservations for 6:45 and there was hella traffic on the way there! I also didn't look into parking info ahead of time but was crossing my fingers that street parking would be readily available. 6:40 pm and I spot the restaurant. And look! Street Parking! Right across the street!!! Hellz yeah!!! My dining partners had just arrived as well and we were seated immediately. Service was great! And I loved the decor and ambiance. I was totally digging the music and then threw my hands up when some Slim Shady came on! The food was all delicious BUT...I did not care for the Black Pepper shrimp appetizer. It was totally unappealing and I would not recommend it. I had a great night here and will definitely be back for some more of that Black Rice Sushi!
(4)
Martha Z.
My friend and I took a seat at the bar in front of the sushi chef. We ordered the BBQ sampler and it all came out tasting very good. We also tried the rice pudding for dessert and was so delicious that we ate it up so quickly. The waiter was also very attentive and super nice. Would definitely go back when I'm back in Chicago.
(5)
Jessica N.
I LOVE Union!!!! Have been there twice in the past month again and have had a fabulous experience every time. Amazing service - very knowledgeable and helpful but not OVERLY on top of you Food - Their new Agedashi potato is SO good. Plus tried the new grilled prawn and it was like lobster - delicious! Always have great music and a fabulous vibe!
(5)
David O.
I decided to try Union Sushi after watching an episode of "Check Please," that featured the restaurant. All three diners on the show had positive comments, which prompted me to check it out. Great fresh sushi really enjoyed the BBQ. Atmosphere was totally laid back at the same time very contemporary. The only down side was out waitresses kinda sucked. Wasn't very attentive, water, napkins, nowhere to be found when wanting to order more, but overall was a great night. Highly recommend for a first date kinda night.
(4)
James Z.
I know we need to talk about the food immediately, but can we mix things up a minute and talk about how much I love the location and design of this place? I kinda love the fact that it's right next to the El tracks. There's something rustic and romantic about its proximity to an old subway artery. It's also positioned on a corner where you can dine watching the action of River North around you. Big windows and dim lighting allow for the streetscape to become your source of visual entertainment. The interior design, however, is not understated. I love the vibrant colors, murals, and funky lights. I am reviewing Union Sushi & BBQ Bar mainly based on my most recent visit for Restaurant Week. We had a Friday night reservation for 8:15. We got there ten minutes early and they told us our table wasn't going to be ready until 8:15. We waited until 8:30 when we were sat. Our hostess apologized for the delay, and luckily we didn't get sat near the front door where there is an unpleasant draft. I ordered the Surprise & Delight cocktail. It had muddle strawberries, pimm's, simple syrup, cucumber vodka, lemongrass, and seltzer. It was refreshing and transported me to summertime --- a much needed reminder of warmth in the middle of this brutal Chicago winter. The miso soup was our starter. Yummy! It was a nice beginning to our meal... along with the complimentary edamame. For appetizers, he ordered the truffle oil tuna with potato chips. Amazing! Very truffle-y! I ordered the prawns with chili. Good stuff. My boyfriend ordered the Surf & Turf as his main entree which was a fillet of beef served with crispy shrimp, thinly-sliced fried potatoes, and a sweet potato cream that had the consistency of a puree. I had a sushi platter; it was delicious -- especially the spicy tuna. Now, for the sweet stuff... I like dessert, but don't always NEED it. Thankfully, for Restaurant Week, dessert was included and boy was I glad! The killer yuzu pie was refreshing... and very tart!! (Actually, a bit *too* tart for my liking, but still amazing.) I wish the crust wasn't that hard to cut through though. The pumpkin mochi cake, however, won out in the end. The cream cheese ice cream, pumpkin brittle, and caramel made this dish. Our server was fine. She seemed a little scatter-brained at times, and wasn't super attentive, but nothing egregious or praiseworthy to report. Out of all the RW places we went to this year, my boyfriend and I agreed this was our favorite.
(4)
Chitterne B.
Turn up the damn heat. Please. So cold - do not let them seat you in the tables near the windows during the winter!
(3)
Ma M.
sushi was delicious and the chicken skewer was tasty, wish they was little more to curry but regardless I would order it again
(3)
Kate D.
Everything everything everything was delicious. The sushi rolls were fantastic, the drinks were amazing and the dessert was the perfect end to the meal. Recommend the mushroom roll, the scallop with black rice roll(cant remember the fancy name). Dan our waiter took such amazing care of our pregnant friend that the service might have been the highlight. Ask for Dan. I will be back for more sushi:)
(5)
Julia P.
Have eaten here at least 6 times now, with quite varying experiences. Has ranged from a delightful relaxed time at the bar talking to the owner, watching him prepare a very special dish, and getting some Chicago Thai restaurant tips, to perfectly fine experience with good wait staff, to sitting at a bench seat feeling as if in a hole unable to quite reach the table, to being treated a bit as an imposition by front staff even with reservation and being rushed by servers, to, worst of all, - freezing so badly at most recent visit that even with floor length down coat on I still felt as if having chills from influenza throughout entire meal and couldn't wait to leave. The food will win out and bring me back though, and I have hope that some of these other issues could become more consistent, hopefully on the good end! Most easily remedied would probably be to develop systems for timing the coursing of plates being served and refraining from rushing diners. As it stands, we are just careful to order only a couple of things and try to plan it out ourselves the best we can. Black rice items here are the standout for me. Yum. Inspired me to make black rice at home more often. Also delicious is the lightly topped presentation of the oysters, and the time we hit happy hour for those was a nice bargain surprise. March 2014 update. Adding a star for recent nice experiences. For us a key seems to be dining at the bar, but that may be coincidence combined with our personal preference. Union continues to be a favorite.
(4)
Matthew F.
The food here is sublime! Entered and was seated in no time flat (they were REALLY full). I ordered the edamame and the tuna salad (it's not really a salad. It's more like a tower of tuna with truffle.) Both were great. I have a knack for eating A LOT OF sushi, and it was very fresh. The restaurant pickles their own onions and puts it on top of the tuna nigiri.... OH.MY .GOD. It was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. One less star because while the food is good.....it is REALLY EXPENSIVE. Not a weekly restaurant......probably once every few months. Great place for dates.
(4)
Beth K.
YUM! Love this place! Love the atmosphere, the drinks and the food! The minute you sit down, they bring you edamame. There was something tasty sprinkled on it, but I can't remember what it was. Our waiter for the evening, was awesome and patient. I think he checked on us 4 times before we actually decided what we wanted to order, food wise. Drink order always goes in right away. They have so many fun cocktails there, you really can't go wrong. I ended up ordering some sashimi they had as a special and it was delightful. Our server (forgot his name) recommended it and said it was similiar to a halibut, or maybe it was red snapper. Haha, either was it was great! I also got my standard black rice hokkaido roll. I love it, and could probably eat it every day. I also love that you get an option of ordering 4 or 8 pieces. My friend is a little more adventurous then I am and had the alligator rib. He loved it, and can't wait to go back when they get the kangaroo (sad) back on the menu. If you haven't been and are looking to try something new check out Union. Whether you order sushi or order something from the bbq/robata menu you won't be disappointed. Cheers!
(5)
Kori E.
We came here last night for Restaurant Week and boy was I impressed!!! We decided to come a little early to have a drink at the bar before dinner, and I think the only disappointing factor was the lack luster bartender. He was borderline rude. However, when we moved on to our table our waitress was super friendly, attentive and gave great suggestions! I would highly recommend doing the Restaurant week menu as you get a huge bang for your buck ;) We split the sushi and pork and were STUFFED. The portions are huge and everything was so spot on. The desserts were also phenomenal and massive portions once again! I loved the black rice sushi, and nothing was dosed in tempura or mayo, the fish was really the main ingredient, which I liked. They have a great drink list as well and would recommend ordering the Skinny Geisha, I had two and loved them! I will for sure be returning to Union, such a great spot! Im surprised it took me this long to make it here.
(5)
Sean P.
Pretty good sushi and it's not too bad trying to get reservations on the same day. It was a little bit too loud being seated upstairs. I've had better experiences downstairs where you could actually hear the person you're sitting next to.
(4)
Diane W.
I called almost 3 weeks in advance for a dinner reservation of 10 for my birthday. The hostess stated that should be fine and took my name and contact information down and stated their event planner would contact me sometime before the dinner. About a week before the dinner reservation, I had not heard back from the event planner so I called to confirm my reservation only to find out they had no reservations under that name. The only times they could offer me was 10:00 at night..which who wants to eat that late. I then asked to speak with the manager who was great. He was very accommodating and took care of all my issues. He was able to ft my friends in at 8:00 reservation as I had requested. I have eaten here before, always great service and great food.
(4)
Tony B.
Recently went for a birthday and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere! It's a place you can miss though it's in River North it's not near a ton of other restaurants, tucked in by the El. Nice thing is if you have a crew that has some non-sushi lovers there's good variety on the menu. Good shareables. Manager came over and greeted us, staff threw a little birthday celebration for my buddy Mark and over all it was just a very welcoming and delicious evening.
(4)
Natalia K.
the rolls are tiiiiiiiiiiny. a full order of salmon roll is literally half the size of any salmon roll i've eaten anywhere else. if you like thick rolls with big pieces of fish and rice paper, i would basically go anywhere but here. i can't say anything about their ramen or bbq or whatever else they serve, since i haven't tried it but the sushi was a fail. and we ordered a lottttt of different rolls. i've heard such good things about this place but was honestly really disappointed.
(1)
Nazy H.
Made these reservations from about a month before and told them it was a surprise birthday. Granted it changed from a party of 6 to a party of 10 but they also had to change our time from 9 PM to 10 PM which I said that is fine as long as we get to sit at 10 PM. Well our party waited at the bar for 45 minutes before we were even seated and they only came by to us once saying that it will be a few more minutes before I continuously asked them if they could please just do something because everyone was so hungry at this point. Then the entire order taking and dinner process was slow. The black rice sushi was delicious. And we got the bbq platter that everyone loved as well. So overall, food was great but service definitely needs some work.
(3)
Jaime G.
Union Sushi has some good sushi and ambiance...but rest is just other food. A little over priced too. Go here if you want to hang out for a drink and a sushi app...but that's about it.
(3)
Aubrey R.
Food was good, not the best, but good. Thought the prices were kind of high for what you got. We ordered some rolls, tuna with truffle oil app, some pieces of bbq, slider appetizer and the surf and turf. Surf and turf was the best, meat was tender, prawns were good and price of that was worth it. The sauce was excellent! The slider appetizer was okay...that definitely didn't taste like wagyu, the pork belly was good and the crab cake one was okay. Pork belly wasn't that tender, flavor was good. For the bbq, the rib had good flavor, we ordered two. One was super tender and melted in your mouth, the other wasn't that tender and kind of hard. The duck I was told was also just okay. The skin was crispy, but flavor was so so. My husband and friend did enjoy the lamb because it didn't taste gamey. The key lime pie was overly tart and sour, not good at all. The chocolate brownie was pretty good. Service was good, place looks big, but they don't have that many tables it seems and it gets really loud. It was nice to try a new place, but I prefer Sunda and Slurping Turtle and feel you get more for your money there. We spent $275 for 4 people and we left comfy, not full. Totally don't mind dropping this much money for food, but it should be worth it. Oh I did enjoy the Simple + Delight (I think that is what it was called). Vodka cucumber drink. Yum!
(3)
Sarah K.
Adam just whipped up the most amazing drink on the fly. Come for drinks, stay for sushi, you won't regret it!
(5)
Hayley N.
The food was delicious and the service was great! I was stuffed after the meal, but it left me wanting more! I will definitely come back here with friends. We got a lot of different things to try: House Salad- standard, but really yummy dressing Lamb Chops- excellent flavor- a little fatty Truffle Tuna- delicious, but wasn't overwhelmed with truffle flavor Wagyu Beef- a little too rare for me, but it was still good-- nothing crazy 2 rolls-- one white rice and one black rice (both awesome!!!) Pumpkin dessert with mochi- UNREAL Enjoyed the place a lot. A good place for a fun atmosphere and interesting food.
(4)
Monica C.
2 words: Complete Ripoff!! My boyfriend and I ordered delivery from this place on GrubHub. In the end, everything came out to around $60 dollars, so we were expecting a good portion of food. When the order came, we were shocked - it was only enough to feed a person for half a meal. And they forgot the soy sauce, great. We were left starving and bitter. The food itself was a mediocre attempt at high-end sushi that fell flat. Old City Market Roll: The description goes "Spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion and crispy onion wrapped in collard green." Sounds fancy enough. WELL IT AIN'T. All I tasted was tuna wrapped around a sad little piece of green leaf, with a thin layer of black rice that looked like it was accidentally smudged on. Spider Roll: I chewed and chewed, but can only taste a hint of crab. I suspect some baby crabs were used in the production of this roll. Sauteed Maitake Mushrooms: I swear they were trying to give me high blood pressure. SO MUCH SALT. Whole Squid: Eh, it was ok. Again, tiny baby squid. Hold on to your wallets guys and go somewhere else to get your money's worth!
(1)
Adam K.
BBQ wasn't as on point this time, neither was service, still above the avg though.
(4)
Mary L.
I've never had such amazing food in my entire life. My boyfriend and I went for a date night expecting the best - and that is what we got! My server was Dan and he was not only extremely attentive, but courteous, respectful, and even remembered I was pescetarian when I ordered a prosciutto-wrapped scallop. He's the best. When you go, order the ume wine - it will blow your mind. Nothing says proper Japanese sushi than a glass of Ume wine to round off your meal. Basically, I have no complaints about this place. Every single thing we ordered was cooked (or not cooked!) to absolute perfection. The service was great, the menu inventive, and the Yuzu pie to die for. When my boyfriend and I can afford it, we'll definitely go again. In the meantime, we'll sing praises to the sushi Gods for Union.
(5)
Cassandra F.
My partner and I went here for our anniversary. The decor is a little odd, and the music is a little on the loud side, but other than that it was a fantastic experience. Our server was perfect -- just the right amount of attentiveness with being smothering or fussy. We ordered some robata skewers to start, which were quite tasty, as well as the duck fat yaki soba, which was excellent. The sushi was outstanding, especially the Chesapeake Bay roll. Seriously some of the best sushi I've had, and I've eaten a lot of sushi. But perhaps the highlight of the meal was dessert: a to-die-for chocolate brownie, and a yuzi pie so good my partner (who doesn't care for sweets) couldn't stop eating it. I will absolutely eat here again, although I may order take away, as it's on the way home. I'm also keen to try their lunch bentos. A+
(4)
Jose V.
I can't believe it took me that long to try this place given that is only a couple of blocks away from me! I came on a Friday night with friends and the place wasn't really that busy, however the server indicated that they were totally booked for the night.. And we had to wait and see, so luckily and after having a few drinks, a cancellation came along, so we were able to sit down after only 25 mins.. For the appetizers we just went for the truffled tuna which was fantastic. For main course we decided to split the black rice sushi sampler and a salad, everything was really tasty, you could tell the quality of the ingredients.. Servers are a bit awkward but still nice, music was a bit off from the atmosphere they are trying to create, perhaps some lounge music might be suitable but oh well, not a deal breaker ;) Drinks were good, not the best, portions and pricing were reasonable, overall experience great, definitely coming back, especially for their truffled tuna..
(4)
Natalya M.
I went to Union Sushi last night with my friend and I still cannot get Spicy Tuna roll with black rice out of my head. My friend and I made a pact right there and then to come back and just order that...it was pure perfection. This roll is definitely one of the best things I've ever tasted...and if you're one of those who doesn't care for sesame oil, like myself, be afraid not...I couldn't taste it. If I could have this roll for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I would! We also ordered Spicy Tuna with regular rice, Dragon Roll, Devon roll and Hokkaido. Hokkaido was my least favorite as it tasted pretty fishy, but I am not a fan of raw scallops unless they are drowning in spicy mayo and masago mix. All the rolls we tried, including regular Spicy Tuna pale in comparison to the Spicy Tuna with Black Rice. If you think that you're not going to order a boring spicy tuna roll that you've eaten 10 thousand times by now even if it's covered in black rice...Stop, don't think...just do it. We also tried the Pumpkin mochi cake dessert, which I ordered because everyone in Yelp seems to love it. I liked it but next time I am going to save my calories for the spicy tuna roll.
(5)
Jenny F.
Came here on a Saturday night and had some great food and drinks! The service is really great - super friendly staff and server. I was looking for a drink to warm up from the winter and the waitress recommended the hot cider mule which was delicious. I also had the kuro smash which was great. For the dessert the pumpkin mochi pie is pretty good as well. Not quite a mochi texture - a little bit more crumbly and pie-like.
(5)
Ryan G.
Two years on and Union has still exceeded all of my expectations throughout. Yes, there has been the occasional busy lunch service causing slow food that I had to sometimes take back to my office but that only makes my fellow employees jealous... Notable additions to their menu include seared fois-gras wrapped with a beef tataki, alligator ribs, the fried oyster and wagyu burger, octopus salad... Chef Chao, Aum and the rest of the kitchen staff are constantly evolving and elevating their menu and every new dish has been great. Top that off with a great group outing on New Year's Eve 2012 with eight people all sat around the robata grill and this restaurant continues to be my favorite in the Chicago. Congrats to Mike, Chao, Aum, Dan, Amy, Kathy and the rest of the staff for 2 great years and hopefully many more to come. I'll be looking forward to it.
(5)
D W.
The food was terrible. I don't understand why this place received so many good reviews. There are so many better places for sushi. I ordered the eel and ebi rolls with black rice and seaweed. The sushi was dry and didn't have any flavor. I get better sushi from Osaka Express in the South Loop at half the price. I guess I am spoiled because I lived in Japan and I know the difference of authentic sushi/Japanese food. The place is mediocre at best. Definitely would not come back.
(1)
Ryan K.
The specialty sushi rolls and chocolate mousse brownie are outstanding. I would have given 4 stars if the staff had not been in such a hurry to clear our table. We sat down for dinner at 7:50pm and by 9pm they were starting to rush us along. It was awkward and they close at 10:30pm. Maybe take out only on early week days would make more sense for them.
(3)
Nate L.
Oishi ryori arigato gozaimashita!!!!!! Your happy hour rocks! 1 dollar oysters 2 dollar beef skewers 6 dollar shrimp rolls 2 dollar PBR Did I mention 1 dollar oysters? I had braised beef tongue, 1 dozen oysters, beef short rib, 1 shrimp rolls, 2 PBRs and 1 Snow Flake Sake. Everything is flavorful and decently priced. Great place for an Happy Hour!
(5)
Maggie P.
One of my favorite Sushi places. I love the black rice sampler and the fresh grated wasabi. Their BBQ sampler is also amazing. The bartender knows what hes doing and they have my favorite lychee martini.
(4)
Calvin Y.
As a transplant from Los Angeles, I thought the quality of the food was alright relative to the price. The robata items are a bit on the expensive side, the specialty sushi was nothing amazing, and the cocktails were NYC pricey. Service was a bit slow the night I went, even when the restaurant was at maybe 50% capacity for peak of dinner hours.
(3)
Nicole J.
What a cool place! Had never had black rice sushi before...absolutely amazing. Even if you are not a vegetarian, try the sushi with the sweet potato in it, it's delicious.
(4)
Diana J.
Tried this place out for Restaurant Week, and was very pleased with their prix fixe menu. On the table was black pepper shrimp and truffled tuna with wonton chips for apps; Surf & Turf, and Sushi Roll combo of black rice tuna roll and shrimp tempura roll. The food was very generous in portion, with some complimentary edamame to start things off. I also ordered one of their $11 cocktails which was interesting, but not worth trying unless you have money you don't want to keep and crave an interesting fruit drink. But, back to the food: Black pepper shrimp: these were large and I very much liked them. The one thing I didn't like was that the heads were still on, and when I tried to do the thing where you get all that delicious goodness out of the head...I found slimy, strange tasting goo in there. Truffled tuna: This packed a wasabi punch, for sure~! It is not for the faint of heart, and is nicely sized. The side of wonton crisps were tasty and addictive. Sushi rolls: I couldn't believe that both rolls came included~! The black rice spicy tuna was delicious and had the right amount of spice. The shrimp tempura was tart, spicy, and sweet...worth going back for. Surf and Turf and Pork dishes were so good, but not my orders, so I didn't get to try them! Desserts: I tried the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it took me back to eating Arros con Leche as a kid. It was warm, cold, creamy, and cream-cheesy all in one. I hardly had any room left for it, but it was a great treat. Overall, I felt they put their best foot forward for this Restaurant Week menu.
(4)
Marisa G.
This place is phenomenal. My boyfriend and I try to go when we are in Chicago visiting family. My boyfriend doesn't like sushi normally but has loved every roll we have tried there! The chili shrimp appetizer is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I would go there and order three appetizers and be a happy girl. Things to order from the sushi menu: - Shrimp tempura roll: the whole roll is fried. I mean a delicious roll that is then fried. - I can't remember the name, but its a fried calamari roll. It's even better then the shrimp tempura roll - THE SCALLOP ROLL. I normally don't like cooked sushi but this is the best thing I have tried there... I think i also had a dream about it last night We also got a tuna roll that was wrapped in greens instead of seaweed/soy paper. It was good but not my favorite. Overall, fantastic place with amazing food and great drinks. If you are feeling like your wallet is too full that day, definitely try a bottle of sake. The staff is very knowledgeable on different types. It can be rather expensive though.
Terriblely awful!!! Both the severice and the food... The robata is so Americanlized that I didnt feel I was eating Japanese food...they are over salty...bad bad :(
(1)
Norah S.
Come here on a corporate event. When the food is not that good it takes off half of the fun
(3)
Aleksandra R.
Sleek menu, good specials, personable server, full bar, and a nice atmosphere made me give this place a 5. The portions might not be the biggest but it was definitely a nice experience. The tables seemed a bit too closed to each other but the couple next to me stroke out a conversation and recommended some appetizers which made me feel very at ease. The bus boys while seemed a bit sloppy, they were ok. No TVs in the restaurant area which is really nice cuz it's not that type of place where you want TVs around. The server carries a tablet where you can scroll down to see the specials and a quick description of the dishes which I thought saved a lot of time. I had camel meat which was a first for me, rainbow, shrimp tempura and other meats from the BBQ bar. Two thumbs up. Oh and the server was super sweet. For dessert I had ice cream which was a nice touch at the end. A great experience.
(5)
Alex J.
Union is a tradition amongst my closest friends and I. We frequently conquer happy hour - $4 shrimp tempura rolls in particular, but the beef skewers and oysters also pleasure both our palettes and our wallets. By conquer, I mean we indulge in as much happy plates as possible, making small talk with the bartenders and sushi chefs we've come to know and love. Union is also a great spot for dates, delivering an atmosphere that's sure to ignite the romance of your life. And if it doesn't, at least you have alligator skewers to boost your mood after she leaves because you made fun of her for thinking "zen" and "karma" are real things. I've heard alligator tastes like chicken, but, after sampling Union's, I've decided chicken merely tastes like a poor excuse for alligator. Any of the ramen soups are delicious, and check out the banana cream brittle with mochi as it is much better than the date that left you. It almost makes you believe in zen and karma, and that you're finally getting recognized for that time you helped an old lady put her groceries in her trunk. Long story short, make Union part of your life.
(5)
Helen H.
Service- excellent- really nice guy and just the right amount attentive. Drinks- excellent. Ambiance is really cool. ESP like the iPads. Food is pretty good - lamb chops- great - seared Waygu - a favorite - fresh wasabi- the best! And very cool and unique way of serving it - oysters- a favorite- really good and fresh and the minuet is reallyyy good and a cool asian flair to it - sashimi cup- very good - mushroom dumplings- icky,. A really weird flavor and too rich and not enough flavor at the same time. - duck fat yaki soba - good but spicy - spare ribs ramen- good but my mom makes it better. Too bad she ain't open for biz so this is a good substitute - absolute favorite is the pumpkin Mochi cake with caramel and brittle. Sister literally licked the plate to get the last bits. Price... On the high side for how much food you got compared to some other tapas places. But for such small plates we could order more variety. Will come back if in the area.
(4)
Danny W.
When I've got a freshman fifteen sized craving for ramen Union's where I go to get the goods. It's about the only place I've found in town so far that I can justify paying almost $15 for something I used to get for a dime in college. They're noodles are perfectly cooked and whether you add spicy pigtail or short rib it adds deliciously tender chunks of meat that make paying all that extra money worth it. Served in beefy broth it's exactly what the doctor ordered for a cold Chicago night. Not only are their noodles great, but I can get sushi and shoot the shit with Adam the awesome bartender. No joke...of the 5 times I've been here 3 of them I witnessed someone come in as a repeat customer specifically because of him. The guy is legit! Overall I love this place. For a date or dude-fest...you can't go wrong.
(5)
Wattanaporn R.
I went there with my friends it was her birthday she would recommend this place and this place make me impressed with the foods was delicious and staff was nice.
(5)
Chris H.
This place was okay. I had a roll and some nigiri and it all was fine. The black rice they use is really good, so I recommend that. The green tea ice cream Sunday was really good too. My only issue was the fact that in the hour or so I was sitting at the sushi bar, I didn't see them cut one piece of fish. I'm not sure if all that is done in the prep work, but it kinda bothered me.
(3)
Tessa C.
I don't understand the hype at all of this place. Been here for happy hour because I heard it had great deals. First of all, for a place that has sushi in its name, it only had one sushi roll for happy hour. I should have checked the menu before coming. But moving on, got the beef skewer and the tempura roll. The tempura roll was okay, but I would not call this a deal. It was only half a roll, and it tasted mostly of fried batter. I couldn't taste anything else. The beef skewer was really chewy and it did not have much flavor. My friend seemed to enjoy her oysters, but how hard can it be to mess up something that is raw. Regardless, probably won't be coming back. Happy hour is subpar. If you are looking for a decent happy hour, go to Devon Seafood Grill or Sunda.
(2)
Lauren K.
Excellent food here. Went during the lunch rush and it took forever to get our food, but I guess that's expected when you eat at 12:30. My dad had the sashimi cup, which he liked. I had a lunch bento with miso soup (good), salad (ok), tempura with hot dipping oil (great!), and spicy shrimp roll (also great!). I definitely want to try this place for dinner and review it again. Some of the mains look great and overall the service is good (just a little hectic at lunch). The restaurant itself is very hip and attractive.
(4)
Dennis L.
I went to this restaurant with friend and family. I got the black rice sushi sampler. It tasted pretty good, although I couldn't really tell the difference between black rice and regular rice. Other people got the ramen and the Duck Fat Yaki Soba, and they said that they liked what they had. The service was fair, and the ambiance was nice, although it was a little bit louder than I expected. (I guess we were next to a pretty boisterous crowd.)
(4)
Rachel B.
Our dearly departed Sushi Wabi that closed some time ago has been reincarnated! Chicagoans don't have many good sushi options, but Union to the rescue! Love the black rice sushi, highly recommend. Bay Street California roll is a must Soft Shell crab also incredible. Cute restaurant with a super chill vibe, grab a seat by the fire...super cozy this time of year-open seating. Highly recommend!
(5)
Peter K.
Just had lunch at Union Sushi yesterday. Kept life simple, I had the Chef's black rice nigiri sampler, my friend had Chef's black rice vegan roll sampler. We both had the "Adventurous" sake flights. Sake was very nicely presented, but really, my sushi was the standout. Simply put, AMAZING! Possibly the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a LOT of sushi. Fresh, perfectly thick buttery soft, flavorful cuts of the freshest fish EVER! It reminded me the subtle difference between good sushi and GREAT sushi. And everyone we had contact with was courteous, cheerful and so well informed about their aspect of the experience. A total winner in every respect.
(5)
Matthew M.
As usual, Union has proved to be amazing. The food surprises every time I go. Living in Chicago can spoil one's palette, which means it's rare to find food that is truly unique - Union nails it every time. Keep it up, thanks!
(5)
Julie Y.
I'm so disappointed by my recent visit to Union. I raved about it so much, but I don't know if I can recommend it to my friends after my last experiemce there. I read many good things about their ramen so we planned a group outing there to try it. What showed up was far from what ramen is supposed to be. Anyone who has had ramen before knows that the noodles should be springy and chewy. The "house" noodles at Union were an abomination. FLAT!? Soggy. So poorly cooked that they clumped together into a little ball. It was like someone who didn't know how to cook just dumped fettuccine into a boiling pot and called it a day. The broth was flavorful but too thick and salty. I think I went through three glasses of water. At the end of the day, noodles make ramen. Overall, I lost my appetite and didn't even want to order the desserts that I loved so much on previous visits. If you are looking for actual ramen, STAY AWAY.
(1)
Chris T.
Loved this place! Delicious food, great drinks, cool vibe... but expensive. So make sure you're celebrating something! I shared the barbecue sampler and the black rice sushi sampler with my friend and while I will say both were very yummy, we were still hungry after we finished. And at 27 bucks per plate (plus 10+ for drinks), we wished we had gotten a little more, or a lot more (we have big manly appetites, rawr). Drinks were also great. I had the Kuro smash and I think it was my favorite in our party.
(4)
Kimberly K.
Typical trendy, downtown place that has some pretty mediocre offerings. I went for the oyster happy hour and am NOT a fan of the way they dress theirs. The crunchy tempura on top takes away from the oyster flavor. We ordered our next few rounds naked and were much happier. We were not at all satisfied with our cocktails. One member of our party even sent hers back because of the horrible smell. She's in the service industry and a pretty great judge of a good cocktail. I got one of the sushi rolls because the oysters just weren't doing it for me. I was not blown away by it, but it was fine. I would definitely NOT order any sashimi. It didn't seem like very high quality fish. With so many other great sushi and oyster options in the vicinity, I'd say skip this one!
(2)
Antonio r.
I pretty much love everything g from here. The sushi is delicious and tastes fresh. My favorite thing to order is the truffle tuna with these chips or whatever they are. It's amazing and love the avocado. You should try the sampler with brown rice. I personally like the brown race more. I don't eat shell fish due to allergies but eat the whole sampler anyway.
(5)
Joy R.
First time here. All the food was delicious. Service was fast. I love the decor and the music. They served me the sushi in a cucumber roll instead of rice without fuss. Thumbs up for the beef tongue. Definitely a young and hip atmosphere.
(4)
monica m.
Delicious and creative. I would look forward to dining here again, and I wouldn't say that about many places.
(5)
Josh K.
The food was great, although I expected more sushi options. I enjoyed having the opportunity to try different meats (lama and kangaroo were both tasty). They had a great selection of whiskey and cocktails as well. Our server was friendly, but she kept pushing us to get the expensive sake when we told her that we just wanted cheap sake to supplement our cocktails. I'll definitely go back, but I'll explore other restaurants in the meantime.
(4)
Emily J.
Very good sushi!!! I recommend getting the black rice which is 1/2 the calories and carbs and white rice. Trendy and hype place to eat sushi and have a few drinks.
(4)
Nan K.
The black rice sushi was strange. The alligator and kangaroo meat were just as strange. I probably should have ordered more ordinary things, but I guess I went more for the experience. I can't say much about their sushi since I didn't have any of the normal ones, but I had a little bit of sashimi which was pretty good. This place is very interesting and fun, but I don't know if the food was good enough for me to want to go back.
(3)
Mark C.
Oh Union , you are the best. I recently dined here on NYE, and the service was absolutely wonderful. The staff was very accommodating to my group of 12. When another large party failed to relinquish her table in a timely manner , the host and staff apologized and quickly set my group up at another section. So my experience was going great even before the food came. Yes the food. There are so many items that you just can't go wrong by getting. Duck wing ?yes! Choosing one of the samplers, yes! Black rice sushi?! Takes a we. It longer, but worth the wait . And honestly the fact that a large group was able to have split checks is a huge plus. Of course I'm coming back.again and again
(5)
April L.
This was our first visit and we went for lunch for my husbands birthday. We came for the barbecue and our meat options were ALL delicious! My husband and I shared several skewers as well as the outstanding escolar. No complaints on the food. The atmosphere was unique and vibrant. There's lots of seating and seems it would be fun to sit at the BBQ bar. While we didn't have sushi, it looked good and we will definitely go back to try it. They also had a good little lunch menu with bento boxes, but we opted for the BBQ. I'm really looking forward to another visit!
(5)
Delia Z.
So, so good! Of course, things are pricey here, but the sushi was outstanding. Great flavor combinations and a wide variety of quality ingredients. Our waiter was also extremely friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend trying the black rice sushi sampler :)
(5)
S P.
They have one of the best Shrimp Tempura Rolls that I have ever had. The food is pretty great when you go to the restaurant and sit down but I must say that it is not as good when you place an order for pick up. I have placed many orders for pick up since we live pretty close and every time I ask the hostess taking my order to please call me if it comes out earlier than the 45 minutes that they quote for it to be done. I never receive a call and I usually go over 20 minutes after placing the order and the food is still sitting at the host stand getting cold. I guess I should just place the order and go over right away if I want to have fresh food. I would recommend this restaurant for a sit down dinner to ensure your food is fresh and warm. They also have a great Happy hour on Fridays if you can make it there before 6:30 pm.
(3)
M J.
Great happy hour with $1 oysters, $2 beef sticks and $4 shrimp tempura roll. I love all three of those things, but my wife is just "meh" about the beef. She really liked the Old City Market and I liked the Clifton #4, although I would recommend just a half order of each as I might get tired of the flavors after too many bites. Our server was awesome but I forgot his name (sorry!)
(5)
Jake J.
On my search for a restaurant to have a tasty snack at, I came across Union. I wasn't looking to spend to much so I checked out their happy hour. It's from 5:00pm to 6:00pm and includes $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2.50 Robata sirloin skewers and $1 oysters. My girlfriend is an oyster finatic and loved the ones served here. They are topped with scallions, crispy onions, tobiko and ponzu. The Robata sirloin is amazingly tasty and the shrimp tempura is awesome as well. The ambiance is relaxing and fun with graffiti on the walls and almost seeming as though you are in an upscale train station. It sounds a bit different but is very fun. A very trendy restaurant, complimented by fantastic food. I think this would be a great place to have a birthday dinner or bring a couple of friends to enjoy an amazing meal. My experience at Union was nothing but fantastic! You have to check it out yourself.
(5)
Monica M.
this is my sushi spot when i wanna head downtown. get the fresh wasabi, its lighter and less aggressive than the paste, but still has a kick. and they grate it for you on shark skin? i dont remember. sit at the bar. its fun to interact with the chefs and watch them make the rolls. fish is great quality. ive been keeping my eye out for a day i can go when they have live uni. i cant remember the names but the scallop roll is amazing. their hot sake is pretty good for the price. sip it all night.
(4)
Kristen D.
Very cool ambiance here. We had the upstairs sectioned off for a dinner meeting and were served a prix fixe menu, most of which I cannot remember what we were served. Others in our party loved the mushroom roll, and whichever roll had the shrimp in it was my favorite. the meats (chicken and beef) served on tiny skewers were nothing to write home about, but I find that is pretty consistent with prix fixe dinners. I'll likely return with Clark some day, but we probably won't be rushing there.
(3)
Matt G.
I work in the neighborhood and my colleagues and I frequent Union. We've had some service snafoos in the past, but the food is excellent. My personal favourite is the Spicy Pigtail Ramen, but the Sushi is also pretty good.
(4)
Eunice A.
Super cute date night spot. Super salty food. Super pricey place for Super high sodium. Overall, you can guess--Super not worth it.
(1)
Rick I.
Just ate a ton of sushi here. Was great! I especially like the uniqueness of this place including the Madai sushi. They don't have that everywhere. Now I'm moving on to the other side of the menu. The cook food off the Robata Grill. The filet of beef and the pork shoulder were outstandingly delicious!
(4)
Karen X.
Not the best or most authentic sushi I've ever had by any means, but definitely very unique. This is one of the places that does "Asian fusion" quite well. The sashimi bowl appetizer was very tasty and resembled an Asian ceviche. And the barbecue sampler was also a very interesting fusion take on Japanese yakitori. The black rice sushi was my favorite - we ordered both the nigiri and roll sampler, and both were good though I would probably recommend ordering the rolls a la carte rather than through the sampler. All in all this is a very unique take on Japanese food, and mixed with a fun and hip atmosphere, makes for an enjoyable dining experience!
(3)
Steve A.
This restaurant combines sushi bar, robot grill and noodle shop all in one. The lofty main room is pleasantly modern and upscale without being dressy. I enjoyed the sashimi, and a King crab special appetizer. The skewers from the robot grill didn't really impress. Despite the elaborate menu descriptions of sauce, they were all fairly bland. The ice cream trio for dessert was the highlight of my meal. The espresso was a real standout. There are some excellent cocktails, particularly if you enjoy bitter and complex flavors. Service is friendly. It can take a while to fill orders, even though there is a team of delivery people.
(4)
Gwen D.
In general, River North strikes me as style over substance--an especially appropriate description for Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. If looks could kill, Union Sushi + BBQ would slay the competition. Described by Chicago Magazine as a technicolor fun house of curvy staircases, high ceilings, and stylized graffiti, the restaurant certainly looks like a hotspot ( goo.gl/nWv7HD ). At the center of the restaurant, chefs do their work at a charcoal robata grill enclosed in glass, almost like performance art at an edgy gallery. Unfortunately, the food paled in comparison. For better or for worse, our appetizers--addictive sweet potato tots, apparently seasoned bonito fish, and a trio of sliders with bold pickled accoutrements--were the best part of our meal. Eating the main course, we were underwhelmed by the $28 sampler from the barbeque bar, supposedly the star of the show. Without a bite of their stingy sauces, the grilled meat and vegetables tasted like--well, grilled meat and vegetables, nothing worth a special trip. So what? Instead of ordering drinks, my friend and I split the tiramisu milkshake at the end, but we could hardly taste a hint of tiramisu.
(3)
Donnie Y.
Not bad at all. Everything buthe parking situation lol next time I'm uber ing here. Black dragon roll is phenomenal
(5)
Sonal D.
We made a reservation (for the same night) and were seated immediately. They have a really unique menu for their sushi with a few known scattered everywhere (they too come with a twist). What I like the most was that you can order 4 pieces for half the price vs the whole roll. If you go here try the veggie sushi- especially the Devon. For a sushi lover that was one of my favorites followed by spicy shrimp and spicy tuna All in all, an good experience, good sushi and a fun place. The servers were all excellent. No complains
(4)
Bethany W.
$13 bento boxes for lunch is a pretty good deal. The duck fat yakisoba is ok but not great. It's missing something. For some it may be great but I found it kinda one note. The tuna cup that was one of their daily specials is where it was at. I kinda wish I had ordered a couple of them instead of the bento box.
(3)
Olivia H.
For some reason, my friend and I struggled to find a decent Saturday happy hour in downtown Chicago. They are rare, and tend to end early (i.e. 4-6 PM). Thankfully, Union Sushi pulled through with their $1 oysters (from 5-6:30 PM). We literally sprinted across several blocks to make it in time, and they let us get away with it. As someone who never runs anymore, those oysters were definitely worth the cardio. Not only were the oysters themselves fat and delicious, they were also topped with masago, jalapeno juice, green onion, and onion crisps. Add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon, and you have yourself a glorious moment of bliss. We were seated at the bar, and it was quite calming to watch the sushi chefs work their magic. They slice the avocados so thinly, it's a work of art. While watching the chefs, we also fully enjoyed the rest of the food we ordered: crispy salmon skin roll, hamachi collarbone, beef tongue, and desserts. All in all, our experience at Union was awesome - delicious food, comfortable vibe, friendly service. AND OYSTERS.
(4)
Xavier C.
This is a great spot with great food and service. We started with a spicy tuna roll on black rice, which was ver good and distinctive. The spicy tuna was very fresh. Then we had the king crab legs, the prosciutto wrapped scallops and grilled beef filet. All was great, but the king crab legs were outstanding. Definitely will come back when in Chicago
(4)
Kate U.
By far one of the best sushi places I've been to in the city! Perfect for happy hour or a lunch. I like sushi places that have quality food, specialty cocktails, and are clean and well decorated. This place hits the mark on all of them. First off, the cocktails are amazing. I told the bartender that I liked gin and he made me one of the best drinks I've ever had. I'd definitely recommend sitting at the bar, because these guys are fun to talk to. We also had a spicy tuna roll which was great and some sort of krab appetizer. The bartender that we had was very friendly and was suggesting us the best of what the menu had to offer. I wish my office was in river north so that I could come here more often for happy hour. The customers that come in are really interesting; I struck up a great conversation with the woman dining solo next to me at the bar. The prices are up there but not outrageous for the quality experience that you're getting. This place can get pretty packed on the weekends, it's not a huge space so it fills up quick. This would be a great place to take a date or take a co-worker after a long day. Check it out, but try and sit at the bar.
(5)
Daniel D.
Great tasting bbq/sushi, mediocre service. In no rush to come back. Went to Union with a party for 2 on a Thursday night (with reservations) and had an overall good experience. It took over an hour to bring out just three rolls of sushi, which is obviously unacceptable (though each roll was delicious). House cocktails turned out to be a rip-off (only approx. 6oz of liquid).
(4)
Shahzad A.
This place is wicked with its black rice sushi and fancy rolls! I recommend definitely trying their ice cream after the meal. The place is expensive but has amazing menu!
(5)
Jeffrey C.
Despite Union being a sushi bar and yakitori, this review is for their ramen only. Union definitely fits into that casual-trendy River North vibe. Its ramen bowls are heavily fusion-based, and as far as ramen goes, its biggest competitor is likely Takashi's Slurping Turtle, a 10 minute walk away. Spoiler alert: I preferred my Union ramen experience to Slurping Turtle's. The price point is similar at $12 - $13 per bowl. I went with the short rib ramen, while my wife ordered the chicken ramen. The highlight of both bowls (and the reason why I liked it infinitely better than Slurping Turtle's) was the richness of the noodle, purportedly housemade. The noodles are shockingly thick but easy to slurp and with ample bend and springiness. They held up against the broth amazingly well. I've never had those types of noodles in ramen before. A quick Google search revealed that they can be found in types of ramen, but further investigation led me down a dead end to what they're called and which region in Japan specializes in them. The best way I can describe them is like thick wonton noodle with more bend. Both broths were good. If you're making me choose, I liked the lighter chicken one better. It tastes like a straight shio broth, and it comes with a remarkably simple chili-garlic oil that pairs like dynamite with the broth. The short rib broth is thicker; whether it's different bases or an infusion of other ingredients is unknown. I'm undecided on how much I liked the additional ingredients in the short rib ramen. On the one hand, I loved the sharp bite of the pickled chiles, but the sourness of the tomato and cabbage disguised as noodle didn't resonate with me. The parmesan was weird. The short rib was good, with ample fat. It's a good chashu substitute. Service, at lunch hour, was expedient and very friendly, though having a five-month old in tow might have had something to do with that.
(4)
Grace K.
This place deserves all five stars. Great service, fun friendly sexy atmosphere, and of course quality sushi with creative flavor combinations that just go perfectly together like a work of taste art. I love this place! The soft shell crab roll was amazing and since it was rolled in cucumber, it was very light, summery, and healthy. I would suggest ordering sushi pieces as opposed to getting the samplers, because that way you can pick what you want. And you Must get the fresh wasabi if available because that is such a rare find and worth every penny. It tastes so different from the fake wasabi and actually doesn't burn your sinuses. It's much more enjoyable and enhances all your food. I was just eating it by itself it was so good!
(5)
Mint S.
Great food. Good service. Yummy dessert. Daniel was our server today. He's very nice and always checks on us if we need anything else, really appreciate your service.
(5)
Catherine P.
There's nothing like a Happy Hour to bring foot traffic into a restaurant. Luckily, the HH at Union Sushi and BBQ delivers. 1$ oysters, and reduced fare on beef skewers and shrimp tempura rolls is a great way to kick off a meal at Union Sushi. I like to sit at the sushi bar where all the action is. Service and presentation is top notch. What to order: chef's choice sashimi platter, wagyu beef, agedashi tofu, and the king crab. They make a mean cocktail too. Have been many times over the past few months, and can't wait to return again soon!
(5)
Nancy K.
Rare Happy Hour in Chicago's River North. $1 oysters, $4 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We ordered dozen oysters and two shrimp tempura rolls. Normally we prefer our oysters "as is" to capture full flavor, but these were smaller oysters from Virginia (if I correctly recall the server). Without Union's delicious toppings, the oysters were ok. (We ordered 6 with topping and 6 bare.) The shrimp tempura rolls were fantastic. We also had the tuna cup, which to our taste was a bit bland. Service was good, although I'm not a fan of the iPad they leave behind with specials. Our table for 2 was small so we had to find another place to store that iPad. Mgmt: I'd much prefer a simple paper insert in the menu. I'm not a child; no color photos are necessary. Seems to cheapen the overall "menu" experience. This place gets crowded! We arrived on a summer Thursday at 5:15 with no reservations. By the time we left at 6:45, the place was packed. We were full and felt it was a good value. But for oyster fans, keep in mind you get what you pay for and get the topping. We'd come again.
(4)
Jessica M.
Union Sushi is tolerable only when it comes to happy hour. For happy hour, I went with the shrimp tempura roll and $1 oysters which were topped with onions, ginger, and spices. For about $15, you can have a full meal of non-traditional Japanese cuisine. For my birthday meal, we went with the four course prix-fixe meal. I had the berkshire pork cutler slider, beef filet skewer, mushroom salad, and negi hamachi roll. It was a light meal of four small plates of hors d'oeuvres at $30 per person. The berkshire pork cutler came with a dry slab of meat in between two buns that were hard as stone. The beef filet skewer resembled ground beef meshed together onto a skewer that fell apart upon one bite. The mushroom salad was tolerable compared to the soup which resembled mushrooms floating in a bowl of soy sauce. The negi hamachi roll was barely satisfying as it only came in four pieces. We scuffled through them so we could immediately move onto our next destination for a full meal. My two stars are more than generous. Will I return? Maybe just for happy hour.
(2)
Michael C.
Union sushi is the bomb. I came here with a couple friends last night at 630 and the host told us there was a table available but that we would have to clear out by 8. Friday night downtown--I should have known better but we took the table. To start we had the truffles tuna. Holy crap. It was delicious. The tuna was cut into cubes, sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and neatly laid on top of a chili flavored avocado mix. The flavor was light and refreshing and the parmesan provided a nice kick--great way to start the meal. For my main dish I had the spicy pigtail ramen. While it wasn't spicy, the noodles are made in house and the pigtail was tender and delicious. It's a great winter dish. Union is a cool restaurant with a modern vibe. Even though this place looks to get packed on the weekends, between each table is ample space so it can still be a private dining experience with your party. Also, the service here gets 6 stars. Our bubbly waitress checked up on us frequently and gave us much needed menu suggestions!
(5)
Shannelle A.
I love Union. However, it is really pricey for extra small portions. The cocktails are hit and miss - no real consistency of taste. The environment is great and the staff is Uber friendly and helpful. I would come back.
(4)
Joanna T.
More like 3.5! I am now going to reiterate almost everything that Yelpers have written, because they're spot on, so this will not be a scintillating review for that reason! Kind of a funky, very metro fun space. I would get the truffled tuna app, which was delicious. Get the shrimp skewers, skip the filet skewers, as they were on the chewy side. The black rice sushi sampler and any specialty cocktail. Also the BBQ duck wing, very tasty. The cocktails were good, just tell your server your cocktail profile and they will recommend the right drink. Do not skip this mochi cake dessert, it was that good. I would come for that alone. The service was excellent, with a smile. As for sushi, it wasn't the best. But we had enough good apps and dessert to compensate. So if all I wanted was great sushi, this wouldn't cut it, but the apps and dessert were spot on!
(3)
Sheryl M.
We had an amazing meal! The space is fantastic and our server was helpful and engaging. We started with the truffle Tuna, cauliflower salad and grilled mushrooms! Each were fantastic! The food is not covered in sauce and is light and clean! We had the black rice on three sushi rolls. I loved them and would get them again! I cucumber infused vodka was perfect as was the pumpkin mochi desert! It is one of my favorites anywhere!!!
(5)
Francis D.
With a sudden craving for robata, I was torn between finally trying Sumi Robata Bar or Union Sushi. After much deliberation, we decided to try Union Sushi because of the options outside of robata. Unfortunately, for a robata craving I was massively let down. [Ambiance - 4/5] Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has a pretty trendy decor, and no where near the norm of a traditional Japanese restaurant. With colorful pop art, graffiti walls & an industrial loft feel, Union is a great place to get together with friends in a casual (read: loud) atmosphere. [Service - 3/5] While the server was pretty friendly, she wasn't the most attentive of the bunch. Rarely around, and somewhat slow to introduce herself and take our order. One aspect of the restaurant which I found super gimmicky was the use of an iPad for daily specials. Unfortunately, coupled with the inattentive nature of our server, we had significant time to peruse the standard menu and decide on our dishes before being presented with the iPad and specials. [Food - 3/5] We decided to try a variety of items from the menu and experience their "3 kitchens". Unfortunately, the food was mediocre at best and the robata was disappointing. We tried the following: Tuna cup - A tuna poke-like appetizer in a sesame cracker bowl. It was tasty but nothing special. Spicy shrimp roll - one word meh. The shrimp was a bit hard/chewy and the flavor profile was weird, with the scallions & sweet eel sauce fighting with the spice. Slider Sampler - The wagyu beef slider was tasty and juicy. The crabcake wasn't bad, but still had some shells hidden in the patty. And the katsu pork was a little dry. BBQ sampler - The whole reason we came to Union, and probably the reason I won't be coming back. The skewers came out cold, and on a singular plate with the various sauces mixing with one another. The meat was tender and juicy but didn't have a charcoal/robata taste (hence being drenched in various sauces). I later found out that Union uses gas grills to cook meat faster... [Value - 3/5] The price is on par with other River North restaurants, and Japanese restaurants in general. However the quality of the food did not justify the price.
(3)
Reese C.
My good friend lives around the corner from here. I'm super super jealous of her. This place is amazing. Not only is it reasonable price wise, but they have black rice sushi (less carbs). They also have vegetarian rolls (for my friend) The menu here takes the standby sushi and amps it up a notch. It was freezing cold and I wanted some ramen to warm up. Homemade ramen noodles in a rich and flavorful broth was just what I needed.The chicken ramen was hot, filling, and flavorful. That didn't keep me from getting some rolls though. I love that they offer half rolls so that you can mix and match more. This was very helpful since I was with a vegetarian. She loved her fake sushi (ha, ha). I opted for a half of the Dragon roll and it was amazing. The avocado was perfectly rip, the fish was fresh . Then I wanted more and ordered a half roll of the spicy Tuna. This seems rather commonplace, like the dragon roll, but these are stepped up a notch. This wasn't your average spicy tuna. It was SPICY tuna with chili oil that really kicked it up a notch and the tempura flakes offered a great texture. The prices here are excellent for the quality of food and the ambiance is trendy, but not too trendy. Great service as well. I can't wait to go back next time I'm back.
(5)
Caroline S.
Absolutely great from the moment we sat down. We ordered the black rice sushi sampler (comes with devon roll,dragon roll, hokkaido and spicy tuna roll) and it was incredible. We also ordered from the grill and found it delicious, but not as special as the sushi. The notable grill items included the spare rib (incredible, fall off the bone), the chicken thigh and the beef filet. The scallop was good but pricey for only one scallop. The Devon roll (sweet potato) was incredible! I expected it to be heavy and boring but the flavors were absolutely delightful. The Hokkaido roll was special, too! Our second course included two more rolls: the Chesapeake Bay and the Clifton #4 - both were wonderful but my favorite of the two was undoubtedly the Chesapeake Bay (thanks to the fried oyster). I know what you're thinking - that's a lot of fried fish, but it was incredibly light and delectable. We were even wowed by the deserts! The Pumpkin Mochi Cake tasted like the best parts of the Fall season while not being too overpowering to enjoy in the middle of August. The Killer Yuzu Pie was my favorite of the two - a light yet rich key lime experience for your taste buds. Excellent beer and Sake selection paired with a wonderful waitress made the entire experience 10/10. Would recommend to a friend, and would go back again!
(5)
Patrick M.
Update: I used to really enjoy going to Union with my girlfriend. I won't be going back. I tried to place a carryout order (for the first time) over the phone and the girl I spoke with let me know that they only take carryout orders via GrubHub. I tried explaining to her that I've been a loyal customer and would very much appreciate her taking my order. She wasn't having it. In the time it would have taken her to let me order my 2 rolls she chose to explain the policy and lose a loyal customer. Way to go, Union. Might want to rethink the way you treat your customers.
Stopped by on a whim before meeting with friends later that evening. We came in for a drink and ended up staying for a while because of some good happy hour specials. $1 oysters, $2.50 beef skewers, and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We tried one of each and it was all delicious! Our server was very friendly and attentive. I asked for recommendations from the long list of Japanese whiskeys and when we couldn't decide on one, he offered to make us a flight of 3 different kinds so we could try a couple. Definitely try the Yamazaki 12yr! We will definitely be back for a full meal. If the specials were any indication of how a full meal would be, I'm sure it would not disappoint.
(4)
Izzy N.
Their ramen is fucking nasty. I tried their short rib ramen this weekend and I struggled to even eat half of it. I started ignoring it, day dreaming, reading work emails and I usually never ignore my food. It's very one note, tastes like someone didn't even try back there in the kitchen. Add in clumpy noodles and it's a winner. House made noodles: time to re-learn how to make noodles that are actually tasty. I've told my grandmother to quit texas and move up here and cook blind folded and with the little lest effort, perhaps half asleep and people here will think it's fucking amazing and delicious. The bar is that low in Chicago. *weeps* I've made instant ramen light years better than this waste of money. I was pretty pissed for not choosing big bowl instead. Or even barely mediocre urban belly. If you're still curious, take out 15 bucks and light it on fire and watch it burn or throw it in the Chicago river watching it float away. That's what eating that bowl of sad boiled water with pathetic excuse of noodles feels like. Complete waste of money.
(1)
Tiffany K.
Union Sushi is one of the few places that I returned to for the second time on my recent second trip to Chicago. A few years ago, I ended up at Union while in town for work. My husband and I were craving sushi, found this place on Yelp, they had same night reservations available so we went. After my first experience and really enjoying this place, I knew I wanted to come back. A few weekends ago, I was in Chicago with my girlfriends and sushi was on our list of things to eat. Instantly I knew I wanted to go back to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. What do I like about Union so much? The casual yet fun/upbeat atmosphere, friendly staff/service, and most of all - BLACK RICE SUSHI ROLLS. I have not been anywhere else that serves sushi with black rice. Out in California, we have plenty of places that serve sushi with brown rice, but not with black rice. The flavor and texture of the black rice just marries so well with sushi. This time I ordered the black rice sushi sampler and it was delicious. We also had some of the barbeque items which were good but not great. Mainly I love the sushi and atmosphere at Union and would come back for that.
(4)
Nari H.
Ordering online was a breeze, and my order was ready in about 25 minutes on a weekday lunch hour. Spare Ribs Bento (was very good with a good portion of meat. Tasty too. Came with miso soup. Did NOT come with rice. Ribs were kind of burnt though. Bay California roll - I got mine w/Black rice, that was ok. Would probably taste better with white rice $8.25 for only 4 pieces is pricey if you ask me. Miso soup is good ($3). They are always nice. They also have delivery through their ordering online function and it's I think a $5 delivery charge.
(4)
Sarah R.
By far my favorite sushi place in town. I love ordering a bunch of plates and sharing. A really unexpected and tasty appetizer is the buffalo duck wing. Very flavorful. I also really like the black rice. You can add it to any of your rolls for a little more. It's worth doing in at least one roll. But for dessert... If you can make it that far without being stuffed... the pumpkin mochi cake is amazeballs!
(5)
Jessica S.
Prior to my arrival here, a friend had dismissed Union as a pretentious place that puts too much emphasize on extravagantly frilly rolls while failing to master the basics. As such, maybe I crossed the threshold with tempered expectations... But, suffice it to say, I was impressed! *The space - funky modern design with happy pops of colors and a gigantic art installation serving as the visual centerpiece. *The vibe - Not unpleasantly pretentious or exclusive at all, but definitely trendy. A good date spot! *The service - our waitress was appropriately peppy and attentive.Food was delivered at a reasonable rate, particularly for freshly-made sushi. *The drinks - A list of creative cocktails dazzled me. I was content with my gin-based kombucha beverage, though I'd not consider mixology the forte here. *The food - we ordered a few classic sushi rolls and a platter. All fresh and high-quality and unbearably craving-inducing. -Complimentary edamame sprinkled with "cheddar cheese salt," almost certainly the "cheese" powder extracted from the pouch of the elusive blue box of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Not very gourmet, but it kept me at bay while awaiting the main act. -Dragon roll (avocado & eel & some other secondary ingredients) and spicy shrimp were succulent! -Crispy smoked salmon skin was smoky, go figure. For that reason, I wasn't thrilled, but can still attest to the quality. -Chef's Selection Sashimi plate. Flawless, fresh, flavorful. *The price - more or less the going rate for sushi. All in all, I was mesmerized by Union and it pains me to be separated upwards of a 7-hour drive. I'm undoubtedly going to incorporate this into future Chicago trips.
(5)
Cody G.
Easily the best nigiri in the Midwest. Had the Madai, as well as truffle ice cream and several other amazing dishes. This restaurant ranks top five in Japanese cuisine for me - and I have lived in Japan! In addition, the staff is friendly and kind, and made our experience one that would have us return again and again.
(5)
Julie Y.
Update.. Came here for a quick bite and got the wrapped scallops and some rolls.. The scallops were over cooked and not good at all and the rolls were just average.. The sashimi we got wasn't that great either.. Maybe they were having an off night but everything was pretty gross.. Had to take a star off.. Came here for dinner sat night. Didn't have reservations so we sat upstairs in the bar area which was still okay and cute, little small tho. Never been here before so my friend ordered everything which was completely okay cause everything was so fresh and good. Started with the sashimi cup which was super fresh and tasted really good. Then got the alligator from the BBQ bar, too much seasoning on it but the meat was really good once you rubbed off the crap on top. For the rolls we got the Tsukji Market and the Hikkaido. Both really good. I'm pretty sure all their rolls are good tho! Dessert we got the Chocolate Brownie really good texture and not overly sweet. The drinks we got were really good too. Def a fan of this place.
(4)
Katherine C.
came here to have a hot bowl of ramen on a cold cold day in chicago. we also tried the sushi with black rice, the seared butterfish, and uni alfredo pasta nigiri sushi with black rice was nothing special but its suppose to be healthier for you. the seared butterfish was amazing! the uni alfredo pasta was the fiance's favorite. the uni wasnt too overbearing and the overall dish had good flavor while the pork tail ramen was interesting and hot (i dont like how some places the ramen isnt very hot) it was nothing too special. i really liked the house made noodles though. it was very different than the traditional ramen noodles - thicker and chewier it was a good meal overall but not necessarily something i would say is a must try for tourists
(4)
Jialing L.
Visited twice for dinner. First time I came I shared the sliders: pork cutlet, wagyu beef and crab cake with a friend. All three were really good; big enough to split each in half so my friend and I could both try them all. I liked the pork cutlet and wagyu beef slightly more than the crab cake. I then had the alligator special as my entree. I wasn't sure what to expect since I'd never had grilled alligator but the meat was juicy and tender. I really enjoyed it. The mashed sweet potatoes under the alligator was also really good and added to the flavor. The second time I shared the barbecue sampler and the chesapeake bay roll with a friend. The barbecue sampler was good in order to try everything out but it wasn't super amazing. For the chesapeake bay roll my friend and I asked if they could substitute the collard greens with usual seaweed and it was delicious. The fried oyster melted in your mouth and left us wanting more. The restaurant itself has really nice decor and the service is really good. They usually have their specials and select items on an ipad that you can scroll through as well. Never needed to ask for water here, they were really good about filling it and if you ask for slight tweaks like we did for the roll, I'm sure they'd be happy to do so. Great place for Japanese fusion/sushi downtown!
(4)
Tijuanna D.
If you want the best Sushi in Chicago, try Union!!! The atmosphere, service and sushi are excellent. I'll definitely recommend and I will return.
(4)
Jake L.
5 STAR!!! Truffle Tuna is the best thing on the menu. I like to ask the sushi chefs to just send me out some cool rolls and they usually will create a fun meal for you. Makes it the whole experience a blast. Also highly reccommend the pig tail ramen!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
(5)
Alex G.
Went here the other night a was surprisingly disappointed. Aside from overpriced food and small portions, nothing was particularly good. Also, the kitchen was very slow and didn't bring our food in any semblance of order. The ambiance was nice and cocktails were good - although overpriced for what they were. All in all, I won't be going back.
(2)
Vishal K.
Delightful Chicago gem! Not too many places offer a happy hour as good as Union's! Tried the 1 dollar oyster shooter, the beef skewer and the tempura sushi. The oysters were so good that I had to order another round!! They had a spicy lemon sauce and topped with some red fish eggs, definitely Instagram worthy. The skewers were cooked on the traditional japanese robata grill, and spices were flavourful. However, bit overcooked in my opinion, but maybe thats how they are supposed to be. They are definitely worth ordering regardless! Service is great, place is trendy, food is great...and just 20 dollars for a meal for 2!!
(4)
Thomas T.
Totally random that I ended up here, it's like everything had to fall into place for me to go here. I was in Chicago for a Bulls game (so I hadn't eaten dinner), was going to go to Soundbar later in the night for a friend's party, and just happened to find parking right in front of this place. So figured why not, it had crazy good reviews anyway. Pretty pricey though, be warned. Those 3 dollar signs do not lie. The look of the restaurant was nice though and they do have a valet service. My server was pretty good, refilled my water enough and came back just the right amount of time. Didn't try any of the drinks, only tried the food. Between the gf and me, we split the truffled tuna appetizer, a Clifton #4 roll, the barbeque bar sampler, and the pumpkin mochi cake for dessert. The truffled tuna was pretty good. You can definitely taste the truffle oil but overall it was pretty good. The Clifton #4 roll was alright. Nothing crazy, didn't blow me away or anything. The barbeque sampler was pretty good, some things I liked, some I didn't. The veggies in that there were actually pretty good, just had too much sauce on the cauliflower and too much seasoning on the squash though. The beef tongue had a really weird texture. Had curry on it so it just reminded me of an Indian dish. Beef filet was alright right, nothing crazy. Chicken thigh was pretty good, that was probably my favorite. And lastly, the shrimp was alright, pretty big but covered in a sauce that I thought was a little spicy. I don't really like dessert but I thought that my pumpkin mochi cake was pretty good. It wasn't normal ice cream which I liked, and I'm a big fan of caramel, and then the crunch from the brittle was just an extra surprise. Overall a positive experience, nothing bad but nothing that would make me come back in the near future.
(3)
Ali C.
Still fabulous with outstanding service. Great energy. We really enjoyed the sushi made with black rice.
(5)
Tobias G.
They serve water in a nice tall bottle right away. They serve Kirin Light with a glass. Huge selection of liquor. Interesting menu items like truffle tuna or black rice sushi. Definitely different. The black rice sushi sampler was absolutely delicious. Every piece was an explosion of flavor. Highly recommend
(5)
Carolina N.
I will have to agree with lots of folks that the menu is overpriced, especially the sushi rolls. You can get WAY better sushi(and more pieces) in Chicago for less. First, the edamame they have on the table was not good. Second, I wouldn't suggest coming here to just eat sushi, you have to make sure you do a lot of BBQ and other dishes to really get your moneys worth. The only reason our bill wasn't as outrageous is at it could have been was because we made it just in time to order happy hour options, which were actually really great! 5-6:30pm - $1 oysters (really good!), and $4 shrimp tempura rolls (also really good). We order the king crab legs, which yes, were really delicious but again, overpriced. We ordered a short rib, and that was fantastic! Yum yum! Cocktails were too expensive. Service is excellent here. The decor and ambiance is great! It's a good place to go after work or even on a romantic date. My BF's parents loved the sushi + bbq combination. I will only return during happy hour.
(3)
Kate W.
Solid 3.5. We had a totally good meal at Union. I rushed over to Union on a Friday night after a looooong day of meetings. We tried to go to Tippling Hall, but it was packed, so we tried Union instead. Luckily, there was room for us at the sushi bar in front of the robata grill, which was perfect because we were chilly! It was actually super cool being able to watch the robata guy go at it. That said, I got the impression that if you were more interested in a table, walking in might not be the best plan. We ordered a bunch of little things-- mussels, some black rice sushi, shrimp skewers, etc. I wish I wasn't such a space cadet and could remember better! We also had some tasty cocktails. The food was generally very tasty, although I suppose not very memorable. We left very satisfied with our meal, and our wallets perhaps a bit lighter than we had hoped. It's right in our neighborhood, so we will likely go back, but it's not going to become a staple any time soon.
(3)
Daisy N.
I've had sushi all over the US, this is probably in my top 3 faves, maybe the top. Everything is so unique here. So if you feel like all sushi is the same or all rolls are the same -be ready for a special treat. The Hoikkado (scallop) roll was our FAVE. A.MAZ.ING. OR.GAS.MIC. Not only the most amazing meals ever -the people were knowledgeable, friendly, funny. Service was impeccable. Ambiance -Wow. Every detail perfect. Seriously, I would come here for just the service or just the food. But they've got the whole package. Excellent sushi. Excellent service. (Great people!) and ambiance galore. My new GOTO in Chicago.
(5)
Michael S.
Got there at 6:15. Service was prompt and efficient. Food was well above average. Had some of the happy hour apps: Beef skewers, excellent; oysters for a buck each, excellent; shrimp tempura roll, very good. Then black rice sushi and grilled ribs. First rate sushi, and amazing bbq from the ultra-hot grill. Sample both or you'll miss out...
(4)
Danielle S.
Sushi was okay...nothing too exceptional. Service was mediocre as well...I probably won't come back here again. We ordered the dragon roll and spicy tuna roll which were both nothing special. Redeeming order was the chicken soup...it was delicious.
(3)
Shannon S.
Excellent environment! Excellent food, and deserts! Definitely worth it! The drinks are great! The staff is top notch, and I believe that this is honestly one of the best sushi bars in the Chicagoland area. If you go, my recommendation is to make a reservation in advance, as many of the good seats fill up fairly quickly.
(5)
Jeana C.
Trendy and contemporary. They have a lot going on here. They have a fairly decent size menu with sushi and BBQ bar (skewers). I got one of the bbq combos and had the chance to try the kangaroo and alligator meat. I particularly enjoy their BBQ bar. Uniquely, they have the option of black rice for your sushi rolls. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of the black rice.
(4)
Brittney B.
I came here to celebrate a family member's birthday; We had a large party of about 12 guests. The waitress offered to separate all of our check which I though was great! After bringing our orders she never once checked back with us to make sure everything was ok. One of the guests never received her order. It finally arrived after the rest of us had finished our meal. When she brought the individual checks she had messed mine up and added a drink that I did not order. When I mentioned it to her she then yelled at me telling me telling me not to get an attitude with her! Eventually, she fixed my bill. I'm not sure if she was having a bad night or what but I have never experienced anything like this ever! The sushi was ok but the service was terrible! I will never eat at this restaurant again! I actually felt like the waitress knew her tip was automatically going to be applied to our bills and therefore, did not bother to provide us with good service. Never again!
(1)
Mingyang J.
Second time here, this time our experience was phenomenal! Our waiter, Dan S. is a certified sake expert. Made four customized sake flights for us, all tasted AMAZING! Order the Hokkaido roll again because it's so good, and definitely try the tuna cup! I'm pretty sure I'll come back again!
(5)
Jason P.
One of the best sushi bars I have been too. Dan are waiter was great! Wonderful service took care of us and he was there to help us out with suggestions. I highly recommend this to anyone, ready to go back.
(5)
Tim F.
My fiance and I really enjoy coming here. The ambiance is great, and the food is even better. The only reason that I'm not giving 5 stars is because of the price. But then again it is Chicago. It would be nice if they knocked a dollar or two off some of their rolls.
(4)
Shannon K.
Swanky sushi. The place is expensive and it's obvious as soon as you walk in. That's cool, that's what Union is all about. You're paying for the atmosphere as much as you are the food. Take note, it's a great date spot. Highlights: Black rice sushi rolls (lower carb, lower calorie) Cocktails (creative and good) Mushroom salad (unique and fresh) Fresh ground wasabi (fun to watch, good to eat) Old City Market roll (best roll I've eaten in Chicago) The black rice sushi rolls are beautiful and I really enjoyed them. We did the black rice sampler and that gives you four different black rice rolls. The fish was fresh and tasty. The old city market sushi roll is worthy of five stars - it's blow your foodie mind fantastic! Really great sushi, fun vibe, great cocktails, lots of activity - I'll definitely be going back! I want to try those big ass bento boxes they serve!
(4)
Brett F.
As far as sushi goes, Union felt very run of the mill. I'm not sure they're doing a ton here to set themselves apart from the pack. The sushi offerings were very maki and robata (grill) heavy and the few items we ordered sounded better in theory versus presentation. Our sashimi platter was especially disenchanting aesthetically and the truffle tuna appetizer was ok but lacked the punch most truffle dishes typically waft along with them. Service was attentive and dishes were brought out shockingly fast. Like, within minutes. Fast food that's too fast just feels casual. When dining out with friends I prefer a much slower pace. Overall, the best dish (I use that term uberloosely) I had all night was the piece of Uni Nigiri I ordered. Top notch urchin. Should've had more of that. If in the neighborhood, I might give 'em another whirl but certainly wouldn't make a special trip back to Union.
(3)
Ellyn L.
If I could give this less than 1 star, I would. Just walked out of the place after waiting 48 min for 2 sushi rolls. They were finally delivered and the order was wrong. Arrived there this evening @ 6:25pm. They have a hour menu that is from 5-6:30. When I attempted to order before the 6:30 deadline, there was no waitress/ waiter insight. I finally asked the hostess if she could take my order or help me in order to meet the 6:30 cut off time. She did so but not with a smile. Apparently as a hostess, taking an Oder is beneath your standards. When our waitress finally arrived, I asked to place a hour hour order and her response, and I quote..."No" it ended 2 min ago( really it was 6:32) know other statement then "NO" She then disappeared for about 20 minutes. I would have ordered the full price appetizers, but she never came back. After hunting her down to place our very simple order 2 sushi rolls...GET THIS.....WE WAITED 48 min and had to hunt her down to find out where our dinner was. The waitress response was. " sushi takes 30-45min" her attitude was unforgiving as if this was our fault. She then stated "do you want I can cancel your order if you want to leave" We said no...we were still hungry. I also pointed out that if SUSHI, which is uncooked fish, rolled in rice, takes 30-45 mins they should put that on the menu. Hey dear...This isn't my first rodeo. What happen to customer service. I was as forgiving as one could be, but you made no effort to earn a TIP- to insure proper service. YOU don't belong in the service industry. We called over the manager, who finally said he was sorry and would look into the status of our order...as well as correct the order we got. GET THIS! HE NEVER CAME BACK! WE waited another 10 minutes,( I actually had to go feed the meter again) after now being there, starving. We approached the hostess and said we were leaving. For the first time in my life I walked out without paying the check! Even better, no guilt. As my friend and I departed, the hostess said to the other guest at the front door " easy come easy go!" Really, is it that easy to dismiss customers? We are your bread and butter. I work in the hospitality industry and am shocked that upper management allows this poor service to exist. Plenty of sushi options in Chicago. Glad I will never come back to this place.
(1)
Charlie N.
I use to live in the building that Union is in and would eat here ALL the time. Even after a couple years the food and quality is still to die for! Order like a pro for 2: Kuro Smash Cocktails, Truffle Tuna App, (Split) the Pig Tail Ramen Soup (just ignore the pig tail part, you will not have any regrets), Black Rice Sushi Sampler, Hokkaido (no scallops, sub tuna, soy paper) & the Tsukiji Market Roll - And please have a Hitachino Nest White Ale beer with you meal after the cocktail... Just tips for a good meal!
(5)
Eugene T.
Great experience. Very creative sushi. Alligator ribs special was definitely interesting
(4)
Mark B.
While in town we came here with a friend for an early, enjoyable, dinner. Decor: Fun and semi-"authentic" the decor is inviting and helps set the mood that you are in for some sushi, and BBQ, that is a bit out of the ordinary. The large windows allow for plenty of natural light, which is a huge plus, and there is plenty of room where you are not right on top of others. Bathroom: Clean and well kept. Staff: Our waiter was super friendly and helpful with the questions we had regarding the menu items. He was also quick with our orders and food delivery. Additionally, they leave water on your table, nice! Food/Drink: We mainly had the sushi and it was delicious! All the rolls came out fresh and hot (where applicable) and tasted amazing! We had the Edamame and Beef Skewers as part of their happy hour special and they, too, were out of this world! For drinks we just had beer and wine, pretty standard, and it was good and cold. Value: The prices are not absurd here, you get pretty good value for your dollar (especially given that it is sushi). The next time I'm back in the area I will certainly come back for more sushi, perhaps I'll even try the BBQ then!
(4)
Maureen C.
Thing is, I still have to try and convince myself that Union was good. Thus, I'm going with a 2-star, as there are many sushi places in the nearby area that are superior. Yes, I do realize that the recent reviews are raving about this place, but it wasn't up to par for me. Perhaps the large menu is a bit too ambitious? I did very much appreciate the option of ordering 1/2 rolls. Brilliant! Easily enables one to try out multiple choices (as they have a lot). The whole black rice idea intrigued me as I enjoy wild rice for its nutty, more complicated flavours than white rice. The benefits, though, are lost in a sushi roll. Makes sense this would happen, but I was still bummed. There was nothing "wrong" with the food, it was simply forgettable. I ate without truly enjoying. And I am a firm believer that one should really find pleasure in what they put into their mouths and tummies. Service was kind and attentive, so nothing off there. Decor was rather like you were dining in a gentrified center city alley complete with commissioned graffiti murals covering the walls. An observation, not a criticism. Interesting lighting keeps up the generally energetic mood. Seemed like a fun place for groups. Sorry, Union.
(2)
Sarah P.
This restaurant is the epitome of all things glorious about living in a big city. Union is trendy, hip in the best of ways, classy, and creative without losing sight of flavor. Our bartender wore dark wash jeans with a dress shirt, tie, and vest. I appreciate his style. It means something when you dress well, it sends a message - tells me you take pride in yourself and what you do. He made the best alcoholic drink I've ever tasted: the Surprise & Delight - cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, pimm's #1, lemon, simple syrup, muddled lemon grass, seltzer. Fresh, literally I could taste what fresh means. We ordered the lamb chops, truffled tuna, wagyu beef sliders with egg, mushroom dumplings, shrimp tempura roll, Hokkaido roll, old city market roll, and the Devon roll. The rolls were excellent, and the mushroom dumplings surprising yet tasty. We sat at the bar, I'm sure you figured that part out, and our bartender gave great all around service and attention. Quite exceptional.
(4)
Kristy D.
I'm just going to come out and say it...I am obsessed with this place. Its a smaller, almost garage feeling sushi/robata restaurant but I have loved everything I have ever ordered from here. My favorite item on the menu is the truffled tuna appetizer...it is to die for. I also usually stick with the sushi rolls (they let you place half orders which makes trying different ones nice). I have also ordered a few items from the grill and those didn't disappoint either. Yum!!
(5)
Xi M.
The food is decent. I like the BBQ here. King crab is awesome
Ordered a delivery dinner - two phone calls and two hours later I find out that they gave my food to someone else and asked for another 45 minutes to remake our food. The guy on the phone was nice - and I'd love to say whether their food was good or not - but the fact that I'm hangry as hell and my first experience with them is one where they want me to eat dinner at 11pm (over 3 hours after I ordered it) is enough to make me not want to even try it.
(1)
Wendy M.
We went here tonight to celebrate our daughter's birthday and it was a very memorable meal, In the best possible way! Our waiter Dan was fantastic and he single-handedly made our experience one to remember. We couldn't quite choose what to order so Dan offered to create a menu for us and we agreed. He asked us a few questions about likes and dislikes and then proceeded to work with the chef to create the perfect meal. The first plate was Truffle Tuna but he knew I didn't care for truffles so he brought me a sashimi cup that was divine. Many items, both on and off the menu, followed. We loved everything that he selected, from the llama to the sea urchin ice cream. The restaurant itself was fun, funky and comfortable. Industrial decor with Japanese flair really works here. The center of the restaurant features their grill, where you can sit and watch them work behind plexiglass. I'm not certain which items required the blowtorch for finishing but it was cool to watch. Thanks Dan and the chef for a great night!!
(5)
Rits M.
This review is for the restaurant and the bar. I didn't eat there. I had the Kuro smash and J had the surprise and delight. Mine was good, well mixed and not too much of one specific flavour, with the bourbon hitting the palate at the end. The surprise and delight was cleaner and fresher. The ambiance is good, its a little tight upstairs by the bar and the waiters and bartenders keep movign around you with great dexterity. The good thing is you can order food at the bar as well, so that you dont have to wait for a table on a particularly full night.
(3)
Mandi P.
A little expensive, but so good! We have been to Union a couple of times and have never left for under $200 for 2 people...that is with drinks, though. We always sit at the sushi bar as you get a nice view of the sushi chefs, the kitchen, the bar, and the restaurant. The sushi is soooo good. The service is fast and efficient. The sushi chefs even talk to you sometimes and teach you things/educate you about things if it is slow. We will definitely be back and would suggest it to anyone looking for sushi, but be prepared to pay up.
(4)
Jennie C.
Hopping atmosphere with floor to ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light. Tasty drinks. Fish quality was excellent, but skip the black rice modification: despite being innovative, the earthiness of the rice overpowered the delicate fish pieces. Must order the beef tongue, which came as big chunks of melt-in-mouth tenderness flavored with warm curry scents and strange looking colored puffs of some sort. Service was a bit too efficient, almost felt like we were being rushed out the door.
(3)
Malik S.
For the price, I would say the food is average at best. Sushi - Average. We tried over 6 different rolls. Ramen - Good Drinks - Really Good! Desert - Below average. We got Chocolate cake, pistachio ice cream (really good), and some sour cake (can't remember the name but it wasn't good).
(3)
Jackie M.
I really like the restaurant decor .. but the food was quite forgetable. I had the skewers and it was average or tad below average. The meat was tough and overcooked! The nigiri over black rice was jus gross. The fish was not fresh and the black rice was bland. The price is bit steep for its quality. Been there once and im done. This is more americanized .. would not be the right choice if you are looking for legit authentic Japanese bbq. Don't order the dessert because it was painful to finish..
(2)
Mad I.
Happy Hour review: -Get there at 5 and the place is empty (on a Saturday, yes the happy hour includes Saturday) -Very cool ambiance -robota grill steak is a STEAL at $2. Super high quality and done just right at medium/medium rare -Oysters are a $1 and very tasty, but the topping is larger than the actual oyster....i.e the oysters are really really small, mussel size, not Blue Point size -Shrimp Tempura roll is very good, deep fried but light, not overwhelming. The larger one is worth the $6, the $4 is half the size Free edamame is a nice touch 5 stars after I experience more food perhaps... :)
(4)
James C.
Best sushi, best staff, best service in Chicago. I've been a regular for many years and give Union my highest recommendation. Chef Chao is Chicago's top Chef!
(5)
Vito C.
I got the Sushi sampler and it was amazing. Great flavours, well constructed and the black rice was cooked perfectly. The Tuna bowl also hit the mark. I'd go back in a heart beat!
(4)
Tracy H.
Amazing! I took my sister here as a Christmas gift and it was a huge hit! From the service to the decor to the food and drinks, it was near-perfect. We went during happy hour and I cannot recommend the oysters enough, and a buck! The sushi was some of the best we've had, esp. the nagiri salmon. Wow, Could eat that all night. Verdict? Go! Will be back. Can be a bit pricey, but worth it for the quality and experience.
(5)
David C.
I went here with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. We were really happy they took reservations as it was busy on a Saturday night (naturally). Since the menu is so diverse with some rare finds we decided we would order for the table and share most of it. I only ate food from the BBQ menu so I can't really comment on the sushi. We had: -Spare rib - large piece that was very delicious! Had a sweet BBQ sauce on it that complimented the tener meat well. -Kangaroo - Kind of tough which you might expect but the seasoning was good. -Llama - Delicious! I will never look at a llama the same way again. I highly recommend trying it. -Alligator rib - honestly you might as well order the chicken, it tastes the same. Portion size is good. -Beef tongue - our favorite for the night, it was surprisingly good. Whatever seasoning they put on it was amazing, and it was very tender and juicy. The drinks were also very good. The standout for drinks was the cider mule, it was incredible. I ordered a blackberry mash and it was okay, but I was really disappointed after trying the mule. If you come here hungry be prepared to spend a good amount of money as portions are pretty small - about 4 bites per order for most. We actually ended up eating at our next stop as well.
(4)
scott s.
Hard to believe that no one (lately) has mentioned the amazing food happy hour. 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day except Saturday for almost four years, Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has $1 oysters, $2 marinated beef skewers (a pair) and $4 five-piece deep fried tuna maki. Deep fried tuna maki, you say? Heresy, but it's good and a heck of a deal. Yesterday's oysters were from Rhode Island and were small but flavorful. They top them with caviar, ponzu sauce and a bit of shredded lemongrass (I think.) As if this weren't enough, free mini-portions of edamame sprinkled with cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese on edamame, you say. Heresy, but again, it works. Expensive drinks (read=normal River North prices) but top notch craft spirits. Don't miss the home-made tonic if you are a G&T fan.
(4)
Julie M.
Came here for dinner with my bridesmaids to kick off the bachelorette weekend. Food and service was impeccable . The black rice sushi sampler with fresh wasabi was amazing. The cocktails were SO GOOD! Definitely need to come back here for more yummy experiences.
(5)
Miles L.
Terrific experience, sat at the bar, the bartender's name was Peter. He explained the menu, had a fantastic personality, extremely knowledgeable in the description of how the food was prepared. Extensive knowledge in the nature in the mixology of the drinks. Job well done union, thank you for a terrific experience...
(5)
Kate M.
I'm going to ignore the fact that Union Sushi & Barbeque is trendy. If I ignore the trendiness then it's a solid 4 star experience. I attempted to make a reservation on Friday around noon for Friday evening and the only time available were 6 and 930. I choose 6 because I am way too old to wait until 9:30 to eat dinner. When we got there they were empty, and so we were seated directly next to the only other occupied table. The food was all very good. We started with the duck fat yaki soba which was really tasty. It was a good size appetizer for two people, I'm not sure if it would be enough for a filling entree. We ordered a couple maki rolls, the Chesapeake Bay was my favorite. The Clifton #4, Hokkaido, and Old City Market were also good. The service was pretty good. It did seem like our server disappeared for a while. The host wasn't very helpful on our way out. Maybe he wasn't the host? He was standing at the hostess station, looking at the computer. I attempted to give him my coat check ticket, he just looked at me like I had three heads and pointed to the hostess who was walking our way. Then another woman tried to talk to him about getting a table and she got the "why are you talking to me?!" look too. Not that welcoming. The dining room is very...stylish? There's a lot of "look at this!" going on. Again, trendy. It was pretty, not very comfy though. I'd love to go back to Union Sushi & Barbeque soon. The food was really good. Hopefully I'll make it back before it gets too cold to make the short walk for me. I'm such a sissy.
(4)
Rob T.
So. Good. Can't think of a better impress-your-date place. Creative, beautiful, yummy food. Had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, pork shoulder BBQ, beef tongue BBQ, old city market roll, tsukiji market roll, soft shell crab roll, spicy tuna roll with black rice(!), and chesapeake bay roll. All were fantastic. Mmm...still dreaming about it the day after. Heck, everything on the menu was appealing. Bay, our sushi chef, was great, and really friendly. Service was excellent too.
(5)
Kelsey W.
Very cool place. The sushi selection is extensive and reasonably priced. They have a black rice option that I haven't seen anywhere else and I'm a regular sushi eater. The BBQ samples were great! Highly recommend trying the kangaroo. No tap beer unfortunately, all bottles or cans.
(4)
Elaine C.
Walk-in on Saturday night dinner 8pm. Got a sushi bar seating area by the bartender. The bartender was friendly and seems to know everyone. Sushi were really good and we tried the fresh wasabi from the root! Everyone must try! We did the small plates of many dishes. Everything was tasty there.
(4)
D T.
I have had 2 extremely different experiences here. Both enjoyable, if not strange...The first time I came with a girlfriend and sat upstairs at the bar. The second visit, a "date" I had, along with a girlfriend and a buddy of his. I'll explain. My girlfriend and I wanted to grab a bite last minute on a Saturday, in River North. Not an easy feat. We popped in here, and happily chose to eat at the bar. The vibe is pretty relaxed for the neighborhood. You can wear jeans or get dolled up and fit in. Worth mentioning: the floors are SLIPPERY! I can run in stilettos, but there are a few places in the city that need to redo their floor situation. Union is one of them. The bartender was dry, but friendly and accommodating as can be, if that makes sense. I got the prick vibe for the first 2 minutes, but he ended up being fantastic. I wanted a lychee type martini, without looking at the drink menu, and he whipped up the perfect cocktail. We ordered apps, a couple rolls and Tekka Don for myself. For those who don't know, it's Maguro (tuna) on top of a bed of rice. Like Chirashi, but only tuna. This was not on the menu, but he said they would happily whip one up. Everything was very good until this came out. It wasn't bad, it appeared fresh, it was just "off". My gf insisted I say something, but I just don't go there. Specifically because I could not pinpoint the problem. He noticed I wasn't touching it and asked if it was ok. I insisted it was. Minutes later, he asked again, I denied any problem, but he called my BS. He wouldn't take no for an answer, took it back and said I would not be charged for it. I was mortified, but he was so casual about it, and it eased my mind. Now the second time was wayyyyy different. I had dinner plans with another gf, and was talking to a guy I had yet to meet. He asked to meet that evening, but I told him my plans, and he was welcome to join us. He did, and brought a friend. We went to the wrong place, don't ask, it was last minute, so we were late. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in, as he looked even better than his photos and was dressed well. That's when shit got weird. I immediately felt he was not interested in me, and that made it uncomfortable. Things were going so well, my gf eventually asked him to leave. He did order about half the menu, and everyone enjoyed it. Except myself. I was too dumbfounded by what was happening to eat. Ironically we are seeing each other now, over a month later, but that's hardly the craziest dating story I have over the past few months. To get back on track, Union is very good. Nothing super special, but a cute atmosphere, great staff and really good food.
(4)
Bridget M.
Such an amazingly friendly staff. I sat at the sushi bar during happy hour. Great food specials! I had the beef skewers and Shrimp tempura roll. Both were beyond excellent. Also, they give you complimentary edamame that is seasoned and great! There is a cool modern look and there are outlets all over, which came in handy. They even showed you the specials on an iPad. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Nicole W.
My new favorite sushi place in Chicago... in a lot of cities actually! Ordered a TON off the menu Scallops off the iPad menu - delicious, a little bit buttery, but just so good Truffled Tuna - wondering why yelp loves this dish so much? It was very oily and while it was good, it was nothing spectacular. Still good, just not "amazing" like others have said. Agedashi Potato (Sweet Potato with Ginger) - Wow! This could be a dessert. The mix of ginger and sweet potato is super yummy and reminded me of comfort food. Delicious! Spare Rib - Large portion for the price! The meat fell off the bone and was delicious mixed with the slaw served with it. SUSHI! Do not miss out on the fresh sushi. Never had sushi taste more fresh than this! If you want to try more styles, they offer half portions which are 5-6 pieces instead of a whole roll. This was ideal for me since I always feel like I want to eat off the entire menu at somewhere new. I had the following rolls: Tsukiji Market, Hokkaido, Old City Market For dessert, we had the Taro Mochi Cake which was very good. The name is a little deceiving with "mochi" in it, as there is no mochi in it, but alas, this cake was delicious and very much worth getting. Drinks: Surprise + Delight was exactly what the name says, a surprise and a delight. Lemongrass with cucumber was refreshing and a very good drink to start off the dinner. Yamazaki 12 Yr - My new favorite whiskey just happens to be this Japanese whiskey. Had over ice but their ice cubes were too big so we just took it out. Definitely try a Japanese whiskey if you want to adventure out! Went very well with the meal :-) --- I would go here multiple times if I could ---- Highly reccomend!
(5)
Stephanie H.
I had the opportunity to come here recently for a happy hour event an organization was hosting. We had the whole top floor (Up Bar) to ourselves, and the bartenders Peter and Matt were so friendly and hospitable! I had also heard of Union from a previous Yelp Elite event I attended and was planning on coming here anyway! I showed up a little earlier before the event started so that I could try out some of their cocktail hour specials myself, which is Monday-Friday, 5:00-6:30PM. The specials are $5 Sobieski Vodka cocktails, $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon, $1 oysters, $2 beef filet skewers, and $3/$6 shrimp tempura rolls. I tried one of everything, and while I think the drinks are pretty standard, the food blew my mind! The oysters were spectacular (look at my pictures!). I ordered two and they came served on a wooden box filled with crushed ice and a lemon wedge. It wasn't just an oyster that you throw cocktail sauce on...they had filled it with red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. It was so good I ordered another two (for $1 each, how could you not?)! The beef filet skewers were also delicious and tender. Chef Chao also came upstairs and introduced himself, and he seems pretty awesome. Their staff were great, the venue looks really modern and cool. I'll definitely want to come back to try out some of their other dishes!
(5)
Mariam K.
I came here for a friends birthday and I'm not a huge sushi fan, so I was planning on just ordering an appetizer or something. However, I didn't realize it was a Japanese bbq restaurant also.. which is why I loved this place! We got there a bit early and they were still setting up out table, so we went upstairs to the bar area, which was cute and cozy. Me, my husband and another couple split the bbq bar sampler, the surf and turf, dragon roll, and bay street california. Even though I don't care for sushi... I liked the dragon roll a lot and the surf and turf was really good.. just as I had expected! The BBQ bar sampler had assorted things : beef tongue, chicken, shrimp, and scallop... to name a few... so be sure you're open to eating all types of food if you order it. I recommend this place even if you don't love sushi, because there's something for everyone here.
(4)
Christina D.
I love Union- the sushi is delicate and full of flavour. I attempt to try something new every time I go there- the menu has plenty of variety. Mr Chow and everyone who works there are incredibly friendly, professional and pleasure to be around. I love their happy hour with $1 Oysters and specials of delicious beef skewers. This is my new local sushi spot!
(5)
Rebecca N.
I have been here between 6-7 times and I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review! This is a great, small, trendy sushi spot in River North that is lower key than Sunda but a few steps above Naniwa. They also feature the Robato Grill on their menu which is a pretty cool option. I have never had a bad experience here. Service is always prompt and the servers very knowledgeable and friendly. Once I came with a bunch of friends from out of town and they gave us complimentary sake test flights. What I really like is that you can order HALF rolls! If you are picking up for yourself you can try a few halfs which is fun. My favorites: Soba Salad Truffle Tuna Sashimi Cup Spicy Tuna Dragon Bay Street Cali ** I don't like the rolls wrapped in collard greens**
(4)
Megen B.
We had a private party of 10 there last night and everything about it was fantastic - we organized it through Britt at Union and she helped us with ordering the best things on the menu, something for every taste and she even had the chef come out to personally make something for one of our guests who had a particular food allergy. Our server was amazing, so nice and no one ever had an empty glass or plate. Food was timed perfectly and every dish was to die for. I recommend the Shrimp Tempura role and the Truffle Tuna. amazing! cannot wait to go back
(5)
Laura T.
I've been to Union twice - its ambiance draws you in, but the value leaves a lot to be desired. While some items (like the truffled tuna and salmon nigiri) will definitely bring me back, the slow service, and overall overpriced meal will make it a slow comeback.
(2)
M R.
I went there for lunch for the first time today and really enjoyed myself. The ambiance, food, and service were all really good. I had salad and rolls for lunch, and both the vegetables and the fish were very fresh. I also had the red bean ice cream sundae for dessert, which was delish!
(4)
Dan R.
HA! How can I describe it? Wonderful? Delicious? The ultimatum sushi experience? We decided to go there last night after trying their samples at the Yelp event that took place on Thursday night. We were equipped with our 10% discount and we walked in without a reservation. I won't do that next time thou, the place gets busy and we were lucky they could accommodate us at the sushi bar comfortably. But yeah, we were sat right away which already gives the place points on my list. Our server Dan had a very calm and soft voice (hihi) and he was so cool. He instructed us about the menu, which we were not familiar - of course, it was our first time at the place. We had 4 half rolls and 2 choices of bbq. I won't even describe it. WE FINALLY found a place that has a spicy tuna comparable (if not better) to our beloved butterfly. if you are a cilantro fan, please order the HOKKAIDO maki. OH MY! you'll understand why when you taste it. I thought the combination of flavors was fantastic. We had Japanese beer, which was light and crispy ...and the bottle was super cute i wish i could bring it home. Service was friendly, quick, food was delicious..and we could watch the sushi guys working on it ... they were very friendly and we even chatted with one of they guys while he was making our food. Place's vibe is awesome, I love the decor, and price is reasonable. We felt like we needed another 2 half rolls, so it counts 6 half rolls, 2 choices of bbq, and 2 imported beers (which were expensive, $10 a piece) and our bill (with the SUPER COOL YELP DISCOUNT) was about $68 ...like...seriously? wow! Love it, want it, will be back for more. So sad to read the bad reviews, and surprised that this place has only 3 and a half stars. If I were those people, i would give the place a 2nd chance.
(5)
Elina K.
Been here a couple times and it really is superb sushi and BBQ. Everything I tried here is top notch. Fresh, flavorful, diverse menu. The decor and layout is awesome...loud, trendy atmosphere but you can still feel like you are having a private experience without anyone sitting on top of you. There's a little bar upstairs where you can enjoy after dinner drinks with a private party, which is a nice add. If I could knock off half a star for a subte yet pervasive air of yuppie pretention I would, but the chef doesn't deserve that.
(5)
Frank N.
Okay, I am now a huge fan of Union Sushi for 2 reasons: 1. The outstanding customer service! 2. The memorable and filling food choices We came here for restaurant week and made reservations well in advance knowing there would be some hefty crowds. Coming in with a group of 8 was large and the Union folk truly took care of us from the get go. Our table was a tad confused looking at the menu and not sure what direction to go. The server and manager came over to describe the experience and steer us in the right direction. We opted for the $45 per person and they told us that they would make it work and make us happy...THEY DID! We had one vegetarian and one non-seafood eater with us and Union catered to that as well. It was course after course coming to us and there was so much eye candy that I went into culinary overload. Some of the notables: Oysters on the Half Shell - HOLY COW were these unbelievable, not to mention too picturesque to eat Buffalo Duck Wing - Just the right amount of heat Truffled Tuna - Pure artwork and something about fresh fish that just makes a meal Mushroom Dumplings - Even our non-mushroom lovers found enjoyment in these tasty morsels Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops - Can you really go wrong with anything wrapped in prosciutto?? And I mean anything! Cucumber Roll - MY FAVORITE of the night! All of that goodness wrapped in a cucumber and cilantro - Perfect palate cleanser!!! Green Tea Ice Cream - Totally took me by surprise! I am now addicted so thanks for that All in all, a fantastic experience and the 8 of us left full and happy. Next visit - the goal is to destroy the 48 oyster record!!
(5)
Weixu L.
Don't get me wrong. Their food is awesome and fresh. I do have a problem with the black rice sushi everyone was talking about. Not a fan. My friend and I were both not impressed. It was a very bad invention. We totally regret having that. I'm still giving it 4 stars, not out of my dining experience, but out of the belief that they in general make great food, other than the black rice sushi. Some people may love it, but a traditional consumer would hate it.
(4)
Joanna D.
Came here with some colleagues. Very cute atmosphere! The waiter gave us an ipad to play with/to look at the menu. The food smelled fantastic! I tried the Shitake Mushroom. Cauliflower and Tofu from the barbeque bar. The Shitake Mushroom and Tofu were okay tasting, but the Cauliflower was fantastic! I would recommend ordering the cauliflower over the other two. My collegeues tried the oysters as well as other various meats. They really enjoyed their meals. Would probably come here again to try the other vegetarian options.
(4)
Kristy F.
I ordered the roasted cauliflower salad for $7 and the Asparagus Roll (4 pieces for $3) and both were very very fresh!! The asparagus roll was surprisingly packed with flavor. I was happy with the service and I'd like to hit this spot again soon. =)
(4)
Amber P.
The service at this restaurant is terrible. A friend and I met up here after we hadn't seen each other for a long time. We arrived at 5:55 PM. The hostess asked us if we had a reservation and we said no. She then went on to tell us that we could have a table if we would be out by 730. That was sort of off-putting and weird, but we ignored it and still asked for a table. Her manager then came over and told her to give us a table upstairs, and "if we complained about it" to move us. But at this point the restaurant was not full and there were plenty of open tables. She walked us upstairs, showed us the table and immediately left. The upstairs area is extremely small and there was a 20 people party up there as well. We were put in the corner right next to the party. They were extremely obnoxious and were basically stepping over us and our things. We hastily received a menu and were told to wait. After about 20 minutes of no one speaking to us we decided to leave. Not one person asked us why we were leaving or tried to convince us to stay. It is clear that they did not think we were worth anything. I am outraged at the service at this restaurant. I hope that no one goes here.
(1)
Amy P.
I received an offer for a free black rice roll from BBE and decided to take a look at the restaurant's website. I saw that they had happy hour as well, with $1 oysters. My mind immediately registered the opportunity for a great deal, so reservations were made for an early Saturday dinner. We arrived early and sat at the bar, which was small but cozy. The bartender was very personable and really seemed to know his stuff. We ordered two drinks, one sake flight and oysters on the half shell. The oysters were topped with ponzu sauce, scallions, roe and crispy shallots, so while tasty, may offend the true aficionados seeking the pure briny goodness of the oyster itself. Two dozen oysters later, we headed over to our table with empty stomachs and a growing bill. For dinner, we ordered the following: Agedashi sweet potato Sashimi platter 2 orders of scallop sashimi 1 order of barracuda sashimi 1 order of yellow tail sashimi Half Rolls (4 pieces): - Bay California - Softshell Crab - Black Rice Spicy Tuna (free with BBE code) The agedashi sweet potato was pretty unmemorable. (It's like agedashi tofu, but with sweet potato! Different!) The sashimi was really good, but also very pricey. The sashimi platter was nearly $40 for 15 pieces and the a la carte options ranged from $3.00 - $4.50 per piece. SP did think that the scallop was the best he's ever had though. The rolls were also good, but very pricey for four bite-sized pieces per order. The Bay California roll was surprisingly good, and made me realize what a big difference "real crab" makes. The roll itself was very simple and the taste of the crab itself really shone. The black rice roll was also very good, although, I can't tell how much the visual novelty of the black rice may have bolstered the perceived taste. At nearly $2 per piece, however, each bite was a painful reminder of how large our bill was going to be. All in all, we really liked Union Sushi + Barbeque. We liked the space itself, which had a gallery/creative/industrial loft type of feel. The food was very good and the fish was high in quality. The menu also has some unique items such as alligator (and the barracuda that we found in the off-menu specials). The downside, however, is that this place is really pricey. With all the small dishes and half-rolls, things quickly add up. It makes for an unforgettable experience though, as we will never forget that time when our coupon for a free roll and $1 oysters turned into a $300 dinner.
(4)
An P.
Welcome to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, River North's freshest sushi bar. Fresh doesn't mean expensive, but fresh means hip from the brightly colored decor to Bonobo playing in the background, Union does its best to stimulate and impress. I sat down with my friend, who pointed out that Bill Kurtis was sitting two tables over. Bento box was the first thing on my mind and the server let me know duck soba was his favorite, so duck soba it was. Bento box for $12 in downtown Chicago? Friends, I think we have a winner here - bento box includes salad, entree and spicy tuna roll. I added a half order of Dragon Roll just to try out some more sushi. The duck soba will knock your socks off with roasted red peppers, duck, and a slippery array of noodles ready to please your taste buds. The salad was crisp and the dressing wasn't overwhelming which is an A+ in my book. Chef Chao appeared from behind the sushi bar and offered up some more delicious treats! Looking to keep up your health kick for 2012? Look no further - Union Sushi & Barbeque serves up its wicked dragon rolls on black rice! I don't know what they put in that eel sauce but I could stand dousing it on everything in sight and still ask for more. The best lunch I've had so far in 2012, I think it will take awhile to knock Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar off the #1 spot!
(5)
Adrien B.
My girlfriend and I sat at the chef's table last night. We are not picky eaters and left our meal entirely up to the chef. Everything was amazing. I will try and describe the experience in as few words as possible. The flavor and texture combinations were sublime, you could tell the chefs really enjoyed what they were doing. The sake pairing complemented the entire meal perfectly, even though I am not a sake fan. The whole mean was a trip, I felt elevated to a higher state of being and needed a good hour of peace and rest afterwards to acclimate my body back to standard life. I highly recommend coming here and will be coming back myself to try the regular menu. It was a pleasure being able to converse with the chefs, there was a great ambience in the restaurant, definitely more of a young urban vibe to it. I would give more stars if it were all possible.
(5)
Andrew B.
Quick summary: GREAT mixologist, GREAT presentation, GREAT service, good sushi, a bit rough on elbow room and noise level. Showed up at 6:30 PM or so on a weeknight, no reservations, sat nearly immediately. Dining companion and I got seated -- wedged, really -- at the bar. Just missed happy hour, but the $10 cocktail special was still going, and the "Morning Glory 2" seems well worth the dime. Presentation of our chef's choice sashimi plate was nothing short of awesome. Lots of care taken to erect memorials to awesomeness made of sushi and edible veggies. Graffiti on the wall by SoloRM adds a nice touch to the atmosphere.
(4)
Brian S.
I continue to eat lunch here about once a week and i'm batting 1.000. never had a bad meal. great service, great vibe, it's clearly the standout power lunch spot for startups operating in river north. favorites include the black rice sushi rolls, the seaweed salad, the mushroom ramen (solid vegan!) and truffle tuna app. They should include the fresh wasabi for free.
(5)
Amelia B.
Union is such a tease. Being close to my place, I held such high expectations: it looks right, it sounds right, it smells right, and I had heard pretty good things from other people. But with such expectations came mostly disappointment. Service was nothing short of horrific, the sashimi was flavorless and tiny, and the vibe was just...off. We walked in for a 9pm reservation, and the hostess looked completely surprised, like we weren't supposed to be there. After much hemming and hawing, she showed us to a table, where we waited another 15 or 20 minutes for a server. And throughout the night, we had to flag down our server any time we needed anything--almost completely absent. My date went with robata meat, and I went with sashimi (figures). While the skewers were (I was told), excellent, they were also miniscule. My sashimi plate did not fair so well. The most glaring omission from the chef's selection--no salmon. I have never had a plate without salmon. Instead, it was all incredibly cheap sushi--eel, octopus, white tuna. And it was all pretty flavorless. Cocktails were equally uninspiring, though we did just go with a straight up dirty martini and a vodka soda. The server offered me a choice of olives (excellent), but I received one measley blue cheese olive. It was almost hysterical actually--who gives one olive in a dirty martini? I'm giving a second star because the space is pretty cool, but that's about it. I'd say, if you are heading to Union, stick to the cooked foods. The sushi (or the sashimi at least) was entirely disappointing.
(2)
Dan M.
I've been to Union about 5 times now. Everytime I'm in Chicago for business, it's my go-to spot. The menu is outstanding, it offers your classis sushi rolls - served with a twist - but also pushes your daring & adventurous side with items such as beef tongue. Last time I was there I had a grilled Alaskan King Crab that was outstanding. But whatever mood or however bold you feel like being the food has always been incredibly fresh. I've always found the staff incredibly friendly and helpful in recommending the best items of the day. I also love the drink menu (my personal favorite - "The Shimbashi Athletic Club" - try it!) besides the great names - they're also great drinks. Last time I was there the bartender whipped up some Pumpkin infused hot Sake. WOW! Overall, I highly recommend this place - it's perfect for those predictable weekly sushi cravings but also when you want to really indulge with some friends.
(5)
Chris V.
According to their website, they close at midnight. I walked in at 11:30. There was no one at the hostess stand. I saw a manager walk by and made eye contact with him. He ignored me and walked off. How did I know he was a manager, 2 of the busboys tried to tell him someone was at the front. Eventually one of the busgirls came over and told me the kitchen was closed.
(1)
Brian G.
Terrible service, food undercooked, food arrived at different times.
(1)
Zac K.
What an awesomely fun concept! BBQ and Sushi- what more could you ask for. We walked in opening weekend and were able to get seated fairly quickly at the bar. Drink list is awesome- the cocktails I had, which thank you, Union for getting my nice and brownoutty were something of the vodka world, I'm quite certain. I love sushi wabi so I had to try a roll- I had the spicy tuna and it was delicious. For the main course- surf and turf. Perfect sized portions of the food, the filet was melt in your mouth amazing. Like butter. The shrimp that was with it was great. We also did the bbq filet to share along with the cauliflower which was such a nice surprise. The staff was beyond awesome and the price points were decent too. I can see that this place will probably quickly become trixie central, so I might suggest going sooner rather than later. They don't take reservations, so make sure you have a back-up plan during prime dining.
(4)
JJ B.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!!!!! A truly unique and delicious experience! Staff is warm, welcoming, and well educated on the menu. Service is second to none A++. The atmosphere is hip and modern in a laid back kind of way. And the food!!!!!!! Don't even get me started!!!! The best and only way to describe the food is life changing! Sushi lovers prepare yourself for the dining experience of your life! The bar has been raised in River North thanks to Union Sushi!
(5)
diane m.
Take a pass on lunch. The service is VERY disjointed. We ordered off of the lunch menu, nothing complicated or tricky. One person at our table received everything almost immediately, including the same soup that was a starter to my lunch that I didn't receive for a good 10 minutes. The food is fair but nothing any better than any other sushi restaurants in the area. For $19 I expect a lot more at lunch in the form of service, flow and quality of food. The salad was the highlight with the crisp mix of microgreens and a tangy citrusy viniagrette. The miso is too salty to enjoy although the warmth was great on the cold day we were there. Service is really spotty and I am under the impression that the servers are also food prep staff. One cool thing on the menu is the Alligator Skewer. Before you go EWWW, wait, it is REALLY good, kind of shrimp or calamari like in texture, not too far off from chicken even. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Maybe they are better at night or maybe I just ordered the wrong things but it wasn't a great experience, especially compared to all the rave reviews I've read.
(2)
Megan T.
This place was recommended to me by a local and since it was just a few blocks from our hotel, we checked it out. I made sure to make a reservation on Open Table so we'd be there by 6pm so we could take advantage of the $1 happy hour oyster special. My husband loved these and felt they were very fresh. The complimentary edamame were also delicious. I had three vegetarian sushi rolls. I loved the devon roll with sweet potato the best...yum! My husband had the kangaroo and the beef tongue, both of which were incredibly tender and perfectly cooked. He also got the octopus which he described as "freshly delicate". Service was very attentive and our server was knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend this place!
(5)
Kaitlin M.
I really want to love this place... Please Union change my mind the next time I am in. Unfortunately as a vegetarian I was highly unimpressed with their food. They however still deserve 3 stars for their great ambiance, service and yummy sounding menu. My date, a meat eater, enjoyed his mussels and spicy tuna roll. We also loved the great service. Our beers, saki and water were never empty. And finished plates did not last long on our table. Congrats. However... I could do better at home than the three tastes I ordered. I started off with the Roasted Cauliflower Salad. The description of smoky roasted cauliflower and fennel paired with bright kumquat and orange sounds quite tasty. Somehow the execution completely failed. My cauliflower was completely under done, and the vinaigrette was almost tasteless. Overall the salad was a major disappointment. As my main dish I ordered halves of the mushroom and cucumber rolls. Wow... just two more disappointments. My mushroom roll has almost ZERO mushroom actually in it. Instead it was mostly rice filled with a tiny bit of tempura mushroom... no shitake, green onion or avocado to be found. The same went for my cucumber roll. I would expect a roll that is supposed to have jalapeno in it provide a little kick in the pallet... nothing. And again... I felt like most the ingredients were missing. If you put it in the description... I EXPECT you to put it IN the dish! Few... that felt good! All and all, because my date loved his food, we will be back. BUT, I don't give third chances so... Union, you better be on your best behavior next time!
(2)
Lindsey M.
My husband made a reservation for my birthday tonight and I was a little disappointed with the table they gave us but the food was great. We were both first time visitors so we tried a sushi sampler and a barbecue sampler. We will definitely be back for the black rice sushi and the scallops.
(4)
Valerie T.
This place is absolutely amazing! Best place for Japanese cuisine. Words cannot describe how great both the food and service are at this place. Staff and management are there for guest needs in every way possible. Very friendly and personable, definitely make you feel your eating at your own dining table with an added experience of intimate art setting. The food is amazing, the combination of sushi and bbq at hand is great. Hands down for this chef. Best place in River North!
(5)
Ericka A.
Absolutely loved my dinner at Union Sushi. I came for the Suburban Spotlight with a large group of Yelpers and was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is gorgeous. It's very modern and spacious. We sat for hours on seats that were pretty comfortable and service was spot on from start to finish. We were greeted at the door and lead to our reserved spot upstairs, our drink orders were taken immediately and filled quickly, happy hour prices were pretty poor-friendly, and there was a steady stream of food being delivered to our table along with refills and dessert requests. I went for a Surprise + Delight cocktail to start. It has a strong cucumber and strawberry flavor. It's pretty weak, but it's very delicious and refreshing. My first food order was a full Shrimp Tempura Roll and 2 Beef Skewers. The beef was perfectly cooked and tender. The roll was well battered and very tasty. It was huge and well worth the $6. I can't say the same for the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Old City Market. They both tasted good, but they seemed overpriced and the half orders are very small. Our waiter was able to fill one more last minute Shrimp Tempura Roll order for me right as Happy Hour was winding down. The food caught up with me and I was only able to eat half of it, but they boxed up the rest very nicely. I made sure to save room for dessert and ordered the Banana Bread + Ice Cream. The bottom part of the Banana Bread was moist and perfectly baked. I wasn't as much a fan of the top part, but it mixed well with the Ice Cream and I left quite contented. I don't think I'll be able to eat much here again with normal prices, but I'll definitely be returning for another happy hour!
(4)
Hauwei L.
Ate at union this week and wanted to mention a few favorite items Truffle tuna Buffalo duck wing Uni Alfredo noodles Pork shoulder, mushroom, beef tongue skewers Old city market Taro mochi cake Good, but not amazing Madai nigiri
(5)
Ania H.
This place was pretty decent. Definitely pricey. They do have a happy hour menu which looked great if you get there on time. We ordered a wide array of sashimi and a few rolls. Nothing that stood out and made them spectacular (however I am a sushi snob). They do offer half rolls which I thought was a cool perk. They also have an awesome selection of sake. The decor was awesome. Cool graffiti and overall had that modern look. The service was pretty attentive and casual. They did have their specials on min ipads which was nice to scroll through the images before ordering. Overall it was an alright experience. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. Just OK.
(3)
Kittie K.
Love it. Delicious. You don't need any more info. Go. There. NOW!
(5)
Owen F.
Nothing special, so so service, I am so disappointed. The food is really below the standard, and I am so surprise to see many positive reviews on here.
(2)
Abby K.
Not sure why this place has such high praise..the sushi was equivalent to store-bought, packaged sushi. We sampled all of the "specialty" rolls, not sure what is so special about them. Beyond the food, the service was so-so. Server was nice, but host sat us immediately adjacent to a family. There were plenty of open seats in the place and I think the other party was equally uncomfortable. Maybe their other food is what they're noted for, but this was highly disappointing and we won't be returning. After leaving without a thank you, we ventured over to nearby restaurant and had superior food.
(1)
Nikki G.
i came here with a friend few months ago and i can't wait to go back to try other dishes. I really like the environment and the sushi was fresh.
(4)
Xue W.
just so so, ramen is undercooked and customize box is a little disappoint, but service is awesome
(3)
Cali G.
This restaurant is located in a really good location where there is parking just about anywhere or you have the option to valet. The restaurant is nicely decorated, but the only thing that bothers me is the seating. There's not much personal space. The sushi on the other hand is very good. I am a bit disappointed that they do not offer the thin sliced yellow tail appetizer with the jalapeño and sauce on top. It's one of my favorites.
(5)
Tom C.
My wife and I went here last night for a date night prior to going to the theater. We got our ticket times wrong and Union was great about rushing our food to get us in and out with an excellent meal and drinks in an hour. The Sashimi Cup and Kangaroo from the Barbeque Bar were delicious! The Rainbow Roll with black rice (optional) was tasty, but fell apart pretty easily. The Tsukiji Market roll was just so-so on flavor, but nicely presented. I had a Kuro Smash cocktail to start which was awesome, and we split the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace beer (big bottle!) that surprised us but we ended up loving. Great ambiance and fun view of the eL above without being at all loud. We would definitely go here again.
(4)
Phi T.
In town for work and went here for happy hour after reading reviews. Worth the 9 block walk from my hotel to here in the snow. Their $1 raw Virginia oysters on the half shell with crispy shallots and jalapeño cucumber ponzu sauce were delish. I ordered 2 dozen, 2 of the filet skewers and the shrimp tempura rolls. The food was fresh and nicely executed. Just wish they had more items on their happy hour food menu. There were no happy hour drink specials but the oysters are the star and best deal here.
(4)
Brad S.
Food and service were pretty excellent. Only giving 4 because of the limited vegan selection. If you are getting rolls go black rice it makes it pretty sexy. I went with the veggie rolls. The presentation of the rolls is one of the best I've seen in Chicago. Also try clerks take the time to think through no standard flavor combinations and premium ingredients. Also started with the edamame which some dusted in green curry. It's an awesome little kick. Ambience in the place is great. I went for lunch. And it's a pretty quick and classy at the same time. Totally recommend for nicer lunch meeting.
(4)
James H.
Food: four stars. Scene: 2 stars for being so overwhelmed by douchebags. If you're a douchebag, go often. You'll love it. If you're not a douchebag but have a high douchebag tolerance, go often. If you're not a douchebag and have a low douchebag tolerance, it's worth a visit but not at peak times.
(3)
Rachel R.
It's so convenient to have an awesome such restaurant literally connected to our building. Union is a great place for dinner when we don't feel like going far and feel like a great meal is a casual environment. The menu really has something to offer for everyone. From traditional sushi / sashimi to the robota options to awesome specials, I've never had anything here that I haven't enjoyed. During the cold season, I absolutely love the Spicy Pigtail Ramen. It's amazing, and I am pretty sure I could eat it for weeks straight! They have a great saki and Japanese whiskey menu too. Sashimi has always been very fresh! My only comment is the wait time for initial drink / taking order has been pretty lengthy on a few occasions and the spacing of courses has been a bit off at times. Not a big enough issue to not love this place though.
(4)
Chris M.
Union is very close to my office, so my coworkers and I have been here many times, and I really like it. The flavors and variety are great. Some highlights... - The spicy pigtail ramen is delicious in the cold winter months. - Duck Fat Yakisoba is absolutely delicious. - Rolls are fresh with great flavor. - Unique, varied, and delicious specials on any given day. - Happy Hour Oysters are fresh and flavors are fantastic. - Anything off the grill is pretty good. - Some tasty mixed drinks. - A nice atmosphere. Unique, but not over-the-top trendy. Overall, can't say I've ever had anything that I've been very disappointed by. Not cheap, but reasonable for the quality.
(4)
Rob J.
Granted I came here when it first opened and just got around to writing this review but I don't get it. The service was terrible and the food was just so-so. Walk a few blocks east for much better sushi.
(3)
Rick F.
Appetizers, Edamame, Sashimi Cup, Truffled Tuna, Cocktails, Kuro Smash, Skinny Geisha, A Fresh Start, Chicken Udon, Robata Grill Spare Rib, Lamb Chops, Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Tuna, Old City Market, Soft Shell Crab. I must say everything here was excellent. I really like the vibe here, everyone was having a great time including the staff. It is known has a hipster type place but I saw all age groups mingling just fine. I'm adding this to my place to bring out of town visitors, this is a big deal, you really have to be special to make this list.
(4)
Melanie S.
Our group of four had dinner here over Memorial Day weekend, and the place was busy. We started with a round of drinks and a bottle of sake before moving on to food. I really wanted to get the Jitterbug Perfume (as it shares the same name as one of my favorite books), but I didn't like one of the components so I ended up having the Surprise + Delight (which was indeed both surprising and delightful!) instead; a refreshing concoction of muddled strawberries, lemon, cucumber vodka, Pimm's, lemongrass, and seltzer. That was one of the best cocktails I've had in recent memory. We enjoyed a good portion of the menu, both sushi and from the robata grill. For truly adventurous eaters (not me!), they have some interesting things like kangaroo and alligator. We started with a dozen oysters and two orders of the truffled tuna. I did not partake in the oysters, but they were well-received (if a little too aggressive with the cilantro). I loved the truffled tuna, which came with buttery avocado and wonton chips. I appreciated that they weren't heavy handed with the truffle; a little goes a long way. We also had the sashimi cup, which was probably the rest of the group's favorite. Similar to a ceviche, it comes with escolar, salmon, green onion, ponzu, and avocado puree. I refuse to eat escolar as I've heard it can wreak havoc on your digestive system. I'm not a fan of the possibility of crapping my pants in public so I skipped it. I haven't heard any tales of woe from the others so it appears everyone escaped the perils of eating escolar; good for them. Some of the other items we tried were mushroom soup (like a miso with a variety of earthy mushrooms), mushroom salad, and several specialty rolls. I love that they offer half rolls (I wish more places did this); it makes me much more likely to order more. Of the specialty rolls, we had the Old City Market (spicy tuna/salmon/fried okra), Hokkaido (grilled scallop/avocado/roasted pepper) and the Clifton (calamari/asparagus) and the mushroom roll, which was vegetarian. It came with tempura mushrooms and avocado, and it was damn tasty. To that, we threw in a couple pieces of marinated salmon nigiri for good measure. From the robata section, we did skewers of lamb chops, scallops wrapped in prosciutto, jumbo shrimp, and kangaroo (eek!). I especially liked the scallops but the lamb chops didn't have much flavor except for the char from the grill. I'd skip those next time. Allegedly the kangaroo was very tender and not gamey (I did not try it), but it was a tad salty. Skewers are great--you can order a ton of them and everyone can get what they want. It does add up though, so be warned. Service was very good. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations. Union Sushi + Barbecue is a nice change of pace from the usual sushi bar, and I love that you can also get items from the robata. It's a great way to customize your meal and get a little bit of everything. Overall, Union Sushi gets a thumbs up. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Nanc A.
Good spot. Good sushi not too many pieces served but the taste is amazing. Yummy drinks friendly staff
(4)
Jin K.
So we went here to dine on friday night for my wife's birthday. We actually had our first date there about two years ago. This time was as good as the previous times that we have gone. The Bartender upstairs, rocks! Super knowledgeable about drinks, the beer that he recommended was excellent, echicho (sp?) and the cocktails that he made for the others in our party were outstanding. I didn't know they had Ramen noodles but two people from our party of six ordered Ramen Noodles and after trying both of them, I wanted to order one for myself. So Good! But since we had ordered loads of rolls and sushi, i didn't. The food was delicious as always. If I still lived in the city, I would go at least once a week to feast on the Ramen Noodles and some excellent rolls.
(5)
Andrea Z.
Excellent! We went in search of some sushi and cocktails and were very impressed with Union. We tried two different specialty cocktails - one was gin and one rum - and both were quite good and at $11 each, decently priced if not cheap. Union specializes in black rice sushi and although they charge a bit extra for it, I highly recommend it. Flavor-wise, it isn't much different from white rice but we found the texture to be different and very very good. I would absolutely try this if you get the chance. Sean got the black rice nigiri sampler for $25 - I think there were at least 8 large pieces. I went with three 4-piece rolls: Devon roll (sweet potato tempura), tempura shrimp, and spicy tuna. Both of us enjoyed our meals very much. The fish was superb, extremely fresh and melt-in-your mouth good. The rolls were great. Spicy tuna was well seasoned and just spicy enough. Devon roll was interesting - I wouldn't say my favorite as it was a bit bland, but I'd never had tempura sweet potato before so I'm glad I tried it. The tempura shrimp roll was the highlight of the meal for me. Most places batter and fry the shrimp, then roll it, then cut it. Not union. Here they assemble the roll then batter and fry THE WHOLE THING! Somehow it does not end up greasy and heavy. The whole roll is warm but not hot - exactly the right temperature, and with just enough fried batter on the outside. I've never had anything like it - SO GOOD! Very reasonable prices, great sushi - highly recommended. We walked out at less than 80 bucks including tip. Not bad for sushi in Chi-town. Definitely give this place a try.
(5)
Daniel H.
I went to this place I was blown away! Service was fantastic! Sushi very fresh and the alcohol selection Double Plus Good. I recommend it.
(5)
Marcio D.
Great sushi and drinks (morning glory) in a relaxed environment with super friendly staff. Sushi chef was amazing and his recommendations were incredible.
(5)
Miss B.
I ate at Union during a visit to Chicago last fall. This place is heavenly. Rap music and sushi is all one needs in life and Union Sushi + BBQ Bar is ready to serve. Truffle tuna - JUST run there now and stop reading this review any further. However, if you are still curious about this glorious establishment, they have great rolls and other appetizers. Personally, I was not in love with the black rice sushi but it was not fault of Union (just my taste buds). When I return to Chicago, this will be my first and last stop. Hoping to dream about truffile tuna and a platter of nigiri with west coast rap serenading the event!!!!
(5)
Jamie B.
Sushi was pretty good, but overall I found this place to be overpriced for the value. $12 for a 5 oz. glass of mediocre white wine? No thanks. The fresh wasabi we were offered (and accepted like idiots) was a $5.00 charge which our server never mentioned. I just was not impressed, I think there are better sushi paces (with BYOB options) than this place.
(2)
Douglas B.
I can't say enough about this place. Yes, another 5 stars, seems that some of these places have not been disappointing at all. Union has amazing music playing every time I've been there. Old school hip hop.. nothing more, nothing less. None of that BS dance music, none of that new crap wanna-be rap... real hip hop. Makes dining there so much the better. They have a killer happy hour... $1 oysters with delicious crispy onion toppings, green onion, chile oil and fish roe... so good!! $3 beef skewers so tender so good and a $6 huuuuge shrimp maki. I always go for the pork shoulder, it is full of flavor. All of their meats are cooked over a 600degree fire. They have kangaroo and alligator as well. I will need to attempt the kangaroo one day. The sushi is fantastic, the fish is fresh and they give you nice portions. The uni is creamy and grade A. They have a few mixologists and make fantastic drinks, the have a long list of house drinks they make. .. very creative. I stick to a Makers Mark manhattan, they knock it out of the park. Not to mention the black cherry they put in there, so much better than the maraschino. Go! Go try the happy hour specials. The food is not that pricey, its the drinks that get ya, they are pricey but so damn good and worth every penny. If you like to drink, be careful, you will down them one after another with out batting an eye :D
(5)
Alex G.
I'm here for my second time. I can't tell you how much I love this place. Crab legs if on the special are a must. Love the Devon toll. Also had the cold cider mule, amazing! My go to for all of my out of state visitors!
(5)
Jenny H.
Union Sushi is fun, funky, and fresh! We had a choice of sitting in front of the robata grill or at the sushi bar (no tables were available at the time). We picked the latter and it was the best decision of the evening! Consider it a front row seat into the meticulous artistry that is their sushi. We started out with some edamame and then worked our way through the menu... TRUFFLED TUNA Based on the overwhelming recs on here, we followed suit. It was decent, but I'm the kind of person that would've liked the tuna itself to come out more. PROSCUITTO-WRAPPED-SCALLOP oh, my gawd Becky-- look at that scallop... it is so big! It was palm-sized perfection: smoky, juicy, a tad on the saltier side but oh-so-scrumptious! Then a foray into half to full portions of sushi: TSUKIJI MARKET CHESAPEAKE BAY DEVON RAINBOW We both liked the Tsukiji simply because it was subtle yet refreshing, my dining companion had commented that it was very much like a Vietnamese spring roll. I liked the Devon because of its textures and sweetness, though I could've done without the overpowering eel sauce. I've never had black rice sushi and the Chesapeake was a good introduction. Who would've thought... crisp collard green wrapped sushi? BANANA BREAD + ICE CREAM Recommended by our server and I love anything banana-themed because of its subtle sweetness. Banana bread came out moist and warm. Paired nicely with the banana ice cream. We dined to the musical likes of Weezy and 50cent. Made for a uniquely entertaining night of creative eats. Shout out to Aum, even though he wasn't directly our sushi chef, he made sure we could approach him in the interim since our server wasn't available and even offered us a sample of their cannolis (which I will definitely have to try next time since I was so stuffed). Our fast friendship was solidified with a parting fist bump and best believe, I will be seeking him out on my next visit! Sit at the bar, order something from the grill and a variety from their union roll list. Guaranteed good time!
(4)
Alex J.
If you don't want to be seated at the sushi bar, make sure to make reservations - the host staff WILL be catty. Personally, I love to sit at the sushi bar at this place. There is a female waitress there named Aniporn (spelling?) who is awesome! The happy hour special is fantastic ($1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2 grilled beef skewers). The house drinks that I have had there were good. The prawn with kale salad is excellent. So is the black rice sushi sampler. I really love this place!
(4)
Nichole C.
I think I'm going to have to reevaluate my feelings for Sushi X and Toro Sushi now that I have experienced the wonder of Union. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I don't know if it's the atmosphere (cool industrial space with tagged up walls and an open kitchen), the drinks (those bartenders WORK for their money and the drinks have ingredients I have never heard of...not to forget they also have SPARKLING SAKE and some good craft beers), the food (black rice sushi...what other evidence do you need?), or our server (he was the nicest, sweetest, cutest thing in the world and he was a great server too) but I love it here. I was also impressed with the menu (both sushi and bbq), the specials and appetizers (damn, they make me feel fancy with that iPad menu!), and the drinks other than alcohol (Japanese sodas, teas, etc.). The only thing that I would mention (if I have to be picky) is that you should probably make a reservation (of course the place is packed) and the regular old rolls like the spicy tuna are totally boring compared to the others that they serve so go big or go home. And try the black rice...it's the bomb.
(5)
Steven N.
Not a bad place with both sushi and robata grill all under one roof. For our taste, this place is a bit too trendy though. We tried the black sesame rice sushi platter and found ourselves wanting back the regular sushi rice instead. Their fish quality is ok, but not overly impressive. We also tried some items off their robata grill - if you are into gamey meat like kangaroo, bison or alligator, this is the place for you. We thought the scallops from the grill was the best item we tried. Parking is easy there and the atmosphere is relaxed, so give it a shot if you are in the neighborhood. We won't be returning since it's not really what we like.
(3)
Dominic V.
Really good and creative sushi.
(5)
Mike W.
My wife had been raving about this place for months and then we went with friends on a recent Friday night. It was good but not spectacular . I definitely thought the black rice was a cool touch and I really liked the ice cream. Also, our server had a fantastic mustache (and was a pretty good waiter). The fresh wasabi ground at your table is cool. And sake in a can is great. I had enough cans of sake + the bourbon drink (also pretty good) that I don't clearly recall what we ate. It's a bit on the pricey side although for where it is and what it's trying to be I didn't think it outrageous.
(3)
Claire M.
I've been here a half-dozen times now and always, always, always return every time I'm in Chicago. The menu is creative, the food is tasty, and I just love the energy. My favorites on the menu are the truffled tuna, black rice sushi sampler, the spare rib and the fatty tuna sashimi. In fact, that list right there is pretty much what we order every single time! I'm always surprised as well by how reasonable the prices are for a wonderful sushi meal. For example, two girlfriends and I came here over the summer and absolutely gorged ourselves for less than $45 a person including a bottle of wine and a nice tip. Another huge plus -- it's so easy to book a reservation here using OpenTable. The service tends to be competent rather than overly warm, although I have had some great servers. The last time we were here I found our server a little too pushy about upselling us on the fresh wasabi without mentioning there was an extra charge. However, we've had consistently great experiences with the bartenders -- I might even try eating at the bar sometime if I'm there by myself!
(5)
Ryan R.
High quality, fresh sushi, and knowledgeable staff. Consistently great food either dining at restaurant or picking up for carry out sushi. The fact that they have delicious, healthy BLACK RICE available is A+. My favorite spicy tuna roll in Chicago by far. I also love all their sashimi and the truffled tuna appetizer. Never a disappointment!
(4)
Heather K.
We had a great night! We went for a casual business dinner (among friends) about a week ago. Very impressed from the start with the atmosphere, music, and overall vibe. We had a reservation, but decided to stay at the bar because we were enjoying the company of Adam! He was our fantastic bartender. If you are looking for an easy going and fun night out with great drinks and great food, this is the place. We let him make recommendations and just keep bringing out the food and drinks! Loved the truffled tuna! He even made great vegetarian recommendations for one person in our party. We had a great time and really enjoyed everything! #thanksadam ;)
(5)
David O.
I decided to try Union Sushi after watching an episode of "Check Please," that featured the restaurant. All three diners on the show had positive comments, which prompted me to check it out. Great fresh sushi really enjoyed the BBQ. Atmosphere was totally laid back at the same time very contemporary. The only down side was out waitresses kinda sucked. Wasn't very attentive, water, napkins, nowhere to be found when wanting to order more, but overall was a great night. Highly recommend for a first date kinda night.
(4)
Jvmr C.
We came here a second time. Still great food, atmosphere, and service. It seems they took my (or someone else's) advice and replaced the cheap plastic sampler/tasting plates with heavier plates. Also I was disappointed that they no longer offer the tableside preparation of fresh wasabi. But I would still definitely recommend it.
(4)
Rachna K.
What can I say? They have the best vegetarian roll ever - the Devon. The Devon roll is TO DIE FOR! Soooo good! My husband, who loves meat and seafood, is also equally enamored with the Devon. The rest of the rolls are pretty good too. My hubby has had a few items from the BBQ bar - including the beef and alligator, he said it was okay. The Devon roll alone will keep me coming back here! Great place if you are vegetarian but in the mood for sushi!
(4)
Jessica P.
I ordered from here one night thinking it'd be amazing . The service was great but the food seemed sloppy. like a child put it together. The chicken seemed so bland nearly a hint of salt . sushi was poorly put together, soup over salted with hardly enough components. Not to mention prices are ridiculous Neat place great service - poor food quality .
(2)
Conrad S.
Great sushi place, some nights the sushi is phenomenal sometimes it is not. It gets pretty busy on the weekends but that's Chicago for you. Inside is a very cool modern kind of look, the lighting is very well done and brings out how cool their space is.
(4)
Lena H.
Sat at the sushi bar which is a little distracting when you're starving and trying the have a conversation. When my sushi arrived, man it was delicious! I was prepared to go all out and forgo my diet. Coincidently, the rolls i chose, only one included rice, the lower carb black rice. It was the Chespeake Bay. DO NOT PASS IT UP. So good!! The place is pricy, but I really enjoyed the sushi, and felt guilt free, so I guess it was worth it!
(4)
Amy W.
Looved Union, firstly for the open layout with unique designs -- the high ceilings, the wall art, and the robata grill display! The service was also great. Our waitress was efficient, knowledgable, and also courteous. My boyfriend and I tried one of the specials, the grilled bay scallops, which were absolutely delicious (I thought the use of iPads to display the specials was quite unique as well). The portion was a bit small, though; for $5 we got only two scallops. The sushi was average; nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about. The duck-fat yakisoba was amaazing, however! It had just the right amount of kick to it. And as for dessert -- oh my! We shared the taro mochi cake and a scoop of the uni ice cream. The latter was an interesting combination of flavored and textures that I had never tasted before. The ice cream definitely had a strong savory, uni flavor and was almost a bit cheesy in texture, but it was perfectly balanced out with the crispy caramel. I would recommend sharing, though. It might have been too heavy for me if I had had it myself!
(5)
Sandy D.
Boyfriend made reservations in advanced for my birthday. there were plenty of open tables yet, they were going to be seated right in front of the door, but i asked to be seated upstairs. the food was delicious. I was happy with the chef sashimi choices, however a little disappointed that it was not garnished with radish shreds nor the green edible leaves - I had to ask for the radish shreds. Also, we sat with empty dishes and no drinks for quite some time. i had to request that our dishes get removed and more drinks. Our waitress had been busy taking shots with a party near us. After a while our waitress was slurring her words, working slow and was waaaay too touchy feely with us - it made me too uncomfortable. I was not liking the service at this point - luckily Choa one of the owners came by and thanked us for coming and gave us a taste of white smoked tuna. he turned it around for sure! i look forward to coming back, the owners just need to watch their staff to not get messed up while working - its not professional. I also over heard the table that our waitress was taking shots with, when they closed up, they shorted the waitress. hmmm - i wonder why. sober staff count better.
(4)
Cami R.
Loved the place!! Great decor and friendly staff!! We ordered the skinny geisha as a cocktail, it was good but a little more alcohol would do no harm... We had a lot of rolls but the ones who standed out were the shrimp tempura and the mushroom with black rice. For dessert the brownie... it is to die for!!
(4)
Eatie J.
Been here several times and I must say... This must be love.
(5)
Jessica N.
I LOVE Union!!!! Have been there twice in the past month again and have had a fabulous experience every time. Amazing service - very knowledgeable and helpful but not OVERLY on top of you Food - Their new Agedashi potato is SO good. Plus tried the new grilled prawn and it was like lobster - delicious! Always have great music and a fabulous vibe!
(5)
Joanne N.
Oh Union Sushi how I wish you were better. I live right in the neighborhood and would love for this place to be everything its trying to be. Here are my thoughts: Sushi- okay not great. I don't enjoy overly complicated rolls so if I'm going to get a basic tuna or hamachi roll, I want it to taste really fresh. I don't always feel that way with these rolls. Oysters- same deal as the sushi. Not the best in the world, but fine. I think they overcompensate with other flavors when I think oysters are best standing on their own. I'll only order them during happy hour. The noodle soups- I do love these. They are the reason I gave union 3 stars instead of 2. The spicy pigtail ramen is great if you have a cold. It's also sooo tasty. Union serves its purpose; trendy sushi spot in river north. Just not my favorite place in town!
(3)
Maria G.
My first Restaurant Week restaurant!!! I made a point to this year finally make a reservation to a restaurant participating in restaurant week. I called up a pal, said here's my list, and we go from there. She ended up going with Union Sushi and I was totally stoked! We had reservations for 6:45 and there was hella traffic on the way there! I also didn't look into parking info ahead of time but was crossing my fingers that street parking would be readily available. 6:40 pm and I spot the restaurant. And look! Street Parking! Right across the street!!! Hellz yeah!!! My dining partners had just arrived as well and we were seated immediately. Service was great! And I loved the decor and ambiance. I was totally digging the music and then threw my hands up when some Slim Shady came on! The food was all delicious BUT...I did not care for the Black Pepper shrimp appetizer. It was totally unappealing and I would not recommend it. I had a great night here and will definitely be back for some more of that Black Rice Sushi!
(4)
Martha Z.
My friend and I took a seat at the bar in front of the sushi chef. We ordered the BBQ sampler and it all came out tasting very good. We also tried the rice pudding for dessert and was so delicious that we ate it up so quickly. The waiter was also very attentive and super nice. Would definitely go back when I'm back in Chicago.
(5)
Kate D.
Everything everything everything was delicious. The sushi rolls were fantastic, the drinks were amazing and the dessert was the perfect end to the meal. Recommend the mushroom roll, the scallop with black rice roll(cant remember the fancy name). Dan our waiter took such amazing care of our pregnant friend that the service might have been the highlight. Ask for Dan. I will be back for more sushi:)
(5)
Jim K.
Not like a regular sushi place. Go for the unique and different here it's all great. It was my first time having kangaroo. Interesting. Not what I would have expected, and tasty. The beef to tongue skewers are also spectacular - we must have ordered at least five of them. Definitely go for the black sushi rice. Normally I don't like this kind of rice but here it is done well, and actually adds to the diversity of the rolls. Also be sure to try the rolls that use seaweed alternates as wrappers - radish and the like. The bartender is also a wizard with the white whiskey. Good, even if super strong, beverages. Maybe a bit overpriced for what you get, but yummy.
(5)
James Z.
I know we need to talk about the food immediately, but can we mix things up a minute and talk about how much I love the location and design of this place? I kinda love the fact that it's right next to the El tracks. There's something rustic and romantic about its proximity to an old subway artery. It's also positioned on a corner where you can dine watching the action of River North around you. Big windows and dim lighting allow for the streetscape to become your source of visual entertainment. The interior design, however, is not understated. I love the vibrant colors, murals, and funky lights. I am reviewing Union Sushi & BBQ Bar mainly based on my most recent visit for Restaurant Week. We had a Friday night reservation for 8:15. We got there ten minutes early and they told us our table wasn't going to be ready until 8:15. We waited until 8:30 when we were sat. Our hostess apologized for the delay, and luckily we didn't get sat near the front door where there is an unpleasant draft. I ordered the Surprise & Delight cocktail. It had muddle strawberries, pimm's, simple syrup, cucumber vodka, lemongrass, and seltzer. It was refreshing and transported me to summertime --- a much needed reminder of warmth in the middle of this brutal Chicago winter. The miso soup was our starter. Yummy! It was a nice beginning to our meal... along with the complimentary edamame. For appetizers, he ordered the truffle oil tuna with potato chips. Amazing! Very truffle-y! I ordered the prawns with chili. Good stuff. My boyfriend ordered the Surf & Turf as his main entree which was a fillet of beef served with crispy shrimp, thinly-sliced fried potatoes, and a sweet potato cream that had the consistency of a puree. I had a sushi platter; it was delicious -- especially the spicy tuna. Now, for the sweet stuff... I like dessert, but don't always NEED it. Thankfully, for Restaurant Week, dessert was included and boy was I glad! The killer yuzu pie was refreshing... and very tart!! (Actually, a bit *too* tart for my liking, but still amazing.) I wish the crust wasn't that hard to cut through though. The pumpkin mochi cake, however, won out in the end. The cream cheese ice cream, pumpkin brittle, and caramel made this dish. Our server was fine. She seemed a little scatter-brained at times, and wasn't super attentive, but nothing egregious or praiseworthy to report. Out of all the RW places we went to this year, my boyfriend and I agreed this was our favorite.
(4)
Chitterne B.
Turn up the damn heat. Please. So cold - do not let them seat you in the tables near the windows during the winter!
(3)
Ma M.
sushi was delicious and the chicken skewer was tasty, wish they was little more to curry but regardless I would order it again
(3)
Julia P.
Have eaten here at least 6 times now, with quite varying experiences. Has ranged from a delightful relaxed time at the bar talking to the owner, watching him prepare a very special dish, and getting some Chicago Thai restaurant tips, to perfectly fine experience with good wait staff, to sitting at a bench seat feeling as if in a hole unable to quite reach the table, to being treated a bit as an imposition by front staff even with reservation and being rushed by servers, to, worst of all, - freezing so badly at most recent visit that even with floor length down coat on I still felt as if having chills from influenza throughout entire meal and couldn't wait to leave. The food will win out and bring me back though, and I have hope that some of these other issues could become more consistent, hopefully on the good end! Most easily remedied would probably be to develop systems for timing the coursing of plates being served and refraining from rushing diners. As it stands, we are just careful to order only a couple of things and try to plan it out ourselves the best we can. Black rice items here are the standout for me. Yum. Inspired me to make black rice at home more often. Also delicious is the lightly topped presentation of the oysters, and the time we hit happy hour for those was a nice bargain surprise. March 2014 update. Adding a star for recent nice experiences. For us a key seems to be dining at the bar, but that may be coincidence combined with our personal preference. Union continues to be a favorite.
(4)
Matthew F.
The food here is sublime! Entered and was seated in no time flat (they were REALLY full). I ordered the edamame and the tuna salad (it's not really a salad. It's more like a tower of tuna with truffle.) Both were great. I have a knack for eating A LOT OF sushi, and it was very fresh. The restaurant pickles their own onions and puts it on top of the tuna nigiri.... OH.MY .GOD. It was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. One less star because while the food is good.....it is REALLY EXPENSIVE. Not a weekly restaurant......probably once every few months. Great place for dates.
(4)
Beth K.
YUM! Love this place! Love the atmosphere, the drinks and the food! The minute you sit down, they bring you edamame. There was something tasty sprinkled on it, but I can't remember what it was. Our waiter for the evening, was awesome and patient. I think he checked on us 4 times before we actually decided what we wanted to order, food wise. Drink order always goes in right away. They have so many fun cocktails there, you really can't go wrong. I ended up ordering some sashimi they had as a special and it was delightful. Our server (forgot his name) recommended it and said it was similiar to a halibut, or maybe it was red snapper. Haha, either was it was great! I also got my standard black rice hokkaido roll. I love it, and could probably eat it every day. I also love that you get an option of ordering 4 or 8 pieces. My friend is a little more adventurous then I am and had the alligator rib. He loved it, and can't wait to go back when they get the kangaroo (sad) back on the menu. If you haven't been and are looking to try something new check out Union. Whether you order sushi or order something from the bbq/robata menu you won't be disappointed. Cheers!
(5)
Kori E.
We came here last night for Restaurant Week and boy was I impressed!!! We decided to come a little early to have a drink at the bar before dinner, and I think the only disappointing factor was the lack luster bartender. He was borderline rude. However, when we moved on to our table our waitress was super friendly, attentive and gave great suggestions! I would highly recommend doing the Restaurant week menu as you get a huge bang for your buck ;) We split the sushi and pork and were STUFFED. The portions are huge and everything was so spot on. The desserts were also phenomenal and massive portions once again! I loved the black rice sushi, and nothing was dosed in tempura or mayo, the fish was really the main ingredient, which I liked. They have a great drink list as well and would recommend ordering the Skinny Geisha, I had two and loved them! I will for sure be returning to Union, such a great spot! Im surprised it took me this long to make it here.
(5)
Sean P.
Pretty good sushi and it's not too bad trying to get reservations on the same day. It was a little bit too loud being seated upstairs. I've had better experiences downstairs where you could actually hear the person you're sitting next to.
(4)
Diane W.
I called almost 3 weeks in advance for a dinner reservation of 10 for my birthday. The hostess stated that should be fine and took my name and contact information down and stated their event planner would contact me sometime before the dinner. About a week before the dinner reservation, I had not heard back from the event planner so I called to confirm my reservation only to find out they had no reservations under that name. The only times they could offer me was 10:00 at night..which who wants to eat that late. I then asked to speak with the manager who was great. He was very accommodating and took care of all my issues. He was able to ft my friends in at 8:00 reservation as I had requested. I have eaten here before, always great service and great food.
(4)
Tony B.
Recently went for a birthday and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere! It's a place you can miss though it's in River North it's not near a ton of other restaurants, tucked in by the El. Nice thing is if you have a crew that has some non-sushi lovers there's good variety on the menu. Good shareables. Manager came over and greeted us, staff threw a little birthday celebration for my buddy Mark and over all it was just a very welcoming and delicious evening.
(4)
Natalia K.
the rolls are tiiiiiiiiiiny. a full order of salmon roll is literally half the size of any salmon roll i've eaten anywhere else. if you like thick rolls with big pieces of fish and rice paper, i would basically go anywhere but here. i can't say anything about their ramen or bbq or whatever else they serve, since i haven't tried it but the sushi was a fail. and we ordered a lottttt of different rolls. i've heard such good things about this place but was honestly really disappointed.
(1)
Nazy H.
Made these reservations from about a month before and told them it was a surprise birthday. Granted it changed from a party of 6 to a party of 10 but they also had to change our time from 9 PM to 10 PM which I said that is fine as long as we get to sit at 10 PM. Well our party waited at the bar for 45 minutes before we were even seated and they only came by to us once saying that it will be a few more minutes before I continuously asked them if they could please just do something because everyone was so hungry at this point. Then the entire order taking and dinner process was slow. The black rice sushi was delicious. And we got the bbq platter that everyone loved as well. So overall, food was great but service definitely needs some work.
(3)
Jaime G.
Union Sushi has some good sushi and ambiance...but rest is just other food. A little over priced too. Go here if you want to hang out for a drink and a sushi app...but that's about it.
(3)
Aubrey R.
Food was good, not the best, but good. Thought the prices were kind of high for what you got. We ordered some rolls, tuna with truffle oil app, some pieces of bbq, slider appetizer and the surf and turf. Surf and turf was the best, meat was tender, prawns were good and price of that was worth it. The sauce was excellent! The slider appetizer was okay...that definitely didn't taste like wagyu, the pork belly was good and the crab cake one was okay. Pork belly wasn't that tender, flavor was good. For the bbq, the rib had good flavor, we ordered two. One was super tender and melted in your mouth, the other wasn't that tender and kind of hard. The duck I was told was also just okay. The skin was crispy, but flavor was so so. My husband and friend did enjoy the lamb because it didn't taste gamey. The key lime pie was overly tart and sour, not good at all. The chocolate brownie was pretty good. Service was good, place looks big, but they don't have that many tables it seems and it gets really loud. It was nice to try a new place, but I prefer Sunda and Slurping Turtle and feel you get more for your money there. We spent $275 for 4 people and we left comfy, not full. Totally don't mind dropping this much money for food, but it should be worth it. Oh I did enjoy the Simple + Delight (I think that is what it was called). Vodka cucumber drink. Yum!
(3)
Sarah K.
Adam just whipped up the most amazing drink on the fly. Come for drinks, stay for sushi, you won't regret it!
(5)
Hayley N.
The food was delicious and the service was great! I was stuffed after the meal, but it left me wanting more! I will definitely come back here with friends. We got a lot of different things to try: House Salad- standard, but really yummy dressing Lamb Chops- excellent flavor- a little fatty Truffle Tuna- delicious, but wasn't overwhelmed with truffle flavor Wagyu Beef- a little too rare for me, but it was still good-- nothing crazy 2 rolls-- one white rice and one black rice (both awesome!!!) Pumpkin dessert with mochi- UNREAL Enjoyed the place a lot. A good place for a fun atmosphere and interesting food.
(4)
Monica C.
2 words: Complete Ripoff!! My boyfriend and I ordered delivery from this place on GrubHub. In the end, everything came out to around $60 dollars, so we were expecting a good portion of food. When the order came, we were shocked - it was only enough to feed a person for half a meal. And they forgot the soy sauce, great. We were left starving and bitter. The food itself was a mediocre attempt at high-end sushi that fell flat. Old City Market Roll: The description goes "Spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion and crispy onion wrapped in collard green." Sounds fancy enough. WELL IT AIN'T. All I tasted was tuna wrapped around a sad little piece of green leaf, with a thin layer of black rice that looked like it was accidentally smudged on. Spider Roll: I chewed and chewed, but can only taste a hint of crab. I suspect some baby crabs were used in the production of this roll. Sauteed Maitake Mushrooms: I swear they were trying to give me high blood pressure. SO MUCH SALT. Whole Squid: Eh, it was ok. Again, tiny baby squid. Hold on to your wallets guys and go somewhere else to get your money's worth!
(1)
Adam K.
BBQ wasn't as on point this time, neither was service, still above the avg though.
(4)
Mary L.
I've never had such amazing food in my entire life. My boyfriend and I went for a date night expecting the best - and that is what we got! My server was Dan and he was not only extremely attentive, but courteous, respectful, and even remembered I was pescetarian when I ordered a prosciutto-wrapped scallop. He's the best. When you go, order the ume wine - it will blow your mind. Nothing says proper Japanese sushi than a glass of Ume wine to round off your meal. Basically, I have no complaints about this place. Every single thing we ordered was cooked (or not cooked!) to absolute perfection. The service was great, the menu inventive, and the Yuzu pie to die for. When my boyfriend and I can afford it, we'll definitely go again. In the meantime, we'll sing praises to the sushi Gods for Union.
(5)
Cassandra F.
My partner and I went here for our anniversary. The decor is a little odd, and the music is a little on the loud side, but other than that it was a fantastic experience. Our server was perfect -- just the right amount of attentiveness with being smothering or fussy. We ordered some robata skewers to start, which were quite tasty, as well as the duck fat yaki soba, which was excellent. The sushi was outstanding, especially the Chesapeake Bay roll. Seriously some of the best sushi I've had, and I've eaten a lot of sushi. But perhaps the highlight of the meal was dessert: a to-die-for chocolate brownie, and a yuzi pie so good my partner (who doesn't care for sweets) couldn't stop eating it. I will absolutely eat here again, although I may order take away, as it's on the way home. I'm also keen to try their lunch bentos. A+
(4)
Jose V.
I can't believe it took me that long to try this place given that is only a couple of blocks away from me! I came on a Friday night with friends and the place wasn't really that busy, however the server indicated that they were totally booked for the night.. And we had to wait and see, so luckily and after having a few drinks, a cancellation came along, so we were able to sit down after only 25 mins.. For the appetizers we just went for the truffled tuna which was fantastic. For main course we decided to split the black rice sushi sampler and a salad, everything was really tasty, you could tell the quality of the ingredients.. Servers are a bit awkward but still nice, music was a bit off from the atmosphere they are trying to create, perhaps some lounge music might be suitable but oh well, not a deal breaker ;) Drinks were good, not the best, portions and pricing were reasonable, overall experience great, definitely coming back, especially for their truffled tuna..
(4)
Natalya M.
I went to Union Sushi last night with my friend and I still cannot get Spicy Tuna roll with black rice out of my head. My friend and I made a pact right there and then to come back and just order that...it was pure perfection. This roll is definitely one of the best things I've ever tasted...and if you're one of those who doesn't care for sesame oil, like myself, be afraid not...I couldn't taste it. If I could have this roll for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I would! We also ordered Spicy Tuna with regular rice, Dragon Roll, Devon roll and Hokkaido. Hokkaido was my least favorite as it tasted pretty fishy, but I am not a fan of raw scallops unless they are drowning in spicy mayo and masago mix. All the rolls we tried, including regular Spicy Tuna pale in comparison to the Spicy Tuna with Black Rice. If you think that you're not going to order a boring spicy tuna roll that you've eaten 10 thousand times by now even if it's covered in black rice...Stop, don't think...just do it. We also tried the Pumpkin mochi cake dessert, which I ordered because everyone in Yelp seems to love it. I liked it but next time I am going to save my calories for the spicy tuna roll.
(5)
Jenny F.
Came here on a Saturday night and had some great food and drinks! The service is really great - super friendly staff and server. I was looking for a drink to warm up from the winter and the waitress recommended the hot cider mule which was delicious. I also had the kuro smash which was great. For the dessert the pumpkin mochi pie is pretty good as well. Not quite a mochi texture - a little bit more crumbly and pie-like.
(5)
Ryan G.
Two years on and Union has still exceeded all of my expectations throughout. Yes, there has been the occasional busy lunch service causing slow food that I had to sometimes take back to my office but that only makes my fellow employees jealous... Notable additions to their menu include seared fois-gras wrapped with a beef tataki, alligator ribs, the fried oyster and wagyu burger, octopus salad... Chef Chao, Aum and the rest of the kitchen staff are constantly evolving and elevating their menu and every new dish has been great. Top that off with a great group outing on New Year's Eve 2012 with eight people all sat around the robata grill and this restaurant continues to be my favorite in the Chicago. Congrats to Mike, Chao, Aum, Dan, Amy, Kathy and the rest of the staff for 2 great years and hopefully many more to come. I'll be looking forward to it.
(5)
Lin W.
Good bbq, good sushi. Skip the desserts.
(4)
Ana C.
Sashimi cup was delish and i liked rolls with black rice ( chefs option for $25 )
(4)
Sofia J.
Love coming here!! 2 times was not enough!! Delicious $10 cocktails (Surprise+Delight) Delicious menu: oysters (love the jalapeno-cilantro ponzu), bbq'd squid skewer, sushi (especially the black rice sushi), yummy bento boxes... this list will continue. All this for very affordable prices!!
(5)
Laurence B.
Sit at the upstairs bar! Very knowledgeable bartenders, amazing whiskey and sake selection. Sushi is UNBELIEVABLE... like the others say, try the black rice wraps. Everything was fresh and delicious. And original. Seems like downstairs is a little noisy and trendy. The cool play is to sit at the upstairs bar in the corner. And order the whiskey that the bartender tells you to order. And the new beer that they just got in. The one in the can, from japan.
(5)
Madison B.
This place was good. I had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. Deliscious! I also had the calamari sushi and yellow tail sushi. Everything was yummy...including the drinks. Btw the bartender was AWESOME. He knew all about the drinks and the food and was super nice. I had a good time.
(4)
D W.
The food was terrible. I don't understand why this place received so many good reviews. There are so many better places for sushi. I ordered the eel and ebi rolls with black rice and seaweed. The sushi was dry and didn't have any flavor. I get better sushi from Osaka Express in the South Loop at half the price. I guess I am spoiled because I lived in Japan and I know the difference of authentic sushi/Japanese food. The place is mediocre at best. Definitely would not come back.
(1)
Jesse C.
Went here a few weeks back for a business dinner and was very impressed. We cam early enough for dinner to take advantage of a few of the happy hour specials which included discounted beef skewers, shrimp tempura rolls, and oysters. The Oysters were a bit of a disappointment and I would not recommend but everything else we ate that night was good. Favorites were the black rice spicy tuna rolls and the shrimp tempura rolls. Great Japanese beer selection and friendly service. Would definitely come back here again in the future.
(4)
Natalie L.
This was a fun place to bring an out of town colleague. We had the truffled tuna, the black rice sushi sampler, and the robata sampler. For 3 women, it was a good amount of food and everything was tasty. I was especially impressed with the beef tongue. Service was good. Atmosphere is trendy River North but it wasn't unbearably loud. As for music, well, if you like rap circa 1999 this is your jam.
(4)
Mike O.
Only negative thing I could say is the wait for a table would have been 90 minutes on a sunday night so we had to sit at the bar but food was still excellent. The ipad menu for the specials is really cool. Black rice sushi is a must try and the seared wagyu was excellent. Will definitely return
(5)
Kristey B.
From my experience, this is by far the best sushi spot in Chicago. I've dined in and got to soak up their amazing ambience and have also been equally impressed with their sushi whenever I order out and get delivery. Love this place!
(5)
Shannon S.
My experience at Union was much the same as many of the other reviewers. I thought the atmosphere was outstanding and the drinks were really great but the food was hit or miss and the prices were quite high. I had the alligator kabob, the buffalo duck wing, hokkaido union roll and the waygu beef slider. Friends I was with had the steak salad, spicy tuna roll, dragon roll and spicy shrimp roll. First off, for having the word "sushi" in the title of their restaurant this place actually has very little of it. They have the standard nigiri menu but outside of that they only had 7 rolls on the lunch menu. Having gone here for lunch I was a bit disappointed with the selection. My other issue with the selection was that about half of the maki selection didn't involve raw fish. The hokkaido roll was pretty good but it didn't' pack enough flavor or texture to wow me the way I would normally like. The spicy tuna and spicy shrimp were both very good but totally in line with what you could expect from any sushi restaurant. The dragon roll was not good at all. The eel sauce that they put on it was actually quite bitter and strong with vinegar flavor. In my opinion it was way too much and over powered the the whole roll. The alligator kabob was just okay. I've not had enough alligator to be able to judge the quality of the meat but I would have preferred if it came with a sauce or a garnish. It was just a little grilled kabob with some seasoning. My friend had the scallop which actually looked quite good and she said that it was very enjoyable. The wagyu beef slider was so adorable when they brought it out and I really had high hopes for it. Although the meat was very tender I found the burger somewhat bland. The pickles and sweet potato chips it came with though were great! My favorite things were the duck wing and my cocktail. The duck was extremely tender and came right off the bone with a fork. The breading, buffalo sauce and blue cheese dipping sauce were all exactly what I wanted it to be. For my drink I got the Princess Elena. It was delicious! After tip I think my bill was about $40. Overall I think the restaurant was just okay. With so many other wonderful restaurants in the city I don't see myself going back any time soon. If you are going to make the trip it would be best to just do it for the cocktails.
(2)
Rhonda G.
Such a great place! I love the design of the place, very modern. Our server was a great guy and although the overly attentive server assistants (bus boys?) got on my nerves, I appreciate them doing their job. We tried a nice portion of the menu and I loved everything! A few standouts: Truffled tuna- amazing Agedashi potato- unexpected and delicious Grilled scallop union roll - different and delightful Japanese curry chicken thigh - so flavorful You can tell when a lot of thought has been put into a menu, very apparent at Union. I never thought that sushi and BBQ could work well together but they made it work. Definitely planning my return visit!
(5)
Mike C.
Good sushi. Very unique combinations that I've never seen anywhere else. Nice selection of saki and the apps are pretty spectacular. The service was good even at the peek business time. I would recommend reservations if you have a party of 4 or more.
(4)
Stephanie L.
So I was contacted by the owner to go and try this place again. He felt bad that the signature black rice wasnt available. I got a $25 GC to check it out. This is really the only reason I went back and I really do appreciate how he reached out to me...but it didnt change anything.... Went on a Thursday night. Easy peasey reservations on Open Table, which I really love. The space, I love the openness of it. Lofty feel. Upscale, etc. Its like trying to be a new Sushi Samba without the entertainment. The tables feel cramped despite the openness of the restaurant. I get it, pack it in to get more people in there... The service again was horrendous. Our server took forever to get our drink order and bring over the cocktails. Not to mention, we ordered Skinny Geisha and a Kirin light...not difficult to make. Oh and she forgot our drink order when we placed another one when we were only 1/4 of the way through our first drinks so we again were left with empty glasses. The food runners/busboys are annoying. There is so many of them hoovering over you, its ridiculous. It feels uncomfortable. I think they should cut back on those guys and get more servers or bartenders to get better service. They have weird liquors too so dont expect the normal, which is fine. Of course, overpriced. The food, one word OVERPRICED! Ridiculously overpriced. The sushi was good, was it worth the $18 per roll. HELL no. The fish is minimal in the rolls and the pieces of nigiri were ridiculously small for the price they charge. Kai sushi gives you about double the size for half the price. The good thing about the sushi is they have some great different options without rice if you are trying to save on carbs, but it will cost you, for sure. The robata grill was good, but $6 for ONE SHRIMP??? HAHA, you have got to be kidding me. $3 for shitaki mushroom??? The black rice was good, but I didnt think it was anything special. My former review stands...dont waste your time. There are so many other options to choose from. If you are looking for a scene...there are a TON more options than this place in the area with a much better scene. I can for sure say, I will not go back to Union, UNLESS I go for the happy hour special or lunch or someone else is paying.
(2)
Marie S.
I came here with a friend because I heard all these wonderful things about their handmade noodles for ramen, so we were stoked, given that Chicago just has recently started to up their game in that department. So this is the first place we went to right after I landed at O'Hare. When I got to the restaurant, I was a bit early, so I asked to be seated at the bar. The bar was totally full of guys there, with the restaurant otherwise being EMPTY and I was TOTALLY ignored. For a place that's Michelin rated, you would think that the service would be a bit more attentive and see that there is a random person standing there, waiting...Anyway, so I ended up going back to the hostesses asking for a table. One of them was really nice...and the other was really sarcastic. Thank goodness I had a sense of humor, or else I could see someone getting REALLY offended. That aside, so I ended up grabbing a table. The waitress who served us was pretty attentive at first and would check on us, but after a few drinks and trying the ramen, she seemed to kinda zone out and not check on us or any of the other tables unless we literally waved at her. So i guess, in a nut shell, service was mediocre at best. In regards to the food, we ordered the Mushroom Ramen was actually kinda bland and the noodles were a bit chewy. Not necessarily the best ramen to be honest. It seemed like a shio broth, but not quite. We also tried the happy hour specials as well which were actually REALLY good! The oysters were tastefully presented and super fresh and the tempura rolls were good as well. The martinis were on the spot too. So if you go here for just the happy hour specials and the drinks...that's really where it's at. If you want stellar service on the other hand...
(2)
Annie V.
I can't wait to go back! I've been thinking about this place for over 2 weeks. Everything we ordered was super good. The oysters were fresh. The tuna tartar was nice. We had a few things from the BBQ which were also great. And the cocktails are delicious. If like your cocktails less sweet just make sure to tell them. I had a few which I thought would have been fantastic had they been a touch less sweet but I guess that's just personal preference. Very enjoyable experience.
(5)
Kaitlin P.
Highly recommend the Black Sushi Sampler. 16 pieces for $25, so worth it! Shared the Surf and Turf as well. Smaller portion but great flavors. Simple decor but nice environment. Laid back with top 40s style music playing. I'll definitely be back for the Black Sushi!
(4)
Ray P.
I'm a regular here - since I sold my car about six months ago, I'm going to restaurants that don't require me to transfer or take a $20 taxi. So Union is perfect - bus, taxi, walk, it's in a perfect location...and enough off the trendy douchey path so you won't get run over by guys with pointy clown shoes or get bopped by flocks of girls rocking giant duffel-sized purses that probably need to be gate checked. But I digress.... Here's what you do: 1) order one of the specialty drinks. You can NOT order poorly. Or, pick a spirit and ask them to make you a Union-ized drink (see what I did there?) 2) order the truffled tuna appetizer. Don't ask. Don't think. Just do it. And ask for extra chips. You won't be able to thank me because your mouth will be full of delicious truffle-y tuna. And mom said to never talk with your mouth full. I'm telling! 3) order whatever is the special robata (grilled) skewer. 3) order the black rice maki sampler. three different 4-piece rolls made with black rice. Lower carbs than even brown rice..which is diabetic friendly, and friendly for those that want lower carbs. Duh. 4) order the Yuzu pie for dessert. Again, you won't be able t thanks because your mouth will be full of, well, Yuzu pie. Of course, the menu is extensive, and there are many delicious dishes from which to choose - buffalo duck wing, soba, udon, fame noodles galore, lots of nigiri...and if you're of a mind, try the omakase. If you can, get ther for happy hour - delicious oysters and robata grilled beef skewers will keep you and your drink(s) company. It's best to make a reservation, but, popping in for happy hour is a great way to try some things. You may even see me sitting at the downstairs bar (say hello!). Not sure why you're still reading this? You should already be there.
(5)
Barb B.
The sushi and other dishes were ok. No basic California roll...but silly me--I forgot....I am not in California anymore. The menu seems to be catering to the hip crowd and not too authentic on the Japanese food. The robata grill food was quite tasty. But, I am not a fan of the fish-whiff odor that hits you when you first walk in the door. They need to take care of that.
(4)
Jessica T.
Came to Union Sushi with colleagues visiting from Florida. Everything was perfect and our waitress (Yui) was awesome! The black rice in the rolls was a great change. I appreciated how many vegetarian plates there were (not just a boring veggie roll). I will definitely be back!
(5)
Lu H.
Stay away from this place. Take your business somewhere else where it's appreciated. Last night something happened to me that hasn't ever happened in my restaurant adventure life - I was asked to leave. The food was decent but the service just left a horrible taste in my mouth. A group of 4 us felt rushed the entire night. From the bussers to the servers, interrupting us quite often. I got the sense that they wanted our money and wanted us out as quick as possible, probably a directive from above. If you see that we are still working on a plate, I know it's a hard concept, that means we are not done! Finally, after spending close to $300, I don't know if it was the GM or someone else, asked us to leave! We were all flabbergasted, laughed, got up and left. And to give you a perspective, it's not like we stayed there till it closed - we arrived around 6:30pm and it was around 9pm-ish when they started not-so\-subtly trying to get us out, from taking the water glass away to cleaning the table. Usually I could take a clue, but last night was just one of those nights that I felt like enjoying a good conversation with friends without being rushed. The audacity that this place has- sorry, you're not that great - is unbelievable. Personally, I just don't think this is the way to run a business- bottom line. Fortunately, Yelp has become a powerful tool as it's evened the game between business and consumer. Unless this place changes it's philosophy, it will alienate more customers and lose in the long run. Hopefully, my review will help them lose.
(1)
Maria D.
Outstanding! Although a bit rowdy on the Saturday night, this place is top notch and excellent value ! You will find similar food quality as you would at Sunda or Roka Akkor without a sophisticated waiter (our gal was very matter of fact) in a slightly more casual atmosphere BUT at half the price! So depending on the mood of your evening Union may be ideal for the occasion. You will find yourself in the trendiest space with an industrial feel and clubby music. The food selection, presentation and uniqueness of flavors is outstanding. They have a ton of small plates to share and we LOVED everything that came out. I would especially recommend Cobia Carpaccio and their presentation of Oysters was mind blowing! Of course their soft crab roll was a special treat, all wrapped in cucumber in a sweet and spicy chili sauce.. yum!!!! Small Tip: If you are ordering 5-6 dishes, either wait to tell them or specifically ask them to space it out - otherwise their fast and tenacious wait staff may cover your little table with all of the dishes you ordered at once:) Get ready for an excellent meal!
(5)
Jaime M.
Very impressive. Loved the music, atmosphere and food. Really enjoyed the eclectic menu options on top of regular good classic sushi! And they own a great bar next door for a night cap, nice spot!
(5)
David R.
Not exactly traditional sushi, but really good nonetheless. Lots of good barbeque and noodle options. The space is self-consciously hip, but it comes off fun. Start with the sashimi cup - super tasty. Excellent cocktails, to boot.
(4)
Jeff C.
huge fan. love the constantly rotating drinks and in the winter, the hot sake delights. the combo grill/sushi is great for any diners. They have a nice selection of creative and imaginative dishes. Fun room.
(4)
Tony L.
I had enjoyed Union's fine sushi in-house, but wasn't sure how they could approximate it through delivery. Had a sushi dinner delivered for myself and a date on Easter evening and it was superb. I couldn't believe that they were able to duplicate their wonderful presentation in a delivery! Each portion was wrapped carefully and perfectly. Also, the sauces and condiments were all included in separate wrappers for us to apply, so nothing arrived soggy from the delivery time. Wonderful attention to detail. Highly recommended!
(5)
John S.
Door people can be a bit pretentious but the service and food make up for it.
(4)
Yanyao N.
I've fallen madly in love with the awesomeness that is Happy Hour at Union Sushi. Today, I noshed on: - 1 dozen oysters for $12. ONE DOLLAR a pop! Plus, they come topped with all these fun and delicious things! - 1 beef skewer for $2, that seriously, was melting in my mouth. Yes, my mouth was a melty, beefy, meaty hole of amazing. I'll order more next time. - A full shrimp tempura roll for $6. Crunchy and savory. This roll would probably have been enough for me, and at HH prices was an absolute steal. I had only visited previously with a friend for lunch before. I was enticed by their $12 Bento Box lunch specials (yet another great deal)... namely the one with duck fat yakisoba (Yes, this is a thing. Eat it immediately.) My friend raved on and on about his buffalo duck wing (move over, chicken!). Service was super great on my first visit - our server even brought us out a complimentary sashimi cup (complete with sprinkles!) for dessert. I don't know how he managed to tell that I had a huge salty tooth, but this move was awesome. For those of you who like the sweet, I have heard nothing but great things about the yuzu pie! AND, for those like myself who enjoy a really well crafted cocktail, may I recommend: - The Yamato Sling: Plymouth, Rock Sake, Green Tea Syrup, Lemon, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters (!), Seltzer - Surprise + Delight (THE cocktail to be drinking this summer. Trust me.): Effen Cucumber, Pimm's No. 1 (my beloved Pimm's!), Lemon, Simple Syrup, Muddled Lemongrass, Muddled Strawberry, Seltzer Reading their dinner menu online literally has me drooling right now. Spicy pigtail ramen, soba salad, cold beef cheek udon, and an array of grilled meats (including alligator and today's kangaroo special!). Needless to say, I will be back repeatedly until I've made a considerable dent in sampling their menu. Thank you Union Sushi for a super fantastic Happy Hour! I will see you soon! ;)
(5)
Amy D.
Bottom line: Different sushi options for a price. Time: Dinner around 7:00PM Occasion: Birthday dinner. Party of 2. Service: Varies. - Lunch service is better than dinner service. - Not as attentive. Food: Nothing like it. - Don't get the noodles. Not that great. Disappointed with the duck fat yaki soba. - BBQ skewers were overall pretty good. Prosciutto wrapped scallop - drool! - For sushi, the hokkaido was unbelievable! Definitely an experience. Worth a shot. My suggestion is that for a good experience, definitely take into consideration the time and day you go.
(4)
Mark H.
Not cheap, even if you just get the happy hour food. But $1 oysters, $2 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls go a long way to make it a great experience.
(5)
Roxy A.
Went here for dinner last night with the bf and had a great experience dining here. I really like the atmosphere of the place, with the urban art and the layout of having an open space. I like the concept of the menu too, I think its great that they offer half portions of rolls & there are BBQ items to order. We started with the cauliflower salad which was really light and I liked that there were slices of fresh kumquat and fennel in it as well. We also ordered the Truffled Tuna which was basically a tuna tartare served with some housemade chips. We also went with one of the specials that our server recomended six pieces of whitefish that was similar to yellowtail it was flavored really nice with yuzu. They also topped the sashimi with some pieces of grapefruit that went really nice with the sashimi. I was in an Uni (sea urchin) type of mood so we ordered the sea urchin alfredo soba. I heard alot of great things about that dish and it did not dissapoint! The sauce was creamy and had a bit of a cheesy taste to it, but good cheesy. The soba noodles were also topped with a piece of fresh uni and salmon roe. I don't usually like salmon roe but it went really well with the dish. For our sushi we ordered a half order of the soft shell crab roll & a full order of shrimp tempura (half black rice & half white rice). The only complaint I had is that they went a lil heavy with the eel sauce on the rolls that I couldn't even tell the difference between the white and black rice. Other than that everything else was good. We also ordered an order of uni nigiri which was really fresh and delicious. Our server took note of my liking to uni and suggested we order the special for dessert they had sea urchin ice cream. I asked him if he was joking but they really did have it on the menu! It was definitely interesting but really tasty and topped with caramelized sugar crumbs. We'll definitely be dining at Union again soon! Side note I also liked their taste in music..they played A Tribe Called Quest & even played DMX Party Up in Here lol (Yelp Elite if you still have your sticker from Union from the Xmas yelp event you get a 10% discount off your bill!)
(4)
Amanda Z.
I've only been for happy hour, but what a happy (couple of??) hours that ended up being. Their specials are divine: from 5-6:30 you can get oysters for $1, beef skewers for $2, and their shrimp tempura roll for $4 (small roll) or $8 (large roll). The oysters were FANTASTIC. Probably some of my favorite in recent memory, to be honest. They are served perfectly chilled with a dash of tobiko, and my fave, crispy shallots. YUM. The other two options were great as well, but the oysters really stood out to me. They have lots of great options for drinking accompaniments too...whether you fancy a cold Japanese brew (Kirin Light, anyone) or some sake (THEY HAVE FLIGHTS TOO), or even one of their own special cocktails, you definitely will find something to quench your thirst. Service was lovely, even though we pretty much ordered off the happy hour menu to start. Definitely a happy hour DO in Chicago. I will definitely have to come back to check out more of their regular menu.
(4)
Mironda R.
So I ran an NPV analysis, did a few cost-benefit ratio scenarios and it added up to nope if its not HH and I'm not tired of Shrimp Tempura Rolls, then I have to think about Union and all of the other goodness offered around it. Went here with some friends. They have 4 options for the HH, which is clearly a ploy to lure you in. What they did offer was tasty. I had the Shrimp Tempura rolls and my friends had the skewers and oysters, which they said were great. Since the waiter kept asking were we going to order or just stick with the HH offerings, under pressure, I decided to splurge a bit and spent 15 smakkers for 8 pieces of Old City Market - spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu.. some other stuff, wrapped in not rice, but a collard green. It was interesting, but not a winner. Now the ambiance was really nice, modern, and open. I can see it as a place to be seen and to see, but I'm not totally convinced it's for muah! The music is pretty fun too!
(3)
Sunshine A.
Great service, great atmosphere, great PRICES, and great music. I really enjoyed my experience here and it's one of my fav places in the city. Planning on a girls night out here. A must try is the truffled tuna!!
(4)
Lisa Z.
This is now my go to for sushi. It's phenomenal. Glad one bad experience didn't keep me away because it is so good every time. I go for the truffled tuna, mmm, the sashimi cup, mmmm, and the black rice sampler. Perfection.
(5)
Jeff W.
This is an EXCELLENT place to get Sushi. Sitting at the Sushi bar is great! The BBQ Sushi is delicious, and they have a large sake menu. The service is great too!
(5)
Mike S.
I don't know what you can really say about this place. Every time we go here, the food is excellent. I usually order the grilled BBQ sampler and it always tastes great! My girlfriend loves the truffled tuna. Black pepper shrimp, scallop, and pork cutlet are also some of my favorites. The Clifton roll. The extensive drink menu is always exciting too.
(5)
Gretchen D.
We loved Union Sushi. The decor is very wild/trendy/over-the-top. Think Japanese anime meets lots of orange and paint splatters... Service was excellent. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. He came around and checked frequently but unobtrusively. So many other places should learn from this! Yes-the drinks are pricey at $11 each, but they were generously poured so I didn't feel ripped off. Loved the Morning Glory #2..it was like a Manhattan with ginger added. Nice choice of Shoschu too. The food was all excellent. We had the truffled tuna, which I liked a lot but was not totally blown over by. Loved the BBQ'd cauliflower. Other stand-outs were the following specialty rolls: Old City Market, Clifton #4, and Tsukuji Market. My husband hates fish, so we asked if they could make some cucumber rolls (not on the menu). No problem! Deserts were just okay--not fabulous. We'll be back!
(4)
Sarah S.
Union Sushi has made me a huge fan! I was a bit skeptical going into dinner as something about a place being the newest, hippest, hot spot puts me off a bit...but Union has made me a believer! When we first called to make reservations, they said they didn't have anything but when we tried again we were able to get a table - woohoo! Upon arrival and even by the time we left, not every table was full so not sure why there was such an issue with us getting a reservation. We were able to find street metered parking which was great and super close. A couple of friends and I went to the bar while we waited for others. The bartender was very friendly and able to speak easily about the drinks, ingredients and background behind each drink. Apparently they created all of their own special cocktails and they have some cool options on there. I had a Skinny Geisha which was just 99 calories and $11. It had Hum, House Infused Citrus Vodka, Fresca, and Yuzu in it. The bartender told us about hum which is apparently a spirit made right here in Chicago. The drink was delicious and really pretty, highly recommended! We had a comfy half booth and half table seat right in front of the clear encased fire grill that meat is cooked over. Our waitress was also extremely knowledgeable about the food and very friendly. Because we had a large table I was able to try many items! Mushroom Dumplings - fontinella + chive cream sauce $9 Everyone at the table loved these! I wish I got one set of dumplings all for myself instead of ending up with half of one. These are a *must get* item. Truffled Tuna - truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco + wonton chips $11 Solid, tasty appetizer but because Union has so many other unique and inventive dishes, I don't think I will get this again. Alligator on the Robata Grill - garlic-soy + Kirin Light $5 Fun to try but I don't think I'll put this in my regular rotation. Kangaroo on the Robata Grill - on special that night. Super cool that they offered this but again, I don't think I'd get it again. Super White Tuna Special - $11 Amazing dish that was on special! I hope for everyone else's sake that they add this to their regular menu. The flavors in this cooked small plate popped in all the right ways. Spicy Tuna Half Roll - spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake + mayo $5 SO SPICY! If you're week with spices, this is a truly spicy tuna roll. It was rolled so well and tasted quite yummy. Half roll = 4 small pieces. Waffles & Ice Cream dessert- house-made raspberry + blueberry ice cream berry mix, ginger maple syrup $8 That housemade icecream is so good! It trumps the ice cream at many places I've been to. I would get this dish if only for the raspberry and blueberry yummyness. Killer Yuzu Pie - coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream $7 A signature dish of theirs and the pie portion was delectable. I loved the strong flavoring of it but some of my friends thought it was a bit much I really wanted to try the Ice Cream flight (next time for sure) but they had Uni Ice Cream on special and how could I pass that up!? I don't normally eat sea urchin but I'm always down to try new & interesting things. That ice cream was the bomb diggity! My friend who dared to try it also said it was fantastic. I love that you are able to get half rolls of things for half the price, allowing you to be able to try more dishes! The food, service, drinks, atmosphere, beautiful plating & presentation of the dishes and inventiveness at Union Sushi are all AMAZING! Plus, I have the special Yelpers Union sushi sticker on my license so I get 10% off there. Who wants to go back with me?! :D
(5)
Julie S.
My boyfriend and I always come to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar whenever we are in town. We always have awesome service and the food is always excellent. We have probably been here about 5 times. On the most current visit (6/7/14), we made reservations for 6:30. When we arrived we were greeted by a friendly hostess and immediately sat. We started with the truffled tuna and king crab. Both apps came out super fast. The truffled tuna is amazing and everyone should try it! It was the perfect size. I like that the peppers are on the side so you can choose how hot you'd like each bite to be. The king crab was a decent portion and very good. Slightly spicy and perfectly cooked. The slight charring added a nice flavor. The little crispy puffs on top added a nice texture because the crab is so soft. For sushi we ordered the hokkado roll and the Chesapeake bay roll. Both we amazing and super fresh. We also ordered: beef tongue, beef filet, and the spare ribs. The beef tongue was soft but not mushy and very flavorful, excellent charr from the grill. Same can be said for the beef filet. The spare ribs were fall off the bone delicious, vinegary and a alcoholy taste in the BBQ sauce, which was good. For dessert had the chocolate brownie which was so decadent and delicious! If you love chocolate, order the brownie! Overall another great experience. We will be back time and time again.
(5)
Abby L.
Came here for dinner with a close friend a few weeks ago. Was very impressed! Food was delicious. Ambiance is unique--so fun inside, but still good spacing and able to hear conversation... really loved my sushi and our appetizers. Will for sure be back! Our waiter was very nice and accomodating, too. Would recommend for date night, group of friends, and happy hour.
(4)
Marissa S.
One word: Awesome. I am desperate to now find a place in my home city (NYC) that will offer Black Rice Sushi....hands down it is better than white or brown rice sushi and I am officially converted. Truffle Tuna is obviously amazeballs. Come hungry to this place. Freshly shaved wasabi?! What?! I have never seen that before even in NYC...amazing and so delish. I also ordered a Japanese soda....super good, made with real sugar wheeeeee!! This is a great place to come with friends or a date....definitely can get a bit noisy, so if you are an old like me, be prepared for that.
(4)
Samantha H.
I absolutely love the decor in here. I would recommend sitting upstairs if you can because it's quieter and smaller so I think it's more comfortable and intimate. There were four of us so we split a few things. We got the truffled tuna at the suggestion of our server. It was okay but nothing special. It was similar to the poke tuna at GT and that is so much better. The rolls were very solid. Even my husband liked them and he doesn't even like sushi. The beef tongue was spectacular. Very tasty and moist. I have to say the let down for me was the kangaroo. It did not taste like kangaroo at all and I'm not sure that it was. But everything else was very good. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Shiyi Q.
I strongly recommend this Japanese Restaurant! Food is so delicious, and they are all shareable.
(5)
Hasan S.
A friend and I went here last night, and I will start to say the service was amazing. Rachel who was our waitress, was very helpful and knew a lot about the food. We were so impressed by the food and service, we let Rachel pick the dessert for us that night, Keyu Pie, so good!! Food was excellent and very tasty. We got the Black Rice Sushi Sampler, I highly suggest it, good mix of different types of sushi!! This is my first time writing a yelp review, this place convinced me to write up an excellent review! Def going back here again, this time we are going to try something from the grill!! ***Also, this is the only place in Chicago that I know of that makes and serves fresh wasabi at your table, delicious!
(5)
Lauren M.
Never had a problem here until today. Ordered to go and within 3 hours I was sick. The sushi I normally have tasted a little off today and I now know why. I won't be eating here again.
(1)
Sarah S.
Favorite happy hour hotspot of hubby and I. Delicious and the most fresh sushi. Black rice is the way to go. Ahm, one of the sushi chefs, always creates an incredible custom roll for us by request and it never disappoints. The soft shell crab roll and the shrimp tempura roll with black rice are faves. Truffled tuna app is a must. Best miso soup I've had. Not to miss the well rounded Union!
(5)
Rachel P.
My husband and I went to dinner last night at Union Sushi. We made a reservation earlier in the evening via Open Table. We ended up sitting at the sushi bar so we could watch the chef on to Robata Grill. Our experience was undoubtedly the best we've had at a new restaurant in years. First the server, Yu, came over and asked if we would like anything to drink. We wanted Sake to start. She was very knowledgeable and suggested the Crazy Milk unfiltered Sake. It was a great choice. Being the curious person that I am, I asked Yu to explain the menu to us, because we weren't familiar with the style of BBQ we saw in front of us. She was on it, she brought back the iPad that outlined the daily specials. Then she reviewed each section of the menu perfectly. I had a complete understanding of how much we should order and some of the favorites or most popular items. We had the Truffle Tuna to start, which was amazing. Then I had the mushroom soup and my husband had the miso. The brought my soup with the mushrooms in the bowl then poured the broth in front of me. The presentation was awesome! Next, we had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. OMG, we should have ordered one per person, because that half scallop was amazing and I wanted more! We also had a half roll of the soft shell crab and half roll of the octopus. Both were great, but I preferred the octopus. The chef at the Robata Grill was very friendly. My husband is a talker, but sometimes that pays off ;) The chef made us a special shrimp skewer. It seriously was the one of the best things I have ever eaten. I didn't want it to end. We also had the short rib and the rainbow roll. Both were good, but nothing could top the shrimp and the scallop. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be going back! Great atmosphere with very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Can't beat it!
(5)
Michelle L.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere is really cool - very open. We arrived early for a reservation and were offered to sit at our table even though our entire party hadn't arrived since they were not seating anyone else at our table for 5. The food was interesting and delicious. I see other posts sharing that it was expensive. This is not a place I would go to every week, but more rarely since it is a bit pricey but, I think, worth it. I think the oysters and Hokkaido roll were my two favorite things. I also think it is cool that the owner sat us at our table, and the chef came out and ground fresh wasabi table side.
(4)
Alexa L.
I'm coming back here to order the mushroom roll. It might sound weird and I don't know why but it is DELICIOUS and I would be happy to eat it every day for a long time. I also recommend the duck wing (90% as good as the mushroom roll) but please note that one order comes with one duck wing and is NOT easy to share. This place has a fun atmosphere and you can watch the chefs prepare the food on the first floor. Also, the service is very kind and playful to match the space.
(4)
Dana Z.
Definitely in top 5 sushi places. Cool atmosphere, attentive though rigid service, and delicious food. They use a little tablet in addition to the menu to show pictures of menu items - easy to flip through, helped me decide.
(4)
Jac C.
I've been here a couple of times with my husband and we just LOVE the shrimp tempura rolls. They are warm and crunchy deliciousness!!! I would; however, suggest that anyone who visits Union to be brave and order a couple of their unusual items like the Kangaroo (no it doesn't taste like chicken) it is honestly amazing! The "Buffalo" Duck Wing is ridiculously good too. So crunchy on the outside and insanely tender on the inside. I even liked the Duck Fat Yakisoba and I'm really not a fan of BBQ Sauce. All in all, this is a great restaurant especially if you are one to try new things and share an exciting dining experience with some friends or a loved one. Order a bunch of small places to share and you can't go wrong!
(4)
Catie R.
A few co-workers and I tried this out for lunch the other day, and had a slightly better than average experience. Two of them got the Surf n Turf bento box and were disappointed at the size of the sliders- they were not filling for the price. What is saving Union Sushi from only a 3-star rating is the edamame was tastier than I've had before, and their Dragon Roll was absolutely addicting- I'd go here again, but not for the bento boxes.
(4)
Beebe G.
i've worked across the street when union opened and never had the appeal to dine here until a couple weeks ago when my boss was in town and we decided to try this place for lunch. and i'm so glad we did! the industrial decor is cool. we had samplings of several sushis and skewers and salad. since our lunch, i've returned twice for take out. the bento box is a deal you can't beat with a stick at $13. it comes with sushi, salad , entree and miso soup. what i really enjoyed was last friday when i ordered the ramen chicken soup. wow, what a nice enriching meal! i especially liked the spicy pepper oil that cleared my nasal passages. can't wait to try other items on the menu!
(4)
Glen W.
This is a fun place with a nice atmosphere, an extremely diverse range of Japanese offerings and good service. The food, on the other hand, is not that tasty. The one really good thing was the alligator.
(3)
Kristen W.
We went here for the happy hour food and were pleasantly surprised by how much we liked it! We ordered the beef filet skewers ( from the 'barbecue' side $2) and were blown away by the flavor. Then we moved onto sushi were we had shrimp tempura rolls, which were served warm like I've never had them before but nonetheless they were tasty. We also tried the sweet potato roll which is hard to mess up! The food happy hour is awesome, the drinks are expensive ($11 average for cocktails) but that's pretty standard for the area!
(4)
Evan S.
This place gets FIVE stars for great sushi, awesome drinks, and incredible music. More on that in a bit. I ordered to my heart's content. Cocktails: I went with the two whiskey options, good ol' tried and true. Apps included the Truffle Tuna (parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips), Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop (literally melted in my mouth - is that what she...? NVM!), and the Jumbo Shrinp. For my roll action I share the Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hokkaido, Spicy Tuna, Dragon, Devon rolls). The Hokkaido was my fave of the bunch. No desserts as I was still on my "no sweets for Lent" stint, but the selection looked enticing. What really put Union over the top was the 90s hip-hop and R&B! It was a WELCOME surprise and my party was grooving all through the dinner with constant "OK! Oh snap! Uh oh!" action. The service was also top-notch. I'll definitely be back here! Keep it tight, Evan
(5)
Kimberly M.
I can't stop thinking about that Fiddlehead salad!!!! I mean everything was amazing, but that salad.....
(4)
Dan M.
In need of sushi in a contemporary and relatively upscale setting? Union may be just the ticket! In downtown Chicago there's plenty of sushi joints but they tend to be a) ultra modern (all white, sterile, etc...) or places dong fru-fru nonsense with flowers, cut/ molded fruit and veggies and lights on your plate for God's sake. Union does old school sashimi and nigiri with a upscale presentation without all the nonsense so you're able to enjoy the very freshest fish, unusual options without being crowded out by a bunch of soul-p atched hipsters. Further - they have a fantastic grill with a plethora of options and the noodle soups are fantastic as well. Whether sushi or Barbeque you're in for a treat just leave your club clothes and/ or hipster gear at home, Union is for "real people"!
(4)
Jacob J.
It's Restaurant week 2013 in Chicago and my only advice is GO! $33 bones for dinner service and it is a must. (RW2013: Two days left kids) 2013 Michelin recommended restaurant. Swanky & hip interiors are sure to please, this spot is a mere stone's throw from Spy Bar and Hop Haus. For $33 bones I enjoyed: Miso Soup. Black Pepper Shrimp - w/ Black pepper, pickled chili, green onion Pork loin - w/ Coconut milk, enoki mushrooms, fried onions green onion + Japanese curry peanut sauce Pumpkin mochi cake - w/ Cream cheese ice cream, caramel + pumpkin brittle. Since I visited with friends and family. We also sampled the sushi sampler, many ordered off the Prix Fixe menu so there was a ton of sushi on the table of different kinds. All of which were uber tasty. Ordering meats off their robata grill is a must! Beef tongue was succulent. Black pepper shrimps were meaty but we saw another shrimp on the grill which was enormous, at least ten inches in length. (?) Mouth watering. Then we make it to dessert and as if dinner wasn't tasteful enough. Killer Yuzu pie (key lime) or Pumpkin mochi cake. My cousin took one bite of that cake and never looked up again, his eyes intensely fixed on his mochi. Spoonfuls of moist, glutinous mochi and cream cheese ice cream adorned in pumpkin brittle and caramel. This dude slammed his, a bit of mine and contemplated ordering one to go. Too good. My only gripes and there were two. How quickly bus boys took plates away, sometimes nothing was said. Also, if Surf & Turf is offered as well as meats in general, why not have a decent steak knife for cutting. The common butter knife just doesn't do it. Great with friends and family. Good for impressing a sexy date. No need for valet, street parking is ample.
(5)
Andre W.
I was enticed by friends to come here because of their happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks My friends couldn't make it out so I invited my gf for an outing. First of all the decor is very hip, urban with graffiti on the walls, but with a slick feel to it. Also I thought it was cool eating while listening to Gang Starr, Dilated Peoples & Blackstreet classic hits. Again, this joint has a hip, swanky & urban feel to it. The staff was awesome in explaining the goodies on the menu. They took really good care of us. The beef skewers were very juicy and tender....we had 4 of them! The shrimp tempura was really good as well. I destroyed a half roll with a smile on my face. One of the managing partners gave us a tour of the place...really a nice guy. He also makes special dishes if you get a seat in front of his cooking station. This could end up being a serious go to place for after work activities.
(5)
Amoli P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a sushi and barbeque bar. As a general rule, I tend to assume that any restaurant offering in multiple cuisines means that the sushi will just be sub-par, if not awful. Union Sushi is the exception to this rule. We made an easy reservation for 7pm on a Thursday evening, and were seated right away. The decor is trendy but with a Japanese vibe. Drinks are served in cool wooden carrying vessels that are somehow modern and authentic at the same time. While we each had a regular menu at the table to peruse through, we were also given an iPad (yes, I said iPad) for our table that offered closer looks at items (with pictures), details on the daily food and drink specials. It seemed a little excessive to use iPads as menu items - we looked around us and counted at least 7 iPads being used at various tables - but it was also something new and kind of cool. We were instantly served tasty edamame with a different spice blend. Our cocktails arrived quickly and I found the Skinny Geisha to be light and refreshing, without being overpoweringly sweet. My boyfriend got the Eastern Medicine and found it delicious as well. We started with the cauliflower salad which had a nice citrus and vinegar flavoring. The truffled tuna was excellent, though as some reviewers have pointed out - the truffle taste was a little overpowering and hid the taste of the tuna. We did not get too experimental with the bbq items. My boyfriend and friends shared a kangaroo skewer as it was a special of the day and said it was fine (and tasted just like lamb) but wasn't mind-blowing. Next up were the sushi rolls. The best part about Union is that you can order sushi rolls in half or full amounts...and the half rolls are exactly half the price, rather than other restaurants who charge you 80% of the full price for only half the amount of food. This allowed us to really try a variety of the menu for 4 people, without spending a ridiculous amount of money. The sushi roll menu at Union is limited in that they do not use yellowtail or other less common fish in their rolls. They pretty much stick to tuna, spicy tuna, one roll with salmon, and the other cooked items like eel, shrimp, scallops, calamari and fried oysters. However, the rolls they do offer are nothing short of delicious and amazing. What Union lacks in fish variety in their rolls, they make up for with orginality in every other way. We tried rolls wrapped in collard greens, rolls wrapped in soy paper, and rolls wrapped in black rice (a healthier option to sushi rice). Each bite made our taste buds dance, and the fish and vegetables were extremely fresh. We went with the Dragon roll (in black rice), the Soft Shell Crab, the Hokkaido, the Devon, and the River North. The Soft Shell Crab was pretty standard, and the Devon was tempting mostly because of the curry sauce (all 4 of us were Indian, so obviously we had to try this). The hokkaido and River North rolls were absolutely delicious and easily my two favorites. They used a burdock root (or gobo) in the River North roll that added a wonderful crunch and the collard green wrapping was genius. The Hokkaido was wrapped in soy paper and had wonderful flavor blends of garlic and jalapeno and cilantro. The Dragon roll was less original but very fresh and tasty, and the black rice added a different texture but did not have the same overpowering taste that brown rice tends to. The black rice is a great option for carb-conscious eaters, as brown rice tends to ruin a sushi roll. We did get the fresh wasabi at our table, but quite honestly I don't know that our taste buds were sophisticated enough to appreciate the difference. It did taste better than regular wasabi, but I don't think it's worth the $5.00 surcharge. We only tried a couple pieces of the nigiri (super white tuna and hamachi) but both were fresh and good solid size cuts. It was a great experience with friendly service and fresh and original food. I look forward to going back and trying some of the rolls we didn't get to, as well as some of the bbq items and appetizer items. It's a great place to go with only 2 people, as the half rolls allow you to try a better variety than you usually get.
(4)
Andrea R.
It was a Friday night and the hubby and I decided to take advantage of a visiting grandmother...and have a date night. At 8pm it was too late to get a reservation at anywhere we've been wanting to try so we decided to walk a few blocks to Union Sushi and hope for a table. We didn't get lucky with a table, but we did get "lucky" with 2 uncomfortable seats at the bar upstairs. The menu is quite interesting with a mix of Korean BBQ and sushi. We decided to try both, but first enjoyed some drinks (beer for the hubby and a glass of wine for me). In terms of Korean BBQ we ordered the ribs and were feeling a little adventurous so ordered alligator as well. Both were OK- I probably wouldn't order these again next time. And then we picked a few rolls from the menu as well. I do like that they have the option of ordering half or full rolls. We went the half roll route so that we could try several different options. The variety of rolls we ordered were tasty, although I did mention to my husband that I preferred the sushi at our restaurant of choice these days, Seadog Sushi Bar*. I was also still a bit hungry after we finished so ordered one last roll: a shrimp tempura roll. It was very large and had way too much mayo on it (ick) for my liking. The hubby said he would have preferred to pick up a pint of Ben and Jerry's on the way home instead of eating that roll. I kinda agreed. The bartender upstairs was our server and he was pretty fabulous...and seemed knowledgeable about both the drinks and food here. I'd come back for some apps and drinks at the bar, but if I'm looking for sushi (which I usually am) I'd probably go elsewhere. -------------------------- yelp.com/biz/seadog-sush…
(3)
Brian L.
The menu at Union can be a little overwhelming--there's just wayyy too many things to try. And, since even the most traditional sounding items are made a little different, there's an urge to order more than you really want. I guess that's not a bad thing right? The Food: +` Bento Special - 5/5 - The special came with a variety of cold and hot items including fried oysters, sweet potato agedashi tofu, beef tongue w/ peanut sauce, marinated salmon sashimi, and some other great stuff. There's a reason why you order the special! +` Spicy Pigtail Ramen - 4/5 - Union makes its own ramen noodles, so I had high hopes. The noodles had a great bite--a sign of freshness, but the broth was really heavy. +` Rainbow Roll - 3/5 - Why are these so small?! The Rainbow tasted standard but I've had better and bigger elsewhere. +` River North Roll - 3.5/5 - Definitely an interesting roll wrapped by collard greens, but I'd probably order something else in the future. Overall, the food was solid, and service was exceptional!
(4)
Manjari B.
Please go here and try the shrimp tempura, sashimi cup and tuna! This was my first time at Union Sushi and they didn't remotely disappoint me! It was buzzing with people even on a Sunday night. We loved the service especially since we placed the last order and after happily eating all of what we ordered, we wanted more shrimp tempura!! The ppl were so sweet , they took the last last order :) I totally recommend this place to everyone!
(4)
Avery A.
I have been here twice in the past year and this place is fantastic every time. Great vibes from first walking in. The place is pretty modern/hip as are the customers. You can sit by the grill or get your own table. If it's your first time, it may be fun to sit by the grill, unless you're still getting to know your date. Cocktails are strong and tasty. Just as good as any cocktail bar in Chicago. The menu is huge with a ton of options to choose from. Be careful though, it can add up pretty quickly. The BBQ menu is amazing an exotic (Kangaroo and Alligator on the menu among other things). Their tuna appetizers are incredible, as are their specialty roles. Stay for dessert! Their desserts are incredible! Tiramisu milkshake was fantastic and I have had a couple of seasonal items which I recommend trying! All in all this is one of my favorite spots in Chicago and a 5/5 every time I come.
(5)
Juan A.
This place is awesome!!! In particular I am still fixated on their delectable Uni Alfredo Soba!!!! Just for this dish alone I glad give Union 5 stars. If you love uni this is a must try!! seriously my best dish of the year. The flavors are so intense, I am salivating as I remember it now. This place is all around a good time great drinks and fantastic dishes at reasonable prices (considering it is a Japanese cuisine restaurant in river north in close proximity to downtown). The place is just well thought out and always a good time. Looking for great food, good ambiance and overall good experience Union is a sure thing! Try to sit at the chef's table and see the master at work. Thank you for the VIP attention Chef Chao, everything was phenomenal! also thank you to Michael our gracious friend and manager who made sure all needs were taken care of.
(5)
H K.
Super fun evening. Took a group from work and we had a ball. The tempura and dragon rolls were wonderful, but the open-face crab stole the show. One downside is they offer no premium liquor. They should fix that immediately. The beer selection was limited, too.
(4)
Liz S.
Overall, we had a good dining experience and our server was great. The free edamame was a great start. We got the spare rib and scallop skewers and a large spicy tuna and crunchy salmon skin rolls to start. The spare rib and spicy tuna roll were very good. The scallop was also good but it was only one tiny scallop, which we didn't realize (the spare rib was really big). The salmon skin roll was a bit salty. My husband go the duck fat yakusoba, which was very good and not spicy. I got the chicken ramen, which I was really looking forward to, and it was terrible. I never send any food back, and eat literally everything, but we had to send this back. It had no flavor (even when we added the spicy sauce) and tasted somehow both oily and watery at the same time. I'm pretty sure the table next to us sent the chicken ramen back, as well. We'll be back, but I'm a bit nervous to try the other ramen options.
(4)
D K.
Saw all those critics about service etc but I had a very good experience on a Sunday night. Place was decent full, hostess helpful, my waiter, Paul, very attentive. I opted for the robata grill choices, everything was very tasty. Def liked the alligator skewers. Weekend nights might be different, but I would definitely come back.
(4)
Anne M.
All these fun new restaurants popping up in River North! Union might lead the pack in the hip/trendy category. Think bright orange, neons and flashiness, (huge) sculpted metal mesh detailing, thick stone tables, exposed upstairs bar area - there's a lot going on, and it's all very fun and detail oriented. Bling bling! I went here for lunch with two others - when we walked in around 11:40 it was empty. When we left close to 1pm it was totally filled up - but didn't feel grossly packed, which was nice. My trio split 4 different sushi rolls - all super fresh and delicious. This is the best looking and tasting sushi I've had in a while. You don't realize how bad/mediocre some sushi is until you have some really kick-ass sushi. [ Union's being kick-ass ] The menu also has half and full roll options, so you can try many different half rolls if you want to. We also split some samplings from their barbeque menu - the curry chicken thigh, beef spare rib + scallop. The chicken and scallop were delish. The menu prices reflect the high-end appearance of this place, but the food and service was really great. Go here if you're craving some fancy sushi in a fancy fun restaurant.
(5)
Rob C.
I have been here a couple of times now and really like it here. The spicy tuna roll and the Bay Street California rolls are my favorite. Some of the best I have ever had and I love sushi so it has to impress. Food and drinks are good and the place has a good vibe all around cool place. Def a must stop for sushi while in Chicago.
(5)
Galina M.
Its pretty good although id much rather get robata grill stuff from there than sushi. Bacon wrapped scallops r to die for and so is the allegator (tastes just like chicken). They have a nice lil bar area on the top (2nd floor).
(3)
Carmen G.
Deelishus! :p had the dragon with black rice and had to ask for more. The sushi in a cup wasn't my favorite; it was alright. I also had a sampler from the grill and it was pretty good. Would definitely go back again!
(5)
Mrs. H.
Excellent! The vibe is great in addition to the diverse menu! There's lots to choose from, including fresh wasabi for those of you who care to avoid the typical powder and water substitute served in most restaurants. I enjoyed grilled kangaroo, beef, and squid, oysters on the half shell, sushi, and complimentary edamame. Viewing menu specials on their iPads makes for a savvy touch to the dining experience. Happy Hour is in full effect on Saturdays. Check the back of your menu, because our waiter didn't highlight this "special."
(5)
Rebecca L.
Dinner on 1-5-13 I am deducting one star for the some less than stellar hostess work and weird sized plates. We had: Mushroom dumpling and agedashi potato appetizers--both good BBQ-Scallop and Jumbo Shrimp--excellent Sushi: Devon roll--not the best sweet potato roll I have had River North roll--interesting and different. I really liked it. Dessert: Chocolate Brownie--not going to order that again. I missed reading that it was a tofu mousse and didn't like it---its on me and my personal preference. It was just too rich and too big even when shared for my tastes. I lean toward not chocolate desserts though so take that for what it is worth : )
I went to Union Sushi for lunch with my coworkers recently, and it was pretty good! It's right around the corner from my office, and right off the brown line, so it's convenient to get to. We booked our table through gdine.com and it was super easy to split the check 7 ways in advance. I ordered the Surf and Turf Slider bento box, and it came with a Wagyu beef burger, crabcake, and a spicy shrimp roll. All were very good, and you get a free drink through gDine, so that made it even better. I think I prefer the sushi rolls over everything else, but all in all, it's a great spot for lunch, and $1 oysters are always a good deal!
(4)
Andrew O.
Get the short rib ramen. The meat is falling apart and make sure to drink the broth to the last drop. Just be careful not to eat one of the peppers. The spicy tuna in the roll is also very high quality and the coating makes a great crunchy contrast to the tuna.
(5)
Shereene M.
I was expecting it to be a little nicer (not sure why) but its pretty casual (which isn't a problem). They actually play really good music if you're into older hip hop and r&b which was really cool. Anyway, the food was good. I tried a few rolls (one for sure was devon) and they tasted good but not my favorite sushi. We tried the spicy pigtail ramen also which is sooo spicy! Overall the food was good but not my favorite sushi ever.
(3)
Steve S.
So this was our first effort to find good sushi in Chicago. After reading the yelp reviews, we decided on Union and we enjoyed our dinner. The variety between the rolls and the barbeque help differentiate Union from our favorite Asian fusion restaurant, Umami Moto in Milwaukee. We did have a bit of doubt when we first walked in though. We had 7:00 reservations and the place was not busy but the douche bag host at the front was more interested in his conversation with some other dude about how he was friends with the guy who didn't show up in the other dude's party. I found it incredibly rude that he turned away from us to discuss how good of friends he was with the guy who didn't show up. Thankfully the hostess saw my death stare at the dude and checked us in and got us seated. From there, everything was excellent. Our sever, Daniel, was spot on. He did an excellent job of checking in but wasn't intrusive. One of the better servers we've had! As for food, everything was good but a few items stood out more than others. We started with the truffled tuna which was very good. I liked the equal portion of tuna and avocado. The wonton chips were good but I still preferred the ones Umami Moto serves in the tuna poke. The spicy tuna roll was tasty but the Bay Street roll was a bit off due to the warm crab cake and cold cucumber. We also opted for the fresh wasabi which was very good. Gave a different type of heat. For the 2nd round, we each choose a barbeque item and also created our own roll using the super white tuna. Props for Daniel for allowing us to create that. My partner said the beef filet was "nothing special". However my spare rib was the star of the entire meal. It was literally falling off the bone and the accompanying slaw was incredible. Our super white tuna roll was also exceptional. We ended with desserts which were just okay. The pumpkin mochi cake had good taste but the mixture of hard ice cream and tough spongy outer ring made for a weird texture. My partner had the soy chocolate brownie and while he liked it, he could definitely taste the soy. There are lots of sushi places in Chicago so our quest will continue but Union does a nice job of distinguishing itself with it's fun & funky interior and combination of decent rolls and barbeque items.
(3)
Julia D.
This place was fantastic for, well, everything! I was with a group in town for business and everyone was in the mood for sushi. Yelp led me to this place. We had the Truffled Tuna, Mushroom Dumplings and Cobia Carpaccio. The tuna was to die for. If you choose one app off the menu do yourself a favor and get that. We had a main course of the black rice roll sampler and a few additional rolls. I finished with the Union Canolis made with pistachio, pineapple and black sesame seed. YUM! When I am back in Chicago I'll try this place again. I skipped BBQ this time but next time I'll be trying that. Yelppers did not steer me worng on this place, well worth a try.
(4)
KC C.
We brought a group of six to our favorite sushi place, and had a great time. An overlooked area of Union is the upstairs bar area, where the mixologist makes a hibiscus garnished cocktail that is the finest mixed drink I believe we have experienced in Chicago. Aside from my fun friends, this cocktail was the highlight. The food was excellent, again, and Daniel provided excellent service and experience. The hostess sent me a text during our meal asking for feedback-simple, give Daniel, our server, a raise; LOL. Cannot miss when enjoying Union Sushi and BBQ. Off to the gym!
(5)
Shannon L.
I spent a relaxing, boozy, 3 hour, Friday afternoon lunch at Union. I can't even begin to tell you everything we ate and drank (other than the bottle of prosecco I downed by myself) but it was all wonderful...including the oysters that were forced on me (I don't generally eat or like oysters but these were - by far - the best oysters I have ever had). All the rolls and food we ordered was great - fresh and uniquely done - but by far the best part about this was how amazing the service was. We didn't even realize that they had closed the restaurant to prepare for dinner but they continued to serve us and even let us sample some of their different sake - bubbling and regular. Also fun - I was Instagram-ing photo's of our food and drinks and posting them to Twitter and Union was responding to me and reposting my photos to their FB page. Who doesn't love a little social media interaction with their meal?
(5)
Aus B.
It started off a bit suspect but in the end we lucked out. They cancelled our reservation because we were more than 20 mins. late. Fair enough i guess. Due to our late arrival, they sat us at the bar upstairs and we got amazing service. The food was fantastic as well. One of the owner's stopped by and served us a comp'd flight of sake. Thanks! Everything we ordered was fresh and well prepared.
(5)
Mike A.
Spending a few days downtown over the holidays with the family in order to enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful city. Not to mention a chance to try some new restaurants. Looking for a sushi place, decided on Union based on the positive reviews. Overall the food was ok, nothing really outstanding and nothing that would have me rushing to come back again. We ordered several "grill" apps, but none really stood out. Out of the the 1/2 dozen or so, alligator was probabaly the best one. Several sushi rolls had mayo and other sauces all over them. While it looks pretty, it masks the taste of the roll and overpowers the flavor of the fish. Service was very good and the server suggested a bento box for my son, which was presented in a nice stackable container. In summary, it was an avg experiance, the grill was a nice change from your std sushi places, but if you are in the mood for sushi, I would not make this place my top choice.
(3)
Kamilah S.
I saw this place on Check Please and was impressed so I decided to check it out. My girls and I came here on a Friday night and we were very impressed. First, they were playing rap music, NICE, the music changed after 3 songs to a soft, mellow mix. Second, once you are seated you get complimentary edamame, dusted with a seasoning that changes daily. Friday's choice was sour cream and onion or chives, I forget, but it was delish. Drinks were nice and strong. The specials are shown to you on an I-Pad. Matthew, our waiter was great, he made great drinks choices. I have the salmon wrapped in a collard green leaf, the mussels they come in this great flavorful, slightly spicy, ginger, lemongrass broth and you get toasty, crusty bread, the kangaroo, the alligator, one of my bff's have the plate-o-protein ( I call it that because its just MEAT and 2 florets of broccoli and cauliflower, she substituted some of the meats and veggies), my other bff had the lamb chops and the spicy tuna roll. We were so stuffed. I will definitely be back. All of the food was excellent.
(5)
Jeremy N.
The thing I think I love most about Union is that they have some rolls which are very much off the beaten path. The Hokkaido roll is the one that always comes to mind, which is a brilliant combination of scallop, jalapeno, cilantro, avocado and masago-mayo all wrapped up in soy paper. When I looked at it on the menu it didn't sound all that appealing but my wife ordered it and the flavors blew me away! I think they also have a roll that is wrapped in collard greens... if you're looking for a departure from your boring sushi routine, give Union a shot. They also have the most delicious Japanese white ale called Hitachino - it is not cheap, about $10 a bottle I think, but if you're out to celebrate or splurge it is worth it, truly one of my favorite beers.
(5)
Niti B.
So I've been out of town for almost two weeks...decided to catch up with a friend and we went for a walk to Citizen bar. Along the way we came across Union Sushi and she said it had been on her list to try so we took a shot and on a Saturday night at 7pm got a table for two. I guess we were eating pretty early or it isn't that popular just yet. I enjoyed every little thing we had! And we ordered plenty... I started with the: Princess Elena | Cranberry Blood Orange Tea Infused Broker's Gin, Amaro Montenegro, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Egg White. Normally I see the words egg white and get squirmish but gave it a shot since our waiter said they infuse the gin themselves. Was so good I had a second! Off course we started with some complimentary edemame and got great recommendations from the waiter. The concept is sushi and japanese street food. As far as the street food I only tried the jumbo shrimp skewer...let me advise you, it is not to share and only one shrimp but packs a punch of flavor. We also had the TRUFFLED TUNA- truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chile fresco + wonton chips. this was the least impressive of all. Didn't feel any flavor in the tuna and would have liked it if it actually had a little heat or acidity. The rolls we tried were: CLIFTON #4 | fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori + garlic mayo OLD CITY MARKET | spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion, fried okra + wrapped in collard green SOFT SHELL CRAB | cucumber, lettuce, fried ginger, avocado, rice puff, sesame paste + sweet chile sauce all were different and unique to themselves. I don't think the place is amazing but is definitely worth a try.
(3)
Tiffany K.
I came here with my S.O. and we had so much food, it's hard to remember it all! We definitely had the alligator, spare rib, and pork shoulder from the BBQ bar. Alligator was a bit salty, but pretty much tasted like chicken so that was a nice surprise. For maki, we ordered half orders so we could try a lot. We tried the Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin (cucumber, avocado, masago, cilantro, chile oil, eel sauce), Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper), Clifton #4 (fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori, garlic mayo), and the Rainbow (eel, hirame, tuna, cucumber, avocado). Standouts were the Clifton #4 and the Hokkaido, part of their specialty rolls. We also ordered nigiri and swtched out white rice for black rice, which was a GREAT idea! The fish tasted fresh and everything was prepared excellently. They even grated FRESH wasabi for us table-side, and it was a game changer. For dessert, we got the pumpkin mochi cake. Holy crap, the pumpkin mochi cake. It was a tough decision between that and the donut, but IT WAS DELICIOUS and I still remember it. Drinks were on point - I ordered Kitsune's Flip, and it was not too sweet but pretty boozy. The only bad part was the slow, slow service. It was packed on a Saturday night, but not insanely busy. It took at least 10 minutes to get waters!!! All in all, I'd come back for sure. The food is amazing!!
(5)
Winston G.
Drinks are pretty great here, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the food. The food was alright - some typical izakaya type dishes and a bunch of "fusion" sushi rolls, but nothing stood out too much for me. The fried pork belly was good, but the slices of pork belly are really thin and small. Probably my favorite dish of the night. Prosciuitto wrapped scallops from the barbecue bar was also very good. The duck fat yaki soba was very average. The rolls are fine -- all of them are very unique and different. I like the fact you can get half and full sizes, so you can try a number of different rolls without overpaying.
(3)
Ray D.
Awesome sushi box for lunch and amazing BBQ and sushi pieces for dinner. Anything cooked here is awesome! Great fireplace adds to the ambiance.
(4)
Eric V.
In short, hit or miss. I thoroughly enjoyed the Agedashi Potato (creamy sweet potato "tots" served in a smoky dashi broth) and the Venison (very flavorful and butter knife tender, the silky egg yolk brought it all together). The succulent Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop - topped with a wasabi avocado puree and frizzled ginger - was quite good, too. Strangely enough, the misses were the two main items that grace the restaurants namesake, sushi and barbecue. The wifey and I tried the Clifton #4 roll, and it was just an odd combination of flavors that never really came together. The calamari had also crossed the line into semi-chewy so that didn't help either. The Beef Tongue, which itself was very tender, was just overpowered with the taste of char. Now I love char from a BBQ grill just as much as the next guy, but the flavor profile had clearly gone into burnt territory (just from a few grill marks, mind you). The Monkfish suffered the same fate, as that burnt taste was too much to appreciate either the quality of the fish or the sauce with which it was finished. Our meal did, however, end a high note. The Yuzu pie is fantastic, well balanced between tart and sweet, and very much like an Asian key lime pie. 3 apps, 5 skewers, and 1 dessert netted us a final bill around $60, sans booze. On food alone it's not necessarily easy on the wallet, considering the amount of food you get. Our server was very pleasant, but the oontz oontz music and overall vibe definitely say, "I'm here to party". The Friday night River North crowd was in dress to impress mode, so you may want to save the flip flops, cutoff tees, and jorts for another occasion. How I managed to escape any comments for not wearing a collared button down shirt is still beyond me...
(3)
Beckee W.
I feel a little bit bad giving this place 3 stars, but I need to remember that that means average and that's what I'd say about this place. Prob a 3.5 if I could. I am off carba during the week and a friend was craving sushi so this place did well by us. Standouts: Brussels sprouts in pesto should have been wrong but were good! Tuna tartare with truffle was soo close but needed a touch of citrus or acid to cut all the creaminess Shrimp from the BBQ menu was BRUTAL with crazy pepper sauce that completely overwhelmed the shrimp. My friend dipped a finger in the sauce and choked Prosciutto wrapped scallop was Devine Drinks were pricey but really yummy I didn't try a roll but my friend got the Dragon and she said it was good and it looked decent. Won't rush to come back but if I'm in the area and hungry I'd stop back. They are new so hopefully the feedback improves them because I like the space and the concept!
(3)
D. C.
Awesome sushi and pretty good prices. Try the black rice option...delicious. Every roll I've had here has been wonderful. My wife doesn't like fish, so the vegetarian option is perfect for her. We love the mushroom and sweet potato rolls!
(5)
Carl G.
Randomly headed here on a Saturday night - happened to be during restaurant week, bonus! Quite a busy place, all the tables full, and the atmosphere was definitely happy. Fantastic music selection really created great ambiance also! It was really eclectic and instead of being background music, added to the fun. There isn't a ton of room to sit and wait, so I'd show up close to your reservation time to avoid standing outside or in the doorway. We ended up at the sushi bar, and though it was quite informal and there was no personal space, it was exactly what we needed, and it turned out to be a positive. The service was adequate, and probably the reason why this place got 4 instead of 5 stars. They were attentive for the most part, but didn't do a good job of giving us advice about portion size, even when we directly asked if we had ordered too much, and so we way over-ordered. Also, all of the food seemed to come out at the same time - and at the sushi bar this was a bit of a problem - there just isn't enough room! It would have been better to have appropriately ordered and had the food come out sequentially rather than simultaneously. The food was really the star of the show. We split a bow of ramen and that is something I'd get again for sure. It had rich flavor, was full of "things" (pork belly, vegetables, noodles, egg, etc.)...loved it. We got 4 other items, and they all were pretty amazing. The grill produced well cooked and seasoned meats, and any accompaniments were quickly slurped up. The black rice sushi was pretty neat, something that I hadn't experienced before - the roll we got tasted extremely fresh, and was a great addition. Despite our over-ordering, we ended up finishing everything. Yes, we felt fat, but it was tough to put down! Overall, really impressed with the food and the atmosphere. Definitely somewhere to go with a small to mid-size group, where you're looking to share some food have a little fun!
(4)
Carol K.
Highly ambitious. That's the best way I can explain my take on Union Sushi and Barbeque. We stopped in on opening week. Since I was there before my friend, I took a seat at the smallish bar and talked to the bartender who was personable and quick with a drink. They don't carry typical bar brands so you may have to adjust from your favorites but they do have a lengthy specialty cocktail list that looked good. We were seated promptly (know that they only take reservations for groups of 7 or larger) in the center of the restaurant between the Robata grill and the sushi bar. The menu is made up of starter plates, sushi, items from the grill and entrees. We ordered a wide range of items off the menu: mushroom soup, raw oysters, tuna tartar, mini skewers of beef, lamb and shrimp, various sushi rolls and finally one of the entrees (their version of surf and turf). My favorite from all of that were the oysters. They were small kumamotos and topped with green onion, and a cilantro ponzu sauce. Terrific! My second favorite item was probably the truffled tuna tartar although my personal preference would have been to have a little less truffle sauce as it overpowered the delicate tuna. The skewers were good- but know that each one is just a couple of bites so know to order many if you are hungry. As for the sushi rolls- they were small (4 pieces each) and while some were better than others and some were unique (rolled with cucumber instead of rice or collard greens), none really stood out for us. And the entree, while it looked lovely (steak and shrimp positioned on top of pureed sweet potatoes) the taste again just didn't wow me. Service was spotty, but that is expected in a place that is still getting it's cadence right. Dinner for two was about $140 including drinks. And if you drive? Take small bills. The valet told me he didn't have any change for my $20 for a $12 valet fee. All in all- my favorite part of the place was the place itself. Huge graffiti from a local graffiti artist line the walls, The metal mesh swooping about adds interest and the multiple of windows make this a nice spot to sit and catch up. It's got a cheerful vibe that I really liked. I'll be back, if only for those amazing oysters!
(3)
Adoley J.
I really really wanted to love this place.This past weekend went with a group of girls looking to catch up and eat great sushi. I got 4 items from the BBQ bar (one prosciutto wrapped scallop, two mushrooms, and the beef filet) and a half roll of spicy tuna. The scallop and beef filet were delicious but the mushrooms were overcooked. Overall the sushi was good but overpriced. Basically everyone spent a hunk of change for not that much food. Which is fine if that is your kind of thing, but I think one of the most wonderful things about this city is that you can get great high quality meals at a decent price.
(3)
Alyssa C.
Great sushi/bbq place with a fun colorful atmosphere. Our server had great reccomendations - their spicy tuna roll was unique and delicious! Also, their menu accompdates half rolls, which is great if you want to try a variety. Jumbo shrimp skewer, while amazing, was only one shrimp...Beef filet skewer was delish, but the buffalo duck win appetizer was my fav!
(4)
Mary T.
3.5 stars Confession: When I heard this place was a sushi and barbeque place, I thought it was a bizarre combination. I was envisioning spicy tuna rolls sitting alongside pulled pork sandwiches, not kushiyaki skewers. Union's space is modern, edgy and cool; decorated with graffiti art; the atmosphere is lively and loud. I think the awful weather helped us to grab seats at the sushi bar immediately. We sat at the sushi bar for a while unattended; not an inordinate amount of time, but enough to make us wonder if we should be placing food and drink orders with the sushi chef or if we would have a server. Fortunately, right about then our friendly server came on the scene. I probably would've felt service erred on the inattentive side if we'd been anywhere but the sushi bar; at the bar we had the flexibility to order food from the chef without waiting to locate our server. The drink menu is nice, there are about 10 creative specialty cocktails to choose from along with a small beer list and an overwhelming number of sakes divided into four categories. Knowing nothing about sake, I went with the South of the Border, West of the Sun; a tequila and grapefruit cocktail that I would definitely order again. Having skipped lunch, I ordered edamame to stave off my hunger pains. Fortunately, my dining partner wasn't a fan, because the portion is rather small. Usually edamame is edamame is edamame, but this dish had a nice, subtle twist. Instead of using sea salt as seasoning, they used a spiced salt, which was gave it a slight kick that made my lips tingly (in a good way). We decided to forgo barbeque and stick with sushi this go round. The menu of rolls was smaller than I expected - maybe 15 in all - and broken up into two sections - Union (specialty rolls) and classics. I don't recall seeing it on the menu, but it's worth noting that all rolls are 4 pieces. On the upside you can try a nice cross section of rolls, on the downside the rolls seem pricey. We started out with four rolls - Osaka Central, Hokkaido, Old City Market, and Spicy Tuna and later added a rainbow roll. All of them came up quickly and were presented beautifully. My favorite roll was the Hokkaido with grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, and garlic and my companion agreed. My least favorite roll was the rainbow roll, closely followed by the spicy tuna (normally a fave). The inside of the rainbow roll was tuna; not raw tuna, but more akin to canned tuna. The tuna's taste and texture overpowered the roll; I would not order this roll again. The spicy tuna good except for the fact that it wasn't spicy, not even a little; it was more like a simple tekka roll. Falling in the middle were the Old City Market and Osaka Central, but I will say the texture of the fishcake in the Osaka Central caught me off guard. It had a firm, gelatin-like texture to it, that I wasn't expecting. All in all the place is good, but I think the sushi menu needs a bit of work and errs on the pricey side. I can't speak for the barbeque portion of the menu, but if you go in expecting a small plate format, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(3)
Misty B.
I've been to Union numerous times and will continue to go back as much as I can! The quality of food, comforting atmosphere, originality and genuine staff has made this my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Being a strict vegetarian... the menu items as well as the attention to detail from the chefs and servers is very much appreciated. Everyone working truly wants you to enjoy your experience and food. Some of my favorite dishes are as follows: Soba Salad (tempura enoki mushrooms, nappa cabbage, tomato, red + yellow onion, chili pepper, cilantro, garlic oil + spicy ponzu) from the vegetarian menu... I could honestly eat this every day... and i'm not going to lie, I went three days straight to get this item. It's refreshing yet spicy... light yet filling. The flavor profiles and textures are off the charts! From the Robata grill all the vegetarian items are great but I love the Tofu (miso balsamic sauce, rice puff ). It's grilled to perfection with a light sauce. Not to mention They're so adorable I almost don't want to eat them. My favorite roll is the Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish + eel sauce), Curry adds just the perfect and exciting amount of flavor. My favorite dessert has to be the Killer Yuzu Pie (coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream)... I legit crave this way too often. (ugh i want one now) Apparently it's similar to key lime pie... which i've NEVER enjoyed before, so I can't agree... Then again I don't care what it's compared to because it's fantastic, tart, light and yes I need to get one soon and eat the entire thing alone. (fatty at heart) I also love the Mushroom Dumplings... Vegetarian and Carnivores alike will love this starter! My suggestion is to go with a fun group of friends, order as much as you can on the menu and share. I'm adding pictures.. so check them out! And don't forget to say hello to Chao and Mike! They're some of the nicest guys I've met in Chicago with a respectable work ethic and passion for good food & top notch customer service! I wish them all the best!
(5)
Carmen B.
I've visited Union for lunch and dinner, and was very pleased during both occasions. The Bento box at lunch is a good value (though you will need another side if you're hungry). Returning for dinner, I ordered the truffled tuna (as good as the reviews indicate). We also enjoyed the soba salad, calamari roll, and the BBQ seafood and meats. I ventured into sake with great direction from our waitress. I'll definitely return!
(3)
Katie T.
We wandered over on a Saturday night and got seats at the sushi bar. The atmosphere is lively and fun in the restaurant. The sushi chefs were nice, but unlike some sushi restaurants, this bar does not have the best view. The sushi was decent. There's not a ton of variety. They seem to offer a lot of rolls with mayonnaise and such so good if you like that. Service was friendly but slow. Our server seemed busy and forgot to give us soy sauce and dishes. We were not offered water after we finished the bottle. The drinks are tiny and expensive. 1 hour, four rolls, 4 drinks, $100+. Meh.
(2)
Wesley R.
The state of Union Sushi & Barbeque? Strong and tasty flavors, my fellow foodies! My first contact with the fine concept of Union was through their blog: mikeandchaochow.com A great great read, that set my saliva glands to drool. Finally, the day had come, and accompanied by a trusted fellow foodie, we were prepared to enter the world where sushi and barbeque could unite at once! There are a lot of options on the cocktail menu, potentially intimidating for the less adventurous among you. We opted to try the Crazy Milk Oita, an unfiltered Nigori sake. At 300 ml, it was a good split for two people looking for a tasty beverage to complement our meal without trying to get drunk. We received a complementary Edamame which comes with a joshua tree spice blend. For our meal? Round 1: Starters - Truffled Tuna Kushiyaki (skewers) - Beef Filet - Chicken Thigh - Scallops x 2 (1 scallop per skewer) Union Rolls - The Belly Roll - Devon The Truffled Tuna was outstanding. I love tuna, and the combination of flavors with the avocado, wonton chips and optional chile fresco made for a great foundation for the rest of the meal. Of the Kushiyaki, the Scallops were in fine form this night. The wasabi-avocado puree and the sweet plum sauce brought out the best in the scallop. The Belly Roll had a nice mix of flavors, and the pork belly was seasoned well, and came out tender. Round 2: Sushi Hokkaido Hamachi sashimi Did I mention that the scallops were fantastic tonight? They worked really well in the roll, and the soy paper was a nice texture alternative that complemented the flavors. The hamachi sashimi was also tasty. For dessert, we had the Ice Cream Sundae Flight. Can you ever really go wrong with ice cream? The service was fine, where our server always made sure to check to see how we were doing without interrupting us too much. The ambiance was nice, and the music was at a decent level, enough to create white noise without forcing you to shout at your dinner companions. Also, they'll eventually offer lunch, which I can't wait for! If you need a new place to try, especially one that will try different things (such as alligator and kangaroo kushiyaki), give Union a try!
(4)
Amy S.
Really crazy good sushi and appetizers! They have a great lunch special, so I came here with one of my friends and we ended up doing flights of wine, appetizers, soup, and sushi all under $35 each. It is always really fresh, and there is convenient meter parking outside!
(4)
TJ Y.
Great experience here! Went on a Friday night with a reservation and had a great experience. Food - From the bbq side, I got the filet and the mushrooms. The filet was delicious, but the mushrooms weren't that great. for the sushi... I thought it was great that they had half rolls! I think it's great when restaurants let you do half rolls because then you can sample more things on their menu. For rolls... I tried 7 different rolls... the scallop, mushroom, calamari, soft shell crab, cucumber, radish, and california. The mushroom, calamari, and cucumber rolls were delicious!! The service and ambiance was really nice as well. The server was attentive, knew the menu, and provided suggestions. Overall, I would definitely return here and try some other things on their menu. Great restaurant!
(4)
Tracy H.
When I first went here about a year ago, I had a really great experience. Ramen was up to game and so was the sushi. When I went back this past month with my boyfriend, we ordered two specialty rolls as well as two different types of ramen. I don't remember the name of the other roll, but we got the Tsukijii (spelling) market roll and...was quite surprised when we took a bite. Totally something different, but definitely not "sushi" per say given there is no rice and it was just...very interesting although not terrible. The reason I can't give this place as many stars as I would have before is because of the ramen. Oh my goodness...what is up with the ramen noodles? I basically couldn't even call it ramen because it looked and tasted like plain soup. I ordered the chicken ramen (probably my fault for ordering something so weird) but even so, the broth tasted like water with salt, the noodles were totally like something you'd see in your typical chicken noodle soup, and there were grease bubbles floating all over the top of the soup not to mention of greasy it was in general for a liquid... Overall, most of the sushi seems to be pretty good, but I will not be ordering the ramen here anymore even though I used to love how they made it :( The rating is only for the food though I've always had good experiences with employees, and they play the absolute best music!!!
(3)
Angelica P.
Very good and unique sushi rolls, a lot of spicy things on the menu you though so if you don't like the heat you're kinda out of luck. Their nigiri (rice with fish on top) is amazing though - super white tuna and salmon was really fresh and tasted awesome! The meat is so-so, somethings were a little salty - ribs are succulent and meat falls right off of the bone though A little over-priced but it is downtown
(4)
Nikki C.
they never give me any twaat love back when I throw some out for their awesomeness on the internets, so my ego says Eat me! but damn, they do know how to feed us fat asians with big mouths and bigger appetites for freshness and fired meats. cool bar upstairs with approachable bar staff. yes happy hour is damn happy. eat an oyster or 48... and chef chao is right on. cool dude and damn creative with the proteins. bamn!
(4)
Shawna B.
This place was such a pleasant surprise on so many fronts. First, the food. If you like meat, this place makes a great BBQ pork appetizer. The rolls with black rice were extra tasty...spicy tuna roll and another with avocado and eel were great. Also had an amazing sauteed fiddlehead fern dish. It was a special for the night and was absolutely unique in its flavor. Must order! Second, our waiter Matt was awesome. He was pleasant, efficient and explained everything without being annoying. Thanks Matt! Last, the vibe of the place was energetic without being over the top. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Dave Z.
WOW. Truly, we had a wow experience there. Took my wife for our 15 year anniversary weekend in downtown Chicago (walked there from the dana Hotel on State - another great place!). I made the Friday night reservation via Open Table and mentioned our anniversary. Well, the host & hostess greeted us with a Happy Anniversary and said they would do their best to make it memorable. That alone just set the tone. How nice! The waitress seemed a tad distracted at first, but corrected that as the evening went on and redeemed completely by the end. The place was jumping, but not chaotic or overwhelmingly so. Just lively. Cool tunes (my wife commented that it sounded like my iPod! A little alternative, a little pop, some electronic groove stuff). Our cocktails were funky and fun. We're not Sake people, but been told this is THE place and it showed, looking at other tables next to us. May have to try next time. But we loved what we got. Definitely an adventurous drink menu. We heard about this place on 'Check, Please' so happy to see it lived up to what we saw. Got out mini iPad to view some of the food, made a few selections and off we went. Each item was increasingly delicious. Started with the truffled tuna: Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips. Fantastic! Although, we have had this similar thing in many many restaurants in San Fran, Vegas and elsewhere. It wasn't the best we've ever had, but pretty close and would get again in a heartbeat. There was a wagyu beef appetizer I think was a special, but it was outstanding. Hard not to just order more, but we were out to sample a lot. Had some shashimi yellow tail and tuna that was great. But the best 2 things on the menu: the Spare rib was seriously out of this world. I know, a spare rib? Really? But it was fall off the bone tender but the sauce was like nothing we'd ever had before. I love sauce of all kinds. The saucier the better. Well, I wanted to drink a gallon of this stuff (Miso, house-tonkatsu -- yes, i had to look it up just now). I am drooling remembering that smoke, sweet tasty rib. Last, my wife really wanted some sushi rolls, which I am not usually a fan of. I don't like the rolls, because I don't like the seaweed "binder" and don't dig wasabi, which is sometimes in the rice... not this. It was the black rice, we'd read about. She couldn't eat it all, so I tried one. We had to get more!! No seaweed (or I couldn't taste it?) and the black rice had a crispyness to it that we could only describe as "rice krispy like"! (Okay, we aren't "refined people") but it did! The waitress explained they fry up some of the skin in sauce and add to the rice. We always heard of "crispy skin" on Top Chef and now we know why it's used so much... beyond delicious! I crave it again! So, we are done. Full without being too full. We wanted to still have a night out without feeling overfull. The waitress insists we get dessert for our anniversary. She was so sweet. We said no, but she was insistent we get it and even just take a bite. So she brings out this Pumpkin Mochi Cake while I am in the bathroom. I come back and my wife has this look on her face. "Try. It.". Okay..... ohmygod... wow! flavor explosion! Warms and carmely and inside is this cream cheese ice cream oozing out. I am not a dessert guy. Months later, we can't stop talking about it!!! We will definitely be going back soon! Just amazing! Service was friendly, fun and zippy. Atmosphere fun and lively. Food was to die for and not at all expensive for what it was. Truly a spectacular experience!
(5)
Heather M.
I really enjoyed my meal here! It's a great place for groups, the prices are super reasonable, you can order tons of stuff and the cocktails are delicious - they're on the whole fancy cocktail bandwagon. I'll have three. As a Miami Hurricane, it would have been remiss to pass on the grilled Gator. So I did not. It was great. Sushi - my favorites were the roll with the scallops, the market city roll and the one with the pork belly. PORK BELLY IN SUSHI. Why had I never had that before? The duck fat noodles were really delicious. A little greasy, but they are duck fat. noodles. I also really enjoyed the truffled tuna, in spite of myself. I thought tuna tartare was kind of cliche and lame, but this one was excellent. I will definitely be back to sample more of the robata offerings. Based on the gator and the prosciutto scallop, it's clear they know their way around the grill. Oishkatta!!!
(4)
Brooke S.
I have been really excited for this place to open simply due to the fact that they serve kushiyaki the right way...from a sexy 600 degree open flame Robata grill!!! YES!!! Aside from the kushiyaki, Union has a great assortment of apps, mains and of course sushi. I began with the Wagyu Beef Tartare. It was an excellent opener. As promised it was "almost traditional". It was seasoned perfectly, the temperature was on point, a quail egg on top AND along with the surprise of ginger and hints of soy, it was amazing!!! Daikon crisps and pickled baby daikon accompaniments. I had two rolls. The Belly Roll was fun with the piece of fried pork belly on top. The Devon Roll was a great choice for a veggie roll. I really like the sweet potato with the curry mayo. Duck Fat Udon. Good but not a stand out. I think it needed some acidity to brighten the flavor. Shredded duck was stellar and moist though. And now for the kushiyaki... Beef tongue with rice crisp. Tender and awesome. And now for my favorite part of the meal...the whole squid kushiyaki. This was one of those perfect food moments for me. Never mind the fact that it was gorgeous, the squeeze of lemon created the perfect sauce on the plate. Combine that with the charred tips of the tentacles, sigh, I was in heaven. For dessert, the Killer Yuzu Tart made the perfect ending. It was not too sweet and the perfect size. Yum. Sake was great served over one rock with the aroma of the cucumber garnish. I had the Kikusui, 200 ml. It was bright and clean and went well with mostly everything I ate. Cool packaging too. Service was spotty at points but it was only the second night. Total tab for two (my brother also ordered two kushiyaki) $79. I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Gina K.
Maybe it's because I come from New York... or perhaps my Asianness. But this place was just so so. I mean... the noodles were mediocre. There was nothing particularly special about the sushi and the drinks were just OK. I WILL say that the location and decor are pretty hip. Fun crowd. Maybe there aren't great sushi places nearby? I dunno. It was just sort of a miss for me.
(2)
Dirce M.
I love this place. It's so modern looking and their sushi rolls are amazing. I like that you can switch the white rice rolls with the black rice. The sake is a little expensive so be careful. Overall, it's a good place to go with the girls have a couple of drinks and eat good sushi :)
(4)
Elena M.
I came here on a Wednesday with my boyfriend, after hearing about how great the sushi was. We sat down at our table, and our waiter (although very nice) was very hard to hear. When you're working at a loud establishment, your voice should be BOOMING; by the end of dinner, I think I mastered the art of reading lips... If I could describe the food in one word, I would say, MEH. It just didn't do anything for me. We ordered the oysters to start, one of my favorite things, and they brought out the half shells with a bunch of other crap on it. I understand this is a trendy restaurant, but some things are better left simple. Why mess with a good thing? We ordered an array of different sushi rolls, one being "old city market." It just wasn't anything special. Very bland and not what I expected from a place like this. Very dissappointing. I do however, give 5 stars to the SPARKLING MIZBASHO PURE JUNMAI GINJO GUNMA. My god, if anything good came out of this place, it was introducing me to this sparkling sake. It was originally $98 for a bottle, but they had a half off drink special for it. Bottle gone within 20 minutes. Overall, this restaurant doesn't live up to the hype. If you want really good sushi, go to Seadog or Coast.
(2)
Lena L.
We had reservations, but we were 15 minutes late and called ahead to notify them. Some restaurants do a much better job of holding your table. This place could care less...we ended up being seated at the bar next the inferno pizza fireplace which was uncomfortable. The temperature difference was something like 20 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a big difference and it was very uncomfortable. Our ice waters melted within 5 minutes of being served to us. It was obnoxious how many times I had to ask for a refill because I was so hot I chugged down my ice water. The sushi was a three star. It was good, decent, somewhat satisfying, but I have had better. I was drawn in by their black rice option. It was cool looking and added a very unique component to the taste of the rolls. Try it if you visit this place.
(2)
Greg R.
Great service, good quality sushi. Presentation of food is a bit much and actually makes simple sushi a bit too difficult to eat. All in all a decent neighborhood place that would be good for a date.
(3)
Avanti H.
omg yes i am a newcomer to sushi and let me just say this place does it right . love love it . everything taste excellent , even the service is good and i went on friday when they are packed , and our waitress was very attentive. love it fav sushi place .
(5)
Sahar M.
Very creative. They are some unique dishes that give this restaurant a great individuality like tuna cup with edible cup. I like the food and atmosphere. The sushi is good with reasonable prices. Everything from the grill is awesome. I also love the drinks. Ask them for traditional mule. Ammmmmaaazing.
(4)
MaryLu C.
Saturday night. Went to a charity meet and great, 9:00 p.m. hubby out of town, a babysitter at home and barely a drink. What does that mean.... got to do something before going home. If for no reason to make sure the child is sleeping. Walked past a few places that I go to regularly, but all were packed, almost home, I thought I would try Union. The space, was great, it felt it open and inviting. The service was quite attentive. Others complain about pricing, folks you are in River North, guess what their rent is. This is not Villa Park. One glitch, is they delivered a glass of sparkling white with the water. I live nearby and this happens everywhere but still I do not appreciate the shy/drunk tourist treatment. The glass of red wine I ordered was fine. I liked that the specials were on the i-pad, ordered some black rice rolls which were delivered very promptly. The rolls were what I like to call junk food sushi. The fish was of the ground spicy variety and the rolls were smothered with sauces. Not my preference, but very tasty and loaded with calories good if you are drinking heavily. I know many people like these saucy rolls so if you are one of them, enjoy, the effort was appreciated, but watch the up-charges.
(2)
Tim H.
Good service, modern loft ambiance, solid food. My favorite dishes were: -duck fat yaki soba noodles -grilled alligator - actually came out juicy from the robata grill I tried chicken, shrimp, steak, and cauliflower from the robata grill as well. The meats came off more burned/charred and dry than I was hoping for. The couple of sushi rolls I had were good, but nothing that special.
(3)
Huzefa U.
Amazing sushi. First time having duck and there buffalo duck is amazing. Highly recommend place to eat!
(5)
Aurore L.
If you are an oyster addict like me, and you are crying your eyes out every time you think of how far the ocean is from us Chicagoans, dry your tears this very second; don't pass go, don't collect $200 and go directly to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. (Actually, stopping at the bank would be a good idea since you might want to gulp a few dozens of our beloved). Also of importance: time. Get there between 5 pm and 6:30 pm. This is the magic time of happy hour, where everyone is giddy with excitement and ready to drink themselves silly. Or not. But forget about booze: the only liquor I need doesn't come on a shelf, but in shells. $1 oysters, ladies and gentlemen. And not crappy, tasteless, big pieces of blurb like one sees way too often in these parts of the country. Nope. Succulent works of art, elegantly dressed in a hot and tangy jalapeno-cilantro ponzu sauce and masterfully sprinkled with red tobiko, green onion and crispy shallot. DI-VINE. Too much? That's what I thought before tasting one of these wonders. Clean flavors, contrast of textures, spice, heat, freshness and all around bliss. Nothing wrong with that. Au contraire. I am planning on stopping by quite a few times in the next moons to come. $2 beef filet skewers and $6 shrimp tempura rolls are not too shabby either. Wash it all down with a beer or a vodka and home-made tonic, and you are good to go. Straight to heaven.
(5)
Cheryl W.
I have been several times. The food is generally very good and the barbeque bar items were a particular highlight for someone who sticks to sushi and sashimi as a rule. The escolar is amazing! Also had shrimp and scallop, which were wonderful. The sushi was good but not to die for. Service is always friendly but it has been a bit spotty. The last visit I was with people who had never been and the server came to take our order without giving us the "specials" on the ipad, which is about 30% of what's on offer. She dropped it off and then disappeared for a while. But very friendly and if the sake is flowing you won't notice as much! Also, have been on a weeknight and while it was busy, it was generally quiet and subdued. Went back on a Saturday night and we were straining to hear each other. So experiences can definitely vary...which was fine for me but something to keep in mind depending on what you are looking for on a particular night.
(4)
Tom G.
Love the mushroom roll!!!!! They get busy so make reservations. The staff is great! Also great drinks! Parking is a little chaotic! I would suggest eating at the sushi making counter and the barbecue bar. Very fun to watch!
(5)
Kerry L.
Reserved a table here based on reviews that mentioned its a good place for groups - I was not disappointed. Our table was ready on time and the staff was able to accommodate a last-minute addition to our reservation of 8. The space is unique and the food was memorable. Union is loud and lively and great for a more high-energy night out.
(4)
Amy L.
1. It's a japanese restaurant expect to pay more 2. Alligator meat... interesting not quite a fan 3. Ramen.... not worth it, save your money visit Wasabi 4. Black rice sushi.. YES VERY GOOD. Definitely will come again for the black rice sushi not not too sure about the other items Do make a reservation, it'll save you the hassle of waiting
(3)
Spencer H.
When I think of some of my favorite sushi places in the city I think of Sushi Samba & Sunda & if I have another experience like I did when I ate here I am going to have to add this place to that list. Walking in the place I thought it was awesome. The ambience was incredible. The seats were so comfortable & I felt like me & my friends could have sat there for hours with out getting uncomfortable. I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll & a Shrimp Tempura Roll & it was comparable to some of the best I have ever had. The food was fresh & the quality of the rolls were incredible. The rolls didn't just fall apart when I dipped them in the soy sauce & wasabi. The portions were nice as well. Most upscale sushi restaurants tend to give smaller portions but not this place. Lastly the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly from start to finish. Overall the food was delicious & fresh & the service was great & I look forward to eating here again.
(5)
Jane K.
Union Sushi seems very hip. It's all up on every technology available. Social Media of course, grubhub, opentable, ipads showing specials at the table. About the ipad.... it wasn't integrated very well, the whole waitress handing us the ipad then trying to look at the ipad together with my dining companion were all kind of awkward. The food left us with more to be desired. The edamame was unseasoned but came sprinkled with some delicious MSG-like powder but it would have been better if the edamame was slightly seasoned. The miso soup seemed more to be like korean fermented soybean paste. Not complaining about the taste but just saying it wasn't miso. However, I did enjoy the size of the tofu in my soup. We got the black rice sushi sampler and it was alright but nothing that made my mouth particularly happy. The 4 rolls included were Hokkaido, Devon, Spicy Tuna, and Dragon. We also tried the spareribs and it was okay but nothing to write home about, the sauce (can't remember which we got) were also unmemorable. The whole food experience was very unmemorable and this means two things, it was neither bad nor good. The decor was pretty cute. A lot of graffitti type artwork and derelict looking materials on concrete walls. Glass window bbq grill. Nice decor, staff was ok, not too friendly, not rude. I'd say it's a cute little izakaya but not somewhere I'd go to dine again.
(3)
Olga B.
My most favorite Asian-themed restaurant to date! The head chef/owner Chow (sp.) is so humble, talented and always makes sure you are enjoying yourself while at Union. He caters to my vegetarian needs, as well as makes fabulous recommendations for my fish and meat eating friends. Peter, the bartender, is hands down the most creative bartender in Chicago. He makes the most delicious Sugar Free Cucumber martini, yes you read that right, Sugar Free! Everyone that has tried it absolutely adores it. I strongly recommend it and just know if you are in the mood for something tasty, light and refreshing, you will thoroughly enjoy it. I can not speak more highly of Union. You MUST go! :)
(5)
Sarah J.
This place is fanFREAKINtastic. The menu is superb, the ingredients are fresh and flavorful, well presented, and overall DELISH!!!! the decor is so urban and cool (i.e; graffiti walls, exposed brick and beams, concrete floors, urban sculptural pieces and modern furniture) I have been here twice, once passing by on a Friday night LATE, I was able to be seated by the grill in about 20 minutes, this place was packed but they made it work!!! I was so in love that I hosted my birthday dinner here as well. I made reservations for a Sunday at 6....it was super quiet and comfortable, they moved tables around to give us more space and privacy. The staff was super amazing and accommodating...what more can you ask for! AMAZING!
(5)
Abi T.
I had some sashimi and a few rolls along with a nice sake. I thought the sushi was decent but nothing great. I think the price is doesn't match either the amount of food or the quality...meaning I expected more/better. I don't recommend this place just for sushi but maybe the BBQ would help this along. I will have to try that if I go back and update this review. I was disappointed to see no real Soba or Udon options. Also, there wasn't much of a tofu selection either. If you're an experienced sushi eater who values the bills in their wallet, then skip and go elsewhere.
(2)
Markus L.
In the midst of looking for a good sushi fix, my wife and I decided up on going here for dinner. We were staying at the Hyatt and walked the 20 blocks to this establishment. This place is at the corner of N Franklin Street & W Erie Street. It's got a petruding entrance way from the building into the sidewalk. The moment we walked in, the place was packed. We were able to nab two chairs at the Sushi Bar, which I Highly Recommend! Once there we were given green edamame pods with a sprinkle of some sour powder. Water was served and the table was set with water, napkins with chopsticks and forks. Given that this was a Friday evening and we got there at 8:00 PM, our waitress took a bit to get to us. Once she did get to us, we were able to order. I ordered the Spicy Pig Tail Ramen Soup (Best Ramen I've Had), and my wife ordered two half (4 pieces) Tsukiji Market rolls, a half (4 pieces) Hokkaido roll, Kangaroo Skewer (Delicious... tastes like gamy kobe beef), & two Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops. Our order came out in 15 minutes and we were done eating in 10 minutes... so, after roughly 25~30 minutes of eating, and chatting up the Sushi Chef, he gave us a free half order of the Old City Market Roll wrapped in collar greens and we were able to make a custom sushi roll (Sushi Paper, Rice, Pan-seared Scallop, Boiled Shrimp (x2), Avacado, & Cream Cheese) for $8.00. Washed all that food down with a nice tall glass of water and we were ready to pay our bill. Tipped the Sushi chef and paid the bill, $71 ( including tip). A few things to note about this place: 1. The Sushi bar is made of poured cement. 2. There is a big open flame grill that separates the Sushi bar & the Bar bar. 3. The head chef is Thai. 4. The Sushi chefs are Thai. 5. There are two hostesses & one general manager onsite. 6. Plenty of waiters and waitresses. 7. The atmosphere is quite loud since they play classic rock. I felt like I was at a night club, eating Sushi and watching my uncle grill out. Quite the mixture. I really enjoyed this place, the experience alone was worth the walk and the food was just to dye for. Lucky they do delivery... Delivery $5.00 Charge, Minimum Order Amount $25.00.
(5)
Brian B.
As a thank you for letting me crash at his place, I took my best friend and his roommate here for dinner. We ate at the sushi bar. I remember eating the following: - "Buffalo" Duck Wings: excellent, tender, good flavor - Spare Ribs: tender and juicy though we expected more flavor based on aroma and presentation - Black Rice Sushi Sampler: unique presentation, tasty - Omakase nigiri: all were above average, well presented, and fresh We had a different sake pairing with each course. Their sake list is quite impressive and all sakes tasted paired exceptionally well with the menu selections. The staff are great, courteous and knowledgeable. Our server was outstanding! Friendly, fun, and engaging. He even remembered me by name days later when I was in the bar upstairs.
(4)
Stef M.
Wow! Great food! Tried alligator for the first time, on the barbie, was great! Excellent alcohol selections, daily specials, great sushi! Want to come back for more!
(4)
Karen L.
My husband took me here for the first time on my first Mother's Day. When we arrived, we were greeted by the host. He seated us at the table in front of the door hidden away from the entire restaurant (next time we'll ask to not be seated in front of the door). The food was amazing. Being the food critique that my husband and I are, we ordered pretty much everything on the menu. Portions are small like the size of tapas. We started off with the truffled tuna and sashimi cup. The truffled tuna was a bit bland but the sashimi cup was scrumptious in the ponzu sauce. For our course, we ordered the Tsukiji Market roll (AMAZING - must try) and from the BBQ bar: spareribs, alligator, beef tongue, prosciutto wrapped scallops (my favorite), jumbo shrimp and shitake mushroom. I have to say those were all yummy.
(4)
Gideon B.
Just went for dinner tonight with my wife. It probably is best to call for reservations but you can sit at the sushi bar or were they grill the meat. The service was great and our waiter gave us great recommendations. Get the truffle tuna as everyone else said to get. We had the barbecue sampler which was good. But if you don't want all that meat you need to get the barbecue spare ribs. We didn't get it, but the waiter said to get the roman noodles with duck.
(5)
Annie M.
Three of us went on a Friday night around 7. It was good but nothing special. None of us had been there before so we wished the waitress would have explained the menu a little. I had the mushroom soup and a spicy tuna roll. Both were good but nothing special for the $30 I paid. I wouldn't mind going back, but it's not at the top of my list.
(3)
Jianghui W.
black rice sushi are awesomeï¼ sesame brittle are pretty good， the postachio cream taste so fresh and nature.
(4)
Nika L.
Great service, great food, and great atmosphere! Why? -had a party of 9 people that was accommodated immediately at 8:30pm on a Saturday -friendly staff -one of the best sushi places in town, that is not a run down, mom & pop shop What to order: -the oyster appetizer -the black rice sushi deal for $27...absolutely worth it why I like it? -St. Germain cocktail upstairs at UpBar = perfect!
(4)
Cody H.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff behind the bar can turn any bad day around. They also have relatively fair priced drinks, but the best feature is their happy hour food specials. Make sure you try it out.
(5)
Amelia S.
Had dinner at the sushi bar on a Friday night. I ordered the Truffled Tuna, Hokkaido roll, River North roll, and the Taro Mochi cake. The Truffled Tuna was a revelation to me - I never would have thought of pairing tuna and truffle oil. It was a delicious way to start a meal. I loved the combination of tuna, truffle, avocado, and spicy wasabi. The rolls were also very good and very different. I liked the use of black rice in the Hokkaido roll, and the collard greens to wrap the River North roll (in lieu of nori). I was also given a small bowl of edamame sprinkled with "kimchi salt" as soon as I sat down. This was very tasty as well. The dessert came highly recommended, but was just so-so in my opinion. The cake was overly sweet, though the dish was plated very nicely. Service was excellent and quick. I enjoyed the hip vibe of the restaurant and watching the sushi chefs work. Overall a very good experience.
(4)
Liceysiddharth N.
Amazing food and service, not to mention the awesome ambience. We had ordered sushi,escolar with mushrooms and whole roasted quail over black rice which were all made to perfection. This is the first time we have had escolar and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Had the 12yr old Yamazaki which was slightly over priced but the generous serving subdued the fact. The service was brilliant, constantly making sure we had everything we needed and also recommended drink specials/cocktails. This made our visit memorable. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu.
(5)
Callie P.
I took my mom to Union for the first time for Mother's Day weekend and we had a great time. I was very surprised that our bill was under $100; it felt like we ordered a lot of food and each of us had a glass of wine at $11/glass. So that's is a plus right there! The first thing we ordered was the chef's choice 10 piece nigiri sushi plate. I told our server that I am a big fan of eel and salmon and he definitely let the sushi chef know, we had 2 pieces of eel, shrimp, salmon, super white tuna and regular tuna. It was amazing! Then we ordered some cauliflower and the truffled tuna. OMG I wish I could eat Truffled Tuna every day! It was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted! This is a great place to eat, however, if you get stuck sitting in the middle, it can be a little too close for comfort with other people.
(4)
Alinka R.
We saw this spot on check please and had to try it. Came in for lunch and got the tasting menu, and the chef came out and said the dinner menu is too much for us and made us a custom lunch menu. Everything was amazing, one of the best meals I've ever had. Service is impeccable as well. I don't write many reviews but this place deserves it.
I enjoyed our evening at Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar! Drinks were unique and strong. We started with the sweet potato "tots". Delightful! Umami, crunchy, soft - almost everything you could ask for in this type of dish. The black rice sushi combo was good. It played to our group's multiple tastes; including spicy, typical, unique, and vegetarian rolls. My only complaint was the chicken ramen. It was good - don't get me wrong. But I was looking for some more flavor in the broth. The noodles were great, though! Great atmosphere, strong drinks, enough food for leftovers, and at the end, our bill wasn't outrageous. I'll be back!
(4)
M. Medford J.
Food 4 **** Nectar 4**** Ambiance 4**** Stuck in Chicago for 5 days for a conference and was so worn down I actually asked the concierge for a recommendation. He pointed out the easy option, Aria at the Fairmont and the distant better option, Union Sushi and BBQ. The cabbie pulled up to Union and muttered in broken English, "I think this is where you want to be." He was right. This is where you want to be. I was probably crazy for going out for sushi on a Monday night in the Midwest, but I was desperate enough to eat the leftover fish from the weekend. What a surprise. The place was buzzingly busy, but I found a spot at the BBQ bar. I couldn't believe they had Hitachino and a quick perusal of the menu made me take off my conference badge and suit jacket...this was going to get serious and messy. Let's start with an alligator kebab, pleasantly crisped (and yes, it tastes a bit like chicken) and a Hitachino XH. I immediately regretted the conservative, sushi deluxe order. I should have been wild and tried more of the unique rolls. But who knew the alligator would presage a fantastic meal. I comforted myself by staring through the translucent glass around the bbq and watched the blind date devolve on the table near the window. A pretty group of people, but most seemed engaged by their plates in front of them. They have a tiny bar, with a bartender hip enough to pull off wearing a derby. But I wasn't looking to get laid. I wanted fish. But likely this would be a cool spot on Friday. The sushi-deluxe is a work of art that arrives with a humble bow from the chef. Tiny mushroom stalks projected up from the salmon, daring you to disturb the plating display. Seemingly plain fish is sculpted into swirls over razor-thin strips of radish, with a hint of spice and lemon wedge. I was stunned that this quality of fish could be found on a Monday. I started ordering more aggressively. There were no gimmicky Philadelphia Rolls or disappointing tuna-glop in seaweed. This chef is an artist, combining fresh cilantro, thin slices of carrots and garlic into simple rice paper. I would never think to put these ingredients into rolls, but he made it work. I paused on my second Hitachino to stare over at the muted chef and he only tilted his head up at me. He knew I got it and appreciated that. No words had to be exchanged. The waiter came by, without a hint of obsequiousness and made a suggestion for the Market Roll. The plates continued to pile up and now my regret was that I had eaten lunch. I wanted more but could not eat another bite. This is a place that needs a few visits though - I need to try the cocktail menu. I need to devote a night just for the BBQ, and I need to delve into these special rolls. I recommend taking the time to go through these culinary levels to find a favorite. I think it all depends on mood. Enjoy.
(4)
Caroline N.
I went to union sushi with a group of girls for dinner and we were pretty happy with the meal. The layout of the restaurant was great (love the semi open kitchen) and service was pleasant and quick. I had a cocktail which was waaaay to sweet, but this was quickly compensated for by the arrival of perfectly dressed (and $1!) oysters for the table. I had the mushroom soup which was well flavored but a salt-bomb and a roasted cauliflower salad which was decent. I also had a passable piece of tuna sashimi. In fairness, only the oyster and Tuna fall into the sushi+BBQ category (it was a midweek dinner, I am a weekday vegan) so I'm giving this place a 3 star rating primarily on food that it doesn't specialize in. My girls all really liked their BBQ, so there's a chance this place would be bumped up to a 4 in my book if I tried a few more things. I would definitely go back!
(3)
Matthew L.
The interior had graffiti on the walls and a modern touch. The food was innovative, tasty, and reasonably priced. I tried the alligator and kangaroo both seasoned enough that there was almost no gamey taste. The Uni Shooter and Uni Alfredo tasted like mac and cheese and almost no salty or briney aftertaste. The black rice sushi was delicious. The Duck Fat Soba was spicy and delicious. All the while playing 90's hip such as NAS and Wu Tang in the background. This is now my favoriate sushi place in Chicago..... The only slighty negative thing I can say is that the food took a while and came in a weird order, one appetizer, Uni shooters, mains, and noodles last but it was well worth the wait. You should try this place you will not regret it.
(5)
Lauren B.
Came here with a girlfriend last weekend per another friend's recommendation. Union did not disappoint. The service is spot on and the ambiance and general vibe of the place is inviting and unique. I also really loved that we were not rushed what so ever! We ordered our food one item at a time, and our server was more than happy to oblige. Here is what we sampled: Roasted Cauliflower Salad was delicious and light. I simply adored the combination of the kumquat with the cauliflower. Mushroom Dumpling- tasty but not something I would order again. This is not something I would normally eat, but I gave it a try Oysters on the half shell- YUMMY! Especially if you are an oyster lover, the crispy shallots on top was a nice textural element. I had mine without jalapeno/cilantro ponzu so on that I cannot comment. Chesapeake Bay Roll- light, not too much mayo, and the collard green wrapping brought a different taste to the roll. Loved the black rice, such a deep almost nutty flavor. I recommend to anyone planning to dine at Union, if these are items you would normally eat, try the cauliflower salad and the oysters for sure!! And don't be afraid to try any of the other lovely combinations of flavors on the menu. They know what they are doing here.
(4)
David T.
Good concept, but food is just ehhh. Below average food is one thing but prices are higher too. Not the best place for sushi or barbecue. Cool room but that's about it.
(2)
Gspot H.
Fun. Hip place. Good service and fast. bathroom's were clean. The Ramen was great. The Pepper Shrimp appetizer is one you might wanna do a 2nd order on. The Cauliflower salad was alot better then I would of imagined it to be. The Music in the background wasn't soft but was brightly leveled perfectly for a crowd that likes good music n not soft.
(5)
Amanda F.
I came at 5PM on the dot to partake in Union Sushi's happy hour menu. $5 vodka cocktails, $3 steak skewers, $3 shrimp tempura rolls, and $1 oysters were right up my alley. My table also ordered the sushi platter and numerous "skinny" cocktails. My feelings on the happy hour menu are a little mixed, but you get what you pay for. The complimentary edamame dusted with a spicy powder was devoured immediately. I loved the shrimp tempura rolls, but wasn't wowed by the rest of the deal menu. The oysters were out of season (although very beautifully presented), and the steak skewers lacked spice, tasting more like charcoal, and left me looking for a dipping sauce. The theme for the skinny cocktails seems to be Fresca. Its genius!! We started skipping the $10 regular price and concocting our own Fresca creations with the $5 vodka deal. The sushi platter is a good deal and an interesting mix of flavors. I really liked the black rice used in the maki. I loved the Devon sweet potato roll which I never would have order alone, but was happy it was included in the platter. The spicy tuna is actually spicer than I've ever had and I failed to taste much of the tuna. My favorite roll, however, was actually the happy hour special, shrimp tempura. My group overstayed our reservation, so the waitress kindly ask that we move the group upstairs for a free round of drinks. Normally, I would be outraged at having to give up our table, but we kept our mouths shut and accepted our free drinks. The lofted bar area is a bit tight, though. I wouldn't try to bring a large group here especially without reservations. A good portion of the seating is also around the open sushi kitchen and grill and bar area. The swanky but fun asian decor, black mirrors, open flame, and soft trendy electro music in the background give it a pretty hip ambiance. This was a great place to remind my co-workers that living in the city is just much cooler than living in the suburbs. The overall experience was very enjoyable and I would come back for the "skinny" cocktails in a heartbeat. I would recommend Union tweak their happy hour food options, though.
(3)
Emily B.
Everyday I stare out from my window at work and see Union. So I figured I'd round up some friends who aren't afraid to throw down on some beef tongue and try it out. Over all, I enjoyed the sushi selection the most (which was the last thing we ordered, sadly), followed by the interested appetizers like the duck wing and, from the grill, the beef tongue. I was not a fan of the noodle bowls, unfortunately, but that's just my preference on ramen-esque meals. Service was fair. A few things were forgot to be entered by our server, but he made up for it by bringing out some sake bombs while we waited. The interior is really cool; kinda funky sushi samba flair, but smaller. I liked sitting facing the windows and seeing the snow fall; also the reflection from the flames on the 600 degree grill. One note: for a Sunday night, the vibe was quiet, but a bit sluggish. I was disappointed that there was no toilet paper in any of the women's stalls. Just kinda one of htose no-excuse things. If you wouldn't let it happen opening week, you shouldn't let it happen on a Sunday at 8pm.
(3)
Molly P.
Although we arrived a few minutes before our reservation, we were greeted warmly and seated immediately. I was really impressed with the Black Rice Sushi sampler. It was a great way to enjoy a few old favorites (Spicy tuna and Dragon Rolls) and try some new rolls (Hokkaido and Devon Rolls) too. Another highlight of the evening was the Tsukiji roll. It was as beautiful as it was delicious. The cilantro and radish wrap gave the roll a fantastic freshness. Not only was our food first class, the service was stellar. Our waiter was attentive, honest and funny. Our water glasses were constantly attended to and the manager stopped by to greet us and describe the black rice sushi sampler in further detail. Can't wait to go back. For more on our visit to Union Sushi + BBQ Bar check out my blog: bit.ly/GUWfTo
The Buffalo Duck Wing needs to be on the Food Networks "Best Thing I have ever Ate". The new black rice sushi has my waist line and taste buds jumping for joy. The sushi selection is the best in Chicago along with their Sake menu. I have not seen some of these Sake's in many sushi establishments across the nation. Chef Chow (If you are lucky enough to sit at the Chef's table) is amazing and when sitting at the Chef's table it is truly a culinary delight. A must try if you haven't been and once you go a go to place for food and fun!!
(5)
Meredith K.
Things started out strong but have been sliding. I've been here 3X and I'm afraid to go a 4th for fear that it will be awful. But I can't stay away from those crab cake sliders for too long! The first time was for a Local Tourist dinner. We loved it!! It was a sampling of everything and we were in the upstairs bar talking to Peter who is awesome. He showed us some new tricks! And let us sample the liquor in our drinks. After this dinner we went searching for 2 of the liquors that he showed us and I had to order it online! I loved everything but the dessert but that's because I don't like cheesecake. We went back the very next night because I wanted sliders and my boyfriend needed more skewers. We also got a couple of half rolls. I love that you can order 1/2 the number of rolls! The 3rd time we were there the menu changed, we tried things that were just EH, like the tuna special that had way too much mayo sauce on it. What I hate is when its not all that crowded and they "squeeze" you in (there were 3 of us at a two-topper) and yet no one shows at the 2 tables that were next to us. Why we couldn't push one of those tables next to us to be a four-topper is beyond me. Anyhow we tried the new rolls and one of them was not fabulous. It needed something. The other roll was so fresh and yummy. I'm sure I'll be back. I just wish they'd stop messing with perfection!
(3)
Margo A.
truffled tuna, shrimp tempura roll, oysters, edamame, beef filet skewers--AMAZING! the beef was extremely tender and melted in our mouths! The happy hour food specials are a really great deal! I came here with a couple girlfriends and it was great!! The drinks are amazing too!! I LOVED the Nishiki Fizz! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Andrew C.
Loved it
(4)
Nhan P.
This place is amazing. I have wanted to try it since I had the beef skewers at a Yelp event. We came for restaurant week, but decided to order from the regular menu to try the BBQ items and sushi. Overall, I really enjoyed our experience and would definitely come back. Good food at a reasonable price point for the area. Our meal: Alligator: It tasted too much like chicken, chicken breast to be exact Beef tongue: My oh my, delish! Don't worry it comes on a skewer with 3 cubes. It was very tender, but if you don't like muscle-Ly textures, you might not like this one but the sauce was yummy. Berkshire pork shoulder: The meat was fine, however, it was over seasoned and very salty. Prosciutto wrapped scallop: I regret only ordering one, the scallop was HUGE. Everything worked here, the sauce and fried ginger really complemented the meat. Get this. Thank me later. Seaweed salad: The seaweed was fresh, unlike the ones you get at most sushi joints. It was not on the menu. Shrimp tempura roll: Wow. It had caramelized onions and it worked. The shrimp was very fresh. Unagi nigiri: Slightly better than most sushi joints. It came with a large piece of fish. Snow crab leg nigiri: We could have skipped this one, although it was real crab, it really didn't taste like anything. Bay street California: A delicious roll with cucumber instead of seaweed. Soft shell crab roll: This was just okay, nothing special.
(4)
Dennis T.
I first heard about this from a friend who went for the happy hour. A couple weeks later I met up with some others for dinner here. First thing you notice is how stylish everything is. It kind of feels a lot like a loft with exposed air conditioning tubes, concrete pillars, and walls decorated with graffiti-esque art and enlarged photographs of urban Japan. It's pretty dark in there but it contributes a lot to a very cool atmosphere. The menu is varied with a large selection of rolls as well hot items from the grill. We ordered a large number of different rolls and they were good but I can't say they were fantastically better than anything I've had at less expensive sushi restaurants. The one exception is the Hokkaido roll which had grilled scallop, avocado, roe mayo, roasted peppers, and garlic wrapped in soy paper. The result is rich, smooth, and spicy. The most stand out item was the grilled alligator served on top of mashed sweet potatoes. It was extremely tender and easily fell off the bones. There is a full bar with some really cool imported Japanese beers. Try the Wednesday Cat if you like wheat beer with a bit of spice to them. I would love to give this place 3.5 stars but the kitchen was very slow with our order. Our waiter was attentive and checked up on us often once our food finally came but drink orders also took a good amount of time. All in all, the ambiance is great, the sushi is good but not spectacular, and the grilled items are very unique. I think it's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)
Kelly K.
Time for a quick review: Sushi- very unique and fresh Service- Slow. We came during lunch and it took ages. I'll be back to try more of their menu, but not when I'm in a rush
(3)
Donna L.
Took me long enough to try this place! How did I miss it so many times?? It's such an awesome place with awesome people and the food is reeeediculously awesome! First.. the host was very welcoming and and gracious. The server was very nice and sweet. Gave great recommendations on food and drinks. Truffle Tuna was the best 'tuna tartare' I've probably ever had... and the cooked Super White Tuna was also a great started. Enjoyed trying the BBQ Alligator and Kangaroo skewers! Also tried some of the rolls which were also well made and fresh. The only one I could remember though was the Tamago because that's always my FAVE. Their Tamago was the best and most different than I've EVER HAD. Thats for sure. It had some kind of vegetable in it! and we love the fact that we could get 'half portions' and black rice with each roll. Definitely a plus for the health conscious. All the food and drinks were unique and delicious. Dessert was awesome too, as we had the ice cream flight and Yuzo cake.. which is pretty much key lime pie so don't get it if you don't like key lim pie. Next time I would try the banana bread.
(5)
Jonathan L.
Place is amazing. Friendly staff, great service, and food is excellent. If you haven't been here yet I recommend checking out the Happy Hour menu happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks
(5)
Maria S.
We sat at the bar and chatted with Ken. Service was attentive. We even met with the chef who made the coconut bar ice cream. Love it! Libations is what we definitely were in for as a stop...but who could say no to the BBQ grill that we were sitting next to. So everything we had was unbelievable. This is my list of recos: Jack's Thorn Nashi Blossom Sake Flight 001 (loved the Deep Forest Sake) My hunger pain recos: Oxtail ramen (you definitely need this if you want to drink for 5 hours straight---best way to get rid of hangovers, too. BTW, not your average college quick meal pick me up! Try it!) Pork Shoulder with coconut milk and cilantro (you won't just be having 1!) Uni Nigiri (the foie gras of the sea) Fresh Wasabi (delicious---it has a mild flavor and much better than the paste kind) Oh, they do have free parking. We didn't know that and found out we spent about $12 for the time we were there. Overall, we will be back!
(5)
Blanca S.
Can't get tired on union sushi. People attending has always been kind, the food is fantastic and their prices are awesome.
(5)
Ashley K.
Y to the -UM. Things I love about this place: *the atmosphere *the music *the truffled tuna *rolls made with wrapping other than seaweed *the deserts *the servers *1/2 rolls so you can try more of them (especially the Hokkaido - so unique and refreshing!) We sat at the sushi bar so we got to see all of the dishes as they were prepared and there are a LOT of other things I want to try (which is hard to imagine given how much two girls took down on Friday night). The only (minor) flaw - I didn't care too terribly much for the zuki sake. It wasn't bad - just a little fishy and nowhere near as good as the other things we had. Looking forward to returning here very soon!
(5)
Alison T.
Came here for a friends Birthday - ambience and decor gets 5 stars, it's a really cool place. The menu is great with lots of different options for both sushi lovers and non-sushi lovers. The tuna tartare was some of the best I've ever had. Everything else was just good. It's defnitely a bit over-priced, but we did have a good time. I'd go back if someone asked me to, but I don't think I'll get a group to go again.
(3)
mei s.
Came here for a business lunch right before Christmas break, so there was a bit of a crowd. The vibe here is cool and a bit off the beaten track for business lunches. We ordered a bunch of things since there were a few of us. we ordered the fried pork belly micro greens (yum!! i love pig belly! and this was done right.) we ordered a few things from the bbq bar--spare ribs, alligator, beef filet, pork shoulder and chicken thigh japanese curry. i ordered a couple of rolls as my entree-soft shell crab and old city market. i should have ordered the belly too. overall, a pleasant experience and the food was awesome! i would definitely come back.
(4)
Charles S.
Great staff and great sake menu. Always cooking yakatori beef sticks, kangaroo... Best mix of Japanese dishes.
(4)
Matt C.
Now THIS is how a Sushi restaurant (or any restaurant for that matter) should be. We came in starving after a winery tour looking to sate our inebriated appetites and continue letting the good times roll. We took one look at the menu, deemed it overwhelming, and asked our server, Dan (later "Dan The Man") to bring out his favorite dishes and libations for us. As far as the drinks go I have no idea what boozy concoctions Dan fed us except that the first drink he brought had a hint of basil and was unbelievably good, on par with some of my favorites at Violet Hour. The second had egg whites and was almost as good as the first. Dan the Man. The food was spectacular: First off when you sit down they bring you edimame with Parmesan cheese smothered all over it. I have never had edimame like this before. I don't want to get hung up on the edimame, but they were some damn good green beans. Buffalo Duck Wing -- What!? Buffalo duck wing!? This was so good -- the duck was cooked perfectly and was the biggest duck wing I have ever seen. The tempura breading was perfectly crispy, and the buffalo sauce made you want to lick the bowl. Get this. Sashimi Cup -- Raw salmon, avocado puree, and ponzu sauce. Palatte cleansing, fresh, fun to eat (you mix everything together and it looks really cool). Another must-get. Hokkaido and Chesapeake Bay Sushi -- I HIGHLY recommend the Chesapeake Bay. I have never had a sushi roll wrapped in collard greens. I could eat this right now and it's 9:00am. The Hoakkaido was great as well, but the Chesapeake was the obvious winner for us. Spare Rib - The BBQ sauce was the perfect blend of spicy and tangy. The meat was fork-tender. The presentation looked like something out of a food-porn magazine. Off Menu Fish Dish -- After a few rousing compliments about his food and drink choices Dan brought this out for us. He said it was off menu and something he wanted us to try. It was a piece of seared Skate with a mixture of fried onions and chilis on top and I think some sort of miso sauce. Dan not only hit it out of the park, but right then and there sealed Union as a five-star restaurant for me. BBQ Prawns -- Simple presentation: just perfectly cooked prawns with a nice spice rub. Delicious. The bottom line is this: there are those rare restaurants that have such a good combination of food, drink, and service that they make you want to come back the next day to do it all again. Union is one of these places.
(5)
Dan C.
Okay ... 4 almost 5 stars. Food, atmosphere, people are great!! No complaints about that at all, BUT... To our dismay there was a different waitress that was serving the tables on both sides of us that we noticed and heard was giving "on the house cookies" to her guests as she handed them their bills. We are HUGE dessert people and honestly looked forward to that, but to our surprise, no cookies. Booooooo!! I would go back and actually have put it out as an option on dinner nights out but my date refuses because of the cookie incident. SO ... Union Sushi has awesome food!! I guess I'll never know about the awesome looking cookies, let me know how they are. --Cookie Monster
(3)
erin z.
Love this place! The truffled tuna was amazing, great service, good drinks, and cool atmosphere. Also Love the hip-hop tunes. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Peater J.
On the top 10 list of most egregious things a restaurant can do to a customer is "closing *well* before your posted operating hours. " It lies somewhere between giving a customer food poisoning and finding foreign objects in one's own food. I made a special trip to eat here, but restaurant was closed at 9:45 when it was clearly posted on their own website that it was open until 10:30. When I walked in, the grill stations and sushi bar was already broken down, so I'm guessing that they probably closed around 9:15-9:30. Around an hour before 10:30. WTF? I once worked with a restaurant manager who once told me, that closing before your posted hour is pretty much "The Kiss of Death." His reasoning was that by doing so, exhibits symptoms of greater underlying problems at a restaurant. It also sends a wrong message to customers, like me, and does a lot to undermine a customer's confidence - for numerous reasons. Regardless, I ended up at Hooter's and endured an hour of bad chicken wings, bad service and foodball highlights wishing I was eating sushi instead.
(2)
Alexander C.
I used to live a couple blocks away from this place. Food is gross. River north style trendy vibe. It's expensive. The bbq is actually ok but the sushi is strange and nasty. I'm a big sashimi nigiri kind of dood so maybe that's why? Atmosphere is actually pretty cool. Yeah it's busy but you'll eventually get a spot and the bar is usually available. I have no idea why I went more than once. I have no idea how this place currently has 4 stars. Save some cash and go somewhere tastier like Yushu or Coast.
(2)
Aly H.
Amazing experience! We sat at the sushi bar on a Thursday, drank some saki bombs with the owners and chefs. After that we simply asked to be served. The fish chefs and staff were simply superb. We did not look at a menu- we were simply served based on what we said we liked or disliked. One of the best meals I Have Ever Had in Chicago over the last 10 years!
(5)
Linda G.
This was a great fantasy food experience ... Each taste was unique and special. We started at the 2nd floor bar and were impressed with the MIXOLOGIST's (we don't say bartender anymore) talents. After moving to our table we were well waited on. Our friend loved his black rice tuna rolls so much he insisted that the people at the table have some. This resulted in them sending over a tray of some other delicious sushi snack foods. I was on my 3rd Mixology concoction so I was thanking them and babbling like an idiot. All in all it was a terrific time. we will go back. With drinks/tip it was $55. per person but we very definitely ordered a lot.
(5)
Matt R.
Went within a week of opening night. When you do that, you have to know you're taking a risk and that things won't be up to snuff right away. Honestly, other than the wait for drinks (10 minutes at the bar) everything was pretty great. The food was pretty good. The Truffled Tuna app was really good, as was the proscuitto-wrapped scallop. Maki rolls were very tasty and come with 4 pieces for around $5, which is fairly reasonable. That also allows you to try a bunch of different things. Wish they had a bigger selection to try, however. Drinks were pretty good, though I wish they would expand the beer list with some more authentic Japanese craft beers. Service was good, great pace and well-polished for being open only a week. Had good recommendations on quantities and favorites. Decor was really cool, though I do agree with others that it was maybe a little bright. Pretty young crowd, so not some place I'd take the in-laws. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Thelizjake P.
Enjoyable; this is the first word that comes to mind from my first dining experience here. The atmosphere is fun and trendy, the sushi extremely tasty, and the pricing fair to decent depending on your order. I was most impressed when the waitress proactively suggested, at the beginning of our meal, that she could split the bill into individual checks (by person, or people) so as to not have to figure out who owes what at the end of the dinner. Given my wife and I had just gone through one of these nightmare exercises at a dinner of 20 the weekend prior, it was a sigh of relief and astonishment as we were just talking about how more restaurants should offer this service. At the end of the meal, the server did manage to incorrectly tally up my individual bill after two attempts, but hey - I was willing to overlook it just because she had split up the overall bill into 10 smaller tabs
(4)
Adriano M.
Quite possibly one of the BEST if not the BEST Asian restaurant in the USA. What an awesome place, the chefs are masters....the restaurants serves sushi and Asian BBQ. Some sushi is served with black natural rice, different but very good and healthy. The tuna tartar is a great starter as are the grilled scallops wrapped in bacon amazing!. they also have a grilled shrimp served with a bbq sauce that is outstanding... I can go on and on....all I can say is you will not be disappointed this place has it going on. Sushi is outstanding and creatived. Definetly coming back soon!!.
(5)
Kimmie H.
Trendy place. Bit pricy for dinner because of a small portion. Happy Hour is great. Would definitely come back its happy hour only. Please consider add chicken gizzard and chicken skin on the menu if you try to be a Japanese street food style also. I had a great time here. Nice decoration (a bit dark) the guy on the phone was nice. Good service over all.
(4)
Jessica S.
So glad I found Union!! Its innovative, delicious, and a great, edgy atmosphere. We sat right in front of the enclosed grill which was fun and added t the entertainment of the evening. At the end of our meal, we were greeted by the owner and it was such a nice, warm gesture. Our waiter was informed and super friendly, which in my opinion has been so hard to find lately. The unique cocktails were fantastic. I got gutsy and tried the grilled alligator, which tasted like chicken but a little gamier and loved it. The rolls we tried were large a delish. I will be going back to Union soon!
(5)
Michael J.
I'm probably being a little generous with this 5 star review, so I'll add a caveat. I went here last week and ordered a ton of food. a couple of the dishes (beef tongue and brown rice roll sampler) justified 5 or 6 stars. Tasted amazing. A couple of the dishes were just ok. The couple things that really bumped this place up to a 5 star in my book was the fresh wasabi and the service. I normally don't give or deduct points for service if the food is awesome, but we sat at the sushi bar and the chef cooking everything was cracking jokes the whole time and very funny. Food came quickly which was a plus. If there weren't so many restaurants to try in the world, I'd return and continue exploring the menu.
(5)
Arian M.
Great atmosphere, very trendy and hip. We ordered, of course, 60 oysters which were very tasty. We could have easily done another 60 (maybe). My favorite was the truffled tuna. Oh so fresh and delish. I never had anything like it. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Amy R.
Having lived in Chicago for a couple of years now, coming up with new and creative ways to celebrate one's birthday can be incredibly challenging and stressful. The trolleys are overdone...drink packages at a random bar are less than unique...and renting out a space in downtown Chicago can be awfully expensive. I had seen Union Sushi come up on a list of recommendations of top new bars/restaurants through MetroMix. It sounded like the perfect spot for a bday celebration--new, great location, and trendy. I dropped in after work to speak with the manager, Mike, about what options he had to offer. I was more or less expecting a large table reservation--in a private area, if I was lucky. Mike surpassed expectations--he led me upstairs to their "UpBar" and said if I had enough guests planning to attend he would let me have the area for the entire Friday night. He worked with me on the menu and space reservation until we came to the perfect solution. Although I had been expecting 12 girls for the meal (before all of the other guests were expected to show up to just drink), only 8 showed up and the waitress/management were able to accommodate the last minute change with ease and kindness. Following dinner, the swarm of other guests arrived and we had the entire UpBar full of people and our own private bartender. The staff was incredibly nice. The bartender even let me "help bartend" for a fun picture or two. And the head chef, Chao, came out of the kitchen and up to the UpBar to say hello to me and my guests! I highly recommend Union Sushi for any event--be it birthday or corporate or just for fun. The atmosphere is really cool with all of the graffiti and the menu has plenty of great options to please anyone. Speaking of the menu...I highly, highly recommend the Truffled Tuna appetizer--it is to die for.
(5)
Jonathan E.
One of the best sushi places I have been to. Good service. Nice menu. Really good, high quality food. Recommend.
(4)
Evan M.
My rating is more like a 3.5, but you can't do a half on here, so eh. I'll start off with the bad, just to get that wiped from memory. Being from coastal Florida, I know better than to order raw oysters in the Midwest, but I did it anyway. They came out with a faint fishy smell that we all noticed, but against my better judgment, I ate one anyway. Tasted very metallic. A good oyster should taste delicate and briny. These were also about 1/3rd the size of a proper oyster. And good thing--if they had been 3x as large, it may have repeated on me. I was pretty much nauseated the rest of the night. Anyhoo, on to the good--all the sushi we had was divine. Service was very quick, and when a few more friends showed up late to join us, they were more than happy to accommodate our friends. The lunchtime deals are also pretty good. This is quite the happening place, but I'm just not blown away. If I'm in the immediate area, sure, I'd go back, but I wouldn't bypass a few other sushi places to do so.
(3)
Kelly C.
This place was quite tasty! I went for Restaurant Week and they didn't disappoint. For their RW menu it was $22 for both lunch & dinner. The courses were the usual salad, entree & dessert. I started off with the soba salad and it was okay def had spice to it. My friend had the mushroom salad and said it was tasty - kinda wish I would have gotten that! For the entree we both got the surf and turf and it was great with the sweet potato cream and crispy potato strings. And the presentation was fabulous with the shrimp skewered on top of the filet (picture to come). Everything was seasoned great and we were both very impressed with our meal! For dessert we each got something different so we could try a couple different items. My friends choice was the clear winner - KILLER YUZU PIE - it tasted very similar to a key lime pie and was divine. I got the sundae flight and it wasn't anything to write home about. The green tea one was icky (to be fair I have never had a green tea one i like), the other 2 were ok but I recommend the pie. We also got the PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SCALLOP and it was excellent with the puree on top. I would go back for this alone! I like the decor of the restaurant - it seemed very cool to me with the graffiti artwork on the walls and the exposed pipes. I wasn't really a fan of how close the tables were to each other. Overall a nice dining experience and I would go back and try out the sushi!
(4)
Gigi Y.
For my first experience here, i had a great time! (because I was also with great company) The two menu items that stood out to me during their happy hour menu were the $1 Oysters on a half shell; flavorful green onion, crispy shallot and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. The second was their ridiculous just-right spicy $2 Beef Skewers. It takes a lot for me to be impressed with beef and red meats, but man were they delicious!
(4)
Ajay K.
More like 4.5 stars. Visited for restaurant week and ended up ordering one restaurant week menu, and a variety of other things (sashimi, rolls, truffled tuna etc.) Everything was wonderful. Sat at the sushi bar and the chefs are very friendly and helpful. The truffled tuna was out of this world, along with some very inventive rolls - they use collard greens in lieu of seaweed for some of the rolls. Another nice touch is that you can order half rolls and get a lot more variety in that way. Killer Yuzu pie too!!! The only downside if there was one the entire evening was that the rolls could have used more fish.
(4)
Kammie G.
I went there for my birthday dinner and MAN was it worth it. The ambiance and decor is the restaurant is aweesome and might be one of my favorites so far; it has a nice upscale feel to it and I like that there are various sections in the resto that allow you to sit by the window, the bar, the sushi bar, or the barbeque bar. Who does't like variety? The food was delicious, the sushi was great. I came here mainly to try the black rice because I am a health freak and I was very much satisfied with the result. All of the rolls we tried were delicious and definitely different than the usual boring rolls you get at a mediocre sushi place. Another thing I tried for the first time here was alligator (interesting flavor and pretty good) and oysters (they tasted good but I'm just not a fan of the slimy texture). It was a day of trying new things! The drinks were yummy and I liked the fact that they had a "skinny" menu, from which I enjoyed the Skinny Geisha and my date loved some whiskey drink that he ordered. He's one picky guy, and he said he liked the drink so much he was thinking about it still the following day haha. That's how good it was. Definitely coming back here very soon!
(5)
Greg N.
Living in the area...Union has presented itself more than a few times when my girlfriend and I have pontificated..."where should we go tonight....what are you in the mood for?" Last night...we answered..."sushi...and WHAT ABOUT UNION?!!" So the succulent pescaterian adventure began... We had heard about the Head Chef's resume (Sushi Wabi) and we are HUGE fans. We have to admit that the somewhat "kitschy" Ikea gone bad interior decoration theme was a bit offputting (and may have somewhat deterred us at first)....but we quickly got over that and it ended up feeling quite cozy and charming by the end of our visit. I will shut up about the circuses and move on to the good stuff... The FISH. Our waitress was so friendly and she asked us to put our dining fate in her hands. She assured us on her recommendations with "if you dont LOVE this I will take it off the bill". From the duck wing (done buffalo style) to the Sashimi cup (citrus marinated tuna goodness so good you want to drink it out of the glass)...to the spicy tuna roll and signature roll topped with crispy pork belly....they were all the equal of just about any of Chicago's finest sushi houses (including Japonais, Ai or Wabi). I am writing this completely absolved of the influences from my multiple jumbo Sapporos. ;) The chef has a special pumpkin icecream popsicle (not on the menu) that was the perfect dessert...and left us with a longing to come back with friends to blaze new trails (perhaps the BBQ side of the menu). Take a bow, Union...you have two new members of your fan club.
(4)
Naftali G.
Always great atmosphere and food. Beef tongue from the robata was awesome. Waiter was solid.
(4)
Angela S.
Must try: the sparrow is the best craft drink, alligator skewer, mushroom dumplings, prosciutto wrapped scallops and the belly sushi roll (da bomb!).
(4)
Vivian C.
The food is ok (I've experienced better sushi/sashimi in CA). I would have given them 3 stars because of the quality of the food and ambience, but it was overpriced and service was VERY SLOW and inefficient (nice staff has nothing to do with efficient service). The only thing that makes this place "cool" is the fact that they have skewers, which, in non-fusion sushi restaurants it's not a common sight. I am guessing that if people are giving this place 5 stars, then they could be sushi amateurs. We went there for a bachelorette party at 8pm. One of the girls ordered Miso soup and it didn't come for ONE hour (or longer than that because we were pretty much done eating when it came out). Another girl found a hair in her roll. Another one wanted to try the alligator skewer, but they had run out. Then we wanted more hamachi sushi, but they had run out, too. And so then I ordered uni (which they didn't have), so, instead, I ordered maguro (white tuna) sushi... but after waiting for nearly 30 minutes, I canceled it because there were no signs that it would actually come to the table. Wow, really??? I do have to commend them for bringing us free dessert though (for the hair). Besides that, I ordered the beef skewer, but it was TOO salty for my liking (and I like salty food, so if it's salty for me, it's REALLY salty). I am a very easy person to please, but not when it comes to restaurants - I know my food and quality of service. I do not recommend this place if you're a "pro" sushi eater.
(2)
Kate K.
I had a dinner party at the restaurant for my sister's bachelorette party. We had the upstairs section and we felt like we had a little VIP area! I had pre-selected the menu in advance (I worked with the manager Mike) The service was GREAT. The bartender gave the whole group free shots, the chef came out and said hello and gave a few girls a tour of the kitchen, and the waitress was constantly bringing us food! All the guests were impressed with the presentation, the attentiveness and most importantly - the food! A lot of my friends said it was one of the nicest dinners they had been to. Go check it out! So fun, hip, great cocktails, great sushi and great staff!
(5)
Anna P.
Love this place - we live a few blocks away and it's a great place for when we feel like splurging and treating ourselves to a nice dinner. The atmosphere is great, the service is always excellent, and the menu is a perfect place for someone like me who likes to try a lot of different things (aka I have commitment issues). All of the BBQ stuff is excellent, the sushi is outstanding, and they have a pretty good drink list. I really want to try the happy hour so this place doesn't take all my money1
(4)
Kathy K.
I've been here twice in the past month with big parties and the service was absolutely horrible both times. Both times the servers were way too busy with other tables to even deal with our huge one. They simply don't have well trained wait staff and even if the waiters were actually experienced, the place is understaffed. For example, I asked one guy for a fork and he never came back. Later I saw him scrambling to help another employee. The food isn't terrible but not worth it for slow horrible service. The decor is nice.
(2)
Helena B.
As you expect, this River North sushi establishment is quite modern in terms of decor. The dining area is basically a glass box with views of the street and El. Decent people watching (unless you are the one stuck sitting against the window and then you need to make sure your shirt is long enough so you aren't flashing your back/butt area at the crowd outside, but I digress). While I've only attempted dinner one way, I'm going to throw out there that my way was the best and encourage you to do the same - order sushi and barbeque items a la carte. Our server let us know when items were smaller (note: most items on the barbeque menu are singular. They say squid, they mean ONE SQUID, so adjust your order accordingly). My favorite thing was probably the speed at which food arrived at your table. You ordered and POOF! there it was. This made it super-simple to order a few things at a time and judge our desire for more as we went along. The truffled tuna was my second-favorite thing, so you should try that.
(3)
Ryan S.
Been here a couple times now and I have not had a bad time yet. Good sushi, good atmosphere was a bit loud at times but overall would recommend to anyone looking for a good sushi spot.
(4)
Dawn W.
I was introduced to Union Sushi by a friend and was thrilled with the overall experience! We had a great time sitting at the sushi bar talking to the chef. The cocktail menu has such a great variety of drinks all for around $11 each. They are nice heavy pours that taste amazing! We had a sample of just about everything as far as food is concerned. Nothing rave reveiws for the food. The specials are presented to you on an ipad, which gives you a great visual instead of just listening. I enjoyed my experience so much that I took a friend the next week and she loved it as well! Great job Union Sushi!
(5)
Christina P.
Ugh, I am torn. I really wanted to love this place going in but I think they need to get some front of house issues ironed out before I can up my star-age. First off, really cool and different space. Loved the graffiti on the walls and I love the massive fire pit on the bar. Bonus points for the light, airy feel to the space. And it's in a great area of the city. If it was socially acceptable to bathe in the specialty cocktails they serve... I would. They are amazing. Bartenders know their craft and everything was amazing (my fave - Surprise & Delight). The main issue for me was with their host situation. We were told the wait was 20 minutes but that oddly crept into two hours. While fine, as we had a spot at the bar for drinks, we were blatantly ignored. Not cool. The food is great but needs a little work. Everything was 'good' but nothing blew me away in terms of can't-live-without-it tastes. Above all, for a new hot restaurant, the one thing that stuck with me was the amazing cocktail selection - not the service nor the food.
(3)
Don G.
I've been here a few times now, and Union never fails to impress. I enjoy getting lots of small plates and tastes from many dishes. Usually we get a nice combo of rolls, yakatori, and starters. I cannot say enough about the sliders. A must every time! The rolls are imaginative & tasty. My favorite roll is the Old City Market roll with collared greens. I also recommend the bacon wrapped scallops from the yakatori grill. The staff is always helpful in suggesting something new or selling me on the daily special (grilled alligator!). The manager, Mike, always remembers me when I go in & usually sends over treats ranging from special rolls to a round of drinks! 5 stars for the great combination of service, atmosphere, and the delicious food. This is not your typical sushi spot!
(5)
Lauren M.
I've been here twice now and both times I had an awesome sushi experience. I've tried all of the rolls and my favorite is the Black Rice Sushi Sampler. The Ruby No 5 is a delicious drink. This is a trendy, fun spot!
(5)
Larry V.
Decided to drop into this place based upon looks alone. Very chic, trendy look. Food was very good, went with 2 friends, and split some sushi rolls, then went with the Surf and Turf for dinner. Decided to sit at the Sushi bar, and service was excellent. The Surf and Turf was very good. The steak was a little small, but the prawns were huge. For perspective, two prawns were about the size of the steak (maybe 4-6 oz?) A little pricy, but definitely worth coming back.
(4)
Dave G.
I waited an hour for a "sushi roll" that was actually only half a sushi roll and a beef skewer that was two small bites. This place earns two stars from me because the food did actually taste good, and I liked the ambiance. But Union failed at the primary task of a restaurant, which is to feed me. Rather than wait another hour for another round of way overpriced toy food, I left and went to Gild Bar for some actual food.
(2)
Ashley S.
I ate here last night with two fellow sushi fanatics. They couldn't seat us immediatly in the dining room so we opted to eat upstairs in the bar/lounge. The dining area looked smaller than expected and the table for two were really close together. Likely wouldn't take a date there for that reason. The super nice and capable bartender was our server so the service lacked a bit when she got busy. I hated the cocktail menu and wished they would have mad more effort to include sake-focused drinks. However, the bartender suggested an awesome, off the menu, citrus and gin cocktail (I hate gin) that we feel in love with and had three of. I loved the few rolls we shared and hope to return to try the bbq. I am a sushi purist and judge places on the quality of fish. Here it was average so I dont think I'd do sashimi here. However, the rolls we had were delish, especially the river north roll. It didn't have rice, something new to me, and was so fresh. The rolls were the perfect size and crisp in a refreshing way. I hope to return soon with some non food snob friends. I'd never take my sushi-fanatic boyfriend who spent years in San Fran. Arami and Mairi are better bets for him. Good for girlfriends. Needed addition to the neighborhood. Tasty but not exactly traditional.
(3)
Jeff R.
My buddy Eric and I decided to check out Union one day after work because we had heard it's a funky cool spot with some interesting food. I'd agree on all fronts with varying degrees of success. It's an interesting concept with interesting food, but sometimes "interesting" doesn't translate into well executed food at reasonable prices. You can't help but notice the cool graffiti art on the walls, the second story level overlooking the main floor or the class enclosed kushiyaki grill in the middle of the space erupting in flames every few minutes. Then there's the menu - self described as featuring a broad range of Kushiyaki (grilled meat, seafood and vegetables on a skewer) and a variety of sushi and sashimi. What could be better than having tasty sushi with some traditional starters/salads mixed with some grilled meat on a stick? The problem is that our flavors came in waves of really nice with really bland, and on top of that they came at steep prices. Our first stab at the menu included six skewers of food, two sushi rolls and a Wagyu tartare. There was plenty of roller coaster flavors in that trio. The good: we loved the alligator on a stick, really juicy and tender white meat, the beef filet and tongue - nice and flavorful - and one of our sushi rolls was interesting and simple with a kick of spice without mayo or wasabi. The bad: our $12 wagyu tartare was quite awful - no flavor whatsoever, similar to cardboard. Put it on the salt chip and there's some flavor, add soy sauce and it's manageable. But I wasn't expecting wagyu tartare to be that bland. The other sushi roll was ok, not a lot going on but interesting. Biggest problem is paying $6 for only 4 pieces. We also had one tofu on a stick and a shiitake mushroom. My tofu looked like a candy bar with the peanut(?) sauce and sugar color. The tofu was ok but the sauce was way too strong. Eric said he enjoyed the mushroom. Even though it seems like we ordered a lot food, it didn't go a long way. We quickly added to our meal with a chicken thigh from the grill and another beef filet. In addition we tried the duck soba noodle dish and a duck wing in buffalo sauce. I really liked the noodle dish with shredded duck pieces. It had enough flavor to make it curious but not too many moving parts to get confused. The duck wing in buffalo spicy sauce was also very nice. It's more interesting than ordering chicken wings and probably a little tastier given the size and nature of the meat. And for $5 it clearly was the best value of the night. To finish things off the right way we ordered the ice cream sandwich flight. Cute huh! The star was clearly the chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream. That was delicious. The green tea and red bean are interesting but pale in comparison to the traditional. Union has some good things going for it with some nice dishes and a funky fun atmosphere/decor. The drinks selection is impressive with plenty of sake and imported beer to choose from. My largest complaint is the value for flavor is just not there. Our bill for two was $180 all in (including a few drinks) and we didn't exactly leave stuffed or inebriated. I really like the soba noodles and some of the classic kushiyaki-style grilled meat (must try alligator and beef filet). I wish the sushi menu was more approachable and affordable because that could be a nice meal to mix and match sushi with BBQ (it's in the name I suppose...).
(2)
Anisha A.
You know you're in an authentic Japanese spot when there are penis straw remnants from a bachelorette party and La Bamba is on the loudspeakers. To complement the cutting edge beats, the mixers are flat and may have been leftover from a house party last summer. This propelled our Norwegian with a soft spot for gin and tonics into an understandable rage. For me, it further enabled the straight liquor habit. Perhaps the worst crime is the stark lighting on a Saturday night which puts unnecessary spotlight on the cheezed, dated look. No one should have to face the cringing reality of Union Sushi or one night stands under such bright, sobering conditions. Yes, it's opening week and there's a shortage of dimmer consultants across the Midwest, but come on. The food didn't make up for it. Union should be renamed Bland Prison Rations. Plan to order double or triple of everything unless you want to be the goon splitting a scallop four ways. There's essentially four pieces per maki and one serving of most of the rest. The wagyu sliders and truffled tuna were picturesque but blah. The specialty maki, aside from inconsistent temperatures, was fine and anything with duck (buffalo duck wing, duck fat yaki soba) was a half step above the rest.
(2)
Paul L.
I should have expected it, however it was still a surprise to pay $15 per Long Island Iced tea. I guess I didn't realize that they used glacial ice. The service was good and atmosphere was nice, however I don't NEED to go back.
(3)
Amy H.
Union is my favorite sushi place in Chcago. The alligator skewers are delicious and the Clifton #4 rolls are on point. The atmosphere is cool too. Graffiti on the walls. Funky seating. Very modern. I don't know what is with the negative reviews. What are you all smokin? They even have clever magnets and matches! It's not expensive either... I'm racking my brain to try and figure out why it's not at least getting a solid 4. Drawing blanks. I suppose our server last time did screw up my order... But it wasnt a big deal, she just brought 4 more rolls out. Maybe it's a service thing. Either way, that Clifton #4 is heavenly and it will keep me coming back.
(5)
Eric S.
If you're an asian / sushi fan, this place has something for everyone. Whether is Asian BBQ or sushi there are lots of great finds. Also make sure to check out the drink menu and sake flights. Only complain would be the portion size is so wildly different from plate to plate.
(4)
Rosario W.
We went to this place On a Friday night about 8:30pm. We had reservations we were seated about 5-10 minutes after we arrived. One of my few Complaints was That is was loud So loud, we had to scream at each other to be heard. We were a party of five and it was my husbands Birthday. I have to Give the manager a glowing review because when I made my online reservation the online menu for restaurant week was still up, and i figured they were one of the restaurants that extended it. When we sat down and asked the server about it she said it wasn't available. The manager came over and checked to see that yes the menu is still listed online. He let us order those items on the menu at the restaurant week price. The soba noodle salad was great, most of us ordered that. the Salad My friend, she enjoyed and loved the warm croutons. Most of us ordered the sushi rolls. So fresh and amazing. My husband the birthday boy ordered the skate wing but the server did not hear him correctly (the music) and she got his order wrong, of all orders. One of us had the surf and turf, the sauce was amazing. the portion of meat was small, and left you wanting more. Dessert was great the sundae flight was yummy, so was the yuzu Pie (like key lime) but with and extra kick. I would go here again to try the Barbeque meat and maybe more sushi rolls, I would hope to find a night not as loud.
(3)
Valerie R.
Down one star from last time. I've eaten at Union for lunch on several occasions now and the service has consistently slipped. They still don't offer the veggie menu unless you request it (there are a lot of different options on there that even meat eaters would be interested in), the edamame isn't listed on the menu anywhere, they no longer have the brussel sprouts (but have them on the menu... they were my favorite!) and the smell from the exhaust fans is still shot out onto Franklin. My friend's theory is that they were installed upside down.. haha. Union, you're slipping!
(2)
Mel C.
I went to Union Sushi & Barbeque last week with a group of 12 for my birthday dinner. The staff was very accommodating-especially since I had changed my party size 3 times that day. They sat us in a great area and I was very impressed by the look & feel of the establishment. The Old City Market roll was a big hit at our table, as well as the Union Sliders. I also ordered the Frog Legs (1st time experience) and found them to be delicious! The reason I'm voting it 4 out of 5 stars is because I had asked our server what the Wednesday night martini special was & she did not know. She said that the bar upstairs offered something different then the restaurant area. I asked her to recommend a martini that was on the sweeter side, and she couldn't. She did though later come back to recommend one, but I just felt like server's should know off the top of their head 1 or 2 of their favorite cocktails to be able to express to customer's with questions. Okay, back to the good comments- after dinner we were informed the UpBar had complimentary champagne! A perfect touch to end the evening on my birthday! Thanks! :)
(4)
Patrick B.
We had a wonderful dinner there last night. By far the best sushi I've ever had! Couldn't recommend this place more!
(5)
K K.
My wife doesn't care for sushi. I brought her to Union Sushi in our search for a good sushi restaurant that can also make her happy. This is the place. My wife loves the spare ribs, the Agedashi potato, and a number of other cooked items on the menu. I'm very happy with everything I've tried on the sushi/sashimi list. Just as important, they have a great sake and whiskey bar and a bar staff that knows the bar list well. A nice touch: For an additional charge you can request fresh wasabi. They grate wasabi directly from the root at your table; a unique experience.
(4)
Rob S.
Had a great time here, went with some friends and had some good drinks, some good food and a great time (even if the lady next to us had to much to drink and threw up) i had one of the best Rolls i have ever had the Devon Roll with black rice, holy cow that was so good.
(4)
Jedd J.
I went with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The sushi was very good. Good selection of sake and spirits. The space looks a bit like a place you'd find on Main Street in a college town, but I did like the pumping rock music.
(4)
Li S.
It was a good Culinary and Libation experience. I enjoyed the Duck Wing. My only criticism is that when fried as much can be a bit dry. The Black Sushi sampler is a must have with the Chesapeake Bay roll. I now will request Black Rice when possible. The sparkling Sake is a must do. Tuesday a bottle is half price so it's 17 instead of the 34. Other at the table loved their drinks. Only problem is this place is not very big. Don't recommend waiting at the bar areas since it only has about 4 seats. We had practically every BBQ Bar item except Kangaroo. Tuna is just average. Beef Fillet tender and scallop and shrimp are a must. It is very over priced for Sushi but worth the experience. Three of us and bill was $77 per person. Will come back but maybe during the Happy Hour.
(4)
S P.
This place is just ok, nothing special. The decor is a too minimalist and the atmosphere overall felt cold. The waitress was just ok, didn't really smile, she was just doing the bare minimal to get her paycheck. The food left something to be desired. Alligator: I was really excited because I've never eaten alligator before but it was just ok, the tastiest part of the dish was the tempura that it came with it. Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop: Very delicious, but $6 for one piece... are you kidding me? Sushi; River North: Nothing special, it wasn't bad but it wasn't good, it was missing excitement similar to all you can eat sushi places. Old City Market: Very delicious, and I wouldn't mind eating something like that again, definitely the best part of our meal. Clifton #4: Again nothing special, I couldn't even taste the fish. Overall I wouldn't go back, the taste was something you can get at an all you can eat place; boring and always something left to be desired. They are ridiculously overpriced for how bland everything is. This is a classic case of a menu that looks extremely exciting (I literally couldn't decide what I wanted to eat because I thought everything sounded so delicious), but the food isn't special at all.
(3)
Peggy N.
Yum! As a relatively recent sushi convert, I appreciated the many easy options for rolls here. According to sushi loving bf, the rolls here are a little more tempura-y than the "authentic" places. Oh well. The black rice was a rare low-carb option that actually tasted better than the original, and I loved the unique vegetable rolls (like sweet potato!). The free edemame at the table was very welcome, and the service was great! Also liked the decor and feel of the place- great date night spot without being too trendy. Will be back again!
(4)
Leo L.
Love the vibe, aggressive menu, different and all around funky, trendy and legit
(5)
Adam L.
My folks came into town for a weekend and I live a couple blocks from this place so we decided to check it out. We went during happy hour where they have $1 oysters and $2 beef filet skewers. While other places may tone down the quality of their food during happy hour, Union keeps it very consistent. The oysters were fresh and succulent, and the skewers were cooked to order (medium-rare) and freaking delicious. We sat at the bar and were delighted to have the executive chef/restaurant partner Chef Chao personally recommend and serve us our food. My family and I are no one too special so to have the attention that I believe Chao shows everyone was quite a treat. After the skewers and oysters, we moved on to the entrees which we ordered from the entree menu: alligator ribs, and grilled prawn. I never had alligator but the slow-cook it and serve it with a kind of mashed potatoe that was heaven. The meat was tender and fell right off the bone. The prawn was massive and cooked just right. I forget which sushi roll we ordered but that was unquestionably delicious as well too. Chao made sure our night went well and carried on the conversation he started from when we sat down at the bar. For dessert, he went to the back and personally made us all our individual tiramisu milkshake to cap it all off. Our experience here was quite phenomenal. It's a great place for couples or a small group of friends!
(5)
Courtney S.
THANK YOU! First of all, thank you for finally accepting reservations! Second of all, give Revae a raise! I had gotten to Union a little earlier than my reservation to have a nerve soothing cocktail (rough week) before my baby brother (very nearly vegan) and his gf (pretty vegetarian, but restrictions change frequently) arrived. She asked me what I felt like and crafted a gin cocktail that made me love gin! (hadn't had it since college....you know how it is). The hostess was wonderful- I had described my bro and his gf and she kept an eye out for them. Our server was just as fabulous. She had been running items up to the Up Lounge and knew my plight. She really took care of us. The food? Well. The only thing that had gotten me through a stressful day at work was knowing I could have a buffalo duck wing and boy howdy, was it as good as I remembered- so was the prosciutto wrapped scallop. We each ordered a roll. My bro had a veggie based roll. She had the Hokkaido...I had the belly roll. Heavenly. Do yourself a favour, make a reservation, get there early to see Revae, get a seat at the grill bar, and go to Union! It is now easily my favourite place.....just don't expect the lead hostess to say goodbye or thank you on your exit.
(5)
Diane H.
Came here randomly on a Friday evening after work with some friends and was pleasantly surprised by the find. The menu is quite eclectic mix of Asian cuisines with a spin. The decor is loungey (pics on website are accurate). One thing we all did notice and comment on is that they don't pack people in. There were plenty of tables, but there was also lots of open space so you didn't feel like you were on top of people. We had to wait for a table so we went to the bar and got drinks. There wasn't really a waiting area which could be an issue in winter or if the bars are busy. I tried on of the Surprise and Delight and it was really good, but at $10 each, we all decided to switch to wine bottles after the first drink. We ordered a bunch of small plates while at the bar. We of course started with edamame to share; it was average. I am not a very adventurous eater, but I tried the alligator and steak skewers. I was really surprised by how good the alligator was; the seasoning was great and I liked the gamey texture. A table opened up so we relocated. We ordered some entrees to share. I don't remember what roll we had, but it was good. The Duck Fat Yaki Soba noodles were amazing....again with the adventurousness eating paying off (we ended up ordering a second order). The brussel sprouts were also really good. We tried the Agedashi Potato and it was good, but definitely not a sweet potato tot. I will definitely be back and would like to try some of the other items on the menu.
(4)
Miss S.
Awesome ambiance, fabulous location, and tasty creative drinks! The bartender was super friendly and readily pointed out some great drinks and answered all my questions about the drink menu. Great first impression of the restaurant and all the drinks we tried including the sake were yummy! Menu has a wide selection with a unique flair! For starters definitely liked the tuna appetizer. We ordered 6 different rolls, all good and neat to try something new. The Osaka roll although untraditional was enjoyable. The only downside...our server was not the best. She was a bit too harsh when someone at out table asked about one of their very different menu items. It was almost as if she was reprimanding instead of enlightening us. Our experience could have been much better without her. My favorite part of this place is the ambiance and the bartenders, I would recommend going to this place just to check it out!
(4)
Betsy P.
I guess with its great River North location I was expecting a bit ... more. Union does a lot right, but there were enough things lacking that it made paying $50/person sting just a bit. Atmosphere is good. Fun decor, beautiful people, freaking unbelievably supermodel of a hostess. All good. Our party of 4 was seated right away without reservations at 7 pm on a Saturday night. That was definitely a surprise! We started off with drinks (duh). I had a lemon/cava concoction that was very tasty and refreshing, but at $10, I was hoping for more booze. I went to ordering straight cava after that (for just $8 ... go figure) and that worked well. The appetizers were by far the best part of the meal! We all shared the brussle sprouts, mussels, and truffled tuna, and they were all really wonderful. I should have ordered those for my entree! For my main course, I went with the prosciutto-wrapped scallop, jumbo shrimp, and tofu. They were all ... just ... fine. Nothing spectacular. Points for the tofu looking like an ice cream bar with sprinkles though. At least it looked cute. Tasted meh. I also had the hokkaido maki which was very delicious! Light and refreshing with great flavor. Overall, if I went back, I'd stick with the appetizers and maybe a soup. I would like to try the desserts someday too, so I suppose I'll give it another shot. And, props to our server - she was pleasant, attentive, and answered all the questions we had.
(3)
Johnny R.
As my office sits across the street, and I'm half-Japanese, I've looked longingly at this new shiny place. Graffiti art, liberal use of stainless, it all works for me. Add in a staff in t-shirts with tats, I'm there. I finally went there today, had some lunch with a friend. I had some skewers, chicken, tongue, shiitake mushroom and alligator. It was all very good. I've had kushiyaki style street food in Japan before so I was very excited to Union's offerings. I'll have to come back and try some more things on the menu and add to my review. I was dissapointed with the wait staff. I was expecting that Chicago-style I'm-your-guide approach that so many servers have these days, that's quite addicting after a while. That exuberance when it comes to suggesting pairings is something I did not experience. I hope I can swing by there again next week. -JR
(3)
Jiratt P.
Genius chef, variety flavors, superb drinks, good services, easy to find parking. What Else Do I Need?
(5)
David D.
Got lucky today and had the chance to try this great new place. Started with a Japanese vegetarian maki roll that was so good. Moved on to a radish/potato/mushroom (all japanese) salad that had a beet powder toping. Very refreshing and tasty Got to try a filet from the skewer bar that had a ginger soy sauce Then we had duck fat Yaki Soba. Yummy. only problem was me trying to eat noodles with chop sticks Some prosciutto wrapped scallop with a wasabi/avocado paste on top on a skewer. So my complaint here was it was too big to get in my mouth in one bite, so I wasn't sure how to eat it. But the best part of the meal was the mussels. The Saki based broth was so good. It was like a cream sauce, but very light. Best mussels I have had in 16 years of living in Chicago. It was like the mussels we used to eat in New York, nice and thick, not the crappy anemic version that most midwest restaurants try to pass for mussels. Go to this restaurant. Such a fresh take on asian/sushi.
(5)
Paul B.
First impression: Good ambiance, big open space with colorful decor, good tunes at a reasonable volume... Good start Union Drinks: Liquor and cocktail is selection is very good, cocktails are creative and light to match the steamy summer months. Apps: Truffled Tuna and Dumplings. Tuna was fairly standard as the truffle didn't seem to pop as I was hoping. Dumplings were phenomenal though mmmmm. You must try the dumplings Service: Service was excellent! Knowledgeable wait staff, attentive and never over bearing. Mains: I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try the beef tongue, as it was recommended and it was meh. Alligator was outstanding as was the sushi we ordered. Overall, definitely a hot place to check out and I would go back!
(3)
Bethany P.
A truly amazing night! The food was divine - I highly recommend the warm mushroom salad
(4)
Laura I.
Loved the spicy tuna, Devon was good too, liked the sauces, the River North was not a good choice for eel, the COLLARD green wrapping outer layer was just not working for me, really good salmon nigirl, I would go back, but would like to see seaweed salad on the menu and more traditional eel rolls. Maybe some yellow tail scalion would be good too.. I did like that they had a black rice sushi sampler, love black rice will try it next time. quick, fast, friendly, chic atmosphere.
(4)
Erica P.
Visited Chicago this weekend and came to Union sushi. While I would argue that this is not sushi in the traditional sense, the food was pretty good.. We sampled a ton of items from the menu. First off the waiter was extremely nice and knowledgeable (and what he didn't know, he found out for us). That said, out of all the places I visited in Chicago, and all the times I raved about the value of the food vs NYC, it was here that I was actually shocked by the $150 dinner bill for two people when we didn't over order and only had one bottle of $32 sake. Anyhoo, on to the food. We began with some edamame, with their house spice blend, which neither my dining partner nor I was particularly fond of. We followed that with the oysters on the half shell, which were decorated with scallion, masago and fried shallots; this was my favorite of the night. Next we tried the truffled tuna, this didn't taste terribly truffled and was seasoned again with their house blend, which we weren't fans of - if you go and have had tuna tartare before, skip this. Next we had the Turtle soup - the broth was great, but I now know I do not like turtle meat- it reminded me of ox tail, but tougher. Then we moved on to the BBQ skewers. We had one each of the Alligator (good, but nothing special other than that it was Alligator), The prosciutto wrapped scallop, (prosciutto was fatty not crispy), the Fishcake which was stuffed with cheese (we both found this offensive) and the whole squid, which was well cooked and seasoned. After this we moved onto the rolls section of the menu and tried the Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic + wrapped in soy paper) I didn't like this one so much, the belly(hamachi, cucumber, orange tobiko, scallion, chili paste aioli, crispy tempura crumbs, fried pork belly strips + eel sauce) which was pretty yummy and lastly the soft shell crab roll which included rice puffs, sesame paste and fried ginger; this was pretty good, but as soft shell crab rolls go, I have had better. The ambiance was very cute, and we may very well return, however I won't be scheduling any trips back to Chi specifically for this.
(3)
Phil F.
The place was super freaking cool inside, but the food was pretty good on some things and others were not so good. Unfortunately the BBQ stuff was what fell flat. It seemed that the grill should have been a little bit more hot, stuff was kinda undercooked or just didn't have the flava'! Especially not cool was the squid, that's not really a great situation when undercooked. The marinade was not super flavorful either, so it didn't detract from the slimy. The chicken wing was also undercooked. Kinda pink inside. Sushi though was really really nice. I really like the Hokkaido and the Old City Market. Drinks were inventive and fun. Overall, I think that my experience might have been because it was only within their first couple of weeks. So perhaps the BBQ is more fired up these days. Would go back.
(3)
Ittai B.
I only review places I really like or places I really hate. This is the former. The rolls are delicious and very unique. The black rice is amazing, I'm a sushi fanatic and I had never seen black rice in San Francisco. I have to say this - definitely try the black rice. Also, you can order half rolls! It's great for when you want to focus on diversity and try a bunch of different rolls without eating 5 whole ones. Also, if you're in the mood for dessert, try the coconut ice cream. I wish I could give extra stars for the service - everyone was incredibly hospitable. I had a great time chatting with the sushi chefs Aum and Auo (both of whom make awesome sushi), and Adam and Danialle are just awesome. They definitely made my visit to Chicago a lot more fun.
(5)
Erin K.
Union has a very fun and modern interior, different than the average restaurant. I personally really liked the cocktails. Although they were kind of expensive for the size of the drinks, they were really good and different. The food was definitely unique, however I wouldn't say it was absolutely delicious. It was okay. I like the fact that you can do small plates and try a lot of different things. But some of the plates were just TOO small. Like the BBQ shrimp and the BBQ scallop. You only get one shrimp and one scallop. I didn't leave the restaurant feeling full. Good place to go for a drink and some small plates.
(3)
Sami A.
Union! I wonder what's the story behind the name. Anyone knows? Hey, at least they didn't name it something random and Japanese that doesn't make any sense. I mean, why would you name your sushi place "rabbit store"? Back to Union. I really like Union, I just wish I wouldn't always struggle on what to get and over-order and over-eat. Things I love: skate, agedashi "tater tots", soba salad, old city market roll, mushroom dumplings, grilled chicken & shitake mushrooms, oysters, the grilled squid. killer Yuzu pie and coconut ice cream bar. Go eat there now! They have delicious cocktails and any bartender that knows what a Martinez is is a-ok in my book. Actually, that's what probably takes this place from 4*s to 5*s for me. I agree, it's trendy which is great for them but bad for me having to always get reservations and I'm the type that only decides last minute on where to eat. I have been lucky to randomly walk there around 7pm and find an empty bar spot but those moments are rare. It's alright though, I think Union is worth it.
(4)
Kim M.
Excellent! The food, the atmosphere, the staff. Everything about this place is great. It's my new favorite place for sushi in Chicago!
(5)
Angel S.
This place so unique and amazing that it might just take over Coast's throne of our go-to fave for nigiri!!!! My husband and I are total sushi junkies that, while we love that Union can put together the classics in a way that makes us swoon, we also love that we can order a few things that are a little 'out-of-the-box.' The awesomeness doesn't just stop with the food either! The off beat cocktail menu and sexy ambiance make this the perfect spot for anything from date night to a great dinner before a night out. We absolutely love it and will hopefully get the chance for a repeat appearance sometime soon!
(5)
Olga K.
I've been to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar twice now and loved it both times. The first time my Husby and I went in for Happy Hour. We enjoyed our cocktails as well as the Beef Filet Skewers and Shrimp Tempura Rolls. We also ordered The Black Sushi Sampler which was amazing. Our second visit to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar was just last night for Restaurant Week. We brought 4 more people along who had never been to Union and loved it as well. We started off with the Green Beans, Oysters, Truffled Tuna, and "Buffalo" Duck Wing, and Dragon Rolls. All were delicious but my favorite was the "Buffalo" Duck Wing.I chose the rest of my meal from the Restaurant Week Special Menu and was not disappointed. I had the House Salad, Pan-Seared, Skate, and the Black Rice Pudding. I like the atmosphere at Union and the attentive service and will definitely go back again and bring more friends along. Keep up the great work!
(5)
Scott N.
Really good concept, great location, great food. I've been here a few times with people and both times the good was very good. The fact that they have plenty of other stuff to satisfy non-sushi fans makes this a good call for groups with picky eaters. The rolls are imaginative and come with less pieces to give you a chance to try more which is keeping in tune with the hot new concept of small plates every place is to run with. My favorite thing there are the grilled scallops. They're big, perfectly cooked, and well seasoned. Good for a date or more casual dining too. Shout out to my buddy the head bartender/mixologist- Revae. She's amazing at what she does and makes a mean drink!
Dashed in here on a Sunday night at opening to finally try the duck fat yakisoba - it was everything Yelp promised and more, the perfect mix of mustardy spicy duck fat and noodles. Service was super prompt, but I was like the only person in there. I will go back.
(4)
Haley S.
I've been here twice (I live walking distance) and had good experiences both times. First time was with a visiting friend and her boyfriend. We tried a bunch of the sushi rolls, which were not bad at all. I had the buffalo duck wing (one large wing, so plan accordingly) which was really, really good, I loved the buffalo coconut milk sauce. Tried the skewers, which were all tasty, but small. The mussel were flavorful, and probably the best value on the menu. Last night, I returned with my boyfriend. We had spicy tuna rolls (they do NOT skimp on the chili oil), and I had the "Surf and Turf", which was excellent. He had the lamb ramen, which was fine, but could have had more flavor (he's a chef, so he's picky). Overall, a good addition to the neighborhood, but it can add up.
(4)
Candace M.
Great sushi , skewers and sake (which can sneak up on you). Great private space available for birthday parties or small events upstairs from the restaurant. Intimate and sexy decor. Love it.
(4)
Nayeli S.
I was recently there for the first time for my BF celebration and we liked it a lot. You can try different kinds of dishes (alligator or kangaroo meat.) Sushi was very good. The place is very contemporary. You can dress up or simply go casual. The food is kinda pricey, but is worth it. It's a great place to go with your girlfriends, your coworkers, bunch of friends, or as a couple. Customer service was good, so I def, recommend it.
(4)
Casey Z.
The sushi wasn't very good. It kind of tasted fishy...yikes! I don't think I will back.
(2)
Mike R.
Waiter was extremely helpful and attentive. Atmosphere is great. Sushi, sake, croc, and kangaroo what else do you need? Also, happy hour is a deal.
(4)
Kristina P.
I hate to give this place a bad review, but after going there last Friday I was extremely disappointed. I have been there a few times to eat when they first opened and really enjoyed it but this most recent time not a single thing we ordered was good tasting. The sweet potato appetizer is terrible, I would not recommend getting it unless you enjoy mush in some sort of broth. We ordered 4 different rolls, all that had an extremely onion and cilantro taste without any enjoyable flavors at all. I am a huge sushi fan and eat a variety of foods but did not find their food to be flavorful or satisfying. I don't think I'll go back
(2)
Kat C.
Great variety of food. Loved the barbecue veggie options and dessert special. Attentive service (somewhat overly attentive with picking up finished plates). Great ambiance/decor.
(4)
Ben C.
OK food and a bit overpriced is why this place gets 3 stars in my book. I would say try it once, it might be more your speed. I have actually been here twice and both times the food was mediocre, the atmosphere was pretentious and the staff was bleh (boring and not interested in being helpful).
(3)
Penny D.
Union Sushi was awesome. I love the space and the atmosphere there, the waiter was great and the food was really good. The drinks were just alright but just what you'd expect them to be. I highly recommend the truffled tuna appetizer. It was so good we had one for the table for an appetizer and then ordered another later at the end of the meal. I was a little underwhelmed by the sushi. The Bay Street with the crabcake was just alright. I thought I'd be able to tasted the fried goodness of the crabcake a little more. The Old City Market was pretty good but I'm not a huge fan of the saltiness of collard green - that's just a personal preference. Overall, the sushi was alright - reasonably priced and came out so quickly. I think that the sushi also may have just been overshadowed by everything else. The Beef Filet was really good. Nothing outstanding but a good cut of meat cooked perfectly - probably the most tender beef I have had in a long while. The highlight was the Alligator though. It was not at all what I expected. A little tough to chew but the flavor and whatever the seasoning was on there was delicious. Highly recommend making the bold choice and trying it. To finish, we split the duck fat yoki soba. It was SO good. I'd never had anything like that before. It was awesome. I had a really good time here. It was not too loud nor too crowded (a little weird for a friday but I think it was early-ish). The service was perfection (our waiter even brought over a free dessert when he heard one of our party was going through a tough breakup)! I cannot wait to go back here. I sometimes dream about the truffled tuna.
(4)
Sid V.
Ugh, the decor here feels disjointed and comical, and not in a good way. The service was tolerable, nothing special. The food was very good, especially the buffalo duck wing (highly recommeded) and the salad. The sushi was also quite good. The skewers were just so-so and small, but even so the bottom line for the food was impressive. The music was really bad the day I was there, more suited to a Palatine bowling alley. So a few rough spots, but the food made up for it and I will be back to further explore the eclectic and interesting menu.
(4)
Renee Y.
YUM! We came here for Restaurant Week and our food was all delicious! And our waiter was super friendly and attentive to us. It was super crowded and had a fun atmosphere. Good Date night place. I gave it 4 stars because it's not amazing but very very delicious. I would come back but I have a few more sushi places I need to check out.
(4)
Brie Y.
This is my 2nd time visiting Union, the 2nd time was just as good as the first. Amazing service along with the food, the shrimp tempura roll was the best I have ever had. I also had a scallop which was large, perfect size and texture, love the sauce! Always kept your water full and loved the 8 oz coke bottle they give you when you order pop! For dessert we have the killer yuzu pie it tasted like key lime and it was amazing! Thank goodness I work across the street, I will be back for many more lunches and dinners!! Great prices!
(5)
Jodi F.
If you have not experienced UNION yet, you are missing out! Chao (with the food) & Peter (@ the bar) are a dynamic duo that will rock your tastebuds! The whole waitstaff is so attentive to making your experience outstanding. The quality of the food is top tier. They flew in huge a** prawns from Africa! The dessert was a savory yet sweet black rice, coconut special that was presented beautiful and melted in your mouth. It even was healthy! They will always have chef specials and such a variety menu to fit a big group of people. If you want to learn anything about beverages, ask Peter. He is a book of knowledge and you will learn more than you ever imagined! They carry Sake from all over the world that is premium. I rest my case, you must check out UNION! Amazing!
(5)
Erin L.
I've been here a few times & every time is awesome! Especially the alligator on a stick and those delectable buffalo duck legs! And of course... the sushi. The place is always hoppin', the owner is always there at the front door & making sure all is good.
(5)
Samir P.
Pros: Location Atmosphere Layout Chefs & Staff Cons: No TVs - we wanted to go out to watch the Bulls game. Come on! At least put one TV in the lounge! It took waaaay too long for them to make and serve up the sushi. Apparently everyone ordered sushi and they really got backed up. They tried to make up for it by offering some free sake, but they should have comp'd a roll or something. However, they were very nice and very apologetic. Etc... Two items on the menu were stellar - the truffle tuna tartare and the kobe sliders. The sushi was above average, especially compared to most sushi places downtown. The portion sizes are small, so don't think the place is cheap based on the menu prices. You're looking to order about 4 or 5 items per person. If you sit at the bar, the chefs are really friendly to chat with, and it's fun watching them create the rolls. The wait staff is very attentive as well. Verdict: I am excited about this place. I think it's a place to go with friends where you have some drinks (beer + sake) and order snacks and plan on chillin for a while. I can't wait to try the lounge upstairs.
(4)
Greta T.
Went to union sushi for Restaurant Week 2012 and I was less than impressed. The decor is hip, but right from the start, I was a little turned off by the host texting on his cell phone. We sampled the restaurant week menu everything was just average. I did not have the sushi, so maybe that's what they do best, but I can't comment on it. The drinks were very expensive for the size and not the best I've ever had. I think Union Sushi will work for the tourist crowd, but it won't be one of my "go-to" restaurants as a Chicagoan.
(2)
Corin C.
Well, I must give this place 5 stars and Chef Chao (Sushi Wabi) and Mike Schatzman have done a great job on this new place. It's inventive, unique and just great food with an energetic and fun atmosphere. We had a table of 10 in the semi-private dining room on Saturday night. I have to say that the concensus of our entire party was that Union did NOT disappoint in service, food and drinks. My first impression when walking in was that it was definitely modern, edgy and a vibrant place without being too over the top. I loved the layout of sleek tables, large windows, the mesh chandelier and the comic book graffiti on the walls. I read some reviews where some felt uncomfortable because it was a young people's place. We are definitely not in our twenties and we felt it was energetic yet accomodated to all age groups in a friendly atmosphere. There's a bar downstairs and a small loungy area upstairs where we started the evening. The barstaff is extremely accomodating and friendly. We loved chatting with the staff and they definitely made us some great hand crafted cocktails. The Yamato Sling, South of the Border and Sparrow Bee were all unique and wonderful! No, I wasn't a lush and downing drinks but got to sample different ones from people in our group. The drinks are $10 each which wasn't an issue but just telling people that in my review. There also is a nice sake, wine and beer list with lower prices if that's what you're looking for. We got downstairs and had a great table in the front of the bar. Our server was so informative, friendly and fun! We loved him and he just added to the great vibe of the place. We ordered an array of items and they brought out complimentary spicy edamame. The truffled tuna appetizer, panko oysters, buffalo duck wing (spicy with blue cheese dressing) and the brussel sprouts with oyster mushrooms and pesto were all excellent. I loved the truffled tuna! We ordered some grilled skewers. They have a Robata grill which is one of the highlights in the dining area and the meats and seafood are kushiyaki style. The beef filet and prosciutto wrapped scallop were outrageously great. These are not big enough to share and mainly per person but priced at $4 or $5 for each skewer. We also ordered a variety of sushi and soba noodles. The Old City Market was unique and delicious. It was spicy tuna and salmon wrapped with cilantro, fried okra and wrapped in a collard green. Truly inventive and tasty. The Osaka Central which was fishcake and eel was a huge hit! The Duck Soba noodles were fantastic and we ordered more plates because everyone loved it. The desserts were very good but I was full by this point. The Panna Cotta Dreamsicle and Killer Yuzu Pie were my favorite. I liked the tofu chocolate mousse since I'm not a big fan of dairy and it's a great selection for vegetarians and non-dairy fans. Would I come back to Union? In a heartbeat. It has a nice sushi bar for lunch or if you can't get a table for dinner. We had attentive service and just a great experience. I know there was another reservation after us but they never made us feel intrusive or rushed to get our table as we were winding down with after-dinner cocktails and dessert. I would like to see some artwork in the upstairs lounge but think since they just opened the upstairs bar the other night, they may still be working on getting that completed. Overall, it was a great time had by all!
(5)
Lisa S.
Love the urban ambience and "up" bar! Chef Chao is amazing!!
(5)
Sharon S.
I've been here a few times and I'd say I'll be by more. It definitely stands apart from other River North restaurants. It's got a low key vibe but with great food, staff, and decorated quite well. I've always been a fan of graffiti art and Union Sushi definitely does it well. Walking in you'll see the back wall which was painted by a local artist. Something you don't see often. I've always taken a seat at the bar so I can't speak to the rest of the dining area, but from what I've heard and seen, it's always great. The bartenders and wait staff are super knowledgeable about everything on the menu and give great recommendations. Just tell them what you like and they'll recommend something great. I highly recommend the alligator and kangaroo. It's grilled and comes on a skewer. SO GOOD! I've also had the mushroom, squid, and fishcake. All great but I'm always a big fan of meat. I've also tried the turtle soup which at first I felt bad for eating but when you have it, it's actually pretty amazing. I've also tried the belly roll (LOVE) and soft shell crab. It's not your typical sushi. Smaller portions but finely made. You have a burst of flavors all in a bite. I've tried the lamb ramen and actually wasn't that impressed but I'd give it another chance. The bar itself is worth a trip. They have a wide selection of sake and the bartenders can recommend something based on your liking. They also have a cocktail menu that they created themselves. Quite inventive and creative. I'd say it's one of a kind.
(4)
Rosalie S.
We had a party of 18 for my husband's birthday. Mike, the manager, worked with me to have a preset group menu that included Pork Belly, Black Pepper Shrimp, Truffled Tuna, Oyster, Mushroom Dumplings as apps. Then the Filet, Chix Thighs, and bacon wrapped scallops from the BBQ. For sushi, we had Old City Market, Belly, Spicy Tuna, Soft Shell Crab, and Clifton #4. Then the desserts...O...M...G...the Pumpkin Mochi Ice cream sandwich was gone faster than was possible. The service was great. Mike was very accommodating. Peter, the bartender, was gracious. All members in our party said they would come back. The drinks were really good. This is not your traditional sushi joint, and we really loved the whole experience. Would highly recommend and we will be going back.
(5)
Andrea T.
Loved Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar. My boyfriend and I went there for our 1-year anniversary dinner. The happy hour shrimp tempura roll and beef skewer were our starters, along with the truffled tuna. I would go back just for those 3 things alone. But, next came the 1/2 spicy tuna roll (probably the best I've had - kinda wished we had had the whole one) and the 1/2 crabcake roll, the pork shoulder skewer (yum), the scallop skewer and the spare rib (a little on the dry side). We were too full for dessert. :( I loved the atmosphere, the food, our server, the crowd - everything. MUST go back soon.
(5)
Dina I.
This is probably the only decent place that delivers to me and offers sushi. Hence, I've only ordered delivery from here for my weekly sushi craving (ika, uni, sake, ikura, hamachi, masago, ama ebi) if I'm not in the mood or have plans to go out. I've never had a complaint in regards to the delivery sushi...I don't know if I'll ever be in to dine since it's not my type of restaurant scene, but as a go-to delivery sushi joint, this girl is happy!
(4)
Gary R.
Union: Kind of a misleading name. I did not see any civil war era soldiers, Abraham Lincoln portraits, men with gangrenous limbs or burning confederate flags in there. That part was fine with me. The food was interesting for sure. If you are a foody (food snob), then you'll probably really enjoy this place. The portions are small, so you have to order a bunch of plates in order to get properly full like a true American. In addition, they serve Alligator skewers. I was brave, and decided to try some. It really was what I'd call "Revenge" eating for all the souls of baby birds and humans devoured by Alligators through the course of history. I gotta be honest, it wasn't really very good. It was chewy, and had red sprinkles on it. Another possibility was that the alligator they filet'd had Scarlett Fever? The filet mignon skewers and waygu (way gooey) beef sliders were really good. They had a lot of pickles on the platter of sliders, which was welcomed by me. They did serve 3 floyds beer, which uses water from the cricks of Munster, IN. That probably was the best part of the meal.
(3)
Meryl M.
The spicy shrimp sushis are delicious and...warm! It was kind of a surprise as I thought sushis were only served cold. The mushroom ramen was really tasty. The waitress helped us choosing some sake and everyone liked it. I really loved the place, atmosphere and staff! I will definitely go back there.
(5)
Celeste E.
3.5 STARS. The family shared a wonderful dinner here. Order with the mentality that you'll share everything, it's the best way to sample their menu. Don't miss the truffled tuna over avocado, you can definitely taste the yummy truffle oil! I was surprised at how much we enjoyed the Duck Fat Soba. It doesn't taste an ounce fatty, don't worry. It's flavorful and rich with vegetables and duck pieces. The sushi rolls were just all right for me. I like rolls where you can taste the fish, and at Union, they add too many ingredients and for me it "hid" the fishy flavor. We had the #4 roll, and I didn't like the asparagus taste, though the fish tasted good. The Old City Market had fried okra and collard greens, neither of which I thought suited a sushi roll. On the upswing, Union tempuras their shrimp tempura rolls in their entirety! If you order any rolls, I say skip the funky stuff and go with the shrimp tempura. We tried quite a few skewers off the BBQ menu. My family liked the alligator! So don't be scared. Also of note- the prosciutto wrapped scallop (good, but too much wasabi for me) and the jumbo shrimp. Definitely splurge for one of the specialty cocktails. My favorite is the refreshing Suprise + Delight with cucumber vodka. Great, fresh, open ambiance with friendly wait staff. I'd recommend this place to the more adventurous eater, their menu is full of dishes with pork belly, duck fat, uncommon vegetables and the like. A unique and fun dining experience with food you'll be talking about for days.
(3)
Marina J.
Huge fan of this place, especially for their phenomenal taste in music. Great vibe from the moment you walk in, followed my delicious food and tasty cocktail options. Awesome place for a group a friends to spend an evening out. I'll be back.
(4)
Matt B.
This place is so good i drove an extra 300 miles one way to visit it the next rime i was within one state of Chicago, Everything was delicious and unique! The staff knew not only what everything was but also where it came from and how it's made in extreme detail, even the alcohol they import. The alligator and buffalo duck are especially fantastic. I was unsure if I wanted to order the beef tongue and our bartender told me if I didn't like it he would take it off the bill. Upon hearing about my 600+ miles driven for the visit the bartender got the owners who proceeded to feed us all free sake and oyster shots as well as free Japanese microbrews. I had an extremely positive experience both times I went an highly recommend it not only for food quality but excellent service and mastering of their trades.
(5)
Jen F.
Amazing food. The chicken skewers are crazy! I would eat those all the time if I could. Peter the bartender is equally amazing and makes a drink called the skinny geisha that you have to have. If I lived here I would be there every day for the drinks, food, and service.
(5)
K T Y.
Great service, terrible food. Ox tail ramen tasted like nothing. The ox tail meat tasted burnt. Tried the alligator, kangaroo, and pork shoulder skewers..all lacklustre. Soft shell crab roll had very little crab. Not like most places where the spider crab protrudes from the roll. The atmosphere and decor and big windows did make for a asthetically pleasing dining room. Will never go back..ever.
(2)
Jennifer H.
This was my first visit to Union Sushi and I know I will be back! Our server Sean was amazing and courteous. The food was incredible! The mushroom dumpling were so good! The desert Pumpkin Mochi Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream and Caramel OMG I could eat it all day every day!
(5)
Jeff N.
Faves- Truffled Tuna app. Old City Market roll. Skewere of Scallop wrapped in bacon. Tofu skewer (looks like a mini ice cream bar). Just Okay- The Key Lime dessert Uncertains- the vibe. If you are over 40, you feel out of place. Sake list good for sake snobs, but confuses the rest of us Service- Nice job Michelle Awkwardness- Manager or Owner (over 40 female) who essentially ignored my wife (even after making eye contact) who arrived a few minutes before me. Will I return?- Yeah probably, but not rushing back. For a total tab of $89, I'd rather spend a bit less and visit another trendy favorite, Hot Chocolate on Damen.
(4)
Chanannait P.
I was not impress. The 1$ oyster happy hy was not fresh. I still can tell despite fried onion on top. The rolls were so so. I will not come back.
(2)
Holly S.
Wow! Okay, let me list what we ate: Wagyu beef slider Agedashi potato Skewers: scallop, squid, chicken thigh, and beef fillet Uni alfredo soba Rolls:Osaka Central, Old City Market, Hokkaido, Shrimp tempura, and one more that isn't on their online menu so I don't remember.... Saki: True Beauty "Setsugetsu Bijin" (Jg) Oita We got here right after opening time, around 4:15. We requested seats at the kushiyaki grill, which was very fun to watch. Food was served in good timing, and they gave us their yummy edamame when seated. I don't care if a restaurant is cool visually and graffiti inside is kind of silly to me, but it was all nice. Many different types of seating available it seemed: sushi bar, small tables, a large table with a see-through curtain around it for reservations, and there was an entire upstairs I did not see. The hostess came up to us a couple times to see how we liked our choices, the saki, etc. which was very nice and friendly. The server did not rush at all. I saw workers (probably owners, or investors?) come out to talk to tables - a very friendly vibe! The food was delicious. They had a lot of different flavors covered and the marinades/sauces for the skewers were perfectly paired. The beef fillet melts in your mouth. The servings are smaller, but we were expecting it already. I would highly recommend the Old City Market roll (it had more fish in the roll than any rice-wrapped I've ever had! Great quality) and the Uni alfredo soba - very nice sauce and tasty noodles. Our bill came out to $100 but we had all the tastes we wanted and left happy and full. I will go back for sure!!! A plus of going at opening - we parked directly across the street from the door!
(5)
Ryan F.
Decent at best. Decor is confusing- not sure what is happening there. We had a group of 9 people, they told just we had to wait "because they were busy". I don't care if you are busy, you are a restaurant! Our service was decent and the food was decent, nothing special. I have had better sushi at other places. The duck wing was really good, but spicy. Overall decent, and probably would only go once.
(3)
Jonathan T.
I was picturing a Southern BBQ and sushi fusion, so I was a little disappointed that it was just sushi rolls and kebabs. But, still a great meal. The skewers and sushi rolls were both above average and the cocktail selection was creative. Probably the best part of the restaurant is the interior design; gives it a kind of trendy (but not pretentious) atmopshere.
(3)
Alfred K.
We are not naive enough to think that we would necessarily get a table walking in on a Friday night, so we called from our car and asked about the wait. She said they have a few openings right now and there's no wait, so we went straight there, literally got there in 5 minutes, and walked in and was met with the rudest host. He stood there and refused to greet us, and when we asked for a table for 2, he told us that we are going to have to wait 40 minutes. When we told him we had just called, he said all the tables had just filled up in the last few minutes, even though we can visibly see multiple open tables. If you're going to play games like that, then don't count on me ever coming back. Jerk.
(1)
Bex A.
How horrified would my mom be if she knew I went to a restaurant without a clue as to what I'd be eating? Extremely horrified, so let's hope she never reads this. Since I'm deathly allergic to dairy, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts, I've understandably never experienced any sort of chef's tasting or omakase before. But after looking at the chef's table form on Union's website (there's an allergy section), I thought.. well maybe I could be accommodated. DARN STRAIGHT I WAS ACCOMMODATED! I went over my allergies with a couple of hostesses before we came in, and then again with Chef Chao. I think he may have been a little annoyed at how paranoid I was, but everything that he placed in front of me was perfectly fine for me to eat, even the fried stuff (they used tempura breading without the eggs). He also made some dishes separately and without alterations for my boyfriend (no allergies). We felt like royalty, dining on quail, kangaroo, fatty and super white tuna, and all sorts of fried crustacean delights. The drinks are absolutely outstanding as well. I have to take points off since we felt the miso soup was lukewarm and too salty, and part of the kangaroo felt overdone. But since the rest of the experience was so AWESOME (the presentation! the complex, delicious cocktails! the grill, which is cleaned periodically so huge flames shoot up! the myriad of different delights I have never had before and never thought I could have - like fried oyster!), I don't want to take off a whole star. 4.5, if I could. Union is probably the best meal I've had since GT (to which I also owe a review, they were very good with allergies as well). But I ordered from a menu at GT. Here, I literally left my life in Chao's hands, and boy was I ever rewarded. I could not thank him enough. One of the best experiences dining out that this AllergyWoman has ever had.
(5)
Aaron H.
All the sushi contains some form of green plant. They were very heavy on the avocado which gave the sushi a bAd after taste. There is a limit variety of speciality sushi. Service & venue is great. Very pricey $8 for four maki's (smh) Would not recommend.
(3)
Kristin L.
The menu was very interesting and I tried at least half of what was offered. I am a big fan of BBQ (since I'm Texan) and authentic Japanese food. This place had an interesting mix of the two. I enjoyed the cold edamame a lot. It's worth a return trip.
(4)
shari m.
This place is clearly much hipper than we are yet we still felt comfortable. We sat at the sushi bar and were treated quite well by Memphis Steve behind the bar and our female server (sorry, didn't get your name). We appreciate that we did not receive any of the anti-Restaurant Week attitude common at some places. The staff seemed to be having fun and so did we. The menu and flavor combos are much more creative than most local Japanese spots, such as using nontraditional wrappers like marble nori (seen that before?) and collards for their maki. We look forward to returning to try more appetizers, ramen, their specialty maki, and some cocktails. Thanks, Union, for a great experience.
(5)
Christine P.
Summary of Ratings: Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4 I went to Union Sushi after a co-worker recommended it to me, and I was absolutely pleased with the experience! I was really intrigued not only by the originality of their sushi but also with their cocktails! The atmosphere was really trendy and cool, but the tables were a little bit longer for my taste, especially since I went to try this place out with my boyfriend. Here is a breakdown of what we ordered...and it's a lot of food haha. LOVED: Surprise + Delight (cocktail) - I loved this cocktail - just the right amount of fruity for me. There was also a very slight cucumber aftertaste which made it a very summery drink. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who doesn't like to taste too much of their alcohol in their cocktails. The Second Language (cocktail) - My boyfriend got this and he loved it! He's a huge gin and tonic fan, so he was happy to get this drink. You could definitely taste the gin and there is a very sweet aftertaste due to the sugar cube they put inside it. Still very very good. Truffled Tuna (appetizer) - AMAZING - MUST GET (even if you don't like tuna!) My boyfriend was hesitant at first because he's not the biggest tuna fan in the world, but oh my gosh...so good. So SO good :) Berkshire Pork Shoulder - Also very delicious. Keep in the mind though that its a very small skewer, so even if the price is cheaper than other foods, you only get for what you pay for :) Clifton #4 Roll - Delicious. I loved that there was a hint of a cilantro taste to it (I believe they actually decorate the rice with cilantro). Has a crunchy inner and is a surprisingly warm dish. Shrimp Tempura Roll: They used black rice for this one, which kinda took me off guard. But I would also recommend this dish. Even though it is a classic roll, they put a Union spin to it, which makes it a very interesting dining experience. Old City Market Roll: Not for those who like rice in their sushi. It's served cold and they do not use dried up seaweed for this. But still very good. OK: Kangaroo Skewer (Special): It was...interesting...I don't know how I feel about eating kangaroo meat...but my boyfriend and I were so intrigued by it that we decided to try some anyway. It was also very citrus-y, which was interesting. Cauliflower Skewer: Good, but a little too salty for my taste. Lobster Tempura Roll (Special): This only goes in the OK pile because it wasn't as good as the other rolls. It took me by surprise that the whole roll was very warm though. Overall, I had an excellent time at Union Sushi. My boyfriend, who has lived in both Seattle and originally from NY (both of which are known for their very very delicious sushi) absolutely LOVED this place and wanted to visit again the next time he came to visit Chicago. The prices are slightly more expensive than what I would like, but our entire bill surprisingly came out to be less than $80. This places is definitely worth a try. Go a splurge a little by getting a few cocktails to start off your night! :)
(4)
Roshani C.
Food was good. Service was good. Ambience was great. The veggie sushi rolls were pretty good.
(4)
CD K.
After a long day on the boat & numerous recommendations, couldn't wait to try Union! Loved that you can get half orders of sushi! Had Uni three ways..... Uni sushi, Uni Alfredo Soba & Uni ice cream!!! Excellent and did not disappoint!!! Everything else was Ok. Jumbo shrimp, good but at $6 for one piece, a bit pricy. Beef tongue was tender but a lil heavy on sauce. Had the chesapeake roll, tasted a lot like burnt garlic. Service was a very slow, not that we were in a rush or a huge crowd, but even getting our one bottle of Saporro took 20 mins. NOT a good sign!! Seated close to the host was great, he kept our water glasses full, thank goodness! Might give em a 2nd try if we are in the area.
(3)
Christina F.
The food was delicious. Went with a friend and my boyfriend for lunch and was happy to see a vegetarian bento box option for lunch. I was able to ask for no cheese with the dumplings so it could be vegan. I'm giving it one less star simply for the fact that we sat there for 15 minutes before we had to ask the hostess to get our server so we could order. Wasn't the fastest service we were looking for considering we had an hour lunch break for work. I'd definitely go back for dinner when we have more time to sit and enjoy. We all sort of crammed our food into our mouths and had to jet.
(4)
Vincent W.
Our food and drinks were good. Everything was creatively presented and tasty. Service was only okay (it took forever for them to bring us the bill). Portion size was a little disappointing, especially when it came to the drinks. For two people with one cocktail each, it was $100 (incl. tip).
(3)
Mary Kay H.
Union Sushi & Barbeque, the name, does not represent enough of what you find here. It is a factory of creation by Chef Chao, who is a wizard with textures & flavors. His dishes are carefully constructed from the flavor combinations to the artful appearance. His plates of food are him & his passion. To sit at the bar & watch Chef Chao & his staff create is like watching a food symphony being written. I arrive not knowing what I will experience & leave knowing that I've had the best. The same thoughtfulness applies to the cocktail list. Unique, fresh beverages.
(5)
George M.
Delicious! Our buddy worked here and got a heavy discount so we would come in and literally order one of everything on the menu. The BBQ meat skewers are all really good. The beef tongue is my fav. The duck leg is yummy, the noodles are good, the toro was very fresh and perfect. Try the oyster shooters.
(5)
Josh Y.
I went back to Union and now I know why. Food was amazing. Drinks were superb. Staff was on point. Despite not living in Chicago, I'd make annual trips back just to eat at Union!!!
(5)
Carmen C.
We arrived early for the duck wing competition and ate two delicious duck wing for free~~The best wing I have ever tried. Then we sit at a table near the door(this is exactly what i don't like), I prefered more quiet and inside space. We order lots of sashimi, sushi rolls and starters. The sashimi and sushi rolls are good and i hope I can receive a discount if i order so much next time. The starter: sliders so so, spare ribs so so, tofu so so. Overall, the food is good. I wil come next time if they can offer me a discount, haha.(I spend over 100$!!!)
(4)
Milan P.
The quality has went down since this place first opened. They have some food that still tastes good, but it seems to lack the flavor as it once did.
(3)
Bryan J.
Very impressive new addition to river north. Lots of true Japanese dishes; I was describe it as an izikaja (sp?) with sushi. Huge variety of things are you're able to order half-roll portions of maki which is great. Would have given 5 stars except the music playing was a little strange and didn't mesh with the sophisticated/minimalist styling-it was all 90s hip-hop (mostly biggie/tupac/bone thugs) while the space would be better suited for low-key electronic/easy jazz. Other that that, will certainly stopping by again soon.
(4)
Bree L.
I absolutely LOVE the truffle tuna! I go there just for that!
(4)
Matt Z.
Delicious Sushi, Great experience trying to Kangaroo, Alligator and Beef Tongue... the whole squid was not so good to me... The sushi rolls were delicious.
(4)
Muj A.
I went here with a fairly large group for the first time this past weekend. We did a packaged deal that included some of their appetizers, grilled meats, and sushi. Everything was excellent and they have a cozy yet upbeat atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Christy L.
Absolutely delicious & unique cocktails. You must have the KURO SMASH. I also highly recommend the BUFFALO DUCK WING appetizer, and the DEVON sushi roll. Service was excellent. We even stayed past 10:30pm (their closing time) and felt no pressure to leave quickly.
(5)
Lu L.
Good afternoon place, but do not have dinner in this restaurant. The barbeque is OK, but their sushi and sashimi taste terrible.
(3)
Allison H.
Came here with a girlfiend during their 1 year anniversary week so I they had $5 specials on wine and the truffled tuna. We ordered the truffled tuna since it was on special and a few glasses of wine. The truffled tuna was very good with the wonton chips. Since it was only $5 at the time I didn't have too high of expectations but I thought it was great. It's really just mashed up avocado on the bottom and chunks of raw tuna tossed with truffle oil. Simple but delicious. We also ordered 4 sushi rolls - spicy tuna, dragon, soft shell crab, and hokkaido. The Hokkaido was the overwhelmingly best of them all. I liked that you could get black rice in the rolls as well (which is apparently healthier than brown rice though I don't know much about it). The soft shell crab was wrapped in cucumber and didn't have any rice which was a nice change. They had more rolls with no rice that were wrapped in vegetables but we didn't order any of those - it's a nice, lighter take on typical sushi. Overall, very fresh and unique rolls though it was a little pricey at around $15 a roll.
(4)
Kelli K.
Myself and my boyfriend made somewhat last minute plans with our friends to go out to dinner on a Saturday night. There were 8 people in our party in total and we hadn't made a reservation. We walked into Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar and discovered that they were fairly full with reservations for the evening, however they were able to accommodate us at the sushi bar which we didn't mind at all. Their bartender noticed that I was scanning the sake section of the menu and pointed out the sake flights. I did end up ordering one of the flights and I was not disappointed! I received 3 small glasses of sake and they were all delicious. My favorite was the sparkling sake. My boyfriend ordered an Alpha King beer which he really enjoyed and couldn't resist ordering a second. We shared an appetizer of black peppercorn shrimp which was awesome! I also ordered a mushroom soup that was nice and light (I didn't want to fill up before our sushi arrived). We ordered the dragon sushi rolls and hokkaido. I loved the hokkaido... mainly because I love scallops... which led me to my next order. The prosciutto wrapped scallop. Up until this point the highlight had been the black peppercorn shrimp, but the prosciutto wrapped scallop blew it out of the water! The scallop is grilled and topped with an avocado/wasabi puree and fried ginger. The scallop was cooked perfectly and tasted nice and sweet which complimented the salty and fatty prosciutto perfectly. It was delicious! At this point we were pretty satisfied. We had been passing things around and sharing with our friends and everyone was having a good time. Then we ordered the poached pear for dessert. It came with assorted berries and kiwi in a ginger pear syrup and it was the perfect ending to this delicious meal. All in all I was very pleased with our experience. They were able to unexpectedly accommodate our large group, the bartenders were attentive and the server was knowledgeable on the dishes and also made some good recommendations (like the prosciutto wrapped scallop!) It is a bit on the expensive side, but it is worth it to make the trip and spoil yourself on a weekend out. As a culinary student the food is always the star for me and Union Sushi definitely did no disappoint. I would love to go back and try some of the dishes (and another sake flight!) that I didn't get a chance to try.
(4)
Matt H.
Great rolls and great drinks
(5)
Dereck H.
Very good food. Creative, well-prepared, and tasty. One star removed for service. A bit odd - - there was a "large group" party going on in the loft area, and we were told that our food would be significantly delayed because of that. Two observations - first, I would think that the party attendees would be the ones to wait - after all, they have reserved the evening, groups to talk to, drinks flowing freely, etc. Not sure but seems like that's the better call. Second, even more odd - I looked up there, and it was just people seated at the standard tables. In other words, a full evening. It's not like there were 150 people crammed into the loft - it was like 24, seated at standard tables. Just like it would be on a night that they had those tables filled. The rest of the restaurant wasn't terribly crowded - so why the delay (and there was a LONG delay).
(4)
Amy M.
I went here a couple weeks ago for my birthday dinner with some friends and had an amazing time. It was so amazing, in fact, that I had to bring my boyfriend and siblings there last week to try it out! The first time, I called and made the reservation that day and had no problem getting a table pretty early in the afternoon (on a Saturday). It was very empty when we got there, but got busier as the afternoon progressed. The second time I went - on a Friday - we called that day and couldn't get a table until 9:45PM. Inconvenient, but understandable - and also well worth the wait! When we got there, it was completely packed. I loved the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant. It felt very trendy, lively, fresh, and just plain cool. The staff were all super friendly and helpful both times. The food was delicious. We tried the skewers, oysters, and of course, the sushi. All of it was delicious. I loved being able to get half-orders or full orders; it makes sharing and trying different types of rolls much easier! The second time I went, I got the black rice sushi sampler to share and I was very happy with it (though the spicy tuna roll wasn't anything spectacular). My favorites were the shrimp tempura roll and the Hokkaido roll. Both times, I had to get an extra half order of the shrimp tempura because it was just SO good - I will need to come back at happy hour to get it for just $6! At the end of my birthday dinner, our waiter brought out their special dessert (free of charge) - pumpkin mochi cake - and we all devoured it in about 3 seconds. I still think about that dessert to this day. It was life-changing. When I went back last week, I was heartbroken to find out that they were no longer serving it. Instead, we got the banana bread and ice-cream, which was absolutely delicious, but still not in the same league as the pumpkin mochi cake. Sigh. In all, both times I went I had a great time at The Union and will most likely be back again soon!
(5)
Stephanie S.
I came here for a birthday dinner w/ a friend, and it was hands down the BEST sushi that I've ever had!! So fresh, w/ an abundance of flavors. The cocktails were great too. And don't forget to try the barbecue too- especially the wrapped scallop- to die for. Definitely make a reservation though, it gets busy quick!
(5)
Mookie L.
I've been here 3 times and not sure why I keet coming back - oh yeah, because its right around the corner. I've tried basically every type of sushi here, the ox ramen, alligator, sliders, etc. The food doesnt warrant the steep bill at the end of the meal and the taste of the dishes were nothing to rave about. Its an average sushi joint with nice decor, great location and decent service. Probably a good spot to have a couple drinks and some apps before heading out.
(3)
Ly C.
I'll give it an additional star for the cool graffiti-style decor and the tasty drinks. To address Mike's comment, no I do not have any personal interest for or against this restaurant. I'm just telling you how it is and how I felt about the food. As a good business owner you should be more open to accepting criticisms as a way to improve your business and "flavor profile" instead of attacking a (former) customer.
(2)
Shorge S.
Union Sushi & BBQ delivers on the Japanese "izakaya" concept with a delicious and innovative menu of appetizers, grilled skewers and maki rolls. This is Japanese street-food with five-star flourishes, filtered through the lens of Americana. Even from the street, Union Sushi is as approachable as a corner delicatessen or neighborhood bar - big windows, colorful graffiti murals, servers-in-t-shirts and an open-space design. Inside, the chefs grill kushiyaki - marinated beef filet, beef tongue, chicken, scallops, and seasonal root vegetables on skewers - on a 600 degree, fireball-throwing grill. Completely absent are the Americanized caricatures of traditional Japanese culture - no buddhas, koi fish or candied mints at the door. Chef Chao goes so far as to avoid the tuna / nori / miso-soup heavy cliches of most American-Japanese cuisine - while you can get the "classic" sushi, Union's specialty rolls largely break from the concept that maki must have (1) lots of rice and (2) be rolled in black nori seaweed paper. At the same time, Union Sushi is far from a bland, Americanized imitation of Japanese food - by using traditional Japanese ingredients in surprising ways (fishcake, for instance, or red bean paste in savory "donuts"), Union Sushi reintroduces the very concept of modern, urban Japanese cuisine today. It's just very refreshing to see someone execute this very unique but quintessentially Japanese vision of Japanese street-food at such a high level. The service is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and apparently, the place becomes a packed nightclub scene in the evenings. Of course, it's not a 5-star place because, while it executes its concept brilliantly, the concept itself can only go so far: 5 stars, for me, is dining fit for heads of state. Still, there is much to love and discover about Union Sushi.
(4)
Tim L.
WOW - all I have to say is FIVE STAR LOCK! Our group of 15 started off at the bar with some of the best sake I've ever tasted and the bartender was extremely knowledgeable on it's origin. When we moved to our table for dinner, we were greeted by both the chef (Chao) and the owner (Mike)...great guys! We had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, sliders, and the five start buffalo duck wings (meatiest wings ever). Our table tried nearly all the rolls along with the Toro and the Uni, which were both better than anything I've ever had in Southern California (shocking, I know!) I can't say enough about our experience at Union, from the food, to the atmosphere, to the crowd, this place is definitely going to be a hot spot in the River North neighborhood for years to come! Thank you Mike and Chao!
(5)
Erica P.
This place is FABULOUS! my boyfriend and I went here for the first time last night and I couldn't say anything bad about it. They have so many unique dishes and everything is delicious. We had the tuna truffle, alligator, prosciutto wrapped scallop (my bfs fav), old city market roll (my fav), dragon roll, and spicy tuna rolls. Our waitress was really helpful w recommendations and even helped me pick a cocktail, the surprise & delight, which was the best drink I've ever had. I really can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
E J.
Visited during happy hour. Sushi was doused in excessively sweet eel sauce and spicy mayo...so no idea what the roll tasted like. The BBQ was a complete disappointment (not particularly flavorful). Hip atmosphere, but not for serious sushi eaters. Ok, but I wouldn't return.
(4)
Jeff S.
Seeing as how I live about 5 minutes away from Union Sushi & BBQ, I figured that I would have gone here much sooner. However, they didn't take reservations at first and there was a always a long wait, so I never bothered. Well one night, I decided to drive by Union to see how packed they were at 6:00pm on a Thursday and they were almost empty. Perfect! FOOD: Let's start off strong - we ordered the fried gnocchi with pulled pork belly, and it quickly became my favorite dish of the night. I've never had a fried gnocchi, but it just worked. Combined with the savory pulled pork belly which was perfectly moist and tender, and it was a home run. The peas were great too. Not too much salt, but that seemed to be the exception and not the rule...I was less impressed with the duckfat yakisoba with duck meat. I mean, it had all of the right things - duck, fat, duck meat. So what's the problem? Salt. There was simply too much salt in the sauce that the yakisoba (fried noodles) was fried in. Or maybe the sauce was just too overpowering. I ended up eating everything because I hate to see food go to waste and also because I regret not finishing food, but this was actually a chore to put away. I think I drank 3 glasses of water in an effort to desalinate my mouth. Given the "BBQ" in the name, we also got 4 skewers. Two of the happy hour special beef filet skewers, alligator, and the last one was the chicken thigh skewer. My favorites, in order: alligator, chicken thigh, beef. The alligator had a dusting of some cajun spices, and that really stood out. This alligator was a juicy white meat that had a smoother texture than chicken breast, but a suprisingly mild flavor. We also had a few pieces of sushi (hamachi and uni I believe) and they were both fresh and tasty. I'll probably opt for more sushi and skewers the next time I come in. For dessert we ordered the pumpkin mochi with cream cheese ice cream. So was the pumpkin mochi actually reminiscent of real mochi? Yep, except maybe a bit fluffier than I'm used to (as opposed to being much more dense). The fluffiness also made it seem stickier as the mochi would stick to the roof of my mouth after each bite. Oh and the cream cheese ice cream? It tasted better than it sounds as you read it. The one thing I wasn't a fan of was the caramel topping. There was something off about it - like they were going for a salted caramel but then decided to stop halfway in the salting process. The cream cheese ice cream made up for that. SERVICE: We sat at the sushi bar and service was fast and friendly. However, we did go when the place was fairly empty, but they shouldn't be knocked for that. The sushi chef talked with us for a bit and gave us tokens for a free cocktail at the bar upstairs. Not too shabby. VALUE/OVERALL: I think that Union keeps things fairly simple without going too overboard or trying too hard to be trendy. The prices are reasonable, and most of what I tried was great, save for the salty yakisoba. I think this is a great option for River North, and now that the initial hype/craze has died down a bit, I think it's a good choice for an impromptu or planned dinner.
(4)
Marta C.
Great spot in River North. Service is a little wacky. We sat at the "Chef table" and it was a blast. Ciao the chef is knowledgeable, interesting and makes the experience fun. The rolls were great & I highly recommend the black aka forbidden rice. Don't try the grilled kangaroo unless you like super gamey, how do you really get your head around eating a kangaroo anyway...
(4)
Eugene C.
I give this place 2 1/2 stars. The interior is nicely decorated, probably could use the space better to provide 10-20 more seats, but it looks like they'd prefer the hip look to packing people in there. Server was attentive, and she knew we were a little unhappy with the food.... So 5 of us come in to eat for the first time. We ask for some recommendations, and decide on 3 apps, a noodle dish, 5 rolls, a pork belly entree, and 2 skewers each (10 total). We also got a small bottle of sake. We got the kasu mussels, decent. Two oxtail fried rice...which literally came in a cup, with maybe 5 teaspoons worth of rice. So our 10 teaspoons of rice is about a bite for each of us. About 2 mussels each. Not really a great start. The duck fat yakisoba noodles were ok, small portion. The pork belly dish was the best. The rolls each only have 4 pieces, taste was ok, but nothing special. Now onto the skewers...a jumbo shrimp skewer is a REGULAR shrimp (singluar, 1 shrimp), that is eaten in one bite for $5. 1 shrimp. $5 dollars. If it's a prawn, maybe. But a regular shrimp that you find in your pasta, put on a toothpick. For $5. I still don't believe it. So after we eat all of this, the best line of the night comes from my buddy who says, "So do you guys wanna order some more food, or go eat somewhere else?" We decided to get the bill, and see that the bill was $167 pre-tip. Hardly ate anything, sake was only $24 of it. For those of you who know yakitori and have been to St Mark's in NYC, or other legit bbq places will feel me when I say this place is horribly overpriced. Oxtail fried rice for $5 to have 5 teaspoons of rice...$5 for one piece of small/medium shrimp. I can't justify ever coming back here....ever. I appreciate the effort to make a cool place to eat in this area (the area needs a good place), but there will never be repeat customers coming back here. It's a shame.
(2)
Bob D.
They should have called it NON Union Sushi and BBQ!
(1)
Kay E.
I love the fun, casual vibe at Union and the great music. The cocktails are the best in Chicago, hands down. The food is unique and amazing-- you cannot live life without the duck wing. Union is awesome!
(5)
Tim B.
Had lots of fun here. Great energy, open kitchen, plenty of seating, firendly and knowledgeable staff. The food was good. Fresh fish, quality meats, well cooked, somewhat inventive. The 4th start was for the service. It was just great, attentive and even though they screwed up once took care of it with no attitude and even brought it up to us before we noticed. It's in our neighborhood and looking forward to having more.
(4)
D R.
This was pitched to me as being a VERY veg/vegan friendly sushi joint. It's not. Which is totally fine, just know that going in. However what they do have for 'us' to enjoy is really great and flavorful. The avocado rolls aren't on the menu which is a shame because they are easily the best thing I have tasted at a sushi restaurant in years (meat or no meat). The grilled mushroom skewers are also great. Someone at my table order a roll that was... tuna wrapped in collard greens I think. I wish I could have tried it because it looked fantastic. The Yuzu Ice dessert is a very sweet but light end to the meal that you should check out. I am giving them a 3 star rating. It has nothing to do with the conflicts of my dietary restrictions and their menu, like I said, what I could eat was really good. They are getting 3 stars because of the atmosphere. On the surface Union is a very clean and modern place, but once you get in it just feels like a chain restaurant. A staff member had locked his bike up to the staircase inside the place (???) and the music, dear god the music. I walked in to Linkin Park, I heard the same Toadies song twice in just over an hour. It's like they hired the guy with the worst taste in music and then let him hook up his tiny iPod Shuffle for a shift. On the business end of things, Union presents itself way too casual for the building they are in and the food they are serving.
(3)
Tek C.
This place has arguably the best cocktail hour in town! I mostly get full off of their $2 PBRs, but their food is drool-worthy. My faves are the beef filet skewers and oysters on a half shell. I also go there for lunch occasionally because they happen to be a block and a half from my work and their Bento box lunches are delicious too! I most recently had their spicy ramen (I forget the name of it) and that too was very tasty. Perfect for a chilly day in Chicago. This place simply is the spot and it hits the spot when you're hungry or thirsty. Oh, and for all my fellow dessert lovers, you must, must, must try their black rice pudding! The warmth, texture, and flavor of the dish is enough to make you a borderline addict. It's not overly sweet either. It's a perfect balance to your meal. To top off the great food, their service is among the best in class. They're very attentive and fun people to chat with! In the past 3 weeks or so, I've been to Union about 10 times and have yet to have an unpleasant visit or meal. Mike and Chef Chao really did things right with the business. Great location, great food, great interior, great staff, and great cocktail hour! This is a must if you haven't checked it out yet.
(5)
Sara Kay G.
The ambiance is fun... Albeit the staff does have the all too common and unsavory "too cool for school" vibe. And if your "shared plates" are bites you better keep em coming.... Or your guest will quit a coming. 45 mins for sushi is borderline surreal... Especially when it is only 4 pieces.
(2)
Sonja S.
My first experience at Union was the second day that they were open. It was not good. But in the interest of all being fare in love and the pursuit of amazing food, I decided that it would not be right to eat and rant based on that one experience. So I went back two more times and they didn't have room to seat me. A good problem for them, a bad problem for poor solitary me. Hm mm I thought , the food must be really amazing - I best try again! I went back at lunch and has a bento box, with a pork cutlet and I honestly can't remember what else was in there- but it was tasty and filling and the place wasn't too busy, so I was cheerfully waited on and thus spent a pleasant lunch hour munching on a satisfying meal. On subsequent visits I had the Belly Roll ( SPECTACULAR) the Oysters on a half shell (one time exquisite, another over dressed and fussy) the Skate ( over salted but well cooked) and a lobster done three ways that was so cooked I could barely chew it. But my favorite thing, the dish I will dream about was the Duck Fat Yakisoba. I cannot adequately describe this dish - how savory , how satisfying this bowl of noodle goodness is. It gets 5 stars for sure! However, I can't give Union more than three and this is why - as mentioned before the service is slow and the servers range from very cheerful and slow, to too hip to serve you and slow. The food is not reliable - often overly seasoned. This coming from someone who loves sauce and spice and all that stuff. Worth mentioning that head Chef Michael Chow is an intense, interesting person who is always engaging and genuinely wants you to enjoy your food experience. It is for that reason ( and the Duck fat Yakisoba) that I will keep going back!
(3)
Suzy D.
When I called to make a reservation earlier, they said they only take reservations for large parties so we would need to just come in and put our names in. We came here for dinner with a friend on Saturday night around 7:30. We had to wait about half an hour for a table, but it wasn't too bad. Our server was really friendly and suggested that we order the truffled tuna and the oysters. I love the truffled tuna...delicious. The oysters were nice and fresh and the sauces that they were plated with were flavorful. We also ordered a belly roll, duck fat noodles and our friend (who is a vegetarian) had the tofu and potato yakitori, the devon roll, and the mushroom dumplings. Everything we ate was sort of meh. The rolls were nothing special. The noodles in the duck fat noodles weren't that great. I think this place is more trendy and people come here more for the drinks and atmosphere so don't come here expecting an amazing Japanese food experience. I would probably give this place 2 stars but I really enjoyed the truffled tuna so I will give it 3.
(3)
Lex N.
Love love love this place. I have only been one time but I was so happy with the service and food that I am going to make this a regular spot for sushi and bbq. I sat at the bar when I first got there and the man making drinks was super friendly and knowledgeable on different alcohols. I believe he is a mixologist. Very cool. He even brought over free oysters because we were talking to him about how we love baked oysters! Then we sat at a table with 6 people. Our server was very nice and gave me a few suggestions on beers for me to try because I was having a hard time deciding. FInally, the food was absolutely delicious. The spicy tuna was my favorite roll and the pork shoulder was my favorite of the bbq that we ordered.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
accidentally ended up here on a saturday night some months ago. i'd say it's over priced, but it IS downtown. drinks are STRONG. so yea, one is gonna run you $10, but you'll have a buzz going on by the time you finish it! food is meh. tiny portions for LOTS of money. if it was more reasonably priced, i'd be singing it's praises. $3 for one piece of shrimp on a skewer? meh. atmosphere is confused. they don't know if they want to be authentic, or hipster.
(3)
kat c.
Go there for drinks. We usually go to second floor and request our mixologist to concoct our drinks based off the list. She is usually creates great refreshing ones. I haven't had great experiences from dining and remember having a flighty server whom seem super slow ( so as don't sit in circular table with a tall guy server) and then I endured a snotty Asian server at the sushi bar near the kitchen bar. Apparently, she only addresses to non Asian people in my party. I felt like she was attentive to my order because I was Asian? Maybe she has something against Asian women who knows? Food isn't that great, but go there for the bar on second and eat somewhere else beforehand.
(3)
julie p.
Great food and drinks! Yum yum! The shrimp tempura roll and tuna tar tare are awesome!
(5)
Sarah R.
Amazing! The atmosphere is young and fun and the food was great. We sat at the bar by the chef. For a starter we had clam on the half shell which was amazing. The sushi was good - we're from San Francisco so seafood in the Midwest is still somewhat new to us. Good selection though. The BBQ selections were very flavorful also. The Sake was great - we had two bottles. Finally the dessert was the best!!! the Egg Nog doughnuts - to die for!!! Was on a specials menu and somewhat seasonal but amazing (and none of us like egg nog). Would recommend this place to everything and will be back!
(5)
Andre J.
Good food, great presentation. Would I go back?? Yes!!!
(4)
Audre L.
This place is c-o-o-l. Visually interesting decor. The food is also superb. Sushi rolls are awesome, and my friend swears by the spicy tuna. As an asian american, this place represents. COOL, TASTY, HIP, FIVE STARS.
(5)
Victor G.
Food here is great. Can't wait to try more food off the menu. I had 4 different types of oysters and every single one was amazing. Can't leave out that i had wheat beer from Japan. Wish i knew what it was called but did i mention it came with a shot of whiskey... mmmmm
(5)
felicia m.
I work close to here and have been wanting to try it, but i can't bare to go inside because of the intolerable, fishy smell outside. The vents are blowing out a strong smell. Please get it fixed guys, and then maybe it won't kill a person's appetite!
(1)
Lauren M.
Delicious food and a great atmosphere! The tuna tartare was so good. The oysters were so good I had to go back for more within the same week. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Kelly P.
Would give 3.5 stars. Came here for my birthday dinner and tried a lot on the menu. The flavors were good but portions were very small even for "tapas" standards with high prices. Try the alligator just to say you did. Lots to look over and was a great date location. Would love to rent out the top loft for a party sometime but maybe with just the yummy cocktails...
(3)
Jessina B.
After two not so great experiences with Chicago's Restaurant week, we were pleasantly surprised by this food locale. Instantly transported to NY's SoHo or The Village, my other half and I both agreed this was the spot to be. The service was friendly and on point, the food was both well plated and delicious (we ate outside of the prix fixed menu as well), and the ambiance was relaxed yet energetic. To say the least, we enjoyed our entire experience and we will be back!
(5)
Felicia Y.
Great food and nice atmosphere! Make sure to get there for happy hour and sit at the bar near the grill...this how you'll decide what to have next!
(4)
Alexis G.
Was finally able to make it to Union Sushi and wasn't disappointed. Two of us shared a number of small items and sushi. From the barbeque menu it was the alligator and scallop. The alligator was tender and flavorful while the scallop was a bit mushy. While both were a little salty I would try the alligator again but skip the scallop. The sushi was great and we both loved the idea that some were were wrapped in greens rather than rice. Inventive, and a great alternative. Service was good as it was a Sunday and not that crowded. Would definitely go back.
(4)
kris w.
My first time at Union Sushi and I am a huge fan already. I'm very picky sushi eater and this place rocked. I HIGHLY recommend coming here especially at happy hour and order a dozen oysters. I promise it's like nothing you've ever experienced. I would also recommend the spicy tuna. I will definitely be back to experience much more of the menu.
(4)
Kristina R.
Stopped back in for happy hour sushi and good lord yum! We went upstairs and our bartender Peter makes an awesome cocktail. Trust him with his suggestions. We had the shrimp tempura roll which is crazy good and a super deal. But the oysters served with a beautiful and tasty addition of red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot with jalapeno-cilantro just about knocked me out with goodness. Followed by salmon and tuna sashimi, solid fresh good and lastly ama ebi with the lovely fried head. Yes, eat it all.
(4)
Alissa P.
I've had way better sushi elsewhere. The atmosphere was neat but I ordered my rolls with NO tempura and there was definitely tempura on one as a garnish. I need to eat gluten free so this was frustrating. Employees were friendly .I ordered a spicy tuna, rainbow, and old town. spicy and rainbow were fine, old town was bitter (due to the seawead i think) and not very tasty.
(2)
Marnely M.
Was there for dinner and the food was amazing, our favorite being the Duck Buffalo Wing! Amazing texture, crispy, saucy, heavenly! The dessert special, Spiced Pumpkin Mochi with Cream Cheese Filling, perfect end to a meal. Service was attentive and very knowledgeable about all the specials and menu. Also a great special for the fall was the Spiced Hot Sake, greaat deal for around $10 and serves 4.
(4)
Stephanie C.
Went in on a Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Thought it'd be packed, but surprisingly was not too crazy. We put in our names and was told it'd be 20 minutes, so we went upstairs to the bar. The cocktails are phenomenal. The Yamato Sling had a nice touch of lemon, sake, vanilla bitters, green tea simple syrup, gin, and a little lemongrass to make it look pretty. Dang, that was GOOD. I also tried my friends' Morning Glory and Surprise + Delight. Equal amount of Bam Wow goodness. They are each $10. It ended up being a 45 minute wait, but the drinks made us happy and the time passed quickly. Ambiance = trendy, hip, busy. Fun to see the grill. Graffiti deco on walls is fine. Curtains for what I assume is the chef's table looked cool. Service = average for a busy busy place. The waiter was cool and emphasized bacon. haha. He was busy but we also weren't convinced he had THAT many tables to handle. He still checked up on us and our water glasses were always filled. Food = YES. They recommend starting off with the BBQ stuff since the sushi takes awhile to get out. I had the whole squid and it was just how I like it. Almost slightly undercooked with a proper amount of saltiness, allowing the actual squid flavor to shine through. Truffle Tuna appetizer was excellent, but I might be biased since I love truffle oil. There was plenty of the truffle flavor. My friend's beef tongue was very soft and tender, reminding me of a certain Chinese dish. The duck wing had a kick to it and was fine. The sushi was really awesome. I split the Belly Roll, Hokkaido, and Clifton #4. All were superb. Note: they are half rolls so you only get 4 pieces each order. Each one was very unique. The calamari flavor really stood out in the Clifton, a plus for me. The marble nori wrapping was way cool. Looked nice and tasted good. The pork belly strips had a lovely crisp and sweet+saltiness in the Belly Roll. Then again, pork belly is really the craze these days and can make anything taste like a party in your mouth. Hokkaido was equally good. I recommend all 3 rolls! I didn't try any of the traditional sushi rolls so I can't judge the quality of the raw sushi. Price = Expected. I spent $30 incl. tax and tip on dinner (not including cocktail beforehand) which was a little high for the amount of food you get. I was not stuffed afterward, but the uniqueness of the dishes make it worth it. TAKEAWAYS: Order more than 1 cocktail. Order multiple Union rolls. Bring money. I would definitely go back and bring my bf so maybe I can get more than 1 cocktail and eat myself silly. haha.
(4)
Ray M.
Awesome sushi! Just small though for the price!
(4)
Maria A.
This has got to be one of the hippest sushi (and so much more) restaurants I have ever been to. The food is outstanding, the staff amazing, and the atmosphere... well, go see for yourself!!! I'm a vegetarian and I my taste buds are thrilled with everything have tried!! From the Soba salad to the Truffled Tuna and Tofu to any Sushi Union roll they put in front of me!! Not to mention the Spiced Pumpkin Hot Sake.... TO DIE FOR!! Mike and Chao ROCK.... Bring everyone and enjoy!!!! P.S. Whatever you do, don't forget dessert (pumpkin mochi)!!
(5)
Liz H.
The food was fantastic, I will say that. However, the service was awful. I went for a birthday dinner where there was a prix fixe meal set up. They kept bringing us food, and brought it wayyy too fast. I'd take a bite of one thing, and then another thing would show up! There was not enough room on the "table" (we were sitting on couches with coffee tables....yes I realize this is a "swanky" way to eat, but usually the tables are much bigger) They also brought us far too much food for the amount of people in the party. By the time the sushi came, we were all totally full. Also, we had supposedly reserved the upstairs part, but there were all kinds of people standing around and crowding our space!! The server took forever to clear our plates with all of the food she was bringing...our table was A MESS. Also when it came time to pay, they overcharged us by about $70...and it was already $100 per person. The manager was nice and gave $70 back, total. But i was extremely disappointed to pay $100 for a meal that was poorly served & executed. Also, the bartenders were EXTREMELY rude. We waited forever to be served (the bar wasn't even that crowded) and when we went to order our drinks he said to us "was I paying attention to you? no." and held a finger to us while he was fumbling with another drink. I've never been treated so poorly by a server and here in Chicago, I've had some fantastic servers. Again, good food but awful service.
(1)
Pam R.
I tried this place with some friends and i love that they have the BBQ options along with the sushi. Having a gluten allergy meant i needed wheat free soy sauce and the server was sure to that i had some and kept refilling as i needed. Definitely try the prosciutto wrapped scallop! SO GOOD!
(4)
Kim T.
OMFG, did someone say black rice sushi!?! I am so down with that, you have no freaking idea. Not to mention the perfectly cooked seafood items from the grill, and the yuzu doughnuts. My only complaint is the ramen, but I'll let that slide because good ramen is impossible to find in Chicago.
(4)
Dnyce E.
Had dinner here last week Saturday and had a great time, service was good . We were assisted with menu accordingly and all was explained to the T' the food was impeccable and I will definitely come back.
(4)
P P.
Ok... so having been here once before for a quick appetizer and really liking my experience, I thought I would give this place a try but this time for dinner. What a big mistake. The waiter was excellent and very helpful. The food on the other hand...just blah. I have had better sushi at a hole in a wall. I would definitely go back for an after work quick bite but not for a full blown dinner. I dig their urban vibe and cool art...great music as well.
(3)
Marina P.
This place was introduced to me by one of my best freinds. i hosted my birthday there and ever since we have been going there almost every week. The service is great, food is outstanding, drinks are amazing. Mike the owner is super accomidating. Seriously worth going. One of my favorite restaurants!!!
(5)
Anna P.
I've been to Union Sushi twice now - once for lunch and once to pick up. Lunch was great - our server was knowledgeable and knew when to come by the table and when to give us space. Being a business lunch, we were there for 2 hours. We shared the mushroom ramen, which I subsequently when back to pick up later this week. It is delicious! The broth is full of flavor and the red chilies give it just enough spice. We also shared the barbeque sample plate - veggies, chicken, beef and tongue. The tongue was so tender - akin to Short Ribs - and all samples had nice sauce pairings. We did have to unskewer everything to share, and I was surprised it wasn't more difficult to do. The last thing we shared was a sushi roll - the Dragon I think with spicy shrimp, eel and avocado. It was good, but the mushroom ramen was the shiner here. We ended with dessert - told our server to surprise us - and the yuzu key lime pie thing was the perfect end after the rich ramen and barbeque. I would definitely go back with a client for lunch, or for dinner out with friends - it looks like they have some good happy hour nibbles too.
(4)
Jessica T.
This was my first time dining at Union and my date and I were both very impressed. The decor and atmosphere is gorgeous. Our server, Jennifer, was outstanding, and I notice everything. She knows what she is doing for sure. She made my day when she mentioned the kangaroo special, which we can't wait to have again. I've been looking for a place that has kangaroo ever since I left Australia. Everything else we had was delicious and beautifully presented as well. I'm not a huge fan of the roll I got (the Tsukiji Market) because there was no rice and it was wrapped in radish, but that is my own fault because I read the menu and still ordered it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, just not my thing. Sashimi was a good size and fresh. I will go back for happy hour oysters and to try more things on the menu that sound delicious, and will request Jennifer to be my server. I think this could be our new spot! In fact, I just might go there before work, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
(5)
rich m.
This place is delicious every time I go.
(5)
Marisa V.
Funny part about this is that I personally don't eat seafood, so had no plans of going to a place with Sushi in the name - but after the stellar experience I just had while hosting a private event there, I want to tell everyone this is the place to go! My company hosted a private event there in the upstairs balcony and could not have had a more positive experience. From the very personable and sweet hostess to our bartender Peter and very attentive waitress, the service was outstanding. Every single food item that came out was something people raved about; crabcake sliders, beef sliders with quail egg, sushi, jump shrimp and beef, chicken and pork shoulder skewers. The signature cocktails were a huge hit too. So many times when you host an event there are limited drink options - but in addition to standard beer and drink options, our guests were able to choose from easily a dozen delicious mixed drinks. From the Skinny Geisha to pumpkin spice hot sake and more "masculine" drinks with bourbon or egg yolk, there was something for everyone. On top of all this, the space itself was such a great environment for a get together. It has a mix of bright colors and industrial accents that feel like something in the meat packing district of NY. Music was good too; a mix of genres but mainly hip hop like Busta Rhymes and Blackstreet (no diggity!).This event ended up costing half of what our last event did - which brought a tremendous value. Can't rave enough!
(5)
Jamey B.
Unbelievable food and drinks! I love this place! The food is always fresh/fun to try and the bartenders are amazing at any type of cocktail. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to try new types of sushi for affordable prices!
(5)
JD R.
A awesome place. Read my full review at foodbyjd.com/FoodByJD/Bl…
(4)
Tom L.
Fabulous party at Union with friends. The staff was great, the food excellent and the vibe was everything you said. The spicy tuna was sweet and spicy with tremendous seasonings followed by a crunch. Certainly top 10 Chicago
(4)
neal s.
This is a great place and I am not really a Sushi fan. I went with a group that had been told good things about it but other than that we didn't really have any other thoughts. We started out ordering a pretty good bottle of wine and our waiter recommended a couple of items that he said would pair nicely which they did. He made a few more suggestions which we liked and we ended up pretty much having him order the rest of the meal for us. Everything was great and it was just the right amount of food.
(5)
Terrie C.
Food was amazing. Very fresh (though pieces much smaller than Sai). Were able to modify meal for my food allergies of wheat and soy without taking away flavor
(5)
Dan A.
hip hop music and sushi...fun cool spot
(4)
Lindsay D.
WOW---Im a SUPER fan!!!!! Where do I even start with this one....I called ahead not knowing if they take reservations or not, but the hostess was very friendly explaining that it wouldnt be that long of a wait for 2 people and that the bar is just as much fun as a table. They only take reservations for 7 people or more. When we arrived, (which I have to admit was kinda on the early side) we were seated right away. Although I wasnt in the mood for a drink, they have an extensive drink menu including wine, hand-crafted & unique signature cocktails and vino. Plates are small and are meant to be shared so we ordered a bunch of sushi rolls, starters, and BBQ. They have 3, yes, THREE kitchens so your food comes out as its prepared and ready to rock out to your table. Compliments of the chef, edamame with a great spice blend was served to all tables upon seating. Next to come out was the prosciutto-wrapped scallop skewers with fried ginger, wasabi-avocado puree and plum sauce; a blend of heaven. The scallop was perfectly done and the sweet with the salty with the crunch was perfect. Next were the sushi rolls!!! I love sushi....and now I LOVE sushi from Union Sushi. Their roll pairings are so well planned and executed...ok, ok, sorry, Im rambling. Try the Old City Market (spicy tuna, seared salmon, ponzu wrapped in collard greens and fried okra), Bay Street California (crabcake, cucumber, masago, spicy mayo), Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce) and MY FAVE...... Belly Roll (hamachi cucumber, orange tobiko, fried pork belly, scallions, tempura crumbs). I'll say it again....WOW. Next up was the truffled tuna. I mean truffle?? tuna?? avocado?? Wonton chips?? It was refreshing, savory, crunchy. Finally, we had the chicken thigh with japanese curry. This was my least favorite because it tasted quite fatty, but anything curry is a friend of mine. This place is a five-star place in every sense of the word. The decor is uber modern chic and the food is fantastic! I cant wait to go back for more.
(5)
Sarah G.
Went here last night for the grand opening and couldn't have enjoyed it more! We went in a group of seven and it was fantastic because we just got a bunch of things to share and were able to sample a lot of the menu. The place is decorated in a really interesting way with all sorts of contrasting lighting, different wall textures, and a mix of classic and modern style. The creative seating allows them to fit a good amount of people and make the place feel warm and lively, but also allows for good movement and makes it feel open and not stuffy. Our waiter was very friendly and excited about the menu; other staff were attentive with refilling water, clearing away dishes, and wiping down the table; and one of the chefs and owners, Chao, even stopped by to chat with us and recommend a couple dishes. We took his advice and got the duck wing, duck fat yaki soba, truffled tuna, and beef tartar, and they were all amazing. The duck meat came right away from the bone and melted in your mouth. I could eat that everyday. The yaki soba is a good portion and helped fill plates. The tartar and truffle were great as well and people in our group who otherwise would never have tried those were enticed and loved them. For sushi we tried the Osaka Central, Old City Market, and Devon. I think Old City Market was the group favorite. The collard green wrapping made it taste very light and fresh. Since Union is sushi AND barbeque, we had to try some MEAT. The chicken and beef were delicious and succulent but the prosciutto-wrapped scallop was one of the best things I have eaten --- it was the perfect combo of flavors and just melted in your mouth. We also tried the sweet potato gnocchi with braised pork belly which was great and interesting since the gnocchi was fried. Drinks are a whole other experience. They were all so different and incredible and we tried to each get something new so we could sample them all! Surprise + Delight was very refreshing, had a definite cucumber taste, and was not too sweet (we had feared it might be). Spring Wanderer tasted just like Ginger Beer -- a sort of stronger ginger ale that is sold in Caribbean stores and is from Jamaica. Delicious!! The Princess Elena tasted exactly like the candy "Smarties" without being sickeningly sweet. I can definitely see myself craving it regularly. The Sparrow Bee was incredible with its hint of honey. South of the Border was excellent, though not super adventurous -- basically a REALLY good margarita. We decided to order all four desserts, and I think the ties for favorite were the creamsicle which really did taste like a creamsicle, and the vanilla ice cream in the ice cream sundae flight. Though vanilla ice cream seems simple, this was the best vanilla ice cream any of us had ever had. I will definitely be back to Union Sushi & Barbecue!
(5)
Nikki L.
Union is my #1 restaurant spot in my hood. I am more than thrilled to see them on the block and they know it. I have been coming here at least 2-3 times a week since they opened and bring friends, who end up LOVING this hidden gem. Mike, Jay, Brit, Chef CHAO and Aaron are the BEST! I love walking into a place and feeling not only welcomed, but like I am having dinner at a friend's house. These people KNOW how to make you feel like part of the family and that's what I love most about coming here. Every time I come, I always have to get my 3 faves no matter what, which are the kobe sliders with a fried quail egg on top, the truffled tuna with mini wonton chips and the clifton #4 roll which has calamari, cilantro, cucumber and garlic mayo wrapped in marbled nori. OMG....My new favorite which has been a big hit with friends is the duck wing, it's crispy and the sauce is sweet and tangy, just the right balance of flavors. Make sure to save room for dessert! The homemade donuts filled with white chocolate yuzu and red bean are deeelicious. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes sushi and bbq, they have something for everyone. You will feel comfortable coming in here whether you are dressed up or down, it's just a fun place to be. Hope to see ya there!
(5)
Todd S.
Everything about this place is amazing! The Duck Wings are a must try! Very inventive sushi, all having great flavor, and wrapped in many different ways. The service has always been great, and they are always having a great time with everyone that is having dinner. This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago right now and will def be back! Saki Bomb!
(5)
Lauren W.
I love Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar - I have never had anything there that I didn't totally adore. The Buffalo Duck Wing, sashimi cup and truffled tuna are three of my must have apps. They have so many unique sushi rolls, and I love the fact that they have the black rice option as well as rolls wrapped in collared greens and soy paper as opposed to only rice. Every cocktail is delicious and refreshing, the service is excellent, and the staff is super accommodating. They also have a variety of delicious grilled meats and fishes that makes it a good stop for non-sushi eaters as well!
(5)
Esther A.
Food and service are great. Expect to pay between $70 - $80 for drinks and food for two. We had the spicy tuna and shrimp tempura rolls. Probably the best rolls we've had in Chicago. Delicious. We also had the surf n turf dinner, tiny amount for the cost but this is a cuisine restaurant so I guess it is expected. There is this refreshing cocktail named Surprise + Delight. Yes, this is how it is spelled on the menu. Try it. Atmosphere is fun and reminds me of Tokyo. Very industrial inside, with feminine touches of anime graffiti and soft lighting. Check it out.
(4)
Lily L.
love the duck soba! drinks are awesome and service is great! must go. Also happy hour with oysters are simply to die for!
(5)
Olga L.
Just got back from a lunch at Union. Somewhat of a last minute decision - I pass the place every day on my walk to work, so I figured I'd give it a try. I only ordered from the sushi menu - Hokkaido, Old City Market, Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin, and River North rolls (four pieces each). Everyone was very friendly and they took my order right away. I lost track of time and didn't realize it, but the waitress came out after a bit and informed me that my food was late (it couldn't have been more than ten minutes late). I honestly did not notice or mind, but they insisted on giving me a complimentary bowl of chili-seasoned edamame, which I gratefully accepted. Everything I had was delicious, but I especially loved the Old City Market roll. I was perusing the BBQ menu and it looks like they offer alligator and kangaroo, which I may have to try. I will definitely be coming back here. Great vibe, great food. Oh, and, my four rolls only cost $30, which is a much better price than SushiSamba a few blocks over.
(5)
Chi N.
O.m.g I love this place so much, it's big and has a great atmosphere, they have a bar up stair that u can have a drink too. The food is just yummy. I've been a lot of sushi restaurants all over country since I'm a big fan of sushi, but Union beats anywhere else. We ordered old city market roll and tsukiji market, their sushi roll is really unique. I'd recommend all my friends come here
(5)
Tony D.
Solid place for a casual meal during the week. Tried the black rice sushi sampler, the bbq sampler and also the short rib ramen. The sushi was good. Not very memorable (either way good or bad). The bbq sampler had some excellent flavors (beef tongue, scallop w/bacon and the shrimp). The short rib ramen was by far the best dish! I would go just for the ramen. The broth was super rich and the homemade ramen noodles were top! This place has a good mix of asian foods, so if you are with a sushi or non sushi lover, everyone will find something they like.
(3)
Helen H.
My 500th review is dedicated to Union, who found a way into my heart. :) OMG! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! My favorite restaurant while we were in Chicago and also the best sushi restaurant ever! I discovered Union while I was yelping for a place that does $1 oysters. After I looked at the rest of the menu, I was super excited. Sushi and barbeque bar? Black rice? Sold and sold! The menu is innovative and it's high in quality. If I was rich, I would order one of everything! I like how they give diners the option of a half roll or a full roll. Half rolls gave us an opportunity to try more items on the menu. Truffled Tuna (Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips)- Truffle anything is good! Oysters (Red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, jalapeno-cilantro ponzu)- I could eat these all day! Beef Filet Skewer- The beef was tender and melted in my mouth. Black Rice Sushi Sampler- Black is the new brown. Rice that is. It has fewer carbs and calories. The sampler came with four different half rolls: Dragon- Spicy shrimp, eel, avocado, masago, green onion, eel sauce Devon- Sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce Spicy Tuna- Spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake, mayo Hokkaido- Grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper My favorite was the Hokkaido. It was different and I could really taste the freshness of the scallop. Chesapeake Bay (Fried oyster, black rice, red tobiko, green onion, avocado, garlic aoli+ wrapped in collard green)- Collard greens? Who would ever think to put it into a sushi roll? Another winner! Note- I didn't eat all of this by myself. Sharing is caring! If you're a sushi lover like me, then you MUST come here or you are definitely missing out!
(5)
Puckky P.
I came here for a second time. I'm warm for server and bartender. They take care me like family. I'll be back for sure, love it too much
(5)
Nasser M.
Very good food, great value for the money and covers your craving for Noodles, sushi and BBQ.. Try their Makis, all are good, they even have carb free options for the rolls with lettuce and cucumber on the outside
(5)
Christina L.
Ugh I wish I could give this a better review but the service has sucked the last two times I've been here. I would say 2.5 for Service/management. The grilled items were cold by the time we got it last time. Last night we ordered sushi only hoping for better service and faster eating. Our plan failed -we waited almost 45 min. for sushi and 30 for drinks. It was kind of ridiculous. Sushi is still very good and the sashimi cup is excellent. We got no info until I asked where the food and drinks were. While apologetic, they did nothing to even try to comp. anything. This place used to be on my go to list and now all it is is irritating. I will not be going back for a while. I hope you get some more staff and sushi chefs or open up the bar when you have a large party because you are stretched too thin in the front of the house.
(3)
John Y.
So I went here with the love of my life to have a few apps and ramen to experience the take they had on ramen and it was just wrong ... If you like Lipton noodle soup this is the spot for you . I literally asked them to take the ramen off the menu, out of respect for ramen .
(2)
Melissah L.
Okay damn. What a trendy, cute sushi place! I came here after work on a Thursday and loved it! As soon as i walked in, I was already won over by the decor and playlist- so fun! The service was impeccable and everything I ordered was amazing! I did end up dropping about $70 that night... but I was celebrating with friends, sooo I didn't mind :). I tried two of the specialty cocktails which were strong and tasty-- I didn't need any more to have a light buzz all throughout dinner. As far as food goes, I tried the happy hour special shrimp tempura half roll and beef skewer. YUM. Then, I ordered the truffled tuna (5 stars), spicy tuna with black rice (5 stars) and the tsukiji market roll (4 stars- fresh and delish, but too salad-like for my taste. This one would be better with rice IMO). My friend got a salmon skin roll which was good but a little too salty for my tastes, as well as a nice Bay Street California roll. 5-star experience, I will definitely come back!
(5)
Megan D.
Very overdue review for Union Sushi. Service was exceptional and food was outstanding. I'm not your typical sushi fan and they cater to both the traditionalist and those who are not with their selection of cooked meats on the speciality grill. Need to get back here again soon.
(5)
Sara K.
Didn't try the BBQ. Sushi was all good. Didn't realize they wrap their sushi rolls in things besides rice and seaweed. One had cucumber wrapped around the roll and one something else; both were very refreshing, which isn't something you can say about sushi most of the time. The waitress offered to make my shrimp non-spicy without me even asking! And the service was so quick we were out of the restaurant in less than an hour. Thumbs up.
(5)
Monica C.
I come here all the time for the great deal during happy hour (5-6:30pm, everyday except Sunday) for beef skewers, oysters, and shrimp tempura roll. While the oysters are always amazing, the quality of the skewers and can vary. The beef was a little less tender and juicy, and over all the portions seemed smaller. I've had the black rice pudding, bacon wrapped scallops, uni spaghetti, ramen, soba salad, escolar, sliders, and some of their rolls. All are really delicious, though a bit small for the price that you pay. It's definitely still worth the glorious morsel every now and again. Very trendy and good service. Always a staple when I'm in the area.
(4)
Lily Z.
I came here for happy hour with a friend on Friday. Their specials are pretty hard to beat. Although Shaw's may have 50 cent oysters, we couldn't make it in time so we settled for Union Sushi. Tasty oysters, complimentary serving of edamame and a casual atmosphere? Sounds like a good time to me! If you like bourbon, I highly recommend Union's Four Roses on the rocks. I like my alcohol to be strong, but I swear a glass of that can make anyone take on Chicago's polar vortex weather in just a tshirt and shorts.
(4)
Diego M.
Try the kangaroo and tongue! Just amazing... If you like kombucha, they have a drink with it
(5)
Mimosa N.
I was in town for a few days and chose to eat at Union for my last night there because I had heard about their black rice sushi and wanted to try it out. Upon entering, the restaurant is bright and trendy with a grill on display in the corner firing up some bbq. We went on a Saturday night and while reservations are recommended, by no means were they required. We sat at the upstairs bar and it was pretty vacant and intimate. Our bartender was friendly and patient and really cared about his craft. Bf ordered a drink (I believe it was the tokyo fixer) and it was definitely strong, while I just played it safe with water. A few minutes later, our bartender apparently made the wrong drink for another customer and, instead, gave it to me on the house. Again, the drink packed a mighty punch (can't recall the name). We ordered the sashimi cup as an appetizer, followed by the barbeque sampler, alligator skewer, hokkaido roll, dragon roll, and spicy tuna roll (all with black rice). The sashimi cup was a mixture of diced sashimi in a glass served on a bed of crushed ice and topped with a wasabi avocado puree. While I normally don't enjoy too much wasabi, this was a perfect addition to the sashimi and it made a delicious and refreshing appetizer. The bbq sampler came with a little bit of the beef filet, shrimp beef tongue, chicken thigh, prosciutto-wrapped scallop, squash, and cauliflower. One bite and bf declared that Union was going on his list of worthy restaurants. The bbq was all seasoned perfectly and every bite was flavorful and succulent. The sampler didn't include the alligator - which I wanted to try - so I ordered it on the side and that, too, was delicious and juicy. Alligator meat is usually a little tough, but here it was tender and moist. And as for the black rice sushi, it definitely did NOT disappoint. I've had sushi from all over and this was my first time ever trying it with black rice. Apparently black rice has fewer calories and fewer carbs than its white counterpart, but in no way does it sacrifice taste to do so. The sushi was awesome and even better since it's more guilt-free. It's difficult to describe, but it sets itself apart from both white and brown rice sushi. Try the hokkaido! Union can get quite pricey considering the portion sizes but, seriously, the flavors make up for it. Although the restaurant isn't the most authentic of Japanese restaurants, it is definitely unique and delicious. It's not somewhere I would dine at all the time since a check for two people came out to be over $100, but it is somewhere I would like to return to for sure to try out the other interesting dishes...when I feel like splurging.
(5)
Herb V.
And it all comes down to the tea bag (more in a bit) Nice newer place in Chicago and an interesting combo of sushi and barbeque. Nice space, good staff, very good menu choices, even like the iPad with some additional spaces. Started with a few appetizer rolls - Devon, Old City, Tsukiji with black rice - delicious. Very subtle mushroom soup and bbq sampler. Then on to more specialty rolls including a great twist on the traditional California roll - the Bay Street CA roll with crabcake instead of Kani - that was excellent. And a few other delightful rolls as well. Finished off with my usual sushi dessert - Tamago. Just like to wrap up with Japanese omelet and nice touch with Union logo seared in each piece. And then there's the tea bag. I always order hot green tea. What I do not expect is to get a cup of hot water and a tea bag. And not even a Japanese tea, just run of the mill green tea. I want to see the big pot of tea brewing with small pots drawn from it. I can always bring my own hot water and tea bag. Cost the 5th star.
(4)
Yvonne B.
This review is for their delivery. We used their easy-peasy online ordering system. It was so clear and simple that we probably ordered more than we normally would. We ordered $60 worth of food: Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hakkaido Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Dragon Roll, and Devon Roll), Spare Ribs, Barbeque Cauliflower, and Barbeque Shiitake Mushrooms. Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar called soon after we placed the order to ask for our address. Somehow it didn't get transferred to them when we placed the order. Still later, we got calls from the doorman and then the delivery person verifying our unit number. We provided all of that information in the online ordering system so we thought it was strange that it didn't get relayed to the people who needed it. Delivery came in a timely manner and the food was still hot. We were provided with chopsticks, napkins, and lots of sauce packets. We didn't realize that we liked black rice sushi until we tried it from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar. We loved the flavor, texture, and the fact that we were magically consuming less carbs than white or brown rice! There are other sushi restaurants that have more scrumptious sushi rolls but these were good. We also really liked the barbeque bits: the mushrooms and the broccoli. That's right - broccoli. I don't know what happened but we were given two broccoli florettes and not cauliflower. It wasn't clear to me if the broccoli florettes were normally served along side one of the other dishes we ordered or if they were given in place of the cauliflower. Either way, the broccoli was crazy delicious. I will pass on the ribs next time. They were good, but I preferred everything else. We will probably order from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar more in the future. The ordering system is easy and maybe they have our address on file from this order.
(4)
Guy L.
My friend and I were going to a beer tasting event at Union Station and we had a taste for sushi. We chose this restaurant because we saw a lot of good reviews on here for it so we thought we'd try it out. The decor is very cool but I'm more concerned about the food. I guess they serve BBQ too but I really had a taste for sushi so we didn't try it. The service is very good, very friendly. The hostess welcomed us with open arms like we were friends with her and the waiter gave us some suggestions. Which were great! We got a couple different rolls but I have to say that the Spicy Tuna Roll was the best spicy tuna roll I have ever gotten, hands down. It had a ton of tuna in it and just enough spice to give it a little kick. I definitely recommend getting it! We also tried the Spicy Shrimp Roll as well. It was also excellent! The waiter also suggested that we get dessert and that we order the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it did not disappoint. It had a very unique flavor with the pumpkin, vanilla ice cream and pumpkin seed brittle. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Cherry H.
Music too noisy, not very typical of a sushi restaurant (but the environment resembles more like a grill bar). Sushi and crab really tasty. If you got reservation you might find a better seat on a popular day.
(4)
Andrew C.
The Food is phenomenal. Rachel, a server, is one of the BEST Servers I've ever had in my life (true story!). The Location is beautiful and the ambiance is great. I am giving it one star because my card was overcharged to the tune of 400+ Dollars over three transactions (for a single night) and the manager, Mike has the nerve to tell me that "these things happen"and "split checks with debit card may have caused the issue" and then has me email him to solve the issue when he has me on the phone... so further waiting to get MY money that was misproperly entered in the first place. I can't bring myself to trust a place that can't own its own mistakes. nor can I stand being put off when its my money in the mix.
(1)
Jian T.
We went there for the happy hour. The taste of oyster was unique but it was not the type of oyster that we expected. They were too little. I didn't feel that I ate anything with a half dozen. The black rice was new to me but the sashimi and sushi rolls were so-so. Liked the salmon and scallop but the tuna was not very fresh and tasty. The white rice was below average.
(3)
Shan D.
Average sushi and average service. Came here for a bday party of over 12 people. We had the entire upstairs, and our food came out sporadically. When we complained, they brought over sake bombs for the entire group, which was nice. But all we wanted was our food! The sushi rolls are just ok. The fish quality is mediocre and the rolls fall apart too easily. The scene is nice so at least they have that going for them.
(2)
Samantha Q.
Decent. Ramen was too salty for my taste. Food wasn't so great, but it wasn't terrible. I came for the atmosphere and service.
(3)
Diana D.
It's been a nice spot. Interesting interior, food not bad, thoughtful service. I would say it's a good balance of the picture/quality of food/price. I would recommend it.
(5)
Lisa T.
Went there on a friday night w a group of 7 for a 7:30 reservation and was so happy I did!!! Delicious drinks, appetizers, and sushi! Oh plus they have BBQ that is amazing. I will definitely be going back. Great food and great atmosphere!!
(5)
Youna K.
Chefs table. Wow. Friend was in town who is a huge foodie and wanted to try a new place rather than usuals. Booked a chef's table with chao on a Wednesday night. For 80 bucks, we received 27 dishes along with few drinks on the house, and three hour private full attention from the executive chef. A true gem in the river north.
(4)
Adam S.
THEIR SPICY PIG TAILED RAMEN CHANGED MY LIFE. Nervous b/c it says pig tail? GOOD. More for me. Note, it's warm, by which I mean spicy. I can handle and love spicy food, esp. soup, and this was about a 7/10 for me. It cleared my nose out like horseradish, made my lips smack, but somehow didn't burn my tongue. It was hot, but not enduringly hot, IE there were probably serrano or jalapeno used and not thai chili peppers. We also got a dragon roll that was half white and half black rice. I'd never had black rice before, it was great. I can't comment on the robato aspect, other than we sat at the bar next to the grill, and it looked pretty damn good. Looking for a bowl of 'spicy' soup that's actually spicy? GET HERE NOW.
(5)
Sierra G.
Sushi + BBQ, both with a twist. The menu is split up into starters/shared plates/noodles/bowls---Barbeque----Sushi. Basically, there is something for everyone, even those people that claim they "don't eat raw fish". Edamame comes out as you sit down and ponder the menu. They also have a selection on specials that are shown on an ipad. The kitchen is open and I love seeing the dishes come out and what nearby tables have ordered. Sharing is encouraged here, especially since the menu is so diverse. Order a bit of everything. I typically go with the sushi. I like their unique combination that you won't find anywhere else. The Clifton #4 and the Devon are two standouts for me. I LOVE the black rice option and there is also a couple rolls that come rice-less for the the carb-conscious. Craft cocktails also get a thumbs up for their unique menu and use of herbs and spices. Finally, the soy sauce looks like R2-D2. Don't tell me you don't agree.
(4)
Stephanie H.
Man oh man, I love this place. It's pricey, but it's worth it. I had dinner here a few weeks ago after wanting to try this place out for ages. I went at about 6pm with a friend with no reservation. It was starting to get crowded, but we were sat right away. I ordered the Skinny Geisha cocktail, which is refreshing. To eat, we took advantage of the happy hour specials and ordered some $1 oysters, a couple $2 beef filet skewers, and a $4 shrimp tempura roll. We also ordered the buffalo duck wing, which SO amazing we had to another another. it was perfectly crispy on the outside and sooo tender on the inside. It fell right off the bone as I went in for a chomp too. We also ordered black rice sushi sampler since we'd never tried black rice before. It was definitely a different flavor and texture than white rice, but I enjoyed it. They had fresh wasabi that day, which I had also never tried before. I typically don't like wasabi because it's too potent for me, but this stuff was GOOD. You need to try it. Also ask to see their "secret menu" which comes on an iPad. You're bound to like probably everything you order so just go and enjoy!
(5)
Marshal B.
Came here for the chef's table: Absolutely amazing. My wife could not have asked for a better birthday experience. Chef Chao treated us like we were family, and the service was impeccable. The only complaint I have is how full we were at the end of the meal because of how delicious everything was. It's pricey, but I can't recommend the experience enough.
(5)
Meredith B.
My friend and I came in for happy hour on a Friday afternoon after a long week. Unfortunately they don't open until 5, and since we slacked off - I mean finished our work so we could leave early - we got there before we could get seated and had to have a glass of wine around the corner! So early happy hour goers, beware. Once we arrived, we had very few seating options. The place was nearly empty but they said they had tons of reservations coming so we had to get these seats on the second floor at a little counter looking down over the restaurant. Would've been nice to get a table but I guess that's what we get for not making reservations! This was quickly made-up-for by our super friendly server who had basically the sexiest deep radio voice ever. I don't know his name, but you'll know who I'm talking about when you hear it. We started with four oysters, since they are a buck during happy hour. They are pretty small, and you don't get too much oyster taste since they've got tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu on them. Which is tasty, but doesn't taste much like oyster! So if you're not sure if you like oysters, this is a great way to get initiated in a non-threatening way. Oooooh almost forgot our drinks! I started with the Surprise + Delight which was great, light and super fresh. Cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, Pimms, etc. It's definitely a summer cocktail, very sweet and fruity and refreshing. Later I had the Skinny Geisha which has citrus vodka (house-infused), and other stuff that I don't understand like "Hum," "Fresca," and "Yuzu." I remember enjoying it but can't remember what I thought if it beyond! But the Surprise+Delight, that's a winner. Surprising and delightful. We got a beef skewer, for $2 each (happy hour detail!) and they were super tender. Then we got, well, everything else. Scallop skewer wrapped in prosciutto (YUM), chicken thigh skewer (good but not a standout), half Bay Street California roll (super unique with crab cake in it!), half Old City Market (delicious, with spicy tuna and wrapped in collard green leaves), half Rainbow (different than other rainbow rolls - this one is more creative and had delicious eel), and half something else I can't even remember. But just being able to get half rolls is great because you get to try so much more. Great to get four pieces for about $5-7. The atmosphere is casual and colorful, and it's a very relaxed place for happy hour. One great thing is that they encourage patrons to get the staff wasted (apparently!) - it actually says on the menu - "Sake Bomb for the Sushi Chef," "six-pack for the kitchen staff," etc. Prices and everything! I love that attitude. I'd make a reservation if I went back again, but it's definitely worth going with a big group for happy hour and trying lots of different things!
(4)
Lauren H.
They have fresh wasabi here, which is unbelievable.
(4)
Chris K.
Been here 10 times or more since moving to Chicago for business 6 months ago. Have brought all my family, friends, and acquaintances here. Try the black rice sushi roll sampler! Outstanding!!! They also have BBQ meats, so a lot of variety. Their $1 oyster happy hour rocks too! They are also very nice to you if you are alone. Another "Table for one review".
(5)
Ashley A.
first tried their food at an end of the year Yelp event & loved the taste & quality of it celebrated my most recent birthday here & glad I did! tried kangaroo meat on a skewer, which is totally delish & tender, so try it (if you're a carnivore) also has alligator meat, which I've tried before & it's not bad, but didn't order it here sushi is pretty good, ordered a variety love, love, LOVE the colorful graffiti & other finishings on the place whoever decorated this restaurant is awesome! they had some asian beer that I really liked! always a fan of places that carry beer I've never heard of the beer I ordered had a photo of a cat on the can, which made it better we made reservations & were seated promptly; service is good I liked that they had a decent selection of gluten free options, as one of us in our party has to order GF. I'd go back! thumbs up
(5)
Rick R.
Fun. Vibrant. Great menu. Sushi is very good. Not great but very good ....this is a tough location for very good or excellent because we have Roka Akor and such in our backyard. Robata type meats are great. Good place to go with friends or date night. They have traditional Maki as well as specialty Maki rolled up in radish and cucumber as well as 'black' rice options. Staff is friendly. It is trendy so don't expect a quiet sushi bar. We live across the street and love to go. Happy hour options are nice too. Prices are average to slightly above. Try a specialty roll even if you don't normally Maki.
(4)
Steph W.
Every single thing I ordered here was sooo delicious. Out of my two week trip here, this was the best food I've gotten We ordered the BBQ sampler (probablu enough for 4 people) and 3 different speciality sushis-- all superbbbb
(5)
Alix K.
Went here last night for dinner w/ a group of friends. Three of us like sushi and ordered the Old Town and a Black Rice platter to share - all was really good. The other two in our group aren't big into sushi - but they ordered some of everything else - the chicken, the pork loin and the Short Rib. Apparently, the Short Rib is excellent because they both ordered more of those as we worked our way through the sushi! We split a bottle of white wine - reasonably priced for the area. Staff was nice and helpful - she recognized we were really into our conversation - which was a good thing! Already planning to come back again!
(4)
Neil J.
Service was great. Food came out in timely manner. Was very tasty and will be back again in the near future!
(5)
Cindy K.
We were remiss in not trying Union sooner! Wow. We celebrated our anniversary lunch there today and it was beyond terrific. The service was great. The short rib ramen was delicious with a spicy kick and they split it for us in the kitchen. One order was more than enough to share. Love the menu setup with half orders of sushi rolls as we could try three different ones with 4 pieces each, ample for two people, each having six pieces. The fish was fresh and the combos creative. The River North roll was my favorite. Can't wait to go back for more. Oh, I mentioned that it was our anniversary and the waitress brought us the most delicious house made ice cream with drizzled chocolate dip served in a sesame twill bowl! They didn't know that this is my personal favorite! Special! That's how they made us feel and that's what we think about Union Sushi. Special!
(5)
Beth G.
I fear I take Union Sushi for granted because my boyfriend lives in the building. But just because it's convenient doesn't mean it isn't also great. Some highlights: 1. You can order half rolls (for half the price). For someone with an ADD appetite such as mine, this is great, because I can try four half rolls instead of two full ones, for example. 2. Above-average veggie rolls. I just can't quit the asparagus roll, which is made with caramelized onions and garlic mayo. The sonoma and cucumber are also worth trying. 3. The fish rolls are fairly original as well (such as the Chesapeake Bay, with fried oysters and black rice). Still, I prefer the veggie ones here, in terms of taste and price. 4. Mushroom or chicken ramen is a nice choice on a chilly evening, or if you are under the weather. 5. Finally, my boyfriend loves the grilled selection from their "barbeque bar." And this isn't just chicken on a stick ... he's sampled camel, kangaroo, alligator ... of course they have beef, shrimp, etc. for the less adventurous (of the three exotic meats mentioned above, camel was our favorite). 6. Oysters! Not huge, but well prepared with tangy and crisp accompaniments. 7. Awesome happy hour. $1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls (which are excellent), $2.50 beef skewers. EVERY DAY from 5 - 6:30 pm. Helluva deal. We get carry-out more often than we dine in, partially because it's easy, partially because there is a 10% discount for Flair Tower residents, and partially because Union's atmosphere is a little too scene-y and club-y for my tastes on most evenings. (Also, they aren't BYOB.) When we do change out of sweats and opt to eat on site, however, the service has always been fine, and it's fun to eat at the sushi bar and watch all the magic happen.
(4)
Peter C.
Mediocre, loud, and overpriced (sorry, near north is not midtown manhattan). The complimentary edamame with cheddar starter was a nice thought, but tasted bad. Our table ordered 4 black rice rolls and a shrimp tempura roll. The ginger wasn't fresh and the sushi tasted like it would at any run of the mill sushi bar. On the side I ordered 3 plates from the barbecue menu: prosciutto scallop, beef filet, and chicken thigh. The scallop tasted nothing of bacon or prosciutto, and the chicken and beef that came after it all had a similar, fishy taste. I'd bet that all three were all cooked on the same surface. Be prepared to hear all of today's club hits at a high volume as well. If you are into that, you'll be pleased, if not head elsewhere.
(2)
J J.
The alligator was pretty darn tasty. Been craving more since I left the place. I also had the Tsukiji Market roll. This was unlike any roll I've had. Two thumbs down!! It was flavorless and not worth the money. The oysters were delish , first time I've had raw oysters and glad this was the place I tried them at. The hostess was very rude though. My bf and I were the 1st one in the restaurant and she lead us to this tiny two top right in the path of everyone. I asked for another table and she had the audacity to give me attitude. Not cool & not worth the drama.
(2)
Jill C.
The food was good but not worth the money in my opinion 3 rolls and an appetizer for $82 yeah thanks but no thanks I'll stick to the places in the suburbs.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jesse C.
Went here a few weeks back for a business dinner and was very impressed. We cam early enough for dinner to take advantage of a few of the happy hour specials which included discounted beef skewers, shrimp tempura rolls, and oysters. The Oysters were a bit of a disappointment and I would not recommend but everything else we ate that night was good. Favorites were the black rice spicy tuna rolls and the shrimp tempura rolls. Great Japanese beer selection and friendly service. Would definitely come back here again in the future.
(4)Natalie L.
This was a fun place to bring an out of town colleague. We had the truffled tuna, the black rice sushi sampler, and the robata sampler. For 3 women, it was a good amount of food and everything was tasty. I was especially impressed with the beef tongue. Service was good. Atmosphere is trendy River North but it wasn't unbearably loud. As for music, well, if you like rap circa 1999 this is your jam.
(4)Mike O.
Only negative thing I could say is the wait for a table would have been 90 minutes on a sunday night so we had to sit at the bar but food was still excellent. The ipad menu for the specials is really cool. Black rice sushi is a must try and the seared wagyu was excellent. Will definitely return
(5)Kristey B.
From my experience, this is by far the best sushi spot in Chicago. I've dined in and got to soak up their amazing ambience and have also been equally impressed with their sushi whenever I order out and get delivery. Love this place!
(5)Shannon S.
My experience at Union was much the same as many of the other reviewers. I thought the atmosphere was outstanding and the drinks were really great but the food was hit or miss and the prices were quite high. I had the alligator kabob, the buffalo duck wing, hokkaido union roll and the waygu beef slider. Friends I was with had the steak salad, spicy tuna roll, dragon roll and spicy shrimp roll. First off, for having the word "sushi" in the title of their restaurant this place actually has very little of it. They have the standard nigiri menu but outside of that they only had 7 rolls on the lunch menu. Having gone here for lunch I was a bit disappointed with the selection. My other issue with the selection was that about half of the maki selection didn't involve raw fish. The hokkaido roll was pretty good but it didn't' pack enough flavor or texture to wow me the way I would normally like. The spicy tuna and spicy shrimp were both very good but totally in line with what you could expect from any sushi restaurant. The dragon roll was not good at all. The eel sauce that they put on it was actually quite bitter and strong with vinegar flavor. In my opinion it was way too much and over powered the the whole roll. The alligator kabob was just okay. I've not had enough alligator to be able to judge the quality of the meat but I would have preferred if it came with a sauce or a garnish. It was just a little grilled kabob with some seasoning. My friend had the scallop which actually looked quite good and she said that it was very enjoyable. The wagyu beef slider was so adorable when they brought it out and I really had high hopes for it. Although the meat was very tender I found the burger somewhat bland. The pickles and sweet potato chips it came with though were great! My favorite things were the duck wing and my cocktail. The duck was extremely tender and came right off the bone with a fork. The breading, buffalo sauce and blue cheese dipping sauce were all exactly what I wanted it to be. For my drink I got the Princess Elena. It was delicious! After tip I think my bill was about $40. Overall I think the restaurant was just okay. With so many other wonderful restaurants in the city I don't see myself going back any time soon. If you are going to make the trip it would be best to just do it for the cocktails.
(2)Rhonda G.
Such a great place! I love the design of the place, very modern. Our server was a great guy and although the overly attentive server assistants (bus boys?) got on my nerves, I appreciate them doing their job. We tried a nice portion of the menu and I loved everything! A few standouts: Truffled tuna- amazing Agedashi potato- unexpected and delicious Grilled scallop union roll - different and delightful Japanese curry chicken thigh - so flavorful You can tell when a lot of thought has been put into a menu, very apparent at Union. I never thought that sushi and BBQ could work well together but they made it work. Definitely planning my return visit!
(5)Mike C.
Good sushi. Very unique combinations that I've never seen anywhere else. Nice selection of saki and the apps are pretty spectacular. The service was good even at the peek business time. I would recommend reservations if you have a party of 4 or more.
(4)Stephanie L.
So I was contacted by the owner to go and try this place again. He felt bad that the signature black rice wasnt available. I got a $25 GC to check it out. This is really the only reason I went back and I really do appreciate how he reached out to me...but it didnt change anything.... Went on a Thursday night. Easy peasey reservations on Open Table, which I really love. The space, I love the openness of it. Lofty feel. Upscale, etc. Its like trying to be a new Sushi Samba without the entertainment. The tables feel cramped despite the openness of the restaurant. I get it, pack it in to get more people in there... The service again was horrendous. Our server took forever to get our drink order and bring over the cocktails. Not to mention, we ordered Skinny Geisha and a Kirin light...not difficult to make. Oh and she forgot our drink order when we placed another one when we were only 1/4 of the way through our first drinks so we again were left with empty glasses. The food runners/busboys are annoying. There is so many of them hoovering over you, its ridiculous. It feels uncomfortable. I think they should cut back on those guys and get more servers or bartenders to get better service. They have weird liquors too so dont expect the normal, which is fine. Of course, overpriced. The food, one word OVERPRICED! Ridiculously overpriced. The sushi was good, was it worth the $18 per roll. HELL no. The fish is minimal in the rolls and the pieces of nigiri were ridiculously small for the price they charge. Kai sushi gives you about double the size for half the price. The good thing about the sushi is they have some great different options without rice if you are trying to save on carbs, but it will cost you, for sure. The robata grill was good, but $6 for ONE SHRIMP??? HAHA, you have got to be kidding me. $3 for shitaki mushroom??? The black rice was good, but I didnt think it was anything special. My former review stands...dont waste your time. There are so many other options to choose from. If you are looking for a scene...there are a TON more options than this place in the area with a much better scene. I can for sure say, I will not go back to Union, UNLESS I go for the happy hour special or lunch or someone else is paying.
(2)Marie S.
I came here with a friend because I heard all these wonderful things about their handmade noodles for ramen, so we were stoked, given that Chicago just has recently started to up their game in that department. So this is the first place we went to right after I landed at O'Hare. When I got to the restaurant, I was a bit early, so I asked to be seated at the bar. The bar was totally full of guys there, with the restaurant otherwise being EMPTY and I was TOTALLY ignored. For a place that's Michelin rated, you would think that the service would be a bit more attentive and see that there is a random person standing there, waiting...Anyway, so I ended up going back to the hostesses asking for a table. One of them was really nice...and the other was really sarcastic. Thank goodness I had a sense of humor, or else I could see someone getting REALLY offended. That aside, so I ended up grabbing a table. The waitress who served us was pretty attentive at first and would check on us, but after a few drinks and trying the ramen, she seemed to kinda zone out and not check on us or any of the other tables unless we literally waved at her. So i guess, in a nut shell, service was mediocre at best. In regards to the food, we ordered the Mushroom Ramen was actually kinda bland and the noodles were a bit chewy. Not necessarily the best ramen to be honest. It seemed like a shio broth, but not quite. We also tried the happy hour specials as well which were actually REALLY good! The oysters were tastefully presented and super fresh and the tempura rolls were good as well. The martinis were on the spot too. So if you go here for just the happy hour specials and the drinks...that's really where it's at. If you want stellar service on the other hand...
(2)Annie V.
I can't wait to go back! I've been thinking about this place for over 2 weeks. Everything we ordered was super good. The oysters were fresh. The tuna tartar was nice. We had a few things from the BBQ which were also great. And the cocktails are delicious. If like your cocktails less sweet just make sure to tell them. I had a few which I thought would have been fantastic had they been a touch less sweet but I guess that's just personal preference. Very enjoyable experience.
(5)Kaitlin P.
Highly recommend the Black Sushi Sampler. 16 pieces for $25, so worth it! Shared the Surf and Turf as well. Smaller portion but great flavors. Simple decor but nice environment. Laid back with top 40s style music playing. I'll definitely be back for the Black Sushi!
(4)Ray P.
I'm a regular here - since I sold my car about six months ago, I'm going to restaurants that don't require me to transfer or take a $20 taxi. So Union is perfect - bus, taxi, walk, it's in a perfect location...and enough off the trendy douchey path so you won't get run over by guys with pointy clown shoes or get bopped by flocks of girls rocking giant duffel-sized purses that probably need to be gate checked. But I digress.... Here's what you do: 1) order one of the specialty drinks. You can NOT order poorly. Or, pick a spirit and ask them to make you a Union-ized drink (see what I did there?) 2) order the truffled tuna appetizer. Don't ask. Don't think. Just do it. And ask for extra chips. You won't be able to thank me because your mouth will be full of delicious truffle-y tuna. And mom said to never talk with your mouth full. I'm telling! 3) order whatever is the special robata (grilled) skewer. 3) order the black rice maki sampler. three different 4-piece rolls made with black rice. Lower carbs than even brown rice..which is diabetic friendly, and friendly for those that want lower carbs. Duh. 4) order the Yuzu pie for dessert. Again, you won't be able t thanks because your mouth will be full of, well, Yuzu pie. Of course, the menu is extensive, and there are many delicious dishes from which to choose - buffalo duck wing, soba, udon, fame noodles galore, lots of nigiri...and if you're of a mind, try the omakase. If you can, get ther for happy hour - delicious oysters and robata grilled beef skewers will keep you and your drink(s) company. It's best to make a reservation, but, popping in for happy hour is a great way to try some things. You may even see me sitting at the downstairs bar (say hello!). Not sure why you're still reading this? You should already be there.
(5)Barb B.
The sushi and other dishes were ok. No basic California roll...but silly me--I forgot....I am not in California anymore. The menu seems to be catering to the hip crowd and not too authentic on the Japanese food. The robata grill food was quite tasty. But, I am not a fan of the fish-whiff odor that hits you when you first walk in the door. They need to take care of that.
(4)Jessica T.
Came to Union Sushi with colleagues visiting from Florida. Everything was perfect and our waitress (Yui) was awesome! The black rice in the rolls was a great change. I appreciated how many vegetarian plates there were (not just a boring veggie roll). I will definitely be back!
(5)Lu H.
Stay away from this place. Take your business somewhere else where it's appreciated. Last night something happened to me that hasn't ever happened in my restaurant adventure life - I was asked to leave. The food was decent but the service just left a horrible taste in my mouth. A group of 4 us felt rushed the entire night. From the bussers to the servers, interrupting us quite often. I got the sense that they wanted our money and wanted us out as quick as possible, probably a directive from above. If you see that we are still working on a plate, I know it's a hard concept, that means we are not done! Finally, after spending close to $300, I don't know if it was the GM or someone else, asked us to leave! We were all flabbergasted, laughed, got up and left. And to give you a perspective, it's not like we stayed there till it closed - we arrived around 6:30pm and it was around 9pm-ish when they started not-so\-subtly trying to get us out, from taking the water glass away to cleaning the table. Usually I could take a clue, but last night was just one of those nights that I felt like enjoying a good conversation with friends without being rushed. The audacity that this place has- sorry, you're not that great - is unbelievable. Personally, I just don't think this is the way to run a business- bottom line. Fortunately, Yelp has become a powerful tool as it's evened the game between business and consumer. Unless this place changes it's philosophy, it will alienate more customers and lose in the long run. Hopefully, my review will help them lose.
(1)Maria D.
Outstanding! Although a bit rowdy on the Saturday night, this place is top notch and excellent value ! You will find similar food quality as you would at Sunda or Roka Akkor without a sophisticated waiter (our gal was very matter of fact) in a slightly more casual atmosphere BUT at half the price! So depending on the mood of your evening Union may be ideal for the occasion. You will find yourself in the trendiest space with an industrial feel and clubby music. The food selection, presentation and uniqueness of flavors is outstanding. They have a ton of small plates to share and we LOVED everything that came out. I would especially recommend Cobia Carpaccio and their presentation of Oysters was mind blowing! Of course their soft crab roll was a special treat, all wrapped in cucumber in a sweet and spicy chili sauce.. yum!!!! Small Tip: If you are ordering 5-6 dishes, either wait to tell them or specifically ask them to space it out - otherwise their fast and tenacious wait staff may cover your little table with all of the dishes you ordered at once:) Get ready for an excellent meal!
(5)Jaime M.
Very impressive. Loved the music, atmosphere and food. Really enjoyed the eclectic menu options on top of regular good classic sushi! And they own a great bar next door for a night cap, nice spot!
(5)David R.
Not exactly traditional sushi, but really good nonetheless. Lots of good barbeque and noodle options. The space is self-consciously hip, but it comes off fun. Start with the sashimi cup - super tasty. Excellent cocktails, to boot.
(4)Jennifer H.
This was my first visit to Union Sushi and I know I will be back! Our server Sean was amazing and courteous. The food was incredible! The mushroom dumpling were so good! The desert Pumpkin Mochi Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream and Caramel OMG I could eat it all day every day!
(5)Sofia J.
Love coming here!! 2 times was not enough!! Delicious $10 cocktails (Surprise+Delight) Delicious menu: oysters (love the jalapeno-cilantro ponzu), bbq'd squid skewer, sushi (especially the black rice sushi), yummy bento boxes... this list will continue. All this for very affordable prices!!
(5)Laurence B.
Sit at the upstairs bar! Very knowledgeable bartenders, amazing whiskey and sake selection. Sushi is UNBELIEVABLE... like the others say, try the black rice wraps. Everything was fresh and delicious. And original. Seems like downstairs is a little noisy and trendy. The cool play is to sit at the upstairs bar in the corner. And order the whiskey that the bartender tells you to order. And the new beer that they just got in. The one in the can, from japan.
(5)Dave G.
I waited an hour for a "sushi roll" that was actually only half a sushi roll and a beef skewer that was two small bites. This place earns two stars from me because the food did actually taste good, and I liked the ambiance. But Union failed at the primary task of a restaurant, which is to feed me. Rather than wait another hour for another round of way overpriced toy food, I left and went to Gild Bar for some actual food.
(2)Ashley S.
I ate here last night with two fellow sushi fanatics. They couldn't seat us immediatly in the dining room so we opted to eat upstairs in the bar/lounge. The dining area looked smaller than expected and the table for two were really close together. Likely wouldn't take a date there for that reason. The super nice and capable bartender was our server so the service lacked a bit when she got busy. I hated the cocktail menu and wished they would have mad more effort to include sake-focused drinks. However, the bartender suggested an awesome, off the menu, citrus and gin cocktail (I hate gin) that we feel in love with and had three of. I loved the few rolls we shared and hope to return to try the bbq. I am a sushi purist and judge places on the quality of fish. Here it was average so I dont think I'd do sashimi here. However, the rolls we had were delish, especially the river north roll. It didn't have rice, something new to me, and was so fresh. The rolls were the perfect size and crisp in a refreshing way. I hope to return soon with some non food snob friends. I'd never take my sushi-fanatic boyfriend who spent years in San Fran. Arami and Mairi are better bets for him. Good for girlfriends. Needed addition to the neighborhood. Tasty but not exactly traditional.
(3)Jeff R.
My buddy Eric and I decided to check out Union one day after work because we had heard it's a funky cool spot with some interesting food. I'd agree on all fronts with varying degrees of success. It's an interesting concept with interesting food, but sometimes "interesting" doesn't translate into well executed food at reasonable prices. You can't help but notice the cool graffiti art on the walls, the second story level overlooking the main floor or the class enclosed kushiyaki grill in the middle of the space erupting in flames every few minutes. Then there's the menu - self described as featuring a broad range of Kushiyaki (grilled meat, seafood and vegetables on a skewer) and a variety of sushi and sashimi. What could be better than having tasty sushi with some traditional starters/salads mixed with some grilled meat on a stick? The problem is that our flavors came in waves of really nice with really bland, and on top of that they came at steep prices. Our first stab at the menu included six skewers of food, two sushi rolls and a Wagyu tartare. There was plenty of roller coaster flavors in that trio. The good: we loved the alligator on a stick, really juicy and tender white meat, the beef filet and tongue - nice and flavorful - and one of our sushi rolls was interesting and simple with a kick of spice without mayo or wasabi. The bad: our $12 wagyu tartare was quite awful - no flavor whatsoever, similar to cardboard. Put it on the salt chip and there's some flavor, add soy sauce and it's manageable. But I wasn't expecting wagyu tartare to be that bland. The other sushi roll was ok, not a lot going on but interesting. Biggest problem is paying $6 for only 4 pieces. We also had one tofu on a stick and a shiitake mushroom. My tofu looked like a candy bar with the peanut(?) sauce and sugar color. The tofu was ok but the sauce was way too strong. Eric said he enjoyed the mushroom. Even though it seems like we ordered a lot food, it didn't go a long way. We quickly added to our meal with a chicken thigh from the grill and another beef filet. In addition we tried the duck soba noodle dish and a duck wing in buffalo sauce. I really liked the noodle dish with shredded duck pieces. It had enough flavor to make it curious but not too many moving parts to get confused. The duck wing in buffalo spicy sauce was also very nice. It's more interesting than ordering chicken wings and probably a little tastier given the size and nature of the meat. And for $5 it clearly was the best value of the night. To finish things off the right way we ordered the ice cream sandwich flight. Cute huh! The star was clearly the chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream. That was delicious. The green tea and red bean are interesting but pale in comparison to the traditional. Union has some good things going for it with some nice dishes and a funky fun atmosphere/decor. The drinks selection is impressive with plenty of sake and imported beer to choose from. My largest complaint is the value for flavor is just not there. Our bill for two was $180 all in (including a few drinks) and we didn't exactly leave stuffed or inebriated. I really like the soba noodles and some of the classic kushiyaki-style grilled meat (must try alligator and beef filet). I wish the sushi menu was more approachable and affordable because that could be a nice meal to mix and match sushi with BBQ (it's in the name I suppose...).
(2)Anisha A.
You know you're in an authentic Japanese spot when there are penis straw remnants from a bachelorette party and La Bamba is on the loudspeakers. To complement the cutting edge beats, the mixers are flat and may have been leftover from a house party last summer. This propelled our Norwegian with a soft spot for gin and tonics into an understandable rage. For me, it further enabled the straight liquor habit. Perhaps the worst crime is the stark lighting on a Saturday night which puts unnecessary spotlight on the cheezed, dated look. No one should have to face the cringing reality of Union Sushi or one night stands under such bright, sobering conditions. Yes, it's opening week and there's a shortage of dimmer consultants across the Midwest, but come on. The food didn't make up for it. Union should be renamed Bland Prison Rations. Plan to order double or triple of everything unless you want to be the goon splitting a scallop four ways. There's essentially four pieces per maki and one serving of most of the rest. The wagyu sliders and truffled tuna were picturesque but blah. The specialty maki, aside from inconsistent temperatures, was fine and anything with duck (buffalo duck wing, duck fat yaki soba) was a half step above the rest.
(2)Paul L.
I should have expected it, however it was still a surprise to pay $15 per Long Island Iced tea. I guess I didn't realize that they used glacial ice. The service was good and atmosphere was nice, however I don't NEED to go back.
(3)Amy H.
Union is my favorite sushi place in Chcago. The alligator skewers are delicious and the Clifton #4 rolls are on point. The atmosphere is cool too. Graffiti on the walls. Funky seating. Very modern. I don't know what is with the negative reviews. What are you all smokin? They even have clever magnets and matches! It's not expensive either... I'm racking my brain to try and figure out why it's not at least getting a solid 4. Drawing blanks. I suppose our server last time did screw up my order... But it wasnt a big deal, she just brought 4 more rolls out. Maybe it's a service thing. Either way, that Clifton #4 is heavenly and it will keep me coming back.
(5)Eric S.
If you're an asian / sushi fan, this place has something for everyone. Whether is Asian BBQ or sushi there are lots of great finds. Also make sure to check out the drink menu and sake flights. Only complain would be the portion size is so wildly different from plate to plate.
(4)Rosario W.
We went to this place On a Friday night about 8:30pm. We had reservations we were seated about 5-10 minutes after we arrived. One of my few Complaints was That is was loud So loud, we had to scream at each other to be heard. We were a party of five and it was my husbands Birthday. I have to Give the manager a glowing review because when I made my online reservation the online menu for restaurant week was still up, and i figured they were one of the restaurants that extended it. When we sat down and asked the server about it she said it wasn't available. The manager came over and checked to see that yes the menu is still listed online. He let us order those items on the menu at the restaurant week price. The soba noodle salad was great, most of us ordered that. the Salad My friend, she enjoyed and loved the warm croutons. Most of us ordered the sushi rolls. So fresh and amazing. My husband the birthday boy ordered the skate wing but the server did not hear him correctly (the music) and she got his order wrong, of all orders. One of us had the surf and turf, the sauce was amazing. the portion of meat was small, and left you wanting more. Dessert was great the sundae flight was yummy, so was the yuzu Pie (like key lime) but with and extra kick. I would go here again to try the Barbeque meat and maybe more sushi rolls, I would hope to find a night not as loud.
(3)Valerie R.
Down one star from last time. I've eaten at Union for lunch on several occasions now and the service has consistently slipped. They still don't offer the veggie menu unless you request it (there are a lot of different options on there that even meat eaters would be interested in), the edamame isn't listed on the menu anywhere, they no longer have the brussel sprouts (but have them on the menu... they were my favorite!) and the smell from the exhaust fans is still shot out onto Franklin. My friend's theory is that they were installed upside down.. haha. Union, you're slipping!
(2)Mel C.
I went to Union Sushi & Barbeque last week with a group of 12 for my birthday dinner. The staff was very accommodating-especially since I had changed my party size 3 times that day. They sat us in a great area and I was very impressed by the look & feel of the establishment. The Old City Market roll was a big hit at our table, as well as the Union Sliders. I also ordered the Frog Legs (1st time experience) and found them to be delicious! The reason I'm voting it 4 out of 5 stars is because I had asked our server what the Wednesday night martini special was & she did not know. She said that the bar upstairs offered something different then the restaurant area. I asked her to recommend a martini that was on the sweeter side, and she couldn't. She did though later come back to recommend one, but I just felt like server's should know off the top of their head 1 or 2 of their favorite cocktails to be able to express to customer's with questions. Okay, back to the good comments- after dinner we were informed the UpBar had complimentary champagne! A perfect touch to end the evening on my birthday! Thanks! :)
(4)Patrick B.
We had a wonderful dinner there last night. By far the best sushi I've ever had! Couldn't recommend this place more!
(5)K K.
My wife doesn't care for sushi. I brought her to Union Sushi in our search for a good sushi restaurant that can also make her happy. This is the place. My wife loves the spare ribs, the Agedashi potato, and a number of other cooked items on the menu. I'm very happy with everything I've tried on the sushi/sashimi list. Just as important, they have a great sake and whiskey bar and a bar staff that knows the bar list well. A nice touch: For an additional charge you can request fresh wasabi. They grate wasabi directly from the root at your table; a unique experience.
(4)Rob S.
Had a great time here, went with some friends and had some good drinks, some good food and a great time (even if the lady next to us had to much to drink and threw up) i had one of the best Rolls i have ever had the Devon Roll with black rice, holy cow that was so good.
(4)Jedd J.
I went with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The sushi was very good. Good selection of sake and spirits. The space looks a bit like a place you'd find on Main Street in a college town, but I did like the pumping rock music.
(4)Li S.
It was a good Culinary and Libation experience. I enjoyed the Duck Wing. My only criticism is that when fried as much can be a bit dry. The Black Sushi sampler is a must have with the Chesapeake Bay roll. I now will request Black Rice when possible. The sparkling Sake is a must do. Tuesday a bottle is half price so it's 17 instead of the 34. Other at the table loved their drinks. Only problem is this place is not very big. Don't recommend waiting at the bar areas since it only has about 4 seats. We had practically every BBQ Bar item except Kangaroo. Tuna is just average. Beef Fillet tender and scallop and shrimp are a must. It is very over priced for Sushi but worth the experience. Three of us and bill was $77 per person. Will come back but maybe during the Happy Hour.
(4)S P.
This place is just ok, nothing special. The decor is a too minimalist and the atmosphere overall felt cold. The waitress was just ok, didn't really smile, she was just doing the bare minimal to get her paycheck. The food left something to be desired. Alligator: I was really excited because I've never eaten alligator before but it was just ok, the tastiest part of the dish was the tempura that it came with it. Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop: Very delicious, but $6 for one piece... are you kidding me? Sushi; River North: Nothing special, it wasn't bad but it wasn't good, it was missing excitement similar to all you can eat sushi places. Old City Market: Very delicious, and I wouldn't mind eating something like that again, definitely the best part of our meal. Clifton #4: Again nothing special, I couldn't even taste the fish. Overall I wouldn't go back, the taste was something you can get at an all you can eat place; boring and always something left to be desired. They are ridiculously overpriced for how bland everything is. This is a classic case of a menu that looks extremely exciting (I literally couldn't decide what I wanted to eat because I thought everything sounded so delicious), but the food isn't special at all.
(3)Peggy N.
Yum! As a relatively recent sushi convert, I appreciated the many easy options for rolls here. According to sushi loving bf, the rolls here are a little more tempura-y than the "authentic" places. Oh well. The black rice was a rare low-carb option that actually tasted better than the original, and I loved the unique vegetable rolls (like sweet potato!). The free edemame at the table was very welcome, and the service was great! Also liked the decor and feel of the place- great date night spot without being too trendy. Will be back again!
(4)Leo L.
Love the vibe, aggressive menu, different and all around funky, trendy and legit
(5)Adam L.
My folks came into town for a weekend and I live a couple blocks from this place so we decided to check it out. We went during happy hour where they have $1 oysters and $2 beef filet skewers. While other places may tone down the quality of their food during happy hour, Union keeps it very consistent. The oysters were fresh and succulent, and the skewers were cooked to order (medium-rare) and freaking delicious. We sat at the bar and were delighted to have the executive chef/restaurant partner Chef Chao personally recommend and serve us our food. My family and I are no one too special so to have the attention that I believe Chao shows everyone was quite a treat. After the skewers and oysters, we moved on to the entrees which we ordered from the entree menu: alligator ribs, and grilled prawn. I never had alligator but the slow-cook it and serve it with a kind of mashed potatoe that was heaven. The meat was tender and fell right off the bone. The prawn was massive and cooked just right. I forget which sushi roll we ordered but that was unquestionably delicious as well too. Chao made sure our night went well and carried on the conversation he started from when we sat down at the bar. For dessert, he went to the back and personally made us all our individual tiramisu milkshake to cap it all off. Our experience here was quite phenomenal. It's a great place for couples or a small group of friends!
(5)Courtney S.
THANK YOU! First of all, thank you for finally accepting reservations! Second of all, give Revae a raise! I had gotten to Union a little earlier than my reservation to have a nerve soothing cocktail (rough week) before my baby brother (very nearly vegan) and his gf (pretty vegetarian, but restrictions change frequently) arrived. She asked me what I felt like and crafted a gin cocktail that made me love gin! (hadn't had it since college....you know how it is). The hostess was wonderful- I had described my bro and his gf and she kept an eye out for them. Our server was just as fabulous. She had been running items up to the Up Lounge and knew my plight. She really took care of us. The food? Well. The only thing that had gotten me through a stressful day at work was knowing I could have a buffalo duck wing and boy howdy, was it as good as I remembered- so was the prosciutto wrapped scallop. We each ordered a roll. My bro had a veggie based roll. She had the Hokkaido...I had the belly roll. Heavenly. Do yourself a favour, make a reservation, get there early to see Revae, get a seat at the grill bar, and go to Union! It is now easily my favourite place.....just don't expect the lead hostess to say goodbye or thank you on your exit.
(5)Diane H.
Came here randomly on a Friday evening after work with some friends and was pleasantly surprised by the find. The menu is quite eclectic mix of Asian cuisines with a spin. The decor is loungey (pics on website are accurate). One thing we all did notice and comment on is that they don't pack people in. There were plenty of tables, but there was also lots of open space so you didn't feel like you were on top of people. We had to wait for a table so we went to the bar and got drinks. There wasn't really a waiting area which could be an issue in winter or if the bars are busy. I tried on of the Surprise and Delight and it was really good, but at $10 each, we all decided to switch to wine bottles after the first drink. We ordered a bunch of small plates while at the bar. We of course started with edamame to share; it was average. I am not a very adventurous eater, but I tried the alligator and steak skewers. I was really surprised by how good the alligator was; the seasoning was great and I liked the gamey texture. A table opened up so we relocated. We ordered some entrees to share. I don't remember what roll we had, but it was good. The Duck Fat Yaki Soba noodles were amazing....again with the adventurousness eating paying off (we ended up ordering a second order). The brussel sprouts were also really good. We tried the Agedashi Potato and it was good, but definitely not a sweet potato tot. I will definitely be back and would like to try some of the other items on the menu.
(4)Casey Z.
The sushi wasn't very good. It kind of tasted fishy...yikes! I don't think I will back.
(2)Mike R.
Waiter was extremely helpful and attentive. Atmosphere is great. Sushi, sake, croc, and kangaroo what else do you need? Also, happy hour is a deal.
(4)Miss S.
Awesome ambiance, fabulous location, and tasty creative drinks! The bartender was super friendly and readily pointed out some great drinks and answered all my questions about the drink menu. Great first impression of the restaurant and all the drinks we tried including the sake were yummy! Menu has a wide selection with a unique flair! For starters definitely liked the tuna appetizer. We ordered 6 different rolls, all good and neat to try something new. The Osaka roll although untraditional was enjoyable. The only downside...our server was not the best. She was a bit too harsh when someone at out table asked about one of their very different menu items. It was almost as if she was reprimanding instead of enlightening us. Our experience could have been much better without her. My favorite part of this place is the ambiance and the bartenders, I would recommend going to this place just to check it out!
(4)Betsy P.
I guess with its great River North location I was expecting a bit ... more. Union does a lot right, but there were enough things lacking that it made paying $50/person sting just a bit. Atmosphere is good. Fun decor, beautiful people, freaking unbelievably supermodel of a hostess. All good. Our party of 4 was seated right away without reservations at 7 pm on a Saturday night. That was definitely a surprise! We started off with drinks (duh). I had a lemon/cava concoction that was very tasty and refreshing, but at $10, I was hoping for more booze. I went to ordering straight cava after that (for just $8 ... go figure) and that worked well. The appetizers were by far the best part of the meal! We all shared the brussle sprouts, mussels, and truffled tuna, and they were all really wonderful. I should have ordered those for my entree! For my main course, I went with the prosciutto-wrapped scallop, jumbo shrimp, and tofu. They were all ... just ... fine. Nothing spectacular. Points for the tofu looking like an ice cream bar with sprinkles though. At least it looked cute. Tasted meh. I also had the hokkaido maki which was very delicious! Light and refreshing with great flavor. Overall, if I went back, I'd stick with the appetizers and maybe a soup. I would like to try the desserts someday too, so I suppose I'll give it another shot. And, props to our server - she was pleasant, attentive, and answered all the questions we had.
(3)Johnny R.
As my office sits across the street, and I'm half-Japanese, I've looked longingly at this new shiny place. Graffiti art, liberal use of stainless, it all works for me. Add in a staff in t-shirts with tats, I'm there. I finally went there today, had some lunch with a friend. I had some skewers, chicken, tongue, shiitake mushroom and alligator. It was all very good. I've had kushiyaki style street food in Japan before so I was very excited to Union's offerings. I'll have to come back and try some more things on the menu and add to my review. I was dissapointed with the wait staff. I was expecting that Chicago-style I'm-your-guide approach that so many servers have these days, that's quite addicting after a while. That exuberance when it comes to suggesting pairings is something I did not experience. I hope I can swing by there again next week. -JR
(3)Jiratt P.
Genius chef, variety flavors, superb drinks, good services, easy to find parking. What Else Do I Need?
(5)David D.
Got lucky today and had the chance to try this great new place. Started with a Japanese vegetarian maki roll that was so good. Moved on to a radish/potato/mushroom (all japanese) salad that had a beet powder toping. Very refreshing and tasty Got to try a filet from the skewer bar that had a ginger soy sauce Then we had duck fat Yaki Soba. Yummy. only problem was me trying to eat noodles with chop sticks Some prosciutto wrapped scallop with a wasabi/avocado paste on top on a skewer. So my complaint here was it was too big to get in my mouth in one bite, so I wasn't sure how to eat it. But the best part of the meal was the mussels. The Saki based broth was so good. It was like a cream sauce, but very light. Best mussels I have had in 16 years of living in Chicago. It was like the mussels we used to eat in New York, nice and thick, not the crappy anemic version that most midwest restaurants try to pass for mussels. Go to this restaurant. Such a fresh take on asian/sushi.
(5)Paul B.
First impression: Good ambiance, big open space with colorful decor, good tunes at a reasonable volume... Good start Union Drinks: Liquor and cocktail is selection is very good, cocktails are creative and light to match the steamy summer months. Apps: Truffled Tuna and Dumplings. Tuna was fairly standard as the truffle didn't seem to pop as I was hoping. Dumplings were phenomenal though mmmmm. You must try the dumplings Service: Service was excellent! Knowledgeable wait staff, attentive and never over bearing. Mains: I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try the beef tongue, as it was recommended and it was meh. Alligator was outstanding as was the sushi we ordered. Overall, definitely a hot place to check out and I would go back!
(3)Bethany P.
A truly amazing night! The food was divine - I highly recommend the warm mushroom salad
(4)Laura I.
Loved the spicy tuna, Devon was good too, liked the sauces, the River North was not a good choice for eel, the COLLARD green wrapping outer layer was just not working for me, really good salmon nigirl, I would go back, but would like to see seaweed salad on the menu and more traditional eel rolls. Maybe some yellow tail scalion would be good too.. I did like that they had a black rice sushi sampler, love black rice will try it next time. quick, fast, friendly, chic atmosphere.
(4)Erica P.
Visited Chicago this weekend and came to Union sushi. While I would argue that this is not sushi in the traditional sense, the food was pretty good.. We sampled a ton of items from the menu. First off the waiter was extremely nice and knowledgeable (and what he didn't know, he found out for us). That said, out of all the places I visited in Chicago, and all the times I raved about the value of the food vs NYC, it was here that I was actually shocked by the $150 dinner bill for two people when we didn't over order and only had one bottle of $32 sake. Anyhoo, on to the food. We began with some edamame, with their house spice blend, which neither my dining partner nor I was particularly fond of. We followed that with the oysters on the half shell, which were decorated with scallion, masago and fried shallots; this was my favorite of the night. Next we tried the truffled tuna, this didn't taste terribly truffled and was seasoned again with their house blend, which we weren't fans of - if you go and have had tuna tartare before, skip this. Next we had the Turtle soup - the broth was great, but I now know I do not like turtle meat- it reminded me of ox tail, but tougher. Then we moved on to the BBQ skewers. We had one each of the Alligator (good, but nothing special other than that it was Alligator), The prosciutto wrapped scallop, (prosciutto was fatty not crispy), the Fishcake which was stuffed with cheese (we both found this offensive) and the whole squid, which was well cooked and seasoned. After this we moved onto the rolls section of the menu and tried the Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic + wrapped in soy paper) I didn't like this one so much, the belly(hamachi, cucumber, orange tobiko, scallion, chili paste aioli, crispy tempura crumbs, fried pork belly strips + eel sauce) which was pretty yummy and lastly the soft shell crab roll which included rice puffs, sesame paste and fried ginger; this was pretty good, but as soft shell crab rolls go, I have had better. The ambiance was very cute, and we may very well return, however I won't be scheduling any trips back to Chi specifically for this.
(3)Phil F.
The place was super freaking cool inside, but the food was pretty good on some things and others were not so good. Unfortunately the BBQ stuff was what fell flat. It seemed that the grill should have been a little bit more hot, stuff was kinda undercooked or just didn't have the flava'! Especially not cool was the squid, that's not really a great situation when undercooked. The marinade was not super flavorful either, so it didn't detract from the slimy. The chicken wing was also undercooked. Kinda pink inside. Sushi though was really really nice. I really like the Hokkaido and the Old City Market. Drinks were inventive and fun. Overall, I think that my experience might have been because it was only within their first couple of weeks. So perhaps the BBQ is more fired up these days. Would go back.
(3)Matt R.
Went within a week of opening night. When you do that, you have to know you're taking a risk and that things won't be up to snuff right away. Honestly, other than the wait for drinks (10 minutes at the bar) everything was pretty great. The food was pretty good. The Truffled Tuna app was really good, as was the proscuitto-wrapped scallop. Maki rolls were very tasty and come with 4 pieces for around $5, which is fairly reasonable. That also allows you to try a bunch of different things. Wish they had a bigger selection to try, however. Drinks were pretty good, though I wish they would expand the beer list with some more authentic Japanese craft beers. Service was good, great pace and well-polished for being open only a week. Had good recommendations on quantities and favorites. Decor was really cool, though I do agree with others that it was maybe a little bright. Pretty young crowd, so not some place I'd take the in-laws. Would definitely come back.
(4)Thelizjake P.
Enjoyable; this is the first word that comes to mind from my first dining experience here. The atmosphere is fun and trendy, the sushi extremely tasty, and the pricing fair to decent depending on your order. I was most impressed when the waitress proactively suggested, at the beginning of our meal, that she could split the bill into individual checks (by person, or people) so as to not have to figure out who owes what at the end of the dinner. Given my wife and I had just gone through one of these nightmare exercises at a dinner of 20 the weekend prior, it was a sigh of relief and astonishment as we were just talking about how more restaurants should offer this service. At the end of the meal, the server did manage to incorrectly tally up my individual bill after two attempts, but hey - I was willing to overlook it just because she had split up the overall bill into 10 smaller tabs
(4)Ittai B.
I only review places I really like or places I really hate. This is the former. The rolls are delicious and very unique. The black rice is amazing, I'm a sushi fanatic and I had never seen black rice in San Francisco. I have to say this - definitely try the black rice. Also, you can order half rolls! It's great for when you want to focus on diversity and try a bunch of different rolls without eating 5 whole ones. Also, if you're in the mood for dessert, try the coconut ice cream. I wish I could give extra stars for the service - everyone was incredibly hospitable. I had a great time chatting with the sushi chefs Aum and Auo (both of whom make awesome sushi), and Adam and Danialle are just awesome. They definitely made my visit to Chicago a lot more fun.
(5)Erin K.
Union has a very fun and modern interior, different than the average restaurant. I personally really liked the cocktails. Although they were kind of expensive for the size of the drinks, they were really good and different. The food was definitely unique, however I wouldn't say it was absolutely delicious. It was okay. I like the fact that you can do small plates and try a lot of different things. But some of the plates were just TOO small. Like the BBQ shrimp and the BBQ scallop. You only get one shrimp and one scallop. I didn't leave the restaurant feeling full. Good place to go for a drink and some small plates.
(3)Sami A.
Union! I wonder what's the story behind the name. Anyone knows? Hey, at least they didn't name it something random and Japanese that doesn't make any sense. I mean, why would you name your sushi place "rabbit store"? Back to Union. I really like Union, I just wish I wouldn't always struggle on what to get and over-order and over-eat. Things I love: skate, agedashi "tater tots", soba salad, old city market roll, mushroom dumplings, grilled chicken & shitake mushrooms, oysters, the grilled squid. killer Yuzu pie and coconut ice cream bar. Go eat there now! They have delicious cocktails and any bartender that knows what a Martinez is is a-ok in my book. Actually, that's what probably takes this place from 4*s to 5*s for me. I agree, it's trendy which is great for them but bad for me having to always get reservations and I'm the type that only decides last minute on where to eat. I have been lucky to randomly walk there around 7pm and find an empty bar spot but those moments are rare. It's alright though, I think Union is worth it.
(4)Kim M.
Excellent! The food, the atmosphere, the staff. Everything about this place is great. It's my new favorite place for sushi in Chicago!
(5)Angel S.
This place so unique and amazing that it might just take over Coast's throne of our go-to fave for nigiri!!!! My husband and I are total sushi junkies that, while we love that Union can put together the classics in a way that makes us swoon, we also love that we can order a few things that are a little 'out-of-the-box.' The awesomeness doesn't just stop with the food either! The off beat cocktail menu and sexy ambiance make this the perfect spot for anything from date night to a great dinner before a night out. We absolutely love it and will hopefully get the chance for a repeat appearance sometime soon!
(5)Olga K.
I've been to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar twice now and loved it both times. The first time my Husby and I went in for Happy Hour. We enjoyed our cocktails as well as the Beef Filet Skewers and Shrimp Tempura Rolls. We also ordered The Black Sushi Sampler which was amazing. Our second visit to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar was just last night for Restaurant Week. We brought 4 more people along who had never been to Union and loved it as well. We started off with the Green Beans, Oysters, Truffled Tuna, and "Buffalo" Duck Wing, and Dragon Rolls. All were delicious but my favorite was the "Buffalo" Duck Wing.I chose the rest of my meal from the Restaurant Week Special Menu and was not disappointed. I had the House Salad, Pan-Seared, Skate, and the Black Rice Pudding. I like the atmosphere at Union and the attentive service and will definitely go back again and bring more friends along. Keep up the great work!
(5)Scott N.
Really good concept, great location, great food. I've been here a few times with people and both times the good was very good. The fact that they have plenty of other stuff to satisfy non-sushi fans makes this a good call for groups with picky eaters. The rolls are imaginative and come with less pieces to give you a chance to try more which is keeping in tune with the hot new concept of small plates every place is to run with. My favorite thing there are the grilled scallops. They're big, perfectly cooked, and well seasoned. Good for a date or more casual dining too. Shout out to my buddy the head bartender/mixologist- Revae. She's amazing at what she does and makes a mean drink!
(5)Tish V.
I wanted to take my friend out for a special birthday dinner since I was going to miss her actual birthday so I picked Union Sushi for a fun environment. The décor is modern and fun and definitely great for a celebration of some sorts. We had a reservation and were given our table as soon as we arrived so I thought, "Cool. Off to a good start." The waitress was quick to attend to us but not rushing us to order to move on at all. She gave us good guidance on what to pick and was not pushy by any means. The menu had a good selection of new ideas for drinks and sushi and voila!.... It made for a great dinner that didn't make it feel ordinary by any means. The sushi was fresh and the drinks were great!
(5)Victoria M.
Dashed in here on a Sunday night at opening to finally try the duck fat yakisoba - it was everything Yelp promised and more, the perfect mix of mustardy spicy duck fat and noodles. Service was super prompt, but I was like the only person in there. I will go back.
(4)Haley S.
I've been here twice (I live walking distance) and had good experiences both times. First time was with a visiting friend and her boyfriend. We tried a bunch of the sushi rolls, which were not bad at all. I had the buffalo duck wing (one large wing, so plan accordingly) which was really, really good, I loved the buffalo coconut milk sauce. Tried the skewers, which were all tasty, but small. The mussel were flavorful, and probably the best value on the menu. Last night, I returned with my boyfriend. We had spicy tuna rolls (they do NOT skimp on the chili oil), and I had the "Surf and Turf", which was excellent. He had the lamb ramen, which was fine, but could have had more flavor (he's a chef, so he's picky). Overall, a good addition to the neighborhood, but it can add up.
(4)Candace M.
Great sushi , skewers and sake (which can sneak up on you). Great private space available for birthday parties or small events upstairs from the restaurant. Intimate and sexy decor. Love it.
(4)Nayeli S.
I was recently there for the first time for my BF celebration and we liked it a lot. You can try different kinds of dishes (alligator or kangaroo meat.) Sushi was very good. The place is very contemporary. You can dress up or simply go casual. The food is kinda pricey, but is worth it. It's a great place to go with your girlfriends, your coworkers, bunch of friends, or as a couple. Customer service was good, so I def, recommend it.
(4)Penny D.
Union Sushi was awesome. I love the space and the atmosphere there, the waiter was great and the food was really good. The drinks were just alright but just what you'd expect them to be. I highly recommend the truffled tuna appetizer. It was so good we had one for the table for an appetizer and then ordered another later at the end of the meal. I was a little underwhelmed by the sushi. The Bay Street with the crabcake was just alright. I thought I'd be able to tasted the fried goodness of the crabcake a little more. The Old City Market was pretty good but I'm not a huge fan of the saltiness of collard green - that's just a personal preference. Overall, the sushi was alright - reasonably priced and came out so quickly. I think that the sushi also may have just been overshadowed by everything else. The Beef Filet was really good. Nothing outstanding but a good cut of meat cooked perfectly - probably the most tender beef I have had in a long while. The highlight was the Alligator though. It was not at all what I expected. A little tough to chew but the flavor and whatever the seasoning was on there was delicious. Highly recommend making the bold choice and trying it. To finish, we split the duck fat yoki soba. It was SO good. I'd never had anything like that before. It was awesome. I had a really good time here. It was not too loud nor too crowded (a little weird for a friday but I think it was early-ish). The service was perfection (our waiter even brought over a free dessert when he heard one of our party was going through a tough breakup)! I cannot wait to go back here. I sometimes dream about the truffled tuna.
(4)Lin W.
Good bbq, good sushi. Skip the desserts.
(4)Sid V.
Ugh, the decor here feels disjointed and comical, and not in a good way. The service was tolerable, nothing special. The food was very good, especially the buffalo duck wing (highly recommeded) and the salad. The sushi was also quite good. The skewers were just so-so and small, but even so the bottom line for the food was impressive. The music was really bad the day I was there, more suited to a Palatine bowling alley. So a few rough spots, but the food made up for it and I will be back to further explore the eclectic and interesting menu.
(4)Renee Y.
YUM! We came here for Restaurant Week and our food was all delicious! And our waiter was super friendly and attentive to us. It was super crowded and had a fun atmosphere. Good Date night place. I gave it 4 stars because it's not amazing but very very delicious. I would come back but I have a few more sushi places I need to check out.
(4)Brie Y.
This is my 2nd time visiting Union, the 2nd time was just as good as the first. Amazing service along with the food, the shrimp tempura roll was the best I have ever had. I also had a scallop which was large, perfect size and texture, love the sauce! Always kept your water full and loved the 8 oz coke bottle they give you when you order pop! For dessert we have the killer yuzu pie it tasted like key lime and it was amazing! Thank goodness I work across the street, I will be back for many more lunches and dinners!! Great prices!
(5)Jodi F.
If you have not experienced UNION yet, you are missing out! Chao (with the food) & Peter (@ the bar) are a dynamic duo that will rock your tastebuds! The whole waitstaff is so attentive to making your experience outstanding. The quality of the food is top tier. They flew in huge a** prawns from Africa! The dessert was a savory yet sweet black rice, coconut special that was presented beautiful and melted in your mouth. It even was healthy! They will always have chef specials and such a variety menu to fit a big group of people. If you want to learn anything about beverages, ask Peter. He is a book of knowledge and you will learn more than you ever imagined! They carry Sake from all over the world that is premium. I rest my case, you must check out UNION! Amazing!
(5)Erin L.
I've been here a few times & every time is awesome! Especially the alligator on a stick and those delectable buffalo duck legs! And of course... the sushi. The place is always hoppin', the owner is always there at the front door & making sure all is good.
(5)Samir P.
Pros: Location Atmosphere Layout Chefs & Staff Cons: No TVs - we wanted to go out to watch the Bulls game. Come on! At least put one TV in the lounge! It took waaaay too long for them to make and serve up the sushi. Apparently everyone ordered sushi and they really got backed up. They tried to make up for it by offering some free sake, but they should have comp'd a roll or something. However, they were very nice and very apologetic. Etc... Two items on the menu were stellar - the truffle tuna tartare and the kobe sliders. The sushi was above average, especially compared to most sushi places downtown. The portion sizes are small, so don't think the place is cheap based on the menu prices. You're looking to order about 4 or 5 items per person. If you sit at the bar, the chefs are really friendly to chat with, and it's fun watching them create the rolls. The wait staff is very attentive as well. Verdict: I am excited about this place. I think it's a place to go with friends where you have some drinks (beer + sake) and order snacks and plan on chillin for a while. I can't wait to try the lounge upstairs.
(4)Ana C.
Sashimi cup was delish and i liked rolls with black rice ( chefs option for $25 )
(4)Michelle L.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere is really cool - very open. We arrived early for a reservation and were offered to sit at our table even though our entire party hadn't arrived since they were not seating anyone else at our table for 5. The food was interesting and delicious. I see other posts sharing that it was expensive. This is not a place I would go to every week, but more rarely since it is a bit pricey but, I think, worth it. I think the oysters and Hokkaido roll were my two favorite things. I also think it is cool that the owner sat us at our table, and the chef came out and ground fresh wasabi table side.
(4)Corin C.
Well, I must give this place 5 stars and Chef Chao (Sushi Wabi) and Mike Schatzman have done a great job on this new place. It's inventive, unique and just great food with an energetic and fun atmosphere. We had a table of 10 in the semi-private dining room on Saturday night. I have to say that the concensus of our entire party was that Union did NOT disappoint in service, food and drinks. My first impression when walking in was that it was definitely modern, edgy and a vibrant place without being too over the top. I loved the layout of sleek tables, large windows, the mesh chandelier and the comic book graffiti on the walls. I read some reviews where some felt uncomfortable because it was a young people's place. We are definitely not in our twenties and we felt it was energetic yet accomodated to all age groups in a friendly atmosphere. There's a bar downstairs and a small loungy area upstairs where we started the evening. The barstaff is extremely accomodating and friendly. We loved chatting with the staff and they definitely made us some great hand crafted cocktails. The Yamato Sling, South of the Border and Sparrow Bee were all unique and wonderful! No, I wasn't a lush and downing drinks but got to sample different ones from people in our group. The drinks are $10 each which wasn't an issue but just telling people that in my review. There also is a nice sake, wine and beer list with lower prices if that's what you're looking for. We got downstairs and had a great table in the front of the bar. Our server was so informative, friendly and fun! We loved him and he just added to the great vibe of the place. We ordered an array of items and they brought out complimentary spicy edamame. The truffled tuna appetizer, panko oysters, buffalo duck wing (spicy with blue cheese dressing) and the brussel sprouts with oyster mushrooms and pesto were all excellent. I loved the truffled tuna! We ordered some grilled skewers. They have a Robata grill which is one of the highlights in the dining area and the meats and seafood are kushiyaki style. The beef filet and prosciutto wrapped scallop were outrageously great. These are not big enough to share and mainly per person but priced at $4 or $5 for each skewer. We also ordered a variety of sushi and soba noodles. The Old City Market was unique and delicious. It was spicy tuna and salmon wrapped with cilantro, fried okra and wrapped in a collard green. Truly inventive and tasty. The Osaka Central which was fishcake and eel was a huge hit! The Duck Soba noodles were fantastic and we ordered more plates because everyone loved it. The desserts were very good but I was full by this point. The Panna Cotta Dreamsicle and Killer Yuzu Pie were my favorite. I liked the tofu chocolate mousse since I'm not a big fan of dairy and it's a great selection for vegetarians and non-dairy fans. Would I come back to Union? In a heartbeat. It has a nice sushi bar for lunch or if you can't get a table for dinner. We had attentive service and just a great experience. I know there was another reservation after us but they never made us feel intrusive or rushed to get our table as we were winding down with after-dinner cocktails and dessert. I would like to see some artwork in the upstairs lounge but think since they just opened the upstairs bar the other night, they may still be working on getting that completed. Overall, it was a great time had by all!
(5)Lisa S.
Love the urban ambience and "up" bar! Chef Chao is amazing!!
(5)Yanyao N.
I've fallen madly in love with the awesomeness that is Happy Hour at Union Sushi. Today, I noshed on: - 1 dozen oysters for $12. ONE DOLLAR a pop! Plus, they come topped with all these fun and delicious things! - 1 beef skewer for $2, that seriously, was melting in my mouth. Yes, my mouth was a melty, beefy, meaty hole of amazing. I'll order more next time. - A full shrimp tempura roll for $6. Crunchy and savory. This roll would probably have been enough for me, and at HH prices was an absolute steal. I had only visited previously with a friend for lunch before. I was enticed by their $12 Bento Box lunch specials (yet another great deal)... namely the one with duck fat yakisoba (Yes, this is a thing. Eat it immediately.) My friend raved on and on about his buffalo duck wing (move over, chicken!). Service was super great on my first visit - our server even brought us out a complimentary sashimi cup (complete with sprinkles!) for dessert. I don't know how he managed to tell that I had a huge salty tooth, but this move was awesome. For those of you who like the sweet, I have heard nothing but great things about the yuzu pie! AND, for those like myself who enjoy a really well crafted cocktail, may I recommend: - The Yamato Sling: Plymouth, Rock Sake, Green Tea Syrup, Lemon, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters (!), Seltzer - Surprise + Delight (THE cocktail to be drinking this summer. Trust me.): Effen Cucumber, Pimm's No. 1 (my beloved Pimm's!), Lemon, Simple Syrup, Muddled Lemongrass, Muddled Strawberry, Seltzer Reading their dinner menu online literally has me drooling right now. Spicy pigtail ramen, soba salad, cold beef cheek udon, and an array of grilled meats (including alligator and today's kangaroo special!). Needless to say, I will be back repeatedly until I've made a considerable dent in sampling their menu. Thank you Union Sushi for a super fantastic Happy Hour! I will see you soon! ;)
(5)Amy D.
Bottom line: Different sushi options for a price. Time: Dinner around 7:00PM Occasion: Birthday dinner. Party of 2. Service: Varies. - Lunch service is better than dinner service. - Not as attentive. Food: Nothing like it. - Don't get the noodles. Not that great. Disappointed with the duck fat yaki soba. - BBQ skewers were overall pretty good. Prosciutto wrapped scallop - drool! - For sushi, the hokkaido was unbelievable! Definitely an experience. Worth a shot. My suggestion is that for a good experience, definitely take into consideration the time and day you go.
(4)Mark H.
Not cheap, even if you just get the happy hour food. But $1 oysters, $2 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls go a long way to make it a great experience.
(5)Roxy A.
Went here for dinner last night with the bf and had a great experience dining here. I really like the atmosphere of the place, with the urban art and the layout of having an open space. I like the concept of the menu too, I think its great that they offer half portions of rolls & there are BBQ items to order. We started with the cauliflower salad which was really light and I liked that there were slices of fresh kumquat and fennel in it as well. We also ordered the Truffled Tuna which was basically a tuna tartare served with some housemade chips. We also went with one of the specials that our server recomended six pieces of whitefish that was similar to yellowtail it was flavored really nice with yuzu. They also topped the sashimi with some pieces of grapefruit that went really nice with the sashimi. I was in an Uni (sea urchin) type of mood so we ordered the sea urchin alfredo soba. I heard alot of great things about that dish and it did not dissapoint! The sauce was creamy and had a bit of a cheesy taste to it, but good cheesy. The soba noodles were also topped with a piece of fresh uni and salmon roe. I don't usually like salmon roe but it went really well with the dish. For our sushi we ordered a half order of the soft shell crab roll & a full order of shrimp tempura (half black rice & half white rice). The only complaint I had is that they went a lil heavy with the eel sauce on the rolls that I couldn't even tell the difference between the white and black rice. Other than that everything else was good. We also ordered an order of uni nigiri which was really fresh and delicious. Our server took note of my liking to uni and suggested we order the special for dessert they had sea urchin ice cream. I asked him if he was joking but they really did have it on the menu! It was definitely interesting but really tasty and topped with caramelized sugar crumbs. We'll definitely be dining at Union again soon! Side note I also liked their taste in music..they played A Tribe Called Quest & even played DMX Party Up in Here lol (Yelp Elite if you still have your sticker from Union from the Xmas yelp event you get a 10% discount off your bill!)
(4)Amanda Z.
I've only been for happy hour, but what a happy (couple of??) hours that ended up being. Their specials are divine: from 5-6:30 you can get oysters for $1, beef skewers for $2, and their shrimp tempura roll for $4 (small roll) or $8 (large roll). The oysters were FANTASTIC. Probably some of my favorite in recent memory, to be honest. They are served perfectly chilled with a dash of tobiko, and my fave, crispy shallots. YUM. The other two options were great as well, but the oysters really stood out to me. They have lots of great options for drinking accompaniments too...whether you fancy a cold Japanese brew (Kirin Light, anyone) or some sake (THEY HAVE FLIGHTS TOO), or even one of their own special cocktails, you definitely will find something to quench your thirst. Service was lovely, even though we pretty much ordered off the happy hour menu to start. Definitely a happy hour DO in Chicago. I will definitely have to come back to check out more of their regular menu.
(4)Mironda R.
So I ran an NPV analysis, did a few cost-benefit ratio scenarios and it added up to nope if its not HH and I'm not tired of Shrimp Tempura Rolls, then I have to think about Union and all of the other goodness offered around it. Went here with some friends. They have 4 options for the HH, which is clearly a ploy to lure you in. What they did offer was tasty. I had the Shrimp Tempura rolls and my friends had the skewers and oysters, which they said were great. Since the waiter kept asking were we going to order or just stick with the HH offerings, under pressure, I decided to splurge a bit and spent 15 smakkers for 8 pieces of Old City Market - spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu.. some other stuff, wrapped in not rice, but a collard green. It was interesting, but not a winner. Now the ambiance was really nice, modern, and open. I can see it as a place to be seen and to see, but I'm not totally convinced it's for muah! The music is pretty fun too!
(3)Sunshine A.
Great service, great atmosphere, great PRICES, and great music. I really enjoyed my experience here and it's one of my fav places in the city. Planning on a girls night out here. A must try is the truffled tuna!!
(4)Lisa Z.
This is now my go to for sushi. It's phenomenal. Glad one bad experience didn't keep me away because it is so good every time. I go for the truffled tuna, mmm, the sashimi cup, mmmm, and the black rice sampler. Perfection.
(5)Jeff W.
This is an EXCELLENT place to get Sushi. Sitting at the Sushi bar is great! The BBQ Sushi is delicious, and they have a large sake menu. The service is great too!
(5)Mike S.
I don't know what you can really say about this place. Every time we go here, the food is excellent. I usually order the grilled BBQ sampler and it always tastes great! My girlfriend loves the truffled tuna. Black pepper shrimp, scallop, and pork cutlet are also some of my favorites. The Clifton roll. The extensive drink menu is always exciting too.
(5)Gretchen D.
We loved Union Sushi. The decor is very wild/trendy/over-the-top. Think Japanese anime meets lots of orange and paint splatters... Service was excellent. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. He came around and checked frequently but unobtrusively. So many other places should learn from this! Yes-the drinks are pricey at $11 each, but they were generously poured so I didn't feel ripped off. Loved the Morning Glory #2..it was like a Manhattan with ginger added. Nice choice of Shoschu too. The food was all excellent. We had the truffled tuna, which I liked a lot but was not totally blown over by. Loved the BBQ'd cauliflower. Other stand-outs were the following specialty rolls: Old City Market, Clifton #4, and Tsukuji Market. My husband hates fish, so we asked if they could make some cucumber rolls (not on the menu). No problem! Deserts were just okay--not fabulous. We'll be back!
(4)Sarah S.
Union Sushi has made me a huge fan! I was a bit skeptical going into dinner as something about a place being the newest, hippest, hot spot puts me off a bit...but Union has made me a believer! When we first called to make reservations, they said they didn't have anything but when we tried again we were able to get a table - woohoo! Upon arrival and even by the time we left, not every table was full so not sure why there was such an issue with us getting a reservation. We were able to find street metered parking which was great and super close. A couple of friends and I went to the bar while we waited for others. The bartender was very friendly and able to speak easily about the drinks, ingredients and background behind each drink. Apparently they created all of their own special cocktails and they have some cool options on there. I had a Skinny Geisha which was just 99 calories and $11. It had Hum, House Infused Citrus Vodka, Fresca, and Yuzu in it. The bartender told us about hum which is apparently a spirit made right here in Chicago. The drink was delicious and really pretty, highly recommended! We had a comfy half booth and half table seat right in front of the clear encased fire grill that meat is cooked over. Our waitress was also extremely knowledgeable about the food and very friendly. Because we had a large table I was able to try many items! Mushroom Dumplings - fontinella + chive cream sauce $9 Everyone at the table loved these! I wish I got one set of dumplings all for myself instead of ending up with half of one. These are a *must get* item. Truffled Tuna - truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco + wonton chips $11 Solid, tasty appetizer but because Union has so many other unique and inventive dishes, I don't think I will get this again. Alligator on the Robata Grill - garlic-soy + Kirin Light $5 Fun to try but I don't think I'll put this in my regular rotation. Kangaroo on the Robata Grill - on special that night. Super cool that they offered this but again, I don't think I'd get it again. Super White Tuna Special - $11 Amazing dish that was on special! I hope for everyone else's sake that they add this to their regular menu. The flavors in this cooked small plate popped in all the right ways. Spicy Tuna Half Roll - spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake + mayo $5 SO SPICY! If you're week with spices, this is a truly spicy tuna roll. It was rolled so well and tasted quite yummy. Half roll = 4 small pieces. Waffles & Ice Cream dessert- house-made raspberry + blueberry ice cream berry mix, ginger maple syrup $8 That housemade icecream is so good! It trumps the ice cream at many places I've been to. I would get this dish if only for the raspberry and blueberry yummyness. Killer Yuzu Pie - coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream $7 A signature dish of theirs and the pie portion was delectable. I loved the strong flavoring of it but some of my friends thought it was a bit much I really wanted to try the Ice Cream flight (next time for sure) but they had Uni Ice Cream on special and how could I pass that up!? I don't normally eat sea urchin but I'm always down to try new & interesting things. That ice cream was the bomb diggity! My friend who dared to try it also said it was fantastic. I love that you are able to get half rolls of things for half the price, allowing you to be able to try more dishes! The food, service, drinks, atmosphere, beautiful plating & presentation of the dishes and inventiveness at Union Sushi are all AMAZING! Plus, I have the special Yelpers Union sushi sticker on my license so I get 10% off there. Who wants to go back with me?! :D
(5)Julie S.
My boyfriend and I always come to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar whenever we are in town. We always have awesome service and the food is always excellent. We have probably been here about 5 times. On the most current visit (6/7/14), we made reservations for 6:30. When we arrived we were greeted by a friendly hostess and immediately sat. We started with the truffled tuna and king crab. Both apps came out super fast. The truffled tuna is amazing and everyone should try it! It was the perfect size. I like that the peppers are on the side so you can choose how hot you'd like each bite to be. The king crab was a decent portion and very good. Slightly spicy and perfectly cooked. The slight charring added a nice flavor. The little crispy puffs on top added a nice texture because the crab is so soft. For sushi we ordered the hokkado roll and the Chesapeake bay roll. Both we amazing and super fresh. We also ordered: beef tongue, beef filet, and the spare ribs. The beef tongue was soft but not mushy and very flavorful, excellent charr from the grill. Same can be said for the beef filet. The spare ribs were fall off the bone delicious, vinegary and a alcoholy taste in the BBQ sauce, which was good. For dessert had the chocolate brownie which was so decadent and delicious! If you love chocolate, order the brownie! Overall another great experience. We will be back time and time again.
(5)Abby L.
Came here for dinner with a close friend a few weeks ago. Was very impressed! Food was delicious. Ambiance is unique--so fun inside, but still good spacing and able to hear conversation... really loved my sushi and our appetizers. Will for sure be back! Our waiter was very nice and accomodating, too. Would recommend for date night, group of friends, and happy hour.
(4)Marissa S.
One word: Awesome. I am desperate to now find a place in my home city (NYC) that will offer Black Rice Sushi....hands down it is better than white or brown rice sushi and I am officially converted. Truffle Tuna is obviously amazeballs. Come hungry to this place. Freshly shaved wasabi?! What?! I have never seen that before even in NYC...amazing and so delish. I also ordered a Japanese soda....super good, made with real sugar wheeeeee!! This is a great place to come with friends or a date....definitely can get a bit noisy, so if you are an old like me, be prepared for that.
(4)Samantha H.
I absolutely love the decor in here. I would recommend sitting upstairs if you can because it's quieter and smaller so I think it's more comfortable and intimate. There were four of us so we split a few things. We got the truffled tuna at the suggestion of our server. It was okay but nothing special. It was similar to the poke tuna at GT and that is so much better. The rolls were very solid. Even my husband liked them and he doesn't even like sushi. The beef tongue was spectacular. Very tasty and moist. I have to say the let down for me was the kangaroo. It did not taste like kangaroo at all and I'm not sure that it was. But everything else was very good. I'll definitely return.
(4)Shiyi Q.
I strongly recommend this Japanese Restaurant! Food is so delicious, and they are all shareable.
(5)Hasan S.
A friend and I went here last night, and I will start to say the service was amazing. Rachel who was our waitress, was very helpful and knew a lot about the food. We were so impressed by the food and service, we let Rachel pick the dessert for us that night, Keyu Pie, so good!! Food was excellent and very tasty. We got the Black Rice Sushi Sampler, I highly suggest it, good mix of different types of sushi!! This is my first time writing a yelp review, this place convinced me to write up an excellent review! Def going back here again, this time we are going to try something from the grill!! ***Also, this is the only place in Chicago that I know of that makes and serves fresh wasabi at your table, delicious!
(5)Lauren M.
Never had a problem here until today. Ordered to go and within 3 hours I was sick. The sushi I normally have tasted a little off today and I now know why. I won't be eating here again.
(1)Sarah S.
Favorite happy hour hotspot of hubby and I. Delicious and the most fresh sushi. Black rice is the way to go. Ahm, one of the sushi chefs, always creates an incredible custom roll for us by request and it never disappoints. The soft shell crab roll and the shrimp tempura roll with black rice are faves. Truffled tuna app is a must. Best miso soup I've had. Not to miss the well rounded Union!
(5)Rachel P.
My husband and I went to dinner last night at Union Sushi. We made a reservation earlier in the evening via Open Table. We ended up sitting at the sushi bar so we could watch the chef on to Robata Grill. Our experience was undoubtedly the best we've had at a new restaurant in years. First the server, Yu, came over and asked if we would like anything to drink. We wanted Sake to start. She was very knowledgeable and suggested the Crazy Milk unfiltered Sake. It was a great choice. Being the curious person that I am, I asked Yu to explain the menu to us, because we weren't familiar with the style of BBQ we saw in front of us. She was on it, she brought back the iPad that outlined the daily specials. Then she reviewed each section of the menu perfectly. I had a complete understanding of how much we should order and some of the favorites or most popular items. We had the Truffle Tuna to start, which was amazing. Then I had the mushroom soup and my husband had the miso. The brought my soup with the mushrooms in the bowl then poured the broth in front of me. The presentation was awesome! Next, we had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. OMG, we should have ordered one per person, because that half scallop was amazing and I wanted more! We also had a half roll of the soft shell crab and half roll of the octopus. Both were great, but I preferred the octopus. The chef at the Robata Grill was very friendly. My husband is a talker, but sometimes that pays off ;) The chef made us a special shrimp skewer. It seriously was the one of the best things I have ever eaten. I didn't want it to end. We also had the short rib and the rainbow roll. Both were good, but nothing could top the shrimp and the scallop. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be going back! Great atmosphere with very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Can't beat it!
(5)Alexa L.
I'm coming back here to order the mushroom roll. It might sound weird and I don't know why but it is DELICIOUS and I would be happy to eat it every day for a long time. I also recommend the duck wing (90% as good as the mushroom roll) but please note that one order comes with one duck wing and is NOT easy to share. This place has a fun atmosphere and you can watch the chefs prepare the food on the first floor. Also, the service is very kind and playful to match the space.
(4)Dana Z.
Definitely in top 5 sushi places. Cool atmosphere, attentive though rigid service, and delicious food. They use a little tablet in addition to the menu to show pictures of menu items - easy to flip through, helped me decide.
(4)Jac C.
I've been here a couple of times with my husband and we just LOVE the shrimp tempura rolls. They are warm and crunchy deliciousness!!! I would; however, suggest that anyone who visits Union to be brave and order a couple of their unusual items like the Kangaroo (no it doesn't taste like chicken) it is honestly amazing! The "Buffalo" Duck Wing is ridiculously good too. So crunchy on the outside and insanely tender on the inside. I even liked the Duck Fat Yakisoba and I'm really not a fan of BBQ Sauce. All in all, this is a great restaurant especially if you are one to try new things and share an exciting dining experience with some friends or a loved one. Order a bunch of small places to share and you can't go wrong!
(4)Rebecca L.
Dinner on 1-5-13 I am deducting one star for the some less than stellar hostess work and weird sized plates. We had: Mushroom dumpling and agedashi potato appetizers--both good BBQ-Scallop and Jumbo Shrimp--excellent Sushi: Devon roll--not the best sweet potato roll I have had River North roll--interesting and different. I really liked it. Dessert: Chocolate Brownie--not going to order that again. I missed reading that it was a tofu mousse and didn't like it---its on me and my personal preference. It was just too rich and too big even when shared for my tastes. I lean toward not chocolate desserts though so take that for what it is worth : )
(4)Glen W.
This is a fun place with a nice atmosphere, an extremely diverse range of Japanese offerings and good service. The food, on the other hand, is not that tasty. The one really good thing was the alligator.
(3)Kristen W.
We went here for the happy hour food and were pleasantly surprised by how much we liked it! We ordered the beef filet skewers ( from the 'barbecue' side $2) and were blown away by the flavor. Then we moved onto sushi were we had shrimp tempura rolls, which were served warm like I've never had them before but nonetheless they were tasty. We also tried the sweet potato roll which is hard to mess up! The food happy hour is awesome, the drinks are expensive ($11 average for cocktails) but that's pretty standard for the area!
(4)Evan S.
This place gets FIVE stars for great sushi, awesome drinks, and incredible music. More on that in a bit. I ordered to my heart's content. Cocktails: I went with the two whiskey options, good ol' tried and true. Apps included the Truffle Tuna (parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips), Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop (literally melted in my mouth - is that what she...? NVM!), and the Jumbo Shrinp. For my roll action I share the Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hokkaido, Spicy Tuna, Dragon, Devon rolls). The Hokkaido was my fave of the bunch. No desserts as I was still on my "no sweets for Lent" stint, but the selection looked enticing. What really put Union over the top was the 90s hip-hop and R&B! It was a WELCOME surprise and my party was grooving all through the dinner with constant "OK! Oh snap! Uh oh!" action. The service was also top-notch. I'll definitely be back here! Keep it tight, Evan
(5)Kimberly M.
I can't stop thinking about that Fiddlehead salad!!!! I mean everything was amazing, but that salad.....
(4)Dan M.
In need of sushi in a contemporary and relatively upscale setting? Union may be just the ticket! In downtown Chicago there's plenty of sushi joints but they tend to be a) ultra modern (all white, sterile, etc...) or places dong fru-fru nonsense with flowers, cut/ molded fruit and veggies and lights on your plate for God's sake. Union does old school sashimi and nigiri with a upscale presentation without all the nonsense so you're able to enjoy the very freshest fish, unusual options without being crowded out by a bunch of soul-p atched hipsters. Further - they have a fantastic grill with a plethora of options and the noodle soups are fantastic as well. Whether sushi or Barbeque you're in for a treat just leave your club clothes and/ or hipster gear at home, Union is for "real people"!
(4)Sahar M.
Very creative. They are some unique dishes that give this restaurant a great individuality like tuna cup with edible cup. I like the food and atmosphere. The sushi is good with reasonable prices. Everything from the grill is awesome. I also love the drinks. Ask them for traditional mule. Ammmmmaaazing.
(4)Jacob J.
It's Restaurant week 2013 in Chicago and my only advice is GO! $33 bones for dinner service and it is a must. (RW2013: Two days left kids) 2013 Michelin recommended restaurant. Swanky & hip interiors are sure to please, this spot is a mere stone's throw from Spy Bar and Hop Haus. For $33 bones I enjoyed: Miso Soup. Black Pepper Shrimp - w/ Black pepper, pickled chili, green onion Pork loin - w/ Coconut milk, enoki mushrooms, fried onions green onion + Japanese curry peanut sauce Pumpkin mochi cake - w/ Cream cheese ice cream, caramel + pumpkin brittle. Since I visited with friends and family. We also sampled the sushi sampler, many ordered off the Prix Fixe menu so there was a ton of sushi on the table of different kinds. All of which were uber tasty. Ordering meats off their robata grill is a must! Beef tongue was succulent. Black pepper shrimps were meaty but we saw another shrimp on the grill which was enormous, at least ten inches in length. (?) Mouth watering. Then we make it to dessert and as if dinner wasn't tasteful enough. Killer Yuzu pie (key lime) or Pumpkin mochi cake. My cousin took one bite of that cake and never looked up again, his eyes intensely fixed on his mochi. Spoonfuls of moist, glutinous mochi and cream cheese ice cream adorned in pumpkin brittle and caramel. This dude slammed his, a bit of mine and contemplated ordering one to go. Too good. My only gripes and there were two. How quickly bus boys took plates away, sometimes nothing was said. Also, if Surf & Turf is offered as well as meats in general, why not have a decent steak knife for cutting. The common butter knife just doesn't do it. Great with friends and family. Good for impressing a sexy date. No need for valet, street parking is ample.
(5)Andre W.
I was enticed by friends to come here because of their happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks My friends couldn't make it out so I invited my gf for an outing. First of all the decor is very hip, urban with graffiti on the walls, but with a slick feel to it. Also I thought it was cool eating while listening to Gang Starr, Dilated Peoples & Blackstreet classic hits. Again, this joint has a hip, swanky & urban feel to it. The staff was awesome in explaining the goodies on the menu. They took really good care of us. The beef skewers were very juicy and tender....we had 4 of them! The shrimp tempura was really good as well. I destroyed a half roll with a smile on my face. One of the managing partners gave us a tour of the place...really a nice guy. He also makes special dishes if you get a seat in front of his cooking station. This could end up being a serious go to place for after work activities.
(5)Amoli P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a sushi and barbeque bar. As a general rule, I tend to assume that any restaurant offering in multiple cuisines means that the sushi will just be sub-par, if not awful. Union Sushi is the exception to this rule. We made an easy reservation for 7pm on a Thursday evening, and were seated right away. The decor is trendy but with a Japanese vibe. Drinks are served in cool wooden carrying vessels that are somehow modern and authentic at the same time. While we each had a regular menu at the table to peruse through, we were also given an iPad (yes, I said iPad) for our table that offered closer looks at items (with pictures), details on the daily food and drink specials. It seemed a little excessive to use iPads as menu items - we looked around us and counted at least 7 iPads being used at various tables - but it was also something new and kind of cool. We were instantly served tasty edamame with a different spice blend. Our cocktails arrived quickly and I found the Skinny Geisha to be light and refreshing, without being overpoweringly sweet. My boyfriend got the Eastern Medicine and found it delicious as well. We started with the cauliflower salad which had a nice citrus and vinegar flavoring. The truffled tuna was excellent, though as some reviewers have pointed out - the truffle taste was a little overpowering and hid the taste of the tuna. We did not get too experimental with the bbq items. My boyfriend and friends shared a kangaroo skewer as it was a special of the day and said it was fine (and tasted just like lamb) but wasn't mind-blowing. Next up were the sushi rolls. The best part about Union is that you can order sushi rolls in half or full amounts...and the half rolls are exactly half the price, rather than other restaurants who charge you 80% of the full price for only half the amount of food. This allowed us to really try a variety of the menu for 4 people, without spending a ridiculous amount of money. The sushi roll menu at Union is limited in that they do not use yellowtail or other less common fish in their rolls. They pretty much stick to tuna, spicy tuna, one roll with salmon, and the other cooked items like eel, shrimp, scallops, calamari and fried oysters. However, the rolls they do offer are nothing short of delicious and amazing. What Union lacks in fish variety in their rolls, they make up for with orginality in every other way. We tried rolls wrapped in collard greens, rolls wrapped in soy paper, and rolls wrapped in black rice (a healthier option to sushi rice). Each bite made our taste buds dance, and the fish and vegetables were extremely fresh. We went with the Dragon roll (in black rice), the Soft Shell Crab, the Hokkaido, the Devon, and the River North. The Soft Shell Crab was pretty standard, and the Devon was tempting mostly because of the curry sauce (all 4 of us were Indian, so obviously we had to try this). The hokkaido and River North rolls were absolutely delicious and easily my two favorites. They used a burdock root (or gobo) in the River North roll that added a wonderful crunch and the collard green wrapping was genius. The Hokkaido was wrapped in soy paper and had wonderful flavor blends of garlic and jalapeno and cilantro. The Dragon roll was less original but very fresh and tasty, and the black rice added a different texture but did not have the same overpowering taste that brown rice tends to. The black rice is a great option for carb-conscious eaters, as brown rice tends to ruin a sushi roll. We did get the fresh wasabi at our table, but quite honestly I don't know that our taste buds were sophisticated enough to appreciate the difference. It did taste better than regular wasabi, but I don't think it's worth the $5.00 surcharge. We only tried a couple pieces of the nigiri (super white tuna and hamachi) but both were fresh and good solid size cuts. It was a great experience with friendly service and fresh and original food. I look forward to going back and trying some of the rolls we didn't get to, as well as some of the bbq items and appetizer items. It's a great place to go with only 2 people, as the half rolls allow you to try a better variety than you usually get.
(4)Avanti H.
omg yes i am a newcomer to sushi and let me just say this place does it right . love love it . everything taste excellent , even the service is good and i went on friday when they are packed , and our waitress was very attentive. love it fav sushi place .
(5)Andrea R.
It was a Friday night and the hubby and I decided to take advantage of a visiting grandmother...and have a date night. At 8pm it was too late to get a reservation at anywhere we've been wanting to try so we decided to walk a few blocks to Union Sushi and hope for a table. We didn't get lucky with a table, but we did get "lucky" with 2 uncomfortable seats at the bar upstairs. The menu is quite interesting with a mix of Korean BBQ and sushi. We decided to try both, but first enjoyed some drinks (beer for the hubby and a glass of wine for me). In terms of Korean BBQ we ordered the ribs and were feeling a little adventurous so ordered alligator as well. Both were OK- I probably wouldn't order these again next time. And then we picked a few rolls from the menu as well. I do like that they have the option of ordering half or full rolls. We went the half roll route so that we could try several different options. The variety of rolls we ordered were tasty, although I did mention to my husband that I preferred the sushi at our restaurant of choice these days, Seadog Sushi Bar*. I was also still a bit hungry after we finished so ordered one last roll: a shrimp tempura roll. It was very large and had way too much mayo on it (ick) for my liking. The hubby said he would have preferred to pick up a pint of Ben and Jerry's on the way home instead of eating that roll. I kinda agreed. The bartender upstairs was our server and he was pretty fabulous...and seemed knowledgeable about both the drinks and food here. I'd come back for some apps and drinks at the bar, but if I'm looking for sushi (which I usually am) I'd probably go elsewhere. -------------------------- yelp.com/biz/seadog-sush…
(3)Brian L.
The menu at Union can be a little overwhelming--there's just wayyy too many things to try. And, since even the most traditional sounding items are made a little different, there's an urge to order more than you really want. I guess that's not a bad thing right? The Food: +` Bento Special - 5/5 - The special came with a variety of cold and hot items including fried oysters, sweet potato agedashi tofu, beef tongue w/ peanut sauce, marinated salmon sashimi, and some other great stuff. There's a reason why you order the special! +` Spicy Pigtail Ramen - 4/5 - Union makes its own ramen noodles, so I had high hopes. The noodles had a great bite--a sign of freshness, but the broth was really heavy. +` Rainbow Roll - 3/5 - Why are these so small?! The Rainbow tasted standard but I've had better and bigger elsewhere. +` River North Roll - 3.5/5 - Definitely an interesting roll wrapped by collard greens, but I'd probably order something else in the future. Overall, the food was solid, and service was exceptional!
(4)Avery A.
I have been here twice in the past year and this place is fantastic every time. Great vibes from first walking in. The place is pretty modern/hip as are the customers. You can sit by the grill or get your own table. If it's your first time, it may be fun to sit by the grill, unless you're still getting to know your date. Cocktails are strong and tasty. Just as good as any cocktail bar in Chicago. The menu is huge with a ton of options to choose from. Be careful though, it can add up pretty quickly. The BBQ menu is amazing an exotic (Kangaroo and Alligator on the menu among other things). Their tuna appetizers are incredible, as are their specialty roles. Stay for dessert! Their desserts are incredible! Tiramisu milkshake was fantastic and I have had a couple of seasonal items which I recommend trying! All in all this is one of my favorite spots in Chicago and a 5/5 every time I come.
(5)Juan A.
This place is awesome!!! In particular I am still fixated on their delectable Uni Alfredo Soba!!!! Just for this dish alone I glad give Union 5 stars. If you love uni this is a must try!! seriously my best dish of the year. The flavors are so intense, I am salivating as I remember it now. This place is all around a good time great drinks and fantastic dishes at reasonable prices (considering it is a Japanese cuisine restaurant in river north in close proximity to downtown). The place is just well thought out and always a good time. Looking for great food, good ambiance and overall good experience Union is a sure thing! Try to sit at the chef's table and see the master at work. Thank you for the VIP attention Chef Chao, everything was phenomenal! also thank you to Michael our gracious friend and manager who made sure all needs were taken care of.
(5)H K.
Super fun evening. Took a group from work and we had a ball. The tempura and dragon rolls were wonderful, but the open-face crab stole the show. One downside is they offer no premium liquor. They should fix that immediately. The beer selection was limited, too.
(4)Liz S.
Overall, we had a good dining experience and our server was great. The free edamame was a great start. We got the spare rib and scallop skewers and a large spicy tuna and crunchy salmon skin rolls to start. The spare rib and spicy tuna roll were very good. The scallop was also good but it was only one tiny scallop, which we didn't realize (the spare rib was really big). The salmon skin roll was a bit salty. My husband go the duck fat yakusoba, which was very good and not spicy. I got the chicken ramen, which I was really looking forward to, and it was terrible. I never send any food back, and eat literally everything, but we had to send this back. It had no flavor (even when we added the spicy sauce) and tasted somehow both oily and watery at the same time. I'm pretty sure the table next to us sent the chicken ramen back, as well. We'll be back, but I'm a bit nervous to try the other ramen options.
(4)Anne M.
All these fun new restaurants popping up in River North! Union might lead the pack in the hip/trendy category. Think bright orange, neons and flashiness, (huge) sculpted metal mesh detailing, thick stone tables, exposed upstairs bar area - there's a lot going on, and it's all very fun and detail oriented. Bling bling! I went here for lunch with two others - when we walked in around 11:40 it was empty. When we left close to 1pm it was totally filled up - but didn't feel grossly packed, which was nice. My trio split 4 different sushi rolls - all super fresh and delicious. This is the best looking and tasting sushi I've had in a while. You don't realize how bad/mediocre some sushi is until you have some really kick-ass sushi. [ Union's being kick-ass ] The menu also has half and full roll options, so you can try many different half rolls if you want to. We also split some samplings from their barbeque menu - the curry chicken thigh, beef spare rib + scallop. The chicken and scallop were delish. The menu prices reflect the high-end appearance of this place, but the food and service was really great. Go here if you're craving some fancy sushi in a fancy fun restaurant.
(5)Rob C.
I have been here a couple of times now and really like it here. The spicy tuna roll and the Bay Street California rolls are my favorite. Some of the best I have ever had and I love sushi so it has to impress. Food and drinks are good and the place has a good vibe all around cool place. Def a must stop for sushi while in Chicago.
(5)Galina M.
Its pretty good although id much rather get robata grill stuff from there than sushi. Bacon wrapped scallops r to die for and so is the allegator (tastes just like chicken). They have a nice lil bar area on the top (2nd floor).
(3)Carmen G.
Deelishus! :p had the dragon with black rice and had to ask for more. The sushi in a cup wasn't my favorite; it was alright. I also had a sampler from the grill and it was pretty good. Would definitely go back again!
(5)Mrs. H.
Excellent! The vibe is great in addition to the diverse menu! There's lots to choose from, including fresh wasabi for those of you who care to avoid the typical powder and water substitute served in most restaurants. I enjoyed grilled kangaroo, beef, and squid, oysters on the half shell, sushi, and complimentary edamame. Viewing menu specials on their iPads makes for a savvy touch to the dining experience. Happy Hour is in full effect on Saturdays. Check the back of your menu, because our waiter didn't highlight this "special."
(5)Madison B.
This place was good. I had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. Deliscious! I also had the calamari sushi and yellow tail sushi. Everything was yummy...including the drinks. Btw the bartender was AWESOME. He knew all about the drinks and the food and was super nice. I had a good time.
(4)Jaimé S.
My fiancé and I came there last night for my birthday dinner. I been wanting to go for so long. Food: We had shared a lot of different dishes, like that they had half rolls. We first started with the Oysters, very good and flavorful. The Tuna tartar cup was good, had a lil kick of spice. Both loved the Duck Buffalo Wing from the first bite. Second we tried the Alligator, Shrimp and the bacon wrapped scallop skewers. Alligator my fiancé liked I only had one bite because to me it was very gamy, both enjoyed the shrimp skewer, scallop I liked a lot, was perfectly cooked, fiancé didn't. For rolls we had the Dragon, Bay Street California, Hokkaldo, Old City Market, Chesapeake Bay and the Clifton #4. All rolls were excellent, fresh and delicious. Even though I don't like Wasabi, they said they make it fresh but ours was the same you get store bought. I did see a chef come to tables around ours, grating Wasabi, not sure if that's on request or just got skipped. Service: Hostess was friendly and seated us immediately. Our server was also friendly, suggestive and informative. Service was a lil slow, place wasn't packed but he was the only server with the help of the 2 bussers. I ordered dessert and after I was halfway through it, they brought a birthday dessert on house since hostess or manager forgot to tell him it was my birthday. They came while my fiancé was in the restroom also didn't remember who's birthday it was. So they just left it with the candle lit, table next to ours felt bad so they sang to me. That was the only thing that I really disliked. If you drop the ball either forget it completely or wait til both are seated. Cleanliness and Decor: Restaurant was very cleaned, nice fixures and music was of today's hits not grandma/grandpa era. We will definitely return as we enjoyed the food but not for any special occasion.
(4)Sarah D.
I went to Union Sushi for lunch with my coworkers recently, and it was pretty good! It's right around the corner from my office, and right off the brown line, so it's convenient to get to. We booked our table through gdine.com and it was super easy to split the check 7 ways in advance. I ordered the Surf and Turf Slider bento box, and it came with a Wagyu beef burger, crabcake, and a spicy shrimp roll. All were very good, and you get a free drink through gDine, so that made it even better. I think I prefer the sushi rolls over everything else, but all in all, it's a great spot for lunch, and $1 oysters are always a good deal!
(4)Andrew O.
Get the short rib ramen. The meat is falling apart and make sure to drink the broth to the last drop. Just be careful not to eat one of the peppers. The spicy tuna in the roll is also very high quality and the coating makes a great crunchy contrast to the tuna.
(5)Shereene M.
I was expecting it to be a little nicer (not sure why) but its pretty casual (which isn't a problem). They actually play really good music if you're into older hip hop and r&b which was really cool. Anyway, the food was good. I tried a few rolls (one for sure was devon) and they tasted good but not my favorite sushi. We tried the spicy pigtail ramen also which is sooo spicy! Overall the food was good but not my favorite sushi ever.
(3)Steve S.
So this was our first effort to find good sushi in Chicago. After reading the yelp reviews, we decided on Union and we enjoyed our dinner. The variety between the rolls and the barbeque help differentiate Union from our favorite Asian fusion restaurant, Umami Moto in Milwaukee. We did have a bit of doubt when we first walked in though. We had 7:00 reservations and the place was not busy but the douche bag host at the front was more interested in his conversation with some other dude about how he was friends with the guy who didn't show up in the other dude's party. I found it incredibly rude that he turned away from us to discuss how good of friends he was with the guy who didn't show up. Thankfully the hostess saw my death stare at the dude and checked us in and got us seated. From there, everything was excellent. Our sever, Daniel, was spot on. He did an excellent job of checking in but wasn't intrusive. One of the better servers we've had! As for food, everything was good but a few items stood out more than others. We started with the truffled tuna which was very good. I liked the equal portion of tuna and avocado. The wonton chips were good but I still preferred the ones Umami Moto serves in the tuna poke. The spicy tuna roll was tasty but the Bay Street roll was a bit off due to the warm crab cake and cold cucumber. We also opted for the fresh wasabi which was very good. Gave a different type of heat. For the 2nd round, we each choose a barbeque item and also created our own roll using the super white tuna. Props for Daniel for allowing us to create that. My partner said the beef filet was "nothing special". However my spare rib was the star of the entire meal. It was literally falling off the bone and the accompanying slaw was incredible. Our super white tuna roll was also exceptional. We ended with desserts which were just okay. The pumpkin mochi cake had good taste but the mixture of hard ice cream and tough spongy outer ring made for a weird texture. My partner had the soy chocolate brownie and while he liked it, he could definitely taste the soy. There are lots of sushi places in Chicago so our quest will continue but Union does a nice job of distinguishing itself with it's fun & funky interior and combination of decent rolls and barbeque items.
(3)Julia D.
This place was fantastic for, well, everything! I was with a group in town for business and everyone was in the mood for sushi. Yelp led me to this place. We had the Truffled Tuna, Mushroom Dumplings and Cobia Carpaccio. The tuna was to die for. If you choose one app off the menu do yourself a favor and get that. We had a main course of the black rice roll sampler and a few additional rolls. I finished with the Union Canolis made with pistachio, pineapple and black sesame seed. YUM! When I am back in Chicago I'll try this place again. I skipped BBQ this time but next time I'll be trying that. Yelppers did not steer me worng on this place, well worth a try.
(4)KC C.
We brought a group of six to our favorite sushi place, and had a great time. An overlooked area of Union is the upstairs bar area, where the mixologist makes a hibiscus garnished cocktail that is the finest mixed drink I believe we have experienced in Chicago. Aside from my fun friends, this cocktail was the highlight. The food was excellent, again, and Daniel provided excellent service and experience. The hostess sent me a text during our meal asking for feedback-simple, give Daniel, our server, a raise; LOL. Cannot miss when enjoying Union Sushi and BBQ. Off to the gym!
(5)Shannon L.
I spent a relaxing, boozy, 3 hour, Friday afternoon lunch at Union. I can't even begin to tell you everything we ate and drank (other than the bottle of prosecco I downed by myself) but it was all wonderful...including the oysters that were forced on me (I don't generally eat or like oysters but these were - by far - the best oysters I have ever had). All the rolls and food we ordered was great - fresh and uniquely done - but by far the best part about this was how amazing the service was. We didn't even realize that they had closed the restaurant to prepare for dinner but they continued to serve us and even let us sample some of their different sake - bubbling and regular. Also fun - I was Instagram-ing photo's of our food and drinks and posting them to Twitter and Union was responding to me and reposting my photos to their FB page. Who doesn't love a little social media interaction with their meal?
(5)Aus B.
It started off a bit suspect but in the end we lucked out. They cancelled our reservation because we were more than 20 mins. late. Fair enough i guess. Due to our late arrival, they sat us at the bar upstairs and we got amazing service. The food was fantastic as well. One of the owner's stopped by and served us a comp'd flight of sake. Thanks! Everything we ordered was fresh and well prepared.
(5)Mike A.
Spending a few days downtown over the holidays with the family in order to enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful city. Not to mention a chance to try some new restaurants. Looking for a sushi place, decided on Union based on the positive reviews. Overall the food was ok, nothing really outstanding and nothing that would have me rushing to come back again. We ordered several "grill" apps, but none really stood out. Out of the the 1/2 dozen or so, alligator was probabaly the best one. Several sushi rolls had mayo and other sauces all over them. While it looks pretty, it masks the taste of the roll and overpowers the flavor of the fish. Service was very good and the server suggested a bento box for my son, which was presented in a nice stackable container. In summary, it was an avg experiance, the grill was a nice change from your std sushi places, but if you are in the mood for sushi, I would not make this place my top choice.
(3)Kamilah S.
I saw this place on Check Please and was impressed so I decided to check it out. My girls and I came here on a Friday night and we were very impressed. First, they were playing rap music, NICE, the music changed after 3 songs to a soft, mellow mix. Second, once you are seated you get complimentary edamame, dusted with a seasoning that changes daily. Friday's choice was sour cream and onion or chives, I forget, but it was delish. Drinks were nice and strong. The specials are shown to you on an I-Pad. Matthew, our waiter was great, he made great drinks choices. I have the salmon wrapped in a collard green leaf, the mussels they come in this great flavorful, slightly spicy, ginger, lemongrass broth and you get toasty, crusty bread, the kangaroo, the alligator, one of my bff's have the plate-o-protein ( I call it that because its just MEAT and 2 florets of broccoli and cauliflower, she substituted some of the meats and veggies), my other bff had the lamb chops and the spicy tuna roll. We were so stuffed. I will definitely be back. All of the food was excellent.
(5)Jeremy N.
The thing I think I love most about Union is that they have some rolls which are very much off the beaten path. The Hokkaido roll is the one that always comes to mind, which is a brilliant combination of scallop, jalapeno, cilantro, avocado and masago-mayo all wrapped up in soy paper. When I looked at it on the menu it didn't sound all that appealing but my wife ordered it and the flavors blew me away! I think they also have a roll that is wrapped in collard greens... if you're looking for a departure from your boring sushi routine, give Union a shot. They also have the most delicious Japanese white ale called Hitachino - it is not cheap, about $10 a bottle I think, but if you're out to celebrate or splurge it is worth it, truly one of my favorite beers.
(5)Niti B.
So I've been out of town for almost two weeks...decided to catch up with a friend and we went for a walk to Citizen bar. Along the way we came across Union Sushi and she said it had been on her list to try so we took a shot and on a Saturday night at 7pm got a table for two. I guess we were eating pretty early or it isn't that popular just yet. I enjoyed every little thing we had! And we ordered plenty... I started with the: Princess Elena | Cranberry Blood Orange Tea Infused Broker's Gin, Amaro Montenegro, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Egg White. Normally I see the words egg white and get squirmish but gave it a shot since our waiter said they infuse the gin themselves. Was so good I had a second! Off course we started with some complimentary edemame and got great recommendations from the waiter. The concept is sushi and japanese street food. As far as the street food I only tried the jumbo shrimp skewer...let me advise you, it is not to share and only one shrimp but packs a punch of flavor. We also had the TRUFFLED TUNA- truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chile fresco + wonton chips. this was the least impressive of all. Didn't feel any flavor in the tuna and would have liked it if it actually had a little heat or acidity. The rolls we tried were: CLIFTON #4 | fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori + garlic mayo OLD CITY MARKET | spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion, fried okra + wrapped in collard green SOFT SHELL CRAB | cucumber, lettuce, fried ginger, avocado, rice puff, sesame paste + sweet chile sauce all were different and unique to themselves. I don't think the place is amazing but is definitely worth a try.
(3)Tiffany K.
I came here with my S.O. and we had so much food, it's hard to remember it all! We definitely had the alligator, spare rib, and pork shoulder from the BBQ bar. Alligator was a bit salty, but pretty much tasted like chicken so that was a nice surprise. For maki, we ordered half orders so we could try a lot. We tried the Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin (cucumber, avocado, masago, cilantro, chile oil, eel sauce), Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper), Clifton #4 (fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori, garlic mayo), and the Rainbow (eel, hirame, tuna, cucumber, avocado). Standouts were the Clifton #4 and the Hokkaido, part of their specialty rolls. We also ordered nigiri and swtched out white rice for black rice, which was a GREAT idea! The fish tasted fresh and everything was prepared excellently. They even grated FRESH wasabi for us table-side, and it was a game changer. For dessert, we got the pumpkin mochi cake. Holy crap, the pumpkin mochi cake. It was a tough decision between that and the donut, but IT WAS DELICIOUS and I still remember it. Drinks were on point - I ordered Kitsune's Flip, and it was not too sweet but pretty boozy. The only bad part was the slow, slow service. It was packed on a Saturday night, but not insanely busy. It took at least 10 minutes to get waters!!! All in all, I'd come back for sure. The food is amazing!!
(5)Winston G.
Drinks are pretty great here, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the food. The food was alright - some typical izakaya type dishes and a bunch of "fusion" sushi rolls, but nothing stood out too much for me. The fried pork belly was good, but the slices of pork belly are really thin and small. Probably my favorite dish of the night. Prosciuitto wrapped scallops from the barbecue bar was also very good. The duck fat yaki soba was very average. The rolls are fine -- all of them are very unique and different. I like the fact you can get half and full sizes, so you can try a number of different rolls without overpaying.
(3)Ray D.
Awesome sushi box for lunch and amazing BBQ and sushi pieces for dinner. Anything cooked here is awesome! Great fireplace adds to the ambiance.
(4)Eric V.
In short, hit or miss. I thoroughly enjoyed the Agedashi Potato (creamy sweet potato "tots" served in a smoky dashi broth) and the Venison (very flavorful and butter knife tender, the silky egg yolk brought it all together). The succulent Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop - topped with a wasabi avocado puree and frizzled ginger - was quite good, too. Strangely enough, the misses were the two main items that grace the restaurants namesake, sushi and barbecue. The wifey and I tried the Clifton #4 roll, and it was just an odd combination of flavors that never really came together. The calamari had also crossed the line into semi-chewy so that didn't help either. The Beef Tongue, which itself was very tender, was just overpowered with the taste of char. Now I love char from a BBQ grill just as much as the next guy, but the flavor profile had clearly gone into burnt territory (just from a few grill marks, mind you). The Monkfish suffered the same fate, as that burnt taste was too much to appreciate either the quality of the fish or the sauce with which it was finished. Our meal did, however, end a high note. The Yuzu pie is fantastic, well balanced between tart and sweet, and very much like an Asian key lime pie. 3 apps, 5 skewers, and 1 dessert netted us a final bill around $60, sans booze. On food alone it's not necessarily easy on the wallet, considering the amount of food you get. Our server was very pleasant, but the oontz oontz music and overall vibe definitely say, "I'm here to party". The Friday night River North crowd was in dress to impress mode, so you may want to save the flip flops, cutoff tees, and jorts for another occasion. How I managed to escape any comments for not wearing a collared button down shirt is still beyond me...
(3)Beckee W.
I feel a little bit bad giving this place 3 stars, but I need to remember that that means average and that's what I'd say about this place. Prob a 3.5 if I could. I am off carba during the week and a friend was craving sushi so this place did well by us. Standouts: Brussels sprouts in pesto should have been wrong but were good! Tuna tartare with truffle was soo close but needed a touch of citrus or acid to cut all the creaminess Shrimp from the BBQ menu was BRUTAL with crazy pepper sauce that completely overwhelmed the shrimp. My friend dipped a finger in the sauce and choked Prosciutto wrapped scallop was Devine Drinks were pricey but really yummy I didn't try a roll but my friend got the Dragon and she said it was good and it looked decent. Won't rush to come back but if I'm in the area and hungry I'd stop back. They are new so hopefully the feedback improves them because I like the space and the concept!
(3)D. C.
Awesome sushi and pretty good prices. Try the black rice option...delicious. Every roll I've had here has been wonderful. My wife doesn't like fish, so the vegetarian option is perfect for her. We love the mushroom and sweet potato rolls!
(5)Carl G.
Randomly headed here on a Saturday night - happened to be during restaurant week, bonus! Quite a busy place, all the tables full, and the atmosphere was definitely happy. Fantastic music selection really created great ambiance also! It was really eclectic and instead of being background music, added to the fun. There isn't a ton of room to sit and wait, so I'd show up close to your reservation time to avoid standing outside or in the doorway. We ended up at the sushi bar, and though it was quite informal and there was no personal space, it was exactly what we needed, and it turned out to be a positive. The service was adequate, and probably the reason why this place got 4 instead of 5 stars. They were attentive for the most part, but didn't do a good job of giving us advice about portion size, even when we directly asked if we had ordered too much, and so we way over-ordered. Also, all of the food seemed to come out at the same time - and at the sushi bar this was a bit of a problem - there just isn't enough room! It would have been better to have appropriately ordered and had the food come out sequentially rather than simultaneously. The food was really the star of the show. We split a bow of ramen and that is something I'd get again for sure. It had rich flavor, was full of "things" (pork belly, vegetables, noodles, egg, etc.)...loved it. We got 4 other items, and they all were pretty amazing. The grill produced well cooked and seasoned meats, and any accompaniments were quickly slurped up. The black rice sushi was pretty neat, something that I hadn't experienced before - the roll we got tasted extremely fresh, and was a great addition. Despite our over-ordering, we ended up finishing everything. Yes, we felt fat, but it was tough to put down! Overall, really impressed with the food and the atmosphere. Definitely somewhere to go with a small to mid-size group, where you're looking to share some food have a little fun!
(4)Carol K.
Highly ambitious. That's the best way I can explain my take on Union Sushi and Barbeque. We stopped in on opening week. Since I was there before my friend, I took a seat at the smallish bar and talked to the bartender who was personable and quick with a drink. They don't carry typical bar brands so you may have to adjust from your favorites but they do have a lengthy specialty cocktail list that looked good. We were seated promptly (know that they only take reservations for groups of 7 or larger) in the center of the restaurant between the Robata grill and the sushi bar. The menu is made up of starter plates, sushi, items from the grill and entrees. We ordered a wide range of items off the menu: mushroom soup, raw oysters, tuna tartar, mini skewers of beef, lamb and shrimp, various sushi rolls and finally one of the entrees (their version of surf and turf). My favorite from all of that were the oysters. They were small kumamotos and topped with green onion, and a cilantro ponzu sauce. Terrific! My second favorite item was probably the truffled tuna tartar although my personal preference would have been to have a little less truffle sauce as it overpowered the delicate tuna. The skewers were good- but know that each one is just a couple of bites so know to order many if you are hungry. As for the sushi rolls- they were small (4 pieces each) and while some were better than others and some were unique (rolled with cucumber instead of rice or collard greens), none really stood out for us. And the entree, while it looked lovely (steak and shrimp positioned on top of pureed sweet potatoes) the taste again just didn't wow me. Service was spotty, but that is expected in a place that is still getting it's cadence right. Dinner for two was about $140 including drinks. And if you drive? Take small bills. The valet told me he didn't have any change for my $20 for a $12 valet fee. All in all- my favorite part of the place was the place itself. Huge graffiti from a local graffiti artist line the walls, The metal mesh swooping about adds interest and the multiple of windows make this a nice spot to sit and catch up. It's got a cheerful vibe that I really liked. I'll be back, if only for those amazing oysters!
(3)Mary T.
3.5 stars Confession: When I heard this place was a sushi and barbeque place, I thought it was a bizarre combination. I was envisioning spicy tuna rolls sitting alongside pulled pork sandwiches, not kushiyaki skewers. Union's space is modern, edgy and cool; decorated with graffiti art; the atmosphere is lively and loud. I think the awful weather helped us to grab seats at the sushi bar immediately. We sat at the sushi bar for a while unattended; not an inordinate amount of time, but enough to make us wonder if we should be placing food and drink orders with the sushi chef or if we would have a server. Fortunately, right about then our friendly server came on the scene. I probably would've felt service erred on the inattentive side if we'd been anywhere but the sushi bar; at the bar we had the flexibility to order food from the chef without waiting to locate our server. The drink menu is nice, there are about 10 creative specialty cocktails to choose from along with a small beer list and an overwhelming number of sakes divided into four categories. Knowing nothing about sake, I went with the South of the Border, West of the Sun; a tequila and grapefruit cocktail that I would definitely order again. Having skipped lunch, I ordered edamame to stave off my hunger pains. Fortunately, my dining partner wasn't a fan, because the portion is rather small. Usually edamame is edamame is edamame, but this dish had a nice, subtle twist. Instead of using sea salt as seasoning, they used a spiced salt, which was gave it a slight kick that made my lips tingly (in a good way). We decided to forgo barbeque and stick with sushi this go round. The menu of rolls was smaller than I expected - maybe 15 in all - and broken up into two sections - Union (specialty rolls) and classics. I don't recall seeing it on the menu, but it's worth noting that all rolls are 4 pieces. On the upside you can try a nice cross section of rolls, on the downside the rolls seem pricey. We started out with four rolls - Osaka Central, Hokkaido, Old City Market, and Spicy Tuna and later added a rainbow roll. All of them came up quickly and were presented beautifully. My favorite roll was the Hokkaido with grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, and garlic and my companion agreed. My least favorite roll was the rainbow roll, closely followed by the spicy tuna (normally a fave). The inside of the rainbow roll was tuna; not raw tuna, but more akin to canned tuna. The tuna's taste and texture overpowered the roll; I would not order this roll again. The spicy tuna good except for the fact that it wasn't spicy, not even a little; it was more like a simple tekka roll. Falling in the middle were the Old City Market and Osaka Central, but I will say the texture of the fishcake in the Osaka Central caught me off guard. It had a firm, gelatin-like texture to it, that I wasn't expecting. All in all the place is good, but I think the sushi menu needs a bit of work and errs on the pricey side. I can't speak for the barbeque portion of the menu, but if you go in expecting a small plate format, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(3)Misty B.
I've been to Union numerous times and will continue to go back as much as I can! The quality of food, comforting atmosphere, originality and genuine staff has made this my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Being a strict vegetarian... the menu items as well as the attention to detail from the chefs and servers is very much appreciated. Everyone working truly wants you to enjoy your experience and food. Some of my favorite dishes are as follows: Soba Salad (tempura enoki mushrooms, nappa cabbage, tomato, red + yellow onion, chili pepper, cilantro, garlic oil + spicy ponzu) from the vegetarian menu... I could honestly eat this every day... and i'm not going to lie, I went three days straight to get this item. It's refreshing yet spicy... light yet filling. The flavor profiles and textures are off the charts! From the Robata grill all the vegetarian items are great but I love the Tofu (miso balsamic sauce, rice puff ). It's grilled to perfection with a light sauce. Not to mention They're so adorable I almost don't want to eat them. My favorite roll is the Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish + eel sauce), Curry adds just the perfect and exciting amount of flavor. My favorite dessert has to be the Killer Yuzu Pie (coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream)... I legit crave this way too often. (ugh i want one now) Apparently it's similar to key lime pie... which i've NEVER enjoyed before, so I can't agree... Then again I don't care what it's compared to because it's fantastic, tart, light and yes I need to get one soon and eat the entire thing alone. (fatty at heart) I also love the Mushroom Dumplings... Vegetarian and Carnivores alike will love this starter! My suggestion is to go with a fun group of friends, order as much as you can on the menu and share. I'm adding pictures.. so check them out! And don't forget to say hello to Chao and Mike! They're some of the nicest guys I've met in Chicago with a respectable work ethic and passion for good food & top notch customer service! I wish them all the best!
(5)Wesley R.
The state of Union Sushi & Barbeque? Strong and tasty flavors, my fellow foodies! My first contact with the fine concept of Union was through their blog: mikeandchaochow.com A great great read, that set my saliva glands to drool. Finally, the day had come, and accompanied by a trusted fellow foodie, we were prepared to enter the world where sushi and barbeque could unite at once! There are a lot of options on the cocktail menu, potentially intimidating for the less adventurous among you. We opted to try the Crazy Milk Oita, an unfiltered Nigori sake. At 300 ml, it was a good split for two people looking for a tasty beverage to complement our meal without trying to get drunk. We received a complementary Edamame which comes with a joshua tree spice blend. For our meal? Round 1: Starters - Truffled Tuna Kushiyaki (skewers) - Beef Filet - Chicken Thigh - Scallops x 2 (1 scallop per skewer) Union Rolls - The Belly Roll - Devon The Truffled Tuna was outstanding. I love tuna, and the combination of flavors with the avocado, wonton chips and optional chile fresco made for a great foundation for the rest of the meal. Of the Kushiyaki, the Scallops were in fine form this night. The wasabi-avocado puree and the sweet plum sauce brought out the best in the scallop. The Belly Roll had a nice mix of flavors, and the pork belly was seasoned well, and came out tender. Round 2: Sushi Hokkaido Hamachi sashimi Did I mention that the scallops were fantastic tonight? They worked really well in the roll, and the soy paper was a nice texture alternative that complemented the flavors. The hamachi sashimi was also tasty. For dessert, we had the Ice Cream Sundae Flight. Can you ever really go wrong with ice cream? The service was fine, where our server always made sure to check to see how we were doing without interrupting us too much. The ambiance was nice, and the music was at a decent level, enough to create white noise without forcing you to shout at your dinner companions. Also, they'll eventually offer lunch, which I can't wait for! If you need a new place to try, especially one that will try different things (such as alligator and kangaroo kushiyaki), give Union a try!
(4)Amy S.
Really crazy good sushi and appetizers! They have a great lunch special, so I came here with one of my friends and we ended up doing flights of wine, appetizers, soup, and sushi all under $35 each. It is always really fresh, and there is convenient meter parking outside!
(4)TJ Y.
Great experience here! Went on a Friday night with a reservation and had a great experience. Food - From the bbq side, I got the filet and the mushrooms. The filet was delicious, but the mushrooms weren't that great. for the sushi... I thought it was great that they had half rolls! I think it's great when restaurants let you do half rolls because then you can sample more things on their menu. For rolls... I tried 7 different rolls... the scallop, mushroom, calamari, soft shell crab, cucumber, radish, and california. The mushroom, calamari, and cucumber rolls were delicious!! The service and ambiance was really nice as well. The server was attentive, knew the menu, and provided suggestions. Overall, I would definitely return here and try some other things on their menu. Great restaurant!
(4)Tracy H.
When I first went here about a year ago, I had a really great experience. Ramen was up to game and so was the sushi. When I went back this past month with my boyfriend, we ordered two specialty rolls as well as two different types of ramen. I don't remember the name of the other roll, but we got the Tsukijii (spelling) market roll and...was quite surprised when we took a bite. Totally something different, but definitely not "sushi" per say given there is no rice and it was just...very interesting although not terrible. The reason I can't give this place as many stars as I would have before is because of the ramen. Oh my goodness...what is up with the ramen noodles? I basically couldn't even call it ramen because it looked and tasted like plain soup. I ordered the chicken ramen (probably my fault for ordering something so weird) but even so, the broth tasted like water with salt, the noodles were totally like something you'd see in your typical chicken noodle soup, and there were grease bubbles floating all over the top of the soup not to mention of greasy it was in general for a liquid... Overall, most of the sushi seems to be pretty good, but I will not be ordering the ramen here anymore even though I used to love how they made it :( The rating is only for the food though I've always had good experiences with employees, and they play the absolute best music!!!
(3)Angelica P.
Very good and unique sushi rolls, a lot of spicy things on the menu you though so if you don't like the heat you're kinda out of luck. Their nigiri (rice with fish on top) is amazing though - super white tuna and salmon was really fresh and tasted awesome! The meat is so-so, somethings were a little salty - ribs are succulent and meat falls right off of the bone though A little over-priced but it is downtown
(4)Nikki C.
they never give me any twaat love back when I throw some out for their awesomeness on the internets, so my ego says Eat me! but damn, they do know how to feed us fat asians with big mouths and bigger appetites for freshness and fired meats. cool bar upstairs with approachable bar staff. yes happy hour is damn happy. eat an oyster or 48... and chef chao is right on. cool dude and damn creative with the proteins. bamn!
(4)Jeff C.
huge fan. love the constantly rotating drinks and in the winter, the hot sake delights. the combo grill/sushi is great for any diners. They have a nice selection of creative and imaginative dishes. Fun room.
(4)Tony L.
I had enjoyed Union's fine sushi in-house, but wasn't sure how they could approximate it through delivery. Had a sushi dinner delivered for myself and a date on Easter evening and it was superb. I couldn't believe that they were able to duplicate their wonderful presentation in a delivery! Each portion was wrapped carefully and perfectly. Also, the sauces and condiments were all included in separate wrappers for us to apply, so nothing arrived soggy from the delivery time. Wonderful attention to detail. Highly recommended!
(5)John S.
Door people can be a bit pretentious but the service and food make up for it.
(4)Alison T.
Came here for a friends Birthday - ambience and decor gets 5 stars, it's a really cool place. The menu is great with lots of different options for both sushi lovers and non-sushi lovers. The tuna tartare was some of the best I've ever had. Everything else was just good. It's defnitely a bit over-priced, but we did have a good time. I'd go back if someone asked me to, but I don't think I'll get a group to go again.
(3)Shawna B.
This place was such a pleasant surprise on so many fronts. First, the food. If you like meat, this place makes a great BBQ pork appetizer. The rolls with black rice were extra tasty...spicy tuna roll and another with avocado and eel were great. Also had an amazing sauteed fiddlehead fern dish. It was a special for the night and was absolutely unique in its flavor. Must order! Second, our waiter Matt was awesome. He was pleasant, efficient and explained everything without being annoying. Thanks Matt! Last, the vibe of the place was energetic without being over the top. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Manjari B.
Please go here and try the shrimp tempura, sashimi cup and tuna! This was my first time at Union Sushi and they didn't remotely disappoint me! It was buzzing with people even on a Sunday night. We loved the service especially since we placed the last order and after happily eating all of what we ordered, we wanted more shrimp tempura!! The ppl were so sweet , they took the last last order :) I totally recommend this place to everyone!
(4)D K.
Saw all those critics about service etc but I had a very good experience on a Sunday night. Place was decent full, hostess helpful, my waiter, Paul, very attentive. I opted for the robata grill choices, everything was very tasty. Def liked the alligator skewers. Weekend nights might be different, but I would definitely come back.
(4)Nate L.
Oishi ryori arigato gozaimashita!!!!!! Your happy hour rocks! 1 dollar oysters 2 dollar beef skewers 6 dollar shrimp rolls 2 dollar PBR Did I mention 1 dollar oysters? I had braised beef tongue, 1 dozen oysters, beef short rib, 1 shrimp rolls, 2 PBRs and 1 Snow Flake Sake. Everything is flavorful and decently priced. Great place for an Happy Hour!
(5)Dave Z.
WOW. Truly, we had a wow experience there. Took my wife for our 15 year anniversary weekend in downtown Chicago (walked there from the dana Hotel on State - another great place!). I made the Friday night reservation via Open Table and mentioned our anniversary. Well, the host & hostess greeted us with a Happy Anniversary and said they would do their best to make it memorable. That alone just set the tone. How nice! The waitress seemed a tad distracted at first, but corrected that as the evening went on and redeemed completely by the end. The place was jumping, but not chaotic or overwhelmingly so. Just lively. Cool tunes (my wife commented that it sounded like my iPod! A little alternative, a little pop, some electronic groove stuff). Our cocktails were funky and fun. We're not Sake people, but been told this is THE place and it showed, looking at other tables next to us. May have to try next time. But we loved what we got. Definitely an adventurous drink menu. We heard about this place on 'Check, Please' so happy to see it lived up to what we saw. Got out mini iPad to view some of the food, made a few selections and off we went. Each item was increasingly delicious. Started with the truffled tuna: Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips. Fantastic! Although, we have had this similar thing in many many restaurants in San Fran, Vegas and elsewhere. It wasn't the best we've ever had, but pretty close and would get again in a heartbeat. There was a wagyu beef appetizer I think was a special, but it was outstanding. Hard not to just order more, but we were out to sample a lot. Had some shashimi yellow tail and tuna that was great. But the best 2 things on the menu: the Spare rib was seriously out of this world. I know, a spare rib? Really? But it was fall off the bone tender but the sauce was like nothing we'd ever had before. I love sauce of all kinds. The saucier the better. Well, I wanted to drink a gallon of this stuff (Miso, house-tonkatsu -- yes, i had to look it up just now). I am drooling remembering that smoke, sweet tasty rib. Last, my wife really wanted some sushi rolls, which I am not usually a fan of. I don't like the rolls, because I don't like the seaweed "binder" and don't dig wasabi, which is sometimes in the rice... not this. It was the black rice, we'd read about. She couldn't eat it all, so I tried one. We had to get more!! No seaweed (or I couldn't taste it?) and the black rice had a crispyness to it that we could only describe as "rice krispy like"! (Okay, we aren't "refined people") but it did! The waitress explained they fry up some of the skin in sauce and add to the rice. We always heard of "crispy skin" on Top Chef and now we know why it's used so much... beyond delicious! I crave it again! So, we are done. Full without being too full. We wanted to still have a night out without feeling overfull. The waitress insists we get dessert for our anniversary. She was so sweet. We said no, but she was insistent we get it and even just take a bite. So she brings out this Pumpkin Mochi Cake while I am in the bathroom. I come back and my wife has this look on her face. "Try. It.". Okay..... ohmygod... wow! flavor explosion! Warms and carmely and inside is this cream cheese ice cream oozing out. I am not a dessert guy. Months later, we can't stop talking about it!!! We will definitely be going back soon! Just amazing! Service was friendly, fun and zippy. Atmosphere fun and lively. Food was to die for and not at all expensive for what it was. Truly a spectacular experience!
(5)Heather M.
I really enjoyed my meal here! It's a great place for groups, the prices are super reasonable, you can order tons of stuff and the cocktails are delicious - they're on the whole fancy cocktail bandwagon. I'll have three. As a Miami Hurricane, it would have been remiss to pass on the grilled Gator. So I did not. It was great. Sushi - my favorites were the roll with the scallops, the market city roll and the one with the pork belly. PORK BELLY IN SUSHI. Why had I never had that before? The duck fat noodles were really delicious. A little greasy, but they are duck fat. noodles. I also really enjoyed the truffled tuna, in spite of myself. I thought tuna tartare was kind of cliche and lame, but this one was excellent. I will definitely be back to sample more of the robata offerings. Based on the gator and the prosciutto scallop, it's clear they know their way around the grill. Oishkatta!!!
(4)Brooke S.
I have been really excited for this place to open simply due to the fact that they serve kushiyaki the right way...from a sexy 600 degree open flame Robata grill!!! YES!!! Aside from the kushiyaki, Union has a great assortment of apps, mains and of course sushi. I began with the Wagyu Beef Tartare. It was an excellent opener. As promised it was "almost traditional". It was seasoned perfectly, the temperature was on point, a quail egg on top AND along with the surprise of ginger and hints of soy, it was amazing!!! Daikon crisps and pickled baby daikon accompaniments. I had two rolls. The Belly Roll was fun with the piece of fried pork belly on top. The Devon Roll was a great choice for a veggie roll. I really like the sweet potato with the curry mayo. Duck Fat Udon. Good but not a stand out. I think it needed some acidity to brighten the flavor. Shredded duck was stellar and moist though. And now for the kushiyaki... Beef tongue with rice crisp. Tender and awesome. And now for my favorite part of the meal...the whole squid kushiyaki. This was one of those perfect food moments for me. Never mind the fact that it was gorgeous, the squeeze of lemon created the perfect sauce on the plate. Combine that with the charred tips of the tentacles, sigh, I was in heaven. For dessert, the Killer Yuzu Tart made the perfect ending. It was not too sweet and the perfect size. Yum. Sake was great served over one rock with the aroma of the cucumber garnish. I had the Kikusui, 200 ml. It was bright and clean and went well with mostly everything I ate. Cool packaging too. Service was spotty at points but it was only the second night. Total tab for two (my brother also ordered two kushiyaki) $79. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Gina K.
Maybe it's because I come from New York... or perhaps my Asianness. But this place was just so so. I mean... the noodles were mediocre. There was nothing particularly special about the sushi and the drinks were just OK. I WILL say that the location and decor are pretty hip. Fun crowd. Maybe there aren't great sushi places nearby? I dunno. It was just sort of a miss for me.
(2)Dirce M.
I love this place. It's so modern looking and their sushi rolls are amazing. I like that you can switch the white rice rolls with the black rice. The sake is a little expensive so be careful. Overall, it's a good place to go with the girls have a couple of drinks and eat good sushi :)
(4)Elena M.
I came here on a Wednesday with my boyfriend, after hearing about how great the sushi was. We sat down at our table, and our waiter (although very nice) was very hard to hear. When you're working at a loud establishment, your voice should be BOOMING; by the end of dinner, I think I mastered the art of reading lips... If I could describe the food in one word, I would say, MEH. It just didn't do anything for me. We ordered the oysters to start, one of my favorite things, and they brought out the half shells with a bunch of other crap on it. I understand this is a trendy restaurant, but some things are better left simple. Why mess with a good thing? We ordered an array of different sushi rolls, one being "old city market." It just wasn't anything special. Very bland and not what I expected from a place like this. Very dissappointing. I do however, give 5 stars to the SPARKLING MIZBASHO PURE JUNMAI GINJO GUNMA. My god, if anything good came out of this place, it was introducing me to this sparkling sake. It was originally $98 for a bottle, but they had a half off drink special for it. Bottle gone within 20 minutes. Overall, this restaurant doesn't live up to the hype. If you want really good sushi, go to Seadog or Coast.
(2)Lena L.
We had reservations, but we were 15 minutes late and called ahead to notify them. Some restaurants do a much better job of holding your table. This place could care less...we ended up being seated at the bar next the inferno pizza fireplace which was uncomfortable. The temperature difference was something like 20 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a big difference and it was very uncomfortable. Our ice waters melted within 5 minutes of being served to us. It was obnoxious how many times I had to ask for a refill because I was so hot I chugged down my ice water. The sushi was a three star. It was good, decent, somewhat satisfying, but I have had better. I was drawn in by their black rice option. It was cool looking and added a very unique component to the taste of the rolls. Try it if you visit this place.
(2)Greg R.
Great service, good quality sushi. Presentation of food is a bit much and actually makes simple sushi a bit too difficult to eat. All in all a decent neighborhood place that would be good for a date.
(3)Adoley J.
I really really wanted to love this place.This past weekend went with a group of girls looking to catch up and eat great sushi. I got 4 items from the BBQ bar (one prosciutto wrapped scallop, two mushrooms, and the beef filet) and a half roll of spicy tuna. The scallop and beef filet were delicious but the mushrooms were overcooked. Overall the sushi was good but overpriced. Basically everyone spent a hunk of change for not that much food. Which is fine if that is your kind of thing, but I think one of the most wonderful things about this city is that you can get great high quality meals at a decent price.
(3)MaryLu C.
Saturday night. Went to a charity meet and great, 9:00 p.m. hubby out of town, a babysitter at home and barely a drink. What does that mean.... got to do something before going home. If for no reason to make sure the child is sleeping. Walked past a few places that I go to regularly, but all were packed, almost home, I thought I would try Union. The space, was great, it felt it open and inviting. The service was quite attentive. Others complain about pricing, folks you are in River North, guess what their rent is. This is not Villa Park. One glitch, is they delivered a glass of sparkling white with the water. I live nearby and this happens everywhere but still I do not appreciate the shy/drunk tourist treatment. The glass of red wine I ordered was fine. I liked that the specials were on the i-pad, ordered some black rice rolls which were delivered very promptly. The rolls were what I like to call junk food sushi. The fish was of the ground spicy variety and the rolls were smothered with sauces. Not my preference, but very tasty and loaded with calories good if you are drinking heavily. I know many people like these saucy rolls so if you are one of them, enjoy, the effort was appreciated, but watch the up-charges.
(2)Tim H.
Good service, modern loft ambiance, solid food. My favorite dishes were: -duck fat yaki soba noodles -grilled alligator - actually came out juicy from the robata grill I tried chicken, shrimp, steak, and cauliflower from the robata grill as well. The meats came off more burned/charred and dry than I was hoping for. The couple of sushi rolls I had were good, but nothing that special.
(3)Huzefa U.
Amazing sushi. First time having duck and there buffalo duck is amazing. Highly recommend place to eat!
(5)Aurore L.
If you are an oyster addict like me, and you are crying your eyes out every time you think of how far the ocean is from us Chicagoans, dry your tears this very second; don't pass go, don't collect $200 and go directly to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. (Actually, stopping at the bank would be a good idea since you might want to gulp a few dozens of our beloved). Also of importance: time. Get there between 5 pm and 6:30 pm. This is the magic time of happy hour, where everyone is giddy with excitement and ready to drink themselves silly. Or not. But forget about booze: the only liquor I need doesn't come on a shelf, but in shells. $1 oysters, ladies and gentlemen. And not crappy, tasteless, big pieces of blurb like one sees way too often in these parts of the country. Nope. Succulent works of art, elegantly dressed in a hot and tangy jalapeno-cilantro ponzu sauce and masterfully sprinkled with red tobiko, green onion and crispy shallot. DI-VINE. Too much? That's what I thought before tasting one of these wonders. Clean flavors, contrast of textures, spice, heat, freshness and all around bliss. Nothing wrong with that. Au contraire. I am planning on stopping by quite a few times in the next moons to come. $2 beef filet skewers and $6 shrimp tempura rolls are not too shabby either. Wash it all down with a beer or a vodka and home-made tonic, and you are good to go. Straight to heaven.
(5)Cheryl W.
I have been several times. The food is generally very good and the barbeque bar items were a particular highlight for someone who sticks to sushi and sashimi as a rule. The escolar is amazing! Also had shrimp and scallop, which were wonderful. The sushi was good but not to die for. Service is always friendly but it has been a bit spotty. The last visit I was with people who had never been and the server came to take our order without giving us the "specials" on the ipad, which is about 30% of what's on offer. She dropped it off and then disappeared for a while. But very friendly and if the sake is flowing you won't notice as much! Also, have been on a weeknight and while it was busy, it was generally quiet and subdued. Went back on a Saturday night and we were straining to hear each other. So experiences can definitely vary...which was fine for me but something to keep in mind depending on what you are looking for on a particular night.
(4)Tom G.
Love the mushroom roll!!!!! They get busy so make reservations. The staff is great! Also great drinks! Parking is a little chaotic! I would suggest eating at the sushi making counter and the barbecue bar. Very fun to watch!
(5)Kerry L.
Reserved a table here based on reviews that mentioned its a good place for groups - I was not disappointed. Our table was ready on time and the staff was able to accommodate a last-minute addition to our reservation of 8. The space is unique and the food was memorable. Union is loud and lively and great for a more high-energy night out.
(4)Amy L.
1. It's a japanese restaurant expect to pay more 2. Alligator meat... interesting not quite a fan 3. Ramen.... not worth it, save your money visit Wasabi 4. Black rice sushi.. YES VERY GOOD. Definitely will come again for the black rice sushi not not too sure about the other items Do make a reservation, it'll save you the hassle of waiting
(3)Spencer H.
When I think of some of my favorite sushi places in the city I think of Sushi Samba & Sunda & if I have another experience like I did when I ate here I am going to have to add this place to that list. Walking in the place I thought it was awesome. The ambience was incredible. The seats were so comfortable & I felt like me & my friends could have sat there for hours with out getting uncomfortable. I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll & a Shrimp Tempura Roll & it was comparable to some of the best I have ever had. The food was fresh & the quality of the rolls were incredible. The rolls didn't just fall apart when I dipped them in the soy sauce & wasabi. The portions were nice as well. Most upscale sushi restaurants tend to give smaller portions but not this place. Lastly the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly from start to finish. Overall the food was delicious & fresh & the service was great & I look forward to eating here again.
(5)Jane K.
Union Sushi seems very hip. It's all up on every technology available. Social Media of course, grubhub, opentable, ipads showing specials at the table. About the ipad.... it wasn't integrated very well, the whole waitress handing us the ipad then trying to look at the ipad together with my dining companion were all kind of awkward. The food left us with more to be desired. The edamame was unseasoned but came sprinkled with some delicious MSG-like powder but it would have been better if the edamame was slightly seasoned. The miso soup seemed more to be like korean fermented soybean paste. Not complaining about the taste but just saying it wasn't miso. However, I did enjoy the size of the tofu in my soup. We got the black rice sushi sampler and it was alright but nothing that made my mouth particularly happy. The 4 rolls included were Hokkaido, Devon, Spicy Tuna, and Dragon. We also tried the spareribs and it was okay but nothing to write home about, the sauce (can't remember which we got) were also unmemorable. The whole food experience was very unmemorable and this means two things, it was neither bad nor good. The decor was pretty cute. A lot of graffitti type artwork and derelict looking materials on concrete walls. Glass window bbq grill. Nice decor, staff was ok, not too friendly, not rude. I'd say it's a cute little izakaya but not somewhere I'd go to dine again.
(3)Olga B.
My most favorite Asian-themed restaurant to date! The head chef/owner Chow (sp.) is so humble, talented and always makes sure you are enjoying yourself while at Union. He caters to my vegetarian needs, as well as makes fabulous recommendations for my fish and meat eating friends. Peter, the bartender, is hands down the most creative bartender in Chicago. He makes the most delicious Sugar Free Cucumber martini, yes you read that right, Sugar Free! Everyone that has tried it absolutely adores it. I strongly recommend it and just know if you are in the mood for something tasty, light and refreshing, you will thoroughly enjoy it. I can not speak more highly of Union. You MUST go! :)
(5)Sarah J.
This place is fanFREAKINtastic. The menu is superb, the ingredients are fresh and flavorful, well presented, and overall DELISH!!!! the decor is so urban and cool (i.e; graffiti walls, exposed brick and beams, concrete floors, urban sculptural pieces and modern furniture) I have been here twice, once passing by on a Friday night LATE, I was able to be seated by the grill in about 20 minutes, this place was packed but they made it work!!! I was so in love that I hosted my birthday dinner here as well. I made reservations for a Sunday at 6....it was super quiet and comfortable, they moved tables around to give us more space and privacy. The staff was super amazing and accommodating...what more can you ask for! AMAZING!
(5)Abi T.
I had some sashimi and a few rolls along with a nice sake. I thought the sushi was decent but nothing great. I think the price is doesn't match either the amount of food or the quality...meaning I expected more/better. I don't recommend this place just for sushi but maybe the BBQ would help this along. I will have to try that if I go back and update this review. I was disappointed to see no real Soba or Udon options. Also, there wasn't much of a tofu selection either. If you're an experienced sushi eater who values the bills in their wallet, then skip and go elsewhere.
(2)Markus L.
In the midst of looking for a good sushi fix, my wife and I decided up on going here for dinner. We were staying at the Hyatt and walked the 20 blocks to this establishment. This place is at the corner of N Franklin Street & W Erie Street. It's got a petruding entrance way from the building into the sidewalk. The moment we walked in, the place was packed. We were able to nab two chairs at the Sushi Bar, which I Highly Recommend! Once there we were given green edamame pods with a sprinkle of some sour powder. Water was served and the table was set with water, napkins with chopsticks and forks. Given that this was a Friday evening and we got there at 8:00 PM, our waitress took a bit to get to us. Once she did get to us, we were able to order. I ordered the Spicy Pig Tail Ramen Soup (Best Ramen I've Had), and my wife ordered two half (4 pieces) Tsukiji Market rolls, a half (4 pieces) Hokkaido roll, Kangaroo Skewer (Delicious... tastes like gamy kobe beef), & two Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops. Our order came out in 15 minutes and we were done eating in 10 minutes... so, after roughly 25~30 minutes of eating, and chatting up the Sushi Chef, he gave us a free half order of the Old City Market Roll wrapped in collar greens and we were able to make a custom sushi roll (Sushi Paper, Rice, Pan-seared Scallop, Boiled Shrimp (x2), Avacado, & Cream Cheese) for $8.00. Washed all that food down with a nice tall glass of water and we were ready to pay our bill. Tipped the Sushi chef and paid the bill, $71 ( including tip). A few things to note about this place: 1. The Sushi bar is made of poured cement. 2. There is a big open flame grill that separates the Sushi bar & the Bar bar. 3. The head chef is Thai. 4. The Sushi chefs are Thai. 5. There are two hostesses & one general manager onsite. 6. Plenty of waiters and waitresses. 7. The atmosphere is quite loud since they play classic rock. I felt like I was at a night club, eating Sushi and watching my uncle grill out. Quite the mixture. I really enjoyed this place, the experience alone was worth the walk and the food was just to dye for. Lucky they do delivery... Delivery $5.00 Charge, Minimum Order Amount $25.00.
(5)Brian B.
As a thank you for letting me crash at his place, I took my best friend and his roommate here for dinner. We ate at the sushi bar. I remember eating the following: - "Buffalo" Duck Wings: excellent, tender, good flavor - Spare Ribs: tender and juicy though we expected more flavor based on aroma and presentation - Black Rice Sushi Sampler: unique presentation, tasty - Omakase nigiri: all were above average, well presented, and fresh We had a different sake pairing with each course. Their sake list is quite impressive and all sakes tasted paired exceptionally well with the menu selections. The staff are great, courteous and knowledgeable. Our server was outstanding! Friendly, fun, and engaging. He even remembered me by name days later when I was in the bar upstairs.
(4)Stef M.
Wow! Great food! Tried alligator for the first time, on the barbie, was great! Excellent alcohol selections, daily specials, great sushi! Want to come back for more!
(4)Karen L.
My husband took me here for the first time on my first Mother's Day. When we arrived, we were greeted by the host. He seated us at the table in front of the door hidden away from the entire restaurant (next time we'll ask to not be seated in front of the door). The food was amazing. Being the food critique that my husband and I are, we ordered pretty much everything on the menu. Portions are small like the size of tapas. We started off with the truffled tuna and sashimi cup. The truffled tuna was a bit bland but the sashimi cup was scrumptious in the ponzu sauce. For our course, we ordered the Tsukiji Market roll (AMAZING - must try) and from the BBQ bar: spareribs, alligator, beef tongue, prosciutto wrapped scallops (my favorite), jumbo shrimp and shitake mushroom. I have to say those were all yummy.
(4)Gideon B.
Just went for dinner tonight with my wife. It probably is best to call for reservations but you can sit at the sushi bar or were they grill the meat. The service was great and our waiter gave us great recommendations. Get the truffle tuna as everyone else said to get. We had the barbecue sampler which was good. But if you don't want all that meat you need to get the barbecue spare ribs. We didn't get it, but the waiter said to get the roman noodles with duck.
(5)Annie M.
Three of us went on a Friday night around 7. It was good but nothing special. None of us had been there before so we wished the waitress would have explained the menu a little. I had the mushroom soup and a spicy tuna roll. Both were good but nothing special for the $30 I paid. I wouldn't mind going back, but it's not at the top of my list.
(3)Jianghui W.
black rice sushi are awesomeï¼ sesame brittle are pretty good， the postachio cream taste so fresh and nature.
(4)Nika L.
Great service, great food, and great atmosphere! Why? -had a party of 9 people that was accommodated immediately at 8:30pm on a Saturday -friendly staff -one of the best sushi places in town, that is not a run down, mom & pop shop What to order: -the oyster appetizer -the black rice sushi deal for $27...absolutely worth it why I like it? -St. Germain cocktail upstairs at UpBar = perfect!
(4)Cody H.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff behind the bar can turn any bad day around. They also have relatively fair priced drinks, but the best feature is their happy hour food specials. Make sure you try it out.
(5)Amelia S.
Had dinner at the sushi bar on a Friday night. I ordered the Truffled Tuna, Hokkaido roll, River North roll, and the Taro Mochi cake. The Truffled Tuna was a revelation to me - I never would have thought of pairing tuna and truffle oil. It was a delicious way to start a meal. I loved the combination of tuna, truffle, avocado, and spicy wasabi. The rolls were also very good and very different. I liked the use of black rice in the Hokkaido roll, and the collard greens to wrap the River North roll (in lieu of nori). I was also given a small bowl of edamame sprinkled with "kimchi salt" as soon as I sat down. This was very tasty as well. The dessert came highly recommended, but was just so-so in my opinion. The cake was overly sweet, though the dish was plated very nicely. Service was excellent and quick. I enjoyed the hip vibe of the restaurant and watching the sushi chefs work. Overall a very good experience.
(4)Liceysiddharth N.
Amazing food and service, not to mention the awesome ambience. We had ordered sushi,escolar with mushrooms and whole roasted quail over black rice which were all made to perfection. This is the first time we have had escolar and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Had the 12yr old Yamazaki which was slightly over priced but the generous serving subdued the fact. The service was brilliant, constantly making sure we had everything we needed and also recommended drink specials/cocktails. This made our visit memorable. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu.
(5)Callie P.
I took my mom to Union for the first time for Mother's Day weekend and we had a great time. I was very surprised that our bill was under $100; it felt like we ordered a lot of food and each of us had a glass of wine at $11/glass. So that's is a plus right there! The first thing we ordered was the chef's choice 10 piece nigiri sushi plate. I told our server that I am a big fan of eel and salmon and he definitely let the sushi chef know, we had 2 pieces of eel, shrimp, salmon, super white tuna and regular tuna. It was amazing! Then we ordered some cauliflower and the truffled tuna. OMG I wish I could eat Truffled Tuna every day! It was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted! This is a great place to eat, however, if you get stuck sitting in the middle, it can be a little too close for comfort with other people.
(4)Alinka R.
We saw this spot on check please and had to try it. Came in for lunch and got the tasting menu, and the chef came out and said the dinner menu is too much for us and made us a custom lunch menu. Everything was amazing, one of the best meals I've ever had. Service is impeccable as well. I don't write many reviews but this place deserves it.
(5)Courtney W.
My boyfriend took me here to celebrate my birthday and man was I impressed! We had been looking for a new sushi joint since we kind of had a bad breakup with Macku. The sushi was actually decently priced, so if you stick with some amazing rolls, you can't go wrong and you can even stay within budget. We had a reservation for a Friday night and we got to sit up at the sushi bar. I kind of wanted a table but the bar was actually way more fun. Our server Dan S. was great, we'll request to be in his section next time we come in. I started off with the Skinny Geisha which was amazing, I normally love fruity drinks but all of their drinks were outstanding. The Skinny Geisha had Hum, House Infused Citrus Vodka, Fresca, Yuzu and clocks in at 99 calories. My boyfriend had two Marjorie Kings (he absolutely loved it!). The Marjorie King has Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila, Maple Syrup, Lime, Combier, Egg White, Rosemary Tincture. The cocktails are all $10, which is pretty decent considering a lot of places charge more and these drinks were phenomenal and all different. I also had a Surprise and Delight with my dinner (Effen Cucumber, Pimm's No.1, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Muddled Lemongrass, Muddled Strawberry, Seltzer) which was also amazing. Now for the food! We started with the Truffled Tuna (truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco + wonton chips ) which should absolutely not be missed! I'll be ordering this every time I come in! We also had alligator from the robata grill (garlic-soy + Kirin Ligh). I eat alligator all of the time at home in Florida and I was so excited to see this exotic option on the menu. We also went with the Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallop (wasabi-avocado purée, sweet plum sauce, fried ginger) which was also out of this world. Now for my favorite part, the sushi. I love sushi and I've been eating it for over 10 years and I can honestly say I've never had it done like this. After a bad breakup with Macku, I needed a good hip place to try. I had half of a Chesapeake Bay (fried oyster, black rice, red tobiko, green onion, avocado, garlic aoli+ wrapped in collard green) with black rice. The black rice is something that I had never tried before and is one of the reasons why I will be returning soon. I loved this role, oysters? Sign me up! It's also pretty awesome that they allow you to order half of a roll, they way you can try more things. We also had the River North ( eel, gobo, red onion, pickle chili, black pepper sauce + wrapped in collard green) which was also out of this world. The Clifton #4 (fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori + garlic mayo) was also excellent. The Old City Market (spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion, fried okra + wrapped in collard green) was my boyfriend's favorite and he was raving about it to everyone we know (even those people who hate sushi!). Last but not least, we ordered the Spicy Tuna Roll with black rice (spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake + mayo) which I also loved and I don't generally like spicy tuna. For dessert we ordered the Ice Cream Sundae Flight which included green tea, red bean, and vanilla ice cream. I loved the green tea and vanilla and my boyfriend couldn't stop praising the red bean. I had a wonderful birthday dinner here and I can't wait to come back soon!
(5)mei s.
Came here for a business lunch right before Christmas break, so there was a bit of a crowd. The vibe here is cool and a bit off the beaten track for business lunches. We ordered a bunch of things since there were a few of us. we ordered the fried pork belly micro greens (yum!! i love pig belly! and this was done right.) we ordered a few things from the bbq bar--spare ribs, alligator, beef filet, pork shoulder and chicken thigh japanese curry. i ordered a couple of rolls as my entree-soft shell crab and old city market. i should have ordered the belly too. overall, a pleasant experience and the food was awesome! i would definitely come back.
(4)Charles S.
Great staff and great sake menu. Always cooking yakatori beef sticks, kangaroo... Best mix of Japanese dishes.
(4)M. Medford J.
Food 4 **** Nectar 4**** Ambiance 4**** Stuck in Chicago for 5 days for a conference and was so worn down I actually asked the concierge for a recommendation. He pointed out the easy option, Aria at the Fairmont and the distant better option, Union Sushi and BBQ. The cabbie pulled up to Union and muttered in broken English, "I think this is where you want to be." He was right. This is where you want to be. I was probably crazy for going out for sushi on a Monday night in the Midwest, but I was desperate enough to eat the leftover fish from the weekend. What a surprise. The place was buzzingly busy, but I found a spot at the BBQ bar. I couldn't believe they had Hitachino and a quick perusal of the menu made me take off my conference badge and suit jacket...this was going to get serious and messy. Let's start with an alligator kebab, pleasantly crisped (and yes, it tastes a bit like chicken) and a Hitachino XH. I immediately regretted the conservative, sushi deluxe order. I should have been wild and tried more of the unique rolls. But who knew the alligator would presage a fantastic meal. I comforted myself by staring through the translucent glass around the bbq and watched the blind date devolve on the table near the window. A pretty group of people, but most seemed engaged by their plates in front of them. They have a tiny bar, with a bartender hip enough to pull off wearing a derby. But I wasn't looking to get laid. I wanted fish. But likely this would be a cool spot on Friday. The sushi-deluxe is a work of art that arrives with a humble bow from the chef. Tiny mushroom stalks projected up from the salmon, daring you to disturb the plating display. Seemingly plain fish is sculpted into swirls over razor-thin strips of radish, with a hint of spice and lemon wedge. I was stunned that this quality of fish could be found on a Monday. I started ordering more aggressively. There were no gimmicky Philadelphia Rolls or disappointing tuna-glop in seaweed. This chef is an artist, combining fresh cilantro, thin slices of carrots and garlic into simple rice paper. I would never think to put these ingredients into rolls, but he made it work. I paused on my second Hitachino to stare over at the muted chef and he only tilted his head up at me. He knew I got it and appreciated that. No words had to be exchanged. The waiter came by, without a hint of obsequiousness and made a suggestion for the Market Roll. The plates continued to pile up and now my regret was that I had eaten lunch. I wanted more but could not eat another bite. This is a place that needs a few visits though - I need to try the cocktail menu. I need to devote a night just for the BBQ, and I need to delve into these special rolls. I recommend taking the time to go through these culinary levels to find a favorite. I think it all depends on mood. Enjoy.
(4)Caroline N.
I went to union sushi with a group of girls for dinner and we were pretty happy with the meal. The layout of the restaurant was great (love the semi open kitchen) and service was pleasant and quick. I had a cocktail which was waaaay to sweet, but this was quickly compensated for by the arrival of perfectly dressed (and $1!) oysters for the table. I had the mushroom soup which was well flavored but a salt-bomb and a roasted cauliflower salad which was decent. I also had a passable piece of tuna sashimi. In fairness, only the oyster and Tuna fall into the sushi+BBQ category (it was a midweek dinner, I am a weekday vegan) so I'm giving this place a 3 star rating primarily on food that it doesn't specialize in. My girls all really liked their BBQ, so there's a chance this place would be bumped up to a 4 in my book if I tried a few more things. I would definitely go back!
(3)Matthew L.
The interior had graffiti on the walls and a modern touch. The food was innovative, tasty, and reasonably priced. I tried the alligator and kangaroo both seasoned enough that there was almost no gamey taste. The Uni Shooter and Uni Alfredo tasted like mac and cheese and almost no salty or briney aftertaste. The black rice sushi was delicious. The Duck Fat Soba was spicy and delicious. All the while playing 90's hip such as NAS and Wu Tang in the background. This is now my favoriate sushi place in Chicago..... The only slighty negative thing I can say is that the food took a while and came in a weird order, one appetizer, Uni shooters, mains, and noodles last but it was well worth the wait. You should try this place you will not regret it.
(5)Lauren B.
Came here with a girlfriend last weekend per another friend's recommendation. Union did not disappoint. The service is spot on and the ambiance and general vibe of the place is inviting and unique. I also really loved that we were not rushed what so ever! We ordered our food one item at a time, and our server was more than happy to oblige. Here is what we sampled: Roasted Cauliflower Salad was delicious and light. I simply adored the combination of the kumquat with the cauliflower. Mushroom Dumpling- tasty but not something I would order again. This is not something I would normally eat, but I gave it a try Oysters on the half shell- YUMMY! Especially if you are an oyster lover, the crispy shallots on top was a nice textural element. I had mine without jalapeno/cilantro ponzu so on that I cannot comment. Chesapeake Bay Roll- light, not too much mayo, and the collard green wrapping brought a different taste to the roll. Loved the black rice, such a deep almost nutty flavor. I recommend to anyone planning to dine at Union, if these are items you would normally eat, try the cauliflower salad and the oysters for sure!! And don't be afraid to try any of the other lovely combinations of flavors on the menu. They know what they are doing here.
(4)David T.
Good concept, but food is just ehhh. Below average food is one thing but prices are higher too. Not the best place for sushi or barbecue. Cool room but that's about it.
(2)Gspot H.
Fun. Hip place. Good service and fast. bathroom's were clean. The Ramen was great. The Pepper Shrimp appetizer is one you might wanna do a 2nd order on. The Cauliflower salad was alot better then I would of imagined it to be. The Music in the background wasn't soft but was brightly leveled perfectly for a crowd that likes good music n not soft.
(5)Lauren R.
I enjoyed our evening at Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar! Drinks were unique and strong. We started with the sweet potato "tots". Delightful! Umami, crunchy, soft - almost everything you could ask for in this type of dish. The black rice sushi combo was good. It played to our group's multiple tastes; including spicy, typical, unique, and vegetarian rolls. My only complaint was the chicken ramen. It was good - don't get me wrong. But I was looking for some more flavor in the broth. The noodles were great, though! Great atmosphere, strong drinks, enough food for leftovers, and at the end, our bill wasn't outrageous. I'll be back!
(4)Amanda F.
I came at 5PM on the dot to partake in Union Sushi's happy hour menu. $5 vodka cocktails, $3 steak skewers, $3 shrimp tempura rolls, and $1 oysters were right up my alley. My table also ordered the sushi platter and numerous "skinny" cocktails. My feelings on the happy hour menu are a little mixed, but you get what you pay for. The complimentary edamame dusted with a spicy powder was devoured immediately. I loved the shrimp tempura rolls, but wasn't wowed by the rest of the deal menu. The oysters were out of season (although very beautifully presented), and the steak skewers lacked spice, tasting more like charcoal, and left me looking for a dipping sauce. The theme for the skinny cocktails seems to be Fresca. Its genius!! We started skipping the $10 regular price and concocting our own Fresca creations with the $5 vodka deal. The sushi platter is a good deal and an interesting mix of flavors. I really liked the black rice used in the maki. I loved the Devon sweet potato roll which I never would have order alone, but was happy it was included in the platter. The spicy tuna is actually spicer than I've ever had and I failed to taste much of the tuna. My favorite roll, however, was actually the happy hour special, shrimp tempura. My group overstayed our reservation, so the waitress kindly ask that we move the group upstairs for a free round of drinks. Normally, I would be outraged at having to give up our table, but we kept our mouths shut and accepted our free drinks. The lofted bar area is a bit tight, though. I wouldn't try to bring a large group here especially without reservations. A good portion of the seating is also around the open sushi kitchen and grill and bar area. The swanky but fun asian decor, black mirrors, open flame, and soft trendy electro music in the background give it a pretty hip ambiance. This was a great place to remind my co-workers that living in the city is just much cooler than living in the suburbs. The overall experience was very enjoyable and I would come back for the "skinny" cocktails in a heartbeat. I would recommend Union tweak their happy hour food options, though.
(3)Emily B.
Everyday I stare out from my window at work and see Union. So I figured I'd round up some friends who aren't afraid to throw down on some beef tongue and try it out. Over all, I enjoyed the sushi selection the most (which was the last thing we ordered, sadly), followed by the interested appetizers like the duck wing and, from the grill, the beef tongue. I was not a fan of the noodle bowls, unfortunately, but that's just my preference on ramen-esque meals. Service was fair. A few things were forgot to be entered by our server, but he made up for it by bringing out some sake bombs while we waited. The interior is really cool; kinda funky sushi samba flair, but smaller. I liked sitting facing the windows and seeing the snow fall; also the reflection from the flames on the 600 degree grill. One note: for a Sunday night, the vibe was quiet, but a bit sluggish. I was disappointed that there was no toilet paper in any of the women's stalls. Just kinda one of htose no-excuse things. If you wouldn't let it happen opening week, you shouldn't let it happen on a Sunday at 8pm.
(3)Molly P.
Although we arrived a few minutes before our reservation, we were greeted warmly and seated immediately. I was really impressed with the Black Rice Sushi sampler. It was a great way to enjoy a few old favorites (Spicy tuna and Dragon Rolls) and try some new rolls (Hokkaido and Devon Rolls) too. Another highlight of the evening was the Tsukiji roll. It was as beautiful as it was delicious. The cilantro and radish wrap gave the roll a fantastic freshness. Not only was our food first class, the service was stellar. Our waiter was attentive, honest and funny. Our water glasses were constantly attended to and the manager stopped by to greet us and describe the black rice sushi sampler in further detail. Can't wait to go back. For more on our visit to Union Sushi + BBQ Bar check out my blog: bit.ly/GUWfTo
(5)Henry S.
Ok, so let's call a spade a spade. Union is a party place, and if you're in that kind of mood, it is a good place to be. The décor is nice. it could feel a little over the top when you walk in, but I liked the street vibe. The small upstairs bar is nice, except the bartender had to walk pass us to get in and out of the bar. I like the semi-private space by the window under the interesting suspension lamp with all the balsa wood rings. But... best of all, the music. It's loud but not unbearable, and we were bopping on our chairs all night. Cocktails are interesting. Not too crafty, with enough interesting choices to appeal to different tastes. Sake are on the expensive side. On the whole though, I've had humorous incidents with liquor here. Such as, the bar forgets to transfer the bar bill to the food bill. Or they ran out of sake, so gave us another much pricier one. I love freebies, in whatever form. So this place is sushi, and bbq bar. BBQ were mostly blah. The meats are all cooked well. But really not a whole lot interesting beyond that. The sushi are better. Nothing spectacularly great, but solid 'party' rolls. The spicy tuna packed enough heat, and I liked the crunchy panko it was rolled in. Crispy salmon skin has enough crunch and texture to keep you wanting more. I can't remember which, but there is one that is wrapped in cucumber slices that has a nice bright flavor. They also aggressively push for trying the black rice versions. It's basically making the sushi with black rice for an up-charge. Or there is also a sampler. It's one of those things that could be worth trying if you've never had it. Overall, it gave the rolls a hearty texture. If you are into brown rice sushi, black rice is the next step. Calling Whole Foods... Why 3 stars? As I've mentioned, come here for the fun atmosphere and good times with friends. I forgot to ask them who does their music, and if I can copy the playlist. Seriously, whoever is behind it, I will gladly have him/her DJ at my next soiree.
(3)Jessica B.
The Buffalo Duck Wing needs to be on the Food Networks "Best Thing I have ever Ate". The new black rice sushi has my waist line and taste buds jumping for joy. The sushi selection is the best in Chicago along with their Sake menu. I have not seen some of these Sake's in many sushi establishments across the nation. Chef Chow (If you are lucky enough to sit at the Chef's table) is amazing and when sitting at the Chef's table it is truly a culinary delight. A must try if you haven't been and once you go a go to place for food and fun!!
(5)Meredith K.
Things started out strong but have been sliding. I've been here 3X and I'm afraid to go a 4th for fear that it will be awful. But I can't stay away from those crab cake sliders for too long! The first time was for a Local Tourist dinner. We loved it!! It was a sampling of everything and we were in the upstairs bar talking to Peter who is awesome. He showed us some new tricks! And let us sample the liquor in our drinks. After this dinner we went searching for 2 of the liquors that he showed us and I had to order it online! I loved everything but the dessert but that's because I don't like cheesecake. We went back the very next night because I wanted sliders and my boyfriend needed more skewers. We also got a couple of half rolls. I love that you can order 1/2 the number of rolls! The 3rd time we were there the menu changed, we tried things that were just EH, like the tuna special that had way too much mayo sauce on it. What I hate is when its not all that crowded and they "squeeze" you in (there were 3 of us at a two-topper) and yet no one shows at the 2 tables that were next to us. Why we couldn't push one of those tables next to us to be a four-topper is beyond me. Anyhow we tried the new rolls and one of them was not fabulous. It needed something. The other roll was so fresh and yummy. I'm sure I'll be back. I just wish they'd stop messing with perfection!
(3)Margo A.
truffled tuna, shrimp tempura roll, oysters, edamame, beef filet skewers--AMAZING! the beef was extremely tender and melted in our mouths! The happy hour food specials are a really great deal! I came here with a couple girlfriends and it was great!! The drinks are amazing too!! I LOVED the Nishiki Fizz! I will definitely be back!
(5)Andrew C.
Loved it
(4)Nhan P.
This place is amazing. I have wanted to try it since I had the beef skewers at a Yelp event. We came for restaurant week, but decided to order from the regular menu to try the BBQ items and sushi. Overall, I really enjoyed our experience and would definitely come back. Good food at a reasonable price point for the area. Our meal: Alligator: It tasted too much like chicken, chicken breast to be exact Beef tongue: My oh my, delish! Don't worry it comes on a skewer with 3 cubes. It was very tender, but if you don't like muscle-Ly textures, you might not like this one but the sauce was yummy. Berkshire pork shoulder: The meat was fine, however, it was over seasoned and very salty. Prosciutto wrapped scallop: I regret only ordering one, the scallop was HUGE. Everything worked here, the sauce and fried ginger really complemented the meat. Get this. Thank me later. Seaweed salad: The seaweed was fresh, unlike the ones you get at most sushi joints. It was not on the menu. Shrimp tempura roll: Wow. It had caramelized onions and it worked. The shrimp was very fresh. Unagi nigiri: Slightly better than most sushi joints. It came with a large piece of fish. Snow crab leg nigiri: We could have skipped this one, although it was real crab, it really didn't taste like anything. Bay street California: A delicious roll with cucumber instead of seaweed. Soft shell crab roll: This was just okay, nothing special.
(4)Dennis T.
I first heard about this from a friend who went for the happy hour. A couple weeks later I met up with some others for dinner here. First thing you notice is how stylish everything is. It kind of feels a lot like a loft with exposed air conditioning tubes, concrete pillars, and walls decorated with graffiti-esque art and enlarged photographs of urban Japan. It's pretty dark in there but it contributes a lot to a very cool atmosphere. The menu is varied with a large selection of rolls as well hot items from the grill. We ordered a large number of different rolls and they were good but I can't say they were fantastically better than anything I've had at less expensive sushi restaurants. The one exception is the Hokkaido roll which had grilled scallop, avocado, roe mayo, roasted peppers, and garlic wrapped in soy paper. The result is rich, smooth, and spicy. The most stand out item was the grilled alligator served on top of mashed sweet potatoes. It was extremely tender and easily fell off the bones. There is a full bar with some really cool imported Japanese beers. Try the Wednesday Cat if you like wheat beer with a bit of spice to them. I would love to give this place 3.5 stars but the kitchen was very slow with our order. Our waiter was attentive and checked up on us often once our food finally came but drink orders also took a good amount of time. All in all, the ambiance is great, the sushi is good but not spectacular, and the grilled items are very unique. I think it's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)Kelly K.
Time for a quick review: Sushi- very unique and fresh Service- Slow. We came during lunch and it took ages. I'll be back to try more of their menu, but not when I'm in a rush
(3)Donna L.
Took me long enough to try this place! How did I miss it so many times?? It's such an awesome place with awesome people and the food is reeeediculously awesome! First.. the host was very welcoming and and gracious. The server was very nice and sweet. Gave great recommendations on food and drinks. Truffle Tuna was the best 'tuna tartare' I've probably ever had... and the cooked Super White Tuna was also a great started. Enjoyed trying the BBQ Alligator and Kangaroo skewers! Also tried some of the rolls which were also well made and fresh. The only one I could remember though was the Tamago because that's always my FAVE. Their Tamago was the best and most different than I've EVER HAD. Thats for sure. It had some kind of vegetable in it! and we love the fact that we could get 'half portions' and black rice with each roll. Definitely a plus for the health conscious. All the food and drinks were unique and delicious. Dessert was awesome too, as we had the ice cream flight and Yuzo cake.. which is pretty much key lime pie so don't get it if you don't like key lim pie. Next time I would try the banana bread.
(5)Jonathan L.
Place is amazing. Friendly staff, great service, and food is excellent. If you haven't been here yet I recommend checking out the Happy Hour menu happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks
(5)Maria S.
We sat at the bar and chatted with Ken. Service was attentive. We even met with the chef who made the coconut bar ice cream. Love it! Libations is what we definitely were in for as a stop...but who could say no to the BBQ grill that we were sitting next to. So everything we had was unbelievable. This is my list of recos: Jack's Thorn Nashi Blossom Sake Flight 001 (loved the Deep Forest Sake) My hunger pain recos: Oxtail ramen (you definitely need this if you want to drink for 5 hours straight---best way to get rid of hangovers, too. BTW, not your average college quick meal pick me up! Try it!) Pork Shoulder with coconut milk and cilantro (you won't just be having 1!) Uni Nigiri (the foie gras of the sea) Fresh Wasabi (delicious---it has a mild flavor and much better than the paste kind) Oh, they do have free parking. We didn't know that and found out we spent about $12 for the time we were there. Overall, we will be back!
(5)Blanca S.
Can't get tired on union sushi. People attending has always been kind, the food is fantastic and their prices are awesome.
(5)Ashley K.
Y to the -UM. Things I love about this place: *the atmosphere *the music *the truffled tuna *rolls made with wrapping other than seaweed *the deserts *the servers *1/2 rolls so you can try more of them (especially the Hokkaido - so unique and refreshing!) We sat at the sushi bar so we got to see all of the dishes as they were prepared and there are a LOT of other things I want to try (which is hard to imagine given how much two girls took down on Friday night). The only (minor) flaw - I didn't care too terribly much for the zuki sake. It wasn't bad - just a little fishy and nowhere near as good as the other things we had. Looking forward to returning here very soon!
(5)Alyssa C.
Great sushi/bbq place with a fun colorful atmosphere. Our server had great reccomendations - their spicy tuna roll was unique and delicious! Also, their menu accompdates half rolls, which is great if you want to try a variety. Jumbo shrimp skewer, while amazing, was only one shrimp...Beef filet skewer was delish, but the buffalo duck win appetizer was my fav!
(4)Michael J.
I'm probably being a little generous with this 5 star review, so I'll add a caveat. I went here last week and ordered a ton of food. a couple of the dishes (beef tongue and brown rice roll sampler) justified 5 or 6 stars. Tasted amazing. A couple of the dishes were just ok. The couple things that really bumped this place up to a 5 star in my book was the fresh wasabi and the service. I normally don't give or deduct points for service if the food is awesome, but we sat at the sushi bar and the chef cooking everything was cracking jokes the whole time and very funny. Food came quickly which was a plus. If there weren't so many restaurants to try in the world, I'd return and continue exploring the menu.
(5)Arian M.
Great atmosphere, very trendy and hip. We ordered, of course, 60 oysters which were very tasty. We could have easily done another 60 (maybe). My favorite was the truffled tuna. Oh so fresh and delish. I never had anything like it. I will definitely go back.
(4)Matt C.
Now THIS is how a Sushi restaurant (or any restaurant for that matter) should be. We came in starving after a winery tour looking to sate our inebriated appetites and continue letting the good times roll. We took one look at the menu, deemed it overwhelming, and asked our server, Dan (later "Dan The Man") to bring out his favorite dishes and libations for us. As far as the drinks go I have no idea what boozy concoctions Dan fed us except that the first drink he brought had a hint of basil and was unbelievably good, on par with some of my favorites at Violet Hour. The second had egg whites and was almost as good as the first. Dan the Man. The food was spectacular: First off when you sit down they bring you edimame with Parmesan cheese smothered all over it. I have never had edimame like this before. I don't want to get hung up on the edimame, but they were some damn good green beans. Buffalo Duck Wing -- What!? Buffalo duck wing!? This was so good -- the duck was cooked perfectly and was the biggest duck wing I have ever seen. The tempura breading was perfectly crispy, and the buffalo sauce made you want to lick the bowl. Get this. Sashimi Cup -- Raw salmon, avocado puree, and ponzu sauce. Palatte cleansing, fresh, fun to eat (you mix everything together and it looks really cool). Another must-get. Hokkaido and Chesapeake Bay Sushi -- I HIGHLY recommend the Chesapeake Bay. I have never had a sushi roll wrapped in collard greens. I could eat this right now and it's 9:00am. The Hoakkaido was great as well, but the Chesapeake was the obvious winner for us. Spare Rib - The BBQ sauce was the perfect blend of spicy and tangy. The meat was fork-tender. The presentation looked like something out of a food-porn magazine. Off Menu Fish Dish -- After a few rousing compliments about his food and drink choices Dan brought this out for us. He said it was off menu and something he wanted us to try. It was a piece of seared Skate with a mixture of fried onions and chilis on top and I think some sort of miso sauce. Dan not only hit it out of the park, but right then and there sealed Union as a five-star restaurant for me. BBQ Prawns -- Simple presentation: just perfectly cooked prawns with a nice spice rub. Delicious. The bottom line is this: there are those rare restaurants that have such a good combination of food, drink, and service that they make you want to come back the next day to do it all again. Union is one of these places.
(5)Dan C.
Okay ... 4 almost 5 stars. Food, atmosphere, people are great!! No complaints about that at all, BUT... To our dismay there was a different waitress that was serving the tables on both sides of us that we noticed and heard was giving "on the house cookies" to her guests as she handed them their bills. We are HUGE dessert people and honestly looked forward to that, but to our surprise, no cookies. Booooooo!! I would go back and actually have put it out as an option on dinner nights out but my date refuses because of the cookie incident. SO ... Union Sushi has awesome food!! I guess I'll never know about the awesome looking cookies, let me know how they are. --Cookie Monster
(3)erin z.
Love this place! The truffled tuna was amazing, great service, good drinks, and cool atmosphere. Also Love the hip-hop tunes. Definitely will be back.
(5)Peater J.
On the top 10 list of most egregious things a restaurant can do to a customer is "closing *well* before your posted operating hours. " It lies somewhere between giving a customer food poisoning and finding foreign objects in one's own food. I made a special trip to eat here, but restaurant was closed at 9:45 when it was clearly posted on their own website that it was open until 10:30. When I walked in, the grill stations and sushi bar was already broken down, so I'm guessing that they probably closed around 9:15-9:30. Around an hour before 10:30. WTF? I once worked with a restaurant manager who once told me, that closing before your posted hour is pretty much "The Kiss of Death." His reasoning was that by doing so, exhibits symptoms of greater underlying problems at a restaurant. It also sends a wrong message to customers, like me, and does a lot to undermine a customer's confidence - for numerous reasons. Regardless, I ended up at Hooter's and endured an hour of bad chicken wings, bad service and foodball highlights wishing I was eating sushi instead.
(2)Alexander C.
I used to live a couple blocks away from this place. Food is gross. River north style trendy vibe. It's expensive. The bbq is actually ok but the sushi is strange and nasty. I'm a big sashimi nigiri kind of dood so maybe that's why? Atmosphere is actually pretty cool. Yeah it's busy but you'll eventually get a spot and the bar is usually available. I have no idea why I went more than once. I have no idea how this place currently has 4 stars. Save some cash and go somewhere tastier like Yushu or Coast.
(2)Aly H.
Amazing experience! We sat at the sushi bar on a Thursday, drank some saki bombs with the owners and chefs. After that we simply asked to be served. The fish chefs and staff were simply superb. We did not look at a menu- we were simply served based on what we said we liked or disliked. One of the best meals I Have Ever Had in Chicago over the last 10 years!
(5)Linda G.
This was a great fantasy food experience ... Each taste was unique and special. We started at the 2nd floor bar and were impressed with the MIXOLOGIST's (we don't say bartender anymore) talents. After moving to our table we were well waited on. Our friend loved his black rice tuna rolls so much he insisted that the people at the table have some. This resulted in them sending over a tray of some other delicious sushi snack foods. I was on my 3rd Mixology concoction so I was thanking them and babbling like an idiot. All in all it was a terrific time. we will go back. With drinks/tip it was $55. per person but we very definitely ordered a lot.
(5)Greta T.
Went to union sushi for Restaurant Week 2012 and I was less than impressed. The decor is hip, but right from the start, I was a little turned off by the host texting on his cell phone. We sampled the restaurant week menu everything was just average. I did not have the sushi, so maybe that's what they do best, but I can't comment on it. The drinks were very expensive for the size and not the best I've ever had. I think Union Sushi will work for the tourist crowd, but it won't be one of my "go-to" restaurants as a Chicagoan.
(2)Carmen B.
I've visited Union for lunch and dinner, and was very pleased during both occasions. The Bento box at lunch is a good value (though you will need another side if you're hungry). Returning for dinner, I ordered the truffled tuna (as good as the reviews indicate). We also enjoyed the soba salad, calamari roll, and the BBQ seafood and meats. I ventured into sake with great direction from our waitress. I'll definitely return!
(3)Sarah P.
This restaurant is the epitome of all things glorious about living in a big city. Union is trendy, hip in the best of ways, classy, and creative without losing sight of flavor. Our bartender wore dark wash jeans with a dress shirt, tie, and vest. I appreciate his style. It means something when you dress well, it sends a message - tells me you take pride in yourself and what you do. He made the best alcoholic drink I've ever tasted: the Surprise & Delight - cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, pimm's #1, lemon, simple syrup, muddled lemon grass, seltzer. Fresh, literally I could taste what fresh means. We ordered the lamb chops, truffled tuna, wagyu beef sliders with egg, mushroom dumplings, shrimp tempura roll, Hokkaido roll, old city market roll, and the Devon roll. The rolls were excellent, and the mushroom dumplings surprising yet tasty. We sat at the bar, I'm sure you figured that part out, and our bartender gave great all around service and attention. Quite exceptional.
(4)Kristy D.
I'm just going to come out and say it...I am obsessed with this place. Its a smaller, almost garage feeling sushi/robata restaurant but I have loved everything I have ever ordered from here. My favorite item on the menu is the truffled tuna appetizer...it is to die for. I also usually stick with the sushi rolls (they let you place half orders which makes trying different ones nice). I have also ordered a few items from the grill and those didn't disappoint either. Yum!!
(5)Xi M.
The food is decent. I like the BBQ here. King crab is awesome
(5)Haley B.
I've tried sushi several million times and I still hate it, and so I was not excited when it was announced that we would be coming to Union Sushi for my cousin's bachelorette party. However, even though I would not have chosen this reataurant, I ended up really liking it! I ordered the surf and turf, which was an amazing steak with shrimp served atop puréed sweet potatoes with shoestring potatoes on the side. It was delicious! The steak was cooked to perfection and the combination of flavors was unique and wonderful. Waiters brought dozens of beautifully prepared rolls of sushi to the table. They looked wonderful, and according to the other girls, they were. We also received several sides of grilled veggies from the barbecue section of the restaurant that were great, as well as some delicious dessert mousse in a praline shell. The cocktails expertly prepared. I was very impressed with Union Sushi. There is something for everyone on their vast menu and everything is made with care. I would love to return.
(4)Mike B.
Ordered a delivery dinner - two phone calls and two hours later I find out that they gave my food to someone else and asked for another 45 minutes to remake our food. The guy on the phone was nice - and I'd love to say whether their food was good or not - but the fact that I'm hangry as hell and my first experience with them is one where they want me to eat dinner at 11pm (over 3 hours after I ordered it) is enough to make me not want to even try it.
(1)Wendy M.
We went here tonight to celebrate our daughter's birthday and it was a very memorable meal, In the best possible way! Our waiter Dan was fantastic and he single-handedly made our experience one to remember. We couldn't quite choose what to order so Dan offered to create a menu for us and we agreed. He asked us a few questions about likes and dislikes and then proceeded to work with the chef to create the perfect meal. The first plate was Truffle Tuna but he knew I didn't care for truffles so he brought me a sashimi cup that was divine. Many items, both on and off the menu, followed. We loved everything that he selected, from the llama to the sea urchin ice cream. The restaurant itself was fun, funky and comfortable. Industrial decor with Japanese flair really works here. The center of the restaurant features their grill, where you can sit and watch them work behind plexiglass. I'm not certain which items required the blowtorch for finishing but it was cool to watch. Thanks Dan and the chef for a great night!!
(5)Rits M.
This review is for the restaurant and the bar. I didn't eat there. I had the Kuro smash and J had the surprise and delight. Mine was good, well mixed and not too much of one specific flavour, with the bourbon hitting the palate at the end. The surprise and delight was cleaner and fresher. The ambiance is good, its a little tight upstairs by the bar and the waiters and bartenders keep movign around you with great dexterity. The good thing is you can order food at the bar as well, so that you dont have to wait for a table on a particularly full night.
(3)Mandi P.
A little expensive, but so good! We have been to Union a couple of times and have never left for under $200 for 2 people...that is with drinks, though. We always sit at the sushi bar as you get a nice view of the sushi chefs, the kitchen, the bar, and the restaurant. The sushi is soooo good. The service is fast and efficient. The sushi chefs even talk to you sometimes and teach you things/educate you about things if it is slow. We will definitely be back and would suggest it to anyone looking for sushi, but be prepared to pay up.
(4)Jennie C.
Hopping atmosphere with floor to ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light. Tasty drinks. Fish quality was excellent, but skip the black rice modification: despite being innovative, the earthiness of the rice overpowered the delicate fish pieces. Must order the beef tongue, which came as big chunks of melt-in-mouth tenderness flavored with warm curry scents and strange looking colored puffs of some sort. Service was a bit too efficient, almost felt like we were being rushed out the door.
(3)Malik S.
For the price, I would say the food is average at best. Sushi - Average. We tried over 6 different rolls. Ramen - Good Drinks - Really Good! Desert - Below average. We got Chocolate cake, pistachio ice cream (really good), and some sour cake (can't remember the name but it wasn't good).
(3)Jackie M.
I really like the restaurant decor .. but the food was quite forgetable. I had the skewers and it was average or tad below average. The meat was tough and overcooked! The nigiri over black rice was jus gross. The fish was not fresh and the black rice was bland. The price is bit steep for its quality. Been there once and im done. This is more americanized .. would not be the right choice if you are looking for legit authentic Japanese bbq. Don't order the dessert because it was painful to finish..
(2)Mad I.
Happy Hour review: -Get there at 5 and the place is empty (on a Saturday, yes the happy hour includes Saturday) -Very cool ambiance -robota grill steak is a STEAL at $2. Super high quality and done just right at medium/medium rare -Oysters are a $1 and very tasty, but the topping is larger than the actual oyster....i.e the oysters are really really small, mussel size, not Blue Point size -Shrimp Tempura roll is very good, deep fried but light, not overwhelming. The larger one is worth the $6, the $4 is half the size Free edamame is a nice touch 5 stars after I experience more food perhaps... :)
(4)James C.
Best sushi, best staff, best service in Chicago. I've been a regular for many years and give Union my highest recommendation. Chef Chao is Chicago's top Chef!
(5)Vito C.
I got the Sushi sampler and it was amazing. Great flavours, well constructed and the black rice was cooked perfectly. The Tuna bowl also hit the mark. I'd go back in a heart beat!
(4)Tracy H.
Amazing! I took my sister here as a Christmas gift and it was a huge hit! From the service to the decor to the food and drinks, it was near-perfect. We went during happy hour and I cannot recommend the oysters enough, and a buck! The sushi was some of the best we've had, esp. the nagiri salmon. Wow, Could eat that all night. Verdict? Go! Will be back. Can be a bit pricey, but worth it for the quality and experience.
(5)David C.
I went here with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. We were really happy they took reservations as it was busy on a Saturday night (naturally). Since the menu is so diverse with some rare finds we decided we would order for the table and share most of it. I only ate food from the BBQ menu so I can't really comment on the sushi. We had: -Spare rib - large piece that was very delicious! Had a sweet BBQ sauce on it that complimented the tener meat well. -Kangaroo - Kind of tough which you might expect but the seasoning was good. -Llama - Delicious! I will never look at a llama the same way again. I highly recommend trying it. -Alligator rib - honestly you might as well order the chicken, it tastes the same. Portion size is good. -Beef tongue - our favorite for the night, it was surprisingly good. Whatever seasoning they put on it was amazing, and it was very tender and juicy. The drinks were also very good. The standout for drinks was the cider mule, it was incredible. I ordered a blackberry mash and it was okay, but I was really disappointed after trying the mule. If you come here hungry be prepared to spend a good amount of money as portions are pretty small - about 4 bites per order for most. We actually ended up eating at our next stop as well.
(4)Katie T.
We wandered over on a Saturday night and got seats at the sushi bar. The atmosphere is lively and fun in the restaurant. The sushi chefs were nice, but unlike some sushi restaurants, this bar does not have the best view. The sushi was decent. There's not a ton of variety. They seem to offer a lot of rolls with mayonnaise and such so good if you like that. Service was friendly but slow. Our server seemed busy and forgot to give us soy sauce and dishes. We were not offered water after we finished the bottle. The drinks are tiny and expensive. 1 hour, four rolls, 4 drinks, $100+. Meh.
(2)Adriano M.
Quite possibly one of the BEST if not the BEST Asian restaurant in the USA. What an awesome place, the chefs are masters....the restaurants serves sushi and Asian BBQ. Some sushi is served with black natural rice, different but very good and healthy. The tuna tartar is a great starter as are the grilled scallops wrapped in bacon amazing!. they also have a grilled shrimp served with a bbq sauce that is outstanding... I can go on and on....all I can say is you will not be disappointed this place has it going on. Sushi is outstanding and creatived. Definetly coming back soon!!.
(5)Kimmie H.
Trendy place. Bit pricy for dinner because of a small portion. Happy Hour is great. Would definitely come back its happy hour only. Please consider add chicken gizzard and chicken skin on the menu if you try to be a Japanese street food style also. I had a great time here. Nice decoration (a bit dark) the guy on the phone was nice. Good service over all.
(4)Jessica S.
So glad I found Union!! Its innovative, delicious, and a great, edgy atmosphere. We sat right in front of the enclosed grill which was fun and added t the entertainment of the evening. At the end of our meal, we were greeted by the owner and it was such a nice, warm gesture. Our waiter was informed and super friendly, which in my opinion has been so hard to find lately. The unique cocktails were fantastic. I got gutsy and tried the grilled alligator, which tasted like chicken but a little gamier and loved it. The rolls we tried were large a delish. I will be going back to Union soon!
(5)Amy R.
Having lived in Chicago for a couple of years now, coming up with new and creative ways to celebrate one's birthday can be incredibly challenging and stressful. The trolleys are overdone...drink packages at a random bar are less than unique...and renting out a space in downtown Chicago can be awfully expensive. I had seen Union Sushi come up on a list of recommendations of top new bars/restaurants through MetroMix. It sounded like the perfect spot for a bday celebration--new, great location, and trendy. I dropped in after work to speak with the manager, Mike, about what options he had to offer. I was more or less expecting a large table reservation--in a private area, if I was lucky. Mike surpassed expectations--he led me upstairs to their "UpBar" and said if I had enough guests planning to attend he would let me have the area for the entire Friday night. He worked with me on the menu and space reservation until we came to the perfect solution. Although I had been expecting 12 girls for the meal (before all of the other guests were expected to show up to just drink), only 8 showed up and the waitress/management were able to accommodate the last minute change with ease and kindness. Following dinner, the swarm of other guests arrived and we had the entire UpBar full of people and our own private bartender. The staff was incredibly nice. The bartender even let me "help bartend" for a fun picture or two. And the head chef, Chao, came out of the kitchen and up to the UpBar to say hello to me and my guests! I highly recommend Union Sushi for any event--be it birthday or corporate or just for fun. The atmosphere is really cool with all of the graffiti and the menu has plenty of great options to please anyone. Speaking of the menu...I highly, highly recommend the Truffled Tuna appetizer--it is to die for.
(5)Jonathan E.
One of the best sushi places I have been to. Good service. Nice menu. Really good, high quality food. Recommend.
(4)Evan M.
My rating is more like a 3.5, but you can't do a half on here, so eh. I'll start off with the bad, just to get that wiped from memory. Being from coastal Florida, I know better than to order raw oysters in the Midwest, but I did it anyway. They came out with a faint fishy smell that we all noticed, but against my better judgment, I ate one anyway. Tasted very metallic. A good oyster should taste delicate and briny. These were also about 1/3rd the size of a proper oyster. And good thing--if they had been 3x as large, it may have repeated on me. I was pretty much nauseated the rest of the night. Anyhoo, on to the good--all the sushi we had was divine. Service was very quick, and when a few more friends showed up late to join us, they were more than happy to accommodate our friends. The lunchtime deals are also pretty good. This is quite the happening place, but I'm just not blown away. If I'm in the immediate area, sure, I'd go back, but I wouldn't bypass a few other sushi places to do so.
(3)Kelly C.
This place was quite tasty! I went for Restaurant Week and they didn't disappoint. For their RW menu it was $22 for both lunch & dinner. The courses were the usual salad, entree & dessert. I started off with the soba salad and it was okay def had spice to it. My friend had the mushroom salad and said it was tasty - kinda wish I would have gotten that! For the entree we both got the surf and turf and it was great with the sweet potato cream and crispy potato strings. And the presentation was fabulous with the shrimp skewered on top of the filet (picture to come). Everything was seasoned great and we were both very impressed with our meal! For dessert we each got something different so we could try a couple different items. My friends choice was the clear winner - KILLER YUZU PIE - it tasted very similar to a key lime pie and was divine. I got the sundae flight and it wasn't anything to write home about. The green tea one was icky (to be fair I have never had a green tea one i like), the other 2 were ok but I recommend the pie. We also got the PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SCALLOP and it was excellent with the puree on top. I would go back for this alone! I like the decor of the restaurant - it seemed very cool to me with the graffiti artwork on the walls and the exposed pipes. I wasn't really a fan of how close the tables were to each other. Overall a nice dining experience and I would go back and try out the sushi!
(4)Gigi Y.
For my first experience here, i had a great time! (because I was also with great company) The two menu items that stood out to me during their happy hour menu were the $1 Oysters on a half shell; flavorful green onion, crispy shallot and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. The second was their ridiculous just-right spicy $2 Beef Skewers. It takes a lot for me to be impressed with beef and red meats, but man were they delicious!
(4)Ajay K.
More like 4.5 stars. Visited for restaurant week and ended up ordering one restaurant week menu, and a variety of other things (sashimi, rolls, truffled tuna etc.) Everything was wonderful. Sat at the sushi bar and the chefs are very friendly and helpful. The truffled tuna was out of this world, along with some very inventive rolls - they use collard greens in lieu of seaweed for some of the rolls. Another nice touch is that you can order half rolls and get a lot more variety in that way. Killer Yuzu pie too!!! The only downside if there was one the entire evening was that the rolls could have used more fish.
(4)Kammie G.
I went there for my birthday dinner and MAN was it worth it. The ambiance and decor is the restaurant is aweesome and might be one of my favorites so far; it has a nice upscale feel to it and I like that there are various sections in the resto that allow you to sit by the window, the bar, the sushi bar, or the barbeque bar. Who does't like variety? The food was delicious, the sushi was great. I came here mainly to try the black rice because I am a health freak and I was very much satisfied with the result. All of the rolls we tried were delicious and definitely different than the usual boring rolls you get at a mediocre sushi place. Another thing I tried for the first time here was alligator (interesting flavor and pretty good) and oysters (they tasted good but I'm just not a fan of the slimy texture). It was a day of trying new things! The drinks were yummy and I liked the fact that they had a "skinny" menu, from which I enjoyed the Skinny Geisha and my date loved some whiskey drink that he ordered. He's one picky guy, and he said he liked the drink so much he was thinking about it still the following day haha. That's how good it was. Definitely coming back here very soon!
(5)Greg N.
Living in the area...Union has presented itself more than a few times when my girlfriend and I have pontificated..."where should we go tonight....what are you in the mood for?" Last night...we answered..."sushi...and WHAT ABOUT UNION?!!" So the succulent pescaterian adventure began... We had heard about the Head Chef's resume (Sushi Wabi) and we are HUGE fans. We have to admit that the somewhat "kitschy" Ikea gone bad interior decoration theme was a bit offputting (and may have somewhat deterred us at first)....but we quickly got over that and it ended up feeling quite cozy and charming by the end of our visit. I will shut up about the circuses and move on to the good stuff... The FISH. Our waitress was so friendly and she asked us to put our dining fate in her hands. She assured us on her recommendations with "if you dont LOVE this I will take it off the bill". From the duck wing (done buffalo style) to the Sashimi cup (citrus marinated tuna goodness so good you want to drink it out of the glass)...to the spicy tuna roll and signature roll topped with crispy pork belly....they were all the equal of just about any of Chicago's finest sushi houses (including Japonais, Ai or Wabi). I am writing this completely absolved of the influences from my multiple jumbo Sapporos. ;) The chef has a special pumpkin icecream popsicle (not on the menu) that was the perfect dessert...and left us with a longing to come back with friends to blaze new trails (perhaps the BBQ side of the menu). Take a bow, Union...you have two new members of your fan club.
(4)Naftali G.
Always great atmosphere and food. Beef tongue from the robata was awesome. Waiter was solid.
(4)Angela S.
Must try: the sparrow is the best craft drink, alligator skewer, mushroom dumplings, prosciutto wrapped scallops and the belly sushi roll (da bomb!).
(4)Vivian C.
The food is ok (I've experienced better sushi/sashimi in CA). I would have given them 3 stars because of the quality of the food and ambience, but it was overpriced and service was VERY SLOW and inefficient (nice staff has nothing to do with efficient service). The only thing that makes this place "cool" is the fact that they have skewers, which, in non-fusion sushi restaurants it's not a common sight. I am guessing that if people are giving this place 5 stars, then they could be sushi amateurs. We went there for a bachelorette party at 8pm. One of the girls ordered Miso soup and it didn't come for ONE hour (or longer than that because we were pretty much done eating when it came out). Another girl found a hair in her roll. Another one wanted to try the alligator skewer, but they had run out. Then we wanted more hamachi sushi, but they had run out, too. And so then I ordered uni (which they didn't have), so, instead, I ordered maguro (white tuna) sushi... but after waiting for nearly 30 minutes, I canceled it because there were no signs that it would actually come to the table. Wow, really??? I do have to commend them for bringing us free dessert though (for the hair). Besides that, I ordered the beef skewer, but it was TOO salty for my liking (and I like salty food, so if it's salty for me, it's REALLY salty). I am a very easy person to please, but not when it comes to restaurants - I know my food and quality of service. I do not recommend this place if you're a "pro" sushi eater.
(2)Kate K.
I had a dinner party at the restaurant for my sister's bachelorette party. We had the upstairs section and we felt like we had a little VIP area! I had pre-selected the menu in advance (I worked with the manager Mike) The service was GREAT. The bartender gave the whole group free shots, the chef came out and said hello and gave a few girls a tour of the kitchen, and the waitress was constantly bringing us food! All the guests were impressed with the presentation, the attentiveness and most importantly - the food! A lot of my friends said it was one of the nicest dinners they had been to. Go check it out! So fun, hip, great cocktails, great sushi and great staff!
(5)Anna P.
Love this place - we live a few blocks away and it's a great place for when we feel like splurging and treating ourselves to a nice dinner. The atmosphere is great, the service is always excellent, and the menu is a perfect place for someone like me who likes to try a lot of different things (aka I have commitment issues). All of the BBQ stuff is excellent, the sushi is outstanding, and they have a pretty good drink list. I really want to try the happy hour so this place doesn't take all my money1
(4)Kathy K.
I've been here twice in the past month with big parties and the service was absolutely horrible both times. Both times the servers were way too busy with other tables to even deal with our huge one. They simply don't have well trained wait staff and even if the waiters were actually experienced, the place is understaffed. For example, I asked one guy for a fork and he never came back. Later I saw him scrambling to help another employee. The food isn't terrible but not worth it for slow horrible service. The decor is nice.
(2)Helena B.
As you expect, this River North sushi establishment is quite modern in terms of decor. The dining area is basically a glass box with views of the street and El. Decent people watching (unless you are the one stuck sitting against the window and then you need to make sure your shirt is long enough so you aren't flashing your back/butt area at the crowd outside, but I digress). While I've only attempted dinner one way, I'm going to throw out there that my way was the best and encourage you to do the same - order sushi and barbeque items a la carte. Our server let us know when items were smaller (note: most items on the barbeque menu are singular. They say squid, they mean ONE SQUID, so adjust your order accordingly). My favorite thing was probably the speed at which food arrived at your table. You ordered and POOF! there it was. This made it super-simple to order a few things at a time and judge our desire for more as we went along. The truffled tuna was my second-favorite thing, so you should try that.
(3)Ryan S.
Been here a couple times now and I have not had a bad time yet. Good sushi, good atmosphere was a bit loud at times but overall would recommend to anyone looking for a good sushi spot.
(4)Dawn W.
I was introduced to Union Sushi by a friend and was thrilled with the overall experience! We had a great time sitting at the sushi bar talking to the chef. The cocktail menu has such a great variety of drinks all for around $11 each. They are nice heavy pours that taste amazing! We had a sample of just about everything as far as food is concerned. Nothing rave reveiws for the food. The specials are presented to you on an ipad, which gives you a great visual instead of just listening. I enjoyed my experience so much that I took a friend the next week and she loved it as well! Great job Union Sushi!
(5)Christina P.
Ugh, I am torn. I really wanted to love this place going in but I think they need to get some front of house issues ironed out before I can up my star-age. First off, really cool and different space. Loved the graffiti on the walls and I love the massive fire pit on the bar. Bonus points for the light, airy feel to the space. And it's in a great area of the city. If it was socially acceptable to bathe in the specialty cocktails they serve... I would. They are amazing. Bartenders know their craft and everything was amazing (my fave - Surprise & Delight). The main issue for me was with their host situation. We were told the wait was 20 minutes but that oddly crept into two hours. While fine, as we had a spot at the bar for drinks, we were blatantly ignored. Not cool. The food is great but needs a little work. Everything was 'good' but nothing blew me away in terms of can't-live-without-it tastes. Above all, for a new hot restaurant, the one thing that stuck with me was the amazing cocktail selection - not the service nor the food.
(3)Don G.
I've been here a few times now, and Union never fails to impress. I enjoy getting lots of small plates and tastes from many dishes. Usually we get a nice combo of rolls, yakatori, and starters. I cannot say enough about the sliders. A must every time! The rolls are imaginative & tasty. My favorite roll is the Old City Market roll with collared greens. I also recommend the bacon wrapped scallops from the yakatori grill. The staff is always helpful in suggesting something new or selling me on the daily special (grilled alligator!). The manager, Mike, always remembers me when I go in & usually sends over treats ranging from special rolls to a round of drinks! 5 stars for the great combination of service, atmosphere, and the delicious food. This is not your typical sushi spot!
(5)Lauren M.
I've been here twice now and both times I had an awesome sushi experience. I've tried all of the rolls and my favorite is the Black Rice Sushi Sampler. The Ruby No 5 is a delicious drink. This is a trendy, fun spot!
(5)Larry V.
Decided to drop into this place based upon looks alone. Very chic, trendy look. Food was very good, went with 2 friends, and split some sushi rolls, then went with the Surf and Turf for dinner. Decided to sit at the Sushi bar, and service was excellent. The Surf and Turf was very good. The steak was a little small, but the prawns were huge. For perspective, two prawns were about the size of the steak (maybe 4-6 oz?) A little pricy, but definitely worth coming back.
(4)scott s.
Hard to believe that no one (lately) has mentioned the amazing food happy hour. 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day except Saturday for almost four years, Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has $1 oysters, $2 marinated beef skewers (a pair) and $4 five-piece deep fried tuna maki. Deep fried tuna maki, you say? Heresy, but it's good and a heck of a deal. Yesterday's oysters were from Rhode Island and were small but flavorful. They top them with caviar, ponzu sauce and a bit of shredded lemongrass (I think.) As if this weren't enough, free mini-portions of edamame sprinkled with cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese on edamame, you say. Heresy, but again, it works. Expensive drinks (read=normal River North prices) but top notch craft spirits. Don't miss the home-made tonic if you are a G&T fan.
(4)Julie M.
Came here for dinner with my bridesmaids to kick off the bachelorette weekend. Food and service was impeccable . The black rice sushi sampler with fresh wasabi was amazing. The cocktails were SO GOOD! Definitely need to come back here for more yummy experiences.
(5)Miles L.
Terrific experience, sat at the bar, the bartender's name was Peter. He explained the menu, had a fantastic personality, extremely knowledgeable in the description of how the food was prepared. Extensive knowledge in the nature in the mixology of the drinks. Job well done union, thank you for a terrific experience...
(5)Kate M.
I'm going to ignore the fact that Union Sushi & Barbeque is trendy. If I ignore the trendiness then it's a solid 4 star experience. I attempted to make a reservation on Friday around noon for Friday evening and the only time available were 6 and 930. I choose 6 because I am way too old to wait until 9:30 to eat dinner. When we got there they were empty, and so we were seated directly next to the only other occupied table. The food was all very good. We started with the duck fat yaki soba which was really tasty. It was a good size appetizer for two people, I'm not sure if it would be enough for a filling entree. We ordered a couple maki rolls, the Chesapeake Bay was my favorite. The Clifton #4, Hokkaido, and Old City Market were also good. The service was pretty good. It did seem like our server disappeared for a while. The host wasn't very helpful on our way out. Maybe he wasn't the host? He was standing at the hostess station, looking at the computer. I attempted to give him my coat check ticket, he just looked at me like I had three heads and pointed to the hostess who was walking our way. Then another woman tried to talk to him about getting a table and she got the "why are you talking to me?!" look too. Not that welcoming. The dining room is very...stylish? There's a lot of "look at this!" going on. Again, trendy. It was pretty, not very comfy though. I'd love to go back to Union Sushi & Barbeque soon. The food was really good. Hopefully I'll make it back before it gets too cold to make the short walk for me. I'm such a sissy.
(4)Rob T.
So. Good. Can't think of a better impress-your-date place. Creative, beautiful, yummy food. Had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, pork shoulder BBQ, beef tongue BBQ, old city market roll, tsukiji market roll, soft shell crab roll, spicy tuna roll with black rice(!), and chesapeake bay roll. All were fantastic. Mmm...still dreaming about it the day after. Heck, everything on the menu was appealing. Bay, our sushi chef, was great, and really friendly. Service was excellent too.
(5)Kelsey W.
Very cool place. The sushi selection is extensive and reasonably priced. They have a black rice option that I haven't seen anywhere else and I'm a regular sushi eater. The BBQ samples were great! Highly recommend trying the kangaroo. No tap beer unfortunately, all bottles or cans.
(4)Elaine C.
Walk-in on Saturday night dinner 8pm. Got a sushi bar seating area by the bartender. The bartender was friendly and seems to know everyone. Sushi were really good and we tried the fresh wasabi from the root! Everyone must try! We did the small plates of many dishes. Everything was tasty there.
(4)D T.
I have had 2 extremely different experiences here. Both enjoyable, if not strange...The first time I came with a girlfriend and sat upstairs at the bar. The second visit, a "date" I had, along with a girlfriend and a buddy of his. I'll explain. My girlfriend and I wanted to grab a bite last minute on a Saturday, in River North. Not an easy feat. We popped in here, and happily chose to eat at the bar. The vibe is pretty relaxed for the neighborhood. You can wear jeans or get dolled up and fit in. Worth mentioning: the floors are SLIPPERY! I can run in stilettos, but there are a few places in the city that need to redo their floor situation. Union is one of them. The bartender was dry, but friendly and accommodating as can be, if that makes sense. I got the prick vibe for the first 2 minutes, but he ended up being fantastic. I wanted a lychee type martini, without looking at the drink menu, and he whipped up the perfect cocktail. We ordered apps, a couple rolls and Tekka Don for myself. For those who don't know, it's Maguro (tuna) on top of a bed of rice. Like Chirashi, but only tuna. This was not on the menu, but he said they would happily whip one up. Everything was very good until this came out. It wasn't bad, it appeared fresh, it was just "off". My gf insisted I say something, but I just don't go there. Specifically because I could not pinpoint the problem. He noticed I wasn't touching it and asked if it was ok. I insisted it was. Minutes later, he asked again, I denied any problem, but he called my BS. He wouldn't take no for an answer, took it back and said I would not be charged for it. I was mortified, but he was so casual about it, and it eased my mind. Now the second time was wayyyyy different. I had dinner plans with another gf, and was talking to a guy I had yet to meet. He asked to meet that evening, but I told him my plans, and he was welcome to join us. He did, and brought a friend. We went to the wrong place, don't ask, it was last minute, so we were late. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in, as he looked even better than his photos and was dressed well. That's when shit got weird. I immediately felt he was not interested in me, and that made it uncomfortable. Things were going so well, my gf eventually asked him to leave. He did order about half the menu, and everyone enjoyed it. Except myself. I was too dumbfounded by what was happening to eat. Ironically we are seeing each other now, over a month later, but that's hardly the craziest dating story I have over the past few months. To get back on track, Union is very good. Nothing super special, but a cute atmosphere, great staff and really good food.
(4)Bridget M.
Such an amazingly friendly staff. I sat at the sushi bar during happy hour. Great food specials! I had the beef skewers and Shrimp tempura roll. Both were beyond excellent. Also, they give you complimentary edamame that is seasoned and great! There is a cool modern look and there are outlets all over, which came in handy. They even showed you the specials on an iPad. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Nicole W.
My new favorite sushi place in Chicago... in a lot of cities actually! Ordered a TON off the menu Scallops off the iPad menu - delicious, a little bit buttery, but just so good Truffled Tuna - wondering why yelp loves this dish so much? It was very oily and while it was good, it was nothing spectacular. Still good, just not "amazing" like others have said. Agedashi Potato (Sweet Potato with Ginger) - Wow! This could be a dessert. The mix of ginger and sweet potato is super yummy and reminded me of comfort food. Delicious! Spare Rib - Large portion for the price! The meat fell off the bone and was delicious mixed with the slaw served with it. SUSHI! Do not miss out on the fresh sushi. Never had sushi taste more fresh than this! If you want to try more styles, they offer half portions which are 5-6 pieces instead of a whole roll. This was ideal for me since I always feel like I want to eat off the entire menu at somewhere new. I had the following rolls: Tsukiji Market, Hokkaido, Old City Market For dessert, we had the Taro Mochi Cake which was very good. The name is a little deceiving with "mochi" in it, as there is no mochi in it, but alas, this cake was delicious and very much worth getting. Drinks: Surprise + Delight was exactly what the name says, a surprise and a delight. Lemongrass with cucumber was refreshing and a very good drink to start off the dinner. Yamazaki 12 Yr - My new favorite whiskey just happens to be this Japanese whiskey. Had over ice but their ice cubes were too big so we just took it out. Definitely try a Japanese whiskey if you want to adventure out! Went very well with the meal :-) --- I would go here multiple times if I could ---- Highly reccomend!
(5)Stephanie H.
I had the opportunity to come here recently for a happy hour event an organization was hosting. We had the whole top floor (Up Bar) to ourselves, and the bartenders Peter and Matt were so friendly and hospitable! I had also heard of Union from a previous Yelp Elite event I attended and was planning on coming here anyway! I showed up a little earlier before the event started so that I could try out some of their cocktail hour specials myself, which is Monday-Friday, 5:00-6:30PM. The specials are $5 Sobieski Vodka cocktails, $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon, $1 oysters, $2 beef filet skewers, and $3/$6 shrimp tempura rolls. I tried one of everything, and while I think the drinks are pretty standard, the food blew my mind! The oysters were spectacular (look at my pictures!). I ordered two and they came served on a wooden box filled with crushed ice and a lemon wedge. It wasn't just an oyster that you throw cocktail sauce on...they had filled it with red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. It was so good I ordered another two (for $1 each, how could you not?)! The beef filet skewers were also delicious and tender. Chef Chao also came upstairs and introduced himself, and he seems pretty awesome. Their staff were great, the venue looks really modern and cool. I'll definitely want to come back to try out some of their other dishes!
(5)Mariam K.
I came here for a friends birthday and I'm not a huge sushi fan, so I was planning on just ordering an appetizer or something. However, I didn't realize it was a Japanese bbq restaurant also.. which is why I loved this place! We got there a bit early and they were still setting up out table, so we went upstairs to the bar area, which was cute and cozy. Me, my husband and another couple split the bbq bar sampler, the surf and turf, dragon roll, and bay street california. Even though I don't care for sushi... I liked the dragon roll a lot and the surf and turf was really good.. just as I had expected! The BBQ bar sampler had assorted things : beef tongue, chicken, shrimp, and scallop... to name a few... so be sure you're open to eating all types of food if you order it. I recommend this place even if you don't love sushi, because there's something for everyone here.
(4)Christina D.
I love Union- the sushi is delicate and full of flavour. I attempt to try something new every time I go there- the menu has plenty of variety. Mr Chow and everyone who works there are incredibly friendly, professional and pleasure to be around. I love their happy hour with $1 Oysters and specials of delicious beef skewers. This is my new local sushi spot!
(5)Rebecca N.
I have been here between 6-7 times and I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review! This is a great, small, trendy sushi spot in River North that is lower key than Sunda but a few steps above Naniwa. They also feature the Robato Grill on their menu which is a pretty cool option. I have never had a bad experience here. Service is always prompt and the servers very knowledgeable and friendly. Once I came with a bunch of friends from out of town and they gave us complimentary sake test flights. What I really like is that you can order HALF rolls! If you are picking up for yourself you can try a few halfs which is fun. My favorites: Soba Salad Truffle Tuna Sashimi Cup Spicy Tuna Dragon Bay Street Cali ** I don't like the rolls wrapped in collard greens**
(4)Megen B.
We had a private party of 10 there last night and everything about it was fantastic - we organized it through Britt at Union and she helped us with ordering the best things on the menu, something for every taste and she even had the chef come out to personally make something for one of our guests who had a particular food allergy. Our server was amazing, so nice and no one ever had an empty glass or plate. Food was timed perfectly and every dish was to die for. I recommend the Shrimp Tempura role and the Truffle Tuna. amazing! cannot wait to go back
(5)Laura T.
I've been to Union twice - its ambiance draws you in, but the value leaves a lot to be desired. While some items (like the truffled tuna and salmon nigiri) will definitely bring me back, the slow service, and overall overpriced meal will make it a slow comeback.
(2)Dan R.
HA! How can I describe it? Wonderful? Delicious? The ultimatum sushi experience? We decided to go there last night after trying their samples at the Yelp event that took place on Thursday night. We were equipped with our 10% discount and we walked in without a reservation. I won't do that next time thou, the place gets busy and we were lucky they could accommodate us at the sushi bar comfortably. But yeah, we were sat right away which already gives the place points on my list. Our server Dan had a very calm and soft voice (hihi) and he was so cool. He instructed us about the menu, which we were not familiar - of course, it was our first time at the place. We had 4 half rolls and 2 choices of bbq. I won't even describe it. WE FINALLY found a place that has a spicy tuna comparable (if not better) to our beloved butterfly. if you are a cilantro fan, please order the HOKKAIDO maki. OH MY! you'll understand why when you taste it. I thought the combination of flavors was fantastic. We had Japanese beer, which was light and crispy ...and the bottle was super cute i wish i could bring it home. Service was friendly, quick, food was delicious..and we could watch the sushi guys working on it ... they were very friendly and we even chatted with one of they guys while he was making our food. Place's vibe is awesome, I love the decor, and price is reasonable. We felt like we needed another 2 half rolls, so it counts 6 half rolls, 2 choices of bbq, and 2 imported beers (which were expensive, $10 a piece) and our bill (with the SUPER COOL YELP DISCOUNT) was about $68 ...like...seriously? wow! Love it, want it, will be back for more. So sad to read the bad reviews, and surprised that this place has only 3 and a half stars. If I were those people, i would give the place a 2nd chance.
(5)Elina K.
Been here a couple times and it really is superb sushi and BBQ. Everything I tried here is top notch. Fresh, flavorful, diverse menu. The decor and layout is awesome...loud, trendy atmosphere but you can still feel like you are having a private experience without anyone sitting on top of you. There's a little bar upstairs where you can enjoy after dinner drinks with a private party, which is a nice add. If I could knock off half a star for a subte yet pervasive air of yuppie pretention I would, but the chef doesn't deserve that.
(5)M R.
I went there for lunch for the first time today and really enjoyed myself. The ambiance, food, and service were all really good. I had salad and rolls for lunch, and both the vegetables and the fish were very fresh. I also had the red bean ice cream sundae for dessert, which was delish!
(4)Frank N.
Okay, I am now a huge fan of Union Sushi for 2 reasons: 1. The outstanding customer service! 2. The memorable and filling food choices We came here for restaurant week and made reservations well in advance knowing there would be some hefty crowds. Coming in with a group of 8 was large and the Union folk truly took care of us from the get go. Our table was a tad confused looking at the menu and not sure what direction to go. The server and manager came over to describe the experience and steer us in the right direction. We opted for the $45 per person and they told us that they would make it work and make us happy...THEY DID! We had one vegetarian and one non-seafood eater with us and Union catered to that as well. It was course after course coming to us and there was so much eye candy that I went into culinary overload. Some of the notables: Oysters on the Half Shell - HOLY COW were these unbelievable, not to mention too picturesque to eat Buffalo Duck Wing - Just the right amount of heat Truffled Tuna - Pure artwork and something about fresh fish that just makes a meal Mushroom Dumplings - Even our non-mushroom lovers found enjoyment in these tasty morsels Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops - Can you really go wrong with anything wrapped in prosciutto?? And I mean anything! Cucumber Roll - MY FAVORITE of the night! All of that goodness wrapped in a cucumber and cilantro - Perfect palate cleanser!!! Green Tea Ice Cream - Totally took me by surprise! I am now addicted so thanks for that All in all, a fantastic experience and the 8 of us left full and happy. Next visit - the goal is to destroy the 48 oyster record!!
(5)Weixu L.
Don't get me wrong. Their food is awesome and fresh. I do have a problem with the black rice sushi everyone was talking about. Not a fan. My friend and I were both not impressed. It was a very bad invention. We totally regret having that. I'm still giving it 4 stars, not out of my dining experience, but out of the belief that they in general make great food, other than the black rice sushi. Some people may love it, but a traditional consumer would hate it.
(4)Joanna D.
Came here with some colleagues. Very cute atmosphere! The waiter gave us an ipad to play with/to look at the menu. The food smelled fantastic! I tried the Shitake Mushroom. Cauliflower and Tofu from the barbeque bar. The Shitake Mushroom and Tofu were okay tasting, but the Cauliflower was fantastic! I would recommend ordering the cauliflower over the other two. My collegeues tried the oysters as well as other various meats. They really enjoyed their meals. Would probably come here again to try the other vegetarian options.
(4)Kristy F.
I ordered the roasted cauliflower salad for $7 and the Asparagus Roll (4 pieces for $3) and both were very very fresh!! The asparagus roll was surprisingly packed with flavor. I was happy with the service and I'd like to hit this spot again soon. =)
(4)Amber P.
The service at this restaurant is terrible. A friend and I met up here after we hadn't seen each other for a long time. We arrived at 5:55 PM. The hostess asked us if we had a reservation and we said no. She then went on to tell us that we could have a table if we would be out by 730. That was sort of off-putting and weird, but we ignored it and still asked for a table. Her manager then came over and told her to give us a table upstairs, and "if we complained about it" to move us. But at this point the restaurant was not full and there were plenty of open tables. She walked us upstairs, showed us the table and immediately left. The upstairs area is extremely small and there was a 20 people party up there as well. We were put in the corner right next to the party. They were extremely obnoxious and were basically stepping over us and our things. We hastily received a menu and were told to wait. After about 20 minutes of no one speaking to us we decided to leave. Not one person asked us why we were leaving or tried to convince us to stay. It is clear that they did not think we were worth anything. I am outraged at the service at this restaurant. I hope that no one goes here.
(1)Amy P.
I received an offer for a free black rice roll from BBE and decided to take a look at the restaurant's website. I saw that they had happy hour as well, with $1 oysters. My mind immediately registered the opportunity for a great deal, so reservations were made for an early Saturday dinner. We arrived early and sat at the bar, which was small but cozy. The bartender was very personable and really seemed to know his stuff. We ordered two drinks, one sake flight and oysters on the half shell. The oysters were topped with ponzu sauce, scallions, roe and crispy shallots, so while tasty, may offend the true aficionados seeking the pure briny goodness of the oyster itself. Two dozen oysters later, we headed over to our table with empty stomachs and a growing bill. For dinner, we ordered the following: Agedashi sweet potato Sashimi platter 2 orders of scallop sashimi 1 order of barracuda sashimi 1 order of yellow tail sashimi Half Rolls (4 pieces): - Bay California - Softshell Crab - Black Rice Spicy Tuna (free with BBE code) The agedashi sweet potato was pretty unmemorable. (It's like agedashi tofu, but with sweet potato! Different!) The sashimi was really good, but also very pricey. The sashimi platter was nearly $40 for 15 pieces and the a la carte options ranged from $3.00 - $4.50 per piece. SP did think that the scallop was the best he's ever had though. The rolls were also good, but very pricey for four bite-sized pieces per order. The Bay California roll was surprisingly good, and made me realize what a big difference "real crab" makes. The roll itself was very simple and the taste of the crab itself really shone. The black rice roll was also very good, although, I can't tell how much the visual novelty of the black rice may have bolstered the perceived taste. At nearly $2 per piece, however, each bite was a painful reminder of how large our bill was going to be. All in all, we really liked Union Sushi + Barbeque. We liked the space itself, which had a gallery/creative/industrial loft type of feel. The food was very good and the fish was high in quality. The menu also has some unique items such as alligator (and the barracuda that we found in the off-menu specials). The downside, however, is that this place is really pricey. With all the small dishes and half-rolls, things quickly add up. It makes for an unforgettable experience though, as we will never forget that time when our coupon for a free roll and $1 oysters turned into a $300 dinner.
(4)An P.
Welcome to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, River North's freshest sushi bar. Fresh doesn't mean expensive, but fresh means hip from the brightly colored decor to Bonobo playing in the background, Union does its best to stimulate and impress. I sat down with my friend, who pointed out that Bill Kurtis was sitting two tables over. Bento box was the first thing on my mind and the server let me know duck soba was his favorite, so duck soba it was. Bento box for $12 in downtown Chicago? Friends, I think we have a winner here - bento box includes salad, entree and spicy tuna roll. I added a half order of Dragon Roll just to try out some more sushi. The duck soba will knock your socks off with roasted red peppers, duck, and a slippery array of noodles ready to please your taste buds. The salad was crisp and the dressing wasn't overwhelming which is an A+ in my book. Chef Chao appeared from behind the sushi bar and offered up some more delicious treats! Looking to keep up your health kick for 2012? Look no further - Union Sushi & Barbeque serves up its wicked dragon rolls on black rice! I don't know what they put in that eel sauce but I could stand dousing it on everything in sight and still ask for more. The best lunch I've had so far in 2012, I think it will take awhile to knock Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar off the #1 spot!
(5)Adrien B.
My girlfriend and I sat at the chef's table last night. We are not picky eaters and left our meal entirely up to the chef. Everything was amazing. I will try and describe the experience in as few words as possible. The flavor and texture combinations were sublime, you could tell the chefs really enjoyed what they were doing. The sake pairing complemented the entire meal perfectly, even though I am not a sake fan. The whole mean was a trip, I felt elevated to a higher state of being and needed a good hour of peace and rest afterwards to acclimate my body back to standard life. I highly recommend coming here and will be coming back myself to try the regular menu. It was a pleasure being able to converse with the chefs, there was a great ambience in the restaurant, definitely more of a young urban vibe to it. I would give more stars if it were all possible.
(5)Andrew B.
Quick summary: GREAT mixologist, GREAT presentation, GREAT service, good sushi, a bit rough on elbow room and noise level. Showed up at 6:30 PM or so on a weeknight, no reservations, sat nearly immediately. Dining companion and I got seated -- wedged, really -- at the bar. Just missed happy hour, but the $10 cocktail special was still going, and the "Morning Glory 2" seems well worth the dime. Presentation of our chef's choice sashimi plate was nothing short of awesome. Lots of care taken to erect memorials to awesomeness made of sushi and edible veggies. Graffiti on the wall by SoloRM adds a nice touch to the atmosphere.
(4)Brian S.
I continue to eat lunch here about once a week and i'm batting 1.000. never had a bad meal. great service, great vibe, it's clearly the standout power lunch spot for startups operating in river north. favorites include the black rice sushi rolls, the seaweed salad, the mushroom ramen (solid vegan!) and truffle tuna app. They should include the fresh wasabi for free.
(5)Amelia B.
Union is such a tease. Being close to my place, I held such high expectations: it looks right, it sounds right, it smells right, and I had heard pretty good things from other people. But with such expectations came mostly disappointment. Service was nothing short of horrific, the sashimi was flavorless and tiny, and the vibe was just...off. We walked in for a 9pm reservation, and the hostess looked completely surprised, like we weren't supposed to be there. After much hemming and hawing, she showed us to a table, where we waited another 15 or 20 minutes for a server. And throughout the night, we had to flag down our server any time we needed anything--almost completely absent. My date went with robata meat, and I went with sashimi (figures). While the skewers were (I was told), excellent, they were also miniscule. My sashimi plate did not fair so well. The most glaring omission from the chef's selection--no salmon. I have never had a plate without salmon. Instead, it was all incredibly cheap sushi--eel, octopus, white tuna. And it was all pretty flavorless. Cocktails were equally uninspiring, though we did just go with a straight up dirty martini and a vodka soda. The server offered me a choice of olives (excellent), but I received one measley blue cheese olive. It was almost hysterical actually--who gives one olive in a dirty martini? I'm giving a second star because the space is pretty cool, but that's about it. I'd say, if you are heading to Union, stick to the cooked foods. The sushi (or the sashimi at least) was entirely disappointing.
(2)Dan M.
I've been to Union about 5 times now. Everytime I'm in Chicago for business, it's my go-to spot. The menu is outstanding, it offers your classis sushi rolls - served with a twist - but also pushes your daring & adventurous side with items such as beef tongue. Last time I was there I had a grilled Alaskan King Crab that was outstanding. But whatever mood or however bold you feel like being the food has always been incredibly fresh. I've always found the staff incredibly friendly and helpful in recommending the best items of the day. I also love the drink menu (my personal favorite - "The Shimbashi Athletic Club" - try it!) besides the great names - they're also great drinks. Last time I was there the bartender whipped up some Pumpkin infused hot Sake. WOW! Overall, I highly recommend this place - it's perfect for those predictable weekly sushi cravings but also when you want to really indulge with some friends.
(5)Chris V.
According to their website, they close at midnight. I walked in at 11:30. There was no one at the hostess stand. I saw a manager walk by and made eye contact with him. He ignored me and walked off. How did I know he was a manager, 2 of the busboys tried to tell him someone was at the front. Eventually one of the busgirls came over and told me the kitchen was closed.
(1)Brian G.
Terrible service, food undercooked, food arrived at different times.
(1)Zac K.
What an awesomely fun concept! BBQ and Sushi- what more could you ask for. We walked in opening weekend and were able to get seated fairly quickly at the bar. Drink list is awesome- the cocktails I had, which thank you, Union for getting my nice and brownoutty were something of the vodka world, I'm quite certain. I love sushi wabi so I had to try a roll- I had the spicy tuna and it was delicious. For the main course- surf and turf. Perfect sized portions of the food, the filet was melt in your mouth amazing. Like butter. The shrimp that was with it was great. We also did the bbq filet to share along with the cauliflower which was such a nice surprise. The staff was beyond awesome and the price points were decent too. I can see that this place will probably quickly become trixie central, so I might suggest going sooner rather than later. They don't take reservations, so make sure you have a back-up plan during prime dining.
(4)JJ B.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!!!!! A truly unique and delicious experience! Staff is warm, welcoming, and well educated on the menu. Service is second to none A++. The atmosphere is hip and modern in a laid back kind of way. And the food!!!!!!! Don't even get me started!!!! The best and only way to describe the food is life changing! Sushi lovers prepare yourself for the dining experience of your life! The bar has been raised in River North thanks to Union Sushi!
(5)diane m.
Take a pass on lunch. The service is VERY disjointed. We ordered off of the lunch menu, nothing complicated or tricky. One person at our table received everything almost immediately, including the same soup that was a starter to my lunch that I didn't receive for a good 10 minutes. The food is fair but nothing any better than any other sushi restaurants in the area. For $19 I expect a lot more at lunch in the form of service, flow and quality of food. The salad was the highlight with the crisp mix of microgreens and a tangy citrusy viniagrette. The miso is too salty to enjoy although the warmth was great on the cold day we were there. Service is really spotty and I am under the impression that the servers are also food prep staff. One cool thing on the menu is the Alligator Skewer. Before you go EWWW, wait, it is REALLY good, kind of shrimp or calamari like in texture, not too far off from chicken even. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Maybe they are better at night or maybe I just ordered the wrong things but it wasn't a great experience, especially compared to all the rave reviews I've read.
(2)Sharon S.
I've been here a few times and I'd say I'll be by more. It definitely stands apart from other River North restaurants. It's got a low key vibe but with great food, staff, and decorated quite well. I've always been a fan of graffiti art and Union Sushi definitely does it well. Walking in you'll see the back wall which was painted by a local artist. Something you don't see often. I've always taken a seat at the bar so I can't speak to the rest of the dining area, but from what I've heard and seen, it's always great. The bartenders and wait staff are super knowledgeable about everything on the menu and give great recommendations. Just tell them what you like and they'll recommend something great. I highly recommend the alligator and kangaroo. It's grilled and comes on a skewer. SO GOOD! I've also had the mushroom, squid, and fishcake. All great but I'm always a big fan of meat. I've also tried the turtle soup which at first I felt bad for eating but when you have it, it's actually pretty amazing. I've also tried the belly roll (LOVE) and soft shell crab. It's not your typical sushi. Smaller portions but finely made. You have a burst of flavors all in a bite. I've tried the lamb ramen and actually wasn't that impressed but I'd give it another chance. The bar itself is worth a trip. They have a wide selection of sake and the bartenders can recommend something based on your liking. They also have a cocktail menu that they created themselves. Quite inventive and creative. I'd say it's one of a kind.
(4)Rosalie S.
We had a party of 18 for my husband's birthday. Mike, the manager, worked with me to have a preset group menu that included Pork Belly, Black Pepper Shrimp, Truffled Tuna, Oyster, Mushroom Dumplings as apps. Then the Filet, Chix Thighs, and bacon wrapped scallops from the BBQ. For sushi, we had Old City Market, Belly, Spicy Tuna, Soft Shell Crab, and Clifton #4. Then the desserts...O...M...G...the Pumpkin Mochi Ice cream sandwich was gone faster than was possible. The service was great. Mike was very accommodating. Peter, the bartender, was gracious. All members in our party said they would come back. The drinks were really good. This is not your traditional sushi joint, and we really loved the whole experience. Would highly recommend and we will be going back.
(5)Andrea T.
Loved Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar. My boyfriend and I went there for our 1-year anniversary dinner. The happy hour shrimp tempura roll and beef skewer were our starters, along with the truffled tuna. I would go back just for those 3 things alone. But, next came the 1/2 spicy tuna roll (probably the best I've had - kinda wished we had had the whole one) and the 1/2 crabcake roll, the pork shoulder skewer (yum), the scallop skewer and the spare rib (a little on the dry side). We were too full for dessert. :( I loved the atmosphere, the food, our server, the crowd - everything. MUST go back soon.
(5)Dina I.
This is probably the only decent place that delivers to me and offers sushi. Hence, I've only ordered delivery from here for my weekly sushi craving (ika, uni, sake, ikura, hamachi, masago, ama ebi) if I'm not in the mood or have plans to go out. I've never had a complaint in regards to the delivery sushi...I don't know if I'll ever be in to dine since it's not my type of restaurant scene, but as a go-to delivery sushi joint, this girl is happy!
(4)Beebe G.
i've worked across the street when union opened and never had the appeal to dine here until a couple weeks ago when my boss was in town and we decided to try this place for lunch. and i'm so glad we did! the industrial decor is cool. we had samplings of several sushis and skewers and salad. since our lunch, i've returned twice for take out. the bento box is a deal you can't beat with a stick at $13. it comes with sushi, salad , entree and miso soup. what i really enjoyed was last friday when i ordered the ramen chicken soup. wow, what a nice enriching meal! i especially liked the spicy pepper oil that cleared my nasal passages. can't wait to try other items on the menu!
(4)Gary R.
Union: Kind of a misleading name. I did not see any civil war era soldiers, Abraham Lincoln portraits, men with gangrenous limbs or burning confederate flags in there. That part was fine with me. The food was interesting for sure. If you are a foody (food snob), then you'll probably really enjoy this place. The portions are small, so you have to order a bunch of plates in order to get properly full like a true American. In addition, they serve Alligator skewers. I was brave, and decided to try some. It really was what I'd call "Revenge" eating for all the souls of baby birds and humans devoured by Alligators through the course of history. I gotta be honest, it wasn't really very good. It was chewy, and had red sprinkles on it. Another possibility was that the alligator they filet'd had Scarlett Fever? The filet mignon skewers and waygu (way gooey) beef sliders were really good. They had a lot of pickles on the platter of sliders, which was welcomed by me. They did serve 3 floyds beer, which uses water from the cricks of Munster, IN. That probably was the best part of the meal.
(3)Meryl M.
The spicy shrimp sushis are delicious and...warm! It was kind of a surprise as I thought sushis were only served cold. The mushroom ramen was really tasty. The waitress helped us choosing some sake and everyone liked it. I really loved the place, atmosphere and staff! I will definitely go back there.
(5)Jeff N.
Faves- Truffled Tuna app. Old City Market roll. Skewere of Scallop wrapped in bacon. Tofu skewer (looks like a mini ice cream bar). Just Okay- The Key Lime dessert Uncertains- the vibe. If you are over 40, you feel out of place. Sake list good for sake snobs, but confuses the rest of us Service- Nice job Michelle Awkwardness- Manager or Owner (over 40 female) who essentially ignored my wife (even after making eye contact) who arrived a few minutes before me. Will I return?- Yeah probably, but not rushing back. For a total tab of $89, I'd rather spend a bit less and visit another trendy favorite, Hot Chocolate on Damen.
(4)Chanannait P.
I was not impress. The 1$ oyster happy hy was not fresh. I still can tell despite fried onion on top. The rolls were so so. I will not come back.
(2)Celeste E.
3.5 STARS. The family shared a wonderful dinner here. Order with the mentality that you'll share everything, it's the best way to sample their menu. Don't miss the truffled tuna over avocado, you can definitely taste the yummy truffle oil! I was surprised at how much we enjoyed the Duck Fat Soba. It doesn't taste an ounce fatty, don't worry. It's flavorful and rich with vegetables and duck pieces. The sushi rolls were just all right for me. I like rolls where you can taste the fish, and at Union, they add too many ingredients and for me it "hid" the fishy flavor. We had the #4 roll, and I didn't like the asparagus taste, though the fish tasted good. The Old City Market had fried okra and collard greens, neither of which I thought suited a sushi roll. On the upswing, Union tempuras their shrimp tempura rolls in their entirety! If you order any rolls, I say skip the funky stuff and go with the shrimp tempura. We tried quite a few skewers off the BBQ menu. My family liked the alligator! So don't be scared. Also of note- the prosciutto wrapped scallop (good, but too much wasabi for me) and the jumbo shrimp. Definitely splurge for one of the specialty cocktails. My favorite is the refreshing Suprise + Delight with cucumber vodka. Great, fresh, open ambiance with friendly wait staff. I'd recommend this place to the more adventurous eater, their menu is full of dishes with pork belly, duck fat, uncommon vegetables and the like. A unique and fun dining experience with food you'll be talking about for days.
(3)Marina J.
Huge fan of this place, especially for their phenomenal taste in music. Great vibe from the moment you walk in, followed my delicious food and tasty cocktail options. Awesome place for a group a friends to spend an evening out. I'll be back.
(4)Matt B.
This place is so good i drove an extra 300 miles one way to visit it the next rime i was within one state of Chicago, Everything was delicious and unique! The staff knew not only what everything was but also where it came from and how it's made in extreme detail, even the alcohol they import. The alligator and buffalo duck are especially fantastic. I was unsure if I wanted to order the beef tongue and our bartender told me if I didn't like it he would take it off the bill. Upon hearing about my 600+ miles driven for the visit the bartender got the owners who proceeded to feed us all free sake and oyster shots as well as free Japanese microbrews. I had an extremely positive experience both times I went an highly recommend it not only for food quality but excellent service and mastering of their trades.
(5)Jen F.
Amazing food. The chicken skewers are crazy! I would eat those all the time if I could. Peter the bartender is equally amazing and makes a drink called the skinny geisha that you have to have. If I lived here I would be there every day for the drinks, food, and service.
(5)K T Y.
Great service, terrible food. Ox tail ramen tasted like nothing. The ox tail meat tasted burnt. Tried the alligator, kangaroo, and pork shoulder skewers..all lacklustre. Soft shell crab roll had very little crab. Not like most places where the spider crab protrudes from the roll. The atmosphere and decor and big windows did make for a asthetically pleasing dining room. Will never go back..ever.
(2)Holly S.
Wow! Okay, let me list what we ate: Wagyu beef slider Agedashi potato Skewers: scallop, squid, chicken thigh, and beef fillet Uni alfredo soba Rolls:Osaka Central, Old City Market, Hokkaido, Shrimp tempura, and one more that isn't on their online menu so I don't remember.... Saki: True Beauty "Setsugetsu Bijin" (Jg) Oita We got here right after opening time, around 4:15. We requested seats at the kushiyaki grill, which was very fun to watch. Food was served in good timing, and they gave us their yummy edamame when seated. I don't care if a restaurant is cool visually and graffiti inside is kind of silly to me, but it was all nice. Many different types of seating available it seemed: sushi bar, small tables, a large table with a see-through curtain around it for reservations, and there was an entire upstairs I did not see. The hostess came up to us a couple times to see how we liked our choices, the saki, etc. which was very nice and friendly. The server did not rush at all. I saw workers (probably owners, or investors?) come out to talk to tables - a very friendly vibe! The food was delicious. They had a lot of different flavors covered and the marinades/sauces for the skewers were perfectly paired. The beef fillet melts in your mouth. The servings are smaller, but we were expecting it already. I would highly recommend the Old City Market roll (it had more fish in the roll than any rice-wrapped I've ever had! Great quality) and the Uni alfredo soba - very nice sauce and tasty noodles. Our bill came out to $100 but we had all the tastes we wanted and left happy and full. I will go back for sure!!! A plus of going at opening - we parked directly across the street from the door!
(5)Ryan F.
Decent at best. Decor is confusing- not sure what is happening there. We had a group of 9 people, they told just we had to wait "because they were busy". I don't care if you are busy, you are a restaurant! Our service was decent and the food was decent, nothing special. I have had better sushi at other places. The duck wing was really good, but spicy. Overall decent, and probably would only go once.
(3)Jonathan T.
I was picturing a Southern BBQ and sushi fusion, so I was a little disappointed that it was just sushi rolls and kebabs. But, still a great meal. The skewers and sushi rolls were both above average and the cocktail selection was creative. Probably the best part of the restaurant is the interior design; gives it a kind of trendy (but not pretentious) atmopshere.
(3)Alfred K.
We are not naive enough to think that we would necessarily get a table walking in on a Friday night, so we called from our car and asked about the wait. She said they have a few openings right now and there's no wait, so we went straight there, literally got there in 5 minutes, and walked in and was met with the rudest host. He stood there and refused to greet us, and when we asked for a table for 2, he told us that we are going to have to wait 40 minutes. When we told him we had just called, he said all the tables had just filled up in the last few minutes, even though we can visibly see multiple open tables. If you're going to play games like that, then don't count on me ever coming back. Jerk.
(1)Bex A.
How horrified would my mom be if she knew I went to a restaurant without a clue as to what I'd be eating? Extremely horrified, so let's hope she never reads this. Since I'm deathly allergic to dairy, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts, I've understandably never experienced any sort of chef's tasting or omakase before. But after looking at the chef's table form on Union's website (there's an allergy section), I thought.. well maybe I could be accommodated. DARN STRAIGHT I WAS ACCOMMODATED! I went over my allergies with a couple of hostesses before we came in, and then again with Chef Chao. I think he may have been a little annoyed at how paranoid I was, but everything that he placed in front of me was perfectly fine for me to eat, even the fried stuff (they used tempura breading without the eggs). He also made some dishes separately and without alterations for my boyfriend (no allergies). We felt like royalty, dining on quail, kangaroo, fatty and super white tuna, and all sorts of fried crustacean delights. The drinks are absolutely outstanding as well. I have to take points off since we felt the miso soup was lukewarm and too salty, and part of the kangaroo felt overdone. But since the rest of the experience was so AWESOME (the presentation! the complex, delicious cocktails! the grill, which is cleaned periodically so huge flames shoot up! the myriad of different delights I have never had before and never thought I could have - like fried oyster!), I don't want to take off a whole star. 4.5, if I could. Union is probably the best meal I've had since GT (to which I also owe a review, they were very good with allergies as well). But I ordered from a menu at GT. Here, I literally left my life in Chao's hands, and boy was I ever rewarded. I could not thank him enough. One of the best experiences dining out that this AllergyWoman has ever had.
(5)Aaron H.
All the sushi contains some form of green plant. They were very heavy on the avocado which gave the sushi a bAd after taste. There is a limit variety of speciality sushi. Service & venue is great. Very pricey $8 for four maki's (smh) Would not recommend.
(3)Kristin L.
The menu was very interesting and I tried at least half of what was offered. I am a big fan of BBQ (since I'm Texan) and authentic Japanese food. This place had an interesting mix of the two. I enjoyed the cold edamame a lot. It's worth a return trip.
(4)shari m.
This place is clearly much hipper than we are yet we still felt comfortable. We sat at the sushi bar and were treated quite well by Memphis Steve behind the bar and our female server (sorry, didn't get your name). We appreciate that we did not receive any of the anti-Restaurant Week attitude common at some places. The staff seemed to be having fun and so did we. The menu and flavor combos are much more creative than most local Japanese spots, such as using nontraditional wrappers like marble nori (seen that before?) and collards for their maki. We look forward to returning to try more appetizers, ramen, their specialty maki, and some cocktails. Thanks, Union, for a great experience.
(5)Christine P.
Summary of Ratings: Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4 I went to Union Sushi after a co-worker recommended it to me, and I was absolutely pleased with the experience! I was really intrigued not only by the originality of their sushi but also with their cocktails! The atmosphere was really trendy and cool, but the tables were a little bit longer for my taste, especially since I went to try this place out with my boyfriend. Here is a breakdown of what we ordered...and it's a lot of food haha. LOVED: Surprise + Delight (cocktail) - I loved this cocktail - just the right amount of fruity for me. There was also a very slight cucumber aftertaste which made it a very summery drink. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who doesn't like to taste too much of their alcohol in their cocktails. The Second Language (cocktail) - My boyfriend got this and he loved it! He's a huge gin and tonic fan, so he was happy to get this drink. You could definitely taste the gin and there is a very sweet aftertaste due to the sugar cube they put inside it. Still very very good. Truffled Tuna (appetizer) - AMAZING - MUST GET (even if you don't like tuna!) My boyfriend was hesitant at first because he's not the biggest tuna fan in the world, but oh my gosh...so good. So SO good :) Berkshire Pork Shoulder - Also very delicious. Keep in the mind though that its a very small skewer, so even if the price is cheaper than other foods, you only get for what you pay for :) Clifton #4 Roll - Delicious. I loved that there was a hint of a cilantro taste to it (I believe they actually decorate the rice with cilantro). Has a crunchy inner and is a surprisingly warm dish. Shrimp Tempura Roll: They used black rice for this one, which kinda took me off guard. But I would also recommend this dish. Even though it is a classic roll, they put a Union spin to it, which makes it a very interesting dining experience. Old City Market Roll: Not for those who like rice in their sushi. It's served cold and they do not use dried up seaweed for this. But still very good. OK: Kangaroo Skewer (Special): It was...interesting...I don't know how I feel about eating kangaroo meat...but my boyfriend and I were so intrigued by it that we decided to try some anyway. It was also very citrus-y, which was interesting. Cauliflower Skewer: Good, but a little too salty for my taste. Lobster Tempura Roll (Special): This only goes in the OK pile because it wasn't as good as the other rolls. It took me by surprise that the whole roll was very warm though. Overall, I had an excellent time at Union Sushi. My boyfriend, who has lived in both Seattle and originally from NY (both of which are known for their very very delicious sushi) absolutely LOVED this place and wanted to visit again the next time he came to visit Chicago. The prices are slightly more expensive than what I would like, but our entire bill surprisingly came out to be less than $80. This places is definitely worth a try. Go a splurge a little by getting a few cocktails to start off your night! :)
(4)Roshani C.
Food was good. Service was good. Ambience was great. The veggie sushi rolls were pretty good.
(4)CD K.
After a long day on the boat & numerous recommendations, couldn't wait to try Union! Loved that you can get half orders of sushi! Had Uni three ways..... Uni sushi, Uni Alfredo Soba & Uni ice cream!!! Excellent and did not disappoint!!! Everything else was Ok. Jumbo shrimp, good but at $6 for one piece, a bit pricy. Beef tongue was tender but a lil heavy on sauce. Had the chesapeake roll, tasted a lot like burnt garlic. Service was a very slow, not that we were in a rush or a huge crowd, but even getting our one bottle of Saporro took 20 mins. NOT a good sign!! Seated close to the host was great, he kept our water glasses full, thank goodness! Might give em a 2nd try if we are in the area.
(3)Christina F.
The food was delicious. Went with a friend and my boyfriend for lunch and was happy to see a vegetarian bento box option for lunch. I was able to ask for no cheese with the dumplings so it could be vegan. I'm giving it one less star simply for the fact that we sat there for 15 minutes before we had to ask the hostess to get our server so we could order. Wasn't the fastest service we were looking for considering we had an hour lunch break for work. I'd definitely go back for dinner when we have more time to sit and enjoy. We all sort of crammed our food into our mouths and had to jet.
(4)E J.
Visited during happy hour. Sushi was doused in excessively sweet eel sauce and spicy mayo...so no idea what the roll tasted like. The BBQ was a complete disappointment (not particularly flavorful). Hip atmosphere, but not for serious sushi eaters. Ok, but I wouldn't return.
(4)Felicia Y.
Great food and nice atmosphere! Make sure to get there for happy hour and sit at the bar near the grill...this how you'll decide what to have next!
(4)Alexis G.
Was finally able to make it to Union Sushi and wasn't disappointed. Two of us shared a number of small items and sushi. From the barbeque menu it was the alligator and scallop. The alligator was tender and flavorful while the scallop was a bit mushy. While both were a little salty I would try the alligator again but skip the scallop. The sushi was great and we both loved the idea that some were were wrapped in greens rather than rice. Inventive, and a great alternative. Service was good as it was a Sunday and not that crowded. Would definitely go back.
(4)Bryan J.
Very impressive new addition to river north. Lots of true Japanese dishes; I was describe it as an izikaja (sp?) with sushi. Huge variety of things are you're able to order half-roll portions of maki which is great. Would have given 5 stars except the music playing was a little strange and didn't mesh with the sophisticated/minimalist styling-it was all 90s hip-hop (mostly biggie/tupac/bone thugs) while the space would be better suited for low-key electronic/easy jazz. Other that that, will certainly stopping by again soon.
(4)Vincent W.
Our food and drinks were good. Everything was creatively presented and tasty. Service was only okay (it took forever for them to bring us the bill). Portion size was a little disappointing, especially when it came to the drinks. For two people with one cocktail each, it was $100 (incl. tip).
(3)George M.
Delicious! Our buddy worked here and got a heavy discount so we would come in and literally order one of everything on the menu. The BBQ meat skewers are all really good. The beef tongue is my fav. The duck leg is yummy, the noodles are good, the toro was very fresh and perfect. Try the oyster shooters.
(5)Josh Y.
I went back to Union and now I know why. Food was amazing. Drinks were superb. Staff was on point. Despite not living in Chicago, I'd make annual trips back just to eat at Union!!!
(5)Carmen C.
We arrived early for the duck wing competition and ate two delicious duck wing for free~~The best wing I have ever tried. Then we sit at a table near the door(this is exactly what i don't like), I prefered more quiet and inside space. We order lots of sashimi, sushi rolls and starters. The sashimi and sushi rolls are good and i hope I can receive a discount if i order so much next time. The starter: sliders so so, spare ribs so so, tofu so so. Overall, the food is good. I wil come next time if they can offer me a discount, haha.(I spend over 100$!!!)
(4)Milan P.
The quality has went down since this place first opened. They have some food that still tastes good, but it seems to lack the flavor as it once did.
(3)Mary Kay H.
Union Sushi & Barbeque, the name, does not represent enough of what you find here. It is a factory of creation by Chef Chao, who is a wizard with textures & flavors. His dishes are carefully constructed from the flavor combinations to the artful appearance. His plates of food are him & his passion. To sit at the bar & watch Chef Chao & his staff create is like watching a food symphony being written. I arrive not knowing what I will experience & leave knowing that I've had the best. The same thoughtfulness applies to the cocktail list. Unique, fresh beverages.
(5)Bree L.
I absolutely LOVE the truffle tuna! I go there just for that!
(4)Matt Z.
Delicious Sushi, Great experience trying to Kangaroo, Alligator and Beef Tongue... the whole squid was not so good to me... The sushi rolls were delicious.
(4)Muj A.
I went here with a fairly large group for the first time this past weekend. We did a packaged deal that included some of their appetizers, grilled meats, and sushi. Everything was excellent and they have a cozy yet upbeat atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(5)Christy L.
Absolutely delicious & unique cocktails. You must have the KURO SMASH. I also highly recommend the BUFFALO DUCK WING appetizer, and the DEVON sushi roll. Service was excellent. We even stayed past 10:30pm (their closing time) and felt no pressure to leave quickly.
(5)Lu L.
Good afternoon place, but do not have dinner in this restaurant. The barbeque is OK, but their sushi and sashimi taste terrible.
(3)Allison H.
Came here with a girlfiend during their 1 year anniversary week so I they had $5 specials on wine and the truffled tuna. We ordered the truffled tuna since it was on special and a few glasses of wine. The truffled tuna was very good with the wonton chips. Since it was only $5 at the time I didn't have too high of expectations but I thought it was great. It's really just mashed up avocado on the bottom and chunks of raw tuna tossed with truffle oil. Simple but delicious. We also ordered 4 sushi rolls - spicy tuna, dragon, soft shell crab, and hokkaido. The Hokkaido was the overwhelmingly best of them all. I liked that you could get black rice in the rolls as well (which is apparently healthier than brown rice though I don't know much about it). The soft shell crab was wrapped in cucumber and didn't have any rice which was a nice change. They had more rolls with no rice that were wrapped in vegetables but we didn't order any of those - it's a nice, lighter take on typical sushi. Overall, very fresh and unique rolls though it was a little pricey at around $15 a roll.
(4)Kelli K.
Myself and my boyfriend made somewhat last minute plans with our friends to go out to dinner on a Saturday night. There were 8 people in our party in total and we hadn't made a reservation. We walked into Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar and discovered that they were fairly full with reservations for the evening, however they were able to accommodate us at the sushi bar which we didn't mind at all. Their bartender noticed that I was scanning the sake section of the menu and pointed out the sake flights. I did end up ordering one of the flights and I was not disappointed! I received 3 small glasses of sake and they were all delicious. My favorite was the sparkling sake. My boyfriend ordered an Alpha King beer which he really enjoyed and couldn't resist ordering a second. We shared an appetizer of black peppercorn shrimp which was awesome! I also ordered a mushroom soup that was nice and light (I didn't want to fill up before our sushi arrived). We ordered the dragon sushi rolls and hokkaido. I loved the hokkaido... mainly because I love scallops... which led me to my next order. The prosciutto wrapped scallop. Up until this point the highlight had been the black peppercorn shrimp, but the prosciutto wrapped scallop blew it out of the water! The scallop is grilled and topped with an avocado/wasabi puree and fried ginger. The scallop was cooked perfectly and tasted nice and sweet which complimented the salty and fatty prosciutto perfectly. It was delicious! At this point we were pretty satisfied. We had been passing things around and sharing with our friends and everyone was having a good time. Then we ordered the poached pear for dessert. It came with assorted berries and kiwi in a ginger pear syrup and it was the perfect ending to this delicious meal. All in all I was very pleased with our experience. They were able to unexpectedly accommodate our large group, the bartenders were attentive and the server was knowledgeable on the dishes and also made some good recommendations (like the prosciutto wrapped scallop!) It is a bit on the expensive side, but it is worth it to make the trip and spoil yourself on a weekend out. As a culinary student the food is always the star for me and Union Sushi definitely did no disappoint. I would love to go back and try some of the dishes (and another sake flight!) that I didn't get a chance to try.
(4)Matt H.
Great rolls and great drinks
(5)Dereck H.
Very good food. Creative, well-prepared, and tasty. One star removed for service. A bit odd - - there was a "large group" party going on in the loft area, and we were told that our food would be significantly delayed because of that. Two observations - first, I would think that the party attendees would be the ones to wait - after all, they have reserved the evening, groups to talk to, drinks flowing freely, etc. Not sure but seems like that's the better call. Second, even more odd - I looked up there, and it was just people seated at the standard tables. In other words, a full evening. It's not like there were 150 people crammed into the loft - it was like 24, seated at standard tables. Just like it would be on a night that they had those tables filled. The rest of the restaurant wasn't terribly crowded - so why the delay (and there was a LONG delay).
(4)Amy M.
I went here a couple weeks ago for my birthday dinner with some friends and had an amazing time. It was so amazing, in fact, that I had to bring my boyfriend and siblings there last week to try it out! The first time, I called and made the reservation that day and had no problem getting a table pretty early in the afternoon (on a Saturday). It was very empty when we got there, but got busier as the afternoon progressed. The second time I went - on a Friday - we called that day and couldn't get a table until 9:45PM. Inconvenient, but understandable - and also well worth the wait! When we got there, it was completely packed. I loved the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant. It felt very trendy, lively, fresh, and just plain cool. The staff were all super friendly and helpful both times. The food was delicious. We tried the skewers, oysters, and of course, the sushi. All of it was delicious. I loved being able to get half-orders or full orders; it makes sharing and trying different types of rolls much easier! The second time I went, I got the black rice sushi sampler to share and I was very happy with it (though the spicy tuna roll wasn't anything spectacular). My favorites were the shrimp tempura roll and the Hokkaido roll. Both times, I had to get an extra half order of the shrimp tempura because it was just SO good - I will need to come back at happy hour to get it for just $6! At the end of my birthday dinner, our waiter brought out their special dessert (free of charge) - pumpkin mochi cake - and we all devoured it in about 3 seconds. I still think about that dessert to this day. It was life-changing. When I went back last week, I was heartbroken to find out that they were no longer serving it. Instead, we got the banana bread and ice-cream, which was absolutely delicious, but still not in the same league as the pumpkin mochi cake. Sigh. In all, both times I went I had a great time at The Union and will most likely be back again soon!
(5)Stephanie S.
I came here for a birthday dinner w/ a friend, and it was hands down the BEST sushi that I've ever had!! So fresh, w/ an abundance of flavors. The cocktails were great too. And don't forget to try the barbecue too- especially the wrapped scallop- to die for. Definitely make a reservation though, it gets busy quick!
(5)Mookie L.
I've been here 3 times and not sure why I keet coming back - oh yeah, because its right around the corner. I've tried basically every type of sushi here, the ox ramen, alligator, sliders, etc. The food doesnt warrant the steep bill at the end of the meal and the taste of the dishes were nothing to rave about. Its an average sushi joint with nice decor, great location and decent service. Probably a good spot to have a couple drinks and some apps before heading out.
(3)Ly C.
I'll give it an additional star for the cool graffiti-style decor and the tasty drinks. To address Mike's comment, no I do not have any personal interest for or against this restaurant. I'm just telling you how it is and how I felt about the food. As a good business owner you should be more open to accepting criticisms as a way to improve your business and "flavor profile" instead of attacking a (former) customer.
(2)Shorge S.
Union Sushi & BBQ delivers on the Japanese "izakaya" concept with a delicious and innovative menu of appetizers, grilled skewers and maki rolls. This is Japanese street-food with five-star flourishes, filtered through the lens of Americana. Even from the street, Union Sushi is as approachable as a corner delicatessen or neighborhood bar - big windows, colorful graffiti murals, servers-in-t-shirts and an open-space design. Inside, the chefs grill kushiyaki - marinated beef filet, beef tongue, chicken, scallops, and seasonal root vegetables on skewers - on a 600 degree, fireball-throwing grill. Completely absent are the Americanized caricatures of traditional Japanese culture - no buddhas, koi fish or candied mints at the door. Chef Chao goes so far as to avoid the tuna / nori / miso-soup heavy cliches of most American-Japanese cuisine - while you can get the "classic" sushi, Union's specialty rolls largely break from the concept that maki must have (1) lots of rice and (2) be rolled in black nori seaweed paper. At the same time, Union Sushi is far from a bland, Americanized imitation of Japanese food - by using traditional Japanese ingredients in surprising ways (fishcake, for instance, or red bean paste in savory "donuts"), Union Sushi reintroduces the very concept of modern, urban Japanese cuisine today. It's just very refreshing to see someone execute this very unique but quintessentially Japanese vision of Japanese street-food at such a high level. The service is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and apparently, the place becomes a packed nightclub scene in the evenings. Of course, it's not a 5-star place because, while it executes its concept brilliantly, the concept itself can only go so far: 5 stars, for me, is dining fit for heads of state. Still, there is much to love and discover about Union Sushi.
(4)Tim L.
WOW - all I have to say is FIVE STAR LOCK! Our group of 15 started off at the bar with some of the best sake I've ever tasted and the bartender was extremely knowledgeable on it's origin. When we moved to our table for dinner, we were greeted by both the chef (Chao) and the owner (Mike)...great guys! We had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, sliders, and the five start buffalo duck wings (meatiest wings ever). Our table tried nearly all the rolls along with the Toro and the Uni, which were both better than anything I've ever had in Southern California (shocking, I know!) I can't say enough about our experience at Union, from the food, to the atmosphere, to the crowd, this place is definitely going to be a hot spot in the River North neighborhood for years to come! Thank you Mike and Chao!
(5)Erica P.
This place is FABULOUS! my boyfriend and I went here for the first time last night and I couldn't say anything bad about it. They have so many unique dishes and everything is delicious. We had the tuna truffle, alligator, prosciutto wrapped scallop (my bfs fav), old city market roll (my fav), dragon roll, and spicy tuna rolls. Our waitress was really helpful w recommendations and even helped me pick a cocktail, the surprise & delight, which was the best drink I've ever had. I really can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)Jeff S.
Seeing as how I live about 5 minutes away from Union Sushi & BBQ, I figured that I would have gone here much sooner. However, they didn't take reservations at first and there was a always a long wait, so I never bothered. Well one night, I decided to drive by Union to see how packed they were at 6:00pm on a Thursday and they were almost empty. Perfect! FOOD: Let's start off strong - we ordered the fried gnocchi with pulled pork belly, and it quickly became my favorite dish of the night. I've never had a fried gnocchi, but it just worked. Combined with the savory pulled pork belly which was perfectly moist and tender, and it was a home run. The peas were great too. Not too much salt, but that seemed to be the exception and not the rule...I was less impressed with the duckfat yakisoba with duck meat. I mean, it had all of the right things - duck, fat, duck meat. So what's the problem? Salt. There was simply too much salt in the sauce that the yakisoba (fried noodles) was fried in. Or maybe the sauce was just too overpowering. I ended up eating everything because I hate to see food go to waste and also because I regret not finishing food, but this was actually a chore to put away. I think I drank 3 glasses of water in an effort to desalinate my mouth. Given the "BBQ" in the name, we also got 4 skewers. Two of the happy hour special beef filet skewers, alligator, and the last one was the chicken thigh skewer. My favorites, in order: alligator, chicken thigh, beef. The alligator had a dusting of some cajun spices, and that really stood out. This alligator was a juicy white meat that had a smoother texture than chicken breast, but a suprisingly mild flavor. We also had a few pieces of sushi (hamachi and uni I believe) and they were both fresh and tasty. I'll probably opt for more sushi and skewers the next time I come in. For dessert we ordered the pumpkin mochi with cream cheese ice cream. So was the pumpkin mochi actually reminiscent of real mochi? Yep, except maybe a bit fluffier than I'm used to (as opposed to being much more dense). The fluffiness also made it seem stickier as the mochi would stick to the roof of my mouth after each bite. Oh and the cream cheese ice cream? It tasted better than it sounds as you read it. The one thing I wasn't a fan of was the caramel topping. There was something off about it - like they were going for a salted caramel but then decided to stop halfway in the salting process. The cream cheese ice cream made up for that. SERVICE: We sat at the sushi bar and service was fast and friendly. However, we did go when the place was fairly empty, but they shouldn't be knocked for that. The sushi chef talked with us for a bit and gave us tokens for a free cocktail at the bar upstairs. Not too shabby. VALUE/OVERALL: I think that Union keeps things fairly simple without going too overboard or trying too hard to be trendy. The prices are reasonable, and most of what I tried was great, save for the salty yakisoba. I think this is a great option for River North, and now that the initial hype/craze has died down a bit, I think it's a good choice for an impromptu or planned dinner.
(4)Marta C.
Great spot in River North. Service is a little wacky. We sat at the "Chef table" and it was a blast. Ciao the chef is knowledgeable, interesting and makes the experience fun. The rolls were great & I highly recommend the black aka forbidden rice. Don't try the grilled kangaroo unless you like super gamey, how do you really get your head around eating a kangaroo anyway...
(4)Eugene C.
I give this place 2 1/2 stars. The interior is nicely decorated, probably could use the space better to provide 10-20 more seats, but it looks like they'd prefer the hip look to packing people in there. Server was attentive, and she knew we were a little unhappy with the food.... So 5 of us come in to eat for the first time. We ask for some recommendations, and decide on 3 apps, a noodle dish, 5 rolls, a pork belly entree, and 2 skewers each (10 total). We also got a small bottle of sake. We got the kasu mussels, decent. Two oxtail fried rice...which literally came in a cup, with maybe 5 teaspoons worth of rice. So our 10 teaspoons of rice is about a bite for each of us. About 2 mussels each. Not really a great start. The duck fat yakisoba noodles were ok, small portion. The pork belly dish was the best. The rolls each only have 4 pieces, taste was ok, but nothing special. Now onto the skewers...a jumbo shrimp skewer is a REGULAR shrimp (singluar, 1 shrimp), that is eaten in one bite for $5. 1 shrimp. $5 dollars. If it's a prawn, maybe. But a regular shrimp that you find in your pasta, put on a toothpick. For $5. I still don't believe it. So after we eat all of this, the best line of the night comes from my buddy who says, "So do you guys wanna order some more food, or go eat somewhere else?" We decided to get the bill, and see that the bill was $167 pre-tip. Hardly ate anything, sake was only $24 of it. For those of you who know yakitori and have been to St Mark's in NYC, or other legit bbq places will feel me when I say this place is horribly overpriced. Oxtail fried rice for $5 to have 5 teaspoons of rice...$5 for one piece of small/medium shrimp. I can't justify ever coming back here....ever. I appreciate the effort to make a cool place to eat in this area (the area needs a good place), but there will never be repeat customers coming back here. It's a shame.
(2)Bob D.
They should have called it NON Union Sushi and BBQ!
(1)Kay E.
I love the fun, casual vibe at Union and the great music. The cocktails are the best in Chicago, hands down. The food is unique and amazing-- you cannot live life without the duck wing. Union is awesome!
(5)Tim B.
Had lots of fun here. Great energy, open kitchen, plenty of seating, firendly and knowledgeable staff. The food was good. Fresh fish, quality meats, well cooked, somewhat inventive. The 4th start was for the service. It was just great, attentive and even though they screwed up once took care of it with no attitude and even brought it up to us before we noticed. It's in our neighborhood and looking forward to having more.
(4)Stephanie Y.
accidentally ended up here on a saturday night some months ago. i'd say it's over priced, but it IS downtown. drinks are STRONG. so yea, one is gonna run you $10, but you'll have a buzz going on by the time you finish it! food is meh. tiny portions for LOTS of money. if it was more reasonably priced, i'd be singing it's praises. $3 for one piece of shrimp on a skewer? meh. atmosphere is confused. they don't know if they want to be authentic, or hipster.
(3)D R.
This was pitched to me as being a VERY veg/vegan friendly sushi joint. It's not. Which is totally fine, just know that going in. However what they do have for 'us' to enjoy is really great and flavorful. The avocado rolls aren't on the menu which is a shame because they are easily the best thing I have tasted at a sushi restaurant in years (meat or no meat). The grilled mushroom skewers are also great. Someone at my table order a roll that was... tuna wrapped in collard greens I think. I wish I could have tried it because it looked fantastic. The Yuzu Ice dessert is a very sweet but light end to the meal that you should check out. I am giving them a 3 star rating. It has nothing to do with the conflicts of my dietary restrictions and their menu, like I said, what I could eat was really good. They are getting 3 stars because of the atmosphere. On the surface Union is a very clean and modern place, but once you get in it just feels like a chain restaurant. A staff member had locked his bike up to the staircase inside the place (???) and the music, dear god the music. I walked in to Linkin Park, I heard the same Toadies song twice in just over an hour. It's like they hired the guy with the worst taste in music and then let him hook up his tiny iPod Shuffle for a shift. On the business end of things, Union presents itself way too casual for the building they are in and the food they are serving.
(3)Tek C.
This place has arguably the best cocktail hour in town! I mostly get full off of their $2 PBRs, but their food is drool-worthy. My faves are the beef filet skewers and oysters on a half shell. I also go there for lunch occasionally because they happen to be a block and a half from my work and their Bento box lunches are delicious too! I most recently had their spicy ramen (I forget the name of it) and that too was very tasty. Perfect for a chilly day in Chicago. This place simply is the spot and it hits the spot when you're hungry or thirsty. Oh, and for all my fellow dessert lovers, you must, must, must try their black rice pudding! The warmth, texture, and flavor of the dish is enough to make you a borderline addict. It's not overly sweet either. It's a perfect balance to your meal. To top off the great food, their service is among the best in class. They're very attentive and fun people to chat with! In the past 3 weeks or so, I've been to Union about 10 times and have yet to have an unpleasant visit or meal. Mike and Chef Chao really did things right with the business. Great location, great food, great interior, great staff, and great cocktail hour! This is a must if you haven't checked it out yet.
(5)Sara Kay G.
The ambiance is fun... Albeit the staff does have the all too common and unsavory "too cool for school" vibe. And if your "shared plates" are bites you better keep em coming.... Or your guest will quit a coming. 45 mins for sushi is borderline surreal... Especially when it is only 4 pieces.
(2)Sonja S.
My first experience at Union was the second day that they were open. It was not good. But in the interest of all being fare in love and the pursuit of amazing food, I decided that it would not be right to eat and rant based on that one experience. So I went back two more times and they didn't have room to seat me. A good problem for them, a bad problem for poor solitary me. Hm mm I thought , the food must be really amazing - I best try again! I went back at lunch and has a bento box, with a pork cutlet and I honestly can't remember what else was in there- but it was tasty and filling and the place wasn't too busy, so I was cheerfully waited on and thus spent a pleasant lunch hour munching on a satisfying meal. On subsequent visits I had the Belly Roll ( SPECTACULAR) the Oysters on a half shell (one time exquisite, another over dressed and fussy) the Skate ( over salted but well cooked) and a lobster done three ways that was so cooked I could barely chew it. But my favorite thing, the dish I will dream about was the Duck Fat Yakisoba. I cannot adequately describe this dish - how savory , how satisfying this bowl of noodle goodness is. It gets 5 stars for sure! However, I can't give Union more than three and this is why - as mentioned before the service is slow and the servers range from very cheerful and slow, to too hip to serve you and slow. The food is not reliable - often overly seasoned. This coming from someone who loves sauce and spice and all that stuff. Worth mentioning that head Chef Michael Chow is an intense, interesting person who is always engaging and genuinely wants you to enjoy your food experience. It is for that reason ( and the Duck fat Yakisoba) that I will keep going back!
(3)Suzy D.
When I called to make a reservation earlier, they said they only take reservations for large parties so we would need to just come in and put our names in. We came here for dinner with a friend on Saturday night around 7:30. We had to wait about half an hour for a table, but it wasn't too bad. Our server was really friendly and suggested that we order the truffled tuna and the oysters. I love the truffled tuna...delicious. The oysters were nice and fresh and the sauces that they were plated with were flavorful. We also ordered a belly roll, duck fat noodles and our friend (who is a vegetarian) had the tofu and potato yakitori, the devon roll, and the mushroom dumplings. Everything we ate was sort of meh. The rolls were nothing special. The noodles in the duck fat noodles weren't that great. I think this place is more trendy and people come here more for the drinks and atmosphere so don't come here expecting an amazing Japanese food experience. I would probably give this place 2 stars but I really enjoyed the truffled tuna so I will give it 3.
(3)Lex N.
Love love love this place. I have only been one time but I was so happy with the service and food that I am going to make this a regular spot for sushi and bbq. I sat at the bar when I first got there and the man making drinks was super friendly and knowledgeable on different alcohols. I believe he is a mixologist. Very cool. He even brought over free oysters because we were talking to him about how we love baked oysters! Then we sat at a table with 6 people. Our server was very nice and gave me a few suggestions on beers for me to try because I was having a hard time deciding. FInally, the food was absolutely delicious. The spicy tuna was my favorite roll and the pork shoulder was my favorite of the bbq that we ordered.
(5)kat c.
Go there for drinks. We usually go to second floor and request our mixologist to concoct our drinks based off the list. She is usually creates great refreshing ones. I haven't had great experiences from dining and remember having a flighty server whom seem super slow ( so as don't sit in circular table with a tall guy server) and then I endured a snotty Asian server at the sushi bar near the kitchen bar. Apparently, she only addresses to non Asian people in my party. I felt like she was attentive to my order because I was Asian? Maybe she has something against Asian women who knows? Food isn't that great, but go there for the bar on second and eat somewhere else beforehand.
(3)julie p.
Great food and drinks! Yum yum! The shrimp tempura roll and tuna tar tare are awesome!
(5)Sarah R.
Amazing! The atmosphere is young and fun and the food was great. We sat at the bar by the chef. For a starter we had clam on the half shell which was amazing. The sushi was good - we're from San Francisco so seafood in the Midwest is still somewhat new to us. Good selection though. The BBQ selections were very flavorful also. The Sake was great - we had two bottles. Finally the dessert was the best!!! the Egg Nog doughnuts - to die for!!! Was on a specials menu and somewhat seasonal but amazing (and none of us like egg nog). Would recommend this place to everything and will be back!
(5)Jessina B.
After two not so great experiences with Chicago's Restaurant week, we were pleasantly surprised by this food locale. Instantly transported to NY's SoHo or The Village, my other half and I both agreed this was the spot to be. The service was friendly and on point, the food was both well plated and delicious (we ate outside of the prix fixed menu as well), and the ambiance was relaxed yet energetic. To say the least, we enjoyed our entire experience and we will be back!
(5)Andre J.
Good food, great presentation. Would I go back?? Yes!!!
(4)Audre L.
This place is c-o-o-l. Visually interesting decor. The food is also superb. Sushi rolls are awesome, and my friend swears by the spicy tuna. As an asian american, this place represents. COOL, TASTY, HIP, FIVE STARS.
(5)Victor G.
Food here is great. Can't wait to try more food off the menu. I had 4 different types of oysters and every single one was amazing. Can't leave out that i had wheat beer from Japan. Wish i knew what it was called but did i mention it came with a shot of whiskey... mmmmm
(5)felicia m.
I work close to here and have been wanting to try it, but i can't bare to go inside because of the intolerable, fishy smell outside. The vents are blowing out a strong smell. Please get it fixed guys, and then maybe it won't kill a person's appetite!
(1)Lauren M.
Delicious food and a great atmosphere! The tuna tartare was so good. The oysters were so good I had to go back for more within the same week. I will definitely be back.
(4)Kelly P.
Would give 3.5 stars. Came here for my birthday dinner and tried a lot on the menu. The flavors were good but portions were very small even for "tapas" standards with high prices. Try the alligator just to say you did. Lots to look over and was a great date location. Would love to rent out the top loft for a party sometime but maybe with just the yummy cocktails...
(3)kris w.
My first time at Union Sushi and I am a huge fan already. I'm very picky sushi eater and this place rocked. I HIGHLY recommend coming here especially at happy hour and order a dozen oysters. I promise it's like nothing you've ever experienced. I would also recommend the spicy tuna. I will definitely be back to experience much more of the menu.
(4)Kristina R.
Stopped back in for happy hour sushi and good lord yum! We went upstairs and our bartender Peter makes an awesome cocktail. Trust him with his suggestions. We had the shrimp tempura roll which is crazy good and a super deal. But the oysters served with a beautiful and tasty addition of red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot with jalapeno-cilantro just about knocked me out with goodness. Followed by salmon and tuna sashimi, solid fresh good and lastly ama ebi with the lovely fried head. Yes, eat it all.
(4)Alissa P.
I've had way better sushi elsewhere. The atmosphere was neat but I ordered my rolls with NO tempura and there was definitely tempura on one as a garnish. I need to eat gluten free so this was frustrating. Employees were friendly .I ordered a spicy tuna, rainbow, and old town. spicy and rainbow were fine, old town was bitter (due to the seawead i think) and not very tasty.
(2)Marnely M.
Was there for dinner and the food was amazing, our favorite being the Duck Buffalo Wing! Amazing texture, crispy, saucy, heavenly! The dessert special, Spiced Pumpkin Mochi with Cream Cheese Filling, perfect end to a meal. Service was attentive and very knowledgeable about all the specials and menu. Also a great special for the fall was the Spiced Hot Sake, greaat deal for around $10 and serves 4.
(4)Stephanie C.
Went in on a Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Thought it'd be packed, but surprisingly was not too crazy. We put in our names and was told it'd be 20 minutes, so we went upstairs to the bar. The cocktails are phenomenal. The Yamato Sling had a nice touch of lemon, sake, vanilla bitters, green tea simple syrup, gin, and a little lemongrass to make it look pretty. Dang, that was GOOD. I also tried my friends' Morning Glory and Surprise + Delight. Equal amount of Bam Wow goodness. They are each $10. It ended up being a 45 minute wait, but the drinks made us happy and the time passed quickly. Ambiance = trendy, hip, busy. Fun to see the grill. Graffiti deco on walls is fine. Curtains for what I assume is the chef's table looked cool. Service = average for a busy busy place. The waiter was cool and emphasized bacon. haha. He was busy but we also weren't convinced he had THAT many tables to handle. He still checked up on us and our water glasses were always filled. Food = YES. They recommend starting off with the BBQ stuff since the sushi takes awhile to get out. I had the whole squid and it was just how I like it. Almost slightly undercooked with a proper amount of saltiness, allowing the actual squid flavor to shine through. Truffle Tuna appetizer was excellent, but I might be biased since I love truffle oil. There was plenty of the truffle flavor. My friend's beef tongue was very soft and tender, reminding me of a certain Chinese dish. The duck wing had a kick to it and was fine. The sushi was really awesome. I split the Belly Roll, Hokkaido, and Clifton #4. All were superb. Note: they are half rolls so you only get 4 pieces each order. Each one was very unique. The calamari flavor really stood out in the Clifton, a plus for me. The marble nori wrapping was way cool. Looked nice and tasted good. The pork belly strips had a lovely crisp and sweet+saltiness in the Belly Roll. Then again, pork belly is really the craze these days and can make anything taste like a party in your mouth. Hokkaido was equally good. I recommend all 3 rolls! I didn't try any of the traditional sushi rolls so I can't judge the quality of the raw sushi. Price = Expected. I spent $30 incl. tax and tip on dinner (not including cocktail beforehand) which was a little high for the amount of food you get. I was not stuffed afterward, but the uniqueness of the dishes make it worth it. TAKEAWAYS: Order more than 1 cocktail. Order multiple Union rolls. Bring money. I would definitely go back and bring my bf so maybe I can get more than 1 cocktail and eat myself silly. haha.
(4)Ray M.
Awesome sushi! Just small though for the price!
(4)Maria A.
This has got to be one of the hippest sushi (and so much more) restaurants I have ever been to. The food is outstanding, the staff amazing, and the atmosphere... well, go see for yourself!!! I'm a vegetarian and I my taste buds are thrilled with everything have tried!! From the Soba salad to the Truffled Tuna and Tofu to any Sushi Union roll they put in front of me!! Not to mention the Spiced Pumpkin Hot Sake.... TO DIE FOR!! Mike and Chao ROCK.... Bring everyone and enjoy!!!! P.S. Whatever you do, don't forget dessert (pumpkin mochi)!!
(5)Liz H.
The food was fantastic, I will say that. However, the service was awful. I went for a birthday dinner where there was a prix fixe meal set up. They kept bringing us food, and brought it wayyy too fast. I'd take a bite of one thing, and then another thing would show up! There was not enough room on the "table" (we were sitting on couches with coffee tables....yes I realize this is a "swanky" way to eat, but usually the tables are much bigger) They also brought us far too much food for the amount of people in the party. By the time the sushi came, we were all totally full. Also, we had supposedly reserved the upstairs part, but there were all kinds of people standing around and crowding our space!! The server took forever to clear our plates with all of the food she was bringing...our table was A MESS. Also when it came time to pay, they overcharged us by about $70...and it was already $100 per person. The manager was nice and gave $70 back, total. But i was extremely disappointed to pay $100 for a meal that was poorly served & executed. Also, the bartenders were EXTREMELY rude. We waited forever to be served (the bar wasn't even that crowded) and when we went to order our drinks he said to us "was I paying attention to you? no." and held a finger to us while he was fumbling with another drink. I've never been treated so poorly by a server and here in Chicago, I've had some fantastic servers. Again, good food but awful service.
(1)Pam R.
I tried this place with some friends and i love that they have the BBQ options along with the sushi. Having a gluten allergy meant i needed wheat free soy sauce and the server was sure to that i had some and kept refilling as i needed. Definitely try the prosciutto wrapped scallop! SO GOOD!
(4)Kim T.
OMFG, did someone say black rice sushi!?! I am so down with that, you have no freaking idea. Not to mention the perfectly cooked seafood items from the grill, and the yuzu doughnuts. My only complaint is the ramen, but I'll let that slide because good ramen is impossible to find in Chicago.
(4)Dnyce E.
Had dinner here last week Saturday and had a great time, service was good . We were assisted with menu accordingly and all was explained to the T' the food was impeccable and I will definitely come back.
(4)Anna P.
I've been to Union Sushi twice now - once for lunch and once to pick up. Lunch was great - our server was knowledgeable and knew when to come by the table and when to give us space. Being a business lunch, we were there for 2 hours. We shared the mushroom ramen, which I subsequently when back to pick up later this week. It is delicious! The broth is full of flavor and the red chilies give it just enough spice. We also shared the barbeque sample plate - veggies, chicken, beef and tongue. The tongue was so tender - akin to Short Ribs - and all samples had nice sauce pairings. We did have to unskewer everything to share, and I was surprised it wasn't more difficult to do. The last thing we shared was a sushi roll - the Dragon I think with spicy shrimp, eel and avocado. It was good, but the mushroom ramen was the shiner here. We ended with dessert - told our server to surprise us - and the yuzu key lime pie thing was the perfect end after the rich ramen and barbeque. I would definitely go back with a client for lunch, or for dinner out with friends - it looks like they have some good happy hour nibbles too.
(4)Jessica T.
This was my first time dining at Union and my date and I were both very impressed. The decor and atmosphere is gorgeous. Our server, Jennifer, was outstanding, and I notice everything. She knows what she is doing for sure. She made my day when she mentioned the kangaroo special, which we can't wait to have again. I've been looking for a place that has kangaroo ever since I left Australia. Everything else we had was delicious and beautifully presented as well. I'm not a huge fan of the roll I got (the Tsukiji Market) because there was no rice and it was wrapped in radish, but that is my own fault because I read the menu and still ordered it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, just not my thing. Sashimi was a good size and fresh. I will go back for happy hour oysters and to try more things on the menu that sound delicious, and will request Jennifer to be my server. I think this could be our new spot! In fact, I just might go there before work, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
(5)rich m.
This place is delicious every time I go.
(5)P P.
Ok... so having been here once before for a quick appetizer and really liking my experience, I thought I would give this place a try but this time for dinner. What a big mistake. The waiter was excellent and very helpful. The food on the other hand...just blah. I have had better sushi at a hole in a wall. I would definitely go back for an after work quick bite but not for a full blown dinner. I dig their urban vibe and cool art...great music as well.
(3)Marina P.
This place was introduced to me by one of my best freinds. i hosted my birthday there and ever since we have been going there almost every week. The service is great, food is outstanding, drinks are amazing. Mike the owner is super accomidating. Seriously worth going. One of my favorite restaurants!!!
(5)Marisa V.
Funny part about this is that I personally don't eat seafood, so had no plans of going to a place with Sushi in the name - but after the stellar experience I just had while hosting a private event there, I want to tell everyone this is the place to go! My company hosted a private event there in the upstairs balcony and could not have had a more positive experience. From the very personable and sweet hostess to our bartender Peter and very attentive waitress, the service was outstanding. Every single food item that came out was something people raved about; crabcake sliders, beef sliders with quail egg, sushi, jump shrimp and beef, chicken and pork shoulder skewers. The signature cocktails were a huge hit too. So many times when you host an event there are limited drink options - but in addition to standard beer and drink options, our guests were able to choose from easily a dozen delicious mixed drinks. From the Skinny Geisha to pumpkin spice hot sake and more "masculine" drinks with bourbon or egg yolk, there was something for everyone. On top of all this, the space itself was such a great environment for a get together. It has a mix of bright colors and industrial accents that feel like something in the meat packing district of NY. Music was good too; a mix of genres but mainly hip hop like Busta Rhymes and Blackstreet (no diggity!).This event ended up costing half of what our last event did - which brought a tremendous value. Can't rave enough!
(5)Jamey B.
Unbelievable food and drinks! I love this place! The food is always fresh/fun to try and the bartenders are amazing at any type of cocktail. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to try new types of sushi for affordable prices!
(5)JD R.
A awesome place. Read my full review at foodbyjd.com/FoodByJD/Bl…
(4)Tom L.
Fabulous party at Union with friends. The staff was great, the food excellent and the vibe was everything you said. The spicy tuna was sweet and spicy with tremendous seasonings followed by a crunch. Certainly top 10 Chicago
(4)neal s.
This is a great place and I am not really a Sushi fan. I went with a group that had been told good things about it but other than that we didn't really have any other thoughts. We started out ordering a pretty good bottle of wine and our waiter recommended a couple of items that he said would pair nicely which they did. He made a few more suggestions which we liked and we ended up pretty much having him order the rest of the meal for us. Everything was great and it was just the right amount of food.
(5)Terrie C.
Food was amazing. Very fresh (though pieces much smaller than Sai). Were able to modify meal for my food allergies of wheat and soy without taking away flavor
(5)Dan A.
hip hop music and sushi...fun cool spot
(4)Lindsay D.
WOW---Im a SUPER fan!!!!! Where do I even start with this one....I called ahead not knowing if they take reservations or not, but the hostess was very friendly explaining that it wouldnt be that long of a wait for 2 people and that the bar is just as much fun as a table. They only take reservations for 7 people or more. When we arrived, (which I have to admit was kinda on the early side) we were seated right away. Although I wasnt in the mood for a drink, they have an extensive drink menu including wine, hand-crafted & unique signature cocktails and vino. Plates are small and are meant to be shared so we ordered a bunch of sushi rolls, starters, and BBQ. They have 3, yes, THREE kitchens so your food comes out as its prepared and ready to rock out to your table. Compliments of the chef, edamame with a great spice blend was served to all tables upon seating. Next to come out was the prosciutto-wrapped scallop skewers with fried ginger, wasabi-avocado puree and plum sauce; a blend of heaven. The scallop was perfectly done and the sweet with the salty with the crunch was perfect. Next were the sushi rolls!!! I love sushi....and now I LOVE sushi from Union Sushi. Their roll pairings are so well planned and executed...ok, ok, sorry, Im rambling. Try the Old City Market (spicy tuna, seared salmon, ponzu wrapped in collard greens and fried okra), Bay Street California (crabcake, cucumber, masago, spicy mayo), Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce) and MY FAVE...... Belly Roll (hamachi cucumber, orange tobiko, fried pork belly, scallions, tempura crumbs). I'll say it again....WOW. Next up was the truffled tuna. I mean truffle?? tuna?? avocado?? Wonton chips?? It was refreshing, savory, crunchy. Finally, we had the chicken thigh with japanese curry. This was my least favorite because it tasted quite fatty, but anything curry is a friend of mine. This place is a five-star place in every sense of the word. The decor is uber modern chic and the food is fantastic! I cant wait to go back for more.
(5)Sarah G.
Went here last night for the grand opening and couldn't have enjoyed it more! We went in a group of seven and it was fantastic because we just got a bunch of things to share and were able to sample a lot of the menu. The place is decorated in a really interesting way with all sorts of contrasting lighting, different wall textures, and a mix of classic and modern style. The creative seating allows them to fit a good amount of people and make the place feel warm and lively, but also allows for good movement and makes it feel open and not stuffy. Our waiter was very friendly and excited about the menu; other staff were attentive with refilling water, clearing away dishes, and wiping down the table; and one of the chefs and owners, Chao, even stopped by to chat with us and recommend a couple dishes. We took his advice and got the duck wing, duck fat yaki soba, truffled tuna, and beef tartar, and they were all amazing. The duck meat came right away from the bone and melted in your mouth. I could eat that everyday. The yaki soba is a good portion and helped fill plates. The tartar and truffle were great as well and people in our group who otherwise would never have tried those were enticed and loved them. For sushi we tried the Osaka Central, Old City Market, and Devon. I think Old City Market was the group favorite. The collard green wrapping made it taste very light and fresh. Since Union is sushi AND barbeque, we had to try some MEAT. The chicken and beef were delicious and succulent but the prosciutto-wrapped scallop was one of the best things I have eaten --- it was the perfect combo of flavors and just melted in your mouth. We also tried the sweet potato gnocchi with braised pork belly which was great and interesting since the gnocchi was fried. Drinks are a whole other experience. They were all so different and incredible and we tried to each get something new so we could sample them all! Surprise + Delight was very refreshing, had a definite cucumber taste, and was not too sweet (we had feared it might be). Spring Wanderer tasted just like Ginger Beer -- a sort of stronger ginger ale that is sold in Caribbean stores and is from Jamaica. Delicious!! The Princess Elena tasted exactly like the candy "Smarties" without being sickeningly sweet. I can definitely see myself craving it regularly. The Sparrow Bee was incredible with its hint of honey. South of the Border was excellent, though not super adventurous -- basically a REALLY good margarita. We decided to order all four desserts, and I think the ties for favorite were the creamsicle which really did taste like a creamsicle, and the vanilla ice cream in the ice cream sundae flight. Though vanilla ice cream seems simple, this was the best vanilla ice cream any of us had ever had. I will definitely be back to Union Sushi & Barbecue!
(5)Nikki L.
Union is my #1 restaurant spot in my hood. I am more than thrilled to see them on the block and they know it. I have been coming here at least 2-3 times a week since they opened and bring friends, who end up LOVING this hidden gem. Mike, Jay, Brit, Chef CHAO and Aaron are the BEST! I love walking into a place and feeling not only welcomed, but like I am having dinner at a friend's house. These people KNOW how to make you feel like part of the family and that's what I love most about coming here. Every time I come, I always have to get my 3 faves no matter what, which are the kobe sliders with a fried quail egg on top, the truffled tuna with mini wonton chips and the clifton #4 roll which has calamari, cilantro, cucumber and garlic mayo wrapped in marbled nori. OMG....My new favorite which has been a big hit with friends is the duck wing, it's crispy and the sauce is sweet and tangy, just the right balance of flavors. Make sure to save room for dessert! The homemade donuts filled with white chocolate yuzu and red bean are deeelicious. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes sushi and bbq, they have something for everyone. You will feel comfortable coming in here whether you are dressed up or down, it's just a fun place to be. Hope to see ya there!
(5)Todd S.
Everything about this place is amazing! The Duck Wings are a must try! Very inventive sushi, all having great flavor, and wrapped in many different ways. The service has always been great, and they are always having a great time with everyone that is having dinner. This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago right now and will def be back! Saki Bomb!
(5)Lauren W.
I love Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar - I have never had anything there that I didn't totally adore. The Buffalo Duck Wing, sashimi cup and truffled tuna are three of my must have apps. They have so many unique sushi rolls, and I love the fact that they have the black rice option as well as rolls wrapped in collared greens and soy paper as opposed to only rice. Every cocktail is delicious and refreshing, the service is excellent, and the staff is super accommodating. They also have a variety of delicious grilled meats and fishes that makes it a good stop for non-sushi eaters as well!
(5)Esther A.
Food and service are great. Expect to pay between $70 - $80 for drinks and food for two. We had the spicy tuna and shrimp tempura rolls. Probably the best rolls we've had in Chicago. Delicious. We also had the surf n turf dinner, tiny amount for the cost but this is a cuisine restaurant so I guess it is expected. There is this refreshing cocktail named Surprise + Delight. Yes, this is how it is spelled on the menu. Try it. Atmosphere is fun and reminds me of Tokyo. Very industrial inside, with feminine touches of anime graffiti and soft lighting. Check it out.
(4)Lily L.
love the duck soba! drinks are awesome and service is great! must go. Also happy hour with oysters are simply to die for!
(5)Olga L.
Just got back from a lunch at Union. Somewhat of a last minute decision - I pass the place every day on my walk to work, so I figured I'd give it a try. I only ordered from the sushi menu - Hokkaido, Old City Market, Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin, and River North rolls (four pieces each). Everyone was very friendly and they took my order right away. I lost track of time and didn't realize it, but the waitress came out after a bit and informed me that my food was late (it couldn't have been more than ten minutes late). I honestly did not notice or mind, but they insisted on giving me a complimentary bowl of chili-seasoned edamame, which I gratefully accepted. Everything I had was delicious, but I especially loved the Old City Market roll. I was perusing the BBQ menu and it looks like they offer alligator and kangaroo, which I may have to try. I will definitely be coming back here. Great vibe, great food. Oh, and, my four rolls only cost $30, which is a much better price than SushiSamba a few blocks over.
(5)Catherine P.
There's nothing like a Happy Hour to bring foot traffic into a restaurant. Luckily, the HH at Union Sushi and BBQ delivers. 1$ oysters, and reduced fare on beef skewers and shrimp tempura rolls is a great way to kick off a meal at Union Sushi. I like to sit at the sushi bar where all the action is. Service and presentation is top notch. What to order: chef's choice sashimi platter, wagyu beef, agedashi tofu, and the king crab. They make a mean cocktail too. Have been many times over the past few months, and can't wait to return again soon!
(5)Nancy K.
Rare Happy Hour in Chicago's River North. $1 oysters, $4 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We ordered dozen oysters and two shrimp tempura rolls. Normally we prefer our oysters "as is" to capture full flavor, but these were smaller oysters from Virginia (if I correctly recall the server). Without Union's delicious toppings, the oysters were ok. (We ordered 6 with topping and 6 bare.) The shrimp tempura rolls were fantastic. We also had the tuna cup, which to our taste was a bit bland. Service was good, although I'm not a fan of the iPad they leave behind with specials. Our table for 2 was small so we had to find another place to store that iPad. Mgmt: I'd much prefer a simple paper insert in the menu. I'm not a child; no color photos are necessary. Seems to cheapen the overall "menu" experience. This place gets crowded! We arrived on a summer Thursday at 5:15 with no reservations. By the time we left at 6:45, the place was packed. We were full and felt it was a good value. But for oyster fans, keep in mind you get what you pay for and get the topping. We'd come again.
(4)Jessica M.
Union Sushi is tolerable only when it comes to happy hour. For happy hour, I went with the shrimp tempura roll and $1 oysters which were topped with onions, ginger, and spices. For about $15, you can have a full meal of non-traditional Japanese cuisine. For my birthday meal, we went with the four course prix-fixe meal. I had the berkshire pork cutler slider, beef filet skewer, mushroom salad, and negi hamachi roll. It was a light meal of four small plates of hors d'oeuvres at $30 per person. The berkshire pork cutler came with a dry slab of meat in between two buns that were hard as stone. The beef filet skewer resembled ground beef meshed together onto a skewer that fell apart upon one bite. The mushroom salad was tolerable compared to the soup which resembled mushrooms floating in a bowl of soy sauce. The negi hamachi roll was barely satisfying as it only came in four pieces. We scuffled through them so we could immediately move onto our next destination for a full meal. My two stars are more than generous. Will I return? Maybe just for happy hour.
(2)Michael C.
Union sushi is the bomb. I came here with a couple friends last night at 630 and the host told us there was a table available but that we would have to clear out by 8. Friday night downtown--I should have known better but we took the table. To start we had the truffles tuna. Holy crap. It was delicious. The tuna was cut into cubes, sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and neatly laid on top of a chili flavored avocado mix. The flavor was light and refreshing and the parmesan provided a nice kick--great way to start the meal. For my main dish I had the spicy pigtail ramen. While it wasn't spicy, the noodles are made in house and the pigtail was tender and delicious. It's a great winter dish. Union is a cool restaurant with a modern vibe. Even though this place looks to get packed on the weekends, between each table is ample space so it can still be a private dining experience with your party. Also, the service here gets 6 stars. Our bubbly waitress checked up on us frequently and gave us much needed menu suggestions!
(5)Shannelle A.
I love Union. However, it is really pricey for extra small portions. The cocktails are hit and miss - no real consistency of taste. The environment is great and the staff is Uber friendly and helpful. I would come back.
(4)Joanna T.
More like 3.5! I am now going to reiterate almost everything that Yelpers have written, because they're spot on, so this will not be a scintillating review for that reason! Kind of a funky, very metro fun space. I would get the truffled tuna app, which was delicious. Get the shrimp skewers, skip the filet skewers, as they were on the chewy side. The black rice sushi sampler and any specialty cocktail. Also the BBQ duck wing, very tasty. The cocktails were good, just tell your server your cocktail profile and they will recommend the right drink. Do not skip this mochi cake dessert, it was that good. I would come for that alone. The service was excellent, with a smile. As for sushi, it wasn't the best. But we had enough good apps and dessert to compensate. So if all I wanted was great sushi, this wouldn't cut it, but the apps and dessert were spot on!
(3)Sheryl M.
We had an amazing meal! The space is fantastic and our server was helpful and engaging. We started with the truffle Tuna, cauliflower salad and grilled mushrooms! Each were fantastic! The food is not covered in sauce and is light and clean! We had the black rice on three sushi rolls. I loved them and would get them again! I cucumber infused vodka was perfect as was the pumpkin mochi desert! It is one of my favorites anywhere!!!
(5)Francis D.
With a sudden craving for robata, I was torn between finally trying Sumi Robata Bar or Union Sushi. After much deliberation, we decided to try Union Sushi because of the options outside of robata. Unfortunately, for a robata craving I was massively let down. [Ambiance - 4/5] Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has a pretty trendy decor, and no where near the norm of a traditional Japanese restaurant. With colorful pop art, graffiti walls & an industrial loft feel, Union is a great place to get together with friends in a casual (read: loud) atmosphere. [Service - 3/5] While the server was pretty friendly, she wasn't the most attentive of the bunch. Rarely around, and somewhat slow to introduce herself and take our order. One aspect of the restaurant which I found super gimmicky was the use of an iPad for daily specials. Unfortunately, coupled with the inattentive nature of our server, we had significant time to peruse the standard menu and decide on our dishes before being presented with the iPad and specials. [Food - 3/5] We decided to try a variety of items from the menu and experience their "3 kitchens". Unfortunately, the food was mediocre at best and the robata was disappointing. We tried the following: Tuna cup - A tuna poke-like appetizer in a sesame cracker bowl. It was tasty but nothing special. Spicy shrimp roll - one word meh. The shrimp was a bit hard/chewy and the flavor profile was weird, with the scallions & sweet eel sauce fighting with the spice. Slider Sampler - The wagyu beef slider was tasty and juicy. The crabcake wasn't bad, but still had some shells hidden in the patty. And the katsu pork was a little dry. BBQ sampler - The whole reason we came to Union, and probably the reason I won't be coming back. The skewers came out cold, and on a singular plate with the various sauces mixing with one another. The meat was tender and juicy but didn't have a charcoal/robata taste (hence being drenched in various sauces). I later found out that Union uses gas grills to cook meat faster... [Value - 3/5] The price is on par with other River North restaurants, and Japanese restaurants in general. However the quality of the food did not justify the price.
(3)Reese C.
My good friend lives around the corner from here. I'm super super jealous of her. This place is amazing. Not only is it reasonable price wise, but they have black rice sushi (less carbs). They also have vegetarian rolls (for my friend) The menu here takes the standby sushi and amps it up a notch. It was freezing cold and I wanted some ramen to warm up. Homemade ramen noodles in a rich and flavorful broth was just what I needed.The chicken ramen was hot, filling, and flavorful. That didn't keep me from getting some rolls though. I love that they offer half rolls so that you can mix and match more. This was very helpful since I was with a vegetarian. She loved her fake sushi (ha, ha). I opted for a half of the Dragon roll and it was amazing. The avocado was perfectly rip, the fish was fresh . Then I wanted more and ordered a half roll of the spicy Tuna. This seems rather commonplace, like the dragon roll, but these are stepped up a notch. This wasn't your average spicy tuna. It was SPICY tuna with chili oil that really kicked it up a notch and the tempura flakes offered a great texture. The prices here are excellent for the quality of food and the ambiance is trendy, but not too trendy. Great service as well. I can't wait to go back next time I'm back.
(5)Caroline S.
Absolutely great from the moment we sat down. We ordered the black rice sushi sampler (comes with devon roll,dragon roll, hokkaido and spicy tuna roll) and it was incredible. We also ordered from the grill and found it delicious, but not as special as the sushi. The notable grill items included the spare rib (incredible, fall off the bone), the chicken thigh and the beef filet. The scallop was good but pricey for only one scallop. The Devon roll (sweet potato) was incredible! I expected it to be heavy and boring but the flavors were absolutely delightful. The Hokkaido roll was special, too! Our second course included two more rolls: the Chesapeake Bay and the Clifton #4 - both were wonderful but my favorite of the two was undoubtedly the Chesapeake Bay (thanks to the fried oyster). I know what you're thinking - that's a lot of fried fish, but it was incredibly light and delectable. We were even wowed by the deserts! The Pumpkin Mochi Cake tasted like the best parts of the Fall season while not being too overpowering to enjoy in the middle of August. The Killer Yuzu Pie was my favorite of the two - a light yet rich key lime experience for your taste buds. Excellent beer and Sake selection paired with a wonderful waitress made the entire experience 10/10. Would recommend to a friend, and would go back again!
(5)Patrick M.
Update: I used to really enjoy going to Union with my girlfriend. I won't be going back. I tried to place a carryout order (for the first time) over the phone and the girl I spoke with let me know that they only take carryout orders via GrubHub. I tried explaining to her that I've been a loyal customer and would very much appreciate her taking my order. She wasn't having it. In the time it would have taken her to let me order my 2 rolls she chose to explain the policy and lose a loyal customer. Way to go, Union. Might want to rethink the way you treat your customers.
(1)Maxie H.
Overall Impression: OVERPRICED I'm a huge fan of sushi. However, I'm not a fan of paying $10 for 4 pieces of sushi. Union Sushi is unique in that, you have the option of ordering 4 vs. 8 pieces for a particular roll. Also, keep in mind that each piece is about the size of a quarter. Therefore, grab a snack before coming here or expect to be leaving hungry. The Truffled Tuna is excellent! The homemade wonton chips definitely make the dish. I highly recommend this as an appetizer. The Black Rice Sushi Sampler was pretty unique. The rolls are made with black rice, meaning fewer carbs and calories (a girl's worst enemy). It's actually pretty good! You can't even tell that it's black rice. Besides that, there's nothing too special about these rolls. Even though you can't be the atmosphere of this restaurant, the sushi here is subpar and overpriced. My fiancé and I left this restaurant hungry after spending more than $100. There are many good sushi places in Chicago that are more filling than this restaurant. I would recommend going somewhere else if you're super hungry and don't want to hurt your wallet. TIP: Make a reservation for dinner or come during happy hour. This place gets pretty packed on the weekend.
(3)Lindsey C.
Stopped by on a whim before meeting with friends later that evening. We came in for a drink and ended up staying for a while because of some good happy hour specials. $1 oysters, $2.50 beef skewers, and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We tried one of each and it was all delicious! Our server was very friendly and attentive. I asked for recommendations from the long list of Japanese whiskeys and when we couldn't decide on one, he offered to make us a flight of 3 different kinds so we could try a couple. Definitely try the Yamazaki 12yr! We will definitely be back for a full meal. If the specials were any indication of how a full meal would be, I'm sure it would not disappoint.
(4)Izzy N.
Their ramen is fucking nasty. I tried their short rib ramen this weekend and I struggled to even eat half of it. I started ignoring it, day dreaming, reading work emails and I usually never ignore my food. It's very one note, tastes like someone didn't even try back there in the kitchen. Add in clumpy noodles and it's a winner. House made noodles: time to re-learn how to make noodles that are actually tasty. I've told my grandmother to quit texas and move up here and cook blind folded and with the little lest effort, perhaps half asleep and people here will think it's fucking amazing and delicious. The bar is that low in Chicago. *weeps* I've made instant ramen light years better than this waste of money. I was pretty pissed for not choosing big bowl instead. Or even barely mediocre urban belly. If you're still curious, take out 15 bucks and light it on fire and watch it burn or throw it in the Chicago river watching it float away. That's what eating that bowl of sad boiled water with pathetic excuse of noodles feels like. Complete waste of money.
(1)Tiffany K.
Union Sushi is one of the few places that I returned to for the second time on my recent second trip to Chicago. A few years ago, I ended up at Union while in town for work. My husband and I were craving sushi, found this place on Yelp, they had same night reservations available so we went. After my first experience and really enjoying this place, I knew I wanted to come back. A few weekends ago, I was in Chicago with my girlfriends and sushi was on our list of things to eat. Instantly I knew I wanted to go back to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. What do I like about Union so much? The casual yet fun/upbeat atmosphere, friendly staff/service, and most of all - BLACK RICE SUSHI ROLLS. I have not been anywhere else that serves sushi with black rice. Out in California, we have plenty of places that serve sushi with brown rice, but not with black rice. The flavor and texture of the black rice just marries so well with sushi. This time I ordered the black rice sushi sampler and it was delicious. We also had some of the barbeque items which were good but not great. Mainly I love the sushi and atmosphere at Union and would come back for that.
(4)Nari H.
Ordering online was a breeze, and my order was ready in about 25 minutes on a weekday lunch hour. Spare Ribs Bento (was very good with a good portion of meat. Tasty too. Came with miso soup. Did NOT come with rice. Ribs were kind of burnt though. Bay California roll - I got mine w/Black rice, that was ok. Would probably taste better with white rice $8.25 for only 4 pieces is pricey if you ask me. Miso soup is good ($3). They are always nice. They also have delivery through their ordering online function and it's I think a $5 delivery charge.
(4)Sarah R.
By far my favorite sushi place in town. I love ordering a bunch of plates and sharing. A really unexpected and tasty appetizer is the buffalo duck wing. Very flavorful. I also really like the black rice. You can add it to any of your rolls for a little more. It's worth doing in at least one roll. But for dessert... If you can make it that far without being stuffed... the pumpkin mochi cake is amazeballs!
(5)Jessica S.
Prior to my arrival here, a friend had dismissed Union as a pretentious place that puts too much emphasize on extravagantly frilly rolls while failing to master the basics. As such, maybe I crossed the threshold with tempered expectations... But, suffice it to say, I was impressed! *The space - funky modern design with happy pops of colors and a gigantic art installation serving as the visual centerpiece. *The vibe - Not unpleasantly pretentious or exclusive at all, but definitely trendy. A good date spot! *The service - our waitress was appropriately peppy and attentive.Food was delivered at a reasonable rate, particularly for freshly-made sushi. *The drinks - A list of creative cocktails dazzled me. I was content with my gin-based kombucha beverage, though I'd not consider mixology the forte here. *The food - we ordered a few classic sushi rolls and a platter. All fresh and high-quality and unbearably craving-inducing. -Complimentary edamame sprinkled with "cheddar cheese salt," almost certainly the "cheese" powder extracted from the pouch of the elusive blue box of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Not very gourmet, but it kept me at bay while awaiting the main act. -Dragon roll (avocado & eel & some other secondary ingredients) and spicy shrimp were succulent! -Crispy smoked salmon skin was smoky, go figure. For that reason, I wasn't thrilled, but can still attest to the quality. -Chef's Selection Sashimi plate. Flawless, fresh, flavorful. *The price - more or less the going rate for sushi. All in all, I was mesmerized by Union and it pains me to be separated upwards of a 7-hour drive. I'm undoubtedly going to incorporate this into future Chicago trips.
(5)Cody G.
Easily the best nigiri in the Midwest. Had the Madai, as well as truffle ice cream and several other amazing dishes. This restaurant ranks top five in Japanese cuisine for me - and I have lived in Japan! In addition, the staff is friendly and kind, and made our experience one that would have us return again and again.
(5)Julie Y.
Update.. Came here for a quick bite and got the wrapped scallops and some rolls.. The scallops were over cooked and not good at all and the rolls were just average.. The sashimi we got wasn't that great either.. Maybe they were having an off night but everything was pretty gross.. Had to take a star off.. Came here for dinner sat night. Didn't have reservations so we sat upstairs in the bar area which was still okay and cute, little small tho. Never been here before so my friend ordered everything which was completely okay cause everything was so fresh and good. Started with the sashimi cup which was super fresh and tasted really good. Then got the alligator from the BBQ bar, too much seasoning on it but the meat was really good once you rubbed off the crap on top. For the rolls we got the Tsukji Market and the Hikkaido. Both really good. I'm pretty sure all their rolls are good tho! Dessert we got the Chocolate Brownie really good texture and not overly sweet. The drinks we got were really good too. Def a fan of this place.
(4)Katherine C.
came here to have a hot bowl of ramen on a cold cold day in chicago. we also tried the sushi with black rice, the seared butterfish, and uni alfredo pasta nigiri sushi with black rice was nothing special but its suppose to be healthier for you. the seared butterfish was amazing! the uni alfredo pasta was the fiance's favorite. the uni wasnt too overbearing and the overall dish had good flavor while the pork tail ramen was interesting and hot (i dont like how some places the ramen isnt very hot) it was nothing too special. i really liked the house made noodles though. it was very different than the traditional ramen noodles - thicker and chewier it was a good meal overall but not necessarily something i would say is a must try for tourists
(4)Jialing L.
Visited twice for dinner. First time I came I shared the sliders: pork cutlet, wagyu beef and crab cake with a friend. All three were really good; big enough to split each in half so my friend and I could both try them all. I liked the pork cutlet and wagyu beef slightly more than the crab cake. I then had the alligator special as my entree. I wasn't sure what to expect since I'd never had grilled alligator but the meat was juicy and tender. I really enjoyed it. The mashed sweet potatoes under the alligator was also really good and added to the flavor. The second time I shared the barbecue sampler and the chesapeake bay roll with a friend. The barbecue sampler was good in order to try everything out but it wasn't super amazing. For the chesapeake bay roll my friend and I asked if they could substitute the collard greens with usual seaweed and it was delicious. The fried oyster melted in your mouth and left us wanting more. The restaurant itself has really nice decor and the service is really good. They usually have their specials and select items on an ipad that you can scroll through as well. Never needed to ask for water here, they were really good about filling it and if you ask for slight tweaks like we did for the roll, I'm sure they'd be happy to do so. Great place for Japanese fusion/sushi downtown!
(4)Tijuanna D.
If you want the best Sushi in Chicago, try Union!!! The atmosphere, service and sushi are excellent. I'll definitely recommend and I will return.
(4)Jake L.
5 STAR!!! Truffle Tuna is the best thing on the menu. I like to ask the sushi chefs to just send me out some cool rolls and they usually will create a fun meal for you. Makes it the whole experience a blast. Also highly reccommend the pig tail ramen!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
(5)Thomas T.
Totally random that I ended up here, it's like everything had to fall into place for me to go here. I was in Chicago for a Bulls game (so I hadn't eaten dinner), was going to go to Soundbar later in the night for a friend's party, and just happened to find parking right in front of this place. So figured why not, it had crazy good reviews anyway. Pretty pricey though, be warned. Those 3 dollar signs do not lie. The look of the restaurant was nice though and they do have a valet service. My server was pretty good, refilled my water enough and came back just the right amount of time. Didn't try any of the drinks, only tried the food. Between the gf and me, we split the truffled tuna appetizer, a Clifton #4 roll, the barbeque bar sampler, and the pumpkin mochi cake for dessert. The truffled tuna was pretty good. You can definitely taste the truffle oil but overall it was pretty good. The Clifton #4 roll was alright. Nothing crazy, didn't blow me away or anything. The barbeque sampler was pretty good, some things I liked, some I didn't. The veggies in that there were actually pretty good, just had too much sauce on the cauliflower and too much seasoning on the squash though. The beef tongue had a really weird texture. Had curry on it so it just reminded me of an Indian dish. Beef filet was alright right, nothing crazy. Chicken thigh was pretty good, that was probably my favorite. And lastly, the shrimp was alright, pretty big but covered in a sauce that I thought was a little spicy. I don't really like dessert but I thought that my pumpkin mochi cake was pretty good. It wasn't normal ice cream which I liked, and I'm a big fan of caramel, and then the crunch from the brittle was just an extra surprise. Overall a positive experience, nothing bad but nothing that would make me come back in the near future.
(3)Ali C.
Still fabulous with outstanding service. Great energy. We really enjoyed the sushi made with black rice.
(5)Tobias G.
They serve water in a nice tall bottle right away. They serve Kirin Light with a glass. Huge selection of liquor. Interesting menu items like truffle tuna or black rice sushi. Definitely different. The black rice sushi sampler was absolutely delicious. Every piece was an explosion of flavor. Highly recommend
(5)Carolina N.
I will have to agree with lots of folks that the menu is overpriced, especially the sushi rolls. You can get WAY better sushi(and more pieces) in Chicago for less. First, the edamame they have on the table was not good. Second, I wouldn't suggest coming here to just eat sushi, you have to make sure you do a lot of BBQ and other dishes to really get your moneys worth. The only reason our bill wasn't as outrageous is at it could have been was because we made it just in time to order happy hour options, which were actually really great! 5-6:30pm - $1 oysters (really good!), and $4 shrimp tempura rolls (also really good). We order the king crab legs, which yes, were really delicious but again, overpriced. We ordered a short rib, and that was fantastic! Yum yum! Cocktails were too expensive. Service is excellent here. The decor and ambiance is great! It's a good place to go after work or even on a romantic date. My BF's parents loved the sushi + bbq combination. I will only return during happy hour.
(3)Kate W.
Solid 3.5. We had a totally good meal at Union. I rushed over to Union on a Friday night after a looooong day of meetings. We tried to go to Tippling Hall, but it was packed, so we tried Union instead. Luckily, there was room for us at the sushi bar in front of the robata grill, which was perfect because we were chilly! It was actually super cool being able to watch the robata guy go at it. That said, I got the impression that if you were more interested in a table, walking in might not be the best plan. We ordered a bunch of little things-- mussels, some black rice sushi, shrimp skewers, etc. I wish I wasn't such a space cadet and could remember better! We also had some tasty cocktails. The food was generally very tasty, although I suppose not very memorable. We left very satisfied with our meal, and our wallets perhaps a bit lighter than we had hoped. It's right in our neighborhood, so we will likely go back, but it's not going to become a staple any time soon.
(3)Daisy N.
I've had sushi all over the US, this is probably in my top 3 faves, maybe the top. Everything is so unique here. So if you feel like all sushi is the same or all rolls are the same -be ready for a special treat. The Hoikkado (scallop) roll was our FAVE. A.MAZ.ING. OR.GAS.MIC. Not only the most amazing meals ever -the people were knowledgeable, friendly, funny. Service was impeccable. Ambiance -Wow. Every detail perfect. Seriously, I would come here for just the service or just the food. But they've got the whole package. Excellent sushi. Excellent service. (Great people!) and ambiance galore. My new GOTO in Chicago.
(5)Michael S.
Got there at 6:15. Service was prompt and efficient. Food was well above average. Had some of the happy hour apps: Beef skewers, excellent; oysters for a buck each, excellent; shrimp tempura roll, very good. Then black rice sushi and grilled ribs. First rate sushi, and amazing bbq from the ultra-hot grill. Sample both or you'll miss out...
(4)Danielle S.
Sushi was okay...nothing too exceptional. Service was mediocre as well...I probably won't come back here again. We ordered the dragon roll and spicy tuna roll which were both nothing special. Redeeming order was the chicken soup...it was delicious.
(3)Shannon S.
Excellent environment! Excellent food, and deserts! Definitely worth it! The drinks are great! The staff is top notch, and I believe that this is honestly one of the best sushi bars in the Chicagoland area. If you go, my recommendation is to make a reservation in advance, as many of the good seats fill up fairly quickly.
(5)Jeana C.
Trendy and contemporary. They have a lot going on here. They have a fairly decent size menu with sushi and BBQ bar (skewers). I got one of the bbq combos and had the chance to try the kangaroo and alligator meat. I particularly enjoy their BBQ bar. Uniquely, they have the option of black rice for your sushi rolls. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of the black rice.
(4)Brittney B.
I came here to celebrate a family member's birthday; We had a large party of about 12 guests. The waitress offered to separate all of our check which I though was great! After bringing our orders she never once checked back with us to make sure everything was ok. One of the guests never received her order. It finally arrived after the rest of us had finished our meal. When she brought the individual checks she had messed mine up and added a drink that I did not order. When I mentioned it to her she then yelled at me telling me telling me not to get an attitude with her! Eventually, she fixed my bill. I'm not sure if she was having a bad night or what but I have never experienced anything like this ever! The sushi was ok but the service was terrible! I will never eat at this restaurant again! I actually felt like the waitress knew her tip was automatically going to be applied to our bills and therefore, did not bother to provide us with good service. Never again!
(1)Mingyang J.
Second time here, this time our experience was phenomenal! Our waiter, Dan S. is a certified sake expert. Made four customized sake flights for us, all tasted AMAZING! Order the Hokkaido roll again because it's so good, and definitely try the tuna cup! I'm pretty sure I'll come back again!
(5)Jason P.
One of the best sushi bars I have been too. Dan are waiter was great! Wonderful service took care of us and he was there to help us out with suggestions. I highly recommend this to anyone, ready to go back.
(5)Tim F.
My fiance and I really enjoy coming here. The ambiance is great, and the food is even better. The only reason that I'm not giving 5 stars is because of the price. But then again it is Chicago. It would be nice if they knocked a dollar or two off some of their rolls.
(4)Shannon K.
Swanky sushi. The place is expensive and it's obvious as soon as you walk in. That's cool, that's what Union is all about. You're paying for the atmosphere as much as you are the food. Take note, it's a great date spot. Highlights: Black rice sushi rolls (lower carb, lower calorie) Cocktails (creative and good) Mushroom salad (unique and fresh) Fresh ground wasabi (fun to watch, good to eat) Old City Market roll (best roll I've eaten in Chicago) The black rice sushi rolls are beautiful and I really enjoyed them. We did the black rice sampler and that gives you four different black rice rolls. The fish was fresh and tasty. The old city market sushi roll is worthy of five stars - it's blow your foodie mind fantastic! Really great sushi, fun vibe, great cocktails, lots of activity - I'll definitely be going back! I want to try those big ass bento boxes they serve!
(4)Brett F.
As far as sushi goes, Union felt very run of the mill. I'm not sure they're doing a ton here to set themselves apart from the pack. The sushi offerings were very maki and robata (grill) heavy and the few items we ordered sounded better in theory versus presentation. Our sashimi platter was especially disenchanting aesthetically and the truffle tuna appetizer was ok but lacked the punch most truffle dishes typically waft along with them. Service was attentive and dishes were brought out shockingly fast. Like, within minutes. Fast food that's too fast just feels casual. When dining out with friends I prefer a much slower pace. Overall, the best dish (I use that term uberloosely) I had all night was the piece of Uni Nigiri I ordered. Top notch urchin. Should've had more of that. If in the neighborhood, I might give 'em another whirl but certainly wouldn't make a special trip back to Union.
(3)Ellyn L.
If I could give this less than 1 star, I would. Just walked out of the place after waiting 48 min for 2 sushi rolls. They were finally delivered and the order was wrong. Arrived there this evening @ 6:25pm. They have a hour menu that is from 5-6:30. When I attempted to order before the 6:30 deadline, there was no waitress/ waiter insight. I finally asked the hostess if she could take my order or help me in order to meet the 6:30 cut off time. She did so but not with a smile. Apparently as a hostess, taking an Oder is beneath your standards. When our waitress finally arrived, I asked to place a hour hour order and her response, and I quote..."No" it ended 2 min ago( really it was 6:32) know other statement then "NO" She then disappeared for about 20 minutes. I would have ordered the full price appetizers, but she never came back. After hunting her down to place our very simple order 2 sushi rolls...GET THIS.....WE WAITED 48 min and had to hunt her down to find out where our dinner was. The waitress response was. " sushi takes 30-45min" her attitude was unforgiving as if this was our fault. She then stated "do you want I can cancel your order if you want to leave" We said no...we were still hungry. I also pointed out that if SUSHI, which is uncooked fish, rolled in rice, takes 30-45 mins they should put that on the menu. Hey dear...This isn't my first rodeo. What happen to customer service. I was as forgiving as one could be, but you made no effort to earn a TIP- to insure proper service. YOU don't belong in the service industry. We called over the manager, who finally said he was sorry and would look into the status of our order...as well as correct the order we got. GET THIS! HE NEVER CAME BACK! WE waited another 10 minutes,( I actually had to go feed the meter again) after now being there, starving. We approached the hostess and said we were leaving. For the first time in my life I walked out without paying the check! Even better, no guilt. As my friend and I departed, the hostess said to the other guest at the front door " easy come easy go!" Really, is it that easy to dismiss customers? We are your bread and butter. I work in the hospitality industry and am shocked that upper management allows this poor service to exist. Plenty of sushi options in Chicago. Glad I will never come back to this place.
(1)Charlie N.
I use to live in the building that Union is in and would eat here ALL the time. Even after a couple years the food and quality is still to die for! Order like a pro for 2: Kuro Smash Cocktails, Truffle Tuna App, (Split) the Pig Tail Ramen Soup (just ignore the pig tail part, you will not have any regrets), Black Rice Sushi Sampler, Hokkaido (no scallops, sub tuna, soy paper) & the Tsukiji Market Roll - And please have a Hitachino Nest White Ale beer with you meal after the cocktail... Just tips for a good meal!
(5)Eugene T.
Great experience. Very creative sushi. Alligator ribs special was definitely interesting
(4)Mark B.
While in town we came here with a friend for an early, enjoyable, dinner. Decor: Fun and semi-"authentic" the decor is inviting and helps set the mood that you are in for some sushi, and BBQ, that is a bit out of the ordinary. The large windows allow for plenty of natural light, which is a huge plus, and there is plenty of room where you are not right on top of others. Bathroom: Clean and well kept. Staff: Our waiter was super friendly and helpful with the questions we had regarding the menu items. He was also quick with our orders and food delivery. Additionally, they leave water on your table, nice! Food/Drink: We mainly had the sushi and it was delicious! All the rolls came out fresh and hot (where applicable) and tasted amazing! We had the Edamame and Beef Skewers as part of their happy hour special and they, too, were out of this world! For drinks we just had beer and wine, pretty standard, and it was good and cold. Value: The prices are not absurd here, you get pretty good value for your dollar (especially given that it is sushi). The next time I'm back in the area I will certainly come back for more sushi, perhaps I'll even try the BBQ then!
(4)Maureen C.
Thing is, I still have to try and convince myself that Union was good. Thus, I'm going with a 2-star, as there are many sushi places in the nearby area that are superior. Yes, I do realize that the recent reviews are raving about this place, but it wasn't up to par for me. Perhaps the large menu is a bit too ambitious? I did very much appreciate the option of ordering 1/2 rolls. Brilliant! Easily enables one to try out multiple choices (as they have a lot). The whole black rice idea intrigued me as I enjoy wild rice for its nutty, more complicated flavours than white rice. The benefits, though, are lost in a sushi roll. Makes sense this would happen, but I was still bummed. There was nothing "wrong" with the food, it was simply forgettable. I ate without truly enjoying. And I am a firm believer that one should really find pleasure in what they put into their mouths and tummies. Service was kind and attentive, so nothing off there. Decor was rather like you were dining in a gentrified center city alley complete with commissioned graffiti murals covering the walls. An observation, not a criticism. Interesting lighting keeps up the generally energetic mood. Seemed like a fun place for groups. Sorry, Union.
(2)Steve A.
This restaurant combines sushi bar, robot grill and noodle shop all in one. The lofty main room is pleasantly modern and upscale without being dressy. I enjoyed the sashimi, and a King crab special appetizer. The skewers from the robot grill didn't really impress. Despite the elaborate menu descriptions of sauce, they were all fairly bland. The ice cream trio for dessert was the highlight of my meal. The espresso was a real standout. There are some excellent cocktails, particularly if you enjoy bitter and complex flavors. Service is friendly. It can take a while to fill orders, even though there is a team of delivery people.
(4)Matt G.
I work in the neighborhood and my colleagues and I frequent Union. We've had some service snafoos in the past, but the food is excellent. My personal favourite is the Spicy Pigtail Ramen, but the Sushi is also pretty good.
(4)Eunice A.
Super cute date night spot. Super salty food. Super pricey place for Super high sodium. Overall, you can guess--Super not worth it.
(1)Rick I.
Just ate a ton of sushi here. Was great! I especially like the uniqueness of this place including the Madai sushi. They don't have that everywhere. Now I'm moving on to the other side of the menu. The cook food off the Robata Grill. The filet of beef and the pork shoulder were outstandingly delicious!
(4)Karen X.
Not the best or most authentic sushi I've ever had by any means, but definitely very unique. This is one of the places that does "Asian fusion" quite well. The sashimi bowl appetizer was very tasty and resembled an Asian ceviche. And the barbecue sampler was also a very interesting fusion take on Japanese yakitori. The black rice sushi was my favorite - we ordered both the nigiri and roll sampler, and both were good though I would probably recommend ordering the rolls a la carte rather than through the sampler. All in all this is a very unique take on Japanese food, and mixed with a fun and hip atmosphere, makes for an enjoyable dining experience!
(3)Gwen D.
In general, River North strikes me as style over substance--an especially appropriate description for Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. If looks could kill, Union Sushi + BBQ would slay the competition. Described by Chicago Magazine as a technicolor fun house of curvy staircases, high ceilings, and stylized graffiti, the restaurant certainly looks like a hotspot ( goo.gl/nWv7HD ). At the center of the restaurant, chefs do their work at a charcoal robata grill enclosed in glass, almost like performance art at an edgy gallery. Unfortunately, the food paled in comparison. For better or for worse, our appetizers--addictive sweet potato tots, apparently seasoned bonito fish, and a trio of sliders with bold pickled accoutrements--were the best part of our meal. Eating the main course, we were underwhelmed by the $28 sampler from the barbeque bar, supposedly the star of the show. Without a bite of their stingy sauces, the grilled meat and vegetables tasted like--well, grilled meat and vegetables, nothing worth a special trip. So what? Instead of ordering drinks, my friend and I split the tiramisu milkshake at the end, but we could hardly taste a hint of tiramisu.
(3)Donnie Y.
Not bad at all. Everything buthe parking situation lol next time I'm uber ing here. Black dragon roll is phenomenal
(5)Sonal D.
We made a reservation (for the same night) and were seated immediately. They have a really unique menu for their sushi with a few known scattered everywhere (they too come with a twist). What I like the most was that you can order 4 pieces for half the price vs the whole roll. If you go here try the veggie sushi- especially the Devon. For a sushi lover that was one of my favorites followed by spicy shrimp and spicy tuna All in all, an good experience, good sushi and a fun place. The servers were all excellent. No complains
(4)Bethany W.
$13 bento boxes for lunch is a pretty good deal. The duck fat yakisoba is ok but not great. It's missing something. For some it may be great but I found it kinda one note. The tuna cup that was one of their daily specials is where it was at. I kinda wish I had ordered a couple of them instead of the bento box.
(3)Olivia H.
For some reason, my friend and I struggled to find a decent Saturday happy hour in downtown Chicago. They are rare, and tend to end early (i.e. 4-6 PM). Thankfully, Union Sushi pulled through with their $1 oysters (from 5-6:30 PM). We literally sprinted across several blocks to make it in time, and they let us get away with it. As someone who never runs anymore, those oysters were definitely worth the cardio. Not only were the oysters themselves fat and delicious, they were also topped with masago, jalapeno juice, green onion, and onion crisps. Add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon, and you have yourself a glorious moment of bliss. We were seated at the bar, and it was quite calming to watch the sushi chefs work their magic. They slice the avocados so thinly, it's a work of art. While watching the chefs, we also fully enjoyed the rest of the food we ordered: crispy salmon skin roll, hamachi collarbone, beef tongue, and desserts. All in all, our experience at Union was awesome - delicious food, comfortable vibe, friendly service. AND OYSTERS.
(4)Xavier C.
This is a great spot with great food and service. We started with a spicy tuna roll on black rice, which was ver good and distinctive. The spicy tuna was very fresh. Then we had the king crab legs, the prosciutto wrapped scallops and grilled beef filet. All was great, but the king crab legs were outstanding. Definitely will come back when in Chicago
(4)Kate U.
By far one of the best sushi places I've been to in the city! Perfect for happy hour or a lunch. I like sushi places that have quality food, specialty cocktails, and are clean and well decorated. This place hits the mark on all of them. First off, the cocktails are amazing. I told the bartender that I liked gin and he made me one of the best drinks I've ever had. I'd definitely recommend sitting at the bar, because these guys are fun to talk to. We also had a spicy tuna roll which was great and some sort of krab appetizer. The bartender that we had was very friendly and was suggesting us the best of what the menu had to offer. I wish my office was in river north so that I could come here more often for happy hour. The customers that come in are really interesting; I struck up a great conversation with the woman dining solo next to me at the bar. The prices are up there but not outrageous for the quality experience that you're getting. This place can get pretty packed on the weekends, it's not a huge space so it fills up quick. This would be a great place to take a date or take a co-worker after a long day. Check it out, but try and sit at the bar.
(5)Daniel D.
Great tasting bbq/sushi, mediocre service. In no rush to come back. Went to Union with a party for 2 on a Thursday night (with reservations) and had an overall good experience. It took over an hour to bring out just three rolls of sushi, which is obviously unacceptable (though each roll was delicious). House cocktails turned out to be a rip-off (only approx. 6oz of liquid).
(4)Shahzad A.
This place is wicked with its black rice sushi and fancy rolls! I recommend definitely trying their ice cream after the meal. The place is expensive but has amazing menu!
(5)Alex G.
Went here the other night a was surprisingly disappointed. Aside from overpriced food and small portions, nothing was particularly good. Also, the kitchen was very slow and didn't bring our food in any semblance of order. The ambiance was nice and cocktails were good - although overpriced for what they were. All in all, I won't be going back.
(2)Vishal K.
Delightful Chicago gem! Not too many places offer a happy hour as good as Union's! Tried the 1 dollar oyster shooter, the beef skewer and the tempura sushi. The oysters were so good that I had to order another round!! They had a spicy lemon sauce and topped with some red fish eggs, definitely Instagram worthy. The skewers were cooked on the traditional japanese robata grill, and spices were flavourful. However, bit overcooked in my opinion, but maybe thats how they are supposed to be. They are definitely worth ordering regardless! Service is great, place is trendy, food is great...and just 20 dollars for a meal for 2!!
(4)Jeffrey C.
Despite Union being a sushi bar and yakitori, this review is for their ramen only. Union definitely fits into that casual-trendy River North vibe. Its ramen bowls are heavily fusion-based, and as far as ramen goes, its biggest competitor is likely Takashi's Slurping Turtle, a 10 minute walk away. Spoiler alert: I preferred my Union ramen experience to Slurping Turtle's. The price point is similar at $12 - $13 per bowl. I went with the short rib ramen, while my wife ordered the chicken ramen. The highlight of both bowls (and the reason why I liked it infinitely better than Slurping Turtle's) was the richness of the noodle, purportedly housemade. The noodles are shockingly thick but easy to slurp and with ample bend and springiness. They held up against the broth amazingly well. I've never had those types of noodles in ramen before. A quick Google search revealed that they can be found in types of ramen, but further investigation led me down a dead end to what they're called and which region in Japan specializes in them. The best way I can describe them is like thick wonton noodle with more bend. Both broths were good. If you're making me choose, I liked the lighter chicken one better. It tastes like a straight shio broth, and it comes with a remarkably simple chili-garlic oil that pairs like dynamite with the broth. The short rib broth is thicker; whether it's different bases or an infusion of other ingredients is unknown. I'm undecided on how much I liked the additional ingredients in the short rib ramen. On the one hand, I loved the sharp bite of the pickled chiles, but the sourness of the tomato and cabbage disguised as noodle didn't resonate with me. The parmesan was weird. The short rib was good, with ample fat. It's a good chashu substitute. Service, at lunch hour, was expedient and very friendly, though having a five-month old in tow might have had something to do with that.
(4)Grace K.
This place deserves all five stars. Great service, fun friendly sexy atmosphere, and of course quality sushi with creative flavor combinations that just go perfectly together like a work of taste art. I love this place! The soft shell crab roll was amazing and since it was rolled in cucumber, it was very light, summery, and healthy. I would suggest ordering sushi pieces as opposed to getting the samplers, because that way you can pick what you want. And you Must get the fresh wasabi if available because that is such a rare find and worth every penny. It tastes so different from the fake wasabi and actually doesn't burn your sinuses. It's much more enjoyable and enhances all your food. I was just eating it by itself it was so good!
(5)Mint S.
Great food. Good service. Yummy dessert. Daniel was our server today. He's very nice and always checks on us if we need anything else, really appreciate your service.
(5)Kristina P.
I hate to give this place a bad review, but after going there last Friday I was extremely disappointed. I have been there a few times to eat when they first opened and really enjoyed it but this most recent time not a single thing we ordered was good tasting. The sweet potato appetizer is terrible, I would not recommend getting it unless you enjoy mush in some sort of broth. We ordered 4 different rolls, all that had an extremely onion and cilantro taste without any enjoyable flavors at all. I am a huge sushi fan and eat a variety of foods but did not find their food to be flavorful or satisfying. I don't think I'll go back
(2)Kat C.
Great variety of food. Loved the barbecue veggie options and dessert special. Attentive service (somewhat overly attentive with picking up finished plates). Great ambiance/decor.
(4)Ben C.
OK food and a bit overpriced is why this place gets 3 stars in my book. I would say try it once, it might be more your speed. I have actually been here twice and both times the food was mediocre, the atmosphere was pretentious and the staff was bleh (boring and not interested in being helpful).
(3)Chi N.
O.m.g I love this place so much, it's big and has a great atmosphere, they have a bar up stair that u can have a drink too. The food is just yummy. I've been a lot of sushi restaurants all over country since I'm a big fan of sushi, but Union beats anywhere else. We ordered old city market roll and tsukiji market, their sushi roll is really unique. I'd recommend all my friends come here
(5)Tony D.
Solid place for a casual meal during the week. Tried the black rice sushi sampler, the bbq sampler and also the short rib ramen. The sushi was good. Not very memorable (either way good or bad). The bbq sampler had some excellent flavors (beef tongue, scallop w/bacon and the shrimp). The short rib ramen was by far the best dish! I would go just for the ramen. The broth was super rich and the homemade ramen noodles were top! This place has a good mix of asian foods, so if you are with a sushi or non sushi lover, everyone will find something they like.
(3)Helen H.
My 500th review is dedicated to Union, who found a way into my heart. :) OMG! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! My favorite restaurant while we were in Chicago and also the best sushi restaurant ever! I discovered Union while I was yelping for a place that does $1 oysters. After I looked at the rest of the menu, I was super excited. Sushi and barbeque bar? Black rice? Sold and sold! The menu is innovative and it's high in quality. If I was rich, I would order one of everything! I like how they give diners the option of a half roll or a full roll. Half rolls gave us an opportunity to try more items on the menu. Truffled Tuna (Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips)- Truffle anything is good! Oysters (Red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, jalapeno-cilantro ponzu)- I could eat these all day! Beef Filet Skewer- The beef was tender and melted in my mouth. Black Rice Sushi Sampler- Black is the new brown. Rice that is. It has fewer carbs and calories. The sampler came with four different half rolls: Dragon- Spicy shrimp, eel, avocado, masago, green onion, eel sauce Devon- Sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce Spicy Tuna- Spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake, mayo Hokkaido- Grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper My favorite was the Hokkaido. It was different and I could really taste the freshness of the scallop. Chesapeake Bay (Fried oyster, black rice, red tobiko, green onion, avocado, garlic aoli+ wrapped in collard green)- Collard greens? Who would ever think to put it into a sushi roll? Another winner! Note- I didn't eat all of this by myself. Sharing is caring! If you're a sushi lover like me, then you MUST come here or you are definitely missing out!
(5)Puckky P.
I came here for a second time. I'm warm for server and bartender. They take care me like family. I'll be back for sure, love it too much
(5)Nasser M.
Very good food, great value for the money and covers your craving for Noodles, sushi and BBQ.. Try their Makis, all are good, they even have carb free options for the rolls with lettuce and cucumber on the outside
(5)Christina L.
Ugh I wish I could give this a better review but the service has sucked the last two times I've been here. I would say 2.5 for Service/management. The grilled items were cold by the time we got it last time. Last night we ordered sushi only hoping for better service and faster eating. Our plan failed -we waited almost 45 min. for sushi and 30 for drinks. It was kind of ridiculous. Sushi is still very good and the sashimi cup is excellent. We got no info until I asked where the food and drinks were. While apologetic, they did nothing to even try to comp. anything. This place used to be on my go to list and now all it is is irritating. I will not be going back for a while. I hope you get some more staff and sushi chefs or open up the bar when you have a large party because you are stretched too thin in the front of the house.
(3)John Y.
So I went here with the love of my life to have a few apps and ramen to experience the take they had on ramen and it was just wrong ... If you like Lipton noodle soup this is the spot for you . I literally asked them to take the ramen off the menu, out of respect for ramen .
(2)Melissah L.
Okay damn. What a trendy, cute sushi place! I came here after work on a Thursday and loved it! As soon as i walked in, I was already won over by the decor and playlist- so fun! The service was impeccable and everything I ordered was amazing! I did end up dropping about $70 that night... but I was celebrating with friends, sooo I didn't mind :). I tried two of the specialty cocktails which were strong and tasty-- I didn't need any more to have a light buzz all throughout dinner. As far as food goes, I tried the happy hour special shrimp tempura half roll and beef skewer. YUM. Then, I ordered the truffled tuna (5 stars), spicy tuna with black rice (5 stars) and the tsukiji market roll (4 stars- fresh and delish, but too salad-like for my taste. This one would be better with rice IMO). My friend got a salmon skin roll which was good but a little too salty for my tastes, as well as a nice Bay Street California roll. 5-star experience, I will definitely come back!
(5)Megan D.
Very overdue review for Union Sushi. Service was exceptional and food was outstanding. I'm not your typical sushi fan and they cater to both the traditionalist and those who are not with their selection of cooked meats on the speciality grill. Need to get back here again soon.
(5)Sara K.
Didn't try the BBQ. Sushi was all good. Didn't realize they wrap their sushi rolls in things besides rice and seaweed. One had cucumber wrapped around the roll and one something else; both were very refreshing, which isn't something you can say about sushi most of the time. The waitress offered to make my shrimp non-spicy without me even asking! And the service was so quick we were out of the restaurant in less than an hour. Thumbs up.
(5)Lily Z.
I came here for happy hour with a friend on Friday. Their specials are pretty hard to beat. Although Shaw's may have 50 cent oysters, we couldn't make it in time so we settled for Union Sushi. Tasty oysters, complimentary serving of edamame and a casual atmosphere? Sounds like a good time to me! If you like bourbon, I highly recommend Union's Four Roses on the rocks. I like my alcohol to be strong, but I swear a glass of that can make anyone take on Chicago's polar vortex weather in just a tshirt and shorts.
(4)Diego M.
Try the kangaroo and tongue! Just amazing... If you like kombucha, they have a drink with it
(5)Mimosa N.
I was in town for a few days and chose to eat at Union for my last night there because I had heard about their black rice sushi and wanted to try it out. Upon entering, the restaurant is bright and trendy with a grill on display in the corner firing up some bbq. We went on a Saturday night and while reservations are recommended, by no means were they required. We sat at the upstairs bar and it was pretty vacant and intimate. Our bartender was friendly and patient and really cared about his craft. Bf ordered a drink (I believe it was the tokyo fixer) and it was definitely strong, while I just played it safe with water. A few minutes later, our bartender apparently made the wrong drink for another customer and, instead, gave it to me on the house. Again, the drink packed a mighty punch (can't recall the name). We ordered the sashimi cup as an appetizer, followed by the barbeque sampler, alligator skewer, hokkaido roll, dragon roll, and spicy tuna roll (all with black rice). The sashimi cup was a mixture of diced sashimi in a glass served on a bed of crushed ice and topped with a wasabi avocado puree. While I normally don't enjoy too much wasabi, this was a perfect addition to the sashimi and it made a delicious and refreshing appetizer. The bbq sampler came with a little bit of the beef filet, shrimp beef tongue, chicken thigh, prosciutto-wrapped scallop, squash, and cauliflower. One bite and bf declared that Union was going on his list of worthy restaurants. The bbq was all seasoned perfectly and every bite was flavorful and succulent. The sampler didn't include the alligator - which I wanted to try - so I ordered it on the side and that, too, was delicious and juicy. Alligator meat is usually a little tough, but here it was tender and moist. And as for the black rice sushi, it definitely did NOT disappoint. I've had sushi from all over and this was my first time ever trying it with black rice. Apparently black rice has fewer calories and fewer carbs than its white counterpart, but in no way does it sacrifice taste to do so. The sushi was awesome and even better since it's more guilt-free. It's difficult to describe, but it sets itself apart from both white and brown rice sushi. Try the hokkaido! Union can get quite pricey considering the portion sizes but, seriously, the flavors make up for it. Although the restaurant isn't the most authentic of Japanese restaurants, it is definitely unique and delicious. It's not somewhere I would dine at all the time since a check for two people came out to be over $100, but it is somewhere I would like to return to for sure to try out the other interesting dishes...when I feel like splurging.
(5)Herb V.
And it all comes down to the tea bag (more in a bit) Nice newer place in Chicago and an interesting combo of sushi and barbeque. Nice space, good staff, very good menu choices, even like the iPad with some additional spaces. Started with a few appetizer rolls - Devon, Old City, Tsukiji with black rice - delicious. Very subtle mushroom soup and bbq sampler. Then on to more specialty rolls including a great twist on the traditional California roll - the Bay Street CA roll with crabcake instead of Kani - that was excellent. And a few other delightful rolls as well. Finished off with my usual sushi dessert - Tamago. Just like to wrap up with Japanese omelet and nice touch with Union logo seared in each piece. And then there's the tea bag. I always order hot green tea. What I do not expect is to get a cup of hot water and a tea bag. And not even a Japanese tea, just run of the mill green tea. I want to see the big pot of tea brewing with small pots drawn from it. I can always bring my own hot water and tea bag. Cost the 5th star.
(4)Yvonne B.
This review is for their delivery. We used their easy-peasy online ordering system. It was so clear and simple that we probably ordered more than we normally would. We ordered $60 worth of food: Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hakkaido Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Dragon Roll, and Devon Roll), Spare Ribs, Barbeque Cauliflower, and Barbeque Shiitake Mushrooms. Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar called soon after we placed the order to ask for our address. Somehow it didn't get transferred to them when we placed the order. Still later, we got calls from the doorman and then the delivery person verifying our unit number. We provided all of that information in the online ordering system so we thought it was strange that it didn't get relayed to the people who needed it. Delivery came in a timely manner and the food was still hot. We were provided with chopsticks, napkins, and lots of sauce packets. We didn't realize that we liked black rice sushi until we tried it from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar. We loved the flavor, texture, and the fact that we were magically consuming less carbs than white or brown rice! There are other sushi restaurants that have more scrumptious sushi rolls but these were good. We also really liked the barbeque bits: the mushrooms and the broccoli. That's right - broccoli. I don't know what happened but we were given two broccoli florettes and not cauliflower. It wasn't clear to me if the broccoli florettes were normally served along side one of the other dishes we ordered or if they were given in place of the cauliflower. Either way, the broccoli was crazy delicious. I will pass on the ribs next time. They were good, but I preferred everything else. We will probably order from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar more in the future. The ordering system is easy and maybe they have our address on file from this order.
(4)Guy L.
My friend and I were going to a beer tasting event at Union Station and we had a taste for sushi. We chose this restaurant because we saw a lot of good reviews on here for it so we thought we'd try it out. The decor is very cool but I'm more concerned about the food. I guess they serve BBQ too but I really had a taste for sushi so we didn't try it. The service is very good, very friendly. The hostess welcomed us with open arms like we were friends with her and the waiter gave us some suggestions. Which were great! We got a couple different rolls but I have to say that the Spicy Tuna Roll was the best spicy tuna roll I have ever gotten, hands down. It had a ton of tuna in it and just enough spice to give it a little kick. I definitely recommend getting it! We also tried the Spicy Shrimp Roll as well. It was also excellent! The waiter also suggested that we get dessert and that we order the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it did not disappoint. It had a very unique flavor with the pumpkin, vanilla ice cream and pumpkin seed brittle. I will definitely be back!
(4)Cherry H.
Music too noisy, not very typical of a sushi restaurant (but the environment resembles more like a grill bar). Sushi and crab really tasty. If you got reservation you might find a better seat on a popular day.
(4)Andrew C.
The Food is phenomenal. Rachel, a server, is one of the BEST Servers I've ever had in my life (true story!). The Location is beautiful and the ambiance is great. I am giving it one star because my card was overcharged to the tune of 400+ Dollars over three transactions (for a single night) and the manager, Mike has the nerve to tell me that "these things happen"and "split checks with debit card may have caused the issue" and then has me email him to solve the issue when he has me on the phone... so further waiting to get MY money that was misproperly entered in the first place. I can't bring myself to trust a place that can't own its own mistakes. nor can I stand being put off when its my money in the mix.
(1)Jian T.
We went there for the happy hour. The taste of oyster was unique but it was not the type of oyster that we expected. They were too little. I didn't feel that I ate anything with a half dozen. The black rice was new to me but the sashimi and sushi rolls were so-so. Liked the salmon and scallop but the tuna was not very fresh and tasty. The white rice was below average.
(3)Shan D.
Average sushi and average service. Came here for a bday party of over 12 people. We had the entire upstairs, and our food came out sporadically. When we complained, they brought over sake bombs for the entire group, which was nice. But all we wanted was our food! The sushi rolls are just ok. The fish quality is mediocre and the rolls fall apart too easily. The scene is nice so at least they have that going for them.
(2)Samantha Q.
Decent. Ramen was too salty for my taste. Food wasn't so great, but it wasn't terrible. I came for the atmosphere and service.
(3)Diana D.
It's been a nice spot. Interesting interior, food not bad, thoughtful service. I would say it's a good balance of the picture/quality of food/price. I would recommend it.
(5)Lisa T.
Went there on a friday night w a group of 7 for a 7:30 reservation and was so happy I did!!! Delicious drinks, appetizers, and sushi! Oh plus they have BBQ that is amazing. I will definitely be going back. Great food and great atmosphere!!
(5)Youna K.
Chefs table. Wow. Friend was in town who is a huge foodie and wanted to try a new place rather than usuals. Booked a chef's table with chao on a Wednesday night. For 80 bucks, we received 27 dishes along with few drinks on the house, and three hour private full attention from the executive chef. A true gem in the river north.
(4)Adam S.
THEIR SPICY PIG TAILED RAMEN CHANGED MY LIFE. Nervous b/c it says pig tail? GOOD. More for me. Note, it's warm, by which I mean spicy. I can handle and love spicy food, esp. soup, and this was about a 7/10 for me. It cleared my nose out like horseradish, made my lips smack, but somehow didn't burn my tongue. It was hot, but not enduringly hot, IE there were probably serrano or jalapeno used and not thai chili peppers. We also got a dragon roll that was half white and half black rice. I'd never had black rice before, it was great. I can't comment on the robato aspect, other than we sat at the bar next to the grill, and it looked pretty damn good. Looking for a bowl of 'spicy' soup that's actually spicy? GET HERE NOW.
(5)Sierra G.
Sushi + BBQ, both with a twist. The menu is split up into starters/shared plates/noodles/bowls---Barbeque----Sushi. Basically, there is something for everyone, even those people that claim they "don't eat raw fish". Edamame comes out as you sit down and ponder the menu. They also have a selection on specials that are shown on an ipad. The kitchen is open and I love seeing the dishes come out and what nearby tables have ordered. Sharing is encouraged here, especially since the menu is so diverse. Order a bit of everything. I typically go with the sushi. I like their unique combination that you won't find anywhere else. The Clifton #4 and the Devon are two standouts for me. I LOVE the black rice option and there is also a couple rolls that come rice-less for the the carb-conscious. Craft cocktails also get a thumbs up for their unique menu and use of herbs and spices. Finally, the soy sauce looks like R2-D2. Don't tell me you don't agree.
(4)Stephanie H.
Man oh man, I love this place. It's pricey, but it's worth it. I had dinner here a few weeks ago after wanting to try this place out for ages. I went at about 6pm with a friend with no reservation. It was starting to get crowded, but we were sat right away. I ordered the Skinny Geisha cocktail, which is refreshing. To eat, we took advantage of the happy hour specials and ordered some $1 oysters, a couple $2 beef filet skewers, and a $4 shrimp tempura roll. We also ordered the buffalo duck wing, which SO amazing we had to another another. it was perfectly crispy on the outside and sooo tender on the inside. It fell right off the bone as I went in for a chomp too. We also ordered black rice sushi sampler since we'd never tried black rice before. It was definitely a different flavor and texture than white rice, but I enjoyed it. They had fresh wasabi that day, which I had also never tried before. I typically don't like wasabi because it's too potent for me, but this stuff was GOOD. You need to try it. Also ask to see their "secret menu" which comes on an iPad. You're bound to like probably everything you order so just go and enjoy!
(5)Marshal B.
Came here for the chef's table: Absolutely amazing. My wife could not have asked for a better birthday experience. Chef Chao treated us like we were family, and the service was impeccable. The only complaint I have is how full we were at the end of the meal because of how delicious everything was. It's pricey, but I can't recommend the experience enough.
(5)Meredith B.
My friend and I came in for happy hour on a Friday afternoon after a long week. Unfortunately they don't open until 5, and since we slacked off - I mean finished our work so we could leave early - we got there before we could get seated and had to have a glass of wine around the corner! So early happy hour goers, beware. Once we arrived, we had very few seating options. The place was nearly empty but they said they had tons of reservations coming so we had to get these seats on the second floor at a little counter looking down over the restaurant. Would've been nice to get a table but I guess that's what we get for not making reservations! This was quickly made-up-for by our super friendly server who had basically the sexiest deep radio voice ever. I don't know his name, but you'll know who I'm talking about when you hear it. We started with four oysters, since they are a buck during happy hour. They are pretty small, and you don't get too much oyster taste since they've got tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu on them. Which is tasty, but doesn't taste much like oyster! So if you're not sure if you like oysters, this is a great way to get initiated in a non-threatening way. Oooooh almost forgot our drinks! I started with the Surprise + Delight which was great, light and super fresh. Cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, Pimms, etc. It's definitely a summer cocktail, very sweet and fruity and refreshing. Later I had the Skinny Geisha which has citrus vodka (house-infused), and other stuff that I don't understand like "Hum," "Fresca," and "Yuzu." I remember enjoying it but can't remember what I thought if it beyond! But the Surprise+Delight, that's a winner. Surprising and delightful. We got a beef skewer, for $2 each (happy hour detail!) and they were super tender. Then we got, well, everything else. Scallop skewer wrapped in prosciutto (YUM), chicken thigh skewer (good but not a standout), half Bay Street California roll (super unique with crab cake in it!), half Old City Market (delicious, with spicy tuna and wrapped in collard green leaves), half Rainbow (different than other rainbow rolls - this one is more creative and had delicious eel), and half something else I can't even remember. But just being able to get half rolls is great because you get to try so much more. Great to get four pieces for about $5-7. The atmosphere is casual and colorful, and it's a very relaxed place for happy hour. One great thing is that they encourage patrons to get the staff wasted (apparently!) - it actually says on the menu - "Sake Bomb for the Sushi Chef," "six-pack for the kitchen staff," etc. Prices and everything! I love that attitude. I'd make a reservation if I went back again, but it's definitely worth going with a big group for happy hour and trying lots of different things!
(4)Lauren H.
They have fresh wasabi here, which is unbelievable.
(4)Chris K.
Been here 10 times or more since moving to Chicago for business 6 months ago. Have brought all my family, friends, and acquaintances here. Try the black rice sushi roll sampler! Outstanding!!! They also have BBQ meats, so a lot of variety. Their $1 oyster happy hour rocks too! They are also very nice to you if you are alone. Another "Table for one review".
(5)Ashley A.
first tried their food at an end of the year Yelp event & loved the taste & quality of it celebrated my most recent birthday here & glad I did! tried kangaroo meat on a skewer, which is totally delish & tender, so try it (if you're a carnivore) also has alligator meat, which I've tried before & it's not bad, but didn't order it here sushi is pretty good, ordered a variety love, love, LOVE the colorful graffiti & other finishings on the place whoever decorated this restaurant is awesome! they had some asian beer that I really liked! always a fan of places that carry beer I've never heard of the beer I ordered had a photo of a cat on the can, which made it better we made reservations & were seated promptly; service is good I liked that they had a decent selection of gluten free options, as one of us in our party has to order GF. I'd go back! thumbs up
(5)Rick R.
Fun. Vibrant. Great menu. Sushi is very good. Not great but very good ....this is a tough location for very good or excellent because we have Roka Akor and such in our backyard. Robata type meats are great. Good place to go with friends or date night. They have traditional Maki as well as specialty Maki rolled up in radish and cucumber as well as 'black' rice options. Staff is friendly. It is trendy so don't expect a quiet sushi bar. We live across the street and love to go. Happy hour options are nice too. Prices are average to slightly above. Try a specialty roll even if you don't normally Maki.
(4)Steph W.
Every single thing I ordered here was sooo delicious. Out of my two week trip here, this was the best food I've gotten We ordered the BBQ sampler (probablu enough for 4 people) and 3 different speciality sushis-- all superbbbb
(5)Alix K.
Went here last night for dinner w/ a group of friends. Three of us like sushi and ordered the Old Town and a Black Rice platter to share - all was really good. The other two in our group aren't big into sushi - but they ordered some of everything else - the chicken, the pork loin and the Short Rib. Apparently, the Short Rib is excellent because they both ordered more of those as we worked our way through the sushi! We split a bottle of white wine - reasonably priced for the area. Staff was nice and helpful - she recognized we were really into our conversation - which was a good thing! Already planning to come back again!
(4)Neil J.
Service was great. Food came out in timely manner. Was very tasty and will be back again in the near future!
(5)Monica C.
I come here all the time for the great deal during happy hour (5-6:30pm, everyday except Sunday) for beef skewers, oysters, and shrimp tempura roll. While the oysters are always amazing, the quality of the skewers and can vary. The beef was a little less tender and juicy, and over all the portions seemed smaller. I've had the black rice pudding, bacon wrapped scallops, uni spaghetti, ramen, soba salad, escolar, sliders, and some of their rolls. All are really delicious, though a bit small for the price that you pay. It's definitely still worth the glorious morsel every now and again. Very trendy and good service. Always a staple when I'm in the area.
(4)Cindy K.
We were remiss in not trying Union sooner! Wow. We celebrated our anniversary lunch there today and it was beyond terrific. The service was great. The short rib ramen was delicious with a spicy kick and they split it for us in the kitchen. One order was more than enough to share. Love the menu setup with half orders of sushi rolls as we could try three different ones with 4 pieces each, ample for two people, each having six pieces. The fish was fresh and the combos creative. The River North roll was my favorite. Can't wait to go back for more. Oh, I mentioned that it was our anniversary and the waitress brought us the most delicious house made ice cream with drizzled chocolate dip served in a sesame twill bowl! They didn't know that this is my personal favorite! Special! That's how they made us feel and that's what we think about Union Sushi. Special!
(5)Beth G.
I fear I take Union Sushi for granted because my boyfriend lives in the building. But just because it's convenient doesn't mean it isn't also great. Some highlights: 1. You can order half rolls (for half the price). For someone with an ADD appetite such as mine, this is great, because I can try four half rolls instead of two full ones, for example. 2. Above-average veggie rolls. I just can't quit the asparagus roll, which is made with caramelized onions and garlic mayo. The sonoma and cucumber are also worth trying. 3. The fish rolls are fairly original as well (such as the Chesapeake Bay, with fried oysters and black rice). Still, I prefer the veggie ones here, in terms of taste and price. 4. Mushroom or chicken ramen is a nice choice on a chilly evening, or if you are under the weather. 5. Finally, my boyfriend loves the grilled selection from their "barbeque bar." And this isn't just chicken on a stick ... he's sampled camel, kangaroo, alligator ... of course they have beef, shrimp, etc. for the less adventurous (of the three exotic meats mentioned above, camel was our favorite). 6. Oysters! Not huge, but well prepared with tangy and crisp accompaniments. 7. Awesome happy hour. $1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls (which are excellent), $2.50 beef skewers. EVERY DAY from 5 - 6:30 pm. Helluva deal. We get carry-out more often than we dine in, partially because it's easy, partially because there is a 10% discount for Flair Tower residents, and partially because Union's atmosphere is a little too scene-y and club-y for my tastes on most evenings. (Also, they aren't BYOB.) When we do change out of sweats and opt to eat on site, however, the service has always been fine, and it's fun to eat at the sushi bar and watch all the magic happen.
(4)Peter C.
Mediocre, loud, and overpriced (sorry, near north is not midtown manhattan). The complimentary edamame with cheddar starter was a nice thought, but tasted bad. Our table ordered 4 black rice rolls and a shrimp tempura roll. The ginger wasn't fresh and the sushi tasted like it would at any run of the mill sushi bar. On the side I ordered 3 plates from the barbecue menu: prosciutto scallop, beef filet, and chicken thigh. The scallop tasted nothing of bacon or prosciutto, and the chicken and beef that came after it all had a similar, fishy taste. I'd bet that all three were all cooked on the same surface. Be prepared to hear all of today's club hits at a high volume as well. If you are into that, you'll be pleased, if not head elsewhere.
(2)Calvin Y.
As a transplant from Los Angeles, I thought the quality of the food was alright relative to the price. The robata items are a bit on the expensive side, the specialty sushi was nothing amazing, and the cocktails were NYC pricey. Service was a bit slow the night I went, even when the restaurant was at maybe 50% capacity for peak of dinner hours.
(3)Nicole J.
What a cool place! Had never had black rice sushi before...absolutely amazing. Even if you are not a vegetarian, try the sushi with the sweet potato in it, it's delicious.
(4)Maggie P.
One of my favorite Sushi places. I love the black rice sampler and the fresh grated wasabi. Their BBQ sampler is also amazing. The bartender knows what hes doing and they have my favorite lychee martini.
(4)J J.
The alligator was pretty darn tasty. Been craving more since I left the place. I also had the Tsukiji Market roll. This was unlike any roll I've had. Two thumbs down!! It was flavorless and not worth the money. The oysters were delish , first time I've had raw oysters and glad this was the place I tried them at. The hostess was very rude though. My bf and I were the 1st one in the restaurant and she lead us to this tiny two top right in the path of everyone. I asked for another table and she had the audacity to give me attitude. Not cool & not worth the drama.
(2)Jill C.
The food was good but not worth the money in my opinion 3 rolls and an appetizer for $82 yeah thanks but no thanks I'll stick to the places in the suburbs.
(3)Diana J.
Tried this place out for Restaurant Week, and was very pleased with their prix fixe menu. On the table was black pepper shrimp and truffled tuna with wonton chips for apps; Surf & Turf, and Sushi Roll combo of black rice tuna roll and shrimp tempura roll. The food was very generous in portion, with some complimentary edamame to start things off. I also ordered one of their $11 cocktails which was interesting, but not worth trying unless you have money you don't want to keep and crave an interesting fruit drink. But, back to the food: Black pepper shrimp: these were large and I very much liked them. The one thing I didn't like was that the heads were still on, and when I tried to do the thing where you get all that delicious goodness out of the head...I found slimy, strange tasting goo in there. Truffled tuna: This packed a wasabi punch, for sure~! It is not for the faint of heart, and is nicely sized. The side of wonton crisps were tasty and addictive. Sushi rolls: I couldn't believe that both rolls came included~! The black rice spicy tuna was delicious and had the right amount of spice. The shrimp tempura was tart, spicy, and sweet...worth going back for. Surf and Turf and Pork dishes were so good, but not my orders, so I didn't get to try them! Desserts: I tried the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it took me back to eating Arros con Leche as a kid. It was warm, cold, creamy, and cream-cheesy all in one. I hardly had any room left for it, but it was a great treat. Overall, I felt they put their best foot forward for this Restaurant Week menu.
(4)Marisa G.
This place is phenomenal. My boyfriend and I try to go when we are in Chicago visiting family. My boyfriend doesn't like sushi normally but has loved every roll we have tried there! The chili shrimp appetizer is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I would go there and order three appetizers and be a happy girl. Things to order from the sushi menu: - Shrimp tempura roll: the whole roll is fried. I mean a delicious roll that is then fried. - I can't remember the name, but its a fried calamari roll. It's even better then the shrimp tempura roll - THE SCALLOP ROLL. I normally don't like cooked sushi but this is the best thing I have tried there... I think i also had a dream about it last night We also got a tuna roll that was wrapped in greens instead of seaweed/soy paper. It was good but not my favorite. Overall, fantastic place with amazing food and great drinks. If you are feeling like your wallet is too full that day, definitely try a bottle of sake. The staff is very knowledgeable on different types. It can be rather expensive though.
(5)Lundy H.
Best meal I've ever eaten. Period. Fiancé and I had two main dishes, three apps, and I had a beer for $62. Amazing.
(5)Sijia C.
Terriblely awful!!! Both the severice and the food... The robata is so Americanlized that I didnt feel I was eating Japanese food...they are over salty...bad bad :(
(1)Norah S.
Come here on a corporate event. When the food is not that good it takes off half of the fun
(3)Aleksandra R.
Sleek menu, good specials, personable server, full bar, and a nice atmosphere made me give this place a 5. The portions might not be the biggest but it was definitely a nice experience. The tables seemed a bit too closed to each other but the couple next to me stroke out a conversation and recommended some appetizers which made me feel very at ease. The bus boys while seemed a bit sloppy, they were ok. No TVs in the restaurant area which is really nice cuz it's not that type of place where you want TVs around. The server carries a tablet where you can scroll down to see the specials and a quick description of the dishes which I thought saved a lot of time. I had camel meat which was a first for me, rainbow, shrimp tempura and other meats from the BBQ bar. Two thumbs up. Oh and the server was super sweet. For dessert I had ice cream which was a nice touch at the end. A great experience.
(5)Alex J.
Union is a tradition amongst my closest friends and I. We frequently conquer happy hour - $4 shrimp tempura rolls in particular, but the beef skewers and oysters also pleasure both our palettes and our wallets. By conquer, I mean we indulge in as much happy plates as possible, making small talk with the bartenders and sushi chefs we've come to know and love. Union is also a great spot for dates, delivering an atmosphere that's sure to ignite the romance of your life. And if it doesn't, at least you have alligator skewers to boost your mood after she leaves because you made fun of her for thinking "zen" and "karma" are real things. I've heard alligator tastes like chicken, but, after sampling Union's, I've decided chicken merely tastes like a poor excuse for alligator. Any of the ramen soups are delicious, and check out the banana cream brittle with mochi as it is much better than the date that left you. It almost makes you believe in zen and karma, and that you're finally getting recognized for that time you helped an old lady put her groceries in her trunk. Long story short, make Union part of your life.
(5)Helen H.
Service- excellent- really nice guy and just the right amount attentive. Drinks- excellent. Ambiance is really cool. ESP like the iPads. Food is pretty good - lamb chops- great - seared Waygu - a favorite - fresh wasabi- the best! And very cool and unique way of serving it - oysters- a favorite- really good and fresh and the minuet is reallyyy good and a cool asian flair to it - sashimi cup- very good - mushroom dumplings- icky,. A really weird flavor and too rich and not enough flavor at the same time. - duck fat yaki soba - good but spicy - spare ribs ramen- good but my mom makes it better. Too bad she ain't open for biz so this is a good substitute - absolute favorite is the pumpkin Mochi cake with caramel and brittle. Sister literally licked the plate to get the last bits. Price... On the high side for how much food you got compared to some other tapas places. But for such small plates we could order more variety. Will come back if in the area.
(4)Danny W.
When I've got a freshman fifteen sized craving for ramen Union's where I go to get the goods. It's about the only place I've found in town so far that I can justify paying almost $15 for something I used to get for a dime in college. They're noodles are perfectly cooked and whether you add spicy pigtail or short rib it adds deliciously tender chunks of meat that make paying all that extra money worth it. Served in beefy broth it's exactly what the doctor ordered for a cold Chicago night. Not only are their noodles great, but I can get sushi and shoot the shit with Adam the awesome bartender. No joke...of the 5 times I've been here 3 of them I witnessed someone come in as a repeat customer specifically because of him. The guy is legit! Overall I love this place. For a date or dude-fest...you can't go wrong.
(5)Wattanaporn R.
I went there with my friends it was her birthday she would recommend this place and this place make me impressed with the foods was delicious and staff was nice.
(5)Chris H.
This place was okay. I had a roll and some nigiri and it all was fine. The black rice they use is really good, so I recommend that. The green tea ice cream Sunday was really good too. My only issue was the fact that in the hour or so I was sitting at the sushi bar, I didn't see them cut one piece of fish. I'm not sure if all that is done in the prep work, but it kinda bothered me.
(3)Tessa C.
I don't understand the hype at all of this place. Been here for happy hour because I heard it had great deals. First of all, for a place that has sushi in its name, it only had one sushi roll for happy hour. I should have checked the menu before coming. But moving on, got the beef skewer and the tempura roll. The tempura roll was okay, but I would not call this a deal. It was only half a roll, and it tasted mostly of fried batter. I couldn't taste anything else. The beef skewer was really chewy and it did not have much flavor. My friend seemed to enjoy her oysters, but how hard can it be to mess up something that is raw. Regardless, probably won't be coming back. Happy hour is subpar. If you are looking for a decent happy hour, go to Devon Seafood Grill or Sunda.
(2)Lauren K.
Excellent food here. Went during the lunch rush and it took forever to get our food, but I guess that's expected when you eat at 12:30. My dad had the sashimi cup, which he liked. I had a lunch bento with miso soup (good), salad (ok), tempura with hot dipping oil (great!), and spicy shrimp roll (also great!). I definitely want to try this place for dinner and review it again. Some of the mains look great and overall the service is good (just a little hectic at lunch). The restaurant itself is very hip and attractive.
(4)Ryan K.
The specialty sushi rolls and chocolate mousse brownie are outstanding. I would have given 4 stars if the staff had not been in such a hurry to clear our table. We sat down for dinner at 7:50pm and by 9pm they were starting to rush us along. It was awkward and they close at 10:30pm. Maybe take out only on early week days would make more sense for them.
(3)Dennis L.
I went to this restaurant with friend and family. I got the black rice sushi sampler. It tasted pretty good, although I couldn't really tell the difference between black rice and regular rice. Other people got the ramen and the Duck Fat Yaki Soba, and they said that they liked what they had. The service was fair, and the ambiance was nice, although it was a little bit louder than I expected. (I guess we were next to a pretty boisterous crowd.)
(4)Rachel B.
Our dearly departed Sushi Wabi that closed some time ago has been reincarnated! Chicagoans don't have many good sushi options, but Union to the rescue! Love the black rice sushi, highly recommend. Bay Street California roll is a must Soft Shell crab also incredible. Cute restaurant with a super chill vibe, grab a seat by the fire...super cozy this time of year-open seating. Highly recommend!
(5)Peter K.
Just had lunch at Union Sushi yesterday. Kept life simple, I had the Chef's black rice nigiri sampler, my friend had Chef's black rice vegan roll sampler. We both had the "Adventurous" sake flights. Sake was very nicely presented, but really, my sushi was the standout. Simply put, AMAZING! Possibly the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a LOT of sushi. Fresh, perfectly thick buttery soft, flavorful cuts of the freshest fish EVER! It reminded me the subtle difference between good sushi and GREAT sushi. And everyone we had contact with was courteous, cheerful and so well informed about their aspect of the experience. A total winner in every respect.
(5)Matthew M.
As usual, Union has proved to be amazing. The food surprises every time I go. Living in Chicago can spoil one's palette, which means it's rare to find food that is truly unique - Union nails it every time. Keep it up, thanks!
(5)Julie Y.
I'm so disappointed by my recent visit to Union. I raved about it so much, but I don't know if I can recommend it to my friends after my last experiemce there. I read many good things about their ramen so we planned a group outing there to try it. What showed up was far from what ramen is supposed to be. Anyone who has had ramen before knows that the noodles should be springy and chewy. The "house" noodles at Union were an abomination. FLAT!? Soggy. So poorly cooked that they clumped together into a little ball. It was like someone who didn't know how to cook just dumped fettuccine into a boiling pot and called it a day. The broth was flavorful but too thick and salty. I think I went through three glasses of water. At the end of the day, noodles make ramen. Overall, I lost my appetite and didn't even want to order the desserts that I loved so much on previous visits. If you are looking for actual ramen, STAY AWAY.
(1)Chris T.
Loved this place! Delicious food, great drinks, cool vibe... but expensive. So make sure you're celebrating something! I shared the barbecue sampler and the black rice sushi sampler with my friend and while I will say both were very yummy, we were still hungry after we finished. And at 27 bucks per plate (plus 10+ for drinks), we wished we had gotten a little more, or a lot more (we have big manly appetites, rawr). Drinks were also great. I had the Kuro smash and I think it was my favorite in our party.
(4)Kimberly K.
Typical trendy, downtown place that has some pretty mediocre offerings. I went for the oyster happy hour and am NOT a fan of the way they dress theirs. The crunchy tempura on top takes away from the oyster flavor. We ordered our next few rounds naked and were much happier. We were not at all satisfied with our cocktails. One member of our party even sent hers back because of the horrible smell. She's in the service industry and a pretty great judge of a good cocktail. I got one of the sushi rolls because the oysters just weren't doing it for me. I was not blown away by it, but it was fine. I would definitely NOT order any sashimi. It didn't seem like very high quality fish. With so many other great sushi and oyster options in the vicinity, I'd say skip this one!
(2)Antonio r.
I pretty much love everything g from here. The sushi is delicious and tastes fresh. My favorite thing to order is the truffle tuna with these chips or whatever they are. It's amazing and love the avocado. You should try the sampler with brown rice. I personally like the brown race more. I don't eat shell fish due to allergies but eat the whole sampler anyway.
(5)Joy R.
First time here. All the food was delicious. Service was fast. I love the decor and the music. They served me the sushi in a cucumber roll instead of rice without fuss. Thumbs up for the beef tongue. Definitely a young and hip atmosphere.
(4)monica m.
Delicious and creative. I would look forward to dining here again, and I wouldn't say that about many places.
(5)Josh K.
The food was great, although I expected more sushi options. I enjoyed having the opportunity to try different meats (lama and kangaroo were both tasty). They had a great selection of whiskey and cocktails as well. Our server was friendly, but she kept pushing us to get the expensive sake when we told her that we just wanted cheap sake to supplement our cocktails. I'll definitely go back, but I'll explore other restaurants in the meantime.
(4)Emily J.
Very good sushi!!! I recommend getting the black rice which is 1/2 the calories and carbs and white rice. Trendy and hype place to eat sushi and have a few drinks.
(4)Nan K.
The black rice sushi was strange. The alligator and kangaroo meat were just as strange. I probably should have ordered more ordinary things, but I guess I went more for the experience. I can't say much about their sushi since I didn't have any of the normal ones, but I had a little bit of sashimi which was pretty good. This place is very interesting and fun, but I don't know if the food was good enough for me to want to go back.
(3)Mark C.
Oh Union , you are the best. I recently dined here on NYE, and the service was absolutely wonderful. The staff was very accommodating to my group of 12. When another large party failed to relinquish her table in a timely manner , the host and staff apologized and quickly set my group up at another section. So my experience was going great even before the food came. Yes the food. There are so many items that you just can't go wrong by getting. Duck wing ?yes! Choosing one of the samplers, yes! Black rice sushi?! Takes a we. It longer, but worth the wait . And honestly the fact that a large group was able to have split checks is a huge plus. Of course I'm coming back.again and again
(5)April L.
This was our first visit and we went for lunch for my husbands birthday. We came for the barbecue and our meat options were ALL delicious! My husband and I shared several skewers as well as the outstanding escolar. No complaints on the food. The atmosphere was unique and vibrant. There's lots of seating and seems it would be fun to sit at the BBQ bar. While we didn't have sushi, it looked good and we will definitely go back to try it. They also had a good little lunch menu with bento boxes, but we opted for the BBQ. I'm really looking forward to another visit!
(5)Delia Z.
So, so good! Of course, things are pricey here, but the sushi was outstanding. Great flavor combinations and a wide variety of quality ingredients. Our waiter was also extremely friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend trying the black rice sushi sampler :)
(5)S P.
They have one of the best Shrimp Tempura Rolls that I have ever had. The food is pretty great when you go to the restaurant and sit down but I must say that it is not as good when you place an order for pick up. I have placed many orders for pick up since we live pretty close and every time I ask the hostess taking my order to please call me if it comes out earlier than the 45 minutes that they quote for it to be done. I never receive a call and I usually go over 20 minutes after placing the order and the food is still sitting at the host stand getting cold. I guess I should just place the order and go over right away if I want to have fresh food. I would recommend this restaurant for a sit down dinner to ensure your food is fresh and warm. They also have a great Happy hour on Fridays if you can make it there before 6:30 pm.
(3)M J.
Great happy hour with $1 oysters, $2 beef sticks and $4 shrimp tempura roll. I love all three of those things, but my wife is just "meh" about the beef. She really liked the Old City Market and I liked the Clifton #4, although I would recommend just a half order of each as I might get tired of the flavors after too many bites. Our server was awesome but I forgot his name (sorry!)
(5)Jake J.
On my search for a restaurant to have a tasty snack at, I came across Union. I wasn't looking to spend to much so I checked out their happy hour. It's from 5:00pm to 6:00pm and includes $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2.50 Robata sirloin skewers and $1 oysters. My girlfriend is an oyster finatic and loved the ones served here. They are topped with scallions, crispy onions, tobiko and ponzu. The Robata sirloin is amazingly tasty and the shrimp tempura is awesome as well. The ambiance is relaxing and fun with graffiti on the walls and almost seeming as though you are in an upscale train station. It sounds a bit different but is very fun. A very trendy restaurant, complimented by fantastic food. I think this would be a great place to have a birthday dinner or bring a couple of friends to enjoy an amazing meal. My experience at Union was nothing but fantastic! You have to check it out yourself.
(5)Monica M.
this is my sushi spot when i wanna head downtown. get the fresh wasabi, its lighter and less aggressive than the paste, but still has a kick. and they grate it for you on shark skin? i dont remember. sit at the bar. its fun to interact with the chefs and watch them make the rolls. fish is great quality. ive been keeping my eye out for a day i can go when they have live uni. i cant remember the names but the scallop roll is amazing. their hot sake is pretty good for the price. sip it all night.
(4)Kristen D.
Very cool ambiance here. We had the upstairs sectioned off for a dinner meeting and were served a prix fixe menu, most of which I cannot remember what we were served. Others in our party loved the mushroom roll, and whichever roll had the shrimp in it was my favorite. the meats (chicken and beef) served on tiny skewers were nothing to write home about, but I find that is pretty consistent with prix fixe dinners. I'll likely return with Clark some day, but we probably won't be rushing there.
(3)Megan T.
This place was recommended to me by a local and since it was just a few blocks from our hotel, we checked it out. I made sure to make a reservation on Open Table so we'd be there by 6pm so we could take advantage of the $1 happy hour oyster special. My husband loved these and felt they were very fresh. The complimentary edamame were also delicious. I had three vegetarian sushi rolls. I loved the devon roll with sweet potato the best...yum! My husband had the kangaroo and the beef tongue, both of which were incredibly tender and perfectly cooked. He also got the octopus which he described as "freshly delicate". Service was very attentive and our server was knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend this place!
(5)Kaitlin M.
I really want to love this place... Please Union change my mind the next time I am in. Unfortunately as a vegetarian I was highly unimpressed with their food. They however still deserve 3 stars for their great ambiance, service and yummy sounding menu. My date, a meat eater, enjoyed his mussels and spicy tuna roll. We also loved the great service. Our beers, saki and water were never empty. And finished plates did not last long on our table. Congrats. However... I could do better at home than the three tastes I ordered. I started off with the Roasted Cauliflower Salad. The description of smoky roasted cauliflower and fennel paired with bright kumquat and orange sounds quite tasty. Somehow the execution completely failed. My cauliflower was completely under done, and the vinaigrette was almost tasteless. Overall the salad was a major disappointment. As my main dish I ordered halves of the mushroom and cucumber rolls. Wow... just two more disappointments. My mushroom roll has almost ZERO mushroom actually in it. Instead it was mostly rice filled with a tiny bit of tempura mushroom... no shitake, green onion or avocado to be found. The same went for my cucumber roll. I would expect a roll that is supposed to have jalapeno in it provide a little kick in the pallet... nothing. And again... I felt like most the ingredients were missing. If you put it in the description... I EXPECT you to put it IN the dish! Few... that felt good! All and all, because my date loved his food, we will be back. BUT, I don't give third chances so... Union, you better be on your best behavior next time!
(2)Lindsey M.
My husband made a reservation for my birthday tonight and I was a little disappointed with the table they gave us but the food was great. We were both first time visitors so we tried a sushi sampler and a barbecue sampler. We will definitely be back for the black rice sushi and the scallops.
(4)Valerie T.
This place is absolutely amazing! Best place for Japanese cuisine. Words cannot describe how great both the food and service are at this place. Staff and management are there for guest needs in every way possible. Very friendly and personable, definitely make you feel your eating at your own dining table with an added experience of intimate art setting. The food is amazing, the combination of sushi and bbq at hand is great. Hands down for this chef. Best place in River North!
(5)Ericka A.
Absolutely loved my dinner at Union Sushi. I came for the Suburban Spotlight with a large group of Yelpers and was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is gorgeous. It's very modern and spacious. We sat for hours on seats that were pretty comfortable and service was spot on from start to finish. We were greeted at the door and lead to our reserved spot upstairs, our drink orders were taken immediately and filled quickly, happy hour prices were pretty poor-friendly, and there was a steady stream of food being delivered to our table along with refills and dessert requests. I went for a Surprise + Delight cocktail to start. It has a strong cucumber and strawberry flavor. It's pretty weak, but it's very delicious and refreshing. My first food order was a full Shrimp Tempura Roll and 2 Beef Skewers. The beef was perfectly cooked and tender. The roll was well battered and very tasty. It was huge and well worth the $6. I can't say the same for the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Old City Market. They both tasted good, but they seemed overpriced and the half orders are very small. Our waiter was able to fill one more last minute Shrimp Tempura Roll order for me right as Happy Hour was winding down. The food caught up with me and I was only able to eat half of it, but they boxed up the rest very nicely. I made sure to save room for dessert and ordered the Banana Bread + Ice Cream. The bottom part of the Banana Bread was moist and perfectly baked. I wasn't as much a fan of the top part, but it mixed well with the Ice Cream and I left quite contented. I don't think I'll be able to eat much here again with normal prices, but I'll definitely be returning for another happy hour!
(4)Hauwei L.
Ate at union this week and wanted to mention a few favorite items Truffle tuna Buffalo duck wing Uni Alfredo noodles Pork shoulder, mushroom, beef tongue skewers Old city market Taro mochi cake Good, but not amazing Madai nigiri
(5)Ania H.
This place was pretty decent. Definitely pricey. They do have a happy hour menu which looked great if you get there on time. We ordered a wide array of sashimi and a few rolls. Nothing that stood out and made them spectacular (however I am a sushi snob). They do offer half rolls which I thought was a cool perk. They also have an awesome selection of sake. The decor was awesome. Cool graffiti and overall had that modern look. The service was pretty attentive and casual. They did have their specials on min ipads which was nice to scroll through the images before ordering. Overall it was an alright experience. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. Just OK.
(3)Kittie K.
Love it. Delicious. You don't need any more info. Go. There. NOW!
(5)Owen F.
Nothing special, so so service, I am so disappointed. The food is really below the standard, and I am so surprise to see many positive reviews on here.
(2)Abby K.
Not sure why this place has such high praise..the sushi was equivalent to store-bought, packaged sushi. We sampled all of the "specialty" rolls, not sure what is so special about them. Beyond the food, the service was so-so. Server was nice, but host sat us immediately adjacent to a family. There were plenty of open seats in the place and I think the other party was equally uncomfortable. Maybe their other food is what they're noted for, but this was highly disappointing and we won't be returning. After leaving without a thank you, we ventured over to nearby restaurant and had superior food.
(1)Nikki G.
i came here with a friend few months ago and i can't wait to go back to try other dishes. I really like the environment and the sushi was fresh.
(4)Xue W.
just so so, ramen is undercooked and customize box is a little disappoint, but service is awesome
(3)Cali G.
This restaurant is located in a really good location where there is parking just about anywhere or you have the option to valet. The restaurant is nicely decorated, but the only thing that bothers me is the seating. There's not much personal space. The sushi on the other hand is very good. I am a bit disappointed that they do not offer the thin sliced yellow tail appetizer with the jalapeño and sauce on top. It's one of my favorites.
(5)Tom C.
My wife and I went here last night for a date night prior to going to the theater. We got our ticket times wrong and Union was great about rushing our food to get us in and out with an excellent meal and drinks in an hour. The Sashimi Cup and Kangaroo from the Barbeque Bar were delicious! The Rainbow Roll with black rice (optional) was tasty, but fell apart pretty easily. The Tsukiji Market roll was just so-so on flavor, but nicely presented. I had a Kuro Smash cocktail to start which was awesome, and we split the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace beer (big bottle!) that surprised us but we ended up loving. Great ambiance and fun view of the eL above without being at all loud. We would definitely go here again.
(4)Phi T.
In town for work and went here for happy hour after reading reviews. Worth the 9 block walk from my hotel to here in the snow. Their $1 raw Virginia oysters on the half shell with crispy shallots and jalapeño cucumber ponzu sauce were delish. I ordered 2 dozen, 2 of the filet skewers and the shrimp tempura rolls. The food was fresh and nicely executed. Just wish they had more items on their happy hour food menu. There were no happy hour drink specials but the oysters are the star and best deal here.
(4)Brad S.
Food and service were pretty excellent. Only giving 4 because of the limited vegan selection. If you are getting rolls go black rice it makes it pretty sexy. I went with the veggie rolls. The presentation of the rolls is one of the best I've seen in Chicago. Also try clerks take the time to think through no standard flavor combinations and premium ingredients. Also started with the edamame which some dusted in green curry. It's an awesome little kick. Ambience in the place is great. I went for lunch. And it's a pretty quick and classy at the same time. Totally recommend for nicer lunch meeting.
(4)James H.
Food: four stars. Scene: 2 stars for being so overwhelmed by douchebags. If you're a douchebag, go often. You'll love it. If you're not a douchebag but have a high douchebag tolerance, go often. If you're not a douchebag and have a low douchebag tolerance, it's worth a visit but not at peak times.
(3)Rachel R.
It's so convenient to have an awesome such restaurant literally connected to our building. Union is a great place for dinner when we don't feel like going far and feel like a great meal is a casual environment. The menu really has something to offer for everyone. From traditional sushi / sashimi to the robota options to awesome specials, I've never had anything here that I haven't enjoyed. During the cold season, I absolutely love the Spicy Pigtail Ramen. It's amazing, and I am pretty sure I could eat it for weeks straight! They have a great saki and Japanese whiskey menu too. Sashimi has always been very fresh! My only comment is the wait time for initial drink / taking order has been pretty lengthy on a few occasions and the spacing of courses has been a bit off at times. Not a big enough issue to not love this place though.
(4)Chris M.
Union is very close to my office, so my coworkers and I have been here many times, and I really like it. The flavors and variety are great. Some highlights... - The spicy pigtail ramen is delicious in the cold winter months. - Duck Fat Yakisoba is absolutely delicious. - Rolls are fresh with great flavor. - Unique, varied, and delicious specials on any given day. - Happy Hour Oysters are fresh and flavors are fantastic. - Anything off the grill is pretty good. - Some tasty mixed drinks. - A nice atmosphere. Unique, but not over-the-top trendy. Overall, can't say I've ever had anything that I've been very disappointed by. Not cheap, but reasonable for the quality.
(4)Rob J.
Granted I came here when it first opened and just got around to writing this review but I don't get it. The service was terrible and the food was just so-so. Walk a few blocks east for much better sushi.
(3)Rick F.
Appetizers, Edamame, Sashimi Cup, Truffled Tuna, Cocktails, Kuro Smash, Skinny Geisha, A Fresh Start, Chicken Udon, Robata Grill Spare Rib, Lamb Chops, Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Tuna, Old City Market, Soft Shell Crab. I must say everything here was excellent. I really like the vibe here, everyone was having a great time including the staff. It is known has a hipster type place but I saw all age groups mingling just fine. I'm adding this to my place to bring out of town visitors, this is a big deal, you really have to be special to make this list.
(4)Melanie S.
Our group of four had dinner here over Memorial Day weekend, and the place was busy. We started with a round of drinks and a bottle of sake before moving on to food. I really wanted to get the Jitterbug Perfume (as it shares the same name as one of my favorite books), but I didn't like one of the components so I ended up having the Surprise + Delight (which was indeed both surprising and delightful!) instead; a refreshing concoction of muddled strawberries, lemon, cucumber vodka, Pimm's, lemongrass, and seltzer. That was one of the best cocktails I've had in recent memory. We enjoyed a good portion of the menu, both sushi and from the robata grill. For truly adventurous eaters (not me!), they have some interesting things like kangaroo and alligator. We started with a dozen oysters and two orders of the truffled tuna. I did not partake in the oysters, but they were well-received (if a little too aggressive with the cilantro). I loved the truffled tuna, which came with buttery avocado and wonton chips. I appreciated that they weren't heavy handed with the truffle; a little goes a long way. We also had the sashimi cup, which was probably the rest of the group's favorite. Similar to a ceviche, it comes with escolar, salmon, green onion, ponzu, and avocado puree. I refuse to eat escolar as I've heard it can wreak havoc on your digestive system. I'm not a fan of the possibility of crapping my pants in public so I skipped it. I haven't heard any tales of woe from the others so it appears everyone escaped the perils of eating escolar; good for them. Some of the other items we tried were mushroom soup (like a miso with a variety of earthy mushrooms), mushroom salad, and several specialty rolls. I love that they offer half rolls (I wish more places did this); it makes me much more likely to order more. Of the specialty rolls, we had the Old City Market (spicy tuna/salmon/fried okra), Hokkaido (grilled scallop/avocado/roasted pepper) and the Clifton (calamari/asparagus) and the mushroom roll, which was vegetarian. It came with tempura mushrooms and avocado, and it was damn tasty. To that, we threw in a couple pieces of marinated salmon nigiri for good measure. From the robata section, we did skewers of lamb chops, scallops wrapped in prosciutto, jumbo shrimp, and kangaroo (eek!). I especially liked the scallops but the lamb chops didn't have much flavor except for the char from the grill. I'd skip those next time. Allegedly the kangaroo was very tender and not gamey (I did not try it), but it was a tad salty. Skewers are great--you can order a ton of them and everyone can get what they want. It does add up though, so be warned. Service was very good. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations. Union Sushi + Barbecue is a nice change of pace from the usual sushi bar, and I love that you can also get items from the robata. It's a great way to customize your meal and get a little bit of everything. Overall, Union Sushi gets a thumbs up. 3.5 stars.
(4)Nanc A.
Good spot. Good sushi not too many pieces served but the taste is amazing. Yummy drinks friendly staff
(4)Jin K.
So we went here to dine on friday night for my wife's birthday. We actually had our first date there about two years ago. This time was as good as the previous times that we have gone. The Bartender upstairs, rocks! Super knowledgeable about drinks, the beer that he recommended was excellent, echicho (sp?) and the cocktails that he made for the others in our party were outstanding. I didn't know they had Ramen noodles but two people from our party of six ordered Ramen Noodles and after trying both of them, I wanted to order one for myself. So Good! But since we had ordered loads of rolls and sushi, i didn't. The food was delicious as always. If I still lived in the city, I would go at least once a week to feast on the Ramen Noodles and some excellent rolls.
(5)Andrea Z.
Excellent! We went in search of some sushi and cocktails and were very impressed with Union. We tried two different specialty cocktails - one was gin and one rum - and both were quite good and at $11 each, decently priced if not cheap. Union specializes in black rice sushi and although they charge a bit extra for it, I highly recommend it. Flavor-wise, it isn't much different from white rice but we found the texture to be different and very very good. I would absolutely try this if you get the chance. Sean got the black rice nigiri sampler for $25 - I think there were at least 8 large pieces. I went with three 4-piece rolls: Devon roll (sweet potato tempura), tempura shrimp, and spicy tuna. Both of us enjoyed our meals very much. The fish was superb, extremely fresh and melt-in-your mouth good. The rolls were great. Spicy tuna was well seasoned and just spicy enough. Devon roll was interesting - I wouldn't say my favorite as it was a bit bland, but I'd never had tempura sweet potato before so I'm glad I tried it. The tempura shrimp roll was the highlight of the meal for me. Most places batter and fry the shrimp, then roll it, then cut it. Not union. Here they assemble the roll then batter and fry THE WHOLE THING! Somehow it does not end up greasy and heavy. The whole roll is warm but not hot - exactly the right temperature, and with just enough fried batter on the outside. I've never had anything like it - SO GOOD! Very reasonable prices, great sushi - highly recommended. We walked out at less than 80 bucks including tip. Not bad for sushi in Chi-town. Definitely give this place a try.
(5)Daniel H.
I went to this place I was blown away! Service was fantastic! Sushi very fresh and the alcohol selection Double Plus Good. I recommend it.
(5)Marcio D.
Great sushi and drinks (morning glory) in a relaxed environment with super friendly staff. Sushi chef was amazing and his recommendations were incredible.
(5)Miss B.
I ate at Union during a visit to Chicago last fall. This place is heavenly. Rap music and sushi is all one needs in life and Union Sushi + BBQ Bar is ready to serve. Truffle tuna - JUST run there now and stop reading this review any further. However, if you are still curious about this glorious establishment, they have great rolls and other appetizers. Personally, I was not in love with the black rice sushi but it was not fault of Union (just my taste buds). When I return to Chicago, this will be my first and last stop. Hoping to dream about truffile tuna and a platter of nigiri with west coast rap serenading the event!!!!
(5)Jamie B.
Sushi was pretty good, but overall I found this place to be overpriced for the value. $12 for a 5 oz. glass of mediocre white wine? No thanks. The fresh wasabi we were offered (and accepted like idiots) was a $5.00 charge which our server never mentioned. I just was not impressed, I think there are better sushi paces (with BYOB options) than this place.
(2)Douglas B.
I can't say enough about this place. Yes, another 5 stars, seems that some of these places have not been disappointing at all. Union has amazing music playing every time I've been there. Old school hip hop.. nothing more, nothing less. None of that BS dance music, none of that new crap wanna-be rap... real hip hop. Makes dining there so much the better. They have a killer happy hour... $1 oysters with delicious crispy onion toppings, green onion, chile oil and fish roe... so good!! $3 beef skewers so tender so good and a $6 huuuuge shrimp maki. I always go for the pork shoulder, it is full of flavor. All of their meats are cooked over a 600degree fire. They have kangaroo and alligator as well. I will need to attempt the kangaroo one day. The sushi is fantastic, the fish is fresh and they give you nice portions. The uni is creamy and grade A. They have a few mixologists and make fantastic drinks, the have a long list of house drinks they make. .. very creative. I stick to a Makers Mark manhattan, they knock it out of the park. Not to mention the black cherry they put in there, so much better than the maraschino. Go! Go try the happy hour specials. The food is not that pricey, its the drinks that get ya, they are pricey but so damn good and worth every penny. If you like to drink, be careful, you will down them one after another with out batting an eye :D
(5)Alex G.
I'm here for my second time. I can't tell you how much I love this place. Crab legs if on the special are a must. Love the Devon toll. Also had the cold cider mule, amazing! My go to for all of my out of state visitors!
(5)Jenny H.
Union Sushi is fun, funky, and fresh! We had a choice of sitting in front of the robata grill or at the sushi bar (no tables were available at the time). We picked the latter and it was the best decision of the evening! Consider it a front row seat into the meticulous artistry that is their sushi. We started out with some edamame and then worked our way through the menu... TRUFFLED TUNA Based on the overwhelming recs on here, we followed suit. It was decent, but I'm the kind of person that would've liked the tuna itself to come out more. PROSCUITTO-WRAPPED-SCALLOP oh, my gawd Becky-- look at that scallop... it is so big! It was palm-sized perfection: smoky, juicy, a tad on the saltier side but oh-so-scrumptious! Then a foray into half to full portions of sushi: TSUKIJI MARKET CHESAPEAKE BAY DEVON RAINBOW We both liked the Tsukiji simply because it was subtle yet refreshing, my dining companion had commented that it was very much like a Vietnamese spring roll. I liked the Devon because of its textures and sweetness, though I could've done without the overpowering eel sauce. I've never had black rice sushi and the Chesapeake was a good introduction. Who would've thought... crisp collard green wrapped sushi? BANANA BREAD + ICE CREAM Recommended by our server and I love anything banana-themed because of its subtle sweetness. Banana bread came out moist and warm. Paired nicely with the banana ice cream. We dined to the musical likes of Weezy and 50cent. Made for a uniquely entertaining night of creative eats. Shout out to Aum, even though he wasn't directly our sushi chef, he made sure we could approach him in the interim since our server wasn't available and even offered us a sample of their cannolis (which I will definitely have to try next time since I was so stuffed). Our fast friendship was solidified with a parting fist bump and best believe, I will be seeking him out on my next visit! Sit at the bar, order something from the grill and a variety from their union roll list. Guaranteed good time!
(4)Alex J.
If you don't want to be seated at the sushi bar, make sure to make reservations - the host staff WILL be catty. Personally, I love to sit at the sushi bar at this place. There is a female waitress there named Aniporn (spelling?) who is awesome! The happy hour special is fantastic ($1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2 grilled beef skewers). The house drinks that I have had there were good. The prawn with kale salad is excellent. So is the black rice sushi sampler. I really love this place!
(4)Catie R.
A few co-workers and I tried this out for lunch the other day, and had a slightly better than average experience. Two of them got the Surf n Turf bento box and were disappointed at the size of the sliders- they were not filling for the price. What is saving Union Sushi from only a 3-star rating is the edamame was tastier than I've had before, and their Dragon Roll was absolutely addicting- I'd go here again, but not for the bento boxes.
(4)Nichole C.
I think I'm going to have to reevaluate my feelings for Sushi X and Toro Sushi now that I have experienced the wonder of Union. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I don't know if it's the atmosphere (cool industrial space with tagged up walls and an open kitchen), the drinks (those bartenders WORK for their money and the drinks have ingredients I have never heard of...not to forget they also have SPARKLING SAKE and some good craft beers), the food (black rice sushi...what other evidence do you need?), or our server (he was the nicest, sweetest, cutest thing in the world and he was a great server too) but I love it here. I was also impressed with the menu (both sushi and bbq), the specials and appetizers (damn, they make me feel fancy with that iPad menu!), and the drinks other than alcohol (Japanese sodas, teas, etc.). The only thing that I would mention (if I have to be picky) is that you should probably make a reservation (of course the place is packed) and the regular old rolls like the spicy tuna are totally boring compared to the others that they serve so go big or go home. And try the black rice...it's the bomb.
(5)Steven N.
Not a bad place with both sushi and robata grill all under one roof. For our taste, this place is a bit too trendy though. We tried the black sesame rice sushi platter and found ourselves wanting back the regular sushi rice instead. Their fish quality is ok, but not overly impressive. We also tried some items off their robata grill - if you are into gamey meat like kangaroo, bison or alligator, this is the place for you. We thought the scallops from the grill was the best item we tried. Parking is easy there and the atmosphere is relaxed, so give it a shot if you are in the neighborhood. We won't be returning since it's not really what we like.
(3)Dominic V.
Really good and creative sushi.
(5)Mike W.
My wife had been raving about this place for months and then we went with friends on a recent Friday night. It was good but not spectacular . I definitely thought the black rice was a cool touch and I really liked the ice cream. Also, our server had a fantastic mustache (and was a pretty good waiter). The fresh wasabi ground at your table is cool. And sake in a can is great. I had enough cans of sake + the bourbon drink (also pretty good) that I don't clearly recall what we ate. It's a bit on the pricey side although for where it is and what it's trying to be I didn't think it outrageous.
(3)Claire M.
I've been here a half-dozen times now and always, always, always return every time I'm in Chicago. The menu is creative, the food is tasty, and I just love the energy. My favorites on the menu are the truffled tuna, black rice sushi sampler, the spare rib and the fatty tuna sashimi. In fact, that list right there is pretty much what we order every single time! I'm always surprised as well by how reasonable the prices are for a wonderful sushi meal. For example, two girlfriends and I came here over the summer and absolutely gorged ourselves for less than $45 a person including a bottle of wine and a nice tip. Another huge plus -- it's so easy to book a reservation here using OpenTable. The service tends to be competent rather than overly warm, although I have had some great servers. The last time we were here I found our server a little too pushy about upselling us on the fresh wasabi without mentioning there was an extra charge. However, we've had consistently great experiences with the bartenders -- I might even try eating at the bar sometime if I'm there by myself!
(5)Ryan R.
High quality, fresh sushi, and knowledgeable staff. Consistently great food either dining at restaurant or picking up for carry out sushi. The fact that they have delicious, healthy BLACK RICE available is A+. My favorite spicy tuna roll in Chicago by far. I also love all their sashimi and the truffled tuna appetizer. Never a disappointment!
(4)Heather K.
We had a great night! We went for a casual business dinner (among friends) about a week ago. Very impressed from the start with the atmosphere, music, and overall vibe. We had a reservation, but decided to stay at the bar because we were enjoying the company of Adam! He was our fantastic bartender. If you are looking for an easy going and fun night out with great drinks and great food, this is the place. We let him make recommendations and just keep bringing out the food and drinks! Loved the truffled tuna! He even made great vegetarian recommendations for one person in our party. We had a great time and really enjoyed everything! #thanksadam ;)
(5)Jvmr C.
We came here a second time. Still great food, atmosphere, and service. It seems they took my (or someone else's) advice and replaced the cheap plastic sampler/tasting plates with heavier plates. Also I was disappointed that they no longer offer the tableside preparation of fresh wasabi. But I would still definitely recommend it.
(4)Lena H.
Sat at the sushi bar which is a little distracting when you're starving and trying the have a conversation. When my sushi arrived, man it was delicious! I was prepared to go all out and forgo my diet. Coincidently, the rolls i chose, only one included rice, the lower carb black rice. It was the Chespeake Bay. DO NOT PASS IT UP. So good!! The place is pricy, but I really enjoyed the sushi, and felt guilt free, so I guess it was worth it!
(4)Jessica P.
I ordered from here one night thinking it'd be amazing . The service was great but the food seemed sloppy. like a child put it together. The chicken seemed so bland nearly a hint of salt . sushi was poorly put together, soup over salted with hardly enough components. Not to mention prices are ridiculous Neat place great service - poor food quality .
(2)Conrad S.
Great sushi place, some nights the sushi is phenomenal sometimes it is not. It gets pretty busy on the weekends but that's Chicago for you. Inside is a very cool modern kind of look, the lighting is very well done and brings out how cool their space is.
(4)Rachna K.
What can I say? They have the best vegetarian roll ever - the Devon. The Devon roll is TO DIE FOR! Soooo good! My husband, who loves meat and seafood, is also equally enamored with the Devon. The rest of the rolls are pretty good too. My hubby has had a few items from the BBQ bar - including the beef and alligator, he said it was okay. The Devon roll alone will keep me coming back here! Great place if you are vegetarian but in the mood for sushi!
(4)Amy W.
Looved Union, firstly for the open layout with unique designs -- the high ceilings, the wall art, and the robata grill display! The service was also great. Our waitress was efficient, knowledgable, and also courteous. My boyfriend and I tried one of the specials, the grilled bay scallops, which were absolutely delicious (I thought the use of iPads to display the specials was quite unique as well). The portion was a bit small, though; for $5 we got only two scallops. The sushi was average; nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about. The duck-fat yakisoba was amaazing, however! It had just the right amount of kick to it. And as for dessert -- oh my! We shared the taro mochi cake and a scoop of the uni ice cream. The latter was an interesting combination of flavored and textures that I had never tasted before. The ice cream definitely had a strong savory, uni flavor and was almost a bit cheesy in texture, but it was perfectly balanced out with the crispy caramel. I would recommend sharing, though. It might have been too heavy for me if I had had it myself!
(5)Sandy D.
Boyfriend made reservations in advanced for my birthday. there were plenty of open tables yet, they were going to be seated right in front of the door, but i asked to be seated upstairs. the food was delicious. I was happy with the chef sashimi choices, however a little disappointed that it was not garnished with radish shreds nor the green edible leaves - I had to ask for the radish shreds. Also, we sat with empty dishes and no drinks for quite some time. i had to request that our dishes get removed and more drinks. Our waitress had been busy taking shots with a party near us. After a while our waitress was slurring her words, working slow and was waaaay too touchy feely with us - it made me too uncomfortable. I was not liking the service at this point - luckily Choa one of the owners came by and thanked us for coming and gave us a taste of white smoked tuna. he turned it around for sure! i look forward to coming back, the owners just need to watch their staff to not get messed up while working - its not professional. I also over heard the table that our waitress was taking shots with, when they closed up, they shorted the waitress. hmmm - i wonder why. sober staff count better.
(4)Cami R.
Loved the place!! Great decor and friendly staff!! We ordered the skinny geisha as a cocktail, it was good but a little more alcohol would do no harm... We had a lot of rolls but the ones who standed out were the shrimp tempura and the mushroom with black rice. For dessert the brownie... it is to die for!!
(4)Eatie J.
Been here several times and I must say... This must be love.
(5)Jim K.
Not like a regular sushi place. Go for the unique and different here it's all great. It was my first time having kangaroo. Interesting. Not what I would have expected, and tasty. The beef to tongue skewers are also spectacular - we must have ordered at least five of them. Definitely go for the black sushi rice. Normally I don't like this kind of rice but here it is done well, and actually adds to the diversity of the rolls. Also be sure to try the rolls that use seaweed alternates as wrappers - radish and the like. The bartender is also a wizard with the white whiskey. Good, even if super strong, beverages. Maybe a bit overpriced for what you get, but yummy.
(5)Joanne N.
Oh Union Sushi how I wish you were better. I live right in the neighborhood and would love for this place to be everything its trying to be. Here are my thoughts: Sushi- okay not great. I don't enjoy overly complicated rolls so if I'm going to get a basic tuna or hamachi roll, I want it to taste really fresh. I don't always feel that way with these rolls. Oysters- same deal as the sushi. Not the best in the world, but fine. I think they overcompensate with other flavors when I think oysters are best standing on their own. I'll only order them during happy hour. The noodle soups- I do love these. They are the reason I gave union 3 stars instead of 2. The spicy pigtail ramen is great if you have a cold. It's also sooo tasty. Union serves its purpose; trendy sushi spot in river north. Just not my favorite place in town!
(3)Maria G.
My first Restaurant Week restaurant!!! I made a point to this year finally make a reservation to a restaurant participating in restaurant week. I called up a pal, said here's my list, and we go from there. She ended up going with Union Sushi and I was totally stoked! We had reservations for 6:45 and there was hella traffic on the way there! I also didn't look into parking info ahead of time but was crossing my fingers that street parking would be readily available. 6:40 pm and I spot the restaurant. And look! Street Parking! Right across the street!!! Hellz yeah!!! My dining partners had just arrived as well and we were seated immediately. Service was great! And I loved the decor and ambiance. I was totally digging the music and then threw my hands up when some Slim Shady came on! The food was all delicious BUT...I did not care for the Black Pepper shrimp appetizer. It was totally unappealing and I would not recommend it. I had a great night here and will definitely be back for some more of that Black Rice Sushi!
(4)Martha Z.
My friend and I took a seat at the bar in front of the sushi chef. We ordered the BBQ sampler and it all came out tasting very good. We also tried the rice pudding for dessert and was so delicious that we ate it up so quickly. The waiter was also very attentive and super nice. Would definitely go back when I'm back in Chicago.
(5)Jessica N.
I LOVE Union!!!! Have been there twice in the past month again and have had a fabulous experience every time. Amazing service - very knowledgeable and helpful but not OVERLY on top of you Food - Their new Agedashi potato is SO good. Plus tried the new grilled prawn and it was like lobster - delicious! Always have great music and a fabulous vibe!
(5)David O.
I decided to try Union Sushi after watching an episode of "Check Please," that featured the restaurant. All three diners on the show had positive comments, which prompted me to check it out. Great fresh sushi really enjoyed the BBQ. Atmosphere was totally laid back at the same time very contemporary. The only down side was out waitresses kinda sucked. Wasn't very attentive, water, napkins, nowhere to be found when wanting to order more, but overall was a great night. Highly recommend for a first date kinda night.
(4)James Z.
I know we need to talk about the food immediately, but can we mix things up a minute and talk about how much I love the location and design of this place? I kinda love the fact that it's right next to the El tracks. There's something rustic and romantic about its proximity to an old subway artery. It's also positioned on a corner where you can dine watching the action of River North around you. Big windows and dim lighting allow for the streetscape to become your source of visual entertainment. The interior design, however, is not understated. I love the vibrant colors, murals, and funky lights. I am reviewing Union Sushi & BBQ Bar mainly based on my most recent visit for Restaurant Week. We had a Friday night reservation for 8:15. We got there ten minutes early and they told us our table wasn't going to be ready until 8:15. We waited until 8:30 when we were sat. Our hostess apologized for the delay, and luckily we didn't get sat near the front door where there is an unpleasant draft. I ordered the Surprise & Delight cocktail. It had muddle strawberries, pimm's, simple syrup, cucumber vodka, lemongrass, and seltzer. It was refreshing and transported me to summertime --- a much needed reminder of warmth in the middle of this brutal Chicago winter. The miso soup was our starter. Yummy! It was a nice beginning to our meal... along with the complimentary edamame. For appetizers, he ordered the truffle oil tuna with potato chips. Amazing! Very truffle-y! I ordered the prawns with chili. Good stuff. My boyfriend ordered the Surf & Turf as his main entree which was a fillet of beef served with crispy shrimp, thinly-sliced fried potatoes, and a sweet potato cream that had the consistency of a puree. I had a sushi platter; it was delicious -- especially the spicy tuna. Now, for the sweet stuff... I like dessert, but don't always NEED it. Thankfully, for Restaurant Week, dessert was included and boy was I glad! The killer yuzu pie was refreshing... and very tart!! (Actually, a bit *too* tart for my liking, but still amazing.) I wish the crust wasn't that hard to cut through though. The pumpkin mochi cake, however, won out in the end. The cream cheese ice cream, pumpkin brittle, and caramel made this dish. Our server was fine. She seemed a little scatter-brained at times, and wasn't super attentive, but nothing egregious or praiseworthy to report. Out of all the RW places we went to this year, my boyfriend and I agreed this was our favorite.
(4)Chitterne B.
Turn up the damn heat. Please. So cold - do not let them seat you in the tables near the windows during the winter!
(3)Ma M.
sushi was delicious and the chicken skewer was tasty, wish they was little more to curry but regardless I would order it again
(3)Kate D.
Everything everything everything was delicious. The sushi rolls were fantastic, the drinks were amazing and the dessert was the perfect end to the meal. Recommend the mushroom roll, the scallop with black rice roll(cant remember the fancy name). Dan our waiter took such amazing care of our pregnant friend that the service might have been the highlight. Ask for Dan. I will be back for more sushi:)
(5)Julia P.
Have eaten here at least 6 times now, with quite varying experiences. Has ranged from a delightful relaxed time at the bar talking to the owner, watching him prepare a very special dish, and getting some Chicago Thai restaurant tips, to perfectly fine experience with good wait staff, to sitting at a bench seat feeling as if in a hole unable to quite reach the table, to being treated a bit as an imposition by front staff even with reservation and being rushed by servers, to, worst of all, - freezing so badly at most recent visit that even with floor length down coat on I still felt as if having chills from influenza throughout entire meal and couldn't wait to leave. The food will win out and bring me back though, and I have hope that some of these other issues could become more consistent, hopefully on the good end! Most easily remedied would probably be to develop systems for timing the coursing of plates being served and refraining from rushing diners. As it stands, we are just careful to order only a couple of things and try to plan it out ourselves the best we can. Black rice items here are the standout for me. Yum. Inspired me to make black rice at home more often. Also delicious is the lightly topped presentation of the oysters, and the time we hit happy hour for those was a nice bargain surprise. March 2014 update. Adding a star for recent nice experiences. For us a key seems to be dining at the bar, but that may be coincidence combined with our personal preference. Union continues to be a favorite.
(4)Matthew F.
The food here is sublime! Entered and was seated in no time flat (they were REALLY full). I ordered the edamame and the tuna salad (it's not really a salad. It's more like a tower of tuna with truffle.) Both were great. I have a knack for eating A LOT OF sushi, and it was very fresh. The restaurant pickles their own onions and puts it on top of the tuna nigiri.... OH.MY .GOD. It was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. One less star because while the food is good.....it is REALLY EXPENSIVE. Not a weekly restaurant......probably once every few months. Great place for dates.
(4)Beth K.
YUM! Love this place! Love the atmosphere, the drinks and the food! The minute you sit down, they bring you edamame. There was something tasty sprinkled on it, but I can't remember what it was. Our waiter for the evening, was awesome and patient. I think he checked on us 4 times before we actually decided what we wanted to order, food wise. Drink order always goes in right away. They have so many fun cocktails there, you really can't go wrong. I ended up ordering some sashimi they had as a special and it was delightful. Our server (forgot his name) recommended it and said it was similiar to a halibut, or maybe it was red snapper. Haha, either was it was great! I also got my standard black rice hokkaido roll. I love it, and could probably eat it every day. I also love that you get an option of ordering 4 or 8 pieces. My friend is a little more adventurous then I am and had the alligator rib. He loved it, and can't wait to go back when they get the kangaroo (sad) back on the menu. If you haven't been and are looking to try something new check out Union. Whether you order sushi or order something from the bbq/robata menu you won't be disappointed. Cheers!
(5)Kori E.
We came here last night for Restaurant Week and boy was I impressed!!! We decided to come a little early to have a drink at the bar before dinner, and I think the only disappointing factor was the lack luster bartender. He was borderline rude. However, when we moved on to our table our waitress was super friendly, attentive and gave great suggestions! I would highly recommend doing the Restaurant week menu as you get a huge bang for your buck ;) We split the sushi and pork and were STUFFED. The portions are huge and everything was so spot on. The desserts were also phenomenal and massive portions once again! I loved the black rice sushi, and nothing was dosed in tempura or mayo, the fish was really the main ingredient, which I liked. They have a great drink list as well and would recommend ordering the Skinny Geisha, I had two and loved them! I will for sure be returning to Union, such a great spot! Im surprised it took me this long to make it here.
(5)Sean P.
Pretty good sushi and it's not too bad trying to get reservations on the same day. It was a little bit too loud being seated upstairs. I've had better experiences downstairs where you could actually hear the person you're sitting next to.
(4)Diane W.
I called almost 3 weeks in advance for a dinner reservation of 10 for my birthday. The hostess stated that should be fine and took my name and contact information down and stated their event planner would contact me sometime before the dinner. About a week before the dinner reservation, I had not heard back from the event planner so I called to confirm my reservation only to find out they had no reservations under that name. The only times they could offer me was 10:00 at night..which who wants to eat that late. I then asked to speak with the manager who was great. He was very accommodating and took care of all my issues. He was able to ft my friends in at 8:00 reservation as I had requested. I have eaten here before, always great service and great food.
(4)Tony B.
Recently went for a birthday and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere! It's a place you can miss though it's in River North it's not near a ton of other restaurants, tucked in by the El. Nice thing is if you have a crew that has some non-sushi lovers there's good variety on the menu. Good shareables. Manager came over and greeted us, staff threw a little birthday celebration for my buddy Mark and over all it was just a very welcoming and delicious evening.
(4)Natalia K.
the rolls are tiiiiiiiiiiny. a full order of salmon roll is literally half the size of any salmon roll i've eaten anywhere else. if you like thick rolls with big pieces of fish and rice paper, i would basically go anywhere but here. i can't say anything about their ramen or bbq or whatever else they serve, since i haven't tried it but the sushi was a fail. and we ordered a lottttt of different rolls. i've heard such good things about this place but was honestly really disappointed.
(1)Nazy H.
Made these reservations from about a month before and told them it was a surprise birthday. Granted it changed from a party of 6 to a party of 10 but they also had to change our time from 9 PM to 10 PM which I said that is fine as long as we get to sit at 10 PM. Well our party waited at the bar for 45 minutes before we were even seated and they only came by to us once saying that it will be a few more minutes before I continuously asked them if they could please just do something because everyone was so hungry at this point. Then the entire order taking and dinner process was slow. The black rice sushi was delicious. And we got the bbq platter that everyone loved as well. So overall, food was great but service definitely needs some work.
(3)Jaime G.
Union Sushi has some good sushi and ambiance...but rest is just other food. A little over priced too. Go here if you want to hang out for a drink and a sushi app...but that's about it.
(3)Aubrey R.
Food was good, not the best, but good. Thought the prices were kind of high for what you got. We ordered some rolls, tuna with truffle oil app, some pieces of bbq, slider appetizer and the surf and turf. Surf and turf was the best, meat was tender, prawns were good and price of that was worth it. The sauce was excellent! The slider appetizer was okay...that definitely didn't taste like wagyu, the pork belly was good and the crab cake one was okay. Pork belly wasn't that tender, flavor was good. For the bbq, the rib had good flavor, we ordered two. One was super tender and melted in your mouth, the other wasn't that tender and kind of hard. The duck I was told was also just okay. The skin was crispy, but flavor was so so. My husband and friend did enjoy the lamb because it didn't taste gamey. The key lime pie was overly tart and sour, not good at all. The chocolate brownie was pretty good. Service was good, place looks big, but they don't have that many tables it seems and it gets really loud. It was nice to try a new place, but I prefer Sunda and Slurping Turtle and feel you get more for your money there. We spent $275 for 4 people and we left comfy, not full. Totally don't mind dropping this much money for food, but it should be worth it. Oh I did enjoy the Simple + Delight (I think that is what it was called). Vodka cucumber drink. Yum!
(3)Sarah K.
Adam just whipped up the most amazing drink on the fly. Come for drinks, stay for sushi, you won't regret it!
(5)Hayley N.
The food was delicious and the service was great! I was stuffed after the meal, but it left me wanting more! I will definitely come back here with friends. We got a lot of different things to try: House Salad- standard, but really yummy dressing Lamb Chops- excellent flavor- a little fatty Truffle Tuna- delicious, but wasn't overwhelmed with truffle flavor Wagyu Beef- a little too rare for me, but it was still good-- nothing crazy 2 rolls-- one white rice and one black rice (both awesome!!!) Pumpkin dessert with mochi- UNREAL Enjoyed the place a lot. A good place for a fun atmosphere and interesting food.
(4)Monica C.
2 words: Complete Ripoff!! My boyfriend and I ordered delivery from this place on GrubHub. In the end, everything came out to around $60 dollars, so we were expecting a good portion of food. When the order came, we were shocked - it was only enough to feed a person for half a meal. And they forgot the soy sauce, great. We were left starving and bitter. The food itself was a mediocre attempt at high-end sushi that fell flat. Old City Market Roll: The description goes "Spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion and crispy onion wrapped in collard green." Sounds fancy enough. WELL IT AIN'T. All I tasted was tuna wrapped around a sad little piece of green leaf, with a thin layer of black rice that looked like it was accidentally smudged on. Spider Roll: I chewed and chewed, but can only taste a hint of crab. I suspect some baby crabs were used in the production of this roll. Sauteed Maitake Mushrooms: I swear they were trying to give me high blood pressure. SO MUCH SALT. Whole Squid: Eh, it was ok. Again, tiny baby squid. Hold on to your wallets guys and go somewhere else to get your money's worth!
(1)Adam K.
BBQ wasn't as on point this time, neither was service, still above the avg though.
(4)Mary L.
I've never had such amazing food in my entire life. My boyfriend and I went for a date night expecting the best - and that is what we got! My server was Dan and he was not only extremely attentive, but courteous, respectful, and even remembered I was pescetarian when I ordered a prosciutto-wrapped scallop. He's the best. When you go, order the ume wine - it will blow your mind. Nothing says proper Japanese sushi than a glass of Ume wine to round off your meal. Basically, I have no complaints about this place. Every single thing we ordered was cooked (or not cooked!) to absolute perfection. The service was great, the menu inventive, and the Yuzu pie to die for. When my boyfriend and I can afford it, we'll definitely go again. In the meantime, we'll sing praises to the sushi Gods for Union.
(5)Cassandra F.
My partner and I went here for our anniversary. The decor is a little odd, and the music is a little on the loud side, but other than that it was a fantastic experience. Our server was perfect -- just the right amount of attentiveness with being smothering or fussy. We ordered some robata skewers to start, which were quite tasty, as well as the duck fat yaki soba, which was excellent. The sushi was outstanding, especially the Chesapeake Bay roll. Seriously some of the best sushi I've had, and I've eaten a lot of sushi. But perhaps the highlight of the meal was dessert: a to-die-for chocolate brownie, and a yuzi pie so good my partner (who doesn't care for sweets) couldn't stop eating it. I will absolutely eat here again, although I may order take away, as it's on the way home. I'm also keen to try their lunch bentos. A+
(4)Jose V.
I can't believe it took me that long to try this place given that is only a couple of blocks away from me! I came on a Friday night with friends and the place wasn't really that busy, however the server indicated that they were totally booked for the night.. And we had to wait and see, so luckily and after having a few drinks, a cancellation came along, so we were able to sit down after only 25 mins.. For the appetizers we just went for the truffled tuna which was fantastic. For main course we decided to split the black rice sushi sampler and a salad, everything was really tasty, you could tell the quality of the ingredients.. Servers are a bit awkward but still nice, music was a bit off from the atmosphere they are trying to create, perhaps some lounge music might be suitable but oh well, not a deal breaker ;) Drinks were good, not the best, portions and pricing were reasonable, overall experience great, definitely coming back, especially for their truffled tuna..
(4)Natalya M.
I went to Union Sushi last night with my friend and I still cannot get Spicy Tuna roll with black rice out of my head. My friend and I made a pact right there and then to come back and just order that...it was pure perfection. This roll is definitely one of the best things I've ever tasted...and if you're one of those who doesn't care for sesame oil, like myself, be afraid not...I couldn't taste it. If I could have this roll for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I would! We also ordered Spicy Tuna with regular rice, Dragon Roll, Devon roll and Hokkaido. Hokkaido was my least favorite as it tasted pretty fishy, but I am not a fan of raw scallops unless they are drowning in spicy mayo and masago mix. All the rolls we tried, including regular Spicy Tuna pale in comparison to the Spicy Tuna with Black Rice. If you think that you're not going to order a boring spicy tuna roll that you've eaten 10 thousand times by now even if it's covered in black rice...Stop, don't think...just do it. We also tried the Pumpkin mochi cake dessert, which I ordered because everyone in Yelp seems to love it. I liked it but next time I am going to save my calories for the spicy tuna roll.
(5)Jenny F.
Came here on a Saturday night and had some great food and drinks! The service is really great - super friendly staff and server. I was looking for a drink to warm up from the winter and the waitress recommended the hot cider mule which was delicious. I also had the kuro smash which was great. For the dessert the pumpkin mochi pie is pretty good as well. Not quite a mochi texture - a little bit more crumbly and pie-like.
(5)Ryan G.
Two years on and Union has still exceeded all of my expectations throughout. Yes, there has been the occasional busy lunch service causing slow food that I had to sometimes take back to my office but that only makes my fellow employees jealous... Notable additions to their menu include seared fois-gras wrapped with a beef tataki, alligator ribs, the fried oyster and wagyu burger, octopus salad... Chef Chao, Aum and the rest of the kitchen staff are constantly evolving and elevating their menu and every new dish has been great. Top that off with a great group outing on New Year's Eve 2012 with eight people all sat around the robata grill and this restaurant continues to be my favorite in the Chicago. Congrats to Mike, Chao, Aum, Dan, Amy, Kathy and the rest of the staff for 2 great years and hopefully many more to come. I'll be looking forward to it.
(5)D W.
The food was terrible. I don't understand why this place received so many good reviews. There are so many better places for sushi. I ordered the eel and ebi rolls with black rice and seaweed. The sushi was dry and didn't have any flavor. I get better sushi from Osaka Express in the South Loop at half the price. I guess I am spoiled because I lived in Japan and I know the difference of authentic sushi/Japanese food. The place is mediocre at best. Definitely would not come back.
(1)Ryan K.
The specialty sushi rolls and chocolate mousse brownie are outstanding. I would have given 4 stars if the staff had not been in such a hurry to clear our table. We sat down for dinner at 7:50pm and by 9pm they were starting to rush us along. It was awkward and they close at 10:30pm. Maybe take out only on early week days would make more sense for them.
(3)Nate L.
Oishi ryori arigato gozaimashita!!!!!! Your happy hour rocks! 1 dollar oysters 2 dollar beef skewers 6 dollar shrimp rolls 2 dollar PBR Did I mention 1 dollar oysters? I had braised beef tongue, 1 dozen oysters, beef short rib, 1 shrimp rolls, 2 PBRs and 1 Snow Flake Sake. Everything is flavorful and decently priced. Great place for an Happy Hour!
(5)Maggie P.
One of my favorite Sushi places. I love the black rice sampler and the fresh grated wasabi. Their BBQ sampler is also amazing. The bartender knows what hes doing and they have my favorite lychee martini.
(4)Calvin Y.
As a transplant from Los Angeles, I thought the quality of the food was alright relative to the price. The robata items are a bit on the expensive side, the specialty sushi was nothing amazing, and the cocktails were NYC pricey. Service was a bit slow the night I went, even when the restaurant was at maybe 50% capacity for peak of dinner hours.
(3)Nicole J.
What a cool place! Had never had black rice sushi before...absolutely amazing. Even if you are not a vegetarian, try the sushi with the sweet potato in it, it's delicious.
(4)Diana J.
Tried this place out for Restaurant Week, and was very pleased with their prix fixe menu. On the table was black pepper shrimp and truffled tuna with wonton chips for apps; Surf & Turf, and Sushi Roll combo of black rice tuna roll and shrimp tempura roll. The food was very generous in portion, with some complimentary edamame to start things off. I also ordered one of their $11 cocktails which was interesting, but not worth trying unless you have money you don't want to keep and crave an interesting fruit drink. But, back to the food: Black pepper shrimp: these were large and I very much liked them. The one thing I didn't like was that the heads were still on, and when I tried to do the thing where you get all that delicious goodness out of the head...I found slimy, strange tasting goo in there. Truffled tuna: This packed a wasabi punch, for sure~! It is not for the faint of heart, and is nicely sized. The side of wonton crisps were tasty and addictive. Sushi rolls: I couldn't believe that both rolls came included~! The black rice spicy tuna was delicious and had the right amount of spice. The shrimp tempura was tart, spicy, and sweet...worth going back for. Surf and Turf and Pork dishes were so good, but not my orders, so I didn't get to try them! Desserts: I tried the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it took me back to eating Arros con Leche as a kid. It was warm, cold, creamy, and cream-cheesy all in one. I hardly had any room left for it, but it was a great treat. Overall, I felt they put their best foot forward for this Restaurant Week menu.
(4)Marisa G.
This place is phenomenal. My boyfriend and I try to go when we are in Chicago visiting family. My boyfriend doesn't like sushi normally but has loved every roll we have tried there! The chili shrimp appetizer is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I would go there and order three appetizers and be a happy girl. Things to order from the sushi menu: - Shrimp tempura roll: the whole roll is fried. I mean a delicious roll that is then fried. - I can't remember the name, but its a fried calamari roll. It's even better then the shrimp tempura roll - THE SCALLOP ROLL. I normally don't like cooked sushi but this is the best thing I have tried there... I think i also had a dream about it last night We also got a tuna roll that was wrapped in greens instead of seaweed/soy paper. It was good but not my favorite. Overall, fantastic place with amazing food and great drinks. If you are feeling like your wallet is too full that day, definitely try a bottle of sake. The staff is very knowledgeable on different types. It can be rather expensive though.
(5)Lundy H.
Best meal I've ever eaten. Period. Fiancé and I had two main dishes, three apps, and I had a beer for $62. Amazing.
(5)Sijia C.
Terriblely awful!!! Both the severice and the food... The robata is so Americanlized that I didnt feel I was eating Japanese food...they are over salty...bad bad :(
(1)Norah S.
Come here on a corporate event. When the food is not that good it takes off half of the fun
(3)Aleksandra R.
Sleek menu, good specials, personable server, full bar, and a nice atmosphere made me give this place a 5. The portions might not be the biggest but it was definitely a nice experience. The tables seemed a bit too closed to each other but the couple next to me stroke out a conversation and recommended some appetizers which made me feel very at ease. The bus boys while seemed a bit sloppy, they were ok. No TVs in the restaurant area which is really nice cuz it's not that type of place where you want TVs around. The server carries a tablet where you can scroll down to see the specials and a quick description of the dishes which I thought saved a lot of time. I had camel meat which was a first for me, rainbow, shrimp tempura and other meats from the BBQ bar. Two thumbs up. Oh and the server was super sweet. For dessert I had ice cream which was a nice touch at the end. A great experience.
(5)Alex J.
Union is a tradition amongst my closest friends and I. We frequently conquer happy hour - $4 shrimp tempura rolls in particular, but the beef skewers and oysters also pleasure both our palettes and our wallets. By conquer, I mean we indulge in as much happy plates as possible, making small talk with the bartenders and sushi chefs we've come to know and love. Union is also a great spot for dates, delivering an atmosphere that's sure to ignite the romance of your life. And if it doesn't, at least you have alligator skewers to boost your mood after she leaves because you made fun of her for thinking "zen" and "karma" are real things. I've heard alligator tastes like chicken, but, after sampling Union's, I've decided chicken merely tastes like a poor excuse for alligator. Any of the ramen soups are delicious, and check out the banana cream brittle with mochi as it is much better than the date that left you. It almost makes you believe in zen and karma, and that you're finally getting recognized for that time you helped an old lady put her groceries in her trunk. Long story short, make Union part of your life.
(5)Helen H.
Service- excellent- really nice guy and just the right amount attentive. Drinks- excellent. Ambiance is really cool. ESP like the iPads. Food is pretty good - lamb chops- great - seared Waygu - a favorite - fresh wasabi- the best! And very cool and unique way of serving it - oysters- a favorite- really good and fresh and the minuet is reallyyy good and a cool asian flair to it - sashimi cup- very good - mushroom dumplings- icky,. A really weird flavor and too rich and not enough flavor at the same time. - duck fat yaki soba - good but spicy - spare ribs ramen- good but my mom makes it better. Too bad she ain't open for biz so this is a good substitute - absolute favorite is the pumpkin Mochi cake with caramel and brittle. Sister literally licked the plate to get the last bits. Price... On the high side for how much food you got compared to some other tapas places. But for such small plates we could order more variety. Will come back if in the area.
(4)Danny W.
When I've got a freshman fifteen sized craving for ramen Union's where I go to get the goods. It's about the only place I've found in town so far that I can justify paying almost $15 for something I used to get for a dime in college. They're noodles are perfectly cooked and whether you add spicy pigtail or short rib it adds deliciously tender chunks of meat that make paying all that extra money worth it. Served in beefy broth it's exactly what the doctor ordered for a cold Chicago night. Not only are their noodles great, but I can get sushi and shoot the shit with Adam the awesome bartender. No joke...of the 5 times I've been here 3 of them I witnessed someone come in as a repeat customer specifically because of him. The guy is legit! Overall I love this place. For a date or dude-fest...you can't go wrong.
(5)Wattanaporn R.
I went there with my friends it was her birthday she would recommend this place and this place make me impressed with the foods was delicious and staff was nice.
(5)Chris H.
This place was okay. I had a roll and some nigiri and it all was fine. The black rice they use is really good, so I recommend that. The green tea ice cream Sunday was really good too. My only issue was the fact that in the hour or so I was sitting at the sushi bar, I didn't see them cut one piece of fish. I'm not sure if all that is done in the prep work, but it kinda bothered me.
(3)Tessa C.
I don't understand the hype at all of this place. Been here for happy hour because I heard it had great deals. First of all, for a place that has sushi in its name, it only had one sushi roll for happy hour. I should have checked the menu before coming. But moving on, got the beef skewer and the tempura roll. The tempura roll was okay, but I would not call this a deal. It was only half a roll, and it tasted mostly of fried batter. I couldn't taste anything else. The beef skewer was really chewy and it did not have much flavor. My friend seemed to enjoy her oysters, but how hard can it be to mess up something that is raw. Regardless, probably won't be coming back. Happy hour is subpar. If you are looking for a decent happy hour, go to Devon Seafood Grill or Sunda.
(2)Lauren K.
Excellent food here. Went during the lunch rush and it took forever to get our food, but I guess that's expected when you eat at 12:30. My dad had the sashimi cup, which he liked. I had a lunch bento with miso soup (good), salad (ok), tempura with hot dipping oil (great!), and spicy shrimp roll (also great!). I definitely want to try this place for dinner and review it again. Some of the mains look great and overall the service is good (just a little hectic at lunch). The restaurant itself is very hip and attractive.
(4)Dennis L.
I went to this restaurant with friend and family. I got the black rice sushi sampler. It tasted pretty good, although I couldn't really tell the difference between black rice and regular rice. Other people got the ramen and the Duck Fat Yaki Soba, and they said that they liked what they had. The service was fair, and the ambiance was nice, although it was a little bit louder than I expected. (I guess we were next to a pretty boisterous crowd.)
(4)Rachel B.
Our dearly departed Sushi Wabi that closed some time ago has been reincarnated! Chicagoans don't have many good sushi options, but Union to the rescue! Love the black rice sushi, highly recommend. Bay Street California roll is a must Soft Shell crab also incredible. Cute restaurant with a super chill vibe, grab a seat by the fire...super cozy this time of year-open seating. Highly recommend!
(5)Peter K.
Just had lunch at Union Sushi yesterday. Kept life simple, I had the Chef's black rice nigiri sampler, my friend had Chef's black rice vegan roll sampler. We both had the "Adventurous" sake flights. Sake was very nicely presented, but really, my sushi was the standout. Simply put, AMAZING! Possibly the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a LOT of sushi. Fresh, perfectly thick buttery soft, flavorful cuts of the freshest fish EVER! It reminded me the subtle difference between good sushi and GREAT sushi. And everyone we had contact with was courteous, cheerful and so well informed about their aspect of the experience. A total winner in every respect.
(5)Matthew M.
As usual, Union has proved to be amazing. The food surprises every time I go. Living in Chicago can spoil one's palette, which means it's rare to find food that is truly unique - Union nails it every time. Keep it up, thanks!
(5)Julie Y.
I'm so disappointed by my recent visit to Union. I raved about it so much, but I don't know if I can recommend it to my friends after my last experiemce there. I read many good things about their ramen so we planned a group outing there to try it. What showed up was far from what ramen is supposed to be. Anyone who has had ramen before knows that the noodles should be springy and chewy. The "house" noodles at Union were an abomination. FLAT!? Soggy. So poorly cooked that they clumped together into a little ball. It was like someone who didn't know how to cook just dumped fettuccine into a boiling pot and called it a day. The broth was flavorful but too thick and salty. I think I went through three glasses of water. At the end of the day, noodles make ramen. Overall, I lost my appetite and didn't even want to order the desserts that I loved so much on previous visits. If you are looking for actual ramen, STAY AWAY.
(1)Chris T.
Loved this place! Delicious food, great drinks, cool vibe... but expensive. So make sure you're celebrating something! I shared the barbecue sampler and the black rice sushi sampler with my friend and while I will say both were very yummy, we were still hungry after we finished. And at 27 bucks per plate (plus 10+ for drinks), we wished we had gotten a little more, or a lot more (we have big manly appetites, rawr). Drinks were also great. I had the Kuro smash and I think it was my favorite in our party.
(4)Kimberly K.
Typical trendy, downtown place that has some pretty mediocre offerings. I went for the oyster happy hour and am NOT a fan of the way they dress theirs. The crunchy tempura on top takes away from the oyster flavor. We ordered our next few rounds naked and were much happier. We were not at all satisfied with our cocktails. One member of our party even sent hers back because of the horrible smell. She's in the service industry and a pretty great judge of a good cocktail. I got one of the sushi rolls because the oysters just weren't doing it for me. I was not blown away by it, but it was fine. I would definitely NOT order any sashimi. It didn't seem like very high quality fish. With so many other great sushi and oyster options in the vicinity, I'd say skip this one!
(2)Antonio r.
I pretty much love everything g from here. The sushi is delicious and tastes fresh. My favorite thing to order is the truffle tuna with these chips or whatever they are. It's amazing and love the avocado. You should try the sampler with brown rice. I personally like the brown race more. I don't eat shell fish due to allergies but eat the whole sampler anyway.
(5)Joy R.
First time here. All the food was delicious. Service was fast. I love the decor and the music. They served me the sushi in a cucumber roll instead of rice without fuss. Thumbs up for the beef tongue. Definitely a young and hip atmosphere.
(4)monica m.
Delicious and creative. I would look forward to dining here again, and I wouldn't say that about many places.
(5)Josh K.
The food was great, although I expected more sushi options. I enjoyed having the opportunity to try different meats (lama and kangaroo were both tasty). They had a great selection of whiskey and cocktails as well. Our server was friendly, but she kept pushing us to get the expensive sake when we told her that we just wanted cheap sake to supplement our cocktails. I'll definitely go back, but I'll explore other restaurants in the meantime.
(4)Emily J.
Very good sushi!!! I recommend getting the black rice which is 1/2 the calories and carbs and white rice. Trendy and hype place to eat sushi and have a few drinks.
(4)Nan K.
The black rice sushi was strange. The alligator and kangaroo meat were just as strange. I probably should have ordered more ordinary things, but I guess I went more for the experience. I can't say much about their sushi since I didn't have any of the normal ones, but I had a little bit of sashimi which was pretty good. This place is very interesting and fun, but I don't know if the food was good enough for me to want to go back.
(3)Mark C.
Oh Union , you are the best. I recently dined here on NYE, and the service was absolutely wonderful. The staff was very accommodating to my group of 12. When another large party failed to relinquish her table in a timely manner , the host and staff apologized and quickly set my group up at another section. So my experience was going great even before the food came. Yes the food. There are so many items that you just can't go wrong by getting. Duck wing ?yes! Choosing one of the samplers, yes! Black rice sushi?! Takes a we. It longer, but worth the wait . And honestly the fact that a large group was able to have split checks is a huge plus. Of course I'm coming back.again and again
(5)April L.
This was our first visit and we went for lunch for my husbands birthday. We came for the barbecue and our meat options were ALL delicious! My husband and I shared several skewers as well as the outstanding escolar. No complaints on the food. The atmosphere was unique and vibrant. There's lots of seating and seems it would be fun to sit at the BBQ bar. While we didn't have sushi, it looked good and we will definitely go back to try it. They also had a good little lunch menu with bento boxes, but we opted for the BBQ. I'm really looking forward to another visit!
(5)Delia Z.
So, so good! Of course, things are pricey here, but the sushi was outstanding. Great flavor combinations and a wide variety of quality ingredients. Our waiter was also extremely friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend trying the black rice sushi sampler :)
(5)S P.
They have one of the best Shrimp Tempura Rolls that I have ever had. The food is pretty great when you go to the restaurant and sit down but I must say that it is not as good when you place an order for pick up. I have placed many orders for pick up since we live pretty close and every time I ask the hostess taking my order to please call me if it comes out earlier than the 45 minutes that they quote for it to be done. I never receive a call and I usually go over 20 minutes after placing the order and the food is still sitting at the host stand getting cold. I guess I should just place the order and go over right away if I want to have fresh food. I would recommend this restaurant for a sit down dinner to ensure your food is fresh and warm. They also have a great Happy hour on Fridays if you can make it there before 6:30 pm.
(3)M J.
Great happy hour with $1 oysters, $2 beef sticks and $4 shrimp tempura roll. I love all three of those things, but my wife is just "meh" about the beef. She really liked the Old City Market and I liked the Clifton #4, although I would recommend just a half order of each as I might get tired of the flavors after too many bites. Our server was awesome but I forgot his name (sorry!)
(5)Jake J.
On my search for a restaurant to have a tasty snack at, I came across Union. I wasn't looking to spend to much so I checked out their happy hour. It's from 5:00pm to 6:00pm and includes $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2.50 Robata sirloin skewers and $1 oysters. My girlfriend is an oyster finatic and loved the ones served here. They are topped with scallions, crispy onions, tobiko and ponzu. The Robata sirloin is amazingly tasty and the shrimp tempura is awesome as well. The ambiance is relaxing and fun with graffiti on the walls and almost seeming as though you are in an upscale train station. It sounds a bit different but is very fun. A very trendy restaurant, complimented by fantastic food. I think this would be a great place to have a birthday dinner or bring a couple of friends to enjoy an amazing meal. My experience at Union was nothing but fantastic! You have to check it out yourself.
(5)Monica M.
this is my sushi spot when i wanna head downtown. get the fresh wasabi, its lighter and less aggressive than the paste, but still has a kick. and they grate it for you on shark skin? i dont remember. sit at the bar. its fun to interact with the chefs and watch them make the rolls. fish is great quality. ive been keeping my eye out for a day i can go when they have live uni. i cant remember the names but the scallop roll is amazing. their hot sake is pretty good for the price. sip it all night.
(4)Kristen D.
Very cool ambiance here. We had the upstairs sectioned off for a dinner meeting and were served a prix fixe menu, most of which I cannot remember what we were served. Others in our party loved the mushroom roll, and whichever roll had the shrimp in it was my favorite. the meats (chicken and beef) served on tiny skewers were nothing to write home about, but I find that is pretty consistent with prix fixe dinners. I'll likely return with Clark some day, but we probably won't be rushing there.
(3)Matt G.
I work in the neighborhood and my colleagues and I frequent Union. We've had some service snafoos in the past, but the food is excellent. My personal favourite is the Spicy Pigtail Ramen, but the Sushi is also pretty good.
(4)Eunice A.
Super cute date night spot. Super salty food. Super pricey place for Super high sodium. Overall, you can guess--Super not worth it.
(1)Rick I.
Just ate a ton of sushi here. Was great! I especially like the uniqueness of this place including the Madai sushi. They don't have that everywhere. Now I'm moving on to the other side of the menu. The cook food off the Robata Grill. The filet of beef and the pork shoulder were outstandingly delicious!
(4)Karen X.
Not the best or most authentic sushi I've ever had by any means, but definitely very unique. This is one of the places that does "Asian fusion" quite well. The sashimi bowl appetizer was very tasty and resembled an Asian ceviche. And the barbecue sampler was also a very interesting fusion take on Japanese yakitori. The black rice sushi was my favorite - we ordered both the nigiri and roll sampler, and both were good though I would probably recommend ordering the rolls a la carte rather than through the sampler. All in all this is a very unique take on Japanese food, and mixed with a fun and hip atmosphere, makes for an enjoyable dining experience!
(3)Steve A.
This restaurant combines sushi bar, robot grill and noodle shop all in one. The lofty main room is pleasantly modern and upscale without being dressy. I enjoyed the sashimi, and a King crab special appetizer. The skewers from the robot grill didn't really impress. Despite the elaborate menu descriptions of sauce, they were all fairly bland. The ice cream trio for dessert was the highlight of my meal. The espresso was a real standout. There are some excellent cocktails, particularly if you enjoy bitter and complex flavors. Service is friendly. It can take a while to fill orders, even though there is a team of delivery people.
(4)Gwen D.
In general, River North strikes me as style over substance--an especially appropriate description for Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. If looks could kill, Union Sushi + BBQ would slay the competition. Described by Chicago Magazine as a technicolor fun house of curvy staircases, high ceilings, and stylized graffiti, the restaurant certainly looks like a hotspot ( goo.gl/nWv7HD ). At the center of the restaurant, chefs do their work at a charcoal robata grill enclosed in glass, almost like performance art at an edgy gallery. Unfortunately, the food paled in comparison. For better or for worse, our appetizers--addictive sweet potato tots, apparently seasoned bonito fish, and a trio of sliders with bold pickled accoutrements--were the best part of our meal. Eating the main course, we were underwhelmed by the $28 sampler from the barbeque bar, supposedly the star of the show. Without a bite of their stingy sauces, the grilled meat and vegetables tasted like--well, grilled meat and vegetables, nothing worth a special trip. So what? Instead of ordering drinks, my friend and I split the tiramisu milkshake at the end, but we could hardly taste a hint of tiramisu.
(3)Donnie Y.
Not bad at all. Everything buthe parking situation lol next time I'm uber ing here. Black dragon roll is phenomenal
(5)Sonal D.
We made a reservation (for the same night) and were seated immediately. They have a really unique menu for their sushi with a few known scattered everywhere (they too come with a twist). What I like the most was that you can order 4 pieces for half the price vs the whole roll. If you go here try the veggie sushi- especially the Devon. For a sushi lover that was one of my favorites followed by spicy shrimp and spicy tuna All in all, an good experience, good sushi and a fun place. The servers were all excellent. No complains
(4)Bethany W.
$13 bento boxes for lunch is a pretty good deal. The duck fat yakisoba is ok but not great. It's missing something. For some it may be great but I found it kinda one note. The tuna cup that was one of their daily specials is where it was at. I kinda wish I had ordered a couple of them instead of the bento box.
(3)Olivia H.
For some reason, my friend and I struggled to find a decent Saturday happy hour in downtown Chicago. They are rare, and tend to end early (i.e. 4-6 PM). Thankfully, Union Sushi pulled through with their $1 oysters (from 5-6:30 PM). We literally sprinted across several blocks to make it in time, and they let us get away with it. As someone who never runs anymore, those oysters were definitely worth the cardio. Not only were the oysters themselves fat and delicious, they were also topped with masago, jalapeno juice, green onion, and onion crisps. Add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon, and you have yourself a glorious moment of bliss. We were seated at the bar, and it was quite calming to watch the sushi chefs work their magic. They slice the avocados so thinly, it's a work of art. While watching the chefs, we also fully enjoyed the rest of the food we ordered: crispy salmon skin roll, hamachi collarbone, beef tongue, and desserts. All in all, our experience at Union was awesome - delicious food, comfortable vibe, friendly service. AND OYSTERS.
(4)Xavier C.
This is a great spot with great food and service. We started with a spicy tuna roll on black rice, which was ver good and distinctive. The spicy tuna was very fresh. Then we had the king crab legs, the prosciutto wrapped scallops and grilled beef filet. All was great, but the king crab legs were outstanding. Definitely will come back when in Chicago
(4)Kate U.
By far one of the best sushi places I've been to in the city! Perfect for happy hour or a lunch. I like sushi places that have quality food, specialty cocktails, and are clean and well decorated. This place hits the mark on all of them. First off, the cocktails are amazing. I told the bartender that I liked gin and he made me one of the best drinks I've ever had. I'd definitely recommend sitting at the bar, because these guys are fun to talk to. We also had a spicy tuna roll which was great and some sort of krab appetizer. The bartender that we had was very friendly and was suggesting us the best of what the menu had to offer. I wish my office was in river north so that I could come here more often for happy hour. The customers that come in are really interesting; I struck up a great conversation with the woman dining solo next to me at the bar. The prices are up there but not outrageous for the quality experience that you're getting. This place can get pretty packed on the weekends, it's not a huge space so it fills up quick. This would be a great place to take a date or take a co-worker after a long day. Check it out, but try and sit at the bar.
(5)Daniel D.
Great tasting bbq/sushi, mediocre service. In no rush to come back. Went to Union with a party for 2 on a Thursday night (with reservations) and had an overall good experience. It took over an hour to bring out just three rolls of sushi, which is obviously unacceptable (though each roll was delicious). House cocktails turned out to be a rip-off (only approx. 6oz of liquid).
(4)Shahzad A.
This place is wicked with its black rice sushi and fancy rolls! I recommend definitely trying their ice cream after the meal. The place is expensive but has amazing menu!
(5)Jeffrey C.
Despite Union being a sushi bar and yakitori, this review is for their ramen only. Union definitely fits into that casual-trendy River North vibe. Its ramen bowls are heavily fusion-based, and as far as ramen goes, its biggest competitor is likely Takashi's Slurping Turtle, a 10 minute walk away. Spoiler alert: I preferred my Union ramen experience to Slurping Turtle's. The price point is similar at $12 - $13 per bowl. I went with the short rib ramen, while my wife ordered the chicken ramen. The highlight of both bowls (and the reason why I liked it infinitely better than Slurping Turtle's) was the richness of the noodle, purportedly housemade. The noodles are shockingly thick but easy to slurp and with ample bend and springiness. They held up against the broth amazingly well. I've never had those types of noodles in ramen before. A quick Google search revealed that they can be found in types of ramen, but further investigation led me down a dead end to what they're called and which region in Japan specializes in them. The best way I can describe them is like thick wonton noodle with more bend. Both broths were good. If you're making me choose, I liked the lighter chicken one better. It tastes like a straight shio broth, and it comes with a remarkably simple chili-garlic oil that pairs like dynamite with the broth. The short rib broth is thicker; whether it's different bases or an infusion of other ingredients is unknown. I'm undecided on how much I liked the additional ingredients in the short rib ramen. On the one hand, I loved the sharp bite of the pickled chiles, but the sourness of the tomato and cabbage disguised as noodle didn't resonate with me. The parmesan was weird. The short rib was good, with ample fat. It's a good chashu substitute. Service, at lunch hour, was expedient and very friendly, though having a five-month old in tow might have had something to do with that.
(4)Grace K.
This place deserves all five stars. Great service, fun friendly sexy atmosphere, and of course quality sushi with creative flavor combinations that just go perfectly together like a work of taste art. I love this place! The soft shell crab roll was amazing and since it was rolled in cucumber, it was very light, summery, and healthy. I would suggest ordering sushi pieces as opposed to getting the samplers, because that way you can pick what you want. And you Must get the fresh wasabi if available because that is such a rare find and worth every penny. It tastes so different from the fake wasabi and actually doesn't burn your sinuses. It's much more enjoyable and enhances all your food. I was just eating it by itself it was so good!
(5)Mint S.
Great food. Good service. Yummy dessert. Daniel was our server today. He's very nice and always checks on us if we need anything else, really appreciate your service.
(5)Catherine P.
There's nothing like a Happy Hour to bring foot traffic into a restaurant. Luckily, the HH at Union Sushi and BBQ delivers. 1$ oysters, and reduced fare on beef skewers and shrimp tempura rolls is a great way to kick off a meal at Union Sushi. I like to sit at the sushi bar where all the action is. Service and presentation is top notch. What to order: chef's choice sashimi platter, wagyu beef, agedashi tofu, and the king crab. They make a mean cocktail too. Have been many times over the past few months, and can't wait to return again soon!
(5)Nancy K.
Rare Happy Hour in Chicago's River North. $1 oysters, $4 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We ordered dozen oysters and two shrimp tempura rolls. Normally we prefer our oysters "as is" to capture full flavor, but these were smaller oysters from Virginia (if I correctly recall the server). Without Union's delicious toppings, the oysters were ok. (We ordered 6 with topping and 6 bare.) The shrimp tempura rolls were fantastic. We also had the tuna cup, which to our taste was a bit bland. Service was good, although I'm not a fan of the iPad they leave behind with specials. Our table for 2 was small so we had to find another place to store that iPad. Mgmt: I'd much prefer a simple paper insert in the menu. I'm not a child; no color photos are necessary. Seems to cheapen the overall "menu" experience. This place gets crowded! We arrived on a summer Thursday at 5:15 with no reservations. By the time we left at 6:45, the place was packed. We were full and felt it was a good value. But for oyster fans, keep in mind you get what you pay for and get the topping. We'd come again.
(4)Jessica M.
Union Sushi is tolerable only when it comes to happy hour. For happy hour, I went with the shrimp tempura roll and $1 oysters which were topped with onions, ginger, and spices. For about $15, you can have a full meal of non-traditional Japanese cuisine. For my birthday meal, we went with the four course prix-fixe meal. I had the berkshire pork cutler slider, beef filet skewer, mushroom salad, and negi hamachi roll. It was a light meal of four small plates of hors d'oeuvres at $30 per person. The berkshire pork cutler came with a dry slab of meat in between two buns that were hard as stone. The beef filet skewer resembled ground beef meshed together onto a skewer that fell apart upon one bite. The mushroom salad was tolerable compared to the soup which resembled mushrooms floating in a bowl of soy sauce. The negi hamachi roll was barely satisfying as it only came in four pieces. We scuffled through them so we could immediately move onto our next destination for a full meal. My two stars are more than generous. Will I return? Maybe just for happy hour.
(2)Michael C.
Union sushi is the bomb. I came here with a couple friends last night at 630 and the host told us there was a table available but that we would have to clear out by 8. Friday night downtown--I should have known better but we took the table. To start we had the truffles tuna. Holy crap. It was delicious. The tuna was cut into cubes, sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and neatly laid on top of a chili flavored avocado mix. The flavor was light and refreshing and the parmesan provided a nice kick--great way to start the meal. For my main dish I had the spicy pigtail ramen. While it wasn't spicy, the noodles are made in house and the pigtail was tender and delicious. It's a great winter dish. Union is a cool restaurant with a modern vibe. Even though this place looks to get packed on the weekends, between each table is ample space so it can still be a private dining experience with your party. Also, the service here gets 6 stars. Our bubbly waitress checked up on us frequently and gave us much needed menu suggestions!
(5)Shannelle A.
I love Union. However, it is really pricey for extra small portions. The cocktails are hit and miss - no real consistency of taste. The environment is great and the staff is Uber friendly and helpful. I would come back.
(4)Joanna T.
More like 3.5! I am now going to reiterate almost everything that Yelpers have written, because they're spot on, so this will not be a scintillating review for that reason! Kind of a funky, very metro fun space. I would get the truffled tuna app, which was delicious. Get the shrimp skewers, skip the filet skewers, as they were on the chewy side. The black rice sushi sampler and any specialty cocktail. Also the BBQ duck wing, very tasty. The cocktails were good, just tell your server your cocktail profile and they will recommend the right drink. Do not skip this mochi cake dessert, it was that good. I would come for that alone. The service was excellent, with a smile. As for sushi, it wasn't the best. But we had enough good apps and dessert to compensate. So if all I wanted was great sushi, this wouldn't cut it, but the apps and dessert were spot on!
(3)Sheryl M.
We had an amazing meal! The space is fantastic and our server was helpful and engaging. We started with the truffle Tuna, cauliflower salad and grilled mushrooms! Each were fantastic! The food is not covered in sauce and is light and clean! We had the black rice on three sushi rolls. I loved them and would get them again! I cucumber infused vodka was perfect as was the pumpkin mochi desert! It is one of my favorites anywhere!!!
(5)Francis D.
With a sudden craving for robata, I was torn between finally trying Sumi Robata Bar or Union Sushi. After much deliberation, we decided to try Union Sushi because of the options outside of robata. Unfortunately, for a robata craving I was massively let down. [Ambiance - 4/5] Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has a pretty trendy decor, and no where near the norm of a traditional Japanese restaurant. With colorful pop art, graffiti walls & an industrial loft feel, Union is a great place to get together with friends in a casual (read: loud) atmosphere. [Service - 3/5] While the server was pretty friendly, she wasn't the most attentive of the bunch. Rarely around, and somewhat slow to introduce herself and take our order. One aspect of the restaurant which I found super gimmicky was the use of an iPad for daily specials. Unfortunately, coupled with the inattentive nature of our server, we had significant time to peruse the standard menu and decide on our dishes before being presented with the iPad and specials. [Food - 3/5] We decided to try a variety of items from the menu and experience their "3 kitchens". Unfortunately, the food was mediocre at best and the robata was disappointing. We tried the following: Tuna cup - A tuna poke-like appetizer in a sesame cracker bowl. It was tasty but nothing special. Spicy shrimp roll - one word meh. The shrimp was a bit hard/chewy and the flavor profile was weird, with the scallions & sweet eel sauce fighting with the spice. Slider Sampler - The wagyu beef slider was tasty and juicy. The crabcake wasn't bad, but still had some shells hidden in the patty. And the katsu pork was a little dry. BBQ sampler - The whole reason we came to Union, and probably the reason I won't be coming back. The skewers came out cold, and on a singular plate with the various sauces mixing with one another. The meat was tender and juicy but didn't have a charcoal/robata taste (hence being drenched in various sauces). I later found out that Union uses gas grills to cook meat faster... [Value - 3/5] The price is on par with other River North restaurants, and Japanese restaurants in general. However the quality of the food did not justify the price.
(3)Reese C.
My good friend lives around the corner from here. I'm super super jealous of her. This place is amazing. Not only is it reasonable price wise, but they have black rice sushi (less carbs). They also have vegetarian rolls (for my friend) The menu here takes the standby sushi and amps it up a notch. It was freezing cold and I wanted some ramen to warm up. Homemade ramen noodles in a rich and flavorful broth was just what I needed.The chicken ramen was hot, filling, and flavorful. That didn't keep me from getting some rolls though. I love that they offer half rolls so that you can mix and match more. This was very helpful since I was with a vegetarian. She loved her fake sushi (ha, ha). I opted for a half of the Dragon roll and it was amazing. The avocado was perfectly rip, the fish was fresh . Then I wanted more and ordered a half roll of the spicy Tuna. This seems rather commonplace, like the dragon roll, but these are stepped up a notch. This wasn't your average spicy tuna. It was SPICY tuna with chili oil that really kicked it up a notch and the tempura flakes offered a great texture. The prices here are excellent for the quality of food and the ambiance is trendy, but not too trendy. Great service as well. I can't wait to go back next time I'm back.
(5)Caroline S.
Absolutely great from the moment we sat down. We ordered the black rice sushi sampler (comes with devon roll,dragon roll, hokkaido and spicy tuna roll) and it was incredible. We also ordered from the grill and found it delicious, but not as special as the sushi. The notable grill items included the spare rib (incredible, fall off the bone), the chicken thigh and the beef filet. The scallop was good but pricey for only one scallop. The Devon roll (sweet potato) was incredible! I expected it to be heavy and boring but the flavors were absolutely delightful. The Hokkaido roll was special, too! Our second course included two more rolls: the Chesapeake Bay and the Clifton #4 - both were wonderful but my favorite of the two was undoubtedly the Chesapeake Bay (thanks to the fried oyster). I know what you're thinking - that's a lot of fried fish, but it was incredibly light and delectable. We were even wowed by the deserts! The Pumpkin Mochi Cake tasted like the best parts of the Fall season while not being too overpowering to enjoy in the middle of August. The Killer Yuzu Pie was my favorite of the two - a light yet rich key lime experience for your taste buds. Excellent beer and Sake selection paired with a wonderful waitress made the entire experience 10/10. Would recommend to a friend, and would go back again!
(5)Patrick M.
Update: I used to really enjoy going to Union with my girlfriend. I won't be going back. I tried to place a carryout order (for the first time) over the phone and the girl I spoke with let me know that they only take carryout orders via GrubHub. I tried explaining to her that I've been a loyal customer and would very much appreciate her taking my order. She wasn't having it. In the time it would have taken her to let me order my 2 rolls she chose to explain the policy and lose a loyal customer. Way to go, Union. Might want to rethink the way you treat your customers.
(1)Maxie H.
Overall Impression: OVERPRICED I'm a huge fan of sushi. However, I'm not a fan of paying $10 for 4 pieces of sushi. Union Sushi is unique in that, you have the option of ordering 4 vs. 8 pieces for a particular roll. Also, keep in mind that each piece is about the size of a quarter. Therefore, grab a snack before coming here or expect to be leaving hungry. The Truffled Tuna is excellent! The homemade wonton chips definitely make the dish. I highly recommend this as an appetizer. The Black Rice Sushi Sampler was pretty unique. The rolls are made with black rice, meaning fewer carbs and calories (a girl's worst enemy). It's actually pretty good! You can't even tell that it's black rice. Besides that, there's nothing too special about these rolls. Even though you can't be the atmosphere of this restaurant, the sushi here is subpar and overpriced. My fiancé and I left this restaurant hungry after spending more than $100. There are many good sushi places in Chicago that are more filling than this restaurant. I would recommend going somewhere else if you're super hungry and don't want to hurt your wallet. TIP: Make a reservation for dinner or come during happy hour. This place gets pretty packed on the weekend.
(3)Lindsey C.
Stopped by on a whim before meeting with friends later that evening. We came in for a drink and ended up staying for a while because of some good happy hour specials. $1 oysters, $2.50 beef skewers, and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. We tried one of each and it was all delicious! Our server was very friendly and attentive. I asked for recommendations from the long list of Japanese whiskeys and when we couldn't decide on one, he offered to make us a flight of 3 different kinds so we could try a couple. Definitely try the Yamazaki 12yr! We will definitely be back for a full meal. If the specials were any indication of how a full meal would be, I'm sure it would not disappoint.
(4)Izzy N.
Their ramen is fucking nasty. I tried their short rib ramen this weekend and I struggled to even eat half of it. I started ignoring it, day dreaming, reading work emails and I usually never ignore my food. It's very one note, tastes like someone didn't even try back there in the kitchen. Add in clumpy noodles and it's a winner. House made noodles: time to re-learn how to make noodles that are actually tasty. I've told my grandmother to quit texas and move up here and cook blind folded and with the little lest effort, perhaps half asleep and people here will think it's fucking amazing and delicious. The bar is that low in Chicago. *weeps* I've made instant ramen light years better than this waste of money. I was pretty pissed for not choosing big bowl instead. Or even barely mediocre urban belly. If you're still curious, take out 15 bucks and light it on fire and watch it burn or throw it in the Chicago river watching it float away. That's what eating that bowl of sad boiled water with pathetic excuse of noodles feels like. Complete waste of money.
(1)Tiffany K.
Union Sushi is one of the few places that I returned to for the second time on my recent second trip to Chicago. A few years ago, I ended up at Union while in town for work. My husband and I were craving sushi, found this place on Yelp, they had same night reservations available so we went. After my first experience and really enjoying this place, I knew I wanted to come back. A few weekends ago, I was in Chicago with my girlfriends and sushi was on our list of things to eat. Instantly I knew I wanted to go back to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. What do I like about Union so much? The casual yet fun/upbeat atmosphere, friendly staff/service, and most of all - BLACK RICE SUSHI ROLLS. I have not been anywhere else that serves sushi with black rice. Out in California, we have plenty of places that serve sushi with brown rice, but not with black rice. The flavor and texture of the black rice just marries so well with sushi. This time I ordered the black rice sushi sampler and it was delicious. We also had some of the barbeque items which were good but not great. Mainly I love the sushi and atmosphere at Union and would come back for that.
(4)Nari H.
Ordering online was a breeze, and my order was ready in about 25 minutes on a weekday lunch hour. Spare Ribs Bento (was very good with a good portion of meat. Tasty too. Came with miso soup. Did NOT come with rice. Ribs were kind of burnt though. Bay California roll - I got mine w/Black rice, that was ok. Would probably taste better with white rice $8.25 for only 4 pieces is pricey if you ask me. Miso soup is good ($3). They are always nice. They also have delivery through their ordering online function and it's I think a $5 delivery charge.
(4)Sarah R.
By far my favorite sushi place in town. I love ordering a bunch of plates and sharing. A really unexpected and tasty appetizer is the buffalo duck wing. Very flavorful. I also really like the black rice. You can add it to any of your rolls for a little more. It's worth doing in at least one roll. But for dessert... If you can make it that far without being stuffed... the pumpkin mochi cake is amazeballs!
(5)Jessica S.
Prior to my arrival here, a friend had dismissed Union as a pretentious place that puts too much emphasize on extravagantly frilly rolls while failing to master the basics. As such, maybe I crossed the threshold with tempered expectations... But, suffice it to say, I was impressed! *The space - funky modern design with happy pops of colors and a gigantic art installation serving as the visual centerpiece. *The vibe - Not unpleasantly pretentious or exclusive at all, but definitely trendy. A good date spot! *The service - our waitress was appropriately peppy and attentive.Food was delivered at a reasonable rate, particularly for freshly-made sushi. *The drinks - A list of creative cocktails dazzled me. I was content with my gin-based kombucha beverage, though I'd not consider mixology the forte here. *The food - we ordered a few classic sushi rolls and a platter. All fresh and high-quality and unbearably craving-inducing. -Complimentary edamame sprinkled with "cheddar cheese salt," almost certainly the "cheese" powder extracted from the pouch of the elusive blue box of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Not very gourmet, but it kept me at bay while awaiting the main act. -Dragon roll (avocado & eel & some other secondary ingredients) and spicy shrimp were succulent! -Crispy smoked salmon skin was smoky, go figure. For that reason, I wasn't thrilled, but can still attest to the quality. -Chef's Selection Sashimi plate. Flawless, fresh, flavorful. *The price - more or less the going rate for sushi. All in all, I was mesmerized by Union and it pains me to be separated upwards of a 7-hour drive. I'm undoubtedly going to incorporate this into future Chicago trips.
(5)Cody G.
Easily the best nigiri in the Midwest. Had the Madai, as well as truffle ice cream and several other amazing dishes. This restaurant ranks top five in Japanese cuisine for me - and I have lived in Japan! In addition, the staff is friendly and kind, and made our experience one that would have us return again and again.
(5)Julie Y.
Update.. Came here for a quick bite and got the wrapped scallops and some rolls.. The scallops were over cooked and not good at all and the rolls were just average.. The sashimi we got wasn't that great either.. Maybe they were having an off night but everything was pretty gross.. Had to take a star off.. Came here for dinner sat night. Didn't have reservations so we sat upstairs in the bar area which was still okay and cute, little small tho. Never been here before so my friend ordered everything which was completely okay cause everything was so fresh and good. Started with the sashimi cup which was super fresh and tasted really good. Then got the alligator from the BBQ bar, too much seasoning on it but the meat was really good once you rubbed off the crap on top. For the rolls we got the Tsukji Market and the Hikkaido. Both really good. I'm pretty sure all their rolls are good tho! Dessert we got the Chocolate Brownie really good texture and not overly sweet. The drinks we got were really good too. Def a fan of this place.
(4)Katherine C.
came here to have a hot bowl of ramen on a cold cold day in chicago. we also tried the sushi with black rice, the seared butterfish, and uni alfredo pasta nigiri sushi with black rice was nothing special but its suppose to be healthier for you. the seared butterfish was amazing! the uni alfredo pasta was the fiance's favorite. the uni wasnt too overbearing and the overall dish had good flavor while the pork tail ramen was interesting and hot (i dont like how some places the ramen isnt very hot) it was nothing too special. i really liked the house made noodles though. it was very different than the traditional ramen noodles - thicker and chewier it was a good meal overall but not necessarily something i would say is a must try for tourists
(4)Jialing L.
Visited twice for dinner. First time I came I shared the sliders: pork cutlet, wagyu beef and crab cake with a friend. All three were really good; big enough to split each in half so my friend and I could both try them all. I liked the pork cutlet and wagyu beef slightly more than the crab cake. I then had the alligator special as my entree. I wasn't sure what to expect since I'd never had grilled alligator but the meat was juicy and tender. I really enjoyed it. The mashed sweet potatoes under the alligator was also really good and added to the flavor. The second time I shared the barbecue sampler and the chesapeake bay roll with a friend. The barbecue sampler was good in order to try everything out but it wasn't super amazing. For the chesapeake bay roll my friend and I asked if they could substitute the collard greens with usual seaweed and it was delicious. The fried oyster melted in your mouth and left us wanting more. The restaurant itself has really nice decor and the service is really good. They usually have their specials and select items on an ipad that you can scroll through as well. Never needed to ask for water here, they were really good about filling it and if you ask for slight tweaks like we did for the roll, I'm sure they'd be happy to do so. Great place for Japanese fusion/sushi downtown!
(4)Tijuanna D.
If you want the best Sushi in Chicago, try Union!!! The atmosphere, service and sushi are excellent. I'll definitely recommend and I will return.
(4)Jake L.
5 STAR!!! Truffle Tuna is the best thing on the menu. I like to ask the sushi chefs to just send me out some cool rolls and they usually will create a fun meal for you. Makes it the whole experience a blast. Also highly reccommend the pig tail ramen!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
(5)Alex G.
Went here the other night a was surprisingly disappointed. Aside from overpriced food and small portions, nothing was particularly good. Also, the kitchen was very slow and didn't bring our food in any semblance of order. The ambiance was nice and cocktails were good - although overpriced for what they were. All in all, I won't be going back.
(2)Vishal K.
Delightful Chicago gem! Not too many places offer a happy hour as good as Union's! Tried the 1 dollar oyster shooter, the beef skewer and the tempura sushi. The oysters were so good that I had to order another round!! They had a spicy lemon sauce and topped with some red fish eggs, definitely Instagram worthy. The skewers were cooked on the traditional japanese robata grill, and spices were flavourful. However, bit overcooked in my opinion, but maybe thats how they are supposed to be. They are definitely worth ordering regardless! Service is great, place is trendy, food is great...and just 20 dollars for a meal for 2!!
(4)Thomas T.
Totally random that I ended up here, it's like everything had to fall into place for me to go here. I was in Chicago for a Bulls game (so I hadn't eaten dinner), was going to go to Soundbar later in the night for a friend's party, and just happened to find parking right in front of this place. So figured why not, it had crazy good reviews anyway. Pretty pricey though, be warned. Those 3 dollar signs do not lie. The look of the restaurant was nice though and they do have a valet service. My server was pretty good, refilled my water enough and came back just the right amount of time. Didn't try any of the drinks, only tried the food. Between the gf and me, we split the truffled tuna appetizer, a Clifton #4 roll, the barbeque bar sampler, and the pumpkin mochi cake for dessert. The truffled tuna was pretty good. You can definitely taste the truffle oil but overall it was pretty good. The Clifton #4 roll was alright. Nothing crazy, didn't blow me away or anything. The barbeque sampler was pretty good, some things I liked, some I didn't. The veggies in that there were actually pretty good, just had too much sauce on the cauliflower and too much seasoning on the squash though. The beef tongue had a really weird texture. Had curry on it so it just reminded me of an Indian dish. Beef filet was alright right, nothing crazy. Chicken thigh was pretty good, that was probably my favorite. And lastly, the shrimp was alright, pretty big but covered in a sauce that I thought was a little spicy. I don't really like dessert but I thought that my pumpkin mochi cake was pretty good. It wasn't normal ice cream which I liked, and I'm a big fan of caramel, and then the crunch from the brittle was just an extra surprise. Overall a positive experience, nothing bad but nothing that would make me come back in the near future.
(3)Ali C.
Still fabulous with outstanding service. Great energy. We really enjoyed the sushi made with black rice.
(5)Tobias G.
They serve water in a nice tall bottle right away. They serve Kirin Light with a glass. Huge selection of liquor. Interesting menu items like truffle tuna or black rice sushi. Definitely different. The black rice sushi sampler was absolutely delicious. Every piece was an explosion of flavor. Highly recommend
(5)Carolina N.
I will have to agree with lots of folks that the menu is overpriced, especially the sushi rolls. You can get WAY better sushi(and more pieces) in Chicago for less. First, the edamame they have on the table was not good. Second, I wouldn't suggest coming here to just eat sushi, you have to make sure you do a lot of BBQ and other dishes to really get your moneys worth. The only reason our bill wasn't as outrageous is at it could have been was because we made it just in time to order happy hour options, which were actually really great! 5-6:30pm - $1 oysters (really good!), and $4 shrimp tempura rolls (also really good). We order the king crab legs, which yes, were really delicious but again, overpriced. We ordered a short rib, and that was fantastic! Yum yum! Cocktails were too expensive. Service is excellent here. The decor and ambiance is great! It's a good place to go after work or even on a romantic date. My BF's parents loved the sushi + bbq combination. I will only return during happy hour.
(3)Kate W.
Solid 3.5. We had a totally good meal at Union. I rushed over to Union on a Friday night after a looooong day of meetings. We tried to go to Tippling Hall, but it was packed, so we tried Union instead. Luckily, there was room for us at the sushi bar in front of the robata grill, which was perfect because we were chilly! It was actually super cool being able to watch the robata guy go at it. That said, I got the impression that if you were more interested in a table, walking in might not be the best plan. We ordered a bunch of little things-- mussels, some black rice sushi, shrimp skewers, etc. I wish I wasn't such a space cadet and could remember better! We also had some tasty cocktails. The food was generally very tasty, although I suppose not very memorable. We left very satisfied with our meal, and our wallets perhaps a bit lighter than we had hoped. It's right in our neighborhood, so we will likely go back, but it's not going to become a staple any time soon.
(3)Daisy N.
I've had sushi all over the US, this is probably in my top 3 faves, maybe the top. Everything is so unique here. So if you feel like all sushi is the same or all rolls are the same -be ready for a special treat. The Hoikkado (scallop) roll was our FAVE. A.MAZ.ING. OR.GAS.MIC. Not only the most amazing meals ever -the people were knowledgeable, friendly, funny. Service was impeccable. Ambiance -Wow. Every detail perfect. Seriously, I would come here for just the service or just the food. But they've got the whole package. Excellent sushi. Excellent service. (Great people!) and ambiance galore. My new GOTO in Chicago.
(5)Michael S.
Got there at 6:15. Service was prompt and efficient. Food was well above average. Had some of the happy hour apps: Beef skewers, excellent; oysters for a buck each, excellent; shrimp tempura roll, very good. Then black rice sushi and grilled ribs. First rate sushi, and amazing bbq from the ultra-hot grill. Sample both or you'll miss out...
(4)Danielle S.
Sushi was okay...nothing too exceptional. Service was mediocre as well...I probably won't come back here again. We ordered the dragon roll and spicy tuna roll which were both nothing special. Redeeming order was the chicken soup...it was delicious.
(3)Shannon S.
Excellent environment! Excellent food, and deserts! Definitely worth it! The drinks are great! The staff is top notch, and I believe that this is honestly one of the best sushi bars in the Chicagoland area. If you go, my recommendation is to make a reservation in advance, as many of the good seats fill up fairly quickly.
(5)Jeana C.
Trendy and contemporary. They have a lot going on here. They have a fairly decent size menu with sushi and BBQ bar (skewers). I got one of the bbq combos and had the chance to try the kangaroo and alligator meat. I particularly enjoy their BBQ bar. Uniquely, they have the option of black rice for your sushi rolls. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of the black rice.
(4)Brittney B.
I came here to celebrate a family member's birthday; We had a large party of about 12 guests. The waitress offered to separate all of our check which I though was great! After bringing our orders she never once checked back with us to make sure everything was ok. One of the guests never received her order. It finally arrived after the rest of us had finished our meal. When she brought the individual checks she had messed mine up and added a drink that I did not order. When I mentioned it to her she then yelled at me telling me telling me not to get an attitude with her! Eventually, she fixed my bill. I'm not sure if she was having a bad night or what but I have never experienced anything like this ever! The sushi was ok but the service was terrible! I will never eat at this restaurant again! I actually felt like the waitress knew her tip was automatically going to be applied to our bills and therefore, did not bother to provide us with good service. Never again!
(1)Mingyang J.
Second time here, this time our experience was phenomenal! Our waiter, Dan S. is a certified sake expert. Made four customized sake flights for us, all tasted AMAZING! Order the Hokkaido roll again because it's so good, and definitely try the tuna cup! I'm pretty sure I'll come back again!
(5)Jason P.
One of the best sushi bars I have been too. Dan are waiter was great! Wonderful service took care of us and he was there to help us out with suggestions. I highly recommend this to anyone, ready to go back.
(5)Tim F.
My fiance and I really enjoy coming here. The ambiance is great, and the food is even better. The only reason that I'm not giving 5 stars is because of the price. But then again it is Chicago. It would be nice if they knocked a dollar or two off some of their rolls.
(4)Shannon K.
Swanky sushi. The place is expensive and it's obvious as soon as you walk in. That's cool, that's what Union is all about. You're paying for the atmosphere as much as you are the food. Take note, it's a great date spot. Highlights: Black rice sushi rolls (lower carb, lower calorie) Cocktails (creative and good) Mushroom salad (unique and fresh) Fresh ground wasabi (fun to watch, good to eat) Old City Market roll (best roll I've eaten in Chicago) The black rice sushi rolls are beautiful and I really enjoyed them. We did the black rice sampler and that gives you four different black rice rolls. The fish was fresh and tasty. The old city market sushi roll is worthy of five stars - it's blow your foodie mind fantastic! Really great sushi, fun vibe, great cocktails, lots of activity - I'll definitely be going back! I want to try those big ass bento boxes they serve!
(4)Brett F.
As far as sushi goes, Union felt very run of the mill. I'm not sure they're doing a ton here to set themselves apart from the pack. The sushi offerings were very maki and robata (grill) heavy and the few items we ordered sounded better in theory versus presentation. Our sashimi platter was especially disenchanting aesthetically and the truffle tuna appetizer was ok but lacked the punch most truffle dishes typically waft along with them. Service was attentive and dishes were brought out shockingly fast. Like, within minutes. Fast food that's too fast just feels casual. When dining out with friends I prefer a much slower pace. Overall, the best dish (I use that term uberloosely) I had all night was the piece of Uni Nigiri I ordered. Top notch urchin. Should've had more of that. If in the neighborhood, I might give 'em another whirl but certainly wouldn't make a special trip back to Union.
(3)Ellyn L.
If I could give this less than 1 star, I would. Just walked out of the place after waiting 48 min for 2 sushi rolls. They were finally delivered and the order was wrong. Arrived there this evening @ 6:25pm. They have a hour menu that is from 5-6:30. When I attempted to order before the 6:30 deadline, there was no waitress/ waiter insight. I finally asked the hostess if she could take my order or help me in order to meet the 6:30 cut off time. She did so but not with a smile. Apparently as a hostess, taking an Oder is beneath your standards. When our waitress finally arrived, I asked to place a hour hour order and her response, and I quote..."No" it ended 2 min ago( really it was 6:32) know other statement then "NO" She then disappeared for about 20 minutes. I would have ordered the full price appetizers, but she never came back. After hunting her down to place our very simple order 2 sushi rolls...GET THIS.....WE WAITED 48 min and had to hunt her down to find out where our dinner was. The waitress response was. " sushi takes 30-45min" her attitude was unforgiving as if this was our fault. She then stated "do you want I can cancel your order if you want to leave" We said no...we were still hungry. I also pointed out that if SUSHI, which is uncooked fish, rolled in rice, takes 30-45 mins they should put that on the menu. Hey dear...This isn't my first rodeo. What happen to customer service. I was as forgiving as one could be, but you made no effort to earn a TIP- to insure proper service. YOU don't belong in the service industry. We called over the manager, who finally said he was sorry and would look into the status of our order...as well as correct the order we got. GET THIS! HE NEVER CAME BACK! WE waited another 10 minutes,( I actually had to go feed the meter again) after now being there, starving. We approached the hostess and said we were leaving. For the first time in my life I walked out without paying the check! Even better, no guilt. As my friend and I departed, the hostess said to the other guest at the front door " easy come easy go!" Really, is it that easy to dismiss customers? We are your bread and butter. I work in the hospitality industry and am shocked that upper management allows this poor service to exist. Plenty of sushi options in Chicago. Glad I will never come back to this place.
(1)Charlie N.
I use to live in the building that Union is in and would eat here ALL the time. Even after a couple years the food and quality is still to die for! Order like a pro for 2: Kuro Smash Cocktails, Truffle Tuna App, (Split) the Pig Tail Ramen Soup (just ignore the pig tail part, you will not have any regrets), Black Rice Sushi Sampler, Hokkaido (no scallops, sub tuna, soy paper) & the Tsukiji Market Roll - And please have a Hitachino Nest White Ale beer with you meal after the cocktail... Just tips for a good meal!
(5)Eugene T.
Great experience. Very creative sushi. Alligator ribs special was definitely interesting
(4)Mark B.
While in town we came here with a friend for an early, enjoyable, dinner. Decor: Fun and semi-"authentic" the decor is inviting and helps set the mood that you are in for some sushi, and BBQ, that is a bit out of the ordinary. The large windows allow for plenty of natural light, which is a huge plus, and there is plenty of room where you are not right on top of others. Bathroom: Clean and well kept. Staff: Our waiter was super friendly and helpful with the questions we had regarding the menu items. He was also quick with our orders and food delivery. Additionally, they leave water on your table, nice! Food/Drink: We mainly had the sushi and it was delicious! All the rolls came out fresh and hot (where applicable) and tasted amazing! We had the Edamame and Beef Skewers as part of their happy hour special and they, too, were out of this world! For drinks we just had beer and wine, pretty standard, and it was good and cold. Value: The prices are not absurd here, you get pretty good value for your dollar (especially given that it is sushi). The next time I'm back in the area I will certainly come back for more sushi, perhaps I'll even try the BBQ then!
(4)Maureen C.
Thing is, I still have to try and convince myself that Union was good. Thus, I'm going with a 2-star, as there are many sushi places in the nearby area that are superior. Yes, I do realize that the recent reviews are raving about this place, but it wasn't up to par for me. Perhaps the large menu is a bit too ambitious? I did very much appreciate the option of ordering 1/2 rolls. Brilliant! Easily enables one to try out multiple choices (as they have a lot). The whole black rice idea intrigued me as I enjoy wild rice for its nutty, more complicated flavours than white rice. The benefits, though, are lost in a sushi roll. Makes sense this would happen, but I was still bummed. There was nothing "wrong" with the food, it was simply forgettable. I ate without truly enjoying. And I am a firm believer that one should really find pleasure in what they put into their mouths and tummies. Service was kind and attentive, so nothing off there. Decor was rather like you were dining in a gentrified center city alley complete with commissioned graffiti murals covering the walls. An observation, not a criticism. Interesting lighting keeps up the generally energetic mood. Seemed like a fun place for groups. Sorry, Union.
(2)Sarah P.
This restaurant is the epitome of all things glorious about living in a big city. Union is trendy, hip in the best of ways, classy, and creative without losing sight of flavor. Our bartender wore dark wash jeans with a dress shirt, tie, and vest. I appreciate his style. It means something when you dress well, it sends a message - tells me you take pride in yourself and what you do. He made the best alcoholic drink I've ever tasted: the Surprise & Delight - cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, pimm's #1, lemon, simple syrup, muddled lemon grass, seltzer. Fresh, literally I could taste what fresh means. We ordered the lamb chops, truffled tuna, wagyu beef sliders with egg, mushroom dumplings, shrimp tempura roll, Hokkaido roll, old city market roll, and the Devon roll. The rolls were excellent, and the mushroom dumplings surprising yet tasty. We sat at the bar, I'm sure you figured that part out, and our bartender gave great all around service and attention. Quite exceptional.
(4)Kristy D.
I'm just going to come out and say it...I am obsessed with this place. Its a smaller, almost garage feeling sushi/robata restaurant but I have loved everything I have ever ordered from here. My favorite item on the menu is the truffled tuna appetizer...it is to die for. I also usually stick with the sushi rolls (they let you place half orders which makes trying different ones nice). I have also ordered a few items from the grill and those didn't disappoint either. Yum!!
(5)Xi M.
The food is decent. I like the BBQ here. King crab is awesome
(5)Haley B.
I've tried sushi several million times and I still hate it, and so I was not excited when it was announced that we would be coming to Union Sushi for my cousin's bachelorette party. However, even though I would not have chosen this reataurant, I ended up really liking it! I ordered the surf and turf, which was an amazing steak with shrimp served atop puréed sweet potatoes with shoestring potatoes on the side. It was delicious! The steak was cooked to perfection and the combination of flavors was unique and wonderful. Waiters brought dozens of beautifully prepared rolls of sushi to the table. They looked wonderful, and according to the other girls, they were. We also received several sides of grilled veggies from the barbecue section of the restaurant that were great, as well as some delicious dessert mousse in a praline shell. The cocktails expertly prepared. I was very impressed with Union Sushi. There is something for everyone on their vast menu and everything is made with care. I would love to return.
(4)Mike B.
Ordered a delivery dinner - two phone calls and two hours later I find out that they gave my food to someone else and asked for another 45 minutes to remake our food. The guy on the phone was nice - and I'd love to say whether their food was good or not - but the fact that I'm hangry as hell and my first experience with them is one where they want me to eat dinner at 11pm (over 3 hours after I ordered it) is enough to make me not want to even try it.
(1)Wendy M.
We went here tonight to celebrate our daughter's birthday and it was a very memorable meal, In the best possible way! Our waiter Dan was fantastic and he single-handedly made our experience one to remember. We couldn't quite choose what to order so Dan offered to create a menu for us and we agreed. He asked us a few questions about likes and dislikes and then proceeded to work with the chef to create the perfect meal. The first plate was Truffle Tuna but he knew I didn't care for truffles so he brought me a sashimi cup that was divine. Many items, both on and off the menu, followed. We loved everything that he selected, from the llama to the sea urchin ice cream. The restaurant itself was fun, funky and comfortable. Industrial decor with Japanese flair really works here. The center of the restaurant features their grill, where you can sit and watch them work behind plexiglass. I'm not certain which items required the blowtorch for finishing but it was cool to watch. Thanks Dan and the chef for a great night!!
(5)Rits M.
This review is for the restaurant and the bar. I didn't eat there. I had the Kuro smash and J had the surprise and delight. Mine was good, well mixed and not too much of one specific flavour, with the bourbon hitting the palate at the end. The surprise and delight was cleaner and fresher. The ambiance is good, its a little tight upstairs by the bar and the waiters and bartenders keep movign around you with great dexterity. The good thing is you can order food at the bar as well, so that you dont have to wait for a table on a particularly full night.
(3)Mandi P.
A little expensive, but so good! We have been to Union a couple of times and have never left for under $200 for 2 people...that is with drinks, though. We always sit at the sushi bar as you get a nice view of the sushi chefs, the kitchen, the bar, and the restaurant. The sushi is soooo good. The service is fast and efficient. The sushi chefs even talk to you sometimes and teach you things/educate you about things if it is slow. We will definitely be back and would suggest it to anyone looking for sushi, but be prepared to pay up.
(4)Jennie C.
Hopping atmosphere with floor to ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light. Tasty drinks. Fish quality was excellent, but skip the black rice modification: despite being innovative, the earthiness of the rice overpowered the delicate fish pieces. Must order the beef tongue, which came as big chunks of melt-in-mouth tenderness flavored with warm curry scents and strange looking colored puffs of some sort. Service was a bit too efficient, almost felt like we were being rushed out the door.
(3)Malik S.
For the price, I would say the food is average at best. Sushi - Average. We tried over 6 different rolls. Ramen - Good Drinks - Really Good! Desert - Below average. We got Chocolate cake, pistachio ice cream (really good), and some sour cake (can't remember the name but it wasn't good).
(3)Jackie M.
I really like the restaurant decor .. but the food was quite forgetable. I had the skewers and it was average or tad below average. The meat was tough and overcooked! The nigiri over black rice was jus gross. The fish was not fresh and the black rice was bland. The price is bit steep for its quality. Been there once and im done. This is more americanized .. would not be the right choice if you are looking for legit authentic Japanese bbq. Don't order the dessert because it was painful to finish..
(2)Mad I.
Happy Hour review: -Get there at 5 and the place is empty (on a Saturday, yes the happy hour includes Saturday) -Very cool ambiance -robota grill steak is a STEAL at $2. Super high quality and done just right at medium/medium rare -Oysters are a $1 and very tasty, but the topping is larger than the actual oyster....i.e the oysters are really really small, mussel size, not Blue Point size -Shrimp Tempura roll is very good, deep fried but light, not overwhelming. The larger one is worth the $6, the $4 is half the size Free edamame is a nice touch 5 stars after I experience more food perhaps... :)
(4)James C.
Best sushi, best staff, best service in Chicago. I've been a regular for many years and give Union my highest recommendation. Chef Chao is Chicago's top Chef!
(5)Vito C.
I got the Sushi sampler and it was amazing. Great flavours, well constructed and the black rice was cooked perfectly. The Tuna bowl also hit the mark. I'd go back in a heart beat!
(4)Tracy H.
Amazing! I took my sister here as a Christmas gift and it was a huge hit! From the service to the decor to the food and drinks, it was near-perfect. We went during happy hour and I cannot recommend the oysters enough, and a buck! The sushi was some of the best we've had, esp. the nagiri salmon. Wow, Could eat that all night. Verdict? Go! Will be back. Can be a bit pricey, but worth it for the quality and experience.
(5)David C.
I went here with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. We were really happy they took reservations as it was busy on a Saturday night (naturally). Since the menu is so diverse with some rare finds we decided we would order for the table and share most of it. I only ate food from the BBQ menu so I can't really comment on the sushi. We had: -Spare rib - large piece that was very delicious! Had a sweet BBQ sauce on it that complimented the tener meat well. -Kangaroo - Kind of tough which you might expect but the seasoning was good. -Llama - Delicious! I will never look at a llama the same way again. I highly recommend trying it. -Alligator rib - honestly you might as well order the chicken, it tastes the same. Portion size is good. -Beef tongue - our favorite for the night, it was surprisingly good. Whatever seasoning they put on it was amazing, and it was very tender and juicy. The drinks were also very good. The standout for drinks was the cider mule, it was incredible. I ordered a blackberry mash and it was okay, but I was really disappointed after trying the mule. If you come here hungry be prepared to spend a good amount of money as portions are pretty small - about 4 bites per order for most. We actually ended up eating at our next stop as well.
(4)scott s.
Hard to believe that no one (lately) has mentioned the amazing food happy hour. 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day except Saturday for almost four years, Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar has $1 oysters, $2 marinated beef skewers (a pair) and $4 five-piece deep fried tuna maki. Deep fried tuna maki, you say? Heresy, but it's good and a heck of a deal. Yesterday's oysters were from Rhode Island and were small but flavorful. They top them with caviar, ponzu sauce and a bit of shredded lemongrass (I think.) As if this weren't enough, free mini-portions of edamame sprinkled with cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese on edamame, you say. Heresy, but again, it works. Expensive drinks (read=normal River North prices) but top notch craft spirits. Don't miss the home-made tonic if you are a G&T fan.
(4)Julie M.
Came here for dinner with my bridesmaids to kick off the bachelorette weekend. Food and service was impeccable . The black rice sushi sampler with fresh wasabi was amazing. The cocktails were SO GOOD! Definitely need to come back here for more yummy experiences.
(5)Miles L.
Terrific experience, sat at the bar, the bartender's name was Peter. He explained the menu, had a fantastic personality, extremely knowledgeable in the description of how the food was prepared. Extensive knowledge in the nature in the mixology of the drinks. Job well done union, thank you for a terrific experience...
(5)Kate M.
I'm going to ignore the fact that Union Sushi & Barbeque is trendy. If I ignore the trendiness then it's a solid 4 star experience. I attempted to make a reservation on Friday around noon for Friday evening and the only time available were 6 and 930. I choose 6 because I am way too old to wait until 9:30 to eat dinner. When we got there they were empty, and so we were seated directly next to the only other occupied table. The food was all very good. We started with the duck fat yaki soba which was really tasty. It was a good size appetizer for two people, I'm not sure if it would be enough for a filling entree. We ordered a couple maki rolls, the Chesapeake Bay was my favorite. The Clifton #4, Hokkaido, and Old City Market were also good. The service was pretty good. It did seem like our server disappeared for a while. The host wasn't very helpful on our way out. Maybe he wasn't the host? He was standing at the hostess station, looking at the computer. I attempted to give him my coat check ticket, he just looked at me like I had three heads and pointed to the hostess who was walking our way. Then another woman tried to talk to him about getting a table and she got the "why are you talking to me?!" look too. Not that welcoming. The dining room is very...stylish? There's a lot of "look at this!" going on. Again, trendy. It was pretty, not very comfy though. I'd love to go back to Union Sushi & Barbeque soon. The food was really good. Hopefully I'll make it back before it gets too cold to make the short walk for me. I'm such a sissy.
(4)Rob T.
So. Good. Can't think of a better impress-your-date place. Creative, beautiful, yummy food. Had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, pork shoulder BBQ, beef tongue BBQ, old city market roll, tsukiji market roll, soft shell crab roll, spicy tuna roll with black rice(!), and chesapeake bay roll. All were fantastic. Mmm...still dreaming about it the day after. Heck, everything on the menu was appealing. Bay, our sushi chef, was great, and really friendly. Service was excellent too.
(5)Kelsey W.
Very cool place. The sushi selection is extensive and reasonably priced. They have a black rice option that I haven't seen anywhere else and I'm a regular sushi eater. The BBQ samples were great! Highly recommend trying the kangaroo. No tap beer unfortunately, all bottles or cans.
(4)Elaine C.
Walk-in on Saturday night dinner 8pm. Got a sushi bar seating area by the bartender. The bartender was friendly and seems to know everyone. Sushi were really good and we tried the fresh wasabi from the root! Everyone must try! We did the small plates of many dishes. Everything was tasty there.
(4)D T.
I have had 2 extremely different experiences here. Both enjoyable, if not strange...The first time I came with a girlfriend and sat upstairs at the bar. The second visit, a "date" I had, along with a girlfriend and a buddy of his. I'll explain. My girlfriend and I wanted to grab a bite last minute on a Saturday, in River North. Not an easy feat. We popped in here, and happily chose to eat at the bar. The vibe is pretty relaxed for the neighborhood. You can wear jeans or get dolled up and fit in. Worth mentioning: the floors are SLIPPERY! I can run in stilettos, but there are a few places in the city that need to redo their floor situation. Union is one of them. The bartender was dry, but friendly and accommodating as can be, if that makes sense. I got the prick vibe for the first 2 minutes, but he ended up being fantastic. I wanted a lychee type martini, without looking at the drink menu, and he whipped up the perfect cocktail. We ordered apps, a couple rolls and Tekka Don for myself. For those who don't know, it's Maguro (tuna) on top of a bed of rice. Like Chirashi, but only tuna. This was not on the menu, but he said they would happily whip one up. Everything was very good until this came out. It wasn't bad, it appeared fresh, it was just "off". My gf insisted I say something, but I just don't go there. Specifically because I could not pinpoint the problem. He noticed I wasn't touching it and asked if it was ok. I insisted it was. Minutes later, he asked again, I denied any problem, but he called my BS. He wouldn't take no for an answer, took it back and said I would not be charged for it. I was mortified, but he was so casual about it, and it eased my mind. Now the second time was wayyyyy different. I had dinner plans with another gf, and was talking to a guy I had yet to meet. He asked to meet that evening, but I told him my plans, and he was welcome to join us. He did, and brought a friend. We went to the wrong place, don't ask, it was last minute, so we were late. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in, as he looked even better than his photos and was dressed well. That's when shit got weird. I immediately felt he was not interested in me, and that made it uncomfortable. Things were going so well, my gf eventually asked him to leave. He did order about half the menu, and everyone enjoyed it. Except myself. I was too dumbfounded by what was happening to eat. Ironically we are seeing each other now, over a month later, but that's hardly the craziest dating story I have over the past few months. To get back on track, Union is very good. Nothing super special, but a cute atmosphere, great staff and really good food.
(4)Bridget M.
Such an amazingly friendly staff. I sat at the sushi bar during happy hour. Great food specials! I had the beef skewers and Shrimp tempura roll. Both were beyond excellent. Also, they give you complimentary edamame that is seasoned and great! There is a cool modern look and there are outlets all over, which came in handy. They even showed you the specials on an iPad. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Nicole W.
My new favorite sushi place in Chicago... in a lot of cities actually! Ordered a TON off the menu Scallops off the iPad menu - delicious, a little bit buttery, but just so good Truffled Tuna - wondering why yelp loves this dish so much? It was very oily and while it was good, it was nothing spectacular. Still good, just not "amazing" like others have said. Agedashi Potato (Sweet Potato with Ginger) - Wow! This could be a dessert. The mix of ginger and sweet potato is super yummy and reminded me of comfort food. Delicious! Spare Rib - Large portion for the price! The meat fell off the bone and was delicious mixed with the slaw served with it. SUSHI! Do not miss out on the fresh sushi. Never had sushi taste more fresh than this! If you want to try more styles, they offer half portions which are 5-6 pieces instead of a whole roll. This was ideal for me since I always feel like I want to eat off the entire menu at somewhere new. I had the following rolls: Tsukiji Market, Hokkaido, Old City Market For dessert, we had the Taro Mochi Cake which was very good. The name is a little deceiving with "mochi" in it, as there is no mochi in it, but alas, this cake was delicious and very much worth getting. Drinks: Surprise + Delight was exactly what the name says, a surprise and a delight. Lemongrass with cucumber was refreshing and a very good drink to start off the dinner. Yamazaki 12 Yr - My new favorite whiskey just happens to be this Japanese whiskey. Had over ice but their ice cubes were too big so we just took it out. Definitely try a Japanese whiskey if you want to adventure out! Went very well with the meal :-) --- I would go here multiple times if I could ---- Highly reccomend!
(5)Stephanie H.
I had the opportunity to come here recently for a happy hour event an organization was hosting. We had the whole top floor (Up Bar) to ourselves, and the bartenders Peter and Matt were so friendly and hospitable! I had also heard of Union from a previous Yelp Elite event I attended and was planning on coming here anyway! I showed up a little earlier before the event started so that I could try out some of their cocktail hour specials myself, which is Monday-Friday, 5:00-6:30PM. The specials are $5 Sobieski Vodka cocktails, $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon, $1 oysters, $2 beef filet skewers, and $3/$6 shrimp tempura rolls. I tried one of everything, and while I think the drinks are pretty standard, the food blew my mind! The oysters were spectacular (look at my pictures!). I ordered two and they came served on a wooden box filled with crushed ice and a lemon wedge. It wasn't just an oyster that you throw cocktail sauce on...they had filled it with red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. It was so good I ordered another two (for $1 each, how could you not?)! The beef filet skewers were also delicious and tender. Chef Chao also came upstairs and introduced himself, and he seems pretty awesome. Their staff were great, the venue looks really modern and cool. I'll definitely want to come back to try out some of their other dishes!
(5)Mariam K.
I came here for a friends birthday and I'm not a huge sushi fan, so I was planning on just ordering an appetizer or something. However, I didn't realize it was a Japanese bbq restaurant also.. which is why I loved this place! We got there a bit early and they were still setting up out table, so we went upstairs to the bar area, which was cute and cozy. Me, my husband and another couple split the bbq bar sampler, the surf and turf, dragon roll, and bay street california. Even though I don't care for sushi... I liked the dragon roll a lot and the surf and turf was really good.. just as I had expected! The BBQ bar sampler had assorted things : beef tongue, chicken, shrimp, and scallop... to name a few... so be sure you're open to eating all types of food if you order it. I recommend this place even if you don't love sushi, because there's something for everyone here.
(4)Christina D.
I love Union- the sushi is delicate and full of flavour. I attempt to try something new every time I go there- the menu has plenty of variety. Mr Chow and everyone who works there are incredibly friendly, professional and pleasure to be around. I love their happy hour with $1 Oysters and specials of delicious beef skewers. This is my new local sushi spot!
(5)Rebecca N.
I have been here between 6-7 times and I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review! This is a great, small, trendy sushi spot in River North that is lower key than Sunda but a few steps above Naniwa. They also feature the Robato Grill on their menu which is a pretty cool option. I have never had a bad experience here. Service is always prompt and the servers very knowledgeable and friendly. Once I came with a bunch of friends from out of town and they gave us complimentary sake test flights. What I really like is that you can order HALF rolls! If you are picking up for yourself you can try a few halfs which is fun. My favorites: Soba Salad Truffle Tuna Sashimi Cup Spicy Tuna Dragon Bay Street Cali ** I don't like the rolls wrapped in collard greens**
(4)Megen B.
We had a private party of 10 there last night and everything about it was fantastic - we organized it through Britt at Union and she helped us with ordering the best things on the menu, something for every taste and she even had the chef come out to personally make something for one of our guests who had a particular food allergy. Our server was amazing, so nice and no one ever had an empty glass or plate. Food was timed perfectly and every dish was to die for. I recommend the Shrimp Tempura role and the Truffle Tuna. amazing! cannot wait to go back
(5)Laura T.
I've been to Union twice - its ambiance draws you in, but the value leaves a lot to be desired. While some items (like the truffled tuna and salmon nigiri) will definitely bring me back, the slow service, and overall overpriced meal will make it a slow comeback.
(2)M R.
I went there for lunch for the first time today and really enjoyed myself. The ambiance, food, and service were all really good. I had salad and rolls for lunch, and both the vegetables and the fish were very fresh. I also had the red bean ice cream sundae for dessert, which was delish!
(4)Dan R.
HA! How can I describe it? Wonderful? Delicious? The ultimatum sushi experience? We decided to go there last night after trying their samples at the Yelp event that took place on Thursday night. We were equipped with our 10% discount and we walked in without a reservation. I won't do that next time thou, the place gets busy and we were lucky they could accommodate us at the sushi bar comfortably. But yeah, we were sat right away which already gives the place points on my list. Our server Dan had a very calm and soft voice (hihi) and he was so cool. He instructed us about the menu, which we were not familiar - of course, it was our first time at the place. We had 4 half rolls and 2 choices of bbq. I won't even describe it. WE FINALLY found a place that has a spicy tuna comparable (if not better) to our beloved butterfly. if you are a cilantro fan, please order the HOKKAIDO maki. OH MY! you'll understand why when you taste it. I thought the combination of flavors was fantastic. We had Japanese beer, which was light and crispy ...and the bottle was super cute i wish i could bring it home. Service was friendly, quick, food was delicious..and we could watch the sushi guys working on it ... they were very friendly and we even chatted with one of they guys while he was making our food. Place's vibe is awesome, I love the decor, and price is reasonable. We felt like we needed another 2 half rolls, so it counts 6 half rolls, 2 choices of bbq, and 2 imported beers (which were expensive, $10 a piece) and our bill (with the SUPER COOL YELP DISCOUNT) was about $68 ...like...seriously? wow! Love it, want it, will be back for more. So sad to read the bad reviews, and surprised that this place has only 3 and a half stars. If I were those people, i would give the place a 2nd chance.
(5)Elina K.
Been here a couple times and it really is superb sushi and BBQ. Everything I tried here is top notch. Fresh, flavorful, diverse menu. The decor and layout is awesome...loud, trendy atmosphere but you can still feel like you are having a private experience without anyone sitting on top of you. There's a little bar upstairs where you can enjoy after dinner drinks with a private party, which is a nice add. If I could knock off half a star for a subte yet pervasive air of yuppie pretention I would, but the chef doesn't deserve that.
(5)Frank N.
Okay, I am now a huge fan of Union Sushi for 2 reasons: 1. The outstanding customer service! 2. The memorable and filling food choices We came here for restaurant week and made reservations well in advance knowing there would be some hefty crowds. Coming in with a group of 8 was large and the Union folk truly took care of us from the get go. Our table was a tad confused looking at the menu and not sure what direction to go. The server and manager came over to describe the experience and steer us in the right direction. We opted for the $45 per person and they told us that they would make it work and make us happy...THEY DID! We had one vegetarian and one non-seafood eater with us and Union catered to that as well. It was course after course coming to us and there was so much eye candy that I went into culinary overload. Some of the notables: Oysters on the Half Shell - HOLY COW were these unbelievable, not to mention too picturesque to eat Buffalo Duck Wing - Just the right amount of heat Truffled Tuna - Pure artwork and something about fresh fish that just makes a meal Mushroom Dumplings - Even our non-mushroom lovers found enjoyment in these tasty morsels Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops - Can you really go wrong with anything wrapped in prosciutto?? And I mean anything! Cucumber Roll - MY FAVORITE of the night! All of that goodness wrapped in a cucumber and cilantro - Perfect palate cleanser!!! Green Tea Ice Cream - Totally took me by surprise! I am now addicted so thanks for that All in all, a fantastic experience and the 8 of us left full and happy. Next visit - the goal is to destroy the 48 oyster record!!
(5)Weixu L.
Don't get me wrong. Their food is awesome and fresh. I do have a problem with the black rice sushi everyone was talking about. Not a fan. My friend and I were both not impressed. It was a very bad invention. We totally regret having that. I'm still giving it 4 stars, not out of my dining experience, but out of the belief that they in general make great food, other than the black rice sushi. Some people may love it, but a traditional consumer would hate it.
(4)Joanna D.
Came here with some colleagues. Very cute atmosphere! The waiter gave us an ipad to play with/to look at the menu. The food smelled fantastic! I tried the Shitake Mushroom. Cauliflower and Tofu from the barbeque bar. The Shitake Mushroom and Tofu were okay tasting, but the Cauliflower was fantastic! I would recommend ordering the cauliflower over the other two. My collegeues tried the oysters as well as other various meats. They really enjoyed their meals. Would probably come here again to try the other vegetarian options.
(4)Kristy F.
I ordered the roasted cauliflower salad for $7 and the Asparagus Roll (4 pieces for $3) and both were very very fresh!! The asparagus roll was surprisingly packed with flavor. I was happy with the service and I'd like to hit this spot again soon. =)
(4)Amber P.
The service at this restaurant is terrible. A friend and I met up here after we hadn't seen each other for a long time. We arrived at 5:55 PM. The hostess asked us if we had a reservation and we said no. She then went on to tell us that we could have a table if we would be out by 730. That was sort of off-putting and weird, but we ignored it and still asked for a table. Her manager then came over and told her to give us a table upstairs, and "if we complained about it" to move us. But at this point the restaurant was not full and there were plenty of open tables. She walked us upstairs, showed us the table and immediately left. The upstairs area is extremely small and there was a 20 people party up there as well. We were put in the corner right next to the party. They were extremely obnoxious and were basically stepping over us and our things. We hastily received a menu and were told to wait. After about 20 minutes of no one speaking to us we decided to leave. Not one person asked us why we were leaving or tried to convince us to stay. It is clear that they did not think we were worth anything. I am outraged at the service at this restaurant. I hope that no one goes here.
(1)Amy P.
I received an offer for a free black rice roll from BBE and decided to take a look at the restaurant's website. I saw that they had happy hour as well, with $1 oysters. My mind immediately registered the opportunity for a great deal, so reservations were made for an early Saturday dinner. We arrived early and sat at the bar, which was small but cozy. The bartender was very personable and really seemed to know his stuff. We ordered two drinks, one sake flight and oysters on the half shell. The oysters were topped with ponzu sauce, scallions, roe and crispy shallots, so while tasty, may offend the true aficionados seeking the pure briny goodness of the oyster itself. Two dozen oysters later, we headed over to our table with empty stomachs and a growing bill. For dinner, we ordered the following: Agedashi sweet potato Sashimi platter 2 orders of scallop sashimi 1 order of barracuda sashimi 1 order of yellow tail sashimi Half Rolls (4 pieces): - Bay California - Softshell Crab - Black Rice Spicy Tuna (free with BBE code) The agedashi sweet potato was pretty unmemorable. (It's like agedashi tofu, but with sweet potato! Different!) The sashimi was really good, but also very pricey. The sashimi platter was nearly $40 for 15 pieces and the a la carte options ranged from $3.00 - $4.50 per piece. SP did think that the scallop was the best he's ever had though. The rolls were also good, but very pricey for four bite-sized pieces per order. The Bay California roll was surprisingly good, and made me realize what a big difference "real crab" makes. The roll itself was very simple and the taste of the crab itself really shone. The black rice roll was also very good, although, I can't tell how much the visual novelty of the black rice may have bolstered the perceived taste. At nearly $2 per piece, however, each bite was a painful reminder of how large our bill was going to be. All in all, we really liked Union Sushi + Barbeque. We liked the space itself, which had a gallery/creative/industrial loft type of feel. The food was very good and the fish was high in quality. The menu also has some unique items such as alligator (and the barracuda that we found in the off-menu specials). The downside, however, is that this place is really pricey. With all the small dishes and half-rolls, things quickly add up. It makes for an unforgettable experience though, as we will never forget that time when our coupon for a free roll and $1 oysters turned into a $300 dinner.
(4)An P.
Welcome to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, River North's freshest sushi bar. Fresh doesn't mean expensive, but fresh means hip from the brightly colored decor to Bonobo playing in the background, Union does its best to stimulate and impress. I sat down with my friend, who pointed out that Bill Kurtis was sitting two tables over. Bento box was the first thing on my mind and the server let me know duck soba was his favorite, so duck soba it was. Bento box for $12 in downtown Chicago? Friends, I think we have a winner here - bento box includes salad, entree and spicy tuna roll. I added a half order of Dragon Roll just to try out some more sushi. The duck soba will knock your socks off with roasted red peppers, duck, and a slippery array of noodles ready to please your taste buds. The salad was crisp and the dressing wasn't overwhelming which is an A+ in my book. Chef Chao appeared from behind the sushi bar and offered up some more delicious treats! Looking to keep up your health kick for 2012? Look no further - Union Sushi & Barbeque serves up its wicked dragon rolls on black rice! I don't know what they put in that eel sauce but I could stand dousing it on everything in sight and still ask for more. The best lunch I've had so far in 2012, I think it will take awhile to knock Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar off the #1 spot!
(5)Adrien B.
My girlfriend and I sat at the chef's table last night. We are not picky eaters and left our meal entirely up to the chef. Everything was amazing. I will try and describe the experience in as few words as possible. The flavor and texture combinations were sublime, you could tell the chefs really enjoyed what they were doing. The sake pairing complemented the entire meal perfectly, even though I am not a sake fan. The whole mean was a trip, I felt elevated to a higher state of being and needed a good hour of peace and rest afterwards to acclimate my body back to standard life. I highly recommend coming here and will be coming back myself to try the regular menu. It was a pleasure being able to converse with the chefs, there was a great ambience in the restaurant, definitely more of a young urban vibe to it. I would give more stars if it were all possible.
(5)Andrew B.
Quick summary: GREAT mixologist, GREAT presentation, GREAT service, good sushi, a bit rough on elbow room and noise level. Showed up at 6:30 PM or so on a weeknight, no reservations, sat nearly immediately. Dining companion and I got seated -- wedged, really -- at the bar. Just missed happy hour, but the $10 cocktail special was still going, and the "Morning Glory 2" seems well worth the dime. Presentation of our chef's choice sashimi plate was nothing short of awesome. Lots of care taken to erect memorials to awesomeness made of sushi and edible veggies. Graffiti on the wall by SoloRM adds a nice touch to the atmosphere.
(4)Brian S.
I continue to eat lunch here about once a week and i'm batting 1.000. never had a bad meal. great service, great vibe, it's clearly the standout power lunch spot for startups operating in river north. favorites include the black rice sushi rolls, the seaweed salad, the mushroom ramen (solid vegan!) and truffle tuna app. They should include the fresh wasabi for free.
(5)Amelia B.
Union is such a tease. Being close to my place, I held such high expectations: it looks right, it sounds right, it smells right, and I had heard pretty good things from other people. But with such expectations came mostly disappointment. Service was nothing short of horrific, the sashimi was flavorless and tiny, and the vibe was just...off. We walked in for a 9pm reservation, and the hostess looked completely surprised, like we weren't supposed to be there. After much hemming and hawing, she showed us to a table, where we waited another 15 or 20 minutes for a server. And throughout the night, we had to flag down our server any time we needed anything--almost completely absent. My date went with robata meat, and I went with sashimi (figures). While the skewers were (I was told), excellent, they were also miniscule. My sashimi plate did not fair so well. The most glaring omission from the chef's selection--no salmon. I have never had a plate without salmon. Instead, it was all incredibly cheap sushi--eel, octopus, white tuna. And it was all pretty flavorless. Cocktails were equally uninspiring, though we did just go with a straight up dirty martini and a vodka soda. The server offered me a choice of olives (excellent), but I received one measley blue cheese olive. It was almost hysterical actually--who gives one olive in a dirty martini? I'm giving a second star because the space is pretty cool, but that's about it. I'd say, if you are heading to Union, stick to the cooked foods. The sushi (or the sashimi at least) was entirely disappointing.
(2)Dan M.
I've been to Union about 5 times now. Everytime I'm in Chicago for business, it's my go-to spot. The menu is outstanding, it offers your classis sushi rolls - served with a twist - but also pushes your daring & adventurous side with items such as beef tongue. Last time I was there I had a grilled Alaskan King Crab that was outstanding. But whatever mood or however bold you feel like being the food has always been incredibly fresh. I've always found the staff incredibly friendly and helpful in recommending the best items of the day. I also love the drink menu (my personal favorite - "The Shimbashi Athletic Club" - try it!) besides the great names - they're also great drinks. Last time I was there the bartender whipped up some Pumpkin infused hot Sake. WOW! Overall, I highly recommend this place - it's perfect for those predictable weekly sushi cravings but also when you want to really indulge with some friends.
(5)Chris V.
According to their website, they close at midnight. I walked in at 11:30. There was no one at the hostess stand. I saw a manager walk by and made eye contact with him. He ignored me and walked off. How did I know he was a manager, 2 of the busboys tried to tell him someone was at the front. Eventually one of the busgirls came over and told me the kitchen was closed.
(1)Brian G.
Terrible service, food undercooked, food arrived at different times.
(1)Zac K.
What an awesomely fun concept! BBQ and Sushi- what more could you ask for. We walked in opening weekend and were able to get seated fairly quickly at the bar. Drink list is awesome- the cocktails I had, which thank you, Union for getting my nice and brownoutty were something of the vodka world, I'm quite certain. I love sushi wabi so I had to try a roll- I had the spicy tuna and it was delicious. For the main course- surf and turf. Perfect sized portions of the food, the filet was melt in your mouth amazing. Like butter. The shrimp that was with it was great. We also did the bbq filet to share along with the cauliflower which was such a nice surprise. The staff was beyond awesome and the price points were decent too. I can see that this place will probably quickly become trixie central, so I might suggest going sooner rather than later. They don't take reservations, so make sure you have a back-up plan during prime dining.
(4)JJ B.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!!!!! A truly unique and delicious experience! Staff is warm, welcoming, and well educated on the menu. Service is second to none A++. The atmosphere is hip and modern in a laid back kind of way. And the food!!!!!!! Don't even get me started!!!! The best and only way to describe the food is life changing! Sushi lovers prepare yourself for the dining experience of your life! The bar has been raised in River North thanks to Union Sushi!
(5)diane m.
Take a pass on lunch. The service is VERY disjointed. We ordered off of the lunch menu, nothing complicated or tricky. One person at our table received everything almost immediately, including the same soup that was a starter to my lunch that I didn't receive for a good 10 minutes. The food is fair but nothing any better than any other sushi restaurants in the area. For $19 I expect a lot more at lunch in the form of service, flow and quality of food. The salad was the highlight with the crisp mix of microgreens and a tangy citrusy viniagrette. The miso is too salty to enjoy although the warmth was great on the cold day we were there. Service is really spotty and I am under the impression that the servers are also food prep staff. One cool thing on the menu is the Alligator Skewer. Before you go EWWW, wait, it is REALLY good, kind of shrimp or calamari like in texture, not too far off from chicken even. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Maybe they are better at night or maybe I just ordered the wrong things but it wasn't a great experience, especially compared to all the rave reviews I've read.
(2)Megan T.
This place was recommended to me by a local and since it was just a few blocks from our hotel, we checked it out. I made sure to make a reservation on Open Table so we'd be there by 6pm so we could take advantage of the $1 happy hour oyster special. My husband loved these and felt they were very fresh. The complimentary edamame were also delicious. I had three vegetarian sushi rolls. I loved the devon roll with sweet potato the best...yum! My husband had the kangaroo and the beef tongue, both of which were incredibly tender and perfectly cooked. He also got the octopus which he described as "freshly delicate". Service was very attentive and our server was knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend this place!
(5)Kaitlin M.
I really want to love this place... Please Union change my mind the next time I am in. Unfortunately as a vegetarian I was highly unimpressed with their food. They however still deserve 3 stars for their great ambiance, service and yummy sounding menu. My date, a meat eater, enjoyed his mussels and spicy tuna roll. We also loved the great service. Our beers, saki and water were never empty. And finished plates did not last long on our table. Congrats. However... I could do better at home than the three tastes I ordered. I started off with the Roasted Cauliflower Salad. The description of smoky roasted cauliflower and fennel paired with bright kumquat and orange sounds quite tasty. Somehow the execution completely failed. My cauliflower was completely under done, and the vinaigrette was almost tasteless. Overall the salad was a major disappointment. As my main dish I ordered halves of the mushroom and cucumber rolls. Wow... just two more disappointments. My mushroom roll has almost ZERO mushroom actually in it. Instead it was mostly rice filled with a tiny bit of tempura mushroom... no shitake, green onion or avocado to be found. The same went for my cucumber roll. I would expect a roll that is supposed to have jalapeno in it provide a little kick in the pallet... nothing. And again... I felt like most the ingredients were missing. If you put it in the description... I EXPECT you to put it IN the dish! Few... that felt good! All and all, because my date loved his food, we will be back. BUT, I don't give third chances so... Union, you better be on your best behavior next time!
(2)Lindsey M.
My husband made a reservation for my birthday tonight and I was a little disappointed with the table they gave us but the food was great. We were both first time visitors so we tried a sushi sampler and a barbecue sampler. We will definitely be back for the black rice sushi and the scallops.
(4)Valerie T.
This place is absolutely amazing! Best place for Japanese cuisine. Words cannot describe how great both the food and service are at this place. Staff and management are there for guest needs in every way possible. Very friendly and personable, definitely make you feel your eating at your own dining table with an added experience of intimate art setting. The food is amazing, the combination of sushi and bbq at hand is great. Hands down for this chef. Best place in River North!
(5)Ericka A.
Absolutely loved my dinner at Union Sushi. I came for the Suburban Spotlight with a large group of Yelpers and was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is gorgeous. It's very modern and spacious. We sat for hours on seats that were pretty comfortable and service was spot on from start to finish. We were greeted at the door and lead to our reserved spot upstairs, our drink orders were taken immediately and filled quickly, happy hour prices were pretty poor-friendly, and there was a steady stream of food being delivered to our table along with refills and dessert requests. I went for a Surprise + Delight cocktail to start. It has a strong cucumber and strawberry flavor. It's pretty weak, but it's very delicious and refreshing. My first food order was a full Shrimp Tempura Roll and 2 Beef Skewers. The beef was perfectly cooked and tender. The roll was well battered and very tasty. It was huge and well worth the $6. I can't say the same for the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Old City Market. They both tasted good, but they seemed overpriced and the half orders are very small. Our waiter was able to fill one more last minute Shrimp Tempura Roll order for me right as Happy Hour was winding down. The food caught up with me and I was only able to eat half of it, but they boxed up the rest very nicely. I made sure to save room for dessert and ordered the Banana Bread + Ice Cream. The bottom part of the Banana Bread was moist and perfectly baked. I wasn't as much a fan of the top part, but it mixed well with the Ice Cream and I left quite contented. I don't think I'll be able to eat much here again with normal prices, but I'll definitely be returning for another happy hour!
(4)Hauwei L.
Ate at union this week and wanted to mention a few favorite items Truffle tuna Buffalo duck wing Uni Alfredo noodles Pork shoulder, mushroom, beef tongue skewers Old city market Taro mochi cake Good, but not amazing Madai nigiri
(5)Ania H.
This place was pretty decent. Definitely pricey. They do have a happy hour menu which looked great if you get there on time. We ordered a wide array of sashimi and a few rolls. Nothing that stood out and made them spectacular (however I am a sushi snob). They do offer half rolls which I thought was a cool perk. They also have an awesome selection of sake. The decor was awesome. Cool graffiti and overall had that modern look. The service was pretty attentive and casual. They did have their specials on min ipads which was nice to scroll through the images before ordering. Overall it was an alright experience. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. Just OK.
(3)Kittie K.
Love it. Delicious. You don't need any more info. Go. There. NOW!
(5)Owen F.
Nothing special, so so service, I am so disappointed. The food is really below the standard, and I am so surprise to see many positive reviews on here.
(2)Abby K.
Not sure why this place has such high praise..the sushi was equivalent to store-bought, packaged sushi. We sampled all of the "specialty" rolls, not sure what is so special about them. Beyond the food, the service was so-so. Server was nice, but host sat us immediately adjacent to a family. There were plenty of open seats in the place and I think the other party was equally uncomfortable. Maybe their other food is what they're noted for, but this was highly disappointing and we won't be returning. After leaving without a thank you, we ventured over to nearby restaurant and had superior food.
(1)Nikki G.
i came here with a friend few months ago and i can't wait to go back to try other dishes. I really like the environment and the sushi was fresh.
(4)Xue W.
just so so, ramen is undercooked and customize box is a little disappoint, but service is awesome
(3)Cali G.
This restaurant is located in a really good location where there is parking just about anywhere or you have the option to valet. The restaurant is nicely decorated, but the only thing that bothers me is the seating. There's not much personal space. The sushi on the other hand is very good. I am a bit disappointed that they do not offer the thin sliced yellow tail appetizer with the jalapeño and sauce on top. It's one of my favorites.
(5)Tom C.
My wife and I went here last night for a date night prior to going to the theater. We got our ticket times wrong and Union was great about rushing our food to get us in and out with an excellent meal and drinks in an hour. The Sashimi Cup and Kangaroo from the Barbeque Bar were delicious! The Rainbow Roll with black rice (optional) was tasty, but fell apart pretty easily. The Tsukiji Market roll was just so-so on flavor, but nicely presented. I had a Kuro Smash cocktail to start which was awesome, and we split the Brooklyn Sorachi Ace beer (big bottle!) that surprised us but we ended up loving. Great ambiance and fun view of the eL above without being at all loud. We would definitely go here again.
(4)Phi T.
In town for work and went here for happy hour after reading reviews. Worth the 9 block walk from my hotel to here in the snow. Their $1 raw Virginia oysters on the half shell with crispy shallots and jalapeño cucumber ponzu sauce were delish. I ordered 2 dozen, 2 of the filet skewers and the shrimp tempura rolls. The food was fresh and nicely executed. Just wish they had more items on their happy hour food menu. There were no happy hour drink specials but the oysters are the star and best deal here.
(4)Brad S.
Food and service were pretty excellent. Only giving 4 because of the limited vegan selection. If you are getting rolls go black rice it makes it pretty sexy. I went with the veggie rolls. The presentation of the rolls is one of the best I've seen in Chicago. Also try clerks take the time to think through no standard flavor combinations and premium ingredients. Also started with the edamame which some dusted in green curry. It's an awesome little kick. Ambience in the place is great. I went for lunch. And it's a pretty quick and classy at the same time. Totally recommend for nicer lunch meeting.
(4)James H.
Food: four stars. Scene: 2 stars for being so overwhelmed by douchebags. If you're a douchebag, go often. You'll love it. If you're not a douchebag but have a high douchebag tolerance, go often. If you're not a douchebag and have a low douchebag tolerance, it's worth a visit but not at peak times.
(3)Rachel R.
It's so convenient to have an awesome such restaurant literally connected to our building. Union is a great place for dinner when we don't feel like going far and feel like a great meal is a casual environment. The menu really has something to offer for everyone. From traditional sushi / sashimi to the robota options to awesome specials, I've never had anything here that I haven't enjoyed. During the cold season, I absolutely love the Spicy Pigtail Ramen. It's amazing, and I am pretty sure I could eat it for weeks straight! They have a great saki and Japanese whiskey menu too. Sashimi has always been very fresh! My only comment is the wait time for initial drink / taking order has been pretty lengthy on a few occasions and the spacing of courses has been a bit off at times. Not a big enough issue to not love this place though.
(4)Chris M.
Union is very close to my office, so my coworkers and I have been here many times, and I really like it. The flavors and variety are great. Some highlights... - The spicy pigtail ramen is delicious in the cold winter months. - Duck Fat Yakisoba is absolutely delicious. - Rolls are fresh with great flavor. - Unique, varied, and delicious specials on any given day. - Happy Hour Oysters are fresh and flavors are fantastic. - Anything off the grill is pretty good. - Some tasty mixed drinks. - A nice atmosphere. Unique, but not over-the-top trendy. Overall, can't say I've ever had anything that I've been very disappointed by. Not cheap, but reasonable for the quality.
(4)Rob J.
Granted I came here when it first opened and just got around to writing this review but I don't get it. The service was terrible and the food was just so-so. Walk a few blocks east for much better sushi.
(3)Rick F.
Appetizers, Edamame, Sashimi Cup, Truffled Tuna, Cocktails, Kuro Smash, Skinny Geisha, A Fresh Start, Chicken Udon, Robata Grill Spare Rib, Lamb Chops, Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Tuna, Old City Market, Soft Shell Crab. I must say everything here was excellent. I really like the vibe here, everyone was having a great time including the staff. It is known has a hipster type place but I saw all age groups mingling just fine. I'm adding this to my place to bring out of town visitors, this is a big deal, you really have to be special to make this list.
(4)Melanie S.
Our group of four had dinner here over Memorial Day weekend, and the place was busy. We started with a round of drinks and a bottle of sake before moving on to food. I really wanted to get the Jitterbug Perfume (as it shares the same name as one of my favorite books), but I didn't like one of the components so I ended up having the Surprise + Delight (which was indeed both surprising and delightful!) instead; a refreshing concoction of muddled strawberries, lemon, cucumber vodka, Pimm's, lemongrass, and seltzer. That was one of the best cocktails I've had in recent memory. We enjoyed a good portion of the menu, both sushi and from the robata grill. For truly adventurous eaters (not me!), they have some interesting things like kangaroo and alligator. We started with a dozen oysters and two orders of the truffled tuna. I did not partake in the oysters, but they were well-received (if a little too aggressive with the cilantro). I loved the truffled tuna, which came with buttery avocado and wonton chips. I appreciated that they weren't heavy handed with the truffle; a little goes a long way. We also had the sashimi cup, which was probably the rest of the group's favorite. Similar to a ceviche, it comes with escolar, salmon, green onion, ponzu, and avocado puree. I refuse to eat escolar as I've heard it can wreak havoc on your digestive system. I'm not a fan of the possibility of crapping my pants in public so I skipped it. I haven't heard any tales of woe from the others so it appears everyone escaped the perils of eating escolar; good for them. Some of the other items we tried were mushroom soup (like a miso with a variety of earthy mushrooms), mushroom salad, and several specialty rolls. I love that they offer half rolls (I wish more places did this); it makes me much more likely to order more. Of the specialty rolls, we had the Old City Market (spicy tuna/salmon/fried okra), Hokkaido (grilled scallop/avocado/roasted pepper) and the Clifton (calamari/asparagus) and the mushroom roll, which was vegetarian. It came with tempura mushrooms and avocado, and it was damn tasty. To that, we threw in a couple pieces of marinated salmon nigiri for good measure. From the robata section, we did skewers of lamb chops, scallops wrapped in prosciutto, jumbo shrimp, and kangaroo (eek!). I especially liked the scallops but the lamb chops didn't have much flavor except for the char from the grill. I'd skip those next time. Allegedly the kangaroo was very tender and not gamey (I did not try it), but it was a tad salty. Skewers are great--you can order a ton of them and everyone can get what they want. It does add up though, so be warned. Service was very good. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations. Union Sushi + Barbecue is a nice change of pace from the usual sushi bar, and I love that you can also get items from the robata. It's a great way to customize your meal and get a little bit of everything. Overall, Union Sushi gets a thumbs up. 3.5 stars.
(4)Nanc A.
Good spot. Good sushi not too many pieces served but the taste is amazing. Yummy drinks friendly staff
(4)Jin K.
So we went here to dine on friday night for my wife's birthday. We actually had our first date there about two years ago. This time was as good as the previous times that we have gone. The Bartender upstairs, rocks! Super knowledgeable about drinks, the beer that he recommended was excellent, echicho (sp?) and the cocktails that he made for the others in our party were outstanding. I didn't know they had Ramen noodles but two people from our party of six ordered Ramen Noodles and after trying both of them, I wanted to order one for myself. So Good! But since we had ordered loads of rolls and sushi, i didn't. The food was delicious as always. If I still lived in the city, I would go at least once a week to feast on the Ramen Noodles and some excellent rolls.
(5)Andrea Z.
Excellent! We went in search of some sushi and cocktails and were very impressed with Union. We tried two different specialty cocktails - one was gin and one rum - and both were quite good and at $11 each, decently priced if not cheap. Union specializes in black rice sushi and although they charge a bit extra for it, I highly recommend it. Flavor-wise, it isn't much different from white rice but we found the texture to be different and very very good. I would absolutely try this if you get the chance. Sean got the black rice nigiri sampler for $25 - I think there were at least 8 large pieces. I went with three 4-piece rolls: Devon roll (sweet potato tempura), tempura shrimp, and spicy tuna. Both of us enjoyed our meals very much. The fish was superb, extremely fresh and melt-in-your mouth good. The rolls were great. Spicy tuna was well seasoned and just spicy enough. Devon roll was interesting - I wouldn't say my favorite as it was a bit bland, but I'd never had tempura sweet potato before so I'm glad I tried it. The tempura shrimp roll was the highlight of the meal for me. Most places batter and fry the shrimp, then roll it, then cut it. Not union. Here they assemble the roll then batter and fry THE WHOLE THING! Somehow it does not end up greasy and heavy. The whole roll is warm but not hot - exactly the right temperature, and with just enough fried batter on the outside. I've never had anything like it - SO GOOD! Very reasonable prices, great sushi - highly recommended. We walked out at less than 80 bucks including tip. Not bad for sushi in Chi-town. Definitely give this place a try.
(5)Daniel H.
I went to this place I was blown away! Service was fantastic! Sushi very fresh and the alcohol selection Double Plus Good. I recommend it.
(5)Marcio D.
Great sushi and drinks (morning glory) in a relaxed environment with super friendly staff. Sushi chef was amazing and his recommendations were incredible.
(5)Miss B.
I ate at Union during a visit to Chicago last fall. This place is heavenly. Rap music and sushi is all one needs in life and Union Sushi + BBQ Bar is ready to serve. Truffle tuna - JUST run there now and stop reading this review any further. However, if you are still curious about this glorious establishment, they have great rolls and other appetizers. Personally, I was not in love with the black rice sushi but it was not fault of Union (just my taste buds). When I return to Chicago, this will be my first and last stop. Hoping to dream about truffile tuna and a platter of nigiri with west coast rap serenading the event!!!!
(5)Jamie B.
Sushi was pretty good, but overall I found this place to be overpriced for the value. $12 for a 5 oz. glass of mediocre white wine? No thanks. The fresh wasabi we were offered (and accepted like idiots) was a $5.00 charge which our server never mentioned. I just was not impressed, I think there are better sushi paces (with BYOB options) than this place.
(2)Douglas B.
I can't say enough about this place. Yes, another 5 stars, seems that some of these places have not been disappointing at all. Union has amazing music playing every time I've been there. Old school hip hop.. nothing more, nothing less. None of that BS dance music, none of that new crap wanna-be rap... real hip hop. Makes dining there so much the better. They have a killer happy hour... $1 oysters with delicious crispy onion toppings, green onion, chile oil and fish roe... so good!! $3 beef skewers so tender so good and a $6 huuuuge shrimp maki. I always go for the pork shoulder, it is full of flavor. All of their meats are cooked over a 600degree fire. They have kangaroo and alligator as well. I will need to attempt the kangaroo one day. The sushi is fantastic, the fish is fresh and they give you nice portions. The uni is creamy and grade A. They have a few mixologists and make fantastic drinks, the have a long list of house drinks they make. .. very creative. I stick to a Makers Mark manhattan, they knock it out of the park. Not to mention the black cherry they put in there, so much better than the maraschino. Go! Go try the happy hour specials. The food is not that pricey, its the drinks that get ya, they are pricey but so damn good and worth every penny. If you like to drink, be careful, you will down them one after another with out batting an eye :D
(5)Alex G.
I'm here for my second time. I can't tell you how much I love this place. Crab legs if on the special are a must. Love the Devon toll. Also had the cold cider mule, amazing! My go to for all of my out of state visitors!
(5)Jenny H.
Union Sushi is fun, funky, and fresh! We had a choice of sitting in front of the robata grill or at the sushi bar (no tables were available at the time). We picked the latter and it was the best decision of the evening! Consider it a front row seat into the meticulous artistry that is their sushi. We started out with some edamame and then worked our way through the menu... TRUFFLED TUNA Based on the overwhelming recs on here, we followed suit. It was decent, but I'm the kind of person that would've liked the tuna itself to come out more. PROSCUITTO-WRAPPED-SCALLOP oh, my gawd Becky-- look at that scallop... it is so big! It was palm-sized perfection: smoky, juicy, a tad on the saltier side but oh-so-scrumptious! Then a foray into half to full portions of sushi: TSUKIJI MARKET CHESAPEAKE BAY DEVON RAINBOW We both liked the Tsukiji simply because it was subtle yet refreshing, my dining companion had commented that it was very much like a Vietnamese spring roll. I liked the Devon because of its textures and sweetness, though I could've done without the overpowering eel sauce. I've never had black rice sushi and the Chesapeake was a good introduction. Who would've thought... crisp collard green wrapped sushi? BANANA BREAD + ICE CREAM Recommended by our server and I love anything banana-themed because of its subtle sweetness. Banana bread came out moist and warm. Paired nicely with the banana ice cream. We dined to the musical likes of Weezy and 50cent. Made for a uniquely entertaining night of creative eats. Shout out to Aum, even though he wasn't directly our sushi chef, he made sure we could approach him in the interim since our server wasn't available and even offered us a sample of their cannolis (which I will definitely have to try next time since I was so stuffed). Our fast friendship was solidified with a parting fist bump and best believe, I will be seeking him out on my next visit! Sit at the bar, order something from the grill and a variety from their union roll list. Guaranteed good time!
(4)Alex J.
If you don't want to be seated at the sushi bar, make sure to make reservations - the host staff WILL be catty. Personally, I love to sit at the sushi bar at this place. There is a female waitress there named Aniporn (spelling?) who is awesome! The happy hour special is fantastic ($1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls, $2 grilled beef skewers). The house drinks that I have had there were good. The prawn with kale salad is excellent. So is the black rice sushi sampler. I really love this place!
(4)Nichole C.
I think I'm going to have to reevaluate my feelings for Sushi X and Toro Sushi now that I have experienced the wonder of Union. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I don't know if it's the atmosphere (cool industrial space with tagged up walls and an open kitchen), the drinks (those bartenders WORK for their money and the drinks have ingredients I have never heard of...not to forget they also have SPARKLING SAKE and some good craft beers), the food (black rice sushi...what other evidence do you need?), or our server (he was the nicest, sweetest, cutest thing in the world and he was a great server too) but I love it here. I was also impressed with the menu (both sushi and bbq), the specials and appetizers (damn, they make me feel fancy with that iPad menu!), and the drinks other than alcohol (Japanese sodas, teas, etc.). The only thing that I would mention (if I have to be picky) is that you should probably make a reservation (of course the place is packed) and the regular old rolls like the spicy tuna are totally boring compared to the others that they serve so go big or go home. And try the black rice...it's the bomb.
(5)Steven N.
Not a bad place with both sushi and robata grill all under one roof. For our taste, this place is a bit too trendy though. We tried the black sesame rice sushi platter and found ourselves wanting back the regular sushi rice instead. Their fish quality is ok, but not overly impressive. We also tried some items off their robata grill - if you are into gamey meat like kangaroo, bison or alligator, this is the place for you. We thought the scallops from the grill was the best item we tried. Parking is easy there and the atmosphere is relaxed, so give it a shot if you are in the neighborhood. We won't be returning since it's not really what we like.
(3)Dominic V.
Really good and creative sushi.
(5)Mike W.
My wife had been raving about this place for months and then we went with friends on a recent Friday night. It was good but not spectacular . I definitely thought the black rice was a cool touch and I really liked the ice cream. Also, our server had a fantastic mustache (and was a pretty good waiter). The fresh wasabi ground at your table is cool. And sake in a can is great. I had enough cans of sake + the bourbon drink (also pretty good) that I don't clearly recall what we ate. It's a bit on the pricey side although for where it is and what it's trying to be I didn't think it outrageous.
(3)Claire M.
I've been here a half-dozen times now and always, always, always return every time I'm in Chicago. The menu is creative, the food is tasty, and I just love the energy. My favorites on the menu are the truffled tuna, black rice sushi sampler, the spare rib and the fatty tuna sashimi. In fact, that list right there is pretty much what we order every single time! I'm always surprised as well by how reasonable the prices are for a wonderful sushi meal. For example, two girlfriends and I came here over the summer and absolutely gorged ourselves for less than $45 a person including a bottle of wine and a nice tip. Another huge plus -- it's so easy to book a reservation here using OpenTable. The service tends to be competent rather than overly warm, although I have had some great servers. The last time we were here I found our server a little too pushy about upselling us on the fresh wasabi without mentioning there was an extra charge. However, we've had consistently great experiences with the bartenders -- I might even try eating at the bar sometime if I'm there by myself!
(5)Ryan R.
High quality, fresh sushi, and knowledgeable staff. Consistently great food either dining at restaurant or picking up for carry out sushi. The fact that they have delicious, healthy BLACK RICE available is A+. My favorite spicy tuna roll in Chicago by far. I also love all their sashimi and the truffled tuna appetizer. Never a disappointment!
(4)Heather K.
We had a great night! We went for a casual business dinner (among friends) about a week ago. Very impressed from the start with the atmosphere, music, and overall vibe. We had a reservation, but decided to stay at the bar because we were enjoying the company of Adam! He was our fantastic bartender. If you are looking for an easy going and fun night out with great drinks and great food, this is the place. We let him make recommendations and just keep bringing out the food and drinks! Loved the truffled tuna! He even made great vegetarian recommendations for one person in our party. We had a great time and really enjoyed everything! #thanksadam ;)
(5)David O.
I decided to try Union Sushi after watching an episode of "Check Please," that featured the restaurant. All three diners on the show had positive comments, which prompted me to check it out. Great fresh sushi really enjoyed the BBQ. Atmosphere was totally laid back at the same time very contemporary. The only down side was out waitresses kinda sucked. Wasn't very attentive, water, napkins, nowhere to be found when wanting to order more, but overall was a great night. Highly recommend for a first date kinda night.
(4)Jvmr C.
We came here a second time. Still great food, atmosphere, and service. It seems they took my (or someone else's) advice and replaced the cheap plastic sampler/tasting plates with heavier plates. Also I was disappointed that they no longer offer the tableside preparation of fresh wasabi. But I would still definitely recommend it.
(4)Rachna K.
What can I say? They have the best vegetarian roll ever - the Devon. The Devon roll is TO DIE FOR! Soooo good! My husband, who loves meat and seafood, is also equally enamored with the Devon. The rest of the rolls are pretty good too. My hubby has had a few items from the BBQ bar - including the beef and alligator, he said it was okay. The Devon roll alone will keep me coming back here! Great place if you are vegetarian but in the mood for sushi!
(4)Jessica P.
I ordered from here one night thinking it'd be amazing . The service was great but the food seemed sloppy. like a child put it together. The chicken seemed so bland nearly a hint of salt . sushi was poorly put together, soup over salted with hardly enough components. Not to mention prices are ridiculous Neat place great service - poor food quality .
(2)Conrad S.
Great sushi place, some nights the sushi is phenomenal sometimes it is not. It gets pretty busy on the weekends but that's Chicago for you. Inside is a very cool modern kind of look, the lighting is very well done and brings out how cool their space is.
(4)Lena H.
Sat at the sushi bar which is a little distracting when you're starving and trying the have a conversation. When my sushi arrived, man it was delicious! I was prepared to go all out and forgo my diet. Coincidently, the rolls i chose, only one included rice, the lower carb black rice. It was the Chespeake Bay. DO NOT PASS IT UP. So good!! The place is pricy, but I really enjoyed the sushi, and felt guilt free, so I guess it was worth it!
(4)Amy W.
Looved Union, firstly for the open layout with unique designs -- the high ceilings, the wall art, and the robata grill display! The service was also great. Our waitress was efficient, knowledgable, and also courteous. My boyfriend and I tried one of the specials, the grilled bay scallops, which were absolutely delicious (I thought the use of iPads to display the specials was quite unique as well). The portion was a bit small, though; for $5 we got only two scallops. The sushi was average; nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about. The duck-fat yakisoba was amaazing, however! It had just the right amount of kick to it. And as for dessert -- oh my! We shared the taro mochi cake and a scoop of the uni ice cream. The latter was an interesting combination of flavored and textures that I had never tasted before. The ice cream definitely had a strong savory, uni flavor and was almost a bit cheesy in texture, but it was perfectly balanced out with the crispy caramel. I would recommend sharing, though. It might have been too heavy for me if I had had it myself!
(5)Sandy D.
Boyfriend made reservations in advanced for my birthday. there were plenty of open tables yet, they were going to be seated right in front of the door, but i asked to be seated upstairs. the food was delicious. I was happy with the chef sashimi choices, however a little disappointed that it was not garnished with radish shreds nor the green edible leaves - I had to ask for the radish shreds. Also, we sat with empty dishes and no drinks for quite some time. i had to request that our dishes get removed and more drinks. Our waitress had been busy taking shots with a party near us. After a while our waitress was slurring her words, working slow and was waaaay too touchy feely with us - it made me too uncomfortable. I was not liking the service at this point - luckily Choa one of the owners came by and thanked us for coming and gave us a taste of white smoked tuna. he turned it around for sure! i look forward to coming back, the owners just need to watch their staff to not get messed up while working - its not professional. I also over heard the table that our waitress was taking shots with, when they closed up, they shorted the waitress. hmmm - i wonder why. sober staff count better.
(4)Cami R.
Loved the place!! Great decor and friendly staff!! We ordered the skinny geisha as a cocktail, it was good but a little more alcohol would do no harm... We had a lot of rolls but the ones who standed out were the shrimp tempura and the mushroom with black rice. For dessert the brownie... it is to die for!!
(4)Eatie J.
Been here several times and I must say... This must be love.
(5)Jessica N.
I LOVE Union!!!! Have been there twice in the past month again and have had a fabulous experience every time. Amazing service - very knowledgeable and helpful but not OVERLY on top of you Food - Their new Agedashi potato is SO good. Plus tried the new grilled prawn and it was like lobster - delicious! Always have great music and a fabulous vibe!
(5)Joanne N.
Oh Union Sushi how I wish you were better. I live right in the neighborhood and would love for this place to be everything its trying to be. Here are my thoughts: Sushi- okay not great. I don't enjoy overly complicated rolls so if I'm going to get a basic tuna or hamachi roll, I want it to taste really fresh. I don't always feel that way with these rolls. Oysters- same deal as the sushi. Not the best in the world, but fine. I think they overcompensate with other flavors when I think oysters are best standing on their own. I'll only order them during happy hour. The noodle soups- I do love these. They are the reason I gave union 3 stars instead of 2. The spicy pigtail ramen is great if you have a cold. It's also sooo tasty. Union serves its purpose; trendy sushi spot in river north. Just not my favorite place in town!
(3)Maria G.
My first Restaurant Week restaurant!!! I made a point to this year finally make a reservation to a restaurant participating in restaurant week. I called up a pal, said here's my list, and we go from there. She ended up going with Union Sushi and I was totally stoked! We had reservations for 6:45 and there was hella traffic on the way there! I also didn't look into parking info ahead of time but was crossing my fingers that street parking would be readily available. 6:40 pm and I spot the restaurant. And look! Street Parking! Right across the street!!! Hellz yeah!!! My dining partners had just arrived as well and we were seated immediately. Service was great! And I loved the decor and ambiance. I was totally digging the music and then threw my hands up when some Slim Shady came on! The food was all delicious BUT...I did not care for the Black Pepper shrimp appetizer. It was totally unappealing and I would not recommend it. I had a great night here and will definitely be back for some more of that Black Rice Sushi!
(4)Martha Z.
My friend and I took a seat at the bar in front of the sushi chef. We ordered the BBQ sampler and it all came out tasting very good. We also tried the rice pudding for dessert and was so delicious that we ate it up so quickly. The waiter was also very attentive and super nice. Would definitely go back when I'm back in Chicago.
(5)Kate D.
Everything everything everything was delicious. The sushi rolls were fantastic, the drinks were amazing and the dessert was the perfect end to the meal. Recommend the mushroom roll, the scallop with black rice roll(cant remember the fancy name). Dan our waiter took such amazing care of our pregnant friend that the service might have been the highlight. Ask for Dan. I will be back for more sushi:)
(5)Jim K.
Not like a regular sushi place. Go for the unique and different here it's all great. It was my first time having kangaroo. Interesting. Not what I would have expected, and tasty. The beef to tongue skewers are also spectacular - we must have ordered at least five of them. Definitely go for the black sushi rice. Normally I don't like this kind of rice but here it is done well, and actually adds to the diversity of the rolls. Also be sure to try the rolls that use seaweed alternates as wrappers - radish and the like. The bartender is also a wizard with the white whiskey. Good, even if super strong, beverages. Maybe a bit overpriced for what you get, but yummy.
(5)James Z.
I know we need to talk about the food immediately, but can we mix things up a minute and talk about how much I love the location and design of this place? I kinda love the fact that it's right next to the El tracks. There's something rustic and romantic about its proximity to an old subway artery. It's also positioned on a corner where you can dine watching the action of River North around you. Big windows and dim lighting allow for the streetscape to become your source of visual entertainment. The interior design, however, is not understated. I love the vibrant colors, murals, and funky lights. I am reviewing Union Sushi & BBQ Bar mainly based on my most recent visit for Restaurant Week. We had a Friday night reservation for 8:15. We got there ten minutes early and they told us our table wasn't going to be ready until 8:15. We waited until 8:30 when we were sat. Our hostess apologized for the delay, and luckily we didn't get sat near the front door where there is an unpleasant draft. I ordered the Surprise & Delight cocktail. It had muddle strawberries, pimm's, simple syrup, cucumber vodka, lemongrass, and seltzer. It was refreshing and transported me to summertime --- a much needed reminder of warmth in the middle of this brutal Chicago winter. The miso soup was our starter. Yummy! It was a nice beginning to our meal... along with the complimentary edamame. For appetizers, he ordered the truffle oil tuna with potato chips. Amazing! Very truffle-y! I ordered the prawns with chili. Good stuff. My boyfriend ordered the Surf & Turf as his main entree which was a fillet of beef served with crispy shrimp, thinly-sliced fried potatoes, and a sweet potato cream that had the consistency of a puree. I had a sushi platter; it was delicious -- especially the spicy tuna. Now, for the sweet stuff... I like dessert, but don't always NEED it. Thankfully, for Restaurant Week, dessert was included and boy was I glad! The killer yuzu pie was refreshing... and very tart!! (Actually, a bit *too* tart for my liking, but still amazing.) I wish the crust wasn't that hard to cut through though. The pumpkin mochi cake, however, won out in the end. The cream cheese ice cream, pumpkin brittle, and caramel made this dish. Our server was fine. She seemed a little scatter-brained at times, and wasn't super attentive, but nothing egregious or praiseworthy to report. Out of all the RW places we went to this year, my boyfriend and I agreed this was our favorite.
(4)Chitterne B.
Turn up the damn heat. Please. So cold - do not let them seat you in the tables near the windows during the winter!
(3)Ma M.
sushi was delicious and the chicken skewer was tasty, wish they was little more to curry but regardless I would order it again
(3)Julia P.
Have eaten here at least 6 times now, with quite varying experiences. Has ranged from a delightful relaxed time at the bar talking to the owner, watching him prepare a very special dish, and getting some Chicago Thai restaurant tips, to perfectly fine experience with good wait staff, to sitting at a bench seat feeling as if in a hole unable to quite reach the table, to being treated a bit as an imposition by front staff even with reservation and being rushed by servers, to, worst of all, - freezing so badly at most recent visit that even with floor length down coat on I still felt as if having chills from influenza throughout entire meal and couldn't wait to leave. The food will win out and bring me back though, and I have hope that some of these other issues could become more consistent, hopefully on the good end! Most easily remedied would probably be to develop systems for timing the coursing of plates being served and refraining from rushing diners. As it stands, we are just careful to order only a couple of things and try to plan it out ourselves the best we can. Black rice items here are the standout for me. Yum. Inspired me to make black rice at home more often. Also delicious is the lightly topped presentation of the oysters, and the time we hit happy hour for those was a nice bargain surprise. March 2014 update. Adding a star for recent nice experiences. For us a key seems to be dining at the bar, but that may be coincidence combined with our personal preference. Union continues to be a favorite.
(4)Matthew F.
The food here is sublime! Entered and was seated in no time flat (they were REALLY full). I ordered the edamame and the tuna salad (it's not really a salad. It's more like a tower of tuna with truffle.) Both were great. I have a knack for eating A LOT OF sushi, and it was very fresh. The restaurant pickles their own onions and puts it on top of the tuna nigiri.... OH.MY .GOD. It was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. One less star because while the food is good.....it is REALLY EXPENSIVE. Not a weekly restaurant......probably once every few months. Great place for dates.
(4)Beth K.
YUM! Love this place! Love the atmosphere, the drinks and the food! The minute you sit down, they bring you edamame. There was something tasty sprinkled on it, but I can't remember what it was. Our waiter for the evening, was awesome and patient. I think he checked on us 4 times before we actually decided what we wanted to order, food wise. Drink order always goes in right away. They have so many fun cocktails there, you really can't go wrong. I ended up ordering some sashimi they had as a special and it was delightful. Our server (forgot his name) recommended it and said it was similiar to a halibut, or maybe it was red snapper. Haha, either was it was great! I also got my standard black rice hokkaido roll. I love it, and could probably eat it every day. I also love that you get an option of ordering 4 or 8 pieces. My friend is a little more adventurous then I am and had the alligator rib. He loved it, and can't wait to go back when they get the kangaroo (sad) back on the menu. If you haven't been and are looking to try something new check out Union. Whether you order sushi or order something from the bbq/robata menu you won't be disappointed. Cheers!
(5)Kori E.
We came here last night for Restaurant Week and boy was I impressed!!! We decided to come a little early to have a drink at the bar before dinner, and I think the only disappointing factor was the lack luster bartender. He was borderline rude. However, when we moved on to our table our waitress was super friendly, attentive and gave great suggestions! I would highly recommend doing the Restaurant week menu as you get a huge bang for your buck ;) We split the sushi and pork and were STUFFED. The portions are huge and everything was so spot on. The desserts were also phenomenal and massive portions once again! I loved the black rice sushi, and nothing was dosed in tempura or mayo, the fish was really the main ingredient, which I liked. They have a great drink list as well and would recommend ordering the Skinny Geisha, I had two and loved them! I will for sure be returning to Union, such a great spot! Im surprised it took me this long to make it here.
(5)Sean P.
Pretty good sushi and it's not too bad trying to get reservations on the same day. It was a little bit too loud being seated upstairs. I've had better experiences downstairs where you could actually hear the person you're sitting next to.
(4)Diane W.
I called almost 3 weeks in advance for a dinner reservation of 10 for my birthday. The hostess stated that should be fine and took my name and contact information down and stated their event planner would contact me sometime before the dinner. About a week before the dinner reservation, I had not heard back from the event planner so I called to confirm my reservation only to find out they had no reservations under that name. The only times they could offer me was 10:00 at night..which who wants to eat that late. I then asked to speak with the manager who was great. He was very accommodating and took care of all my issues. He was able to ft my friends in at 8:00 reservation as I had requested. I have eaten here before, always great service and great food.
(4)Tony B.
Recently went for a birthday and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere! It's a place you can miss though it's in River North it's not near a ton of other restaurants, tucked in by the El. Nice thing is if you have a crew that has some non-sushi lovers there's good variety on the menu. Good shareables. Manager came over and greeted us, staff threw a little birthday celebration for my buddy Mark and over all it was just a very welcoming and delicious evening.
(4)Natalia K.
the rolls are tiiiiiiiiiiny. a full order of salmon roll is literally half the size of any salmon roll i've eaten anywhere else. if you like thick rolls with big pieces of fish and rice paper, i would basically go anywhere but here. i can't say anything about their ramen or bbq or whatever else they serve, since i haven't tried it but the sushi was a fail. and we ordered a lottttt of different rolls. i've heard such good things about this place but was honestly really disappointed.
(1)Nazy H.
Made these reservations from about a month before and told them it was a surprise birthday. Granted it changed from a party of 6 to a party of 10 but they also had to change our time from 9 PM to 10 PM which I said that is fine as long as we get to sit at 10 PM. Well our party waited at the bar for 45 minutes before we were even seated and they only came by to us once saying that it will be a few more minutes before I continuously asked them if they could please just do something because everyone was so hungry at this point. Then the entire order taking and dinner process was slow. The black rice sushi was delicious. And we got the bbq platter that everyone loved as well. So overall, food was great but service definitely needs some work.
(3)Jaime G.
Union Sushi has some good sushi and ambiance...but rest is just other food. A little over priced too. Go here if you want to hang out for a drink and a sushi app...but that's about it.
(3)Aubrey R.
Food was good, not the best, but good. Thought the prices were kind of high for what you got. We ordered some rolls, tuna with truffle oil app, some pieces of bbq, slider appetizer and the surf and turf. Surf and turf was the best, meat was tender, prawns were good and price of that was worth it. The sauce was excellent! The slider appetizer was okay...that definitely didn't taste like wagyu, the pork belly was good and the crab cake one was okay. Pork belly wasn't that tender, flavor was good. For the bbq, the rib had good flavor, we ordered two. One was super tender and melted in your mouth, the other wasn't that tender and kind of hard. The duck I was told was also just okay. The skin was crispy, but flavor was so so. My husband and friend did enjoy the lamb because it didn't taste gamey. The key lime pie was overly tart and sour, not good at all. The chocolate brownie was pretty good. Service was good, place looks big, but they don't have that many tables it seems and it gets really loud. It was nice to try a new place, but I prefer Sunda and Slurping Turtle and feel you get more for your money there. We spent $275 for 4 people and we left comfy, not full. Totally don't mind dropping this much money for food, but it should be worth it. Oh I did enjoy the Simple + Delight (I think that is what it was called). Vodka cucumber drink. Yum!
(3)Sarah K.
Adam just whipped up the most amazing drink on the fly. Come for drinks, stay for sushi, you won't regret it!
(5)Hayley N.
The food was delicious and the service was great! I was stuffed after the meal, but it left me wanting more! I will definitely come back here with friends. We got a lot of different things to try: House Salad- standard, but really yummy dressing Lamb Chops- excellent flavor- a little fatty Truffle Tuna- delicious, but wasn't overwhelmed with truffle flavor Wagyu Beef- a little too rare for me, but it was still good-- nothing crazy 2 rolls-- one white rice and one black rice (both awesome!!!) Pumpkin dessert with mochi- UNREAL Enjoyed the place a lot. A good place for a fun atmosphere and interesting food.
(4)Monica C.
2 words: Complete Ripoff!! My boyfriend and I ordered delivery from this place on GrubHub. In the end, everything came out to around $60 dollars, so we were expecting a good portion of food. When the order came, we were shocked - it was only enough to feed a person for half a meal. And they forgot the soy sauce, great. We were left starving and bitter. The food itself was a mediocre attempt at high-end sushi that fell flat. Old City Market Roll: The description goes "Spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion and crispy onion wrapped in collard green." Sounds fancy enough. WELL IT AIN'T. All I tasted was tuna wrapped around a sad little piece of green leaf, with a thin layer of black rice that looked like it was accidentally smudged on. Spider Roll: I chewed and chewed, but can only taste a hint of crab. I suspect some baby crabs were used in the production of this roll. Sauteed Maitake Mushrooms: I swear they were trying to give me high blood pressure. SO MUCH SALT. Whole Squid: Eh, it was ok. Again, tiny baby squid. Hold on to your wallets guys and go somewhere else to get your money's worth!
(1)Adam K.
BBQ wasn't as on point this time, neither was service, still above the avg though.
(4)Mary L.
I've never had such amazing food in my entire life. My boyfriend and I went for a date night expecting the best - and that is what we got! My server was Dan and he was not only extremely attentive, but courteous, respectful, and even remembered I was pescetarian when I ordered a prosciutto-wrapped scallop. He's the best. When you go, order the ume wine - it will blow your mind. Nothing says proper Japanese sushi than a glass of Ume wine to round off your meal. Basically, I have no complaints about this place. Every single thing we ordered was cooked (or not cooked!) to absolute perfection. The service was great, the menu inventive, and the Yuzu pie to die for. When my boyfriend and I can afford it, we'll definitely go again. In the meantime, we'll sing praises to the sushi Gods for Union.
(5)Cassandra F.
My partner and I went here for our anniversary. The decor is a little odd, and the music is a little on the loud side, but other than that it was a fantastic experience. Our server was perfect -- just the right amount of attentiveness with being smothering or fussy. We ordered some robata skewers to start, which were quite tasty, as well as the duck fat yaki soba, which was excellent. The sushi was outstanding, especially the Chesapeake Bay roll. Seriously some of the best sushi I've had, and I've eaten a lot of sushi. But perhaps the highlight of the meal was dessert: a to-die-for chocolate brownie, and a yuzi pie so good my partner (who doesn't care for sweets) couldn't stop eating it. I will absolutely eat here again, although I may order take away, as it's on the way home. I'm also keen to try their lunch bentos. A+
(4)Jose V.
I can't believe it took me that long to try this place given that is only a couple of blocks away from me! I came on a Friday night with friends and the place wasn't really that busy, however the server indicated that they were totally booked for the night.. And we had to wait and see, so luckily and after having a few drinks, a cancellation came along, so we were able to sit down after only 25 mins.. For the appetizers we just went for the truffled tuna which was fantastic. For main course we decided to split the black rice sushi sampler and a salad, everything was really tasty, you could tell the quality of the ingredients.. Servers are a bit awkward but still nice, music was a bit off from the atmosphere they are trying to create, perhaps some lounge music might be suitable but oh well, not a deal breaker ;) Drinks were good, not the best, portions and pricing were reasonable, overall experience great, definitely coming back, especially for their truffled tuna..
(4)Natalya M.
I went to Union Sushi last night with my friend and I still cannot get Spicy Tuna roll with black rice out of my head. My friend and I made a pact right there and then to come back and just order that...it was pure perfection. This roll is definitely one of the best things I've ever tasted...and if you're one of those who doesn't care for sesame oil, like myself, be afraid not...I couldn't taste it. If I could have this roll for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I would! We also ordered Spicy Tuna with regular rice, Dragon Roll, Devon roll and Hokkaido. Hokkaido was my least favorite as it tasted pretty fishy, but I am not a fan of raw scallops unless they are drowning in spicy mayo and masago mix. All the rolls we tried, including regular Spicy Tuna pale in comparison to the Spicy Tuna with Black Rice. If you think that you're not going to order a boring spicy tuna roll that you've eaten 10 thousand times by now even if it's covered in black rice...Stop, don't think...just do it. We also tried the Pumpkin mochi cake dessert, which I ordered because everyone in Yelp seems to love it. I liked it but next time I am going to save my calories for the spicy tuna roll.
(5)Jenny F.
Came here on a Saturday night and had some great food and drinks! The service is really great - super friendly staff and server. I was looking for a drink to warm up from the winter and the waitress recommended the hot cider mule which was delicious. I also had the kuro smash which was great. For the dessert the pumpkin mochi pie is pretty good as well. Not quite a mochi texture - a little bit more crumbly and pie-like.
(5)Ryan G.
Two years on and Union has still exceeded all of my expectations throughout. Yes, there has been the occasional busy lunch service causing slow food that I had to sometimes take back to my office but that only makes my fellow employees jealous... Notable additions to their menu include seared fois-gras wrapped with a beef tataki, alligator ribs, the fried oyster and wagyu burger, octopus salad... Chef Chao, Aum and the rest of the kitchen staff are constantly evolving and elevating their menu and every new dish has been great. Top that off with a great group outing on New Year's Eve 2012 with eight people all sat around the robata grill and this restaurant continues to be my favorite in the Chicago. Congrats to Mike, Chao, Aum, Dan, Amy, Kathy and the rest of the staff for 2 great years and hopefully many more to come. I'll be looking forward to it.
(5)Lin W.
Good bbq, good sushi. Skip the desserts.
(4)Ana C.
Sashimi cup was delish and i liked rolls with black rice ( chefs option for $25 )
(4)Sofia J.
Love coming here!! 2 times was not enough!! Delicious $10 cocktails (Surprise+Delight) Delicious menu: oysters (love the jalapeno-cilantro ponzu), bbq'd squid skewer, sushi (especially the black rice sushi), yummy bento boxes... this list will continue. All this for very affordable prices!!
(5)Laurence B.
Sit at the upstairs bar! Very knowledgeable bartenders, amazing whiskey and sake selection. Sushi is UNBELIEVABLE... like the others say, try the black rice wraps. Everything was fresh and delicious. And original. Seems like downstairs is a little noisy and trendy. The cool play is to sit at the upstairs bar in the corner. And order the whiskey that the bartender tells you to order. And the new beer that they just got in. The one in the can, from japan.
(5)Madison B.
This place was good. I had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. Deliscious! I also had the calamari sushi and yellow tail sushi. Everything was yummy...including the drinks. Btw the bartender was AWESOME. He knew all about the drinks and the food and was super nice. I had a good time.
(4)D W.
The food was terrible. I don't understand why this place received so many good reviews. There are so many better places for sushi. I ordered the eel and ebi rolls with black rice and seaweed. The sushi was dry and didn't have any flavor. I get better sushi from Osaka Express in the South Loop at half the price. I guess I am spoiled because I lived in Japan and I know the difference of authentic sushi/Japanese food. The place is mediocre at best. Definitely would not come back.
(1)Jesse C.
Went here a few weeks back for a business dinner and was very impressed. We cam early enough for dinner to take advantage of a few of the happy hour specials which included discounted beef skewers, shrimp tempura rolls, and oysters. The Oysters were a bit of a disappointment and I would not recommend but everything else we ate that night was good. Favorites were the black rice spicy tuna rolls and the shrimp tempura rolls. Great Japanese beer selection and friendly service. Would definitely come back here again in the future.
(4)Natalie L.
This was a fun place to bring an out of town colleague. We had the truffled tuna, the black rice sushi sampler, and the robata sampler. For 3 women, it was a good amount of food and everything was tasty. I was especially impressed with the beef tongue. Service was good. Atmosphere is trendy River North but it wasn't unbearably loud. As for music, well, if you like rap circa 1999 this is your jam.
(4)Mike O.
Only negative thing I could say is the wait for a table would have been 90 minutes on a sunday night so we had to sit at the bar but food was still excellent. The ipad menu for the specials is really cool. Black rice sushi is a must try and the seared wagyu was excellent. Will definitely return
(5)Kristey B.
From my experience, this is by far the best sushi spot in Chicago. I've dined in and got to soak up their amazing ambience and have also been equally impressed with their sushi whenever I order out and get delivery. Love this place!
(5)Shannon S.
My experience at Union was much the same as many of the other reviewers. I thought the atmosphere was outstanding and the drinks were really great but the food was hit or miss and the prices were quite high. I had the alligator kabob, the buffalo duck wing, hokkaido union roll and the waygu beef slider. Friends I was with had the steak salad, spicy tuna roll, dragon roll and spicy shrimp roll. First off, for having the word "sushi" in the title of their restaurant this place actually has very little of it. They have the standard nigiri menu but outside of that they only had 7 rolls on the lunch menu. Having gone here for lunch I was a bit disappointed with the selection. My other issue with the selection was that about half of the maki selection didn't involve raw fish. The hokkaido roll was pretty good but it didn't' pack enough flavor or texture to wow me the way I would normally like. The spicy tuna and spicy shrimp were both very good but totally in line with what you could expect from any sushi restaurant. The dragon roll was not good at all. The eel sauce that they put on it was actually quite bitter and strong with vinegar flavor. In my opinion it was way too much and over powered the the whole roll. The alligator kabob was just okay. I've not had enough alligator to be able to judge the quality of the meat but I would have preferred if it came with a sauce or a garnish. It was just a little grilled kabob with some seasoning. My friend had the scallop which actually looked quite good and she said that it was very enjoyable. The wagyu beef slider was so adorable when they brought it out and I really had high hopes for it. Although the meat was very tender I found the burger somewhat bland. The pickles and sweet potato chips it came with though were great! My favorite things were the duck wing and my cocktail. The duck was extremely tender and came right off the bone with a fork. The breading, buffalo sauce and blue cheese dipping sauce were all exactly what I wanted it to be. For my drink I got the Princess Elena. It was delicious! After tip I think my bill was about $40. Overall I think the restaurant was just okay. With so many other wonderful restaurants in the city I don't see myself going back any time soon. If you are going to make the trip it would be best to just do it for the cocktails.
(2)Rhonda G.
Such a great place! I love the design of the place, very modern. Our server was a great guy and although the overly attentive server assistants (bus boys?) got on my nerves, I appreciate them doing their job. We tried a nice portion of the menu and I loved everything! A few standouts: Truffled tuna- amazing Agedashi potato- unexpected and delicious Grilled scallop union roll - different and delightful Japanese curry chicken thigh - so flavorful You can tell when a lot of thought has been put into a menu, very apparent at Union. I never thought that sushi and BBQ could work well together but they made it work. Definitely planning my return visit!
(5)Mike C.
Good sushi. Very unique combinations that I've never seen anywhere else. Nice selection of saki and the apps are pretty spectacular. The service was good even at the peek business time. I would recommend reservations if you have a party of 4 or more.
(4)Stephanie L.
So I was contacted by the owner to go and try this place again. He felt bad that the signature black rice wasnt available. I got a $25 GC to check it out. This is really the only reason I went back and I really do appreciate how he reached out to me...but it didnt change anything.... Went on a Thursday night. Easy peasey reservations on Open Table, which I really love. The space, I love the openness of it. Lofty feel. Upscale, etc. Its like trying to be a new Sushi Samba without the entertainment. The tables feel cramped despite the openness of the restaurant. I get it, pack it in to get more people in there... The service again was horrendous. Our server took forever to get our drink order and bring over the cocktails. Not to mention, we ordered Skinny Geisha and a Kirin light...not difficult to make. Oh and she forgot our drink order when we placed another one when we were only 1/4 of the way through our first drinks so we again were left with empty glasses. The food runners/busboys are annoying. There is so many of them hoovering over you, its ridiculous. It feels uncomfortable. I think they should cut back on those guys and get more servers or bartenders to get better service. They have weird liquors too so dont expect the normal, which is fine. Of course, overpriced. The food, one word OVERPRICED! Ridiculously overpriced. The sushi was good, was it worth the $18 per roll. HELL no. The fish is minimal in the rolls and the pieces of nigiri were ridiculously small for the price they charge. Kai sushi gives you about double the size for half the price. The good thing about the sushi is they have some great different options without rice if you are trying to save on carbs, but it will cost you, for sure. The robata grill was good, but $6 for ONE SHRIMP??? HAHA, you have got to be kidding me. $3 for shitaki mushroom??? The black rice was good, but I didnt think it was anything special. My former review stands...dont waste your time. There are so many other options to choose from. If you are looking for a scene...there are a TON more options than this place in the area with a much better scene. I can for sure say, I will not go back to Union, UNLESS I go for the happy hour special or lunch or someone else is paying.
(2)Marie S.
I came here with a friend because I heard all these wonderful things about their handmade noodles for ramen, so we were stoked, given that Chicago just has recently started to up their game in that department. So this is the first place we went to right after I landed at O'Hare. When I got to the restaurant, I was a bit early, so I asked to be seated at the bar. The bar was totally full of guys there, with the restaurant otherwise being EMPTY and I was TOTALLY ignored. For a place that's Michelin rated, you would think that the service would be a bit more attentive and see that there is a random person standing there, waiting...Anyway, so I ended up going back to the hostesses asking for a table. One of them was really nice...and the other was really sarcastic. Thank goodness I had a sense of humor, or else I could see someone getting REALLY offended. That aside, so I ended up grabbing a table. The waitress who served us was pretty attentive at first and would check on us, but after a few drinks and trying the ramen, she seemed to kinda zone out and not check on us or any of the other tables unless we literally waved at her. So i guess, in a nut shell, service was mediocre at best. In regards to the food, we ordered the Mushroom Ramen was actually kinda bland and the noodles were a bit chewy. Not necessarily the best ramen to be honest. It seemed like a shio broth, but not quite. We also tried the happy hour specials as well which were actually REALLY good! The oysters were tastefully presented and super fresh and the tempura rolls were good as well. The martinis were on the spot too. So if you go here for just the happy hour specials and the drinks...that's really where it's at. If you want stellar service on the other hand...
(2)Annie V.
I can't wait to go back! I've been thinking about this place for over 2 weeks. Everything we ordered was super good. The oysters were fresh. The tuna tartar was nice. We had a few things from the BBQ which were also great. And the cocktails are delicious. If like your cocktails less sweet just make sure to tell them. I had a few which I thought would have been fantastic had they been a touch less sweet but I guess that's just personal preference. Very enjoyable experience.
(5)Kaitlin P.
Highly recommend the Black Sushi Sampler. 16 pieces for $25, so worth it! Shared the Surf and Turf as well. Smaller portion but great flavors. Simple decor but nice environment. Laid back with top 40s style music playing. I'll definitely be back for the Black Sushi!
(4)Ray P.
I'm a regular here - since I sold my car about six months ago, I'm going to restaurants that don't require me to transfer or take a $20 taxi. So Union is perfect - bus, taxi, walk, it's in a perfect location...and enough off the trendy douchey path so you won't get run over by guys with pointy clown shoes or get bopped by flocks of girls rocking giant duffel-sized purses that probably need to be gate checked. But I digress.... Here's what you do: 1) order one of the specialty drinks. You can NOT order poorly. Or, pick a spirit and ask them to make you a Union-ized drink (see what I did there?) 2) order the truffled tuna appetizer. Don't ask. Don't think. Just do it. And ask for extra chips. You won't be able to thank me because your mouth will be full of delicious truffle-y tuna. And mom said to never talk with your mouth full. I'm telling! 3) order whatever is the special robata (grilled) skewer. 3) order the black rice maki sampler. three different 4-piece rolls made with black rice. Lower carbs than even brown rice..which is diabetic friendly, and friendly for those that want lower carbs. Duh. 4) order the Yuzu pie for dessert. Again, you won't be able t thanks because your mouth will be full of, well, Yuzu pie. Of course, the menu is extensive, and there are many delicious dishes from which to choose - buffalo duck wing, soba, udon, fame noodles galore, lots of nigiri...and if you're of a mind, try the omakase. If you can, get ther for happy hour - delicious oysters and robata grilled beef skewers will keep you and your drink(s) company. It's best to make a reservation, but, popping in for happy hour is a great way to try some things. You may even see me sitting at the downstairs bar (say hello!). Not sure why you're still reading this? You should already be there.
(5)Barb B.
The sushi and other dishes were ok. No basic California roll...but silly me--I forgot....I am not in California anymore. The menu seems to be catering to the hip crowd and not too authentic on the Japanese food. The robata grill food was quite tasty. But, I am not a fan of the fish-whiff odor that hits you when you first walk in the door. They need to take care of that.
(4)Jessica T.
Came to Union Sushi with colleagues visiting from Florida. Everything was perfect and our waitress (Yui) was awesome! The black rice in the rolls was a great change. I appreciated how many vegetarian plates there were (not just a boring veggie roll). I will definitely be back!
(5)Lu H.
Stay away from this place. Take your business somewhere else where it's appreciated. Last night something happened to me that hasn't ever happened in my restaurant adventure life - I was asked to leave. The food was decent but the service just left a horrible taste in my mouth. A group of 4 us felt rushed the entire night. From the bussers to the servers, interrupting us quite often. I got the sense that they wanted our money and wanted us out as quick as possible, probably a directive from above. If you see that we are still working on a plate, I know it's a hard concept, that means we are not done! Finally, after spending close to $300, I don't know if it was the GM or someone else, asked us to leave! We were all flabbergasted, laughed, got up and left. And to give you a perspective, it's not like we stayed there till it closed - we arrived around 6:30pm and it was around 9pm-ish when they started not-so\-subtly trying to get us out, from taking the water glass away to cleaning the table. Usually I could take a clue, but last night was just one of those nights that I felt like enjoying a good conversation with friends without being rushed. The audacity that this place has- sorry, you're not that great - is unbelievable. Personally, I just don't think this is the way to run a business- bottom line. Fortunately, Yelp has become a powerful tool as it's evened the game between business and consumer. Unless this place changes it's philosophy, it will alienate more customers and lose in the long run. Hopefully, my review will help them lose.
(1)Maria D.
Outstanding! Although a bit rowdy on the Saturday night, this place is top notch and excellent value ! You will find similar food quality as you would at Sunda or Roka Akkor without a sophisticated waiter (our gal was very matter of fact) in a slightly more casual atmosphere BUT at half the price! So depending on the mood of your evening Union may be ideal for the occasion. You will find yourself in the trendiest space with an industrial feel and clubby music. The food selection, presentation and uniqueness of flavors is outstanding. They have a ton of small plates to share and we LOVED everything that came out. I would especially recommend Cobia Carpaccio and their presentation of Oysters was mind blowing! Of course their soft crab roll was a special treat, all wrapped in cucumber in a sweet and spicy chili sauce.. yum!!!! Small Tip: If you are ordering 5-6 dishes, either wait to tell them or specifically ask them to space it out - otherwise their fast and tenacious wait staff may cover your little table with all of the dishes you ordered at once:) Get ready for an excellent meal!
(5)Jaime M.
Very impressive. Loved the music, atmosphere and food. Really enjoyed the eclectic menu options on top of regular good classic sushi! And they own a great bar next door for a night cap, nice spot!
(5)David R.
Not exactly traditional sushi, but really good nonetheless. Lots of good barbeque and noodle options. The space is self-consciously hip, but it comes off fun. Start with the sashimi cup - super tasty. Excellent cocktails, to boot.
(4)Jeff C.
huge fan. love the constantly rotating drinks and in the winter, the hot sake delights. the combo grill/sushi is great for any diners. They have a nice selection of creative and imaginative dishes. Fun room.
(4)Tony L.
I had enjoyed Union's fine sushi in-house, but wasn't sure how they could approximate it through delivery. Had a sushi dinner delivered for myself and a date on Easter evening and it was superb. I couldn't believe that they were able to duplicate their wonderful presentation in a delivery! Each portion was wrapped carefully and perfectly. Also, the sauces and condiments were all included in separate wrappers for us to apply, so nothing arrived soggy from the delivery time. Wonderful attention to detail. Highly recommended!
(5)John S.
Door people can be a bit pretentious but the service and food make up for it.
(4)Yanyao N.
I've fallen madly in love with the awesomeness that is Happy Hour at Union Sushi. Today, I noshed on: - 1 dozen oysters for $12. ONE DOLLAR a pop! Plus, they come topped with all these fun and delicious things! - 1 beef skewer for $2, that seriously, was melting in my mouth. Yes, my mouth was a melty, beefy, meaty hole of amazing. I'll order more next time. - A full shrimp tempura roll for $6. Crunchy and savory. This roll would probably have been enough for me, and at HH prices was an absolute steal. I had only visited previously with a friend for lunch before. I was enticed by their $12 Bento Box lunch specials (yet another great deal)... namely the one with duck fat yakisoba (Yes, this is a thing. Eat it immediately.) My friend raved on and on about his buffalo duck wing (move over, chicken!). Service was super great on my first visit - our server even brought us out a complimentary sashimi cup (complete with sprinkles!) for dessert. I don't know how he managed to tell that I had a huge salty tooth, but this move was awesome. For those of you who like the sweet, I have heard nothing but great things about the yuzu pie! AND, for those like myself who enjoy a really well crafted cocktail, may I recommend: - The Yamato Sling: Plymouth, Rock Sake, Green Tea Syrup, Lemon, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters (!), Seltzer - Surprise + Delight (THE cocktail to be drinking this summer. Trust me.): Effen Cucumber, Pimm's No. 1 (my beloved Pimm's!), Lemon, Simple Syrup, Muddled Lemongrass, Muddled Strawberry, Seltzer Reading their dinner menu online literally has me drooling right now. Spicy pigtail ramen, soba salad, cold beef cheek udon, and an array of grilled meats (including alligator and today's kangaroo special!). Needless to say, I will be back repeatedly until I've made a considerable dent in sampling their menu. Thank you Union Sushi for a super fantastic Happy Hour! I will see you soon! ;)
(5)Amy D.
Bottom line: Different sushi options for a price. Time: Dinner around 7:00PM Occasion: Birthday dinner. Party of 2. Service: Varies. - Lunch service is better than dinner service. - Not as attentive. Food: Nothing like it. - Don't get the noodles. Not that great. Disappointed with the duck fat yaki soba. - BBQ skewers were overall pretty good. Prosciutto wrapped scallop - drool! - For sushi, the hokkaido was unbelievable! Definitely an experience. Worth a shot. My suggestion is that for a good experience, definitely take into consideration the time and day you go.
(4)Mark H.
Not cheap, even if you just get the happy hour food. But $1 oysters, $2 beef skewers and $4 shrimp tempura rolls go a long way to make it a great experience.
(5)Roxy A.
Went here for dinner last night with the bf and had a great experience dining here. I really like the atmosphere of the place, with the urban art and the layout of having an open space. I like the concept of the menu too, I think its great that they offer half portions of rolls & there are BBQ items to order. We started with the cauliflower salad which was really light and I liked that there were slices of fresh kumquat and fennel in it as well. We also ordered the Truffled Tuna which was basically a tuna tartare served with some housemade chips. We also went with one of the specials that our server recomended six pieces of whitefish that was similar to yellowtail it was flavored really nice with yuzu. They also topped the sashimi with some pieces of grapefruit that went really nice with the sashimi. I was in an Uni (sea urchin) type of mood so we ordered the sea urchin alfredo soba. I heard alot of great things about that dish and it did not dissapoint! The sauce was creamy and had a bit of a cheesy taste to it, but good cheesy. The soba noodles were also topped with a piece of fresh uni and salmon roe. I don't usually like salmon roe but it went really well with the dish. For our sushi we ordered a half order of the soft shell crab roll & a full order of shrimp tempura (half black rice & half white rice). The only complaint I had is that they went a lil heavy with the eel sauce on the rolls that I couldn't even tell the difference between the white and black rice. Other than that everything else was good. We also ordered an order of uni nigiri which was really fresh and delicious. Our server took note of my liking to uni and suggested we order the special for dessert they had sea urchin ice cream. I asked him if he was joking but they really did have it on the menu! It was definitely interesting but really tasty and topped with caramelized sugar crumbs. We'll definitely be dining at Union again soon! Side note I also liked their taste in music..they played A Tribe Called Quest & even played DMX Party Up in Here lol (Yelp Elite if you still have your sticker from Union from the Xmas yelp event you get a 10% discount off your bill!)
(4)Amanda Z.
I've only been for happy hour, but what a happy (couple of??) hours that ended up being. Their specials are divine: from 5-6:30 you can get oysters for $1, beef skewers for $2, and their shrimp tempura roll for $4 (small roll) or $8 (large roll). The oysters were FANTASTIC. Probably some of my favorite in recent memory, to be honest. They are served perfectly chilled with a dash of tobiko, and my fave, crispy shallots. YUM. The other two options were great as well, but the oysters really stood out to me. They have lots of great options for drinking accompaniments too...whether you fancy a cold Japanese brew (Kirin Light, anyone) or some sake (THEY HAVE FLIGHTS TOO), or even one of their own special cocktails, you definitely will find something to quench your thirst. Service was lovely, even though we pretty much ordered off the happy hour menu to start. Definitely a happy hour DO in Chicago. I will definitely have to come back to check out more of their regular menu.
(4)Mironda R.
So I ran an NPV analysis, did a few cost-benefit ratio scenarios and it added up to nope if its not HH and I'm not tired of Shrimp Tempura Rolls, then I have to think about Union and all of the other goodness offered around it. Went here with some friends. They have 4 options for the HH, which is clearly a ploy to lure you in. What they did offer was tasty. I had the Shrimp Tempura rolls and my friends had the skewers and oysters, which they said were great. Since the waiter kept asking were we going to order or just stick with the HH offerings, under pressure, I decided to splurge a bit and spent 15 smakkers for 8 pieces of Old City Market - spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu.. some other stuff, wrapped in not rice, but a collard green. It was interesting, but not a winner. Now the ambiance was really nice, modern, and open. I can see it as a place to be seen and to see, but I'm not totally convinced it's for muah! The music is pretty fun too!
(3)Sunshine A.
Great service, great atmosphere, great PRICES, and great music. I really enjoyed my experience here and it's one of my fav places in the city. Planning on a girls night out here. A must try is the truffled tuna!!
(4)Lisa Z.
This is now my go to for sushi. It's phenomenal. Glad one bad experience didn't keep me away because it is so good every time. I go for the truffled tuna, mmm, the sashimi cup, mmmm, and the black rice sampler. Perfection.
(5)Jeff W.
This is an EXCELLENT place to get Sushi. Sitting at the Sushi bar is great! The BBQ Sushi is delicious, and they have a large sake menu. The service is great too!
(5)Mike S.
I don't know what you can really say about this place. Every time we go here, the food is excellent. I usually order the grilled BBQ sampler and it always tastes great! My girlfriend loves the truffled tuna. Black pepper shrimp, scallop, and pork cutlet are also some of my favorites. The Clifton roll. The extensive drink menu is always exciting too.
(5)Gretchen D.
We loved Union Sushi. The decor is very wild/trendy/over-the-top. Think Japanese anime meets lots of orange and paint splatters... Service was excellent. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. He came around and checked frequently but unobtrusively. So many other places should learn from this! Yes-the drinks are pricey at $11 each, but they were generously poured so I didn't feel ripped off. Loved the Morning Glory #2..it was like a Manhattan with ginger added. Nice choice of Shoschu too. The food was all excellent. We had the truffled tuna, which I liked a lot but was not totally blown over by. Loved the BBQ'd cauliflower. Other stand-outs were the following specialty rolls: Old City Market, Clifton #4, and Tsukuji Market. My husband hates fish, so we asked if they could make some cucumber rolls (not on the menu). No problem! Deserts were just okay--not fabulous. We'll be back!
(4)Sarah S.
Union Sushi has made me a huge fan! I was a bit skeptical going into dinner as something about a place being the newest, hippest, hot spot puts me off a bit...but Union has made me a believer! When we first called to make reservations, they said they didn't have anything but when we tried again we were able to get a table - woohoo! Upon arrival and even by the time we left, not every table was full so not sure why there was such an issue with us getting a reservation. We were able to find street metered parking which was great and super close. A couple of friends and I went to the bar while we waited for others. The bartender was very friendly and able to speak easily about the drinks, ingredients and background behind each drink. Apparently they created all of their own special cocktails and they have some cool options on there. I had a Skinny Geisha which was just 99 calories and $11. It had Hum, House Infused Citrus Vodka, Fresca, and Yuzu in it. The bartender told us about hum which is apparently a spirit made right here in Chicago. The drink was delicious and really pretty, highly recommended! We had a comfy half booth and half table seat right in front of the clear encased fire grill that meat is cooked over. Our waitress was also extremely knowledgeable about the food and very friendly. Because we had a large table I was able to try many items! Mushroom Dumplings - fontinella + chive cream sauce $9 Everyone at the table loved these! I wish I got one set of dumplings all for myself instead of ending up with half of one. These are a *must get* item. Truffled Tuna - truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco + wonton chips $11 Solid, tasty appetizer but because Union has so many other unique and inventive dishes, I don't think I will get this again. Alligator on the Robata Grill - garlic-soy + Kirin Light $5 Fun to try but I don't think I'll put this in my regular rotation. Kangaroo on the Robata Grill - on special that night. Super cool that they offered this but again, I don't think I'd get it again. Super White Tuna Special - $11 Amazing dish that was on special! I hope for everyone else's sake that they add this to their regular menu. The flavors in this cooked small plate popped in all the right ways. Spicy Tuna Half Roll - spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake + mayo $5 SO SPICY! If you're week with spices, this is a truly spicy tuna roll. It was rolled so well and tasted quite yummy. Half roll = 4 small pieces. Waffles & Ice Cream dessert- house-made raspberry + blueberry ice cream berry mix, ginger maple syrup $8 That housemade icecream is so good! It trumps the ice cream at many places I've been to. I would get this dish if only for the raspberry and blueberry yummyness. Killer Yuzu Pie - coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream $7 A signature dish of theirs and the pie portion was delectable. I loved the strong flavoring of it but some of my friends thought it was a bit much I really wanted to try the Ice Cream flight (next time for sure) but they had Uni Ice Cream on special and how could I pass that up!? I don't normally eat sea urchin but I'm always down to try new & interesting things. That ice cream was the bomb diggity! My friend who dared to try it also said it was fantastic. I love that you are able to get half rolls of things for half the price, allowing you to be able to try more dishes! The food, service, drinks, atmosphere, beautiful plating & presentation of the dishes and inventiveness at Union Sushi are all AMAZING! Plus, I have the special Yelpers Union sushi sticker on my license so I get 10% off there. Who wants to go back with me?! :D
(5)Julie S.
My boyfriend and I always come to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar whenever we are in town. We always have awesome service and the food is always excellent. We have probably been here about 5 times. On the most current visit (6/7/14), we made reservations for 6:30. When we arrived we were greeted by a friendly hostess and immediately sat. We started with the truffled tuna and king crab. Both apps came out super fast. The truffled tuna is amazing and everyone should try it! It was the perfect size. I like that the peppers are on the side so you can choose how hot you'd like each bite to be. The king crab was a decent portion and very good. Slightly spicy and perfectly cooked. The slight charring added a nice flavor. The little crispy puffs on top added a nice texture because the crab is so soft. For sushi we ordered the hokkado roll and the Chesapeake bay roll. Both we amazing and super fresh. We also ordered: beef tongue, beef filet, and the spare ribs. The beef tongue was soft but not mushy and very flavorful, excellent charr from the grill. Same can be said for the beef filet. The spare ribs were fall off the bone delicious, vinegary and a alcoholy taste in the BBQ sauce, which was good. For dessert had the chocolate brownie which was so decadent and delicious! If you love chocolate, order the brownie! Overall another great experience. We will be back time and time again.
(5)Abby L.
Came here for dinner with a close friend a few weeks ago. Was very impressed! Food was delicious. Ambiance is unique--so fun inside, but still good spacing and able to hear conversation... really loved my sushi and our appetizers. Will for sure be back! Our waiter was very nice and accomodating, too. Would recommend for date night, group of friends, and happy hour.
(4)Marissa S.
One word: Awesome. I am desperate to now find a place in my home city (NYC) that will offer Black Rice Sushi....hands down it is better than white or brown rice sushi and I am officially converted. Truffle Tuna is obviously amazeballs. Come hungry to this place. Freshly shaved wasabi?! What?! I have never seen that before even in NYC...amazing and so delish. I also ordered a Japanese soda....super good, made with real sugar wheeeeee!! This is a great place to come with friends or a date....definitely can get a bit noisy, so if you are an old like me, be prepared for that.
(4)Samantha H.
I absolutely love the decor in here. I would recommend sitting upstairs if you can because it's quieter and smaller so I think it's more comfortable and intimate. There were four of us so we split a few things. We got the truffled tuna at the suggestion of our server. It was okay but nothing special. It was similar to the poke tuna at GT and that is so much better. The rolls were very solid. Even my husband liked them and he doesn't even like sushi. The beef tongue was spectacular. Very tasty and moist. I have to say the let down for me was the kangaroo. It did not taste like kangaroo at all and I'm not sure that it was. But everything else was very good. I'll definitely return.
(4)Shiyi Q.
I strongly recommend this Japanese Restaurant! Food is so delicious, and they are all shareable.
(5)Hasan S.
A friend and I went here last night, and I will start to say the service was amazing. Rachel who was our waitress, was very helpful and knew a lot about the food. We were so impressed by the food and service, we let Rachel pick the dessert for us that night, Keyu Pie, so good!! Food was excellent and very tasty. We got the Black Rice Sushi Sampler, I highly suggest it, good mix of different types of sushi!! This is my first time writing a yelp review, this place convinced me to write up an excellent review! Def going back here again, this time we are going to try something from the grill!! ***Also, this is the only place in Chicago that I know of that makes and serves fresh wasabi at your table, delicious!
(5)Lauren M.
Never had a problem here until today. Ordered to go and within 3 hours I was sick. The sushi I normally have tasted a little off today and I now know why. I won't be eating here again.
(1)Sarah S.
Favorite happy hour hotspot of hubby and I. Delicious and the most fresh sushi. Black rice is the way to go. Ahm, one of the sushi chefs, always creates an incredible custom roll for us by request and it never disappoints. The soft shell crab roll and the shrimp tempura roll with black rice are faves. Truffled tuna app is a must. Best miso soup I've had. Not to miss the well rounded Union!
(5)Rachel P.
My husband and I went to dinner last night at Union Sushi. We made a reservation earlier in the evening via Open Table. We ended up sitting at the sushi bar so we could watch the chef on to Robata Grill. Our experience was undoubtedly the best we've had at a new restaurant in years. First the server, Yu, came over and asked if we would like anything to drink. We wanted Sake to start. She was very knowledgeable and suggested the Crazy Milk unfiltered Sake. It was a great choice. Being the curious person that I am, I asked Yu to explain the menu to us, because we weren't familiar with the style of BBQ we saw in front of us. She was on it, she brought back the iPad that outlined the daily specials. Then she reviewed each section of the menu perfectly. I had a complete understanding of how much we should order and some of the favorites or most popular items. We had the Truffle Tuna to start, which was amazing. Then I had the mushroom soup and my husband had the miso. The brought my soup with the mushrooms in the bowl then poured the broth in front of me. The presentation was awesome! Next, we had the prosciutto wrapped scallop. OMG, we should have ordered one per person, because that half scallop was amazing and I wanted more! We also had a half roll of the soft shell crab and half roll of the octopus. Both were great, but I preferred the octopus. The chef at the Robata Grill was very friendly. My husband is a talker, but sometimes that pays off ;) The chef made us a special shrimp skewer. It seriously was the one of the best things I have ever eaten. I didn't want it to end. We also had the short rib and the rainbow roll. Both were good, but nothing could top the shrimp and the scallop. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be going back! Great atmosphere with very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Can't beat it!
(5)Michelle L.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere is really cool - very open. We arrived early for a reservation and were offered to sit at our table even though our entire party hadn't arrived since they were not seating anyone else at our table for 5. The food was interesting and delicious. I see other posts sharing that it was expensive. This is not a place I would go to every week, but more rarely since it is a bit pricey but, I think, worth it. I think the oysters and Hokkaido roll were my two favorite things. I also think it is cool that the owner sat us at our table, and the chef came out and ground fresh wasabi table side.
(4)Alexa L.
I'm coming back here to order the mushroom roll. It might sound weird and I don't know why but it is DELICIOUS and I would be happy to eat it every day for a long time. I also recommend the duck wing (90% as good as the mushroom roll) but please note that one order comes with one duck wing and is NOT easy to share. This place has a fun atmosphere and you can watch the chefs prepare the food on the first floor. Also, the service is very kind and playful to match the space.
(4)Dana Z.
Definitely in top 5 sushi places. Cool atmosphere, attentive though rigid service, and delicious food. They use a little tablet in addition to the menu to show pictures of menu items - easy to flip through, helped me decide.
(4)Jac C.
I've been here a couple of times with my husband and we just LOVE the shrimp tempura rolls. They are warm and crunchy deliciousness!!! I would; however, suggest that anyone who visits Union to be brave and order a couple of their unusual items like the Kangaroo (no it doesn't taste like chicken) it is honestly amazing! The "Buffalo" Duck Wing is ridiculously good too. So crunchy on the outside and insanely tender on the inside. I even liked the Duck Fat Yakisoba and I'm really not a fan of BBQ Sauce. All in all, this is a great restaurant especially if you are one to try new things and share an exciting dining experience with some friends or a loved one. Order a bunch of small places to share and you can't go wrong!
(4)Catie R.
A few co-workers and I tried this out for lunch the other day, and had a slightly better than average experience. Two of them got the Surf n Turf bento box and were disappointed at the size of the sliders- they were not filling for the price. What is saving Union Sushi from only a 3-star rating is the edamame was tastier than I've had before, and their Dragon Roll was absolutely addicting- I'd go here again, but not for the bento boxes.
(4)Beebe G.
i've worked across the street when union opened and never had the appeal to dine here until a couple weeks ago when my boss was in town and we decided to try this place for lunch. and i'm so glad we did! the industrial decor is cool. we had samplings of several sushis and skewers and salad. since our lunch, i've returned twice for take out. the bento box is a deal you can't beat with a stick at $13. it comes with sushi, salad , entree and miso soup. what i really enjoyed was last friday when i ordered the ramen chicken soup. wow, what a nice enriching meal! i especially liked the spicy pepper oil that cleared my nasal passages. can't wait to try other items on the menu!
(4)Glen W.
This is a fun place with a nice atmosphere, an extremely diverse range of Japanese offerings and good service. The food, on the other hand, is not that tasty. The one really good thing was the alligator.
(3)Kristen W.
We went here for the happy hour food and were pleasantly surprised by how much we liked it! We ordered the beef filet skewers ( from the 'barbecue' side $2) and were blown away by the flavor. Then we moved onto sushi were we had shrimp tempura rolls, which were served warm like I've never had them before but nonetheless they were tasty. We also tried the sweet potato roll which is hard to mess up! The food happy hour is awesome, the drinks are expensive ($11 average for cocktails) but that's pretty standard for the area!
(4)Evan S.
This place gets FIVE stars for great sushi, awesome drinks, and incredible music. More on that in a bit. I ordered to my heart's content. Cocktails: I went with the two whiskey options, good ol' tried and true. Apps included the Truffle Tuna (parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips), Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop (literally melted in my mouth - is that what she...? NVM!), and the Jumbo Shrinp. For my roll action I share the Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hokkaido, Spicy Tuna, Dragon, Devon rolls). The Hokkaido was my fave of the bunch. No desserts as I was still on my "no sweets for Lent" stint, but the selection looked enticing. What really put Union over the top was the 90s hip-hop and R&B! It was a WELCOME surprise and my party was grooving all through the dinner with constant "OK! Oh snap! Uh oh!" action. The service was also top-notch. I'll definitely be back here! Keep it tight, Evan
(5)Kimberly M.
I can't stop thinking about that Fiddlehead salad!!!! I mean everything was amazing, but that salad.....
(4)Dan M.
In need of sushi in a contemporary and relatively upscale setting? Union may be just the ticket! In downtown Chicago there's plenty of sushi joints but they tend to be a) ultra modern (all white, sterile, etc...) or places dong fru-fru nonsense with flowers, cut/ molded fruit and veggies and lights on your plate for God's sake. Union does old school sashimi and nigiri with a upscale presentation without all the nonsense so you're able to enjoy the very freshest fish, unusual options without being crowded out by a bunch of soul-p atched hipsters. Further - they have a fantastic grill with a plethora of options and the noodle soups are fantastic as well. Whether sushi or Barbeque you're in for a treat just leave your club clothes and/ or hipster gear at home, Union is for "real people"!
(4)Jacob J.
It's Restaurant week 2013 in Chicago and my only advice is GO! $33 bones for dinner service and it is a must. (RW2013: Two days left kids) 2013 Michelin recommended restaurant. Swanky & hip interiors are sure to please, this spot is a mere stone's throw from Spy Bar and Hop Haus. For $33 bones I enjoyed: Miso Soup. Black Pepper Shrimp - w/ Black pepper, pickled chili, green onion Pork loin - w/ Coconut milk, enoki mushrooms, fried onions green onion + Japanese curry peanut sauce Pumpkin mochi cake - w/ Cream cheese ice cream, caramel + pumpkin brittle. Since I visited with friends and family. We also sampled the sushi sampler, many ordered off the Prix Fixe menu so there was a ton of sushi on the table of different kinds. All of which were uber tasty. Ordering meats off their robata grill is a must! Beef tongue was succulent. Black pepper shrimps were meaty but we saw another shrimp on the grill which was enormous, at least ten inches in length. (?) Mouth watering. Then we make it to dessert and as if dinner wasn't tasteful enough. Killer Yuzu pie (key lime) or Pumpkin mochi cake. My cousin took one bite of that cake and never looked up again, his eyes intensely fixed on his mochi. Spoonfuls of moist, glutinous mochi and cream cheese ice cream adorned in pumpkin brittle and caramel. This dude slammed his, a bit of mine and contemplated ordering one to go. Too good. My only gripes and there were two. How quickly bus boys took plates away, sometimes nothing was said. Also, if Surf & Turf is offered as well as meats in general, why not have a decent steak knife for cutting. The common butter knife just doesn't do it. Great with friends and family. Good for impressing a sexy date. No need for valet, street parking is ample.
(5)Andre W.
I was enticed by friends to come here because of their happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks My friends couldn't make it out so I invited my gf for an outing. First of all the decor is very hip, urban with graffiti on the walls, but with a slick feel to it. Also I thought it was cool eating while listening to Gang Starr, Dilated Peoples & Blackstreet classic hits. Again, this joint has a hip, swanky & urban feel to it. The staff was awesome in explaining the goodies on the menu. They took really good care of us. The beef skewers were very juicy and tender....we had 4 of them! The shrimp tempura was really good as well. I destroyed a half roll with a smile on my face. One of the managing partners gave us a tour of the place...really a nice guy. He also makes special dishes if you get a seat in front of his cooking station. This could end up being a serious go to place for after work activities.
(5)Amoli P.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a sushi and barbeque bar. As a general rule, I tend to assume that any restaurant offering in multiple cuisines means that the sushi will just be sub-par, if not awful. Union Sushi is the exception to this rule. We made an easy reservation for 7pm on a Thursday evening, and were seated right away. The decor is trendy but with a Japanese vibe. Drinks are served in cool wooden carrying vessels that are somehow modern and authentic at the same time. While we each had a regular menu at the table to peruse through, we were also given an iPad (yes, I said iPad) for our table that offered closer looks at items (with pictures), details on the daily food and drink specials. It seemed a little excessive to use iPads as menu items - we looked around us and counted at least 7 iPads being used at various tables - but it was also something new and kind of cool. We were instantly served tasty edamame with a different spice blend. Our cocktails arrived quickly and I found the Skinny Geisha to be light and refreshing, without being overpoweringly sweet. My boyfriend got the Eastern Medicine and found it delicious as well. We started with the cauliflower salad which had a nice citrus and vinegar flavoring. The truffled tuna was excellent, though as some reviewers have pointed out - the truffle taste was a little overpowering and hid the taste of the tuna. We did not get too experimental with the bbq items. My boyfriend and friends shared a kangaroo skewer as it was a special of the day and said it was fine (and tasted just like lamb) but wasn't mind-blowing. Next up were the sushi rolls. The best part about Union is that you can order sushi rolls in half or full amounts...and the half rolls are exactly half the price, rather than other restaurants who charge you 80% of the full price for only half the amount of food. This allowed us to really try a variety of the menu for 4 people, without spending a ridiculous amount of money. The sushi roll menu at Union is limited in that they do not use yellowtail or other less common fish in their rolls. They pretty much stick to tuna, spicy tuna, one roll with salmon, and the other cooked items like eel, shrimp, scallops, calamari and fried oysters. However, the rolls they do offer are nothing short of delicious and amazing. What Union lacks in fish variety in their rolls, they make up for with orginality in every other way. We tried rolls wrapped in collard greens, rolls wrapped in soy paper, and rolls wrapped in black rice (a healthier option to sushi rice). Each bite made our taste buds dance, and the fish and vegetables were extremely fresh. We went with the Dragon roll (in black rice), the Soft Shell Crab, the Hokkaido, the Devon, and the River North. The Soft Shell Crab was pretty standard, and the Devon was tempting mostly because of the curry sauce (all 4 of us were Indian, so obviously we had to try this). The hokkaido and River North rolls were absolutely delicious and easily my two favorites. They used a burdock root (or gobo) in the River North roll that added a wonderful crunch and the collard green wrapping was genius. The Hokkaido was wrapped in soy paper and had wonderful flavor blends of garlic and jalapeno and cilantro. The Dragon roll was less original but very fresh and tasty, and the black rice added a different texture but did not have the same overpowering taste that brown rice tends to. The black rice is a great option for carb-conscious eaters, as brown rice tends to ruin a sushi roll. We did get the fresh wasabi at our table, but quite honestly I don't know that our taste buds were sophisticated enough to appreciate the difference. It did taste better than regular wasabi, but I don't think it's worth the $5.00 surcharge. We only tried a couple pieces of the nigiri (super white tuna and hamachi) but both were fresh and good solid size cuts. It was a great experience with friendly service and fresh and original food. I look forward to going back and trying some of the rolls we didn't get to, as well as some of the bbq items and appetizer items. It's a great place to go with only 2 people, as the half rolls allow you to try a better variety than you usually get.
(4)Andrea R.
It was a Friday night and the hubby and I decided to take advantage of a visiting grandmother...and have a date night. At 8pm it was too late to get a reservation at anywhere we've been wanting to try so we decided to walk a few blocks to Union Sushi and hope for a table. We didn't get lucky with a table, but we did get "lucky" with 2 uncomfortable seats at the bar upstairs. The menu is quite interesting with a mix of Korean BBQ and sushi. We decided to try both, but first enjoyed some drinks (beer for the hubby and a glass of wine for me). In terms of Korean BBQ we ordered the ribs and were feeling a little adventurous so ordered alligator as well. Both were OK- I probably wouldn't order these again next time. And then we picked a few rolls from the menu as well. I do like that they have the option of ordering half or full rolls. We went the half roll route so that we could try several different options. The variety of rolls we ordered were tasty, although I did mention to my husband that I preferred the sushi at our restaurant of choice these days, Seadog Sushi Bar*. I was also still a bit hungry after we finished so ordered one last roll: a shrimp tempura roll. It was very large and had way too much mayo on it (ick) for my liking. The hubby said he would have preferred to pick up a pint of Ben and Jerry's on the way home instead of eating that roll. I kinda agreed. The bartender upstairs was our server and he was pretty fabulous...and seemed knowledgeable about both the drinks and food here. I'd come back for some apps and drinks at the bar, but if I'm looking for sushi (which I usually am) I'd probably go elsewhere. -------------------------- yelp.com/biz/seadog-sush…
(3)Brian L.
The menu at Union can be a little overwhelming--there's just wayyy too many things to try. And, since even the most traditional sounding items are made a little different, there's an urge to order more than you really want. I guess that's not a bad thing right? The Food: +` Bento Special - 5/5 - The special came with a variety of cold and hot items including fried oysters, sweet potato agedashi tofu, beef tongue w/ peanut sauce, marinated salmon sashimi, and some other great stuff. There's a reason why you order the special! +` Spicy Pigtail Ramen - 4/5 - Union makes its own ramen noodles, so I had high hopes. The noodles had a great bite--a sign of freshness, but the broth was really heavy. +` Rainbow Roll - 3/5 - Why are these so small?! The Rainbow tasted standard but I've had better and bigger elsewhere. +` River North Roll - 3.5/5 - Definitely an interesting roll wrapped by collard greens, but I'd probably order something else in the future. Overall, the food was solid, and service was exceptional!
(4)Manjari B.
Please go here and try the shrimp tempura, sashimi cup and tuna! This was my first time at Union Sushi and they didn't remotely disappoint me! It was buzzing with people even on a Sunday night. We loved the service especially since we placed the last order and after happily eating all of what we ordered, we wanted more shrimp tempura!! The ppl were so sweet , they took the last last order :) I totally recommend this place to everyone!
(4)Avery A.
I have been here twice in the past year and this place is fantastic every time. Great vibes from first walking in. The place is pretty modern/hip as are the customers. You can sit by the grill or get your own table. If it's your first time, it may be fun to sit by the grill, unless you're still getting to know your date. Cocktails are strong and tasty. Just as good as any cocktail bar in Chicago. The menu is huge with a ton of options to choose from. Be careful though, it can add up pretty quickly. The BBQ menu is amazing an exotic (Kangaroo and Alligator on the menu among other things). Their tuna appetizers are incredible, as are their specialty roles. Stay for dessert! Their desserts are incredible! Tiramisu milkshake was fantastic and I have had a couple of seasonal items which I recommend trying! All in all this is one of my favorite spots in Chicago and a 5/5 every time I come.
(5)Juan A.
This place is awesome!!! In particular I am still fixated on their delectable Uni Alfredo Soba!!!! Just for this dish alone I glad give Union 5 stars. If you love uni this is a must try!! seriously my best dish of the year. The flavors are so intense, I am salivating as I remember it now. This place is all around a good time great drinks and fantastic dishes at reasonable prices (considering it is a Japanese cuisine restaurant in river north in close proximity to downtown). The place is just well thought out and always a good time. Looking for great food, good ambiance and overall good experience Union is a sure thing! Try to sit at the chef's table and see the master at work. Thank you for the VIP attention Chef Chao, everything was phenomenal! also thank you to Michael our gracious friend and manager who made sure all needs were taken care of.
(5)H K.
Super fun evening. Took a group from work and we had a ball. The tempura and dragon rolls were wonderful, but the open-face crab stole the show. One downside is they offer no premium liquor. They should fix that immediately. The beer selection was limited, too.
(4)Liz S.
Overall, we had a good dining experience and our server was great. The free edamame was a great start. We got the spare rib and scallop skewers and a large spicy tuna and crunchy salmon skin rolls to start. The spare rib and spicy tuna roll were very good. The scallop was also good but it was only one tiny scallop, which we didn't realize (the spare rib was really big). The salmon skin roll was a bit salty. My husband go the duck fat yakusoba, which was very good and not spicy. I got the chicken ramen, which I was really looking forward to, and it was terrible. I never send any food back, and eat literally everything, but we had to send this back. It had no flavor (even when we added the spicy sauce) and tasted somehow both oily and watery at the same time. I'm pretty sure the table next to us sent the chicken ramen back, as well. We'll be back, but I'm a bit nervous to try the other ramen options.
(4)D K.
Saw all those critics about service etc but I had a very good experience on a Sunday night. Place was decent full, hostess helpful, my waiter, Paul, very attentive. I opted for the robata grill choices, everything was very tasty. Def liked the alligator skewers. Weekend nights might be different, but I would definitely come back.
(4)Anne M.
All these fun new restaurants popping up in River North! Union might lead the pack in the hip/trendy category. Think bright orange, neons and flashiness, (huge) sculpted metal mesh detailing, thick stone tables, exposed upstairs bar area - there's a lot going on, and it's all very fun and detail oriented. Bling bling! I went here for lunch with two others - when we walked in around 11:40 it was empty. When we left close to 1pm it was totally filled up - but didn't feel grossly packed, which was nice. My trio split 4 different sushi rolls - all super fresh and delicious. This is the best looking and tasting sushi I've had in a while. You don't realize how bad/mediocre some sushi is until you have some really kick-ass sushi. [ Union's being kick-ass ] The menu also has half and full roll options, so you can try many different half rolls if you want to. We also split some samplings from their barbeque menu - the curry chicken thigh, beef spare rib + scallop. The chicken and scallop were delish. The menu prices reflect the high-end appearance of this place, but the food and service was really great. Go here if you're craving some fancy sushi in a fancy fun restaurant.
(5)Rob C.
I have been here a couple of times now and really like it here. The spicy tuna roll and the Bay Street California rolls are my favorite. Some of the best I have ever had and I love sushi so it has to impress. Food and drinks are good and the place has a good vibe all around cool place. Def a must stop for sushi while in Chicago.
(5)Galina M.
Its pretty good although id much rather get robata grill stuff from there than sushi. Bacon wrapped scallops r to die for and so is the allegator (tastes just like chicken). They have a nice lil bar area on the top (2nd floor).
(3)Carmen G.
Deelishus! :p had the dragon with black rice and had to ask for more. The sushi in a cup wasn't my favorite; it was alright. I also had a sampler from the grill and it was pretty good. Would definitely go back again!
(5)Mrs. H.
Excellent! The vibe is great in addition to the diverse menu! There's lots to choose from, including fresh wasabi for those of you who care to avoid the typical powder and water substitute served in most restaurants. I enjoyed grilled kangaroo, beef, and squid, oysters on the half shell, sushi, and complimentary edamame. Viewing menu specials on their iPads makes for a savvy touch to the dining experience. Happy Hour is in full effect on Saturdays. Check the back of your menu, because our waiter didn't highlight this "special."
(5)Rebecca L.
Dinner on 1-5-13 I am deducting one star for the some less than stellar hostess work and weird sized plates. We had: Mushroom dumpling and agedashi potato appetizers--both good BBQ-Scallop and Jumbo Shrimp--excellent Sushi: Devon roll--not the best sweet potato roll I have had River North roll--interesting and different. I really liked it. Dessert: Chocolate Brownie--not going to order that again. I missed reading that it was a tofu mousse and didn't like it---its on me and my personal preference. It was just too rich and too big even when shared for my tastes. I lean toward not chocolate desserts though so take that for what it is worth : )
(4)Jaimé S.
My fiancé and I came there last night for my birthday dinner. I been wanting to go for so long. Food: We had shared a lot of different dishes, like that they had half rolls. We first started with the Oysters, very good and flavorful. The Tuna tartar cup was good, had a lil kick of spice. Both loved the Duck Buffalo Wing from the first bite. Second we tried the Alligator, Shrimp and the bacon wrapped scallop skewers. Alligator my fiancé liked I only had one bite because to me it was very gamy, both enjoyed the shrimp skewer, scallop I liked a lot, was perfectly cooked, fiancé didn't. For rolls we had the Dragon, Bay Street California, Hokkaldo, Old City Market, Chesapeake Bay and the Clifton #4. All rolls were excellent, fresh and delicious. Even though I don't like Wasabi, they said they make it fresh but ours was the same you get store bought. I did see a chef come to tables around ours, grating Wasabi, not sure if that's on request or just got skipped. Service: Hostess was friendly and seated us immediately. Our server was also friendly, suggestive and informative. Service was a lil slow, place wasn't packed but he was the only server with the help of the 2 bussers. I ordered dessert and after I was halfway through it, they brought a birthday dessert on house since hostess or manager forgot to tell him it was my birthday. They came while my fiancé was in the restroom also didn't remember who's birthday it was. So they just left it with the candle lit, table next to ours felt bad so they sang to me. That was the only thing that I really disliked. If you drop the ball either forget it completely or wait til both are seated. Cleanliness and Decor: Restaurant was very cleaned, nice fixures and music was of today's hits not grandma/grandpa era. We will definitely return as we enjoyed the food but not for any special occasion.
(4)Sarah D.
I went to Union Sushi for lunch with my coworkers recently, and it was pretty good! It's right around the corner from my office, and right off the brown line, so it's convenient to get to. We booked our table through gdine.com and it was super easy to split the check 7 ways in advance. I ordered the Surf and Turf Slider bento box, and it came with a Wagyu beef burger, crabcake, and a spicy shrimp roll. All were very good, and you get a free drink through gDine, so that made it even better. I think I prefer the sushi rolls over everything else, but all in all, it's a great spot for lunch, and $1 oysters are always a good deal!
(4)Andrew O.
Get the short rib ramen. The meat is falling apart and make sure to drink the broth to the last drop. Just be careful not to eat one of the peppers. The spicy tuna in the roll is also very high quality and the coating makes a great crunchy contrast to the tuna.
(5)Shereene M.
I was expecting it to be a little nicer (not sure why) but its pretty casual (which isn't a problem). They actually play really good music if you're into older hip hop and r&b which was really cool. Anyway, the food was good. I tried a few rolls (one for sure was devon) and they tasted good but not my favorite sushi. We tried the spicy pigtail ramen also which is sooo spicy! Overall the food was good but not my favorite sushi ever.
(3)Steve S.
So this was our first effort to find good sushi in Chicago. After reading the yelp reviews, we decided on Union and we enjoyed our dinner. The variety between the rolls and the barbeque help differentiate Union from our favorite Asian fusion restaurant, Umami Moto in Milwaukee. We did have a bit of doubt when we first walked in though. We had 7:00 reservations and the place was not busy but the douche bag host at the front was more interested in his conversation with some other dude about how he was friends with the guy who didn't show up in the other dude's party. I found it incredibly rude that he turned away from us to discuss how good of friends he was with the guy who didn't show up. Thankfully the hostess saw my death stare at the dude and checked us in and got us seated. From there, everything was excellent. Our sever, Daniel, was spot on. He did an excellent job of checking in but wasn't intrusive. One of the better servers we've had! As for food, everything was good but a few items stood out more than others. We started with the truffled tuna which was very good. I liked the equal portion of tuna and avocado. The wonton chips were good but I still preferred the ones Umami Moto serves in the tuna poke. The spicy tuna roll was tasty but the Bay Street roll was a bit off due to the warm crab cake and cold cucumber. We also opted for the fresh wasabi which was very good. Gave a different type of heat. For the 2nd round, we each choose a barbeque item and also created our own roll using the super white tuna. Props for Daniel for allowing us to create that. My partner said the beef filet was "nothing special". However my spare rib was the star of the entire meal. It was literally falling off the bone and the accompanying slaw was incredible. Our super white tuna roll was also exceptional. We ended with desserts which were just okay. The pumpkin mochi cake had good taste but the mixture of hard ice cream and tough spongy outer ring made for a weird texture. My partner had the soy chocolate brownie and while he liked it, he could definitely taste the soy. There are lots of sushi places in Chicago so our quest will continue but Union does a nice job of distinguishing itself with it's fun & funky interior and combination of decent rolls and barbeque items.
(3)Julia D.
This place was fantastic for, well, everything! I was with a group in town for business and everyone was in the mood for sushi. Yelp led me to this place. We had the Truffled Tuna, Mushroom Dumplings and Cobia Carpaccio. The tuna was to die for. If you choose one app off the menu do yourself a favor and get that. We had a main course of the black rice roll sampler and a few additional rolls. I finished with the Union Canolis made with pistachio, pineapple and black sesame seed. YUM! When I am back in Chicago I'll try this place again. I skipped BBQ this time but next time I'll be trying that. Yelppers did not steer me worng on this place, well worth a try.
(4)KC C.
We brought a group of six to our favorite sushi place, and had a great time. An overlooked area of Union is the upstairs bar area, where the mixologist makes a hibiscus garnished cocktail that is the finest mixed drink I believe we have experienced in Chicago. Aside from my fun friends, this cocktail was the highlight. The food was excellent, again, and Daniel provided excellent service and experience. The hostess sent me a text during our meal asking for feedback-simple, give Daniel, our server, a raise; LOL. Cannot miss when enjoying Union Sushi and BBQ. Off to the gym!
(5)Shannon L.
I spent a relaxing, boozy, 3 hour, Friday afternoon lunch at Union. I can't even begin to tell you everything we ate and drank (other than the bottle of prosecco I downed by myself) but it was all wonderful...including the oysters that were forced on me (I don't generally eat or like oysters but these were - by far - the best oysters I have ever had). All the rolls and food we ordered was great - fresh and uniquely done - but by far the best part about this was how amazing the service was. We didn't even realize that they had closed the restaurant to prepare for dinner but they continued to serve us and even let us sample some of their different sake - bubbling and regular. Also fun - I was Instagram-ing photo's of our food and drinks and posting them to Twitter and Union was responding to me and reposting my photos to their FB page. Who doesn't love a little social media interaction with their meal?
(5)Aus B.
It started off a bit suspect but in the end we lucked out. They cancelled our reservation because we were more than 20 mins. late. Fair enough i guess. Due to our late arrival, they sat us at the bar upstairs and we got amazing service. The food was fantastic as well. One of the owner's stopped by and served us a comp'd flight of sake. Thanks! Everything we ordered was fresh and well prepared.
(5)Mike A.
Spending a few days downtown over the holidays with the family in order to enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful city. Not to mention a chance to try some new restaurants. Looking for a sushi place, decided on Union based on the positive reviews. Overall the food was ok, nothing really outstanding and nothing that would have me rushing to come back again. We ordered several "grill" apps, but none really stood out. Out of the the 1/2 dozen or so, alligator was probabaly the best one. Several sushi rolls had mayo and other sauces all over them. While it looks pretty, it masks the taste of the roll and overpowers the flavor of the fish. Service was very good and the server suggested a bento box for my son, which was presented in a nice stackable container. In summary, it was an avg experiance, the grill was a nice change from your std sushi places, but if you are in the mood for sushi, I would not make this place my top choice.
(3)Kamilah S.
I saw this place on Check Please and was impressed so I decided to check it out. My girls and I came here on a Friday night and we were very impressed. First, they were playing rap music, NICE, the music changed after 3 songs to a soft, mellow mix. Second, once you are seated you get complimentary edamame, dusted with a seasoning that changes daily. Friday's choice was sour cream and onion or chives, I forget, but it was delish. Drinks were nice and strong. The specials are shown to you on an I-Pad. Matthew, our waiter was great, he made great drinks choices. I have the salmon wrapped in a collard green leaf, the mussels they come in this great flavorful, slightly spicy, ginger, lemongrass broth and you get toasty, crusty bread, the kangaroo, the alligator, one of my bff's have the plate-o-protein ( I call it that because its just MEAT and 2 florets of broccoli and cauliflower, she substituted some of the meats and veggies), my other bff had the lamb chops and the spicy tuna roll. We were so stuffed. I will definitely be back. All of the food was excellent.
(5)Jeremy N.
The thing I think I love most about Union is that they have some rolls which are very much off the beaten path. The Hokkaido roll is the one that always comes to mind, which is a brilliant combination of scallop, jalapeno, cilantro, avocado and masago-mayo all wrapped up in soy paper. When I looked at it on the menu it didn't sound all that appealing but my wife ordered it and the flavors blew me away! I think they also have a roll that is wrapped in collard greens... if you're looking for a departure from your boring sushi routine, give Union a shot. They also have the most delicious Japanese white ale called Hitachino - it is not cheap, about $10 a bottle I think, but if you're out to celebrate or splurge it is worth it, truly one of my favorite beers.
(5)Niti B.
So I've been out of town for almost two weeks...decided to catch up with a friend and we went for a walk to Citizen bar. Along the way we came across Union Sushi and she said it had been on her list to try so we took a shot and on a Saturday night at 7pm got a table for two. I guess we were eating pretty early or it isn't that popular just yet. I enjoyed every little thing we had! And we ordered plenty... I started with the: Princess Elena | Cranberry Blood Orange Tea Infused Broker's Gin, Amaro Montenegro, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Egg White. Normally I see the words egg white and get squirmish but gave it a shot since our waiter said they infuse the gin themselves. Was so good I had a second! Off course we started with some complimentary edemame and got great recommendations from the waiter. The concept is sushi and japanese street food. As far as the street food I only tried the jumbo shrimp skewer...let me advise you, it is not to share and only one shrimp but packs a punch of flavor. We also had the TRUFFLED TUNA- truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chile fresco + wonton chips. this was the least impressive of all. Didn't feel any flavor in the tuna and would have liked it if it actually had a little heat or acidity. The rolls we tried were: CLIFTON #4 | fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori + garlic mayo OLD CITY MARKET | spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion, fried okra + wrapped in collard green SOFT SHELL CRAB | cucumber, lettuce, fried ginger, avocado, rice puff, sesame paste + sweet chile sauce all were different and unique to themselves. I don't think the place is amazing but is definitely worth a try.
(3)Tiffany K.
I came here with my S.O. and we had so much food, it's hard to remember it all! We definitely had the alligator, spare rib, and pork shoulder from the BBQ bar. Alligator was a bit salty, but pretty much tasted like chicken so that was a nice surprise. For maki, we ordered half orders so we could try a lot. We tried the Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin (cucumber, avocado, masago, cilantro, chile oil, eel sauce), Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper), Clifton #4 (fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori, garlic mayo), and the Rainbow (eel, hirame, tuna, cucumber, avocado). Standouts were the Clifton #4 and the Hokkaido, part of their specialty rolls. We also ordered nigiri and swtched out white rice for black rice, which was a GREAT idea! The fish tasted fresh and everything was prepared excellently. They even grated FRESH wasabi for us table-side, and it was a game changer. For dessert, we got the pumpkin mochi cake. Holy crap, the pumpkin mochi cake. It was a tough decision between that and the donut, but IT WAS DELICIOUS and I still remember it. Drinks were on point - I ordered Kitsune's Flip, and it was not too sweet but pretty boozy. The only bad part was the slow, slow service. It was packed on a Saturday night, but not insanely busy. It took at least 10 minutes to get waters!!! All in all, I'd come back for sure. The food is amazing!!
(5)Winston G.
Drinks are pretty great here, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the food. The food was alright - some typical izakaya type dishes and a bunch of "fusion" sushi rolls, but nothing stood out too much for me. The fried pork belly was good, but the slices of pork belly are really thin and small. Probably my favorite dish of the night. Prosciuitto wrapped scallops from the barbecue bar was also very good. The duck fat yaki soba was very average. The rolls are fine -- all of them are very unique and different. I like the fact you can get half and full sizes, so you can try a number of different rolls without overpaying.
(3)Ray D.
Awesome sushi box for lunch and amazing BBQ and sushi pieces for dinner. Anything cooked here is awesome! Great fireplace adds to the ambiance.
(4)Eric V.
In short, hit or miss. I thoroughly enjoyed the Agedashi Potato (creamy sweet potato "tots" served in a smoky dashi broth) and the Venison (very flavorful and butter knife tender, the silky egg yolk brought it all together). The succulent Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop - topped with a wasabi avocado puree and frizzled ginger - was quite good, too. Strangely enough, the misses were the two main items that grace the restaurants namesake, sushi and barbecue. The wifey and I tried the Clifton #4 roll, and it was just an odd combination of flavors that never really came together. The calamari had also crossed the line into semi-chewy so that didn't help either. The Beef Tongue, which itself was very tender, was just overpowered with the taste of char. Now I love char from a BBQ grill just as much as the next guy, but the flavor profile had clearly gone into burnt territory (just from a few grill marks, mind you). The Monkfish suffered the same fate, as that burnt taste was too much to appreciate either the quality of the fish or the sauce with which it was finished. Our meal did, however, end a high note. The Yuzu pie is fantastic, well balanced between tart and sweet, and very much like an Asian key lime pie. 3 apps, 5 skewers, and 1 dessert netted us a final bill around $60, sans booze. On food alone it's not necessarily easy on the wallet, considering the amount of food you get. Our server was very pleasant, but the oontz oontz music and overall vibe definitely say, "I'm here to party". The Friday night River North crowd was in dress to impress mode, so you may want to save the flip flops, cutoff tees, and jorts for another occasion. How I managed to escape any comments for not wearing a collared button down shirt is still beyond me...
(3)Beckee W.
I feel a little bit bad giving this place 3 stars, but I need to remember that that means average and that's what I'd say about this place. Prob a 3.5 if I could. I am off carba during the week and a friend was craving sushi so this place did well by us. Standouts: Brussels sprouts in pesto should have been wrong but were good! Tuna tartare with truffle was soo close but needed a touch of citrus or acid to cut all the creaminess Shrimp from the BBQ menu was BRUTAL with crazy pepper sauce that completely overwhelmed the shrimp. My friend dipped a finger in the sauce and choked Prosciutto wrapped scallop was Devine Drinks were pricey but really yummy I didn't try a roll but my friend got the Dragon and she said it was good and it looked decent. Won't rush to come back but if I'm in the area and hungry I'd stop back. They are new so hopefully the feedback improves them because I like the space and the concept!
(3)D. C.
Awesome sushi and pretty good prices. Try the black rice option...delicious. Every roll I've had here has been wonderful. My wife doesn't like fish, so the vegetarian option is perfect for her. We love the mushroom and sweet potato rolls!
(5)Carl G.
Randomly headed here on a Saturday night - happened to be during restaurant week, bonus! Quite a busy place, all the tables full, and the atmosphere was definitely happy. Fantastic music selection really created great ambiance also! It was really eclectic and instead of being background music, added to the fun. There isn't a ton of room to sit and wait, so I'd show up close to your reservation time to avoid standing outside or in the doorway. We ended up at the sushi bar, and though it was quite informal and there was no personal space, it was exactly what we needed, and it turned out to be a positive. The service was adequate, and probably the reason why this place got 4 instead of 5 stars. They were attentive for the most part, but didn't do a good job of giving us advice about portion size, even when we directly asked if we had ordered too much, and so we way over-ordered. Also, all of the food seemed to come out at the same time - and at the sushi bar this was a bit of a problem - there just isn't enough room! It would have been better to have appropriately ordered and had the food come out sequentially rather than simultaneously. The food was really the star of the show. We split a bow of ramen and that is something I'd get again for sure. It had rich flavor, was full of "things" (pork belly, vegetables, noodles, egg, etc.)...loved it. We got 4 other items, and they all were pretty amazing. The grill produced well cooked and seasoned meats, and any accompaniments were quickly slurped up. The black rice sushi was pretty neat, something that I hadn't experienced before - the roll we got tasted extremely fresh, and was a great addition. Despite our over-ordering, we ended up finishing everything. Yes, we felt fat, but it was tough to put down! Overall, really impressed with the food and the atmosphere. Definitely somewhere to go with a small to mid-size group, where you're looking to share some food have a little fun!
(4)Carol K.
Highly ambitious. That's the best way I can explain my take on Union Sushi and Barbeque. We stopped in on opening week. Since I was there before my friend, I took a seat at the smallish bar and talked to the bartender who was personable and quick with a drink. They don't carry typical bar brands so you may have to adjust from your favorites but they do have a lengthy specialty cocktail list that looked good. We were seated promptly (know that they only take reservations for groups of 7 or larger) in the center of the restaurant between the Robata grill and the sushi bar. The menu is made up of starter plates, sushi, items from the grill and entrees. We ordered a wide range of items off the menu: mushroom soup, raw oysters, tuna tartar, mini skewers of beef, lamb and shrimp, various sushi rolls and finally one of the entrees (their version of surf and turf). My favorite from all of that were the oysters. They were small kumamotos and topped with green onion, and a cilantro ponzu sauce. Terrific! My second favorite item was probably the truffled tuna tartar although my personal preference would have been to have a little less truffle sauce as it overpowered the delicate tuna. The skewers were good- but know that each one is just a couple of bites so know to order many if you are hungry. As for the sushi rolls- they were small (4 pieces each) and while some were better than others and some were unique (rolled with cucumber instead of rice or collard greens), none really stood out for us. And the entree, while it looked lovely (steak and shrimp positioned on top of pureed sweet potatoes) the taste again just didn't wow me. Service was spotty, but that is expected in a place that is still getting it's cadence right. Dinner for two was about $140 including drinks. And if you drive? Take small bills. The valet told me he didn't have any change for my $20 for a $12 valet fee. All in all- my favorite part of the place was the place itself. Huge graffiti from a local graffiti artist line the walls, The metal mesh swooping about adds interest and the multiple of windows make this a nice spot to sit and catch up. It's got a cheerful vibe that I really liked. I'll be back, if only for those amazing oysters!
(3)Adoley J.
I really really wanted to love this place.This past weekend went with a group of girls looking to catch up and eat great sushi. I got 4 items from the BBQ bar (one prosciutto wrapped scallop, two mushrooms, and the beef filet) and a half roll of spicy tuna. The scallop and beef filet were delicious but the mushrooms were overcooked. Overall the sushi was good but overpriced. Basically everyone spent a hunk of change for not that much food. Which is fine if that is your kind of thing, but I think one of the most wonderful things about this city is that you can get great high quality meals at a decent price.
(3)Alyssa C.
Great sushi/bbq place with a fun colorful atmosphere. Our server had great reccomendations - their spicy tuna roll was unique and delicious! Also, their menu accompdates half rolls, which is great if you want to try a variety. Jumbo shrimp skewer, while amazing, was only one shrimp...Beef filet skewer was delish, but the buffalo duck win appetizer was my fav!
(4)Mary T.
3.5 stars Confession: When I heard this place was a sushi and barbeque place, I thought it was a bizarre combination. I was envisioning spicy tuna rolls sitting alongside pulled pork sandwiches, not kushiyaki skewers. Union's space is modern, edgy and cool; decorated with graffiti art; the atmosphere is lively and loud. I think the awful weather helped us to grab seats at the sushi bar immediately. We sat at the sushi bar for a while unattended; not an inordinate amount of time, but enough to make us wonder if we should be placing food and drink orders with the sushi chef or if we would have a server. Fortunately, right about then our friendly server came on the scene. I probably would've felt service erred on the inattentive side if we'd been anywhere but the sushi bar; at the bar we had the flexibility to order food from the chef without waiting to locate our server. The drink menu is nice, there are about 10 creative specialty cocktails to choose from along with a small beer list and an overwhelming number of sakes divided into four categories. Knowing nothing about sake, I went with the South of the Border, West of the Sun; a tequila and grapefruit cocktail that I would definitely order again. Having skipped lunch, I ordered edamame to stave off my hunger pains. Fortunately, my dining partner wasn't a fan, because the portion is rather small. Usually edamame is edamame is edamame, but this dish had a nice, subtle twist. Instead of using sea salt as seasoning, they used a spiced salt, which was gave it a slight kick that made my lips tingly (in a good way). We decided to forgo barbeque and stick with sushi this go round. The menu of rolls was smaller than I expected - maybe 15 in all - and broken up into two sections - Union (specialty rolls) and classics. I don't recall seeing it on the menu, but it's worth noting that all rolls are 4 pieces. On the upside you can try a nice cross section of rolls, on the downside the rolls seem pricey. We started out with four rolls - Osaka Central, Hokkaido, Old City Market, and Spicy Tuna and later added a rainbow roll. All of them came up quickly and were presented beautifully. My favorite roll was the Hokkaido with grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, and garlic and my companion agreed. My least favorite roll was the rainbow roll, closely followed by the spicy tuna (normally a fave). The inside of the rainbow roll was tuna; not raw tuna, but more akin to canned tuna. The tuna's taste and texture overpowered the roll; I would not order this roll again. The spicy tuna good except for the fact that it wasn't spicy, not even a little; it was more like a simple tekka roll. Falling in the middle were the Old City Market and Osaka Central, but I will say the texture of the fishcake in the Osaka Central caught me off guard. It had a firm, gelatin-like texture to it, that I wasn't expecting. All in all the place is good, but I think the sushi menu needs a bit of work and errs on the pricey side. I can't speak for the barbeque portion of the menu, but if you go in expecting a small plate format, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(3)Misty B.
I've been to Union numerous times and will continue to go back as much as I can! The quality of food, comforting atmosphere, originality and genuine staff has made this my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Being a strict vegetarian... the menu items as well as the attention to detail from the chefs and servers is very much appreciated. Everyone working truly wants you to enjoy your experience and food. Some of my favorite dishes are as follows: Soba Salad (tempura enoki mushrooms, nappa cabbage, tomato, red + yellow onion, chili pepper, cilantro, garlic oil + spicy ponzu) from the vegetarian menu... I could honestly eat this every day... and i'm not going to lie, I went three days straight to get this item. It's refreshing yet spicy... light yet filling. The flavor profiles and textures are off the charts! From the Robata grill all the vegetarian items are great but I love the Tofu (miso balsamic sauce, rice puff ). It's grilled to perfection with a light sauce. Not to mention They're so adorable I almost don't want to eat them. My favorite roll is the Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish + eel sauce), Curry adds just the perfect and exciting amount of flavor. My favorite dessert has to be the Killer Yuzu Pie (coconut biscuit crust, fresh whipped cream)... I legit crave this way too often. (ugh i want one now) Apparently it's similar to key lime pie... which i've NEVER enjoyed before, so I can't agree... Then again I don't care what it's compared to because it's fantastic, tart, light and yes I need to get one soon and eat the entire thing alone. (fatty at heart) I also love the Mushroom Dumplings... Vegetarian and Carnivores alike will love this starter! My suggestion is to go with a fun group of friends, order as much as you can on the menu and share. I'm adding pictures.. so check them out! And don't forget to say hello to Chao and Mike! They're some of the nicest guys I've met in Chicago with a respectable work ethic and passion for good food & top notch customer service! I wish them all the best!
(5)Carmen B.
I've visited Union for lunch and dinner, and was very pleased during both occasions. The Bento box at lunch is a good value (though you will need another side if you're hungry). Returning for dinner, I ordered the truffled tuna (as good as the reviews indicate). We also enjoyed the soba salad, calamari roll, and the BBQ seafood and meats. I ventured into sake with great direction from our waitress. I'll definitely return!
(3)Katie T.
We wandered over on a Saturday night and got seats at the sushi bar. The atmosphere is lively and fun in the restaurant. The sushi chefs were nice, but unlike some sushi restaurants, this bar does not have the best view. The sushi was decent. There's not a ton of variety. They seem to offer a lot of rolls with mayonnaise and such so good if you like that. Service was friendly but slow. Our server seemed busy and forgot to give us soy sauce and dishes. We were not offered water after we finished the bottle. The drinks are tiny and expensive. 1 hour, four rolls, 4 drinks, $100+. Meh.
(2)Wesley R.
The state of Union Sushi & Barbeque? Strong and tasty flavors, my fellow foodies! My first contact with the fine concept of Union was through their blog: mikeandchaochow.com A great great read, that set my saliva glands to drool. Finally, the day had come, and accompanied by a trusted fellow foodie, we were prepared to enter the world where sushi and barbeque could unite at once! There are a lot of options on the cocktail menu, potentially intimidating for the less adventurous among you. We opted to try the Crazy Milk Oita, an unfiltered Nigori sake. At 300 ml, it was a good split for two people looking for a tasty beverage to complement our meal without trying to get drunk. We received a complementary Edamame which comes with a joshua tree spice blend. For our meal? Round 1: Starters - Truffled Tuna Kushiyaki (skewers) - Beef Filet - Chicken Thigh - Scallops x 2 (1 scallop per skewer) Union Rolls - The Belly Roll - Devon The Truffled Tuna was outstanding. I love tuna, and the combination of flavors with the avocado, wonton chips and optional chile fresco made for a great foundation for the rest of the meal. Of the Kushiyaki, the Scallops were in fine form this night. The wasabi-avocado puree and the sweet plum sauce brought out the best in the scallop. The Belly Roll had a nice mix of flavors, and the pork belly was seasoned well, and came out tender. Round 2: Sushi Hokkaido Hamachi sashimi Did I mention that the scallops were fantastic tonight? They worked really well in the roll, and the soy paper was a nice texture alternative that complemented the flavors. The hamachi sashimi was also tasty. For dessert, we had the Ice Cream Sundae Flight. Can you ever really go wrong with ice cream? The service was fine, where our server always made sure to check to see how we were doing without interrupting us too much. The ambiance was nice, and the music was at a decent level, enough to create white noise without forcing you to shout at your dinner companions. Also, they'll eventually offer lunch, which I can't wait for! If you need a new place to try, especially one that will try different things (such as alligator and kangaroo kushiyaki), give Union a try!
(4)Amy S.
Really crazy good sushi and appetizers! They have a great lunch special, so I came here with one of my friends and we ended up doing flights of wine, appetizers, soup, and sushi all under $35 each. It is always really fresh, and there is convenient meter parking outside!
(4)TJ Y.
Great experience here! Went on a Friday night with a reservation and had a great experience. Food - From the bbq side, I got the filet and the mushrooms. The filet was delicious, but the mushrooms weren't that great. for the sushi... I thought it was great that they had half rolls! I think it's great when restaurants let you do half rolls because then you can sample more things on their menu. For rolls... I tried 7 different rolls... the scallop, mushroom, calamari, soft shell crab, cucumber, radish, and california. The mushroom, calamari, and cucumber rolls were delicious!! The service and ambiance was really nice as well. The server was attentive, knew the menu, and provided suggestions. Overall, I would definitely return here and try some other things on their menu. Great restaurant!
(4)Tracy H.
When I first went here about a year ago, I had a really great experience. Ramen was up to game and so was the sushi. When I went back this past month with my boyfriend, we ordered two specialty rolls as well as two different types of ramen. I don't remember the name of the other roll, but we got the Tsukijii (spelling) market roll and...was quite surprised when we took a bite. Totally something different, but definitely not "sushi" per say given there is no rice and it was just...very interesting although not terrible. The reason I can't give this place as many stars as I would have before is because of the ramen. Oh my goodness...what is up with the ramen noodles? I basically couldn't even call it ramen because it looked and tasted like plain soup. I ordered the chicken ramen (probably my fault for ordering something so weird) but even so, the broth tasted like water with salt, the noodles were totally like something you'd see in your typical chicken noodle soup, and there were grease bubbles floating all over the top of the soup not to mention of greasy it was in general for a liquid... Overall, most of the sushi seems to be pretty good, but I will not be ordering the ramen here anymore even though I used to love how they made it :( The rating is only for the food though I've always had good experiences with employees, and they play the absolute best music!!!
(3)Angelica P.
Very good and unique sushi rolls, a lot of spicy things on the menu you though so if you don't like the heat you're kinda out of luck. Their nigiri (rice with fish on top) is amazing though - super white tuna and salmon was really fresh and tasted awesome! The meat is so-so, somethings were a little salty - ribs are succulent and meat falls right off of the bone though A little over-priced but it is downtown
(4)Nikki C.
they never give me any twaat love back when I throw some out for their awesomeness on the internets, so my ego says Eat me! but damn, they do know how to feed us fat asians with big mouths and bigger appetites for freshness and fired meats. cool bar upstairs with approachable bar staff. yes happy hour is damn happy. eat an oyster or 48... and chef chao is right on. cool dude and damn creative with the proteins. bamn!
(4)Shawna B.
This place was such a pleasant surprise on so many fronts. First, the food. If you like meat, this place makes a great BBQ pork appetizer. The rolls with black rice were extra tasty...spicy tuna roll and another with avocado and eel were great. Also had an amazing sauteed fiddlehead fern dish. It was a special for the night and was absolutely unique in its flavor. Must order! Second, our waiter Matt was awesome. He was pleasant, efficient and explained everything without being annoying. Thanks Matt! Last, the vibe of the place was energetic without being over the top. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Dave Z.
WOW. Truly, we had a wow experience there. Took my wife for our 15 year anniversary weekend in downtown Chicago (walked there from the dana Hotel on State - another great place!). I made the Friday night reservation via Open Table and mentioned our anniversary. Well, the host & hostess greeted us with a Happy Anniversary and said they would do their best to make it memorable. That alone just set the tone. How nice! The waitress seemed a tad distracted at first, but corrected that as the evening went on and redeemed completely by the end. The place was jumping, but not chaotic or overwhelmingly so. Just lively. Cool tunes (my wife commented that it sounded like my iPod! A little alternative, a little pop, some electronic groove stuff). Our cocktails were funky and fun. We're not Sake people, but been told this is THE place and it showed, looking at other tables next to us. May have to try next time. But we loved what we got. Definitely an adventurous drink menu. We heard about this place on 'Check, Please' so happy to see it lived up to what we saw. Got out mini iPad to view some of the food, made a few selections and off we went. Each item was increasingly delicious. Started with the truffled tuna: Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips. Fantastic! Although, we have had this similar thing in many many restaurants in San Fran, Vegas and elsewhere. It wasn't the best we've ever had, but pretty close and would get again in a heartbeat. There was a wagyu beef appetizer I think was a special, but it was outstanding. Hard not to just order more, but we were out to sample a lot. Had some shashimi yellow tail and tuna that was great. But the best 2 things on the menu: the Spare rib was seriously out of this world. I know, a spare rib? Really? But it was fall off the bone tender but the sauce was like nothing we'd ever had before. I love sauce of all kinds. The saucier the better. Well, I wanted to drink a gallon of this stuff (Miso, house-tonkatsu -- yes, i had to look it up just now). I am drooling remembering that smoke, sweet tasty rib. Last, my wife really wanted some sushi rolls, which I am not usually a fan of. I don't like the rolls, because I don't like the seaweed "binder" and don't dig wasabi, which is sometimes in the rice... not this. It was the black rice, we'd read about. She couldn't eat it all, so I tried one. We had to get more!! No seaweed (or I couldn't taste it?) and the black rice had a crispyness to it that we could only describe as "rice krispy like"! (Okay, we aren't "refined people") but it did! The waitress explained they fry up some of the skin in sauce and add to the rice. We always heard of "crispy skin" on Top Chef and now we know why it's used so much... beyond delicious! I crave it again! So, we are done. Full without being too full. We wanted to still have a night out without feeling overfull. The waitress insists we get dessert for our anniversary. She was so sweet. We said no, but she was insistent we get it and even just take a bite. So she brings out this Pumpkin Mochi Cake while I am in the bathroom. I come back and my wife has this look on her face. "Try. It.". Okay..... ohmygod... wow! flavor explosion! Warms and carmely and inside is this cream cheese ice cream oozing out. I am not a dessert guy. Months later, we can't stop talking about it!!! We will definitely be going back soon! Just amazing! Service was friendly, fun and zippy. Atmosphere fun and lively. Food was to die for and not at all expensive for what it was. Truly a spectacular experience!
(5)Heather M.
I really enjoyed my meal here! It's a great place for groups, the prices are super reasonable, you can order tons of stuff and the cocktails are delicious - they're on the whole fancy cocktail bandwagon. I'll have three. As a Miami Hurricane, it would have been remiss to pass on the grilled Gator. So I did not. It was great. Sushi - my favorites were the roll with the scallops, the market city roll and the one with the pork belly. PORK BELLY IN SUSHI. Why had I never had that before? The duck fat noodles were really delicious. A little greasy, but they are duck fat. noodles. I also really enjoyed the truffled tuna, in spite of myself. I thought tuna tartare was kind of cliche and lame, but this one was excellent. I will definitely be back to sample more of the robata offerings. Based on the gator and the prosciutto scallop, it's clear they know their way around the grill. Oishkatta!!!
(4)Brooke S.
I have been really excited for this place to open simply due to the fact that they serve kushiyaki the right way...from a sexy 600 degree open flame Robata grill!!! YES!!! Aside from the kushiyaki, Union has a great assortment of apps, mains and of course sushi. I began with the Wagyu Beef Tartare. It was an excellent opener. As promised it was "almost traditional". It was seasoned perfectly, the temperature was on point, a quail egg on top AND along with the surprise of ginger and hints of soy, it was amazing!!! Daikon crisps and pickled baby daikon accompaniments. I had two rolls. The Belly Roll was fun with the piece of fried pork belly on top. The Devon Roll was a great choice for a veggie roll. I really like the sweet potato with the curry mayo. Duck Fat Udon. Good but not a stand out. I think it needed some acidity to brighten the flavor. Shredded duck was stellar and moist though. And now for the kushiyaki... Beef tongue with rice crisp. Tender and awesome. And now for my favorite part of the meal...the whole squid kushiyaki. This was one of those perfect food moments for me. Never mind the fact that it was gorgeous, the squeeze of lemon created the perfect sauce on the plate. Combine that with the charred tips of the tentacles, sigh, I was in heaven. For dessert, the Killer Yuzu Tart made the perfect ending. It was not too sweet and the perfect size. Yum. Sake was great served over one rock with the aroma of the cucumber garnish. I had the Kikusui, 200 ml. It was bright and clean and went well with mostly everything I ate. Cool packaging too. Service was spotty at points but it was only the second night. Total tab for two (my brother also ordered two kushiyaki) $79. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Gina K.
Maybe it's because I come from New York... or perhaps my Asianness. But this place was just so so. I mean... the noodles were mediocre. There was nothing particularly special about the sushi and the drinks were just OK. I WILL say that the location and decor are pretty hip. Fun crowd. Maybe there aren't great sushi places nearby? I dunno. It was just sort of a miss for me.
(2)Dirce M.
I love this place. It's so modern looking and their sushi rolls are amazing. I like that you can switch the white rice rolls with the black rice. The sake is a little expensive so be careful. Overall, it's a good place to go with the girls have a couple of drinks and eat good sushi :)
(4)Elena M.
I came here on a Wednesday with my boyfriend, after hearing about how great the sushi was. We sat down at our table, and our waiter (although very nice) was very hard to hear. When you're working at a loud establishment, your voice should be BOOMING; by the end of dinner, I think I mastered the art of reading lips... If I could describe the food in one word, I would say, MEH. It just didn't do anything for me. We ordered the oysters to start, one of my favorite things, and they brought out the half shells with a bunch of other crap on it. I understand this is a trendy restaurant, but some things are better left simple. Why mess with a good thing? We ordered an array of different sushi rolls, one being "old city market." It just wasn't anything special. Very bland and not what I expected from a place like this. Very dissappointing. I do however, give 5 stars to the SPARKLING MIZBASHO PURE JUNMAI GINJO GUNMA. My god, if anything good came out of this place, it was introducing me to this sparkling sake. It was originally $98 for a bottle, but they had a half off drink special for it. Bottle gone within 20 minutes. Overall, this restaurant doesn't live up to the hype. If you want really good sushi, go to Seadog or Coast.
(2)Lena L.
We had reservations, but we were 15 minutes late and called ahead to notify them. Some restaurants do a much better job of holding your table. This place could care less...we ended up being seated at the bar next the inferno pizza fireplace which was uncomfortable. The temperature difference was something like 20 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a big difference and it was very uncomfortable. Our ice waters melted within 5 minutes of being served to us. It was obnoxious how many times I had to ask for a refill because I was so hot I chugged down my ice water. The sushi was a three star. It was good, decent, somewhat satisfying, but I have had better. I was drawn in by their black rice option. It was cool looking and added a very unique component to the taste of the rolls. Try it if you visit this place.
(2)Greg R.
Great service, good quality sushi. Presentation of food is a bit much and actually makes simple sushi a bit too difficult to eat. All in all a decent neighborhood place that would be good for a date.
(3)Avanti H.
omg yes i am a newcomer to sushi and let me just say this place does it right . love love it . everything taste excellent , even the service is good and i went on friday when they are packed , and our waitress was very attentive. love it fav sushi place .
(5)Sahar M.
Very creative. They are some unique dishes that give this restaurant a great individuality like tuna cup with edible cup. I like the food and atmosphere. The sushi is good with reasonable prices. Everything from the grill is awesome. I also love the drinks. Ask them for traditional mule. Ammmmmaaazing.
(4)MaryLu C.
Saturday night. Went to a charity meet and great, 9:00 p.m. hubby out of town, a babysitter at home and barely a drink. What does that mean.... got to do something before going home. If for no reason to make sure the child is sleeping. Walked past a few places that I go to regularly, but all were packed, almost home, I thought I would try Union. The space, was great, it felt it open and inviting. The service was quite attentive. Others complain about pricing, folks you are in River North, guess what their rent is. This is not Villa Park. One glitch, is they delivered a glass of sparkling white with the water. I live nearby and this happens everywhere but still I do not appreciate the shy/drunk tourist treatment. The glass of red wine I ordered was fine. I liked that the specials were on the i-pad, ordered some black rice rolls which were delivered very promptly. The rolls were what I like to call junk food sushi. The fish was of the ground spicy variety and the rolls were smothered with sauces. Not my preference, but very tasty and loaded with calories good if you are drinking heavily. I know many people like these saucy rolls so if you are one of them, enjoy, the effort was appreciated, but watch the up-charges.
(2)Tim H.
Good service, modern loft ambiance, solid food. My favorite dishes were: -duck fat yaki soba noodles -grilled alligator - actually came out juicy from the robata grill I tried chicken, shrimp, steak, and cauliflower from the robata grill as well. The meats came off more burned/charred and dry than I was hoping for. The couple of sushi rolls I had were good, but nothing that special.
(3)Huzefa U.
Amazing sushi. First time having duck and there buffalo duck is amazing. Highly recommend place to eat!
(5)Aurore L.
If you are an oyster addict like me, and you are crying your eyes out every time you think of how far the ocean is from us Chicagoans, dry your tears this very second; don't pass go, don't collect $200 and go directly to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar. (Actually, stopping at the bank would be a good idea since you might want to gulp a few dozens of our beloved). Also of importance: time. Get there between 5 pm and 6:30 pm. This is the magic time of happy hour, where everyone is giddy with excitement and ready to drink themselves silly. Or not. But forget about booze: the only liquor I need doesn't come on a shelf, but in shells. $1 oysters, ladies and gentlemen. And not crappy, tasteless, big pieces of blurb like one sees way too often in these parts of the country. Nope. Succulent works of art, elegantly dressed in a hot and tangy jalapeno-cilantro ponzu sauce and masterfully sprinkled with red tobiko, green onion and crispy shallot. DI-VINE. Too much? That's what I thought before tasting one of these wonders. Clean flavors, contrast of textures, spice, heat, freshness and all around bliss. Nothing wrong with that. Au contraire. I am planning on stopping by quite a few times in the next moons to come. $2 beef filet skewers and $6 shrimp tempura rolls are not too shabby either. Wash it all down with a beer or a vodka and home-made tonic, and you are good to go. Straight to heaven.
(5)Cheryl W.
I have been several times. The food is generally very good and the barbeque bar items were a particular highlight for someone who sticks to sushi and sashimi as a rule. The escolar is amazing! Also had shrimp and scallop, which were wonderful. The sushi was good but not to die for. Service is always friendly but it has been a bit spotty. The last visit I was with people who had never been and the server came to take our order without giving us the "specials" on the ipad, which is about 30% of what's on offer. She dropped it off and then disappeared for a while. But very friendly and if the sake is flowing you won't notice as much! Also, have been on a weeknight and while it was busy, it was generally quiet and subdued. Went back on a Saturday night and we were straining to hear each other. So experiences can definitely vary...which was fine for me but something to keep in mind depending on what you are looking for on a particular night.
(4)Tom G.
Love the mushroom roll!!!!! They get busy so make reservations. The staff is great! Also great drinks! Parking is a little chaotic! I would suggest eating at the sushi making counter and the barbecue bar. Very fun to watch!
(5)Kerry L.
Reserved a table here based on reviews that mentioned its a good place for groups - I was not disappointed. Our table was ready on time and the staff was able to accommodate a last-minute addition to our reservation of 8. The space is unique and the food was memorable. Union is loud and lively and great for a more high-energy night out.
(4)Amy L.
1. It's a japanese restaurant expect to pay more 2. Alligator meat... interesting not quite a fan 3. Ramen.... not worth it, save your money visit Wasabi 4. Black rice sushi.. YES VERY GOOD. Definitely will come again for the black rice sushi not not too sure about the other items Do make a reservation, it'll save you the hassle of waiting
(3)Spencer H.
When I think of some of my favorite sushi places in the city I think of Sushi Samba & Sunda & if I have another experience like I did when I ate here I am going to have to add this place to that list. Walking in the place I thought it was awesome. The ambience was incredible. The seats were so comfortable & I felt like me & my friends could have sat there for hours with out getting uncomfortable. I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll & a Shrimp Tempura Roll & it was comparable to some of the best I have ever had. The food was fresh & the quality of the rolls were incredible. The rolls didn't just fall apart when I dipped them in the soy sauce & wasabi. The portions were nice as well. Most upscale sushi restaurants tend to give smaller portions but not this place. Lastly the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly from start to finish. Overall the food was delicious & fresh & the service was great & I look forward to eating here again.
(5)Jane K.
Union Sushi seems very hip. It's all up on every technology available. Social Media of course, grubhub, opentable, ipads showing specials at the table. About the ipad.... it wasn't integrated very well, the whole waitress handing us the ipad then trying to look at the ipad together with my dining companion were all kind of awkward. The food left us with more to be desired. The edamame was unseasoned but came sprinkled with some delicious MSG-like powder but it would have been better if the edamame was slightly seasoned. The miso soup seemed more to be like korean fermented soybean paste. Not complaining about the taste but just saying it wasn't miso. However, I did enjoy the size of the tofu in my soup. We got the black rice sushi sampler and it was alright but nothing that made my mouth particularly happy. The 4 rolls included were Hokkaido, Devon, Spicy Tuna, and Dragon. We also tried the spareribs and it was okay but nothing to write home about, the sauce (can't remember which we got) were also unmemorable. The whole food experience was very unmemorable and this means two things, it was neither bad nor good. The decor was pretty cute. A lot of graffitti type artwork and derelict looking materials on concrete walls. Glass window bbq grill. Nice decor, staff was ok, not too friendly, not rude. I'd say it's a cute little izakaya but not somewhere I'd go to dine again.
(3)Olga B.
My most favorite Asian-themed restaurant to date! The head chef/owner Chow (sp.) is so humble, talented and always makes sure you are enjoying yourself while at Union. He caters to my vegetarian needs, as well as makes fabulous recommendations for my fish and meat eating friends. Peter, the bartender, is hands down the most creative bartender in Chicago. He makes the most delicious Sugar Free Cucumber martini, yes you read that right, Sugar Free! Everyone that has tried it absolutely adores it. I strongly recommend it and just know if you are in the mood for something tasty, light and refreshing, you will thoroughly enjoy it. I can not speak more highly of Union. You MUST go! :)
(5)Sarah J.
This place is fanFREAKINtastic. The menu is superb, the ingredients are fresh and flavorful, well presented, and overall DELISH!!!! the decor is so urban and cool (i.e; graffiti walls, exposed brick and beams, concrete floors, urban sculptural pieces and modern furniture) I have been here twice, once passing by on a Friday night LATE, I was able to be seated by the grill in about 20 minutes, this place was packed but they made it work!!! I was so in love that I hosted my birthday dinner here as well. I made reservations for a Sunday at 6....it was super quiet and comfortable, they moved tables around to give us more space and privacy. The staff was super amazing and accommodating...what more can you ask for! AMAZING!
(5)Abi T.
I had some sashimi and a few rolls along with a nice sake. I thought the sushi was decent but nothing great. I think the price is doesn't match either the amount of food or the quality...meaning I expected more/better. I don't recommend this place just for sushi but maybe the BBQ would help this along. I will have to try that if I go back and update this review. I was disappointed to see no real Soba or Udon options. Also, there wasn't much of a tofu selection either. If you're an experienced sushi eater who values the bills in their wallet, then skip and go elsewhere.
(2)Markus L.
In the midst of looking for a good sushi fix, my wife and I decided up on going here for dinner. We were staying at the Hyatt and walked the 20 blocks to this establishment. This place is at the corner of N Franklin Street & W Erie Street. It's got a petruding entrance way from the building into the sidewalk. The moment we walked in, the place was packed. We were able to nab two chairs at the Sushi Bar, which I Highly Recommend! Once there we were given green edamame pods with a sprinkle of some sour powder. Water was served and the table was set with water, napkins with chopsticks and forks. Given that this was a Friday evening and we got there at 8:00 PM, our waitress took a bit to get to us. Once she did get to us, we were able to order. I ordered the Spicy Pig Tail Ramen Soup (Best Ramen I've Had), and my wife ordered two half (4 pieces) Tsukiji Market rolls, a half (4 pieces) Hokkaido roll, Kangaroo Skewer (Delicious... tastes like gamy kobe beef), & two Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops. Our order came out in 15 minutes and we were done eating in 10 minutes... so, after roughly 25~30 minutes of eating, and chatting up the Sushi Chef, he gave us a free half order of the Old City Market Roll wrapped in collar greens and we were able to make a custom sushi roll (Sushi Paper, Rice, Pan-seared Scallop, Boiled Shrimp (x2), Avacado, & Cream Cheese) for $8.00. Washed all that food down with a nice tall glass of water and we were ready to pay our bill. Tipped the Sushi chef and paid the bill, $71 ( including tip). A few things to note about this place: 1. The Sushi bar is made of poured cement. 2. There is a big open flame grill that separates the Sushi bar & the Bar bar. 3. The head chef is Thai. 4. The Sushi chefs are Thai. 5. There are two hostesses & one general manager onsite. 6. Plenty of waiters and waitresses. 7. The atmosphere is quite loud since they play classic rock. I felt like I was at a night club, eating Sushi and watching my uncle grill out. Quite the mixture. I really enjoyed this place, the experience alone was worth the walk and the food was just to dye for. Lucky they do delivery... Delivery $5.00 Charge, Minimum Order Amount $25.00.
(5)Brian B.
As a thank you for letting me crash at his place, I took my best friend and his roommate here for dinner. We ate at the sushi bar. I remember eating the following: - "Buffalo" Duck Wings: excellent, tender, good flavor - Spare Ribs: tender and juicy though we expected more flavor based on aroma and presentation - Black Rice Sushi Sampler: unique presentation, tasty - Omakase nigiri: all were above average, well presented, and fresh We had a different sake pairing with each course. Their sake list is quite impressive and all sakes tasted paired exceptionally well with the menu selections. The staff are great, courteous and knowledgeable. Our server was outstanding! Friendly, fun, and engaging. He even remembered me by name days later when I was in the bar upstairs.
(4)Stef M.
Wow! Great food! Tried alligator for the first time, on the barbie, was great! Excellent alcohol selections, daily specials, great sushi! Want to come back for more!
(4)Karen L.
My husband took me here for the first time on my first Mother's Day. When we arrived, we were greeted by the host. He seated us at the table in front of the door hidden away from the entire restaurant (next time we'll ask to not be seated in front of the door). The food was amazing. Being the food critique that my husband and I are, we ordered pretty much everything on the menu. Portions are small like the size of tapas. We started off with the truffled tuna and sashimi cup. The truffled tuna was a bit bland but the sashimi cup was scrumptious in the ponzu sauce. For our course, we ordered the Tsukiji Market roll (AMAZING - must try) and from the BBQ bar: spareribs, alligator, beef tongue, prosciutto wrapped scallops (my favorite), jumbo shrimp and shitake mushroom. I have to say those were all yummy.
(4)Gideon B.
Just went for dinner tonight with my wife. It probably is best to call for reservations but you can sit at the sushi bar or were they grill the meat. The service was great and our waiter gave us great recommendations. Get the truffle tuna as everyone else said to get. We had the barbecue sampler which was good. But if you don't want all that meat you need to get the barbecue spare ribs. We didn't get it, but the waiter said to get the roman noodles with duck.
(5)Annie M.
Three of us went on a Friday night around 7. It was good but nothing special. None of us had been there before so we wished the waitress would have explained the menu a little. I had the mushroom soup and a spicy tuna roll. Both were good but nothing special for the $30 I paid. I wouldn't mind going back, but it's not at the top of my list.
(3)Jianghui W.
black rice sushi are awesomeï¼ sesame brittle are pretty good， the postachio cream taste so fresh and nature.
(4)Nika L.
Great service, great food, and great atmosphere! Why? -had a party of 9 people that was accommodated immediately at 8:30pm on a Saturday -friendly staff -one of the best sushi places in town, that is not a run down, mom & pop shop What to order: -the oyster appetizer -the black rice sushi deal for $27...absolutely worth it why I like it? -St. Germain cocktail upstairs at UpBar = perfect!
(4)Cody H.
This place is absolutely amazing. The staff behind the bar can turn any bad day around. They also have relatively fair priced drinks, but the best feature is their happy hour food specials. Make sure you try it out.
(5)Amelia S.
Had dinner at the sushi bar on a Friday night. I ordered the Truffled Tuna, Hokkaido roll, River North roll, and the Taro Mochi cake. The Truffled Tuna was a revelation to me - I never would have thought of pairing tuna and truffle oil. It was a delicious way to start a meal. I loved the combination of tuna, truffle, avocado, and spicy wasabi. The rolls were also very good and very different. I liked the use of black rice in the Hokkaido roll, and the collard greens to wrap the River North roll (in lieu of nori). I was also given a small bowl of edamame sprinkled with "kimchi salt" as soon as I sat down. This was very tasty as well. The dessert came highly recommended, but was just so-so in my opinion. The cake was overly sweet, though the dish was plated very nicely. Service was excellent and quick. I enjoyed the hip vibe of the restaurant and watching the sushi chefs work. Overall a very good experience.
(4)Liceysiddharth N.
Amazing food and service, not to mention the awesome ambience. We had ordered sushi,escolar with mushrooms and whole roasted quail over black rice which were all made to perfection. This is the first time we have had escolar and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Had the 12yr old Yamazaki which was slightly over priced but the generous serving subdued the fact. The service was brilliant, constantly making sure we had everything we needed and also recommended drink specials/cocktails. This made our visit memorable. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu.
(5)Callie P.
I took my mom to Union for the first time for Mother's Day weekend and we had a great time. I was very surprised that our bill was under $100; it felt like we ordered a lot of food and each of us had a glass of wine at $11/glass. So that's is a plus right there! The first thing we ordered was the chef's choice 10 piece nigiri sushi plate. I told our server that I am a big fan of eel and salmon and he definitely let the sushi chef know, we had 2 pieces of eel, shrimp, salmon, super white tuna and regular tuna. It was amazing! Then we ordered some cauliflower and the truffled tuna. OMG I wish I could eat Truffled Tuna every day! It was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted! This is a great place to eat, however, if you get stuck sitting in the middle, it can be a little too close for comfort with other people.
(4)Alinka R.
We saw this spot on check please and had to try it. Came in for lunch and got the tasting menu, and the chef came out and said the dinner menu is too much for us and made us a custom lunch menu. Everything was amazing, one of the best meals I've ever had. Service is impeccable as well. I don't write many reviews but this place deserves it.
(5)Courtney W.
My boyfriend took me here to celebrate my birthday and man was I impressed! We had been looking for a new sushi joint since we kind of had a bad breakup with Macku. The sushi was actually decently priced, so if you stick with some amazing rolls, you can't go wrong and you can even stay within budget. We had a reservation for a Friday night and we got to sit up at the sushi bar. I kind of wanted a table but the bar was actually way more fun. Our server Dan S. was great, we'll request to be in his section next time we come in. I started off with the Skinny Geisha which was amazing, I normally love fruity drinks but all of their drinks were outstanding. The Skinny Geisha had Hum, House Infused Citrus Vodka, Fresca, Yuzu and clocks in at 99 calories. My boyfriend had two Marjorie Kings (he absolutely loved it!). The Marjorie King has Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila, Maple Syrup, Lime, Combier, Egg White, Rosemary Tincture. The cocktails are all $10, which is pretty decent considering a lot of places charge more and these drinks were phenomenal and all different. I also had a Surprise and Delight with my dinner (Effen Cucumber, Pimm's No.1, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Muddled Lemongrass, Muddled Strawberry, Seltzer) which was also amazing. Now for the food! We started with the Truffled Tuna (truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco + wonton chips ) which should absolutely not be missed! I'll be ordering this every time I come in! We also had alligator from the robata grill (garlic-soy + Kirin Ligh). I eat alligator all of the time at home in Florida and I was so excited to see this exotic option on the menu. We also went with the Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallop (wasabi-avocado purée, sweet plum sauce, fried ginger) which was also out of this world. Now for my favorite part, the sushi. I love sushi and I've been eating it for over 10 years and I can honestly say I've never had it done like this. After a bad breakup with Macku, I needed a good hip place to try. I had half of a Chesapeake Bay (fried oyster, black rice, red tobiko, green onion, avocado, garlic aoli+ wrapped in collard green) with black rice. The black rice is something that I had never tried before and is one of the reasons why I will be returning soon. I loved this role, oysters? Sign me up! It's also pretty awesome that they allow you to order half of a roll, they way you can try more things. We also had the River North ( eel, gobo, red onion, pickle chili, black pepper sauce + wrapped in collard green) which was also out of this world. The Clifton #4 (fried calamari, masago, green onion, grilled asparagus, cilantro, marble nori + garlic mayo) was also excellent. The Old City Market (spicy tuna, seared salmon, spicy ponzu, cilantro, green onion, fried okra + wrapped in collard green) was my boyfriend's favorite and he was raving about it to everyone we know (even those people who hate sushi!). Last but not least, we ordered the Spicy Tuna Roll with black rice (spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake + mayo) which I also loved and I don't generally like spicy tuna. For dessert we ordered the Ice Cream Sundae Flight which included green tea, red bean, and vanilla ice cream. I loved the green tea and vanilla and my boyfriend couldn't stop praising the red bean. I had a wonderful birthday dinner here and I can't wait to come back soon!
(5)Lauren R.
I enjoyed our evening at Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar! Drinks were unique and strong. We started with the sweet potato "tots". Delightful! Umami, crunchy, soft - almost everything you could ask for in this type of dish. The black rice sushi combo was good. It played to our group's multiple tastes; including spicy, typical, unique, and vegetarian rolls. My only complaint was the chicken ramen. It was good - don't get me wrong. But I was looking for some more flavor in the broth. The noodles were great, though! Great atmosphere, strong drinks, enough food for leftovers, and at the end, our bill wasn't outrageous. I'll be back!
(4)M. Medford J.
Food 4 **** Nectar 4**** Ambiance 4**** Stuck in Chicago for 5 days for a conference and was so worn down I actually asked the concierge for a recommendation. He pointed out the easy option, Aria at the Fairmont and the distant better option, Union Sushi and BBQ. The cabbie pulled up to Union and muttered in broken English, "I think this is where you want to be." He was right. This is where you want to be. I was probably crazy for going out for sushi on a Monday night in the Midwest, but I was desperate enough to eat the leftover fish from the weekend. What a surprise. The place was buzzingly busy, but I found a spot at the BBQ bar. I couldn't believe they had Hitachino and a quick perusal of the menu made me take off my conference badge and suit jacket...this was going to get serious and messy. Let's start with an alligator kebab, pleasantly crisped (and yes, it tastes a bit like chicken) and a Hitachino XH. I immediately regretted the conservative, sushi deluxe order. I should have been wild and tried more of the unique rolls. But who knew the alligator would presage a fantastic meal. I comforted myself by staring through the translucent glass around the bbq and watched the blind date devolve on the table near the window. A pretty group of people, but most seemed engaged by their plates in front of them. They have a tiny bar, with a bartender hip enough to pull off wearing a derby. But I wasn't looking to get laid. I wanted fish. But likely this would be a cool spot on Friday. The sushi-deluxe is a work of art that arrives with a humble bow from the chef. Tiny mushroom stalks projected up from the salmon, daring you to disturb the plating display. Seemingly plain fish is sculpted into swirls over razor-thin strips of radish, with a hint of spice and lemon wedge. I was stunned that this quality of fish could be found on a Monday. I started ordering more aggressively. There were no gimmicky Philadelphia Rolls or disappointing tuna-glop in seaweed. This chef is an artist, combining fresh cilantro, thin slices of carrots and garlic into simple rice paper. I would never think to put these ingredients into rolls, but he made it work. I paused on my second Hitachino to stare over at the muted chef and he only tilted his head up at me. He knew I got it and appreciated that. No words had to be exchanged. The waiter came by, without a hint of obsequiousness and made a suggestion for the Market Roll. The plates continued to pile up and now my regret was that I had eaten lunch. I wanted more but could not eat another bite. This is a place that needs a few visits though - I need to try the cocktail menu. I need to devote a night just for the BBQ, and I need to delve into these special rolls. I recommend taking the time to go through these culinary levels to find a favorite. I think it all depends on mood. Enjoy.
(4)Caroline N.
I went to union sushi with a group of girls for dinner and we were pretty happy with the meal. The layout of the restaurant was great (love the semi open kitchen) and service was pleasant and quick. I had a cocktail which was waaaay to sweet, but this was quickly compensated for by the arrival of perfectly dressed (and $1!) oysters for the table. I had the mushroom soup which was well flavored but a salt-bomb and a roasted cauliflower salad which was decent. I also had a passable piece of tuna sashimi. In fairness, only the oyster and Tuna fall into the sushi+BBQ category (it was a midweek dinner, I am a weekday vegan) so I'm giving this place a 3 star rating primarily on food that it doesn't specialize in. My girls all really liked their BBQ, so there's a chance this place would be bumped up to a 4 in my book if I tried a few more things. I would definitely go back!
(3)Matthew L.
The interior had graffiti on the walls and a modern touch. The food was innovative, tasty, and reasonably priced. I tried the alligator and kangaroo both seasoned enough that there was almost no gamey taste. The Uni Shooter and Uni Alfredo tasted like mac and cheese and almost no salty or briney aftertaste. The black rice sushi was delicious. The Duck Fat Soba was spicy and delicious. All the while playing 90's hip such as NAS and Wu Tang in the background. This is now my favoriate sushi place in Chicago..... The only slighty negative thing I can say is that the food took a while and came in a weird order, one appetizer, Uni shooters, mains, and noodles last but it was well worth the wait. You should try this place you will not regret it.
(5)Lauren B.
Came here with a girlfriend last weekend per another friend's recommendation. Union did not disappoint. The service is spot on and the ambiance and general vibe of the place is inviting and unique. I also really loved that we were not rushed what so ever! We ordered our food one item at a time, and our server was more than happy to oblige. Here is what we sampled: Roasted Cauliflower Salad was delicious and light. I simply adored the combination of the kumquat with the cauliflower. Mushroom Dumpling- tasty but not something I would order again. This is not something I would normally eat, but I gave it a try Oysters on the half shell- YUMMY! Especially if you are an oyster lover, the crispy shallots on top was a nice textural element. I had mine without jalapeno/cilantro ponzu so on that I cannot comment. Chesapeake Bay Roll- light, not too much mayo, and the collard green wrapping brought a different taste to the roll. Loved the black rice, such a deep almost nutty flavor. I recommend to anyone planning to dine at Union, if these are items you would normally eat, try the cauliflower salad and the oysters for sure!! And don't be afraid to try any of the other lovely combinations of flavors on the menu. They know what they are doing here.
(4)David T.
Good concept, but food is just ehhh. Below average food is one thing but prices are higher too. Not the best place for sushi or barbecue. Cool room but that's about it.
(2)Gspot H.
Fun. Hip place. Good service and fast. bathroom's were clean. The Ramen was great. The Pepper Shrimp appetizer is one you might wanna do a 2nd order on. The Cauliflower salad was alot better then I would of imagined it to be. The Music in the background wasn't soft but was brightly leveled perfectly for a crowd that likes good music n not soft.
(5)Amanda F.
I came at 5PM on the dot to partake in Union Sushi's happy hour menu. $5 vodka cocktails, $3 steak skewers, $3 shrimp tempura rolls, and $1 oysters were right up my alley. My table also ordered the sushi platter and numerous "skinny" cocktails. My feelings on the happy hour menu are a little mixed, but you get what you pay for. The complimentary edamame dusted with a spicy powder was devoured immediately. I loved the shrimp tempura rolls, but wasn't wowed by the rest of the deal menu. The oysters were out of season (although very beautifully presented), and the steak skewers lacked spice, tasting more like charcoal, and left me looking for a dipping sauce. The theme for the skinny cocktails seems to be Fresca. Its genius!! We started skipping the $10 regular price and concocting our own Fresca creations with the $5 vodka deal. The sushi platter is a good deal and an interesting mix of flavors. I really liked the black rice used in the maki. I loved the Devon sweet potato roll which I never would have order alone, but was happy it was included in the platter. The spicy tuna is actually spicer than I've ever had and I failed to taste much of the tuna. My favorite roll, however, was actually the happy hour special, shrimp tempura. My group overstayed our reservation, so the waitress kindly ask that we move the group upstairs for a free round of drinks. Normally, I would be outraged at having to give up our table, but we kept our mouths shut and accepted our free drinks. The lofted bar area is a bit tight, though. I wouldn't try to bring a large group here especially without reservations. A good portion of the seating is also around the open sushi kitchen and grill and bar area. The swanky but fun asian decor, black mirrors, open flame, and soft trendy electro music in the background give it a pretty hip ambiance. This was a great place to remind my co-workers that living in the city is just much cooler than living in the suburbs. The overall experience was very enjoyable and I would come back for the "skinny" cocktails in a heartbeat. I would recommend Union tweak their happy hour food options, though.
(3)Emily B.
Everyday I stare out from my window at work and see Union. So I figured I'd round up some friends who aren't afraid to throw down on some beef tongue and try it out. Over all, I enjoyed the sushi selection the most (which was the last thing we ordered, sadly), followed by the interested appetizers like the duck wing and, from the grill, the beef tongue. I was not a fan of the noodle bowls, unfortunately, but that's just my preference on ramen-esque meals. Service was fair. A few things were forgot to be entered by our server, but he made up for it by bringing out some sake bombs while we waited. The interior is really cool; kinda funky sushi samba flair, but smaller. I liked sitting facing the windows and seeing the snow fall; also the reflection from the flames on the 600 degree grill. One note: for a Sunday night, the vibe was quiet, but a bit sluggish. I was disappointed that there was no toilet paper in any of the women's stalls. Just kinda one of htose no-excuse things. If you wouldn't let it happen opening week, you shouldn't let it happen on a Sunday at 8pm.
(3)Molly P.
Although we arrived a few minutes before our reservation, we were greeted warmly and seated immediately. I was really impressed with the Black Rice Sushi sampler. It was a great way to enjoy a few old favorites (Spicy tuna and Dragon Rolls) and try some new rolls (Hokkaido and Devon Rolls) too. Another highlight of the evening was the Tsukiji roll. It was as beautiful as it was delicious. The cilantro and radish wrap gave the roll a fantastic freshness. Not only was our food first class, the service was stellar. Our waiter was attentive, honest and funny. Our water glasses were constantly attended to and the manager stopped by to greet us and describe the black rice sushi sampler in further detail. Can't wait to go back. For more on our visit to Union Sushi + BBQ Bar check out my blog: bit.ly/GUWfTo
(5)Henry S.
Ok, so let's call a spade a spade. Union is a party place, and if you're in that kind of mood, it is a good place to be. The décor is nice. it could feel a little over the top when you walk in, but I liked the street vibe. The small upstairs bar is nice, except the bartender had to walk pass us to get in and out of the bar. I like the semi-private space by the window under the interesting suspension lamp with all the balsa wood rings. But... best of all, the music. It's loud but not unbearable, and we were bopping on our chairs all night. Cocktails are interesting. Not too crafty, with enough interesting choices to appeal to different tastes. Sake are on the expensive side. On the whole though, I've had humorous incidents with liquor here. Such as, the bar forgets to transfer the bar bill to the food bill. Or they ran out of sake, so gave us another much pricier one. I love freebies, in whatever form. So this place is sushi, and bbq bar. BBQ were mostly blah. The meats are all cooked well. But really not a whole lot interesting beyond that. The sushi are better. Nothing spectacularly great, but solid 'party' rolls. The spicy tuna packed enough heat, and I liked the crunchy panko it was rolled in. Crispy salmon skin has enough crunch and texture to keep you wanting more. I can't remember which, but there is one that is wrapped in cucumber slices that has a nice bright flavor. They also aggressively push for trying the black rice versions. It's basically making the sushi with black rice for an up-charge. Or there is also a sampler. It's one of those things that could be worth trying if you've never had it. Overall, it gave the rolls a hearty texture. If you are into brown rice sushi, black rice is the next step. Calling Whole Foods... Why 3 stars? As I've mentioned, come here for the fun atmosphere and good times with friends. I forgot to ask them who does their music, and if I can copy the playlist. Seriously, whoever is behind it, I will gladly have him/her DJ at my next soiree.
(3)Jessica B.
The Buffalo Duck Wing needs to be on the Food Networks "Best Thing I have ever Ate". The new black rice sushi has my waist line and taste buds jumping for joy. The sushi selection is the best in Chicago along with their Sake menu. I have not seen some of these Sake's in many sushi establishments across the nation. Chef Chow (If you are lucky enough to sit at the Chef's table) is amazing and when sitting at the Chef's table it is truly a culinary delight. A must try if you haven't been and once you go a go to place for food and fun!!
(5)Meredith K.
Things started out strong but have been sliding. I've been here 3X and I'm afraid to go a 4th for fear that it will be awful. But I can't stay away from those crab cake sliders for too long! The first time was for a Local Tourist dinner. We loved it!! It was a sampling of everything and we were in the upstairs bar talking to Peter who is awesome. He showed us some new tricks! And let us sample the liquor in our drinks. After this dinner we went searching for 2 of the liquors that he showed us and I had to order it online! I loved everything but the dessert but that's because I don't like cheesecake. We went back the very next night because I wanted sliders and my boyfriend needed more skewers. We also got a couple of half rolls. I love that you can order 1/2 the number of rolls! The 3rd time we were there the menu changed, we tried things that were just EH, like the tuna special that had way too much mayo sauce on it. What I hate is when its not all that crowded and they "squeeze" you in (there were 3 of us at a two-topper) and yet no one shows at the 2 tables that were next to us. Why we couldn't push one of those tables next to us to be a four-topper is beyond me. Anyhow we tried the new rolls and one of them was not fabulous. It needed something. The other roll was so fresh and yummy. I'm sure I'll be back. I just wish they'd stop messing with perfection!
(3)Margo A.
truffled tuna, shrimp tempura roll, oysters, edamame, beef filet skewers--AMAZING! the beef was extremely tender and melted in our mouths! The happy hour food specials are a really great deal! I came here with a couple girlfriends and it was great!! The drinks are amazing too!! I LOVED the Nishiki Fizz! I will definitely be back!
(5)Andrew C.
Loved it
(4)Nhan P.
This place is amazing. I have wanted to try it since I had the beef skewers at a Yelp event. We came for restaurant week, but decided to order from the regular menu to try the BBQ items and sushi. Overall, I really enjoyed our experience and would definitely come back. Good food at a reasonable price point for the area. Our meal: Alligator: It tasted too much like chicken, chicken breast to be exact Beef tongue: My oh my, delish! Don't worry it comes on a skewer with 3 cubes. It was very tender, but if you don't like muscle-Ly textures, you might not like this one but the sauce was yummy. Berkshire pork shoulder: The meat was fine, however, it was over seasoned and very salty. Prosciutto wrapped scallop: I regret only ordering one, the scallop was HUGE. Everything worked here, the sauce and fried ginger really complemented the meat. Get this. Thank me later. Seaweed salad: The seaweed was fresh, unlike the ones you get at most sushi joints. It was not on the menu. Shrimp tempura roll: Wow. It had caramelized onions and it worked. The shrimp was very fresh. Unagi nigiri: Slightly better than most sushi joints. It came with a large piece of fish. Snow crab leg nigiri: We could have skipped this one, although it was real crab, it really didn't taste like anything. Bay street California: A delicious roll with cucumber instead of seaweed. Soft shell crab roll: This was just okay, nothing special.
(4)Dennis T.
I first heard about this from a friend who went for the happy hour. A couple weeks later I met up with some others for dinner here. First thing you notice is how stylish everything is. It kind of feels a lot like a loft with exposed air conditioning tubes, concrete pillars, and walls decorated with graffiti-esque art and enlarged photographs of urban Japan. It's pretty dark in there but it contributes a lot to a very cool atmosphere. The menu is varied with a large selection of rolls as well hot items from the grill. We ordered a large number of different rolls and they were good but I can't say they were fantastically better than anything I've had at less expensive sushi restaurants. The one exception is the Hokkaido roll which had grilled scallop, avocado, roe mayo, roasted peppers, and garlic wrapped in soy paper. The result is rich, smooth, and spicy. The most stand out item was the grilled alligator served on top of mashed sweet potatoes. It was extremely tender and easily fell off the bones. There is a full bar with some really cool imported Japanese beers. Try the Wednesday Cat if you like wheat beer with a bit of spice to them. I would love to give this place 3.5 stars but the kitchen was very slow with our order. Our waiter was attentive and checked up on us often once our food finally came but drink orders also took a good amount of time. All in all, the ambiance is great, the sushi is good but not spectacular, and the grilled items are very unique. I think it's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)Kelly K.
Time for a quick review: Sushi- very unique and fresh Service- Slow. We came during lunch and it took ages. I'll be back to try more of their menu, but not when I'm in a rush
(3)Donna L.
Took me long enough to try this place! How did I miss it so many times?? It's such an awesome place with awesome people and the food is reeeediculously awesome! First.. the host was very welcoming and and gracious. The server was very nice and sweet. Gave great recommendations on food and drinks. Truffle Tuna was the best 'tuna tartare' I've probably ever had... and the cooked Super White Tuna was also a great started. Enjoyed trying the BBQ Alligator and Kangaroo skewers! Also tried some of the rolls which were also well made and fresh. The only one I could remember though was the Tamago because that's always my FAVE. Their Tamago was the best and most different than I've EVER HAD. Thats for sure. It had some kind of vegetable in it! and we love the fact that we could get 'half portions' and black rice with each roll. Definitely a plus for the health conscious. All the food and drinks were unique and delicious. Dessert was awesome too, as we had the ice cream flight and Yuzo cake.. which is pretty much key lime pie so don't get it if you don't like key lim pie. Next time I would try the banana bread.
(5)Jonathan L.
Place is amazing. Friendly staff, great service, and food is excellent. If you haven't been here yet I recommend checking out the Happy Hour menu happy hour menu: $1 oysters $2 Beef Skewers $3 Shrimp Tempura Rolls $5 Sobieski Vodka drinks
(5)Maria S.
We sat at the bar and chatted with Ken. Service was attentive. We even met with the chef who made the coconut bar ice cream. Love it! Libations is what we definitely were in for as a stop...but who could say no to the BBQ grill that we were sitting next to. So everything we had was unbelievable. This is my list of recos: Jack's Thorn Nashi Blossom Sake Flight 001 (loved the Deep Forest Sake) My hunger pain recos: Oxtail ramen (you definitely need this if you want to drink for 5 hours straight---best way to get rid of hangovers, too. BTW, not your average college quick meal pick me up! Try it!) Pork Shoulder with coconut milk and cilantro (you won't just be having 1!) Uni Nigiri (the foie gras of the sea) Fresh Wasabi (delicious---it has a mild flavor and much better than the paste kind) Oh, they do have free parking. We didn't know that and found out we spent about $12 for the time we were there. Overall, we will be back!
(5)Blanca S.
Can't get tired on union sushi. People attending has always been kind, the food is fantastic and their prices are awesome.
(5)Ashley K.
Y to the -UM. Things I love about this place: *the atmosphere *the music *the truffled tuna *rolls made with wrapping other than seaweed *the deserts *the servers *1/2 rolls so you can try more of them (especially the Hokkaido - so unique and refreshing!) We sat at the sushi bar so we got to see all of the dishes as they were prepared and there are a LOT of other things I want to try (which is hard to imagine given how much two girls took down on Friday night). The only (minor) flaw - I didn't care too terribly much for the zuki sake. It wasn't bad - just a little fishy and nowhere near as good as the other things we had. Looking forward to returning here very soon!
(5)Alison T.
Came here for a friends Birthday - ambience and decor gets 5 stars, it's a really cool place. The menu is great with lots of different options for both sushi lovers and non-sushi lovers. The tuna tartare was some of the best I've ever had. Everything else was just good. It's defnitely a bit over-priced, but we did have a good time. I'd go back if someone asked me to, but I don't think I'll get a group to go again.
(3)mei s.
Came here for a business lunch right before Christmas break, so there was a bit of a crowd. The vibe here is cool and a bit off the beaten track for business lunches. We ordered a bunch of things since there were a few of us. we ordered the fried pork belly micro greens (yum!! i love pig belly! and this was done right.) we ordered a few things from the bbq bar--spare ribs, alligator, beef filet, pork shoulder and chicken thigh japanese curry. i ordered a couple of rolls as my entree-soft shell crab and old city market. i should have ordered the belly too. overall, a pleasant experience and the food was awesome! i would definitely come back.
(4)Charles S.
Great staff and great sake menu. Always cooking yakatori beef sticks, kangaroo... Best mix of Japanese dishes.
(4)Matt C.
Now THIS is how a Sushi restaurant (or any restaurant for that matter) should be. We came in starving after a winery tour looking to sate our inebriated appetites and continue letting the good times roll. We took one look at the menu, deemed it overwhelming, and asked our server, Dan (later "Dan The Man") to bring out his favorite dishes and libations for us. As far as the drinks go I have no idea what boozy concoctions Dan fed us except that the first drink he brought had a hint of basil and was unbelievably good, on par with some of my favorites at Violet Hour. The second had egg whites and was almost as good as the first. Dan the Man. The food was spectacular: First off when you sit down they bring you edimame with Parmesan cheese smothered all over it. I have never had edimame like this before. I don't want to get hung up on the edimame, but they were some damn good green beans. Buffalo Duck Wing -- What!? Buffalo duck wing!? This was so good -- the duck was cooked perfectly and was the biggest duck wing I have ever seen. The tempura breading was perfectly crispy, and the buffalo sauce made you want to lick the bowl. Get this. Sashimi Cup -- Raw salmon, avocado puree, and ponzu sauce. Palatte cleansing, fresh, fun to eat (you mix everything together and it looks really cool). Another must-get. Hokkaido and Chesapeake Bay Sushi -- I HIGHLY recommend the Chesapeake Bay. I have never had a sushi roll wrapped in collard greens. I could eat this right now and it's 9:00am. The Hoakkaido was great as well, but the Chesapeake was the obvious winner for us. Spare Rib - The BBQ sauce was the perfect blend of spicy and tangy. The meat was fork-tender. The presentation looked like something out of a food-porn magazine. Off Menu Fish Dish -- After a few rousing compliments about his food and drink choices Dan brought this out for us. He said it was off menu and something he wanted us to try. It was a piece of seared Skate with a mixture of fried onions and chilis on top and I think some sort of miso sauce. Dan not only hit it out of the park, but right then and there sealed Union as a five-star restaurant for me. BBQ Prawns -- Simple presentation: just perfectly cooked prawns with a nice spice rub. Delicious. The bottom line is this: there are those rare restaurants that have such a good combination of food, drink, and service that they make you want to come back the next day to do it all again. Union is one of these places.
(5)Dan C.
Okay ... 4 almost 5 stars. Food, atmosphere, people are great!! No complaints about that at all, BUT... To our dismay there was a different waitress that was serving the tables on both sides of us that we noticed and heard was giving "on the house cookies" to her guests as she handed them their bills. We are HUGE dessert people and honestly looked forward to that, but to our surprise, no cookies. Booooooo!! I would go back and actually have put it out as an option on dinner nights out but my date refuses because of the cookie incident. SO ... Union Sushi has awesome food!! I guess I'll never know about the awesome looking cookies, let me know how they are. --Cookie Monster
(3)erin z.
Love this place! The truffled tuna was amazing, great service, good drinks, and cool atmosphere. Also Love the hip-hop tunes. Definitely will be back.
(5)Peater J.
On the top 10 list of most egregious things a restaurant can do to a customer is "closing *well* before your posted operating hours. " It lies somewhere between giving a customer food poisoning and finding foreign objects in one's own food. I made a special trip to eat here, but restaurant was closed at 9:45 when it was clearly posted on their own website that it was open until 10:30. When I walked in, the grill stations and sushi bar was already broken down, so I'm guessing that they probably closed around 9:15-9:30. Around an hour before 10:30. WTF? I once worked with a restaurant manager who once told me, that closing before your posted hour is pretty much "The Kiss of Death." His reasoning was that by doing so, exhibits symptoms of greater underlying problems at a restaurant. It also sends a wrong message to customers, like me, and does a lot to undermine a customer's confidence - for numerous reasons. Regardless, I ended up at Hooter's and endured an hour of bad chicken wings, bad service and foodball highlights wishing I was eating sushi instead.
(2)Alexander C.
I used to live a couple blocks away from this place. Food is gross. River north style trendy vibe. It's expensive. The bbq is actually ok but the sushi is strange and nasty. I'm a big sashimi nigiri kind of dood so maybe that's why? Atmosphere is actually pretty cool. Yeah it's busy but you'll eventually get a spot and the bar is usually available. I have no idea why I went more than once. I have no idea how this place currently has 4 stars. Save some cash and go somewhere tastier like Yushu or Coast.
(2)Aly H.
Amazing experience! We sat at the sushi bar on a Thursday, drank some saki bombs with the owners and chefs. After that we simply asked to be served. The fish chefs and staff were simply superb. We did not look at a menu- we were simply served based on what we said we liked or disliked. One of the best meals I Have Ever Had in Chicago over the last 10 years!
(5)Linda G.
This was a great fantasy food experience ... Each taste was unique and special. We started at the 2nd floor bar and were impressed with the MIXOLOGIST's (we don't say bartender anymore) talents. After moving to our table we were well waited on. Our friend loved his black rice tuna rolls so much he insisted that the people at the table have some. This resulted in them sending over a tray of some other delicious sushi snack foods. I was on my 3rd Mixology concoction so I was thanking them and babbling like an idiot. All in all it was a terrific time. we will go back. With drinks/tip it was $55. per person but we very definitely ordered a lot.
(5)Matt R.
Went within a week of opening night. When you do that, you have to know you're taking a risk and that things won't be up to snuff right away. Honestly, other than the wait for drinks (10 minutes at the bar) everything was pretty great. The food was pretty good. The Truffled Tuna app was really good, as was the proscuitto-wrapped scallop. Maki rolls were very tasty and come with 4 pieces for around $5, which is fairly reasonable. That also allows you to try a bunch of different things. Wish they had a bigger selection to try, however. Drinks were pretty good, though I wish they would expand the beer list with some more authentic Japanese craft beers. Service was good, great pace and well-polished for being open only a week. Had good recommendations on quantities and favorites. Decor was really cool, though I do agree with others that it was maybe a little bright. Pretty young crowd, so not some place I'd take the in-laws. Would definitely come back.
(4)Thelizjake P.
Enjoyable; this is the first word that comes to mind from my first dining experience here. The atmosphere is fun and trendy, the sushi extremely tasty, and the pricing fair to decent depending on your order. I was most impressed when the waitress proactively suggested, at the beginning of our meal, that she could split the bill into individual checks (by person, or people) so as to not have to figure out who owes what at the end of the dinner. Given my wife and I had just gone through one of these nightmare exercises at a dinner of 20 the weekend prior, it was a sigh of relief and astonishment as we were just talking about how more restaurants should offer this service. At the end of the meal, the server did manage to incorrectly tally up my individual bill after two attempts, but hey - I was willing to overlook it just because she had split up the overall bill into 10 smaller tabs
(4)Adriano M.
Quite possibly one of the BEST if not the BEST Asian restaurant in the USA. What an awesome place, the chefs are masters....the restaurants serves sushi and Asian BBQ. Some sushi is served with black natural rice, different but very good and healthy. The tuna tartar is a great starter as are the grilled scallops wrapped in bacon amazing!. they also have a grilled shrimp served with a bbq sauce that is outstanding... I can go on and on....all I can say is you will not be disappointed this place has it going on. Sushi is outstanding and creatived. Definetly coming back soon!!.
(5)Kimmie H.
Trendy place. Bit pricy for dinner because of a small portion. Happy Hour is great. Would definitely come back its happy hour only. Please consider add chicken gizzard and chicken skin on the menu if you try to be a Japanese street food style also. I had a great time here. Nice decoration (a bit dark) the guy on the phone was nice. Good service over all.
(4)Jessica S.
So glad I found Union!! Its innovative, delicious, and a great, edgy atmosphere. We sat right in front of the enclosed grill which was fun and added t the entertainment of the evening. At the end of our meal, we were greeted by the owner and it was such a nice, warm gesture. Our waiter was informed and super friendly, which in my opinion has been so hard to find lately. The unique cocktails were fantastic. I got gutsy and tried the grilled alligator, which tasted like chicken but a little gamier and loved it. The rolls we tried were large a delish. I will be going back to Union soon!
(5)Michael J.
I'm probably being a little generous with this 5 star review, so I'll add a caveat. I went here last week and ordered a ton of food. a couple of the dishes (beef tongue and brown rice roll sampler) justified 5 or 6 stars. Tasted amazing. A couple of the dishes were just ok. The couple things that really bumped this place up to a 5 star in my book was the fresh wasabi and the service. I normally don't give or deduct points for service if the food is awesome, but we sat at the sushi bar and the chef cooking everything was cracking jokes the whole time and very funny. Food came quickly which was a plus. If there weren't so many restaurants to try in the world, I'd return and continue exploring the menu.
(5)Arian M.
Great atmosphere, very trendy and hip. We ordered, of course, 60 oysters which were very tasty. We could have easily done another 60 (maybe). My favorite was the truffled tuna. Oh so fresh and delish. I never had anything like it. I will definitely go back.
(4)Amy R.
Having lived in Chicago for a couple of years now, coming up with new and creative ways to celebrate one's birthday can be incredibly challenging and stressful. The trolleys are overdone...drink packages at a random bar are less than unique...and renting out a space in downtown Chicago can be awfully expensive. I had seen Union Sushi come up on a list of recommendations of top new bars/restaurants through MetroMix. It sounded like the perfect spot for a bday celebration--new, great location, and trendy. I dropped in after work to speak with the manager, Mike, about what options he had to offer. I was more or less expecting a large table reservation--in a private area, if I was lucky. Mike surpassed expectations--he led me upstairs to their "UpBar" and said if I had enough guests planning to attend he would let me have the area for the entire Friday night. He worked with me on the menu and space reservation until we came to the perfect solution. Although I had been expecting 12 girls for the meal (before all of the other guests were expected to show up to just drink), only 8 showed up and the waitress/management were able to accommodate the last minute change with ease and kindness. Following dinner, the swarm of other guests arrived and we had the entire UpBar full of people and our own private bartender. The staff was incredibly nice. The bartender even let me "help bartend" for a fun picture or two. And the head chef, Chao, came out of the kitchen and up to the UpBar to say hello to me and my guests! I highly recommend Union Sushi for any event--be it birthday or corporate or just for fun. The atmosphere is really cool with all of the graffiti and the menu has plenty of great options to please anyone. Speaking of the menu...I highly, highly recommend the Truffled Tuna appetizer--it is to die for.
(5)Jonathan E.
One of the best sushi places I have been to. Good service. Nice menu. Really good, high quality food. Recommend.
(4)Evan M.
My rating is more like a 3.5, but you can't do a half on here, so eh. I'll start off with the bad, just to get that wiped from memory. Being from coastal Florida, I know better than to order raw oysters in the Midwest, but I did it anyway. They came out with a faint fishy smell that we all noticed, but against my better judgment, I ate one anyway. Tasted very metallic. A good oyster should taste delicate and briny. These were also about 1/3rd the size of a proper oyster. And good thing--if they had been 3x as large, it may have repeated on me. I was pretty much nauseated the rest of the night. Anyhoo, on to the good--all the sushi we had was divine. Service was very quick, and when a few more friends showed up late to join us, they were more than happy to accommodate our friends. The lunchtime deals are also pretty good. This is quite the happening place, but I'm just not blown away. If I'm in the immediate area, sure, I'd go back, but I wouldn't bypass a few other sushi places to do so.
(3)Kelly C.
This place was quite tasty! I went for Restaurant Week and they didn't disappoint. For their RW menu it was $22 for both lunch & dinner. The courses were the usual salad, entree & dessert. I started off with the soba salad and it was okay def had spice to it. My friend had the mushroom salad and said it was tasty - kinda wish I would have gotten that! For the entree we both got the surf and turf and it was great with the sweet potato cream and crispy potato strings. And the presentation was fabulous with the shrimp skewered on top of the filet (picture to come). Everything was seasoned great and we were both very impressed with our meal! For dessert we each got something different so we could try a couple different items. My friends choice was the clear winner - KILLER YUZU PIE - it tasted very similar to a key lime pie and was divine. I got the sundae flight and it wasn't anything to write home about. The green tea one was icky (to be fair I have never had a green tea one i like), the other 2 were ok but I recommend the pie. We also got the PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED SCALLOP and it was excellent with the puree on top. I would go back for this alone! I like the decor of the restaurant - it seemed very cool to me with the graffiti artwork on the walls and the exposed pipes. I wasn't really a fan of how close the tables were to each other. Overall a nice dining experience and I would go back and try out the sushi!
(4)Gigi Y.
For my first experience here, i had a great time! (because I was also with great company) The two menu items that stood out to me during their happy hour menu were the $1 Oysters on a half shell; flavorful green onion, crispy shallot and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu. The second was their ridiculous just-right spicy $2 Beef Skewers. It takes a lot for me to be impressed with beef and red meats, but man were they delicious!
(4)Ajay K.
More like 4.5 stars. Visited for restaurant week and ended up ordering one restaurant week menu, and a variety of other things (sashimi, rolls, truffled tuna etc.) Everything was wonderful. Sat at the sushi bar and the chefs are very friendly and helpful. The truffled tuna was out of this world, along with some very inventive rolls - they use collard greens in lieu of seaweed for some of the rolls. Another nice touch is that you can order half rolls and get a lot more variety in that way. Killer Yuzu pie too!!! The only downside if there was one the entire evening was that the rolls could have used more fish.
(4)Kammie G.
I went there for my birthday dinner and MAN was it worth it. The ambiance and decor is the restaurant is aweesome and might be one of my favorites so far; it has a nice upscale feel to it and I like that there are various sections in the resto that allow you to sit by the window, the bar, the sushi bar, or the barbeque bar. Who does't like variety? The food was delicious, the sushi was great. I came here mainly to try the black rice because I am a health freak and I was very much satisfied with the result. All of the rolls we tried were delicious and definitely different than the usual boring rolls you get at a mediocre sushi place. Another thing I tried for the first time here was alligator (interesting flavor and pretty good) and oysters (they tasted good but I'm just not a fan of the slimy texture). It was a day of trying new things! The drinks were yummy and I liked the fact that they had a "skinny" menu, from which I enjoyed the Skinny Geisha and my date loved some whiskey drink that he ordered. He's one picky guy, and he said he liked the drink so much he was thinking about it still the following day haha. That's how good it was. Definitely coming back here very soon!
(5)Greg N.
Living in the area...Union has presented itself more than a few times when my girlfriend and I have pontificated..."where should we go tonight....what are you in the mood for?" Last night...we answered..."sushi...and WHAT ABOUT UNION?!!" So the succulent pescaterian adventure began... We had heard about the Head Chef's resume (Sushi Wabi) and we are HUGE fans. We have to admit that the somewhat "kitschy" Ikea gone bad interior decoration theme was a bit offputting (and may have somewhat deterred us at first)....but we quickly got over that and it ended up feeling quite cozy and charming by the end of our visit. I will shut up about the circuses and move on to the good stuff... The FISH. Our waitress was so friendly and she asked us to put our dining fate in her hands. She assured us on her recommendations with "if you dont LOVE this I will take it off the bill". From the duck wing (done buffalo style) to the Sashimi cup (citrus marinated tuna goodness so good you want to drink it out of the glass)...to the spicy tuna roll and signature roll topped with crispy pork belly....they were all the equal of just about any of Chicago's finest sushi houses (including Japonais, Ai or Wabi). I am writing this completely absolved of the influences from my multiple jumbo Sapporos. ;) The chef has a special pumpkin icecream popsicle (not on the menu) that was the perfect dessert...and left us with a longing to come back with friends to blaze new trails (perhaps the BBQ side of the menu). Take a bow, Union...you have two new members of your fan club.
(4)Naftali G.
Always great atmosphere and food. Beef tongue from the robata was awesome. Waiter was solid.
(4)Angela S.
Must try: the sparrow is the best craft drink, alligator skewer, mushroom dumplings, prosciutto wrapped scallops and the belly sushi roll (da bomb!).
(4)Vivian C.
The food is ok (I've experienced better sushi/sashimi in CA). I would have given them 3 stars because of the quality of the food and ambience, but it was overpriced and service was VERY SLOW and inefficient (nice staff has nothing to do with efficient service). The only thing that makes this place "cool" is the fact that they have skewers, which, in non-fusion sushi restaurants it's not a common sight. I am guessing that if people are giving this place 5 stars, then they could be sushi amateurs. We went there for a bachelorette party at 8pm. One of the girls ordered Miso soup and it didn't come for ONE hour (or longer than that because we were pretty much done eating when it came out). Another girl found a hair in her roll. Another one wanted to try the alligator skewer, but they had run out. Then we wanted more hamachi sushi, but they had run out, too. And so then I ordered uni (which they didn't have), so, instead, I ordered maguro (white tuna) sushi... but after waiting for nearly 30 minutes, I canceled it because there were no signs that it would actually come to the table. Wow, really??? I do have to commend them for bringing us free dessert though (for the hair). Besides that, I ordered the beef skewer, but it was TOO salty for my liking (and I like salty food, so if it's salty for me, it's REALLY salty). I am a very easy person to please, but not when it comes to restaurants - I know my food and quality of service. I do not recommend this place if you're a "pro" sushi eater.
(2)Kate K.
I had a dinner party at the restaurant for my sister's bachelorette party. We had the upstairs section and we felt like we had a little VIP area! I had pre-selected the menu in advance (I worked with the manager Mike) The service was GREAT. The bartender gave the whole group free shots, the chef came out and said hello and gave a few girls a tour of the kitchen, and the waitress was constantly bringing us food! All the guests were impressed with the presentation, the attentiveness and most importantly - the food! A lot of my friends said it was one of the nicest dinners they had been to. Go check it out! So fun, hip, great cocktails, great sushi and great staff!
(5)Anna P.
Love this place - we live a few blocks away and it's a great place for when we feel like splurging and treating ourselves to a nice dinner. The atmosphere is great, the service is always excellent, and the menu is a perfect place for someone like me who likes to try a lot of different things (aka I have commitment issues). All of the BBQ stuff is excellent, the sushi is outstanding, and they have a pretty good drink list. I really want to try the happy hour so this place doesn't take all my money1
(4)Kathy K.
I've been here twice in the past month with big parties and the service was absolutely horrible both times. Both times the servers were way too busy with other tables to even deal with our huge one. They simply don't have well trained wait staff and even if the waiters were actually experienced, the place is understaffed. For example, I asked one guy for a fork and he never came back. Later I saw him scrambling to help another employee. The food isn't terrible but not worth it for slow horrible service. The decor is nice.
(2)Helena B.
As you expect, this River North sushi establishment is quite modern in terms of decor. The dining area is basically a glass box with views of the street and El. Decent people watching (unless you are the one stuck sitting against the window and then you need to make sure your shirt is long enough so you aren't flashing your back/butt area at the crowd outside, but I digress). While I've only attempted dinner one way, I'm going to throw out there that my way was the best and encourage you to do the same - order sushi and barbeque items a la carte. Our server let us know when items were smaller (note: most items on the barbeque menu are singular. They say squid, they mean ONE SQUID, so adjust your order accordingly). My favorite thing was probably the speed at which food arrived at your table. You ordered and POOF! there it was. This made it super-simple to order a few things at a time and judge our desire for more as we went along. The truffled tuna was my second-favorite thing, so you should try that.
(3)Ryan S.
Been here a couple times now and I have not had a bad time yet. Good sushi, good atmosphere was a bit loud at times but overall would recommend to anyone looking for a good sushi spot.
(4)Dawn W.
I was introduced to Union Sushi by a friend and was thrilled with the overall experience! We had a great time sitting at the sushi bar talking to the chef. The cocktail menu has such a great variety of drinks all for around $11 each. They are nice heavy pours that taste amazing! We had a sample of just about everything as far as food is concerned. Nothing rave reveiws for the food. The specials are presented to you on an ipad, which gives you a great visual instead of just listening. I enjoyed my experience so much that I took a friend the next week and she loved it as well! Great job Union Sushi!
(5)Christina P.
Ugh, I am torn. I really wanted to love this place going in but I think they need to get some front of house issues ironed out before I can up my star-age. First off, really cool and different space. Loved the graffiti on the walls and I love the massive fire pit on the bar. Bonus points for the light, airy feel to the space. And it's in a great area of the city. If it was socially acceptable to bathe in the specialty cocktails they serve... I would. They are amazing. Bartenders know their craft and everything was amazing (my fave - Surprise & Delight). The main issue for me was with their host situation. We were told the wait was 20 minutes but that oddly crept into two hours. While fine, as we had a spot at the bar for drinks, we were blatantly ignored. Not cool. The food is great but needs a little work. Everything was 'good' but nothing blew me away in terms of can't-live-without-it tastes. Above all, for a new hot restaurant, the one thing that stuck with me was the amazing cocktail selection - not the service nor the food.
(3)Don G.
I've been here a few times now, and Union never fails to impress. I enjoy getting lots of small plates and tastes from many dishes. Usually we get a nice combo of rolls, yakatori, and starters. I cannot say enough about the sliders. A must every time! The rolls are imaginative & tasty. My favorite roll is the Old City Market roll with collared greens. I also recommend the bacon wrapped scallops from the yakatori grill. The staff is always helpful in suggesting something new or selling me on the daily special (grilled alligator!). The manager, Mike, always remembers me when I go in & usually sends over treats ranging from special rolls to a round of drinks! 5 stars for the great combination of service, atmosphere, and the delicious food. This is not your typical sushi spot!
(5)Lauren M.
I've been here twice now and both times I had an awesome sushi experience. I've tried all of the rolls and my favorite is the Black Rice Sushi Sampler. The Ruby No 5 is a delicious drink. This is a trendy, fun spot!
(5)Larry V.
Decided to drop into this place based upon looks alone. Very chic, trendy look. Food was very good, went with 2 friends, and split some sushi rolls, then went with the Surf and Turf for dinner. Decided to sit at the Sushi bar, and service was excellent. The Surf and Turf was very good. The steak was a little small, but the prawns were huge. For perspective, two prawns were about the size of the steak (maybe 4-6 oz?) A little pricy, but definitely worth coming back.
(4)Dave G.
I waited an hour for a "sushi roll" that was actually only half a sushi roll and a beef skewer that was two small bites. This place earns two stars from me because the food did actually taste good, and I liked the ambiance. But Union failed at the primary task of a restaurant, which is to feed me. Rather than wait another hour for another round of way overpriced toy food, I left and went to Gild Bar for some actual food.
(2)Ashley S.
I ate here last night with two fellow sushi fanatics. They couldn't seat us immediatly in the dining room so we opted to eat upstairs in the bar/lounge. The dining area looked smaller than expected and the table for two were really close together. Likely wouldn't take a date there for that reason. The super nice and capable bartender was our server so the service lacked a bit when she got busy. I hated the cocktail menu and wished they would have mad more effort to include sake-focused drinks. However, the bartender suggested an awesome, off the menu, citrus and gin cocktail (I hate gin) that we feel in love with and had three of. I loved the few rolls we shared and hope to return to try the bbq. I am a sushi purist and judge places on the quality of fish. Here it was average so I dont think I'd do sashimi here. However, the rolls we had were delish, especially the river north roll. It didn't have rice, something new to me, and was so fresh. The rolls were the perfect size and crisp in a refreshing way. I hope to return soon with some non food snob friends. I'd never take my sushi-fanatic boyfriend who spent years in San Fran. Arami and Mairi are better bets for him. Good for girlfriends. Needed addition to the neighborhood. Tasty but not exactly traditional.
(3)Jeff R.
My buddy Eric and I decided to check out Union one day after work because we had heard it's a funky cool spot with some interesting food. I'd agree on all fronts with varying degrees of success. It's an interesting concept with interesting food, but sometimes "interesting" doesn't translate into well executed food at reasonable prices. You can't help but notice the cool graffiti art on the walls, the second story level overlooking the main floor or the class enclosed kushiyaki grill in the middle of the space erupting in flames every few minutes. Then there's the menu - self described as featuring a broad range of Kushiyaki (grilled meat, seafood and vegetables on a skewer) and a variety of sushi and sashimi. What could be better than having tasty sushi with some traditional starters/salads mixed with some grilled meat on a stick? The problem is that our flavors came in waves of really nice with really bland, and on top of that they came at steep prices. Our first stab at the menu included six skewers of food, two sushi rolls and a Wagyu tartare. There was plenty of roller coaster flavors in that trio. The good: we loved the alligator on a stick, really juicy and tender white meat, the beef filet and tongue - nice and flavorful - and one of our sushi rolls was interesting and simple with a kick of spice without mayo or wasabi. The bad: our $12 wagyu tartare was quite awful - no flavor whatsoever, similar to cardboard. Put it on the salt chip and there's some flavor, add soy sauce and it's manageable. But I wasn't expecting wagyu tartare to be that bland. The other sushi roll was ok, not a lot going on but interesting. Biggest problem is paying $6 for only 4 pieces. We also had one tofu on a stick and a shiitake mushroom. My tofu looked like a candy bar with the peanut(?) sauce and sugar color. The tofu was ok but the sauce was way too strong. Eric said he enjoyed the mushroom. Even though it seems like we ordered a lot food, it didn't go a long way. We quickly added to our meal with a chicken thigh from the grill and another beef filet. In addition we tried the duck soba noodle dish and a duck wing in buffalo sauce. I really liked the noodle dish with shredded duck pieces. It had enough flavor to make it curious but not too many moving parts to get confused. The duck wing in buffalo spicy sauce was also very nice. It's more interesting than ordering chicken wings and probably a little tastier given the size and nature of the meat. And for $5 it clearly was the best value of the night. To finish things off the right way we ordered the ice cream sandwich flight. Cute huh! The star was clearly the chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream. That was delicious. The green tea and red bean are interesting but pale in comparison to the traditional. Union has some good things going for it with some nice dishes and a funky fun atmosphere/decor. The drinks selection is impressive with plenty of sake and imported beer to choose from. My largest complaint is the value for flavor is just not there. Our bill for two was $180 all in (including a few drinks) and we didn't exactly leave stuffed or inebriated. I really like the soba noodles and some of the classic kushiyaki-style grilled meat (must try alligator and beef filet). I wish the sushi menu was more approachable and affordable because that could be a nice meal to mix and match sushi with BBQ (it's in the name I suppose...).
(2)Anisha A.
You know you're in an authentic Japanese spot when there are penis straw remnants from a bachelorette party and La Bamba is on the loudspeakers. To complement the cutting edge beats, the mixers are flat and may have been leftover from a house party last summer. This propelled our Norwegian with a soft spot for gin and tonics into an understandable rage. For me, it further enabled the straight liquor habit. Perhaps the worst crime is the stark lighting on a Saturday night which puts unnecessary spotlight on the cheezed, dated look. No one should have to face the cringing reality of Union Sushi or one night stands under such bright, sobering conditions. Yes, it's opening week and there's a shortage of dimmer consultants across the Midwest, but come on. The food didn't make up for it. Union should be renamed Bland Prison Rations. Plan to order double or triple of everything unless you want to be the goon splitting a scallop four ways. There's essentially four pieces per maki and one serving of most of the rest. The wagyu sliders and truffled tuna were picturesque but blah. The specialty maki, aside from inconsistent temperatures, was fine and anything with duck (buffalo duck wing, duck fat yaki soba) was a half step above the rest.
(2)Paul L.
I should have expected it, however it was still a surprise to pay $15 per Long Island Iced tea. I guess I didn't realize that they used glacial ice. The service was good and atmosphere was nice, however I don't NEED to go back.
(3)Amy H.
Union is my favorite sushi place in Chcago. The alligator skewers are delicious and the Clifton #4 rolls are on point. The atmosphere is cool too. Graffiti on the walls. Funky seating. Very modern. I don't know what is with the negative reviews. What are you all smokin? They even have clever magnets and matches! It's not expensive either... I'm racking my brain to try and figure out why it's not at least getting a solid 4. Drawing blanks. I suppose our server last time did screw up my order... But it wasnt a big deal, she just brought 4 more rolls out. Maybe it's a service thing. Either way, that Clifton #4 is heavenly and it will keep me coming back.
(5)Eric S.
If you're an asian / sushi fan, this place has something for everyone. Whether is Asian BBQ or sushi there are lots of great finds. Also make sure to check out the drink menu and sake flights. Only complain would be the portion size is so wildly different from plate to plate.
(4)Rosario W.
We went to this place On a Friday night about 8:30pm. We had reservations we were seated about 5-10 minutes after we arrived. One of my few Complaints was That is was loud So loud, we had to scream at each other to be heard. We were a party of five and it was my husbands Birthday. I have to Give the manager a glowing review because when I made my online reservation the online menu for restaurant week was still up, and i figured they were one of the restaurants that extended it. When we sat down and asked the server about it she said it wasn't available. The manager came over and checked to see that yes the menu is still listed online. He let us order those items on the menu at the restaurant week price. The soba noodle salad was great, most of us ordered that. the Salad My friend, she enjoyed and loved the warm croutons. Most of us ordered the sushi rolls. So fresh and amazing. My husband the birthday boy ordered the skate wing but the server did not hear him correctly (the music) and she got his order wrong, of all orders. One of us had the surf and turf, the sauce was amazing. the portion of meat was small, and left you wanting more. Dessert was great the sundae flight was yummy, so was the yuzu Pie (like key lime) but with and extra kick. I would go here again to try the Barbeque meat and maybe more sushi rolls, I would hope to find a night not as loud.
(3)Valerie R.
Down one star from last time. I've eaten at Union for lunch on several occasions now and the service has consistently slipped. They still don't offer the veggie menu unless you request it (there are a lot of different options on there that even meat eaters would be interested in), the edamame isn't listed on the menu anywhere, they no longer have the brussel sprouts (but have them on the menu... they were my favorite!) and the smell from the exhaust fans is still shot out onto Franklin. My friend's theory is that they were installed upside down.. haha. Union, you're slipping!
(2)Mel C.
I went to Union Sushi & Barbeque last week with a group of 12 for my birthday dinner. The staff was very accommodating-especially since I had changed my party size 3 times that day. They sat us in a great area and I was very impressed by the look & feel of the establishment. The Old City Market roll was a big hit at our table, as well as the Union Sliders. I also ordered the Frog Legs (1st time experience) and found them to be delicious! The reason I'm voting it 4 out of 5 stars is because I had asked our server what the Wednesday night martini special was & she did not know. She said that the bar upstairs offered something different then the restaurant area. I asked her to recommend a martini that was on the sweeter side, and she couldn't. She did though later come back to recommend one, but I just felt like server's should know off the top of their head 1 or 2 of their favorite cocktails to be able to express to customer's with questions. Okay, back to the good comments- after dinner we were informed the UpBar had complimentary champagne! A perfect touch to end the evening on my birthday! Thanks! :)
(4)Patrick B.
We had a wonderful dinner there last night. By far the best sushi I've ever had! Couldn't recommend this place more!
(5)K K.
My wife doesn't care for sushi. I brought her to Union Sushi in our search for a good sushi restaurant that can also make her happy. This is the place. My wife loves the spare ribs, the Agedashi potato, and a number of other cooked items on the menu. I'm very happy with everything I've tried on the sushi/sashimi list. Just as important, they have a great sake and whiskey bar and a bar staff that knows the bar list well. A nice touch: For an additional charge you can request fresh wasabi. They grate wasabi directly from the root at your table; a unique experience.
(4)Rob S.
Had a great time here, went with some friends and had some good drinks, some good food and a great time (even if the lady next to us had to much to drink and threw up) i had one of the best Rolls i have ever had the Devon Roll with black rice, holy cow that was so good.
(4)Jedd J.
I went with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The sushi was very good. Good selection of sake and spirits. The space looks a bit like a place you'd find on Main Street in a college town, but I did like the pumping rock music.
(4)Li S.
It was a good Culinary and Libation experience. I enjoyed the Duck Wing. My only criticism is that when fried as much can be a bit dry. The Black Sushi sampler is a must have with the Chesapeake Bay roll. I now will request Black Rice when possible. The sparkling Sake is a must do. Tuesday a bottle is half price so it's 17 instead of the 34. Other at the table loved their drinks. Only problem is this place is not very big. Don't recommend waiting at the bar areas since it only has about 4 seats. We had practically every BBQ Bar item except Kangaroo. Tuna is just average. Beef Fillet tender and scallop and shrimp are a must. It is very over priced for Sushi but worth the experience. Three of us and bill was $77 per person. Will come back but maybe during the Happy Hour.
(4)S P.
This place is just ok, nothing special. The decor is a too minimalist and the atmosphere overall felt cold. The waitress was just ok, didn't really smile, she was just doing the bare minimal to get her paycheck. The food left something to be desired. Alligator: I was really excited because I've never eaten alligator before but it was just ok, the tastiest part of the dish was the tempura that it came with it. Prosciutto-wrapped Scallop: Very delicious, but $6 for one piece... are you kidding me? Sushi; River North: Nothing special, it wasn't bad but it wasn't good, it was missing excitement similar to all you can eat sushi places. Old City Market: Very delicious, and I wouldn't mind eating something like that again, definitely the best part of our meal. Clifton #4: Again nothing special, I couldn't even taste the fish. Overall I wouldn't go back, the taste was something you can get at an all you can eat place; boring and always something left to be desired. They are ridiculously overpriced for how bland everything is. This is a classic case of a menu that looks extremely exciting (I literally couldn't decide what I wanted to eat because I thought everything sounded so delicious), but the food isn't special at all.
(3)Peggy N.
Yum! As a relatively recent sushi convert, I appreciated the many easy options for rolls here. According to sushi loving bf, the rolls here are a little more tempura-y than the "authentic" places. Oh well. The black rice was a rare low-carb option that actually tasted better than the original, and I loved the unique vegetable rolls (like sweet potato!). The free edemame at the table was very welcome, and the service was great! Also liked the decor and feel of the place- great date night spot without being too trendy. Will be back again!
(4)Leo L.
Love the vibe, aggressive menu, different and all around funky, trendy and legit
(5)Adam L.
My folks came into town for a weekend and I live a couple blocks from this place so we decided to check it out. We went during happy hour where they have $1 oysters and $2 beef filet skewers. While other places may tone down the quality of their food during happy hour, Union keeps it very consistent. The oysters were fresh and succulent, and the skewers were cooked to order (medium-rare) and freaking delicious. We sat at the bar and were delighted to have the executive chef/restaurant partner Chef Chao personally recommend and serve us our food. My family and I are no one too special so to have the attention that I believe Chao shows everyone was quite a treat. After the skewers and oysters, we moved on to the entrees which we ordered from the entree menu: alligator ribs, and grilled prawn. I never had alligator but the slow-cook it and serve it with a kind of mashed potatoe that was heaven. The meat was tender and fell right off the bone. The prawn was massive and cooked just right. I forget which sushi roll we ordered but that was unquestionably delicious as well too. Chao made sure our night went well and carried on the conversation he started from when we sat down at the bar. For dessert, he went to the back and personally made us all our individual tiramisu milkshake to cap it all off. Our experience here was quite phenomenal. It's a great place for couples or a small group of friends!
(5)Courtney S.
THANK YOU! First of all, thank you for finally accepting reservations! Second of all, give Revae a raise! I had gotten to Union a little earlier than my reservation to have a nerve soothing cocktail (rough week) before my baby brother (very nearly vegan) and his gf (pretty vegetarian, but restrictions change frequently) arrived. She asked me what I felt like and crafted a gin cocktail that made me love gin! (hadn't had it since college....you know how it is). The hostess was wonderful- I had described my bro and his gf and she kept an eye out for them. Our server was just as fabulous. She had been running items up to the Up Lounge and knew my plight. She really took care of us. The food? Well. The only thing that had gotten me through a stressful day at work was knowing I could have a buffalo duck wing and boy howdy, was it as good as I remembered- so was the prosciutto wrapped scallop. We each ordered a roll. My bro had a veggie based roll. She had the Hokkaido...I had the belly roll. Heavenly. Do yourself a favour, make a reservation, get there early to see Revae, get a seat at the grill bar, and go to Union! It is now easily my favourite place.....just don't expect the lead hostess to say goodbye or thank you on your exit.
(5)Diane H.
Came here randomly on a Friday evening after work with some friends and was pleasantly surprised by the find. The menu is quite eclectic mix of Asian cuisines with a spin. The decor is loungey (pics on website are accurate). One thing we all did notice and comment on is that they don't pack people in. There were plenty of tables, but there was also lots of open space so you didn't feel like you were on top of people. We had to wait for a table so we went to the bar and got drinks. There wasn't really a waiting area which could be an issue in winter or if the bars are busy. I tried on of the Surprise and Delight and it was really good, but at $10 each, we all decided to switch to wine bottles after the first drink. We ordered a bunch of small plates while at the bar. We of course started with edamame to share; it was average. I am not a very adventurous eater, but I tried the alligator and steak skewers. I was really surprised by how good the alligator was; the seasoning was great and I liked the gamey texture. A table opened up so we relocated. We ordered some entrees to share. I don't remember what roll we had, but it was good. The Duck Fat Yaki Soba noodles were amazing....again with the adventurousness eating paying off (we ended up ordering a second order). The brussel sprouts were also really good. We tried the Agedashi Potato and it was good, but definitely not a sweet potato tot. I will definitely be back and would like to try some of the other items on the menu.
(4)Miss S.
Awesome ambiance, fabulous location, and tasty creative drinks! The bartender was super friendly and readily pointed out some great drinks and answered all my questions about the drink menu. Great first impression of the restaurant and all the drinks we tried including the sake were yummy! Menu has a wide selection with a unique flair! For starters definitely liked the tuna appetizer. We ordered 6 different rolls, all good and neat to try something new. The Osaka roll although untraditional was enjoyable. The only downside...our server was not the best. She was a bit too harsh when someone at out table asked about one of their very different menu items. It was almost as if she was reprimanding instead of enlightening us. Our experience could have been much better without her. My favorite part of this place is the ambiance and the bartenders, I would recommend going to this place just to check it out!
(4)Betsy P.
I guess with its great River North location I was expecting a bit ... more. Union does a lot right, but there were enough things lacking that it made paying $50/person sting just a bit. Atmosphere is good. Fun decor, beautiful people, freaking unbelievably supermodel of a hostess. All good. Our party of 4 was seated right away without reservations at 7 pm on a Saturday night. That was definitely a surprise! We started off with drinks (duh). I had a lemon/cava concoction that was very tasty and refreshing, but at $10, I was hoping for more booze. I went to ordering straight cava after that (for just $8 ... go figure) and that worked well. The appetizers were by far the best part of the meal! We all shared the brussle sprouts, mussels, and truffled tuna, and they were all really wonderful. I should have ordered those for my entree! For my main course, I went with the prosciutto-wrapped scallop, jumbo shrimp, and tofu. They were all ... just ... fine. Nothing spectacular. Points for the tofu looking like an ice cream bar with sprinkles though. At least it looked cute. Tasted meh. I also had the hokkaido maki which was very delicious! Light and refreshing with great flavor. Overall, if I went back, I'd stick with the appetizers and maybe a soup. I would like to try the desserts someday too, so I suppose I'll give it another shot. And, props to our server - she was pleasant, attentive, and answered all the questions we had.
(3)Johnny R.
As my office sits across the street, and I'm half-Japanese, I've looked longingly at this new shiny place. Graffiti art, liberal use of stainless, it all works for me. Add in a staff in t-shirts with tats, I'm there. I finally went there today, had some lunch with a friend. I had some skewers, chicken, tongue, shiitake mushroom and alligator. It was all very good. I've had kushiyaki style street food in Japan before so I was very excited to Union's offerings. I'll have to come back and try some more things on the menu and add to my review. I was dissapointed with the wait staff. I was expecting that Chicago-style I'm-your-guide approach that so many servers have these days, that's quite addicting after a while. That exuberance when it comes to suggesting pairings is something I did not experience. I hope I can swing by there again next week. -JR
(3)Jiratt P.
Genius chef, variety flavors, superb drinks, good services, easy to find parking. What Else Do I Need?
(5)David D.
Got lucky today and had the chance to try this great new place. Started with a Japanese vegetarian maki roll that was so good. Moved on to a radish/potato/mushroom (all japanese) salad that had a beet powder toping. Very refreshing and tasty Got to try a filet from the skewer bar that had a ginger soy sauce Then we had duck fat Yaki Soba. Yummy. only problem was me trying to eat noodles with chop sticks Some prosciutto wrapped scallop with a wasabi/avocado paste on top on a skewer. So my complaint here was it was too big to get in my mouth in one bite, so I wasn't sure how to eat it. But the best part of the meal was the mussels. The Saki based broth was so good. It was like a cream sauce, but very light. Best mussels I have had in 16 years of living in Chicago. It was like the mussels we used to eat in New York, nice and thick, not the crappy anemic version that most midwest restaurants try to pass for mussels. Go to this restaurant. Such a fresh take on asian/sushi.
(5)Paul B.
First impression: Good ambiance, big open space with colorful decor, good tunes at a reasonable volume... Good start Union Drinks: Liquor and cocktail is selection is very good, cocktails are creative and light to match the steamy summer months. Apps: Truffled Tuna and Dumplings. Tuna was fairly standard as the truffle didn't seem to pop as I was hoping. Dumplings were phenomenal though mmmmm. You must try the dumplings Service: Service was excellent! Knowledgeable wait staff, attentive and never over bearing. Mains: I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try the beef tongue, as it was recommended and it was meh. Alligator was outstanding as was the sushi we ordered. Overall, definitely a hot place to check out and I would go back!
(3)Bethany P.
A truly amazing night! The food was divine - I highly recommend the warm mushroom salad
(4)Laura I.
Loved the spicy tuna, Devon was good too, liked the sauces, the River North was not a good choice for eel, the COLLARD green wrapping outer layer was just not working for me, really good salmon nigirl, I would go back, but would like to see seaweed salad on the menu and more traditional eel rolls. Maybe some yellow tail scalion would be good too.. I did like that they had a black rice sushi sampler, love black rice will try it next time. quick, fast, friendly, chic atmosphere.
(4)Erica P.
Visited Chicago this weekend and came to Union sushi. While I would argue that this is not sushi in the traditional sense, the food was pretty good.. We sampled a ton of items from the menu. First off the waiter was extremely nice and knowledgeable (and what he didn't know, he found out for us). That said, out of all the places I visited in Chicago, and all the times I raved about the value of the food vs NYC, it was here that I was actually shocked by the $150 dinner bill for two people when we didn't over order and only had one bottle of $32 sake. Anyhoo, on to the food. We began with some edamame, with their house spice blend, which neither my dining partner nor I was particularly fond of. We followed that with the oysters on the half shell, which were decorated with scallion, masago and fried shallots; this was my favorite of the night. Next we tried the truffled tuna, this didn't taste terribly truffled and was seasoned again with their house blend, which we weren't fans of - if you go and have had tuna tartare before, skip this. Next we had the Turtle soup - the broth was great, but I now know I do not like turtle meat- it reminded me of ox tail, but tougher. Then we moved on to the BBQ skewers. We had one each of the Alligator (good, but nothing special other than that it was Alligator), The prosciutto wrapped scallop, (prosciutto was fatty not crispy), the Fishcake which was stuffed with cheese (we both found this offensive) and the whole squid, which was well cooked and seasoned. After this we moved onto the rolls section of the menu and tried the Hokkaido (grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic + wrapped in soy paper) I didn't like this one so much, the belly(hamachi, cucumber, orange tobiko, scallion, chili paste aioli, crispy tempura crumbs, fried pork belly strips + eel sauce) which was pretty yummy and lastly the soft shell crab roll which included rice puffs, sesame paste and fried ginger; this was pretty good, but as soft shell crab rolls go, I have had better. The ambiance was very cute, and we may very well return, however I won't be scheduling any trips back to Chi specifically for this.
(3)Phil F.
The place was super freaking cool inside, but the food was pretty good on some things and others were not so good. Unfortunately the BBQ stuff was what fell flat. It seemed that the grill should have been a little bit more hot, stuff was kinda undercooked or just didn't have the flava'! Especially not cool was the squid, that's not really a great situation when undercooked. The marinade was not super flavorful either, so it didn't detract from the slimy. The chicken wing was also undercooked. Kinda pink inside. Sushi though was really really nice. I really like the Hokkaido and the Old City Market. Drinks were inventive and fun. Overall, I think that my experience might have been because it was only within their first couple of weeks. So perhaps the BBQ is more fired up these days. Would go back.
(3)Ittai B.
I only review places I really like or places I really hate. This is the former. The rolls are delicious and very unique. The black rice is amazing, I'm a sushi fanatic and I had never seen black rice in San Francisco. I have to say this - definitely try the black rice. Also, you can order half rolls! It's great for when you want to focus on diversity and try a bunch of different rolls without eating 5 whole ones. Also, if you're in the mood for dessert, try the coconut ice cream. I wish I could give extra stars for the service - everyone was incredibly hospitable. I had a great time chatting with the sushi chefs Aum and Auo (both of whom make awesome sushi), and Adam and Danialle are just awesome. They definitely made my visit to Chicago a lot more fun.
(5)Erin K.
Union has a very fun and modern interior, different than the average restaurant. I personally really liked the cocktails. Although they were kind of expensive for the size of the drinks, they were really good and different. The food was definitely unique, however I wouldn't say it was absolutely delicious. It was okay. I like the fact that you can do small plates and try a lot of different things. But some of the plates were just TOO small. Like the BBQ shrimp and the BBQ scallop. You only get one shrimp and one scallop. I didn't leave the restaurant feeling full. Good place to go for a drink and some small plates.
(3)Sami A.
Union! I wonder what's the story behind the name. Anyone knows? Hey, at least they didn't name it something random and Japanese that doesn't make any sense. I mean, why would you name your sushi place "rabbit store"? Back to Union. I really like Union, I just wish I wouldn't always struggle on what to get and over-order and over-eat. Things I love: skate, agedashi "tater tots", soba salad, old city market roll, mushroom dumplings, grilled chicken & shitake mushrooms, oysters, the grilled squid. killer Yuzu pie and coconut ice cream bar. Go eat there now! They have delicious cocktails and any bartender that knows what a Martinez is is a-ok in my book. Actually, that's what probably takes this place from 4*s to 5*s for me. I agree, it's trendy which is great for them but bad for me having to always get reservations and I'm the type that only decides last minute on where to eat. I have been lucky to randomly walk there around 7pm and find an empty bar spot but those moments are rare. It's alright though, I think Union is worth it.
(4)Kim M.
Excellent! The food, the atmosphere, the staff. Everything about this place is great. It's my new favorite place for sushi in Chicago!
(5)Angel S.
This place so unique and amazing that it might just take over Coast's throne of our go-to fave for nigiri!!!! My husband and I are total sushi junkies that, while we love that Union can put together the classics in a way that makes us swoon, we also love that we can order a few things that are a little 'out-of-the-box.' The awesomeness doesn't just stop with the food either! The off beat cocktail menu and sexy ambiance make this the perfect spot for anything from date night to a great dinner before a night out. We absolutely love it and will hopefully get the chance for a repeat appearance sometime soon!
(5)Olga K.
I've been to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar twice now and loved it both times. The first time my Husby and I went in for Happy Hour. We enjoyed our cocktails as well as the Beef Filet Skewers and Shrimp Tempura Rolls. We also ordered The Black Sushi Sampler which was amazing. Our second visit to Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar was just last night for Restaurant Week. We brought 4 more people along who had never been to Union and loved it as well. We started off with the Green Beans, Oysters, Truffled Tuna, and "Buffalo" Duck Wing, and Dragon Rolls. All were delicious but my favorite was the "Buffalo" Duck Wing.I chose the rest of my meal from the Restaurant Week Special Menu and was not disappointed. I had the House Salad, Pan-Seared, Skate, and the Black Rice Pudding. I like the atmosphere at Union and the attentive service and will definitely go back again and bring more friends along. Keep up the great work!
(5)Scott N.
Really good concept, great location, great food. I've been here a few times with people and both times the good was very good. The fact that they have plenty of other stuff to satisfy non-sushi fans makes this a good call for groups with picky eaters. The rolls are imaginative and come with less pieces to give you a chance to try more which is keeping in tune with the hot new concept of small plates every place is to run with. My favorite thing there are the grilled scallops. They're big, perfectly cooked, and well seasoned. Good for a date or more casual dining too. Shout out to my buddy the head bartender/mixologist- Revae. She's amazing at what she does and makes a mean drink!
(5)Tish V.
I wanted to take my friend out for a special birthday dinner since I was going to miss her actual birthday so I picked Union Sushi for a fun environment. The décor is modern and fun and definitely great for a celebration of some sorts. We had a reservation and were given our table as soon as we arrived so I thought, "Cool. Off to a good start." The waitress was quick to attend to us but not rushing us to order to move on at all. She gave us good guidance on what to pick and was not pushy by any means. The menu had a good selection of new ideas for drinks and sushi and voila!.... It made for a great dinner that didn't make it feel ordinary by any means. The sushi was fresh and the drinks were great!
(5)Victoria M.
Dashed in here on a Sunday night at opening to finally try the duck fat yakisoba - it was everything Yelp promised and more, the perfect mix of mustardy spicy duck fat and noodles. Service was super prompt, but I was like the only person in there. I will go back.
(4)Haley S.
I've been here twice (I live walking distance) and had good experiences both times. First time was with a visiting friend and her boyfriend. We tried a bunch of the sushi rolls, which were not bad at all. I had the buffalo duck wing (one large wing, so plan accordingly) which was really, really good, I loved the buffalo coconut milk sauce. Tried the skewers, which were all tasty, but small. The mussel were flavorful, and probably the best value on the menu. Last night, I returned with my boyfriend. We had spicy tuna rolls (they do NOT skimp on the chili oil), and I had the "Surf and Turf", which was excellent. He had the lamb ramen, which was fine, but could have had more flavor (he's a chef, so he's picky). Overall, a good addition to the neighborhood, but it can add up.
(4)Candace M.
Great sushi , skewers and sake (which can sneak up on you). Great private space available for birthday parties or small events upstairs from the restaurant. Intimate and sexy decor. Love it.
(4)Nayeli S.
I was recently there for the first time for my BF celebration and we liked it a lot. You can try different kinds of dishes (alligator or kangaroo meat.) Sushi was very good. The place is very contemporary. You can dress up or simply go casual. The food is kinda pricey, but is worth it. It's a great place to go with your girlfriends, your coworkers, bunch of friends, or as a couple. Customer service was good, so I def, recommend it.
(4)Casey Z.
The sushi wasn't very good. It kind of tasted fishy...yikes! I don't think I will back.
(2)Mike R.
Waiter was extremely helpful and attentive. Atmosphere is great. Sushi, sake, croc, and kangaroo what else do you need? Also, happy hour is a deal.
(4)Kristina P.
I hate to give this place a bad review, but after going there last Friday I was extremely disappointed. I have been there a few times to eat when they first opened and really enjoyed it but this most recent time not a single thing we ordered was good tasting. The sweet potato appetizer is terrible, I would not recommend getting it unless you enjoy mush in some sort of broth. We ordered 4 different rolls, all that had an extremely onion and cilantro taste without any enjoyable flavors at all. I am a huge sushi fan and eat a variety of foods but did not find their food to be flavorful or satisfying. I don't think I'll go back
(2)Kat C.
Great variety of food. Loved the barbecue veggie options and dessert special. Attentive service (somewhat overly attentive with picking up finished plates). Great ambiance/decor.
(4)Ben C.
OK food and a bit overpriced is why this place gets 3 stars in my book. I would say try it once, it might be more your speed. I have actually been here twice and both times the food was mediocre, the atmosphere was pretentious and the staff was bleh (boring and not interested in being helpful).
(3)Penny D.
Union Sushi was awesome. I love the space and the atmosphere there, the waiter was great and the food was really good. The drinks were just alright but just what you'd expect them to be. I highly recommend the truffled tuna appetizer. It was so good we had one for the table for an appetizer and then ordered another later at the end of the meal. I was a little underwhelmed by the sushi. The Bay Street with the crabcake was just alright. I thought I'd be able to tasted the fried goodness of the crabcake a little more. The Old City Market was pretty good but I'm not a huge fan of the saltiness of collard green - that's just a personal preference. Overall, the sushi was alright - reasonably priced and came out so quickly. I think that the sushi also may have just been overshadowed by everything else. The Beef Filet was really good. Nothing outstanding but a good cut of meat cooked perfectly - probably the most tender beef I have had in a long while. The highlight was the Alligator though. It was not at all what I expected. A little tough to chew but the flavor and whatever the seasoning was on there was delicious. Highly recommend making the bold choice and trying it. To finish, we split the duck fat yoki soba. It was SO good. I'd never had anything like that before. It was awesome. I had a really good time here. It was not too loud nor too crowded (a little weird for a friday but I think it was early-ish). The service was perfection (our waiter even brought over a free dessert when he heard one of our party was going through a tough breakup)! I cannot wait to go back here. I sometimes dream about the truffled tuna.
(4)Sid V.
Ugh, the decor here feels disjointed and comical, and not in a good way. The service was tolerable, nothing special. The food was very good, especially the buffalo duck wing (highly recommeded) and the salad. The sushi was also quite good. The skewers were just so-so and small, but even so the bottom line for the food was impressive. The music was really bad the day I was there, more suited to a Palatine bowling alley. So a few rough spots, but the food made up for it and I will be back to further explore the eclectic and interesting menu.
(4)Renee Y.
YUM! We came here for Restaurant Week and our food was all delicious! And our waiter was super friendly and attentive to us. It was super crowded and had a fun atmosphere. Good Date night place. I gave it 4 stars because it's not amazing but very very delicious. I would come back but I have a few more sushi places I need to check out.
(4)Brie Y.
This is my 2nd time visiting Union, the 2nd time was just as good as the first. Amazing service along with the food, the shrimp tempura roll was the best I have ever had. I also had a scallop which was large, perfect size and texture, love the sauce! Always kept your water full and loved the 8 oz coke bottle they give you when you order pop! For dessert we have the killer yuzu pie it tasted like key lime and it was amazing! Thank goodness I work across the street, I will be back for many more lunches and dinners!! Great prices!
(5)Jodi F.
If you have not experienced UNION yet, you are missing out! Chao (with the food) & Peter (@ the bar) are a dynamic duo that will rock your tastebuds! The whole waitstaff is so attentive to making your experience outstanding. The quality of the food is top tier. They flew in huge a** prawns from Africa! The dessert was a savory yet sweet black rice, coconut special that was presented beautiful and melted in your mouth. It even was healthy! They will always have chef specials and such a variety menu to fit a big group of people. If you want to learn anything about beverages, ask Peter. He is a book of knowledge and you will learn more than you ever imagined! They carry Sake from all over the world that is premium. I rest my case, you must check out UNION! Amazing!
(5)Erin L.
I've been here a few times & every time is awesome! Especially the alligator on a stick and those delectable buffalo duck legs! And of course... the sushi. The place is always hoppin', the owner is always there at the front door & making sure all is good.
(5)Samir P.
Pros: Location Atmosphere Layout Chefs & Staff Cons: No TVs - we wanted to go out to watch the Bulls game. Come on! At least put one TV in the lounge! It took waaaay too long for them to make and serve up the sushi. Apparently everyone ordered sushi and they really got backed up. They tried to make up for it by offering some free sake, but they should have comp'd a roll or something. However, they were very nice and very apologetic. Etc... Two items on the menu were stellar - the truffle tuna tartare and the kobe sliders. The sushi was above average, especially compared to most sushi places downtown. The portion sizes are small, so don't think the place is cheap based on the menu prices. You're looking to order about 4 or 5 items per person. If you sit at the bar, the chefs are really friendly to chat with, and it's fun watching them create the rolls. The wait staff is very attentive as well. Verdict: I am excited about this place. I think it's a place to go with friends where you have some drinks (beer + sake) and order snacks and plan on chillin for a while. I can't wait to try the lounge upstairs.
(4)Greta T.
Went to union sushi for Restaurant Week 2012 and I was less than impressed. The decor is hip, but right from the start, I was a little turned off by the host texting on his cell phone. We sampled the restaurant week menu everything was just average. I did not have the sushi, so maybe that's what they do best, but I can't comment on it. The drinks were very expensive for the size and not the best I've ever had. I think Union Sushi will work for the tourist crowd, but it won't be one of my "go-to" restaurants as a Chicagoan.
(2)Corin C.
Well, I must give this place 5 stars and Chef Chao (Sushi Wabi) and Mike Schatzman have done a great job on this new place. It's inventive, unique and just great food with an energetic and fun atmosphere. We had a table of 10 in the semi-private dining room on Saturday night. I have to say that the concensus of our entire party was that Union did NOT disappoint in service, food and drinks. My first impression when walking in was that it was definitely modern, edgy and a vibrant place without being too over the top. I loved the layout of sleek tables, large windows, the mesh chandelier and the comic book graffiti on the walls. I read some reviews where some felt uncomfortable because it was a young people's place. We are definitely not in our twenties and we felt it was energetic yet accomodated to all age groups in a friendly atmosphere. There's a bar downstairs and a small loungy area upstairs where we started the evening. The barstaff is extremely accomodating and friendly. We loved chatting with the staff and they definitely made us some great hand crafted cocktails. The Yamato Sling, South of the Border and Sparrow Bee were all unique and wonderful! No, I wasn't a lush and downing drinks but got to sample different ones from people in our group. The drinks are $10 each which wasn't an issue but just telling people that in my review. There also is a nice sake, wine and beer list with lower prices if that's what you're looking for. We got downstairs and had a great table in the front of the bar. Our server was so informative, friendly and fun! We loved him and he just added to the great vibe of the place. We ordered an array of items and they brought out complimentary spicy edamame. The truffled tuna appetizer, panko oysters, buffalo duck wing (spicy with blue cheese dressing) and the brussel sprouts with oyster mushrooms and pesto were all excellent. I loved the truffled tuna! We ordered some grilled skewers. They have a Robata grill which is one of the highlights in the dining area and the meats and seafood are kushiyaki style. The beef filet and prosciutto wrapped scallop were outrageously great. These are not big enough to share and mainly per person but priced at $4 or $5 for each skewer. We also ordered a variety of sushi and soba noodles. The Old City Market was unique and delicious. It was spicy tuna and salmon wrapped with cilantro, fried okra and wrapped in a collard green. Truly inventive and tasty. The Osaka Central which was fishcake and eel was a huge hit! The Duck Soba noodles were fantastic and we ordered more plates because everyone loved it. The desserts were very good but I was full by this point. The Panna Cotta Dreamsicle and Killer Yuzu Pie were my favorite. I liked the tofu chocolate mousse since I'm not a big fan of dairy and it's a great selection for vegetarians and non-dairy fans. Would I come back to Union? In a heartbeat. It has a nice sushi bar for lunch or if you can't get a table for dinner. We had attentive service and just a great experience. I know there was another reservation after us but they never made us feel intrusive or rushed to get our table as we were winding down with after-dinner cocktails and dessert. I would like to see some artwork in the upstairs lounge but think since they just opened the upstairs bar the other night, they may still be working on getting that completed. Overall, it was a great time had by all!
(5)Lisa S.
Love the urban ambience and "up" bar! Chef Chao is amazing!!
(5)Sharon S.
I've been here a few times and I'd say I'll be by more. It definitely stands apart from other River North restaurants. It's got a low key vibe but with great food, staff, and decorated quite well. I've always been a fan of graffiti art and Union Sushi definitely does it well. Walking in you'll see the back wall which was painted by a local artist. Something you don't see often. I've always taken a seat at the bar so I can't speak to the rest of the dining area, but from what I've heard and seen, it's always great. The bartenders and wait staff are super knowledgeable about everything on the menu and give great recommendations. Just tell them what you like and they'll recommend something great. I highly recommend the alligator and kangaroo. It's grilled and comes on a skewer. SO GOOD! I've also had the mushroom, squid, and fishcake. All great but I'm always a big fan of meat. I've also tried the turtle soup which at first I felt bad for eating but when you have it, it's actually pretty amazing. I've also tried the belly roll (LOVE) and soft shell crab. It's not your typical sushi. Smaller portions but finely made. You have a burst of flavors all in a bite. I've tried the lamb ramen and actually wasn't that impressed but I'd give it another chance. The bar itself is worth a trip. They have a wide selection of sake and the bartenders can recommend something based on your liking. They also have a cocktail menu that they created themselves. Quite inventive and creative. I'd say it's one of a kind.
(4)Rosalie S.
We had a party of 18 for my husband's birthday. Mike, the manager, worked with me to have a preset group menu that included Pork Belly, Black Pepper Shrimp, Truffled Tuna, Oyster, Mushroom Dumplings as apps. Then the Filet, Chix Thighs, and bacon wrapped scallops from the BBQ. For sushi, we had Old City Market, Belly, Spicy Tuna, Soft Shell Crab, and Clifton #4. Then the desserts...O...M...G...the Pumpkin Mochi Ice cream sandwich was gone faster than was possible. The service was great. Mike was very accommodating. Peter, the bartender, was gracious. All members in our party said they would come back. The drinks were really good. This is not your traditional sushi joint, and we really loved the whole experience. Would highly recommend and we will be going back.
(5)Andrea T.
Loved Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar. My boyfriend and I went there for our 1-year anniversary dinner. The happy hour shrimp tempura roll and beef skewer were our starters, along with the truffled tuna. I would go back just for those 3 things alone. But, next came the 1/2 spicy tuna roll (probably the best I've had - kinda wished we had had the whole one) and the 1/2 crabcake roll, the pork shoulder skewer (yum), the scallop skewer and the spare rib (a little on the dry side). We were too full for dessert. :( I loved the atmosphere, the food, our server, the crowd - everything. MUST go back soon.
(5)Dina I.
This is probably the only decent place that delivers to me and offers sushi. Hence, I've only ordered delivery from here for my weekly sushi craving (ika, uni, sake, ikura, hamachi, masago, ama ebi) if I'm not in the mood or have plans to go out. I've never had a complaint in regards to the delivery sushi...I don't know if I'll ever be in to dine since it's not my type of restaurant scene, but as a go-to delivery sushi joint, this girl is happy!
(4)Gary R.
Union: Kind of a misleading name. I did not see any civil war era soldiers, Abraham Lincoln portraits, men with gangrenous limbs or burning confederate flags in there. That part was fine with me. The food was interesting for sure. If you are a foody (food snob), then you'll probably really enjoy this place. The portions are small, so you have to order a bunch of plates in order to get properly full like a true American. In addition, they serve Alligator skewers. I was brave, and decided to try some. It really was what I'd call "Revenge" eating for all the souls of baby birds and humans devoured by Alligators through the course of history. I gotta be honest, it wasn't really very good. It was chewy, and had red sprinkles on it. Another possibility was that the alligator they filet'd had Scarlett Fever? The filet mignon skewers and waygu (way gooey) beef sliders were really good. They had a lot of pickles on the platter of sliders, which was welcomed by me. They did serve 3 floyds beer, which uses water from the cricks of Munster, IN. That probably was the best part of the meal.
(3)Meryl M.
The spicy shrimp sushis are delicious and...warm! It was kind of a surprise as I thought sushis were only served cold. The mushroom ramen was really tasty. The waitress helped us choosing some sake and everyone liked it. I really loved the place, atmosphere and staff! I will definitely go back there.
(5)Celeste E.
3.5 STARS. The family shared a wonderful dinner here. Order with the mentality that you'll share everything, it's the best way to sample their menu. Don't miss the truffled tuna over avocado, you can definitely taste the yummy truffle oil! I was surprised at how much we enjoyed the Duck Fat Soba. It doesn't taste an ounce fatty, don't worry. It's flavorful and rich with vegetables and duck pieces. The sushi rolls were just all right for me. I like rolls where you can taste the fish, and at Union, they add too many ingredients and for me it "hid" the fishy flavor. We had the #4 roll, and I didn't like the asparagus taste, though the fish tasted good. The Old City Market had fried okra and collard greens, neither of which I thought suited a sushi roll. On the upswing, Union tempuras their shrimp tempura rolls in their entirety! If you order any rolls, I say skip the funky stuff and go with the shrimp tempura. We tried quite a few skewers off the BBQ menu. My family liked the alligator! So don't be scared. Also of note- the prosciutto wrapped scallop (good, but too much wasabi for me) and the jumbo shrimp. Definitely splurge for one of the specialty cocktails. My favorite is the refreshing Suprise + Delight with cucumber vodka. Great, fresh, open ambiance with friendly wait staff. I'd recommend this place to the more adventurous eater, their menu is full of dishes with pork belly, duck fat, uncommon vegetables and the like. A unique and fun dining experience with food you'll be talking about for days.
(3)Marina J.
Huge fan of this place, especially for their phenomenal taste in music. Great vibe from the moment you walk in, followed my delicious food and tasty cocktail options. Awesome place for a group a friends to spend an evening out. I'll be back.
(4)Matt B.
This place is so good i drove an extra 300 miles one way to visit it the next rime i was within one state of Chicago, Everything was delicious and unique! The staff knew not only what everything was but also where it came from and how it's made in extreme detail, even the alcohol they import. The alligator and buffalo duck are especially fantastic. I was unsure if I wanted to order the beef tongue and our bartender told me if I didn't like it he would take it off the bill. Upon hearing about my 600+ miles driven for the visit the bartender got the owners who proceeded to feed us all free sake and oyster shots as well as free Japanese microbrews. I had an extremely positive experience both times I went an highly recommend it not only for food quality but excellent service and mastering of their trades.
(5)Jen F.
Amazing food. The chicken skewers are crazy! I would eat those all the time if I could. Peter the bartender is equally amazing and makes a drink called the skinny geisha that you have to have. If I lived here I would be there every day for the drinks, food, and service.
(5)K T Y.
Great service, terrible food. Ox tail ramen tasted like nothing. The ox tail meat tasted burnt. Tried the alligator, kangaroo, and pork shoulder skewers..all lacklustre. Soft shell crab roll had very little crab. Not like most places where the spider crab protrudes from the roll. The atmosphere and decor and big windows did make for a asthetically pleasing dining room. Will never go back..ever.
(2)Jennifer H.
This was my first visit to Union Sushi and I know I will be back! Our server Sean was amazing and courteous. The food was incredible! The mushroom dumpling were so good! The desert Pumpkin Mochi Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream and Caramel OMG I could eat it all day every day!
(5)Jeff N.
Faves- Truffled Tuna app. Old City Market roll. Skewere of Scallop wrapped in bacon. Tofu skewer (looks like a mini ice cream bar). Just Okay- The Key Lime dessert Uncertains- the vibe. If you are over 40, you feel out of place. Sake list good for sake snobs, but confuses the rest of us Service- Nice job Michelle Awkwardness- Manager or Owner (over 40 female) who essentially ignored my wife (even after making eye contact) who arrived a few minutes before me. Will I return?- Yeah probably, but not rushing back. For a total tab of $89, I'd rather spend a bit less and visit another trendy favorite, Hot Chocolate on Damen.
(4)Chanannait P.
I was not impress. The 1$ oyster happy hy was not fresh. I still can tell despite fried onion on top. The rolls were so so. I will not come back.
(2)Holly S.
Wow! Okay, let me list what we ate: Wagyu beef slider Agedashi potato Skewers: scallop, squid, chicken thigh, and beef fillet Uni alfredo soba Rolls:Osaka Central, Old City Market, Hokkaido, Shrimp tempura, and one more that isn't on their online menu so I don't remember.... Saki: True Beauty "Setsugetsu Bijin" (Jg) Oita We got here right after opening time, around 4:15. We requested seats at the kushiyaki grill, which was very fun to watch. Food was served in good timing, and they gave us their yummy edamame when seated. I don't care if a restaurant is cool visually and graffiti inside is kind of silly to me, but it was all nice. Many different types of seating available it seemed: sushi bar, small tables, a large table with a see-through curtain around it for reservations, and there was an entire upstairs I did not see. The hostess came up to us a couple times to see how we liked our choices, the saki, etc. which was very nice and friendly. The server did not rush at all. I saw workers (probably owners, or investors?) come out to talk to tables - a very friendly vibe! The food was delicious. They had a lot of different flavors covered and the marinades/sauces for the skewers were perfectly paired. The beef fillet melts in your mouth. The servings are smaller, but we were expecting it already. I would highly recommend the Old City Market roll (it had more fish in the roll than any rice-wrapped I've ever had! Great quality) and the Uni alfredo soba - very nice sauce and tasty noodles. Our bill came out to $100 but we had all the tastes we wanted and left happy and full. I will go back for sure!!! A plus of going at opening - we parked directly across the street from the door!
(5)Ryan F.
Decent at best. Decor is confusing- not sure what is happening there. We had a group of 9 people, they told just we had to wait "because they were busy". I don't care if you are busy, you are a restaurant! Our service was decent and the food was decent, nothing special. I have had better sushi at other places. The duck wing was really good, but spicy. Overall decent, and probably would only go once.
(3)Jonathan T.
I was picturing a Southern BBQ and sushi fusion, so I was a little disappointed that it was just sushi rolls and kebabs. But, still a great meal. The skewers and sushi rolls were both above average and the cocktail selection was creative. Probably the best part of the restaurant is the interior design; gives it a kind of trendy (but not pretentious) atmopshere.
(3)Alfred K.
We are not naive enough to think that we would necessarily get a table walking in on a Friday night, so we called from our car and asked about the wait. She said they have a few openings right now and there's no wait, so we went straight there, literally got there in 5 minutes, and walked in and was met with the rudest host. He stood there and refused to greet us, and when we asked for a table for 2, he told us that we are going to have to wait 40 minutes. When we told him we had just called, he said all the tables had just filled up in the last few minutes, even though we can visibly see multiple open tables. If you're going to play games like that, then don't count on me ever coming back. Jerk.
(1)Bex A.
How horrified would my mom be if she knew I went to a restaurant without a clue as to what I'd be eating? Extremely horrified, so let's hope she never reads this. Since I'm deathly allergic to dairy, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts, I've understandably never experienced any sort of chef's tasting or omakase before. But after looking at the chef's table form on Union's website (there's an allergy section), I thought.. well maybe I could be accommodated. DARN STRAIGHT I WAS ACCOMMODATED! I went over my allergies with a couple of hostesses before we came in, and then again with Chef Chao. I think he may have been a little annoyed at how paranoid I was, but everything that he placed in front of me was perfectly fine for me to eat, even the fried stuff (they used tempura breading without the eggs). He also made some dishes separately and without alterations for my boyfriend (no allergies). We felt like royalty, dining on quail, kangaroo, fatty and super white tuna, and all sorts of fried crustacean delights. The drinks are absolutely outstanding as well. I have to take points off since we felt the miso soup was lukewarm and too salty, and part of the kangaroo felt overdone. But since the rest of the experience was so AWESOME (the presentation! the complex, delicious cocktails! the grill, which is cleaned periodically so huge flames shoot up! the myriad of different delights I have never had before and never thought I could have - like fried oyster!), I don't want to take off a whole star. 4.5, if I could. Union is probably the best meal I've had since GT (to which I also owe a review, they were very good with allergies as well). But I ordered from a menu at GT. Here, I literally left my life in Chao's hands, and boy was I ever rewarded. I could not thank him enough. One of the best experiences dining out that this AllergyWoman has ever had.
(5)Aaron H.
All the sushi contains some form of green plant. They were very heavy on the avocado which gave the sushi a bAd after taste. There is a limit variety of speciality sushi. Service & venue is great. Very pricey $8 for four maki's (smh) Would not recommend.
(3)Kristin L.
The menu was very interesting and I tried at least half of what was offered. I am a big fan of BBQ (since I'm Texan) and authentic Japanese food. This place had an interesting mix of the two. I enjoyed the cold edamame a lot. It's worth a return trip.
(4)shari m.
This place is clearly much hipper than we are yet we still felt comfortable. We sat at the sushi bar and were treated quite well by Memphis Steve behind the bar and our female server (sorry, didn't get your name). We appreciate that we did not receive any of the anti-Restaurant Week attitude common at some places. The staff seemed to be having fun and so did we. The menu and flavor combos are much more creative than most local Japanese spots, such as using nontraditional wrappers like marble nori (seen that before?) and collards for their maki. We look forward to returning to try more appetizers, ramen, their specialty maki, and some cocktails. Thanks, Union, for a great experience.
(5)Christine P.
Summary of Ratings: Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4 I went to Union Sushi after a co-worker recommended it to me, and I was absolutely pleased with the experience! I was really intrigued not only by the originality of their sushi but also with their cocktails! The atmosphere was really trendy and cool, but the tables were a little bit longer for my taste, especially since I went to try this place out with my boyfriend. Here is a breakdown of what we ordered...and it's a lot of food haha. LOVED: Surprise + Delight (cocktail) - I loved this cocktail - just the right amount of fruity for me. There was also a very slight cucumber aftertaste which made it a very summery drink. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who doesn't like to taste too much of their alcohol in their cocktails. The Second Language (cocktail) - My boyfriend got this and he loved it! He's a huge gin and tonic fan, so he was happy to get this drink. You could definitely taste the gin and there is a very sweet aftertaste due to the sugar cube they put inside it. Still very very good. Truffled Tuna (appetizer) - AMAZING - MUST GET (even if you don't like tuna!) My boyfriend was hesitant at first because he's not the biggest tuna fan in the world, but oh my gosh...so good. So SO good :) Berkshire Pork Shoulder - Also very delicious. Keep in the mind though that its a very small skewer, so even if the price is cheaper than other foods, you only get for what you pay for :) Clifton #4 Roll - Delicious. I loved that there was a hint of a cilantro taste to it (I believe they actually decorate the rice with cilantro). Has a crunchy inner and is a surprisingly warm dish. Shrimp Tempura Roll: They used black rice for this one, which kinda took me off guard. But I would also recommend this dish. Even though it is a classic roll, they put a Union spin to it, which makes it a very interesting dining experience. Old City Market Roll: Not for those who like rice in their sushi. It's served cold and they do not use dried up seaweed for this. But still very good. OK: Kangaroo Skewer (Special): It was...interesting...I don't know how I feel about eating kangaroo meat...but my boyfriend and I were so intrigued by it that we decided to try some anyway. It was also very citrus-y, which was interesting. Cauliflower Skewer: Good, but a little too salty for my taste. Lobster Tempura Roll (Special): This only goes in the OK pile because it wasn't as good as the other rolls. It took me by surprise that the whole roll was very warm though. Overall, I had an excellent time at Union Sushi. My boyfriend, who has lived in both Seattle and originally from NY (both of which are known for their very very delicious sushi) absolutely LOVED this place and wanted to visit again the next time he came to visit Chicago. The prices are slightly more expensive than what I would like, but our entire bill surprisingly came out to be less than $80. This places is definitely worth a try. Go a splurge a little by getting a few cocktails to start off your night! :)
(4)Roshani C.
Food was good. Service was good. Ambience was great. The veggie sushi rolls were pretty good.
(4)CD K.
After a long day on the boat & numerous recommendations, couldn't wait to try Union! Loved that you can get half orders of sushi! Had Uni three ways..... Uni sushi, Uni Alfredo Soba & Uni ice cream!!! Excellent and did not disappoint!!! Everything else was Ok. Jumbo shrimp, good but at $6 for one piece, a bit pricy. Beef tongue was tender but a lil heavy on sauce. Had the chesapeake roll, tasted a lot like burnt garlic. Service was a very slow, not that we were in a rush or a huge crowd, but even getting our one bottle of Saporro took 20 mins. NOT a good sign!! Seated close to the host was great, he kept our water glasses full, thank goodness! Might give em a 2nd try if we are in the area.
(3)Christina F.
The food was delicious. Went with a friend and my boyfriend for lunch and was happy to see a vegetarian bento box option for lunch. I was able to ask for no cheese with the dumplings so it could be vegan. I'm giving it one less star simply for the fact that we sat there for 15 minutes before we had to ask the hostess to get our server so we could order. Wasn't the fastest service we were looking for considering we had an hour lunch break for work. I'd definitely go back for dinner when we have more time to sit and enjoy. We all sort of crammed our food into our mouths and had to jet.
(4)Vincent W.
Our food and drinks were good. Everything was creatively presented and tasty. Service was only okay (it took forever for them to bring us the bill). Portion size was a little disappointing, especially when it came to the drinks. For two people with one cocktail each, it was $100 (incl. tip).
(3)Mary Kay H.
Union Sushi & Barbeque, the name, does not represent enough of what you find here. It is a factory of creation by Chef Chao, who is a wizard with textures & flavors. His dishes are carefully constructed from the flavor combinations to the artful appearance. His plates of food are him & his passion. To sit at the bar & watch Chef Chao & his staff create is like watching a food symphony being written. I arrive not knowing what I will experience & leave knowing that I've had the best. The same thoughtfulness applies to the cocktail list. Unique, fresh beverages.
(5)George M.
Delicious! Our buddy worked here and got a heavy discount so we would come in and literally order one of everything on the menu. The BBQ meat skewers are all really good. The beef tongue is my fav. The duck leg is yummy, the noodles are good, the toro was very fresh and perfect. Try the oyster shooters.
(5)Josh Y.
I went back to Union and now I know why. Food was amazing. Drinks were superb. Staff was on point. Despite not living in Chicago, I'd make annual trips back just to eat at Union!!!
(5)Carmen C.
We arrived early for the duck wing competition and ate two delicious duck wing for free~~The best wing I have ever tried. Then we sit at a table near the door(this is exactly what i don't like), I prefered more quiet and inside space. We order lots of sashimi, sushi rolls and starters. The sashimi and sushi rolls are good and i hope I can receive a discount if i order so much next time. The starter: sliders so so, spare ribs so so, tofu so so. Overall, the food is good. I wil come next time if they can offer me a discount, haha.(I spend over 100$!!!)
(4)Milan P.
The quality has went down since this place first opened. They have some food that still tastes good, but it seems to lack the flavor as it once did.
(3)Bryan J.
Very impressive new addition to river north. Lots of true Japanese dishes; I was describe it as an izikaja (sp?) with sushi. Huge variety of things are you're able to order half-roll portions of maki which is great. Would have given 5 stars except the music playing was a little strange and didn't mesh with the sophisticated/minimalist styling-it was all 90s hip-hop (mostly biggie/tupac/bone thugs) while the space would be better suited for low-key electronic/easy jazz. Other that that, will certainly stopping by again soon.
(4)Bree L.
I absolutely LOVE the truffle tuna! I go there just for that!
(4)Matt Z.
Delicious Sushi, Great experience trying to Kangaroo, Alligator and Beef Tongue... the whole squid was not so good to me... The sushi rolls were delicious.
(4)Muj A.
I went here with a fairly large group for the first time this past weekend. We did a packaged deal that included some of their appetizers, grilled meats, and sushi. Everything was excellent and they have a cozy yet upbeat atmosphere. I would definitely go back.
(5)Christy L.
Absolutely delicious & unique cocktails. You must have the KURO SMASH. I also highly recommend the BUFFALO DUCK WING appetizer, and the DEVON sushi roll. Service was excellent. We even stayed past 10:30pm (their closing time) and felt no pressure to leave quickly.
(5)Lu L.
Good afternoon place, but do not have dinner in this restaurant. The barbeque is OK, but their sushi and sashimi taste terrible.
(3)Allison H.
Came here with a girlfiend during their 1 year anniversary week so I they had $5 specials on wine and the truffled tuna. We ordered the truffled tuna since it was on special and a few glasses of wine. The truffled tuna was very good with the wonton chips. Since it was only $5 at the time I didn't have too high of expectations but I thought it was great. It's really just mashed up avocado on the bottom and chunks of raw tuna tossed with truffle oil. Simple but delicious. We also ordered 4 sushi rolls - spicy tuna, dragon, soft shell crab, and hokkaido. The Hokkaido was the overwhelmingly best of them all. I liked that you could get black rice in the rolls as well (which is apparently healthier than brown rice though I don't know much about it). The soft shell crab was wrapped in cucumber and didn't have any rice which was a nice change. They had more rolls with no rice that were wrapped in vegetables but we didn't order any of those - it's a nice, lighter take on typical sushi. Overall, very fresh and unique rolls though it was a little pricey at around $15 a roll.
(4)Kelli K.
Myself and my boyfriend made somewhat last minute plans with our friends to go out to dinner on a Saturday night. There were 8 people in our party in total and we hadn't made a reservation. We walked into Union Sushi and Barbecue Bar and discovered that they were fairly full with reservations for the evening, however they were able to accommodate us at the sushi bar which we didn't mind at all. Their bartender noticed that I was scanning the sake section of the menu and pointed out the sake flights. I did end up ordering one of the flights and I was not disappointed! I received 3 small glasses of sake and they were all delicious. My favorite was the sparkling sake. My boyfriend ordered an Alpha King beer which he really enjoyed and couldn't resist ordering a second. We shared an appetizer of black peppercorn shrimp which was awesome! I also ordered a mushroom soup that was nice and light (I didn't want to fill up before our sushi arrived). We ordered the dragon sushi rolls and hokkaido. I loved the hokkaido... mainly because I love scallops... which led me to my next order. The prosciutto wrapped scallop. Up until this point the highlight had been the black peppercorn shrimp, but the prosciutto wrapped scallop blew it out of the water! The scallop is grilled and topped with an avocado/wasabi puree and fried ginger. The scallop was cooked perfectly and tasted nice and sweet which complimented the salty and fatty prosciutto perfectly. It was delicious! At this point we were pretty satisfied. We had been passing things around and sharing with our friends and everyone was having a good time. Then we ordered the poached pear for dessert. It came with assorted berries and kiwi in a ginger pear syrup and it was the perfect ending to this delicious meal. All in all I was very pleased with our experience. They were able to unexpectedly accommodate our large group, the bartenders were attentive and the server was knowledgeable on the dishes and also made some good recommendations (like the prosciutto wrapped scallop!) It is a bit on the expensive side, but it is worth it to make the trip and spoil yourself on a weekend out. As a culinary student the food is always the star for me and Union Sushi definitely did no disappoint. I would love to go back and try some of the dishes (and another sake flight!) that I didn't get a chance to try.
(4)Matt H.
Great rolls and great drinks
(5)Dereck H.
Very good food. Creative, well-prepared, and tasty. One star removed for service. A bit odd - - there was a "large group" party going on in the loft area, and we were told that our food would be significantly delayed because of that. Two observations - first, I would think that the party attendees would be the ones to wait - after all, they have reserved the evening, groups to talk to, drinks flowing freely, etc. Not sure but seems like that's the better call. Second, even more odd - I looked up there, and it was just people seated at the standard tables. In other words, a full evening. It's not like there were 150 people crammed into the loft - it was like 24, seated at standard tables. Just like it would be on a night that they had those tables filled. The rest of the restaurant wasn't terribly crowded - so why the delay (and there was a LONG delay).
(4)Amy M.
I went here a couple weeks ago for my birthday dinner with some friends and had an amazing time. It was so amazing, in fact, that I had to bring my boyfriend and siblings there last week to try it out! The first time, I called and made the reservation that day and had no problem getting a table pretty early in the afternoon (on a Saturday). It was very empty when we got there, but got busier as the afternoon progressed. The second time I went - on a Friday - we called that day and couldn't get a table until 9:45PM. Inconvenient, but understandable - and also well worth the wait! When we got there, it was completely packed. I loved the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant. It felt very trendy, lively, fresh, and just plain cool. The staff were all super friendly and helpful both times. The food was delicious. We tried the skewers, oysters, and of course, the sushi. All of it was delicious. I loved being able to get half-orders or full orders; it makes sharing and trying different types of rolls much easier! The second time I went, I got the black rice sushi sampler to share and I was very happy with it (though the spicy tuna roll wasn't anything spectacular). My favorites were the shrimp tempura roll and the Hokkaido roll. Both times, I had to get an extra half order of the shrimp tempura because it was just SO good - I will need to come back at happy hour to get it for just $6! At the end of my birthday dinner, our waiter brought out their special dessert (free of charge) - pumpkin mochi cake - and we all devoured it in about 3 seconds. I still think about that dessert to this day. It was life-changing. When I went back last week, I was heartbroken to find out that they were no longer serving it. Instead, we got the banana bread and ice-cream, which was absolutely delicious, but still not in the same league as the pumpkin mochi cake. Sigh. In all, both times I went I had a great time at The Union and will most likely be back again soon!
(5)Stephanie S.
I came here for a birthday dinner w/ a friend, and it was hands down the BEST sushi that I've ever had!! So fresh, w/ an abundance of flavors. The cocktails were great too. And don't forget to try the barbecue too- especially the wrapped scallop- to die for. Definitely make a reservation though, it gets busy quick!
(5)Mookie L.
I've been here 3 times and not sure why I keet coming back - oh yeah, because its right around the corner. I've tried basically every type of sushi here, the ox ramen, alligator, sliders, etc. The food doesnt warrant the steep bill at the end of the meal and the taste of the dishes were nothing to rave about. Its an average sushi joint with nice decor, great location and decent service. Probably a good spot to have a couple drinks and some apps before heading out.
(3)Ly C.
I'll give it an additional star for the cool graffiti-style decor and the tasty drinks. To address Mike's comment, no I do not have any personal interest for or against this restaurant. I'm just telling you how it is and how I felt about the food. As a good business owner you should be more open to accepting criticisms as a way to improve your business and "flavor profile" instead of attacking a (former) customer.
(2)Shorge S.
Union Sushi & BBQ delivers on the Japanese "izakaya" concept with a delicious and innovative menu of appetizers, grilled skewers and maki rolls. This is Japanese street-food with five-star flourishes, filtered through the lens of Americana. Even from the street, Union Sushi is as approachable as a corner delicatessen or neighborhood bar - big windows, colorful graffiti murals, servers-in-t-shirts and an open-space design. Inside, the chefs grill kushiyaki - marinated beef filet, beef tongue, chicken, scallops, and seasonal root vegetables on skewers - on a 600 degree, fireball-throwing grill. Completely absent are the Americanized caricatures of traditional Japanese culture - no buddhas, koi fish or candied mints at the door. Chef Chao goes so far as to avoid the tuna / nori / miso-soup heavy cliches of most American-Japanese cuisine - while you can get the "classic" sushi, Union's specialty rolls largely break from the concept that maki must have (1) lots of rice and (2) be rolled in black nori seaweed paper. At the same time, Union Sushi is far from a bland, Americanized imitation of Japanese food - by using traditional Japanese ingredients in surprising ways (fishcake, for instance, or red bean paste in savory "donuts"), Union Sushi reintroduces the very concept of modern, urban Japanese cuisine today. It's just very refreshing to see someone execute this very unique but quintessentially Japanese vision of Japanese street-food at such a high level. The service is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and apparently, the place becomes a packed nightclub scene in the evenings. Of course, it's not a 5-star place because, while it executes its concept brilliantly, the concept itself can only go so far: 5 stars, for me, is dining fit for heads of state. Still, there is much to love and discover about Union Sushi.
(4)Tim L.
WOW - all I have to say is FIVE STAR LOCK! Our group of 15 started off at the bar with some of the best sake I've ever tasted and the bartender was extremely knowledgeable on it's origin. When we moved to our table for dinner, we were greeted by both the chef (Chao) and the owner (Mike)...great guys! We had the sashimi cup, oysters on the half shell, sliders, and the five start buffalo duck wings (meatiest wings ever). Our table tried nearly all the rolls along with the Toro and the Uni, which were both better than anything I've ever had in Southern California (shocking, I know!) I can't say enough about our experience at Union, from the food, to the atmosphere, to the crowd, this place is definitely going to be a hot spot in the River North neighborhood for years to come! Thank you Mike and Chao!
(5)Erica P.
This place is FABULOUS! my boyfriend and I went here for the first time last night and I couldn't say anything bad about it. They have so many unique dishes and everything is delicious. We had the tuna truffle, alligator, prosciutto wrapped scallop (my bfs fav), old city market roll (my fav), dragon roll, and spicy tuna rolls. Our waitress was really helpful w recommendations and even helped me pick a cocktail, the surprise & delight, which was the best drink I've ever had. I really can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)E J.
Visited during happy hour. Sushi was doused in excessively sweet eel sauce and spicy mayo...so no idea what the roll tasted like. The BBQ was a complete disappointment (not particularly flavorful). Hip atmosphere, but not for serious sushi eaters. Ok, but I wouldn't return.
(4)Jeff S.
Seeing as how I live about 5 minutes away from Union Sushi & BBQ, I figured that I would have gone here much sooner. However, they didn't take reservations at first and there was a always a long wait, so I never bothered. Well one night, I decided to drive by Union to see how packed they were at 6:00pm on a Thursday and they were almost empty. Perfect! FOOD: Let's start off strong - we ordered the fried gnocchi with pulled pork belly, and it quickly became my favorite dish of the night. I've never had a fried gnocchi, but it just worked. Combined with the savory pulled pork belly which was perfectly moist and tender, and it was a home run. The peas were great too. Not too much salt, but that seemed to be the exception and not the rule...I was less impressed with the duckfat yakisoba with duck meat. I mean, it had all of the right things - duck, fat, duck meat. So what's the problem? Salt. There was simply too much salt in the sauce that the yakisoba (fried noodles) was fried in. Or maybe the sauce was just too overpowering. I ended up eating everything because I hate to see food go to waste and also because I regret not finishing food, but this was actually a chore to put away. I think I drank 3 glasses of water in an effort to desalinate my mouth. Given the "BBQ" in the name, we also got 4 skewers. Two of the happy hour special beef filet skewers, alligator, and the last one was the chicken thigh skewer. My favorites, in order: alligator, chicken thigh, beef. The alligator had a dusting of some cajun spices, and that really stood out. This alligator was a juicy white meat that had a smoother texture than chicken breast, but a suprisingly mild flavor. We also had a few pieces of sushi (hamachi and uni I believe) and they were both fresh and tasty. I'll probably opt for more sushi and skewers the next time I come in. For dessert we ordered the pumpkin mochi with cream cheese ice cream. So was the pumpkin mochi actually reminiscent of real mochi? Yep, except maybe a bit fluffier than I'm used to (as opposed to being much more dense). The fluffiness also made it seem stickier as the mochi would stick to the roof of my mouth after each bite. Oh and the cream cheese ice cream? It tasted better than it sounds as you read it. The one thing I wasn't a fan of was the caramel topping. There was something off about it - like they were going for a salted caramel but then decided to stop halfway in the salting process. The cream cheese ice cream made up for that. SERVICE: We sat at the sushi bar and service was fast and friendly. However, we did go when the place was fairly empty, but they shouldn't be knocked for that. The sushi chef talked with us for a bit and gave us tokens for a free cocktail at the bar upstairs. Not too shabby. VALUE/OVERALL: I think that Union keeps things fairly simple without going too overboard or trying too hard to be trendy. The prices are reasonable, and most of what I tried was great, save for the salty yakisoba. I think this is a great option for River North, and now that the initial hype/craze has died down a bit, I think it's a good choice for an impromptu or planned dinner.
(4)Marta C.
Great spot in River North. Service is a little wacky. We sat at the "Chef table" and it was a blast. Ciao the chef is knowledgeable, interesting and makes the experience fun. The rolls were great & I highly recommend the black aka forbidden rice. Don't try the grilled kangaroo unless you like super gamey, how do you really get your head around eating a kangaroo anyway...
(4)Eugene C.
I give this place 2 1/2 stars. The interior is nicely decorated, probably could use the space better to provide 10-20 more seats, but it looks like they'd prefer the hip look to packing people in there. Server was attentive, and she knew we were a little unhappy with the food.... So 5 of us come in to eat for the first time. We ask for some recommendations, and decide on 3 apps, a noodle dish, 5 rolls, a pork belly entree, and 2 skewers each (10 total). We also got a small bottle of sake. We got the kasu mussels, decent. Two oxtail fried rice...which literally came in a cup, with maybe 5 teaspoons worth of rice. So our 10 teaspoons of rice is about a bite for each of us. About 2 mussels each. Not really a great start. The duck fat yakisoba noodles were ok, small portion. The pork belly dish was the best. The rolls each only have 4 pieces, taste was ok, but nothing special. Now onto the skewers...a jumbo shrimp skewer is a REGULAR shrimp (singluar, 1 shrimp), that is eaten in one bite for $5. 1 shrimp. $5 dollars. If it's a prawn, maybe. But a regular shrimp that you find in your pasta, put on a toothpick. For $5. I still don't believe it. So after we eat all of this, the best line of the night comes from my buddy who says, "So do you guys wanna order some more food, or go eat somewhere else?" We decided to get the bill, and see that the bill was $167 pre-tip. Hardly ate anything, sake was only $24 of it. For those of you who know yakitori and have been to St Mark's in NYC, or other legit bbq places will feel me when I say this place is horribly overpriced. Oxtail fried rice for $5 to have 5 teaspoons of rice...$5 for one piece of small/medium shrimp. I can't justify ever coming back here....ever. I appreciate the effort to make a cool place to eat in this area (the area needs a good place), but there will never be repeat customers coming back here. It's a shame.
(2)Bob D.
They should have called it NON Union Sushi and BBQ!
(1)Kay E.
I love the fun, casual vibe at Union and the great music. The cocktails are the best in Chicago, hands down. The food is unique and amazing-- you cannot live life without the duck wing. Union is awesome!
(5)Tim B.
Had lots of fun here. Great energy, open kitchen, plenty of seating, firendly and knowledgeable staff. The food was good. Fresh fish, quality meats, well cooked, somewhat inventive. The 4th start was for the service. It was just great, attentive and even though they screwed up once took care of it with no attitude and even brought it up to us before we noticed. It's in our neighborhood and looking forward to having more.
(4)D R.
This was pitched to me as being a VERY veg/vegan friendly sushi joint. It's not. Which is totally fine, just know that going in. However what they do have for 'us' to enjoy is really great and flavorful. The avocado rolls aren't on the menu which is a shame because they are easily the best thing I have tasted at a sushi restaurant in years (meat or no meat). The grilled mushroom skewers are also great. Someone at my table order a roll that was... tuna wrapped in collard greens I think. I wish I could have tried it because it looked fantastic. The Yuzu Ice dessert is a very sweet but light end to the meal that you should check out. I am giving them a 3 star rating. It has nothing to do with the conflicts of my dietary restrictions and their menu, like I said, what I could eat was really good. They are getting 3 stars because of the atmosphere. On the surface Union is a very clean and modern place, but once you get in it just feels like a chain restaurant. A staff member had locked his bike up to the staircase inside the place (???) and the music, dear god the music. I walked in to Linkin Park, I heard the same Toadies song twice in just over an hour. It's like they hired the guy with the worst taste in music and then let him hook up his tiny iPod Shuffle for a shift. On the business end of things, Union presents itself way too casual for the building they are in and the food they are serving.
(3)Tek C.
This place has arguably the best cocktail hour in town! I mostly get full off of their $2 PBRs, but their food is drool-worthy. My faves are the beef filet skewers and oysters on a half shell. I also go there for lunch occasionally because they happen to be a block and a half from my work and their Bento box lunches are delicious too! I most recently had their spicy ramen (I forget the name of it) and that too was very tasty. Perfect for a chilly day in Chicago. This place simply is the spot and it hits the spot when you're hungry or thirsty. Oh, and for all my fellow dessert lovers, you must, must, must try their black rice pudding! The warmth, texture, and flavor of the dish is enough to make you a borderline addict. It's not overly sweet either. It's a perfect balance to your meal. To top off the great food, their service is among the best in class. They're very attentive and fun people to chat with! In the past 3 weeks or so, I've been to Union about 10 times and have yet to have an unpleasant visit or meal. Mike and Chef Chao really did things right with the business. Great location, great food, great interior, great staff, and great cocktail hour! This is a must if you haven't checked it out yet.
(5)Sara Kay G.
The ambiance is fun... Albeit the staff does have the all too common and unsavory "too cool for school" vibe. And if your "shared plates" are bites you better keep em coming.... Or your guest will quit a coming. 45 mins for sushi is borderline surreal... Especially when it is only 4 pieces.
(2)Sonja S.
My first experience at Union was the second day that they were open. It was not good. But in the interest of all being fare in love and the pursuit of amazing food, I decided that it would not be right to eat and rant based on that one experience. So I went back two more times and they didn't have room to seat me. A good problem for them, a bad problem for poor solitary me. Hm mm I thought , the food must be really amazing - I best try again! I went back at lunch and has a bento box, with a pork cutlet and I honestly can't remember what else was in there- but it was tasty and filling and the place wasn't too busy, so I was cheerfully waited on and thus spent a pleasant lunch hour munching on a satisfying meal. On subsequent visits I had the Belly Roll ( SPECTACULAR) the Oysters on a half shell (one time exquisite, another over dressed and fussy) the Skate ( over salted but well cooked) and a lobster done three ways that was so cooked I could barely chew it. But my favorite thing, the dish I will dream about was the Duck Fat Yakisoba. I cannot adequately describe this dish - how savory , how satisfying this bowl of noodle goodness is. It gets 5 stars for sure! However, I can't give Union more than three and this is why - as mentioned before the service is slow and the servers range from very cheerful and slow, to too hip to serve you and slow. The food is not reliable - often overly seasoned. This coming from someone who loves sauce and spice and all that stuff. Worth mentioning that head Chef Michael Chow is an intense, interesting person who is always engaging and genuinely wants you to enjoy your food experience. It is for that reason ( and the Duck fat Yakisoba) that I will keep going back!
(3)Suzy D.
When I called to make a reservation earlier, they said they only take reservations for large parties so we would need to just come in and put our names in. We came here for dinner with a friend on Saturday night around 7:30. We had to wait about half an hour for a table, but it wasn't too bad. Our server was really friendly and suggested that we order the truffled tuna and the oysters. I love the truffled tuna...delicious. The oysters were nice and fresh and the sauces that they were plated with were flavorful. We also ordered a belly roll, duck fat noodles and our friend (who is a vegetarian) had the tofu and potato yakitori, the devon roll, and the mushroom dumplings. Everything we ate was sort of meh. The rolls were nothing special. The noodles in the duck fat noodles weren't that great. I think this place is more trendy and people come here more for the drinks and atmosphere so don't come here expecting an amazing Japanese food experience. I would probably give this place 2 stars but I really enjoyed the truffled tuna so I will give it 3.
(3)Lex N.
Love love love this place. I have only been one time but I was so happy with the service and food that I am going to make this a regular spot for sushi and bbq. I sat at the bar when I first got there and the man making drinks was super friendly and knowledgeable on different alcohols. I believe he is a mixologist. Very cool. He even brought over free oysters because we were talking to him about how we love baked oysters! Then we sat at a table with 6 people. Our server was very nice and gave me a few suggestions on beers for me to try because I was having a hard time deciding. FInally, the food was absolutely delicious. The spicy tuna was my favorite roll and the pork shoulder was my favorite of the bbq that we ordered.
(5)Stephanie Y.
accidentally ended up here on a saturday night some months ago. i'd say it's over priced, but it IS downtown. drinks are STRONG. so yea, one is gonna run you $10, but you'll have a buzz going on by the time you finish it! food is meh. tiny portions for LOTS of money. if it was more reasonably priced, i'd be singing it's praises. $3 for one piece of shrimp on a skewer? meh. atmosphere is confused. they don't know if they want to be authentic, or hipster.
(3)kat c.
Go there for drinks. We usually go to second floor and request our mixologist to concoct our drinks based off the list. She is usually creates great refreshing ones. I haven't had great experiences from dining and remember having a flighty server whom seem super slow ( so as don't sit in circular table with a tall guy server) and then I endured a snotty Asian server at the sushi bar near the kitchen bar. Apparently, she only addresses to non Asian people in my party. I felt like she was attentive to my order because I was Asian? Maybe she has something against Asian women who knows? Food isn't that great, but go there for the bar on second and eat somewhere else beforehand.
(3)julie p.
Great food and drinks! Yum yum! The shrimp tempura roll and tuna tar tare are awesome!
(5)Sarah R.
Amazing! The atmosphere is young and fun and the food was great. We sat at the bar by the chef. For a starter we had clam on the half shell which was amazing. The sushi was good - we're from San Francisco so seafood in the Midwest is still somewhat new to us. Good selection though. The BBQ selections were very flavorful also. The Sake was great - we had two bottles. Finally the dessert was the best!!! the Egg Nog doughnuts - to die for!!! Was on a specials menu and somewhat seasonal but amazing (and none of us like egg nog). Would recommend this place to everything and will be back!
(5)Andre J.
Good food, great presentation. Would I go back?? Yes!!!
(4)Audre L.
This place is c-o-o-l. Visually interesting decor. The food is also superb. Sushi rolls are awesome, and my friend swears by the spicy tuna. As an asian american, this place represents. COOL, TASTY, HIP, FIVE STARS.
(5)Victor G.
Food here is great. Can't wait to try more food off the menu. I had 4 different types of oysters and every single one was amazing. Can't leave out that i had wheat beer from Japan. Wish i knew what it was called but did i mention it came with a shot of whiskey... mmmmm
(5)felicia m.
I work close to here and have been wanting to try it, but i can't bare to go inside because of the intolerable, fishy smell outside. The vents are blowing out a strong smell. Please get it fixed guys, and then maybe it won't kill a person's appetite!
(1)Lauren M.
Delicious food and a great atmosphere! The tuna tartare was so good. The oysters were so good I had to go back for more within the same week. I will definitely be back.
(4)Kelly P.
Would give 3.5 stars. Came here for my birthday dinner and tried a lot on the menu. The flavors were good but portions were very small even for "tapas" standards with high prices. Try the alligator just to say you did. Lots to look over and was a great date location. Would love to rent out the top loft for a party sometime but maybe with just the yummy cocktails...
(3)Jessina B.
After two not so great experiences with Chicago's Restaurant week, we were pleasantly surprised by this food locale. Instantly transported to NY's SoHo or The Village, my other half and I both agreed this was the spot to be. The service was friendly and on point, the food was both well plated and delicious (we ate outside of the prix fixed menu as well), and the ambiance was relaxed yet energetic. To say the least, we enjoyed our entire experience and we will be back!
(5)Felicia Y.
Great food and nice atmosphere! Make sure to get there for happy hour and sit at the bar near the grill...this how you'll decide what to have next!
(4)Alexis G.
Was finally able to make it to Union Sushi and wasn't disappointed. Two of us shared a number of small items and sushi. From the barbeque menu it was the alligator and scallop. The alligator was tender and flavorful while the scallop was a bit mushy. While both were a little salty I would try the alligator again but skip the scallop. The sushi was great and we both loved the idea that some were were wrapped in greens rather than rice. Inventive, and a great alternative. Service was good as it was a Sunday and not that crowded. Would definitely go back.
(4)kris w.
My first time at Union Sushi and I am a huge fan already. I'm very picky sushi eater and this place rocked. I HIGHLY recommend coming here especially at happy hour and order a dozen oysters. I promise it's like nothing you've ever experienced. I would also recommend the spicy tuna. I will definitely be back to experience much more of the menu.
(4)Kristina R.
Stopped back in for happy hour sushi and good lord yum! We went upstairs and our bartender Peter makes an awesome cocktail. Trust him with his suggestions. We had the shrimp tempura roll which is crazy good and a super deal. But the oysters served with a beautiful and tasty addition of red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot with jalapeno-cilantro just about knocked me out with goodness. Followed by salmon and tuna sashimi, solid fresh good and lastly ama ebi with the lovely fried head. Yes, eat it all.
(4)Alissa P.
I've had way better sushi elsewhere. The atmosphere was neat but I ordered my rolls with NO tempura and there was definitely tempura on one as a garnish. I need to eat gluten free so this was frustrating. Employees were friendly .I ordered a spicy tuna, rainbow, and old town. spicy and rainbow were fine, old town was bitter (due to the seawead i think) and not very tasty.
(2)Marnely M.
Was there for dinner and the food was amazing, our favorite being the Duck Buffalo Wing! Amazing texture, crispy, saucy, heavenly! The dessert special, Spiced Pumpkin Mochi with Cream Cheese Filling, perfect end to a meal. Service was attentive and very knowledgeable about all the specials and menu. Also a great special for the fall was the Spiced Hot Sake, greaat deal for around $10 and serves 4.
(4)Stephanie C.
Went in on a Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Thought it'd be packed, but surprisingly was not too crazy. We put in our names and was told it'd be 20 minutes, so we went upstairs to the bar. The cocktails are phenomenal. The Yamato Sling had a nice touch of lemon, sake, vanilla bitters, green tea simple syrup, gin, and a little lemongrass to make it look pretty. Dang, that was GOOD. I also tried my friends' Morning Glory and Surprise + Delight. Equal amount of Bam Wow goodness. They are each $10. It ended up being a 45 minute wait, but the drinks made us happy and the time passed quickly. Ambiance = trendy, hip, busy. Fun to see the grill. Graffiti deco on walls is fine. Curtains for what I assume is the chef's table looked cool. Service = average for a busy busy place. The waiter was cool and emphasized bacon. haha. He was busy but we also weren't convinced he had THAT many tables to handle. He still checked up on us and our water glasses were always filled. Food = YES. They recommend starting off with the BBQ stuff since the sushi takes awhile to get out. I had the whole squid and it was just how I like it. Almost slightly undercooked with a proper amount of saltiness, allowing the actual squid flavor to shine through. Truffle Tuna appetizer was excellent, but I might be biased since I love truffle oil. There was plenty of the truffle flavor. My friend's beef tongue was very soft and tender, reminding me of a certain Chinese dish. The duck wing had a kick to it and was fine. The sushi was really awesome. I split the Belly Roll, Hokkaido, and Clifton #4. All were superb. Note: they are half rolls so you only get 4 pieces each order. Each one was very unique. The calamari flavor really stood out in the Clifton, a plus for me. The marble nori wrapping was way cool. Looked nice and tasted good. The pork belly strips had a lovely crisp and sweet+saltiness in the Belly Roll. Then again, pork belly is really the craze these days and can make anything taste like a party in your mouth. Hokkaido was equally good. I recommend all 3 rolls! I didn't try any of the traditional sushi rolls so I can't judge the quality of the raw sushi. Price = Expected. I spent $30 incl. tax and tip on dinner (not including cocktail beforehand) which was a little high for the amount of food you get. I was not stuffed afterward, but the uniqueness of the dishes make it worth it. TAKEAWAYS: Order more than 1 cocktail. Order multiple Union rolls. Bring money. I would definitely go back and bring my bf so maybe I can get more than 1 cocktail and eat myself silly. haha.
(4)Ray M.
Awesome sushi! Just small though for the price!
(4)Maria A.
This has got to be one of the hippest sushi (and so much more) restaurants I have ever been to. The food is outstanding, the staff amazing, and the atmosphere... well, go see for yourself!!! I'm a vegetarian and I my taste buds are thrilled with everything have tried!! From the Soba salad to the Truffled Tuna and Tofu to any Sushi Union roll they put in front of me!! Not to mention the Spiced Pumpkin Hot Sake.... TO DIE FOR!! Mike and Chao ROCK.... Bring everyone and enjoy!!!! P.S. Whatever you do, don't forget dessert (pumpkin mochi)!!
(5)Liz H.
The food was fantastic, I will say that. However, the service was awful. I went for a birthday dinner where there was a prix fixe meal set up. They kept bringing us food, and brought it wayyy too fast. I'd take a bite of one thing, and then another thing would show up! There was not enough room on the "table" (we were sitting on couches with coffee tables....yes I realize this is a "swanky" way to eat, but usually the tables are much bigger) They also brought us far too much food for the amount of people in the party. By the time the sushi came, we were all totally full. Also, we had supposedly reserved the upstairs part, but there were all kinds of people standing around and crowding our space!! The server took forever to clear our plates with all of the food she was bringing...our table was A MESS. Also when it came time to pay, they overcharged us by about $70...and it was already $100 per person. The manager was nice and gave $70 back, total. But i was extremely disappointed to pay $100 for a meal that was poorly served & executed. Also, the bartenders were EXTREMELY rude. We waited forever to be served (the bar wasn't even that crowded) and when we went to order our drinks he said to us "was I paying attention to you? no." and held a finger to us while he was fumbling with another drink. I've never been treated so poorly by a server and here in Chicago, I've had some fantastic servers. Again, good food but awful service.
(1)Pam R.
I tried this place with some friends and i love that they have the BBQ options along with the sushi. Having a gluten allergy meant i needed wheat free soy sauce and the server was sure to that i had some and kept refilling as i needed. Definitely try the prosciutto wrapped scallop! SO GOOD!
(4)Kim T.
OMFG, did someone say black rice sushi!?! I am so down with that, you have no freaking idea. Not to mention the perfectly cooked seafood items from the grill, and the yuzu doughnuts. My only complaint is the ramen, but I'll let that slide because good ramen is impossible to find in Chicago.
(4)Dnyce E.
Had dinner here last week Saturday and had a great time, service was good . We were assisted with menu accordingly and all was explained to the T' the food was impeccable and I will definitely come back.
(4)P P.
Ok... so having been here once before for a quick appetizer and really liking my experience, I thought I would give this place a try but this time for dinner. What a big mistake. The waiter was excellent and very helpful. The food on the other hand...just blah. I have had better sushi at a hole in a wall. I would definitely go back for an after work quick bite but not for a full blown dinner. I dig their urban vibe and cool art...great music as well.
(3)Marina P.
This place was introduced to me by one of my best freinds. i hosted my birthday there and ever since we have been going there almost every week. The service is great, food is outstanding, drinks are amazing. Mike the owner is super accomidating. Seriously worth going. One of my favorite restaurants!!!
(5)Anna P.
I've been to Union Sushi twice now - once for lunch and once to pick up. Lunch was great - our server was knowledgeable and knew when to come by the table and when to give us space. Being a business lunch, we were there for 2 hours. We shared the mushroom ramen, which I subsequently when back to pick up later this week. It is delicious! The broth is full of flavor and the red chilies give it just enough spice. We also shared the barbeque sample plate - veggies, chicken, beef and tongue. The tongue was so tender - akin to Short Ribs - and all samples had nice sauce pairings. We did have to unskewer everything to share, and I was surprised it wasn't more difficult to do. The last thing we shared was a sushi roll - the Dragon I think with spicy shrimp, eel and avocado. It was good, but the mushroom ramen was the shiner here. We ended with dessert - told our server to surprise us - and the yuzu key lime pie thing was the perfect end after the rich ramen and barbeque. I would definitely go back with a client for lunch, or for dinner out with friends - it looks like they have some good happy hour nibbles too.
(4)Jessica T.
This was my first time dining at Union and my date and I were both very impressed. The decor and atmosphere is gorgeous. Our server, Jennifer, was outstanding, and I notice everything. She knows what she is doing for sure. She made my day when she mentioned the kangaroo special, which we can't wait to have again. I've been looking for a place that has kangaroo ever since I left Australia. Everything else we had was delicious and beautifully presented as well. I'm not a huge fan of the roll I got (the Tsukiji Market) because there was no rice and it was wrapped in radish, but that is my own fault because I read the menu and still ordered it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, just not my thing. Sashimi was a good size and fresh. I will go back for happy hour oysters and to try more things on the menu that sound delicious, and will request Jennifer to be my server. I think this could be our new spot! In fact, I just might go there before work, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
(5)rich m.
This place is delicious every time I go.
(5)Marisa V.
Funny part about this is that I personally don't eat seafood, so had no plans of going to a place with Sushi in the name - but after the stellar experience I just had while hosting a private event there, I want to tell everyone this is the place to go! My company hosted a private event there in the upstairs balcony and could not have had a more positive experience. From the very personable and sweet hostess to our bartender Peter and very attentive waitress, the service was outstanding. Every single food item that came out was something people raved about; crabcake sliders, beef sliders with quail egg, sushi, jump shrimp and beef, chicken and pork shoulder skewers. The signature cocktails were a huge hit too. So many times when you host an event there are limited drink options - but in addition to standard beer and drink options, our guests were able to choose from easily a dozen delicious mixed drinks. From the Skinny Geisha to pumpkin spice hot sake and more "masculine" drinks with bourbon or egg yolk, there was something for everyone. On top of all this, the space itself was such a great environment for a get together. It has a mix of bright colors and industrial accents that feel like something in the meat packing district of NY. Music was good too; a mix of genres but mainly hip hop like Busta Rhymes and Blackstreet (no diggity!).This event ended up costing half of what our last event did - which brought a tremendous value. Can't rave enough!
(5)Jamey B.
Unbelievable food and drinks! I love this place! The food is always fresh/fun to try and the bartenders are amazing at any type of cocktail. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to try new types of sushi for affordable prices!
(5)JD R.
A awesome place. Read my full review at foodbyjd.com/FoodByJD/Bl…
(4)Tom L.
Fabulous party at Union with friends. The staff was great, the food excellent and the vibe was everything you said. The spicy tuna was sweet and spicy with tremendous seasonings followed by a crunch. Certainly top 10 Chicago
(4)neal s.
This is a great place and I am not really a Sushi fan. I went with a group that had been told good things about it but other than that we didn't really have any other thoughts. We started out ordering a pretty good bottle of wine and our waiter recommended a couple of items that he said would pair nicely which they did. He made a few more suggestions which we liked and we ended up pretty much having him order the rest of the meal for us. Everything was great and it was just the right amount of food.
(5)Terrie C.
Food was amazing. Very fresh (though pieces much smaller than Sai). Were able to modify meal for my food allergies of wheat and soy without taking away flavor
(5)Dan A.
hip hop music and sushi...fun cool spot
(4)Lindsay D.
WOW---Im a SUPER fan!!!!! Where do I even start with this one....I called ahead not knowing if they take reservations or not, but the hostess was very friendly explaining that it wouldnt be that long of a wait for 2 people and that the bar is just as much fun as a table. They only take reservations for 7 people or more. When we arrived, (which I have to admit was kinda on the early side) we were seated right away. Although I wasnt in the mood for a drink, they have an extensive drink menu including wine, hand-crafted & unique signature cocktails and vino. Plates are small and are meant to be shared so we ordered a bunch of sushi rolls, starters, and BBQ. They have 3, yes, THREE kitchens so your food comes out as its prepared and ready to rock out to your table. Compliments of the chef, edamame with a great spice blend was served to all tables upon seating. Next to come out was the prosciutto-wrapped scallop skewers with fried ginger, wasabi-avocado puree and plum sauce; a blend of heaven. The scallop was perfectly done and the sweet with the salty with the crunch was perfect. Next were the sushi rolls!!! I love sushi....and now I LOVE sushi from Union Sushi. Their roll pairings are so well planned and executed...ok, ok, sorry, Im rambling. Try the Old City Market (spicy tuna, seared salmon, ponzu wrapped in collard greens and fried okra), Bay Street California (crabcake, cucumber, masago, spicy mayo), Devon (sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce) and MY FAVE...... Belly Roll (hamachi cucumber, orange tobiko, fried pork belly, scallions, tempura crumbs). I'll say it again....WOW. Next up was the truffled tuna. I mean truffle?? tuna?? avocado?? Wonton chips?? It was refreshing, savory, crunchy. Finally, we had the chicken thigh with japanese curry. This was my least favorite because it tasted quite fatty, but anything curry is a friend of mine. This place is a five-star place in every sense of the word. The decor is uber modern chic and the food is fantastic! I cant wait to go back for more.
(5)Sarah G.
Went here last night for the grand opening and couldn't have enjoyed it more! We went in a group of seven and it was fantastic because we just got a bunch of things to share and were able to sample a lot of the menu. The place is decorated in a really interesting way with all sorts of contrasting lighting, different wall textures, and a mix of classic and modern style. The creative seating allows them to fit a good amount of people and make the place feel warm and lively, but also allows for good movement and makes it feel open and not stuffy. Our waiter was very friendly and excited about the menu; other staff were attentive with refilling water, clearing away dishes, and wiping down the table; and one of the chefs and owners, Chao, even stopped by to chat with us and recommend a couple dishes. We took his advice and got the duck wing, duck fat yaki soba, truffled tuna, and beef tartar, and they were all amazing. The duck meat came right away from the bone and melted in your mouth. I could eat that everyday. The yaki soba is a good portion and helped fill plates. The tartar and truffle were great as well and people in our group who otherwise would never have tried those were enticed and loved them. For sushi we tried the Osaka Central, Old City Market, and Devon. I think Old City Market was the group favorite. The collard green wrapping made it taste very light and fresh. Since Union is sushi AND barbeque, we had to try some MEAT. The chicken and beef were delicious and succulent but the prosciutto-wrapped scallop was one of the best things I have eaten --- it was the perfect combo of flavors and just melted in your mouth. We also tried the sweet potato gnocchi with braised pork belly which was great and interesting since the gnocchi was fried. Drinks are a whole other experience. They were all so different and incredible and we tried to each get something new so we could sample them all! Surprise + Delight was very refreshing, had a definite cucumber taste, and was not too sweet (we had feared it might be). Spring Wanderer tasted just like Ginger Beer -- a sort of stronger ginger ale that is sold in Caribbean stores and is from Jamaica. Delicious!! The Princess Elena tasted exactly like the candy "Smarties" without being sickeningly sweet. I can definitely see myself craving it regularly. The Sparrow Bee was incredible with its hint of honey. South of the Border was excellent, though not super adventurous -- basically a REALLY good margarita. We decided to order all four desserts, and I think the ties for favorite were the creamsicle which really did taste like a creamsicle, and the vanilla ice cream in the ice cream sundae flight. Though vanilla ice cream seems simple, this was the best vanilla ice cream any of us had ever had. I will definitely be back to Union Sushi & Barbecue!
(5)Nikki L.
Union is my #1 restaurant spot in my hood. I am more than thrilled to see them on the block and they know it. I have been coming here at least 2-3 times a week since they opened and bring friends, who end up LOVING this hidden gem. Mike, Jay, Brit, Chef CHAO and Aaron are the BEST! I love walking into a place and feeling not only welcomed, but like I am having dinner at a friend's house. These people KNOW how to make you feel like part of the family and that's what I love most about coming here. Every time I come, I always have to get my 3 faves no matter what, which are the kobe sliders with a fried quail egg on top, the truffled tuna with mini wonton chips and the clifton #4 roll which has calamari, cilantro, cucumber and garlic mayo wrapped in marbled nori. OMG....My new favorite which has been a big hit with friends is the duck wing, it's crispy and the sauce is sweet and tangy, just the right balance of flavors. Make sure to save room for dessert! The homemade donuts filled with white chocolate yuzu and red bean are deeelicious. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes sushi and bbq, they have something for everyone. You will feel comfortable coming in here whether you are dressed up or down, it's just a fun place to be. Hope to see ya there!
(5)Todd S.
Everything about this place is amazing! The Duck Wings are a must try! Very inventive sushi, all having great flavor, and wrapped in many different ways. The service has always been great, and they are always having a great time with everyone that is having dinner. This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago right now and will def be back! Saki Bomb!
(5)Lauren W.
I love Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar - I have never had anything there that I didn't totally adore. The Buffalo Duck Wing, sashimi cup and truffled tuna are three of my must have apps. They have so many unique sushi rolls, and I love the fact that they have the black rice option as well as rolls wrapped in collared greens and soy paper as opposed to only rice. Every cocktail is delicious and refreshing, the service is excellent, and the staff is super accommodating. They also have a variety of delicious grilled meats and fishes that makes it a good stop for non-sushi eaters as well!
(5)Esther A.
Food and service are great. Expect to pay between $70 - $80 for drinks and food for two. We had the spicy tuna and shrimp tempura rolls. Probably the best rolls we've had in Chicago. Delicious. We also had the surf n turf dinner, tiny amount for the cost but this is a cuisine restaurant so I guess it is expected. There is this refreshing cocktail named Surprise + Delight. Yes, this is how it is spelled on the menu. Try it. Atmosphere is fun and reminds me of Tokyo. Very industrial inside, with feminine touches of anime graffiti and soft lighting. Check it out.
(4)Lily L.
love the duck soba! drinks are awesome and service is great! must go. Also happy hour with oysters are simply to die for!
(5)Olga L.
Just got back from a lunch at Union. Somewhat of a last minute decision - I pass the place every day on my walk to work, so I figured I'd give it a try. I only ordered from the sushi menu - Hokkaido, Old City Market, Crispy Smoked Salmon Skin, and River North rolls (four pieces each). Everyone was very friendly and they took my order right away. I lost track of time and didn't realize it, but the waitress came out after a bit and informed me that my food was late (it couldn't have been more than ten minutes late). I honestly did not notice or mind, but they insisted on giving me a complimentary bowl of chili-seasoned edamame, which I gratefully accepted. Everything I had was delicious, but I especially loved the Old City Market roll. I was perusing the BBQ menu and it looks like they offer alligator and kangaroo, which I may have to try. I will definitely be coming back here. Great vibe, great food. Oh, and, my four rolls only cost $30, which is a much better price than SushiSamba a few blocks over.
(5)Chi N.
O.m.g I love this place so much, it's big and has a great atmosphere, they have a bar up stair that u can have a drink too. The food is just yummy. I've been a lot of sushi restaurants all over country since I'm a big fan of sushi, but Union beats anywhere else. We ordered old city market roll and tsukiji market, their sushi roll is really unique. I'd recommend all my friends come here
(5)Tony D.
Solid place for a casual meal during the week. Tried the black rice sushi sampler, the bbq sampler and also the short rib ramen. The sushi was good. Not very memorable (either way good or bad). The bbq sampler had some excellent flavors (beef tongue, scallop w/bacon and the shrimp). The short rib ramen was by far the best dish! I would go just for the ramen. The broth was super rich and the homemade ramen noodles were top! This place has a good mix of asian foods, so if you are with a sushi or non sushi lover, everyone will find something they like.
(3)Helen H.
My 500th review is dedicated to Union, who found a way into my heart. :) OMG! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! My favorite restaurant while we were in Chicago and also the best sushi restaurant ever! I discovered Union while I was yelping for a place that does $1 oysters. After I looked at the rest of the menu, I was super excited. Sushi and barbeque bar? Black rice? Sold and sold! The menu is innovative and it's high in quality. If I was rich, I would order one of everything! I like how they give diners the option of a half roll or a full roll. Half rolls gave us an opportunity to try more items on the menu. Truffled Tuna (Truffle oil, avocado, parmesan, chili fresco, wonton chips)- Truffle anything is good! Oysters (Red tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, jalapeno-cilantro ponzu)- I could eat these all day! Beef Filet Skewer- The beef was tender and melted in my mouth. Black Rice Sushi Sampler- Black is the new brown. Rice that is. It has fewer carbs and calories. The sampler came with four different half rolls: Dragon- Spicy shrimp, eel, avocado, masago, green onion, eel sauce Devon- Sweet potato, curry mayo, chive, pickled radish, eel sauce Spicy Tuna- Spicy chili oil, masago, tempura flake, mayo Hokkaido- Grilled scallop, avocado, masago-mayo, roasted pepper, jalapeno, garlic, wrapped in soy paper My favorite was the Hokkaido. It was different and I could really taste the freshness of the scallop. Chesapeake Bay (Fried oyster, black rice, red tobiko, green onion, avocado, garlic aoli+ wrapped in collard green)- Collard greens? Who would ever think to put it into a sushi roll? Another winner! Note- I didn't eat all of this by myself. Sharing is caring! If you're a sushi lover like me, then you MUST come here or you are definitely missing out!
(5)Puckky P.
I came here for a second time. I'm warm for server and bartender. They take care me like family. I'll be back for sure, love it too much
(5)Nasser M.
Very good food, great value for the money and covers your craving for Noodles, sushi and BBQ.. Try their Makis, all are good, they even have carb free options for the rolls with lettuce and cucumber on the outside
(5)Christina L.
Ugh I wish I could give this a better review but the service has sucked the last two times I've been here. I would say 2.5 for Service/management. The grilled items were cold by the time we got it last time. Last night we ordered sushi only hoping for better service and faster eating. Our plan failed -we waited almost 45 min. for sushi and 30 for drinks. It was kind of ridiculous. Sushi is still very good and the sashimi cup is excellent. We got no info until I asked where the food and drinks were. While apologetic, they did nothing to even try to comp. anything. This place used to be on my go to list and now all it is is irritating. I will not be going back for a while. I hope you get some more staff and sushi chefs or open up the bar when you have a large party because you are stretched too thin in the front of the house.
(3)John Y.
So I went here with the love of my life to have a few apps and ramen to experience the take they had on ramen and it was just wrong ... If you like Lipton noodle soup this is the spot for you . I literally asked them to take the ramen off the menu, out of respect for ramen .
(2)Melissah L.
Okay damn. What a trendy, cute sushi place! I came here after work on a Thursday and loved it! As soon as i walked in, I was already won over by the decor and playlist- so fun! The service was impeccable and everything I ordered was amazing! I did end up dropping about $70 that night... but I was celebrating with friends, sooo I didn't mind :). I tried two of the specialty cocktails which were strong and tasty-- I didn't need any more to have a light buzz all throughout dinner. As far as food goes, I tried the happy hour special shrimp tempura half roll and beef skewer. YUM. Then, I ordered the truffled tuna (5 stars), spicy tuna with black rice (5 stars) and the tsukiji market roll (4 stars- fresh and delish, but too salad-like for my taste. This one would be better with rice IMO). My friend got a salmon skin roll which was good but a little too salty for my tastes, as well as a nice Bay Street California roll. 5-star experience, I will definitely come back!
(5)Megan D.
Very overdue review for Union Sushi. Service was exceptional and food was outstanding. I'm not your typical sushi fan and they cater to both the traditionalist and those who are not with their selection of cooked meats on the speciality grill. Need to get back here again soon.
(5)Sara K.
Didn't try the BBQ. Sushi was all good. Didn't realize they wrap their sushi rolls in things besides rice and seaweed. One had cucumber wrapped around the roll and one something else; both were very refreshing, which isn't something you can say about sushi most of the time. The waitress offered to make my shrimp non-spicy without me even asking! And the service was so quick we were out of the restaurant in less than an hour. Thumbs up.
(5)Monica C.
I come here all the time for the great deal during happy hour (5-6:30pm, everyday except Sunday) for beef skewers, oysters, and shrimp tempura roll. While the oysters are always amazing, the quality of the skewers and can vary. The beef was a little less tender and juicy, and over all the portions seemed smaller. I've had the black rice pudding, bacon wrapped scallops, uni spaghetti, ramen, soba salad, escolar, sliders, and some of their rolls. All are really delicious, though a bit small for the price that you pay. It's definitely still worth the glorious morsel every now and again. Very trendy and good service. Always a staple when I'm in the area.
(4)Lily Z.
I came here for happy hour with a friend on Friday. Their specials are pretty hard to beat. Although Shaw's may have 50 cent oysters, we couldn't make it in time so we settled for Union Sushi. Tasty oysters, complimentary serving of edamame and a casual atmosphere? Sounds like a good time to me! If you like bourbon, I highly recommend Union's Four Roses on the rocks. I like my alcohol to be strong, but I swear a glass of that can make anyone take on Chicago's polar vortex weather in just a tshirt and shorts.
(4)Diego M.
Try the kangaroo and tongue! Just amazing... If you like kombucha, they have a drink with it
(5)Mimosa N.
I was in town for a few days and chose to eat at Union for my last night there because I had heard about their black rice sushi and wanted to try it out. Upon entering, the restaurant is bright and trendy with a grill on display in the corner firing up some bbq. We went on a Saturday night and while reservations are recommended, by no means were they required. We sat at the upstairs bar and it was pretty vacant and intimate. Our bartender was friendly and patient and really cared about his craft. Bf ordered a drink (I believe it was the tokyo fixer) and it was definitely strong, while I just played it safe with water. A few minutes later, our bartender apparently made the wrong drink for another customer and, instead, gave it to me on the house. Again, the drink packed a mighty punch (can't recall the name). We ordered the sashimi cup as an appetizer, followed by the barbeque sampler, alligator skewer, hokkaido roll, dragon roll, and spicy tuna roll (all with black rice). The sashimi cup was a mixture of diced sashimi in a glass served on a bed of crushed ice and topped with a wasabi avocado puree. While I normally don't enjoy too much wasabi, this was a perfect addition to the sashimi and it made a delicious and refreshing appetizer. The bbq sampler came with a little bit of the beef filet, shrimp beef tongue, chicken thigh, prosciutto-wrapped scallop, squash, and cauliflower. One bite and bf declared that Union was going on his list of worthy restaurants. The bbq was all seasoned perfectly and every bite was flavorful and succulent. The sampler didn't include the alligator - which I wanted to try - so I ordered it on the side and that, too, was delicious and juicy. Alligator meat is usually a little tough, but here it was tender and moist. And as for the black rice sushi, it definitely did NOT disappoint. I've had sushi from all over and this was my first time ever trying it with black rice. Apparently black rice has fewer calories and fewer carbs than its white counterpart, but in no way does it sacrifice taste to do so. The sushi was awesome and even better since it's more guilt-free. It's difficult to describe, but it sets itself apart from both white and brown rice sushi. Try the hokkaido! Union can get quite pricey considering the portion sizes but, seriously, the flavors make up for it. Although the restaurant isn't the most authentic of Japanese restaurants, it is definitely unique and delicious. It's not somewhere I would dine at all the time since a check for two people came out to be over $100, but it is somewhere I would like to return to for sure to try out the other interesting dishes...when I feel like splurging.
(5)Herb V.
And it all comes down to the tea bag (more in a bit) Nice newer place in Chicago and an interesting combo of sushi and barbeque. Nice space, good staff, very good menu choices, even like the iPad with some additional spaces. Started with a few appetizer rolls - Devon, Old City, Tsukiji with black rice - delicious. Very subtle mushroom soup and bbq sampler. Then on to more specialty rolls including a great twist on the traditional California roll - the Bay Street CA roll with crabcake instead of Kani - that was excellent. And a few other delightful rolls as well. Finished off with my usual sushi dessert - Tamago. Just like to wrap up with Japanese omelet and nice touch with Union logo seared in each piece. And then there's the tea bag. I always order hot green tea. What I do not expect is to get a cup of hot water and a tea bag. And not even a Japanese tea, just run of the mill green tea. I want to see the big pot of tea brewing with small pots drawn from it. I can always bring my own hot water and tea bag. Cost the 5th star.
(4)Yvonne B.
This review is for their delivery. We used their easy-peasy online ordering system. It was so clear and simple that we probably ordered more than we normally would. We ordered $60 worth of food: Black Rice Sushi Sampler (Hakkaido Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Dragon Roll, and Devon Roll), Spare Ribs, Barbeque Cauliflower, and Barbeque Shiitake Mushrooms. Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar called soon after we placed the order to ask for our address. Somehow it didn't get transferred to them when we placed the order. Still later, we got calls from the doorman and then the delivery person verifying our unit number. We provided all of that information in the online ordering system so we thought it was strange that it didn't get relayed to the people who needed it. Delivery came in a timely manner and the food was still hot. We were provided with chopsticks, napkins, and lots of sauce packets. We didn't realize that we liked black rice sushi until we tried it from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar. We loved the flavor, texture, and the fact that we were magically consuming less carbs than white or brown rice! There are other sushi restaurants that have more scrumptious sushi rolls but these were good. We also really liked the barbeque bits: the mushrooms and the broccoli. That's right - broccoli. I don't know what happened but we were given two broccoli florettes and not cauliflower. It wasn't clear to me if the broccoli florettes were normally served along side one of the other dishes we ordered or if they were given in place of the cauliflower. Either way, the broccoli was crazy delicious. I will pass on the ribs next time. They were good, but I preferred everything else. We will probably order from Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar more in the future. The ordering system is easy and maybe they have our address on file from this order.
(4)Guy L.
My friend and I were going to a beer tasting event at Union Station and we had a taste for sushi. We chose this restaurant because we saw a lot of good reviews on here for it so we thought we'd try it out. The decor is very cool but I'm more concerned about the food. I guess they serve BBQ too but I really had a taste for sushi so we didn't try it. The service is very good, very friendly. The hostess welcomed us with open arms like we were friends with her and the waiter gave us some suggestions. Which were great! We got a couple different rolls but I have to say that the Spicy Tuna Roll was the best spicy tuna roll I have ever gotten, hands down. It had a ton of tuna in it and just enough spice to give it a little kick. I definitely recommend getting it! We also tried the Spicy Shrimp Roll as well. It was also excellent! The waiter also suggested that we get dessert and that we order the Pumpkin Mochi Cake and it did not disappoint. It had a very unique flavor with the pumpkin, vanilla ice cream and pumpkin seed brittle. I will definitely be back!
(4)Cherry H.
Music too noisy, not very typical of a sushi restaurant (but the environment resembles more like a grill bar). Sushi and crab really tasty. If you got reservation you might find a better seat on a popular day.
(4)Andrew C.
The Food is phenomenal. Rachel, a server, is one of the BEST Servers I've ever had in my life (true story!). The Location is beautiful and the ambiance is great. I am giving it one star because my card was overcharged to the tune of 400+ Dollars over three transactions (for a single night) and the manager, Mike has the nerve to tell me that "these things happen"and "split checks with debit card may have caused the issue" and then has me email him to solve the issue when he has me on the phone... so further waiting to get MY money that was misproperly entered in the first place. I can't bring myself to trust a place that can't own its own mistakes. nor can I stand being put off when its my money in the mix.
(1)Jian T.
We went there for the happy hour. The taste of oyster was unique but it was not the type of oyster that we expected. They were too little. I didn't feel that I ate anything with a half dozen. The black rice was new to me but the sashimi and sushi rolls were so-so. Liked the salmon and scallop but the tuna was not very fresh and tasty. The white rice was below average.
(3)Shan D.
Average sushi and average service. Came here for a bday party of over 12 people. We had the entire upstairs, and our food came out sporadically. When we complained, they brought over sake bombs for the entire group, which was nice. But all we wanted was our food! The sushi rolls are just ok. The fish quality is mediocre and the rolls fall apart too easily. The scene is nice so at least they have that going for them.
(2)Samantha Q.
Decent. Ramen was too salty for my taste. Food wasn't so great, but it wasn't terrible. I came for the atmosphere and service.
(3)Diana D.
It's been a nice spot. Interesting interior, food not bad, thoughtful service. I would say it's a good balance of the picture/quality of food/price. I would recommend it.
(5)Lisa T.
Went there on a friday night w a group of 7 for a 7:30 reservation and was so happy I did!!! Delicious drinks, appetizers, and sushi! Oh plus they have BBQ that is amazing. I will definitely be going back. Great food and great atmosphere!!
(5)Youna K.
Chefs table. Wow. Friend was in town who is a huge foodie and wanted to try a new place rather than usuals. Booked a chef's table with chao on a Wednesday night. For 80 bucks, we received 27 dishes along with few drinks on the house, and three hour private full attention from the executive chef. A true gem in the river north.
(4)Adam S.
THEIR SPICY PIG TAILED RAMEN CHANGED MY LIFE. Nervous b/c it says pig tail? GOOD. More for me. Note, it's warm, by which I mean spicy. I can handle and love spicy food, esp. soup, and this was about a 7/10 for me. It cleared my nose out like horseradish, made my lips smack, but somehow didn't burn my tongue. It was hot, but not enduringly hot, IE there were probably serrano or jalapeno used and not thai chili peppers. We also got a dragon roll that was half white and half black rice. I'd never had black rice before, it was great. I can't comment on the robato aspect, other than we sat at the bar next to the grill, and it looked pretty damn good. Looking for a bowl of 'spicy' soup that's actually spicy? GET HERE NOW.
(5)Sierra G.
Sushi + BBQ, both with a twist. The menu is split up into starters/shared plates/noodles/bowls---Barbeque----Sushi. Basically, there is something for everyone, even those people that claim they "don't eat raw fish". Edamame comes out as you sit down and ponder the menu. They also have a selection on specials that are shown on an ipad. The kitchen is open and I love seeing the dishes come out and what nearby tables have ordered. Sharing is encouraged here, especially since the menu is so diverse. Order a bit of everything. I typically go with the sushi. I like their unique combination that you won't find anywhere else. The Clifton #4 and the Devon are two standouts for me. I LOVE the black rice option and there is also a couple rolls that come rice-less for the the carb-conscious. Craft cocktails also get a thumbs up for their unique menu and use of herbs and spices. Finally, the soy sauce looks like R2-D2. Don't tell me you don't agree.
(4)Stephanie H.
Man oh man, I love this place. It's pricey, but it's worth it. I had dinner here a few weeks ago after wanting to try this place out for ages. I went at about 6pm with a friend with no reservation. It was starting to get crowded, but we were sat right away. I ordered the Skinny Geisha cocktail, which is refreshing. To eat, we took advantage of the happy hour specials and ordered some $1 oysters, a couple $2 beef filet skewers, and a $4 shrimp tempura roll. We also ordered the buffalo duck wing, which SO amazing we had to another another. it was perfectly crispy on the outside and sooo tender on the inside. It fell right off the bone as I went in for a chomp too. We also ordered black rice sushi sampler since we'd never tried black rice before. It was definitely a different flavor and texture than white rice, but I enjoyed it. They had fresh wasabi that day, which I had also never tried before. I typically don't like wasabi because it's too potent for me, but this stuff was GOOD. You need to try it. Also ask to see their "secret menu" which comes on an iPad. You're bound to like probably everything you order so just go and enjoy!
(5)Marshal B.
Came here for the chef's table: Absolutely amazing. My wife could not have asked for a better birthday experience. Chef Chao treated us like we were family, and the service was impeccable. The only complaint I have is how full we were at the end of the meal because of how delicious everything was. It's pricey, but I can't recommend the experience enough.
(5)Meredith B.
My friend and I came in for happy hour on a Friday afternoon after a long week. Unfortunately they don't open until 5, and since we slacked off - I mean finished our work so we could leave early - we got there before we could get seated and had to have a glass of wine around the corner! So early happy hour goers, beware. Once we arrived, we had very few seating options. The place was nearly empty but they said they had tons of reservations coming so we had to get these seats on the second floor at a little counter looking down over the restaurant. Would've been nice to get a table but I guess that's what we get for not making reservations! This was quickly made-up-for by our super friendly server who had basically the sexiest deep radio voice ever. I don't know his name, but you'll know who I'm talking about when you hear it. We started with four oysters, since they are a buck during happy hour. They are pretty small, and you don't get too much oyster taste since they've got tobiko, green onion, crispy shallot, and jalapeno-cilantro ponzu on them. Which is tasty, but doesn't taste much like oyster! So if you're not sure if you like oysters, this is a great way to get initiated in a non-threatening way. Oooooh almost forgot our drinks! I started with the Surprise + Delight which was great, light and super fresh. Cucumber vodka, muddled strawberry, Pimms, etc. It's definitely a summer cocktail, very sweet and fruity and refreshing. Later I had the Skinny Geisha which has citrus vodka (house-infused), and other stuff that I don't understand like "Hum," "Fresca," and "Yuzu." I remember enjoying it but can't remember what I thought if it beyond! But the Surprise+Delight, that's a winner. Surprising and delightful. We got a beef skewer, for $2 each (happy hour detail!) and they were super tender. Then we got, well, everything else. Scallop skewer wrapped in prosciutto (YUM), chicken thigh skewer (good but not a standout), half Bay Street California roll (super unique with crab cake in it!), half Old City Market (delicious, with spicy tuna and wrapped in collard green leaves), half Rainbow (different than other rainbow rolls - this one is more creative and had delicious eel), and half something else I can't even remember. But just being able to get half rolls is great because you get to try so much more. Great to get four pieces for about $5-7. The atmosphere is casual and colorful, and it's a very relaxed place for happy hour. One great thing is that they encourage patrons to get the staff wasted (apparently!) - it actually says on the menu - "Sake Bomb for the Sushi Chef," "six-pack for the kitchen staff," etc. Prices and everything! I love that attitude. I'd make a reservation if I went back again, but it's definitely worth going with a big group for happy hour and trying lots of different things!
(4)Lauren H.
They have fresh wasabi here, which is unbelievable.
(4)Chris K.
Been here 10 times or more since moving to Chicago for business 6 months ago. Have brought all my family, friends, and acquaintances here. Try the black rice sushi roll sampler! Outstanding!!! They also have BBQ meats, so a lot of variety. Their $1 oyster happy hour rocks too! They are also very nice to you if you are alone. Another "Table for one review".
(5)Ashley A.
first tried their food at an end of the year Yelp event & loved the taste & quality of it celebrated my most recent birthday here & glad I did! tried kangaroo meat on a skewer, which is totally delish & tender, so try it (if you're a carnivore) also has alligator meat, which I've tried before & it's not bad, but didn't order it here sushi is pretty good, ordered a variety love, love, LOVE the colorful graffiti & other finishings on the place whoever decorated this restaurant is awesome! they had some asian beer that I really liked! always a fan of places that carry beer I've never heard of the beer I ordered had a photo of a cat on the can, which made it better we made reservations & were seated promptly; service is good I liked that they had a decent selection of gluten free options, as one of us in our party has to order GF. I'd go back! thumbs up
(5)Rick R.
Fun. Vibrant. Great menu. Sushi is very good. Not great but very good ....this is a tough location for very good or excellent because we have Roka Akor and such in our backyard. Robata type meats are great. Good place to go with friends or date night. They have traditional Maki as well as specialty Maki rolled up in radish and cucumber as well as 'black' rice options. Staff is friendly. It is trendy so don't expect a quiet sushi bar. We live across the street and love to go. Happy hour options are nice too. Prices are average to slightly above. Try a specialty roll even if you don't normally Maki.
(4)Steph W.
Every single thing I ordered here was sooo delicious. Out of my two week trip here, this was the best food I've gotten We ordered the BBQ sampler (probablu enough for 4 people) and 3 different speciality sushis-- all superbbbb
(5)Alix K.
Went here last night for dinner w/ a group of friends. Three of us like sushi and ordered the Old Town and a Black Rice platter to share - all was really good. The other two in our group aren't big into sushi - but they ordered some of everything else - the chicken, the pork loin and the Short Rib. Apparently, the Short Rib is excellent because they both ordered more of those as we worked our way through the sushi! We split a bottle of white wine - reasonably priced for the area. Staff was nice and helpful - she recognized we were really into our conversation - which was a good thing! Already planning to come back again!
(4)Neil J.
Service was great. Food came out in timely manner. Was very tasty and will be back again in the near future!
(5)Cindy K.
We were remiss in not trying Union sooner! Wow. We celebrated our anniversary lunch there today and it was beyond terrific. The service was great. The short rib ramen was delicious with a spicy kick and they split it for us in the kitchen. One order was more than enough to share. Love the menu setup with half orders of sushi rolls as we could try three different ones with 4 pieces each, ample for two people, each having six pieces. The fish was fresh and the combos creative. The River North roll was my favorite. Can't wait to go back for more. Oh, I mentioned that it was our anniversary and the waitress brought us the most delicious house made ice cream with drizzled chocolate dip served in a sesame twill bowl! They didn't know that this is my personal favorite! Special! That's how they made us feel and that's what we think about Union Sushi. Special!
(5)Beth G.
I fear I take Union Sushi for granted because my boyfriend lives in the building. But just because it's convenient doesn't mean it isn't also great. Some highlights: 1. You can order half rolls (for half the price). For someone with an ADD appetite such as mine, this is great, because I can try four half rolls instead of two full ones, for example. 2. Above-average veggie rolls. I just can't quit the asparagus roll, which is made with caramelized onions and garlic mayo. The sonoma and cucumber are also worth trying. 3. The fish rolls are fairly original as well (such as the Chesapeake Bay, with fried oysters and black rice). Still, I prefer the veggie ones here, in terms of taste and price. 4. Mushroom or chicken ramen is a nice choice on a chilly evening, or if you are under the weather. 5. Finally, my boyfriend loves the grilled selection from their "barbeque bar." And this isn't just chicken on a stick ... he's sampled camel, kangaroo, alligator ... of course they have beef, shrimp, etc. for the less adventurous (of the three exotic meats mentioned above, camel was our favorite). 6. Oysters! Not huge, but well prepared with tangy and crisp accompaniments. 7. Awesome happy hour. $1 oysters, $4 shrimp tempura rolls (which are excellent), $2.50 beef skewers. EVERY DAY from 5 - 6:30 pm. Helluva deal. We get carry-out more often than we dine in, partially because it's easy, partially because there is a 10% discount for Flair Tower residents, and partially because Union's atmosphere is a little too scene-y and club-y for my tastes on most evenings. (Also, they aren't BYOB.) When we do change out of sweats and opt to eat on site, however, the service has always been fine, and it's fun to eat at the sushi bar and watch all the magic happen.
(4)Peter C.
Mediocre, loud, and overpriced (sorry, near north is not midtown manhattan). The complimentary edamame with cheddar starter was a nice thought, but tasted bad. Our table ordered 4 black rice rolls and a shrimp tempura roll. The ginger wasn't fresh and the sushi tasted like it would at any run of the mill sushi bar. On the side I ordered 3 plates from the barbecue menu: prosciutto scallop, beef filet, and chicken thigh. The scallop tasted nothing of bacon or prosciutto, and the chicken and beef that came after it all had a similar, fishy taste. I'd bet that all three were all cooked on the same surface. Be prepared to hear all of today's club hits at a high volume as well. If you are into that, you'll be pleased, if not head elsewhere.
(2)J J.
The alligator was pretty darn tasty. Been craving more since I left the place. I also had the Tsukiji Market roll. This was unlike any roll I've had. Two thumbs down!! It was flavorless and not worth the money. The oysters were delish , first time I've had raw oysters and glad this was the place I tried them at. The hostess was very rude though. My bf and I were the 1st one in the restaurant and she lead us to this tiny two top right in the path of everyone. I asked for another table and she had the audacity to give me attitude. Not cool & not worth the drama.
(2)Jill C.
The food was good but not worth the money in my opinion 3 rolls and an appetizer for $82 yeah thanks but no thanks I'll stick to the places in the suburbs.
(3)